After her transformation and rebirth, she manipulates the innocent and ruthless to overthrow the wor

"You mean, Madam He heard He Wan steal the hangover tea from Ginkgo?"

In the dim and damp woodshed, a musty smell permeated the air. A few faint rays of light shone through the only small window, casting long shadows of the surrounding clutter.

A woman dressed as a maid was respectfully reporting to a man with a prominent scar on his forehead. Her head was bowed, her eyes fixed obediently on the ground, never meeting the man's gaze, as if this servant-like man were her master.

“That’s right. At the time, Madam didn’t pursue the matter. She even hurriedly instructed me to help her up and have her pretend to be drunk on the couch.” Siji frowned slightly, recalled for a moment, and then said, “Madam also specifically instructed me not to tell that person about this matter.”

"It seems she still loves her daughter after all." Afu squinted, his gaze fixed on the doorway, as if he were pondering something.

But after a short while, he said, "Let's do as she says, but... we'll have to use some tricks." He looked at his submissive subordinate and coaxed him gently, "That's something you've always been good at."

"Yes, Master," Siji replied quickly.

"Go down, someone's coming." Afu glanced at the door, then suddenly smiled and ordered, "Go out that way."

Siji looked at the spot her master pointed to; it was the only window in the woodshed, and it was currently open. She briefly recalled that it seemed to have been open from the very beginning…

Without thinking, she walked to the window and jumped out.

……

Xiao Ran raised her hand and gently pushed open the door of the woodshed. The old door creaked softly.

Inside the house, Afu's figure came into view. He stood quietly by the window, his body outlined with a faint silver edge by the moonlight. There were no lights in the woodshed, and the inky darkness spread freely. Only the bright moonlight, through the mottled window frame, quietly fell on his high nose, as if draping him in a mysterious veil.

His eyes shone brightly in the moonlight, as if they held a sky full of stars, clear and bright, yet revealing an unfathomable depth, as if he had experienced many vicissitudes, yet remained virtuous amidst them.

"coming?"

Hearing her footsteps, Afu slowly turned his head and said, "I thought you weren't coming, young lady."

"Didn't you send me?" Xiao Ran scoffed. "Only you would do something like exploiting a child's admiration."

After the banquet today, she had planned to take a leisurely stroll around the mansion to cool off from the alcohol, but before she had gone far, she saw Xiao Lan rushing to find her.

Xiao Lan, reeking of alcohol, appeared cheerful as she shoved a note into her hand, saying, "Brother Afu brought lots of delicious food I've never seen before today. He said he'd like you to try it too."

The little girl kept saying in a daze, "You must try it, Miss! Xiao Lan has tried it! It's absolutely delicious!"

A smile suddenly appeared in Afu's eyes.

“You’re mistaken, young lady. What do you mean by ‘exploiting’? I only know that the saying ‘one hand cannot clap’ is not just an old saying.”

Xiao Ran found a woodpile, brushed off the dust, and sat down. She stared intently at Afu and said, "Tell me, what is your relationship with Prince Yan? Why do you want to know about him?"

For some reason, Afu laughed out loud and then slowly sat down.

“I have no relationship with Prince Yan, so please don’t overthink it. I’m just curious. How could someone as sheltered as you possibly get Prince Yan to do things for you? I’d like to learn from you.”

Upon seeing the servant-like man before her, who feigned a studious expression, she immediately felt disgusted.

"Since you know I sent a letter to Prince Yan, can't you find out what I wrote?" Xiao Ran gritted her teeth and stared at him. "Or is it that your influence doesn't extend into Prince Yan's residence?"