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

“But young lady… it’s New Year’s Eve today, I’m afraid Baoshixuan will have already closed.” Xia He said hesitantly.

"It's nothing." Xiao Ran calmly took out a jade pendant from her bosom. The four characters "Baotong Money Shop" were clearly engraved on it, and the character "Ran" was engraved on the back.

"Have Xiaolan go to Baotong Money Shop and tell them that Miss Xiao wants to see their manager."

She handed the jade pendant to Xia He, her tone calm yet undeniable: "The shopkeeper's surname is Li. I deposited all my money from when I came of age with him, so he recognizes me. He owns not only Baotong Money Shop but also Baotong Pawnshop."

Upon hearing this, Xia He gasped and tentatively asked, "Does Miss mean... to have Xiao Lan collect the pawned jewelry?"

"Hmm." Xiao Ran nodded slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, added, "Have Xiao Lan collect some of the jewelry that has been pawned. Baotong Pawnshop is a large pawnshop, so they should have plenty of jewelry."

Upon hearing this, Chun Tao couldn't help but clap her hands in praise: "Young lady, you're so clever! The items you pawn must be of good quality, and since they're permanently pawned, you don't have to worry about anyone trying to redeem them!"

However, Xia He was still somewhat worried, and frowned, saying, "What if someone recognizes these jewelry pieces at the palace banquet?"

Upon hearing this, Chun Tao chuckled and poked Xia He's forehead. "Are you silly? The people who can attend the palace banquet are all important figures. If they really recognize that the young lady's jewelry belongs to them, would they dare to speak up? If they did, wouldn't it let others know that they are so poor that they have to pawn their jewelry?"

As she spoke, Chun Tao shook her head smugly: "I'm telling you, they'll have to beg our girl to get her jewelry back!"

"Let's do it this way." Xiao Ran turned to Xia He and instructed, "Xia He, please tell Xiao Lan that she has been in Tianxiang Tower for many years and knows best what's popular right now. She should know which jewelry to buy."

"Yes, miss." With that, Xia He took the jade token and withdrew.

Chuntao was overjoyed, skipping and jumping as she walked, saying, "Our young lady is so clever! We maids are going to be very happy from now on."

Xiao Ran shook her head behind her. Suddenly, she stopped and turned to look at the corner.

The window frames of the woodshed creaked and rattled in the cold wind, as if telling a story. But the door was tightly shut, as if no one had ever been inside.

Yinxing's last words were completely shut out in that dark woodshed as the door closed.

The cold wind whipped up the snow on the ground. Xiao Ran stood there, gazing quietly for a while, before turning and leaving.

……

Winter days are short; by late afternoon, the sky had darkened, spreading slowly like thick ink from the horizon. Xiao Ran, draped in a silver fox fur coat, was followed by several maids, including Chun Tao and Xia He. The group walked slowly through the snow toward the gate of the General's Mansion.

Upon arriving at the gate, they saw He Wan dressed in an apricot-colored dress, holding a gilded hand warmer, and speaking softly to Xiao Mu.

Her eyes were smiling, her expression gentle, and she looked exceptionally charming.

Chun Tao, with her sharp eyes, immediately noticed that He Wan was not wearing the outdated jewelry sent by the He family, but rather some exquisite new hairpins that shimmered in the twilight.

Xiao Ran naturally noticed it as well, but her expression remained unchanged, showing no sign of anything amiss. She simply stepped forward slowly and gave a slight curtsy.

"Father, Sister Wan."