Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

The next morning, Gu Jinyan summoned Xiao Li again.

This time, her expression was cold, as if she was somewhat dissatisfied with him: "Xiao Li, what was the result of the matter I asked you to investigate?"

Xiao Li looked somewhat flustered and replied in a low voice, "Miss, I am incompetent and have not been able to find any useful clues."

Gu Jinyan stared at him coldly, remaining silent for a long time.

After a moment, she smiled slightly, as if she didn't care at all: "Fine, since you can't find out, I won't blame you. However, I have something more important to entrust to you."

She deliberately lowered her voice, as if revealing a secret: "I plan to secretly leave the mansion to see an old friend, but this matter must not be known to anyone."

Arrange for the men and prepare the carriages; we will depart at noon tomorrow. If this is done well, I will certainly reward you handsomely.

Xiao Li paused for a moment, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. He seemed to realize the secrecy of this task, but ultimately nodded and replied, "Don't worry, Miss, I will definitely do my best."

Gu Jinyan nodded slightly, already having made up his mind.

This test was not only to see Xiao Li's loyalty, but also to see how he would choose when faced with secrets and interests.

By noon the next day, Gu Jinyan had already made all the arrangements and was quietly waiting for things to develop.

Soon after, Hongye came to report again: "Miss, as expected, as soon as Xiao Li left the mansion, he went straight to the Second Miss's courtyard."

Gu Jinyan sneered, as if he had foreseen all of this: "Does he know that this is his last chance to betray us?"

Hongye's expression was grave as she asked in a low voice, "Young Miss, should we take immediate action?"

Gu Jinyan remained silent for a moment, then shook his head: "No rush. He's just a pawn; killing him won't shake the overall situation."

We also need to see how many other pawns are hidden behind the Quran.

Xiao Li dragged his tired body home. The night was as dark as ink, the streets were silent, and occasionally the wind rustled the fallen leaves.

His heart was as heavy as the night, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes flickered uncertainly.

The secret mission given to him by Gu Jinyan made him feel deeply uneasy.

The betrayal of a servant may seem insignificant in the Gu family mansion, but it could determine his life or death.

This eldest daughter possessed a cold and aloof demeanor, and her every word and action carried a profound and unfathomable meaning.

She sent him to investigate the Second Miss Quran's movements, seemingly to gain control of the household affairs.

But this was probably more than just an ordinary job—it was clearly a test, a test that would determine his fate.

When he returned to his small, dilapidated courtyard, the dim candlelight illuminated an old, frail face.

That was Xiao Li's elderly mother, who lay paralyzed in bed, coughing incessantly all day long.

Her illness had dragged on for years, and Xiao Li's meager monthly salary was simply not enough to cover the cost of her medicine. Seeing his mother's condition deteriorating day by day, he felt as if a huge boulder was pressing down on his heart, making it hard to breathe.

His wife was squatting by the bed, holding an infant in her arms.

The wife had a sallow complexion and sunken eyes, and was feeding her mother medicine with trembling fingers.

Seeing Xiao Li enter, she forced a smile: "You're back? Did you get a little extra pay today?"

Xiao Li didn't answer, but silently put down the bag in his hand, his eyes filled with complicated emotions.

The wife's smile froze on her face, and then she lowered her head and said nothing more.

Since Xiao Li entered the Prince's mansion, although he hoped to find a way out, fate has never been on his side.

The rules in the Prince's mansion were strict, and although Xiao Li was a servant, he could hardly get any benefits.

Now, his mother's illness and his child's infancy are like ropes binding his heart.

The burdens of life, like an invisible hand, pushed Xiao Li step by step toward the abyss.

To survive, simply doing things the proper way is not an option.

As he stepped out of his house, his mother's weak whispers before going to sleep kept echoing in his mind: "Son, as long as it makes things a little easier for our family... I don't care what I do."

Therefore, when Xiao Li received Gu Jinyan's order to investigate the Quran, he had ulterior motives.

Although the second young lady, Qu Lanci, was born out of wedlock, she has gradually distinguished herself in the household in recent years, and it seems that she has external assistance behind her.

If he could get in touch with the second young lady and make a deal with her, he might be able to change his situation.

The next day, Xiao Li made an excuse to go out on business and went straight to the second young lady's courtyard.

In the quiet flower hall, he met Suyun, the second young lady's personal maid.

Su Yun narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp: "Little Li, you don't usually come to the Second Miss's place, why have you come today?"