Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

Xiao Li knew very well that once he took this step, there would be no turning back.

But he had no other choice.

He said in a low voice, "I'm here on the orders of the eldest young lady to investigate the second young lady's movements. However..."

He paused, then lowered his voice, "If Miss is willing to give me some guidance, I am not unable to inform you of some unfavorable news in advance."

Su Yun smiled slightly, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

She asked coldly, "Do you know what the consequences will be if you are found out?"

Xiao Li's heart tightened, but he gritted his teeth and said, "I know. But if I can get the Second Miss's protection, I am willing to take the risk."

Su Yun pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Very good, the Second Miss will remember your loyalty. In the future, you can report to the Eldest Miss on any tasks she assigns you, and we will reward you accordingly."

Xiao Li breathed a long sigh of relief.

From that moment on, his fate slid down another dark path.

However, Xiao Li was unaware that Gu Jinyan had already witnessed his betrayal.

Several days later, Gu Jinyan summoned him again, this time with an order that was even more secretive than before.

Her gaze was deep and unfathomable, like an ancient well with no bottom: "Little Li, I plan to leave the manor at noon tomorrow."

This is of utmost importance; no one must know about it. Go and prepare the carriages and men, and return to report to me once you have done so.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li was greatly alarmed. He had a vague feeling that this mission might be even more dangerous than the last one.

But he had already stepped into this game, and there was no turning back.

If this news were relayed to the Second Miss, it might earn her a substantial reward, or even lift her out of poverty.

"Understood, sir. I will do my best to handle it well." Xiao Li lowered his head and replied, but in his heart he was already planning how to sell the information for a good price.

That night, Xiao Li secretly sneaked into the courtyard of the second young lady, Gu Lanci, and informed her of Gu Jinyan's plan.

After listening, Su Yun's eyes flashed with a cold smile: "You did a good job. This is the silver that the Second Miss is giving you. Take it and use it to help your family in their time of need."

A heavy bag of silver landed in Xiao Li's hands, and his heart pounded.

I haven't been this wealthy in years. This money is enough to hire the best doctor for my mother and to feed my wife and children well for several months.

But at the same time, he felt a chill—he had completely betrayed the young lady, and there was no turning back.

He carefully hid the silver, constantly reassuring himself, "As long as I can survive, as long as my family can live a good life, it's worth it."

The following day at noon, Gu Jinyan summoned Xiao Li as promised. Her expression was as calm as ever, as if she had not noticed anything amiss: "Is the carriage ready?"

Xiao Li bowed his head and reported, "Reporting to Miss, everything is ready."

Gu Jinyan smiled slightly, but his smile held an unfathomable meaning: "Very good."

A moment later, Hongye quietly entered the room and whispered in Gu Jinyan's ear, "Miss, everything is as you predicted. Xiao Li has passed the message to the Second Miss."

In the dead of night, the Gu family mansion was completely silent, except for the dim lights in the library, where the faint candlelight illuminated the edges of the books.

Gu Jinyan tiptoed into the library, passed several rows of bookshelves, and arrived at that secluded corner, his heart filled with some unspeakable anticipation.

Ever since she stumbled upon that ancient scroll, a seed of curiosity had been planted in her heart.

What is the connection between this scroll and the jade pendant in her hand? Can they grant her the power to reverse her fate?

She walked to the dusty bookshelf and gently picked up the abandoned ancient scroll.

The candlelight flickered, and the symbols on the scroll glowed faintly, as if in response to her arrival.

Gu Jinyan took a deep breath and slowly unfurled the scroll. This time, she had a premonition that the secret on the scroll was about to be revealed.

As the scroll was fully unfurled, Gu Jinyan's gaze was immediately drawn to a passage of obscure text.

This text seems different from the previous ones; it is no longer just simple symbols or patterns, but a detailed record of a secret technique.

This secret technique, known as the "Art of Mind Control," is said to be an ancient secret method that can infiltrate the minds of others, silently change their thoughts, and even guide their decisions.

This manipulation is not a direct command, but rather a process that uses subtle psychological suggestions and the guidance of power to make the manipulated person make choices that conform to the caster's intentions.