The beloved is reborn as a substitute, and the tyrant begs for forgiveness every night.

But once Xu Leyao has made a decision, how can she be allowed to say no?

Xu Leyao didn't speak, she just looked at her quietly.

Seeing that she had no way to resist, Jiang Xiuxiu reluctantly picked up the needle and thread lying next to her and pricked her finger.

A drop of blood quickly seeped from the fingernail.

Jiang Xiuxiu squeezed out the blood and dripped it into the bowl.

Xu Leyao then stopped her from watching.

"You can go back first. You can finish embroidering that handkerchief for me while you're at it."

Hearing Xu Leyao's words, Jiang Xiuxiu nodded, then picked up the embroidered handkerchief and left.

After she left, Xu Leyao finally went to the bowl to see the result.

The two drops of blood were separated by a line, but showed no signs of mixing.

Seeing this, Xu Leyao couldn't help but frown.

Those whose blood is compatible are extremely close, while those whose blood is incompatible are extremely distant.

Therefore, Jiang Xiuxiu and her mother are not related by blood.

But if that's the case, Xu Leyao understands even less.

If it was only because of feelings that developed during their time together, then Jiang's mother shouldn't have ignored her after the original owner returned.

But the truth is, before Xu Leyao returned in place of the original owner, Jiang's mother had always favored Jiang Xiuxiu.

Even if the original owner of the body had no use to her at the time, she was still Jiang's mother's biological daughter.

However, Jiang's mother chose to favor Jiang Xiuxiu over the two of them.

The questions Xu Leyao couldn't understand before, are now even more confusing given this outcome.

What could possibly make a mother so steadfastly choose another child with whom she has no blood relation from beginning to end?

She had always thought that Jiang Xiuxiu was her mother's daughter who had been separated from her family.

In this way, it would be understandable if Jiang's mother showed favoritism.

However, it now appears that the two women are indeed not related by blood.

Xu Leyao stared at this scene, stunned and not knowing what she was thinking.

Xiao Zhu couldn't help but lean forward to take a look.

Seeing that the blood inside had not mixed, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhu'er's thoughts were not as complicated as Xu Leyao's.

She just felt that if Ruo Jiang Xiuxiu was really Jiang's mother's daughter, then what position should her young lady have?

Even now, she still can't understand why Xu Leyao would do such a thing.

The embroidered handkerchief she gave Xu Leyao a while ago could not possibly have been embroidered by Xu Leyao herself.

Xu Leyao doesn't have much patience or interest in things like needlework.

That was something she had "embroidered" to give to Zheng Zhihe.

Zheng Zhihe has given her a lot of convenience, so Xu Leyao should give him something in return.

However, she wasn't interested, so she pushed the matter onto Pearl.

Fortunately, Pearl was also hardworking and never complained, and she continued to embroider this handkerchief for her.

As soon as Xu Leyao mentioned it today, Zhu'er immediately understood that the embroidered handkerchief Xu Leyao was referring to was one that she had embroidered.

So he rushed back and quickly mended a few stitches, then handed them over to Jiang's mother.

“Miss, Miss Xiuxiu took that embroidered handkerchief.”

Seeing Xu Leyao lost in thought, Zhu'er couldn't help but gently offer some advice.

"How about I go and get that embroidered handkerchief back?"

Hearing Zhu'er's voice, Xu Leyao came back to her senses and looked at her.

Xu Leyao then shook her head.

Just by looking at how well Jiang Xiuxiu threaded the needle, you can tell that she is quite skilled in needlework.

Therefore, Xu Leyao was not in a hurry to get the embroidered handkerchief back.

Since she doesn't plan to do it herself, what difference does it make who does the embroidery?

Besides, Pearl has to serve me.

With so many things weighing on her shoulders, Xu Leyao felt sorry for her.

"No need, just tell her later that I need this embroidered handkerchief in three days."

A glint flashed in Xu Leyao's eyes as she said this.

Upon hearing this, Pearl looked at her in surprise.

"Miss, isn't three days a bit too short?"

If she were to embroider it, she definitely wouldn't be able to finish it in three days.

Seeing the worry in Zhu'er's eyes, Xu Leyao shook her head.

Her voice was firm, and she then instructed Zhu'er to inform Jiang Xiuxiu.

"I'll only give her three days. If she can finish, then we'll discuss the rest."

Seeing that Xu Leyao was so insistent, Zhu'er naturally had no reason to persuade her any further.

Although she felt it was an impossible task, she realized that she wasn't the one who was in a difficult position.

Besides, Jiang Xiuxiu made things so difficult for Xu Leyao before, so it's only right that Xu Leyao uses this incident to give her a minor punishment as a warning.

After comforting herself, Zhu'er went to inform Jiang Xiuxiu.

However, Xu Leyao did not think that way.

The reason she only gave him three days was to test Jiang Xiuxiu.

If Jiang Xiuxiu were truly willing to go through fire and water for her orders, working through the night for three days would be enough.

Although it was tiring, it also allowed Xu Leyao to see her determination.

However, if she cannot produce a complete embroidered handkerchief within three days, it can only prove that Xu Leyao's words are not very effective for her.

Don't use people with suspicion, don't use people who are suspicious.

Xu Leyao is now testing how much Jiang Xiuxiu actually listens to her.

After Zhu'er finished delivering the message, Jiang Xiuxiu couldn't help but sigh.

Even with her quick hands and feet, it would take her three days and all night to complete the task.

After all, although the crane was embroidered well, the stitches were rather rough.

If such an embroidered handkerchief were taken out, Jiang Xiuxiu probably wouldn't dare to say that she had contributed to its creation.

She sighed, then asked Shizhu to bring her sewing box, and began to embroider on it.

Seeing that Jiang Xiuxiu had already started working, Zhu'er didn't disturb her, but quietly left.

After Zhu'er returned and reported the progress to Xu Leyao, a hint of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.

It seems that Jiang Xiuxiu really sees her as a lifeline, which is why she listens to her every word.

That's good. As long as she can get into the Third Prince's residence, she can pass on messages for herself.

Zheng Zhihe only had three sons who were truly useful.

If one of the better ones were destroyed, she would probably be heartbroken.

Thinking of Zheng Zhihe crying his heart out later, Xu Leyao couldn't help but feel relieved.

This matter needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

As Xu Leyao pondered this, she then sent Zhu'er to inquire with Jiang's mother about the guests she would invite to her coming-of-age ceremony.

Sure enough, the name of the Third Prince was among them.

The fact that the Third Prince was so close to Jiang Xiuxiu in the past suggests that he might have been trying to win over the Jiang family.

After all, her mother was only a minor concubine.

However, the Jiang family had a concubine.

If she could use the Jiang family's connections to get in touch with Jiang Yunxue, her social standing would be elevated even further.

Although Jiang Xiuxiu is no longer useful, the Third Prince has not given up on the idea of ​​winning over the Jiang family.