"I know." Xiao Jin's smile was bitter, and an awkward expression appeared between her brows. "What you said wasn't wrong. Oh well, she's still the older sister after all, and I don't want to fight over these things anyway. Let her be!"
"Sister!" Yingniang wanted to persuade her again, but seeing Xiao Jin's bitter yet resolute expression, she could only give up.
She sat down dejectedly and turned her head to the side in frustration.
"Yingniang, Yingniang—" Seeing that Yingniang ignored her, Xiao Jin had to raise her voice to get Yingniang to turn around and look at her. Yingniang's eyes were already red.
"Good sister, I know you're doing this for my own good!" Xiao Jin took Yingniang's hand, her voice somewhat humble. "But you must know my difficulties! I, I—" As she spoke of her sorrows, Xiao Jin's eyes began to redden.
"I just want to avenge my sister..." Seeing that Xiao Jin's eyes were red, Yingniang didn't know what to do and could only say, "Sister, don't be sad. I won't hold a grudge against you anymore!"
"Yingniang," Xiao Jin said, feeling both grateful and embarrassed, after a long pause, "I will remember your kindness!"
Yingniang chuckled nonchalantly, "I've been craving the assorted honey soup Zisu made last time." She shook Xiao Jin's hand and said coquettishly, "Good sister, if you ever have time to make it here, please don't forget your little sister."
"It's nothing! I'll have Zisu make it for you this afternoon." Xiao Jin breathed a sigh of relief, and her tightly furrowed brows relaxed.
Standing to the side, Zisu smiled and said, "Yes. It's rare that the Third Miss would appreciate my skills!"
The awkward and tense atmosphere dissipated instantly with Yingniang's playful remark. Xiao Ye, who had shrunk behind Xiao Jin since the two started arguing, became lively again. He shook his little head and said in a childish voice, "Ye'er wants to eat too!"
Everyone was amused by Xiao Ye's childlike innocence. Seeing everyone laughing, Xiao Ye, not understanding why, lowered his head shyly. However, the unease on his face disappeared.
Having learned everything Yingniang wanted to know, she said a few more trivial things before getting up to take her leave.
Xiao Jin escorted her to the courtyard gate and promised to have Zisu make sweet soup that afternoon. The two said goodbye with smiles.
"Amitabha!" Back in the inner room, Xiao Jin was no longer as reserved and timid as when Yingniang was there. He casually lounged on the soft couch, "Finally, we've sent this big shot away!"
Huan Yue and Zi Su exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.
"Miss," Zisu asked curiously, "were you...doing that on purpose just now?"
"Of course, otherwise who knows how many more troubles would arise!" Xiao Jin sighed. "Haven't you realized? She's trying to sow discord between me and Yao Niang! Or rather, to make me hate Yao Niang even more!"
Huan Yue nodded thoughtfully, and said calmly, "So you deliberately showed weakness, and no matter what tricks she used, you remained unmoved!"
"This child is teachable." Xiao Jin gave Huan Yue an approving look, then smiled and said, "Even with thousands of enemy troops surrounding us, I remain unmoved!" (For readers, you can search for "" to find this site immediately.)
Chapter 70
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"Yes, yes." Zisu was straightforward and intelligent, but these convoluted situations were enough to give her a headache. "All I know is that I have to get busy in a bit!"
"I need to go to the kitchen..." Zisu couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "What's free in the kitchen?"
Unfortunately, Xiao Jin overheard these words. Huan Yue didn't have time to stop Zi Su, so she could only glare at her fiercely. Zi Su, realizing her mistake, lowered her head in annoyance. Her mistress already had enough troubles; she was just adding to the chaos…
Xiao Jin sat up straight, sighed softly, her expression gentle yet firm, "Don't worry, one day, we will never have to suffer like this again!"
"Yes, Miss." Zisu's eyes reddened. She took a deep breath and said in a lighthearted tone, "I'll go prepare now."
"Wait a minute." Xiao Jin called out to her, then instructed Huan Yue, "Huan Yue, take some money to Zi Su. We'll pay for all the ingredients at market price!"
Not only Zisu, but Huanyue also widened her eyes. She said in disbelief, "Miss, there's never been such a thing... You are the legitimate daughter of the mansion, how can you have to pay out of your own pocket to bribe the kitchen staff just to make a sweet soup!"
Xiao Jin naturally understood what Huan Yue hadn't finished saying. However, in recent days, her thoughts had changed from what they initially had.
When she first discovered she had transmigrated to this place, she had witnessed the tragic fate of the original owner of this body. All she wanted was revenge, and she wished she could wipe out the Scholar's Mansion with a swift stroke. But reality was far more complicated than that.
She had yet to unravel the intricate web of relationships within the manor. All she relied on was Xiao Jin's original memories, which were too narrow and limited in scope, and were also largely influenced by Xiao Jin's subjective judgments.
Now that she'd transmigrated to ancient times, she naturally had to adapt to local customs. At twelve years old, she was no match for her five-year-old brother; they simply couldn't support the household! If something happened to the scholar's residence, she and Xiao Ye would definitely face dire consequences!
It's impossible for everything to perish together, and it's even more unrealistic to withdraw from the scholar's residence and remain unscathed...
Now that she's with Xiao Ye, the most important thing for her is to learn to be patient, navigate between the two concubines, and develop her own power.
There are still many things she doesn't understand, and she can't act rashly. But she will never again be a coward and let others manipulate her!
“There are established rules in the manor,” Xiao Jin said calmly, having made up her mind. “If any other courtyard were to follow suit, who knows what kind of trouble it would cause! Since you all know that I am the legitimate daughter, you should set an example even more!”
"It's not that serious..." Zisu muttered indignantly, "How much does it cost to make a sweet soup?"
"Zisu!" Huanyue scolded softly, pulling Zisu outside. "I'll go get you the money, hurry up and come with me!"
Seeing that Zisu reluctantly followed Huanyue away, Xiao Jin shook her head helplessly, then a smile appeared on her lips. These two girls... Huanyue is ultimately more astute. Given time and training, she will surely become her right-hand woman.
Zisu is also good; she's kind, skillful, and most importantly, loyal. But the two of them alone aren't enough. She still needs someone to advise her!
I hope Aunt Lu comes back soon...
The thought suddenly popped into Xiao Jin's mind. She recalled the expressions of Zisu and Huanyue not long ago and couldn't help but chuckle. Suddenly, she remembered something else: in Xiao Jin's previous life, it seemed that Madam Lu had passed away quite early?
What could be the reason? Xiao Jin thought about it for several days but still had no clue. The original memories of this body about Mother Lu were extremely vague.
Such a crucial person shouldn't be forgotten.
"Sister—" Xiao Jin was racking her brains to remember when a soft child's voice pulled her back to reality. It was Xiao Ye, who had changed his clothes and come looking for her. Xiao Jin looked up and saw two maids carrying food boxes behind him.
Xiao Jin couldn't help but smile when she saw this. This child was telling her in such a subtle way that he wanted some snacks.
"Ye'er, would you like some snacks?" Xiao Jin smiled as she lifted Xiao Ye onto the soft couch and instructed Zi Wan to set out the snacks. Xiao Jin couldn't help but shower this well-behaved and pitiful child with affection.
Xiao Ye nodded like a chick pecking at rice, his little face beaming with joy, his big, purple grape-like eyes fixed on Xiao Jin without blinking.