Chapter 78 Counterattack

No, impossible!

In his entire life, Xiao Su would never believe in any so-called predetermined destiny.

Yan Niang was the love of his life, and she and his daughter were the hope for the future of the Xiao family.

He gradually calmed down and gained a clearer understanding of the whole situation.

Yuyao has always been a self-disciplined child who follows a light diet. Today's incident is either a misunderstanding or someone has framed her.

Therefore, Princess Min-young, who proposed to perform, and Zheng Yan-ling, who specifically requested Yu-yao to perform, are both highly suspicious.

If the two of them hadn't brought it up, Yuyao would never have played the zither.

Xiao Su was a high-ranking official in the imperial court who had long held a high position. He was not only extremely knowledgeable about people's hearts, but he could also guess to some extent the grudges and affections between the young girls.

But when did Yuyao offend these two people? He had always been a good husband and father in the eyes of his colleagues, and their children all praised Yuyao.

This time, Yu Yao was so embarrassed, and in her impulsiveness, she left a bad impression on the Emperor and Empress, which also lowered her own standing with His Majesty.

If one cannot cultivate oneself, manage one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world, it will inevitably lead people to doubt his political abilities. We still need to find a way to restore Yuyao's former good reputation as soon as possible.

Xiao Su prided himself on his foresight; he had already considered the causes, consequences, and solutions to a mere minor dispute between young women.

Birds swooped through the air from the narrow, quiet palace path, chirping sweetly.

Xiahou Yin frowned, his gaze fixed on the southwest. After a moment of contemplation, he said:

“What Miss Xiao said makes sense. The people of Jiaozhi have many poisons, and it is indeed difficult to guard against them. We have also stumbled on this matter before.”

Xiao Yuxuan had just reminded him of the epidemic among the Nan Yue people, hoping that General Xiahou would take extra precautions while guarding the border.

The deputy general betrayed her country and colluded with the enemy; she was in the capital and had no way of "foreseeing" it.

But epidemics are a common occurrence throughout history. Once they appear, people suffer greatly. Whether they are commoners or nobles, everyone is equal in the face of life and death. This is something that everyone fears.

Her reminder to Xiahou Yin at this moment could be interpreted as needless worry and would not arouse suspicion.

"However, even if we are determined to investigate, the people of Jiaozhi have always been cunning and treacherous... Never mind, Miss Xiao is righteous and worries that ordinary women cannot. Xiahou Yin will certainly not disappoint Miss Xiao. I will discuss this matter with my father in detail later and see if there is any way to deal with it."

Xiao Yuxuan understood Xiahou Yin's meaning. There is always a saying that one can be a thief for a thousand days but not a thief for a thousand days. However, there were still more than eight months until the plague, and she could not be sure that no unexpected changes would occur during that time.

Just like since her rebirth, many things have changed because of her different choices.

However, since the Xiahou family had begun to take this matter seriously, she was somewhat relieved and then said:

"Both the young general and your father are talented generals who know how to recognize and appoint people and are skilled in military strategy. I am just a woman confined to my room, and what I say is nothing more than showing off my limited skills. I hope the young general will not laugh at me."

Xiahou Yin shook his head, his ears turning a rosy red, and said:

“Miss Xiao, please don’t call me Little General anymore. Everything I have now is thanks to my father’s hard work. I have never fought for my country or my people. What kind of Little General am I? If Miss Xiao doesn’t mind, please just call me Xiahou Yin…”

Xiao Yuxuan smiled and agreed.

The two teenagers were talking quietly, and Qin Yuan followed at a distance. She saw that the two serious little faces smiled at each other after they said something, and she felt happy too.

Miss Xiao and Young Master Xiahou, one from a civil official family and the other from a military family, though their families were geographically distant, shared a similar air about them.

They all possess a kind and benevolent nature, and are loyal and righteous.

Qin Yuan had long understood the feelings between men and women, and now, looking at the two of them again, she felt an inexplicable sense that they were a perfect match.

However, Miss Xiao is still young. If the Princess were to grant her a marriage later, this Young Master Xiahou would be a good candidate…

Thinking this, at the end of the palace path, a palace maid, panting heavily, hurried towards this side.

"Miss Qin Yuan, the Princess is looking for Miss Xiao! Please take Miss Xiao back quickly."

The palace banquet continued, and the eldest princess eagerly awaited her arrival. Finally, she saw Xiao Yuxuan enter through a side door.

Seeing her rosy complexion and bright eyes, she finally felt a little relieved.

For some reason, after seeing Xiao Yuyao make a fool of herself, she felt uneasy, wondering where Xiao Yuxuan was and if something bad had happened to her.

On the way here, the palace maid had already briefly recounted what had happened at the palace banquet earlier: Miss Zheng's sword dance had amazed everyone, and Miss Xiao's unseemly behavior and breach of etiquette before the Emperor had resulted in the Emperor reprimanding Minister Xiao.

Xiao Yuxuan didn't feel anything. Chunwen's packet of croton powder had long been replaced with sugar powder, and the tea that actually contained something had already been drunk by Xiao Yuyao.

But that alone is far from enough.

Bi Sui's injuries couldn't be suffered in vain; these were merely her way of demanding some interest from Xiao Yuyao.

"Please give my regards to Her Highness the Princess. Tell her that I went out to sober up and met a friend on the way, which is why we chatted for a while."

She carefully instructed the palace maid, who blushed when she faced her, whether due to her shy nature or some other reason.

"Yes, this servant will certainly deliver it."

Before she left, she glanced at Xiao Yuxuan again cautiously.

I hadn't paid attention while walking, but now, listening to Miss Xiao speak, her stunningly beautiful face was so close, and a faint fragrance filled my nose as she spoke. Not to mention her gentle and soft voice, which made my bones melt.

Is there something on my face?

Xiao Yuxuan raised her hand to touch her cheek, somewhat taken aback, and turned to ask Qin Yuan.

"It's probably because the young palace maid thinks the girl is pretty that she's so infatuated with her."

Qin Yuan found it somewhat amusing that Miss Xiao possessed such beauty yet was completely unaware of it.

There had been no imperial concubine selection for several years. The favored women were all older women who had served the palace in the past. Although they still retained their charm, the young palace maids only saw the young noble ladies at occasions like palace banquets, so they were all naturally curious.

This was something Xiao Yuxuan hadn't expected.

In her past life, beauty was nothing but the most useless thing to her.

Without matching family support and personal ability, even the most beautiful appearance is nothing more than a weapon that can destroy a person's very being.

In retrospect, this beauty has become her easiest weapon to use.

Her gaze fell on the men's section, where Qi Huan had already come down from the head of the table and was drinking and chatting with several people his age. He was flushed and in high spirits.

To lure the snake out of its hole, you need to use the most tempting bait.

Xiao Yuyao's medicine was just meant to teach Xiao Yuxuan a lesson; the dosage was not heavy.

As she emerged from the washroom, she immediately understood that this was Xiao Yuxuan's retaliation. She just didn't know whether it was that useless Chunwen who had been turned against her, or whether she had some other informant.