Long ago, when she first learned that Ni Yiguo had people practicing Yin-Yang cultivation, she knew that because of her, many cultivators might have appeared in this world.

Perhaps they descended to the mortal realm without permission, causing chaos and destruction.

Or perhaps they were also there to gain experience, but went astray.

In the past, Heaven had said that she should help Yama undergo his tribulation, but over the years, she had been searching for Yama's whereabouts and had never found him.

And the people around her, such as Ning Nanxiao, also seemed a bit off. Why did they suddenly turn red-haired and red-eyed?

All things considered, there will always be some problems, big and small.

She is not a celestial being, or rather, even a celestial being cannot protect everyone. She can only ensure that those around her are not harmed, saving as many as she can.

Guan Xin and Huang Lian looked at the booklet in their hands. They recognized every single word in it, but when put together, they couldn't understand it at all!

“In a few days, my apprentice Xiang Chaoyang will come to the capital. You will all come with me to learn from him then.”

"Xiang Chaoyang?" Huang Lian looked at Bai Tuantuan in confusion. "Why didn't you tell us you took on a disciple? We haven't even prepared any gifts yet!"

A smile appeared on Bai Tuantuan's face: "Lian'er, if we're really going to count, you could be considered my eldest disciple. It's just a pity, alas..."

Huang Lian also thought of the past and couldn't help but sigh, "Yes, I used to be very unconvinced by you. You know, Grandpa rarely praises anyone. But now, I'm completely convinced."

"Now that she can't be my apprentice, she's become my sister instead, sigh..." Bai Tuantuan shook her head, pretending to be unhappy.

Huang Lian laughed: "It's not just one older sister. Xin'er has been adopted as an adopted daughter by Second Uncle. Look, you have another older sister now."

Bai Tuantuan: ……

"My two uncles are just a hindrance to me! But Xiaobao is six years old now, and I still haven't seen him. I don't know when they will be back."

Bai Tuantuan recalled that Rong Manli was already pregnant when she left the isolated island, and gave birth to a son at the end of the year.

This made the second uncle, who had always wanted a daughter, beat his chest in frustration, while the maternal grandparents were amused and exasperated.

Fortunately, Xiao Bao is well-behaved and cute. Not to mention others, even Chen Yijun, who had always been resistant, liked him very much.

Chen Xingfeng and Chen Junfeng dote on him so much that now Xiao Bao is fearless, climbing on roofs and tearing off tiles, and he's as good as two people!

So, three days before Bai Tuantuan returned, Chen Yijun and Rong Manli took Xiaobao directly to the lair of Fengyue Pavilion, saying they wanted to teach Xiaobao a lesson.

"Soon," Guan Xin said with a smile. "We've already sent the news that you're coming home, and you'll be back soon."

The three talked for a while longer before leaving Erdong Restaurant.

As soon as I stepped out of Erdong Restaurant, I saw Ning Nanxiao.

"There's a commotion at the palace gate." Ning Nanxiao raised an eyebrow, looking at Bai Tuantuan, and asked, "Was this your doing?"

Although it was a question, the tone was full of certainty.

Bai Tuantuan curled her lips: "Of course. If I don't give it a push, I'd be sorry to know this news."

Ning Nanxiao smiled and said, "Let's go back."

Huang Lian was curious and was about to ask what had happened at the palace gate when Ning Nanxiao gave a brief explanation.

It was nothing more than Lord Lin finding out that Xiao Ruyan was seducing the Third Prince, and he beat Xiao Ruyan at the palace gate. Mu Yangrun, who was being reprimanded after leaving the palace, happened to see this. Mu Yangrun was already in a bad mood because of being scolded by the Emperor, so he directly scolded Lord Lin and left with Xiao Ruyan.

"So Lord Lin just agrees to this?" Guan Xin asked, puzzled.

"What can we do if we don't acknowledge her?" Ning Nanxiao said indifferently. "After all, to Lord Lin, Xiao Ruyan is just an unimportant woman. If we can use her to win over the Third Prince, that would be the best outcome."

"But..."

Ning Nanxiao gave Bai Tuantuan a meaningful look: "Your plan was quite good. You actually managed to provoke Lord Lin's anger with Xiao Ruyan's maid, to the point that he lost his temper."

"If he were to calm down and think things through, he would happily send Xiao Ruyan away. Now that things have gotten so tense, unless Xiao Ruyan is willing to put in a good word for him with the Third Prince, Lord Lin..."

Ning Nanxiao scoffed lightly: "Your official career ends here."

Bai Tuantuan looked at Ning Nanxiao with suspicion: "You should all know what Lord Lin has done, so why don't you deal with him?"

“Someone is protecting him.” Ning Nanxiao sighed helplessly. “More importantly, apart from having that kind of fetish, Lord Lin is extremely shrewd, and it’s impossible to collect any other evidence. So even if we wanted to get rid of him, we wouldn’t have the chance.”

"The Third Prince is protecting him?" Huang Lian asked doubtfully. "The Third Prince is nothing special!"

“It’s Her Majesty the Empress.” Ning Nanxiao’s tone was tinged with anger. “The only one standing by the Third Prince’s side right now is Lord Lin, and naturally she wants to protect him.”

"Does Her Majesty the Empress not consider the Crown Prince's feelings at all?" Bai Tuantuan frowned. "Both are flesh and blood, how can she be so biased?"

“That’s right. Whoever becomes the crown prince is still her son. Why make such a fuss?” Guan Xin also expressed her confusion. “From a merchant’s perspective, the crown prince is currently deeply favored by the emperor and has an excellent reputation among the people. As long as there are no accidents, he will be the next emperor. If I were the empress, I would naturally do my best to help the crown prince. Why did she choose such an unreliable third prince? Is she out of her mind? No wonder she can’t make any money.”

The tube core sounded disgusted and shook its head, indicating its incomprehension.

As they talked, the group entered the Bai family's residence.

Over the next few days, Bai Tuantuan had a very leisurely time, attending gatherings at this house and banquets at that house.

With Zheng Yinrong and the other two by her side, and with her reputation already established, Bai Tuantuan felt right at home at these banquets and was extremely happy.

After all, not many people dare to target Bai Tuantuan, who is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor.

"Have you heard? The Third Prince is planning to take a concubine."

"Is it Xiao Ruyan, the adopted daughter of the Lin family?"

"Yes, that's her! What kind of adopted daughter is she? Tsk tsk, isn't she just a used woman?"

"Shh, stop talking. She's the county magistrate's sister, for goodness' sake!"

At the Empress's flower-viewing banquet, Bai Tuantuan and Chen Zhixiu had just arrived in the Imperial Garden when they heard whispers of conversation.

Chen Zhixiu smiled gently and walked over: "What are you ladies talking about?"

As she spoke, she sat down beside them and said with a smile and a gentle voice, "You just heard about Xiao Ruyan? I have to say, after being away from the capital for so long, I almost forgot about her. I remember that when I was about to leave, my only regret was her."

Upon hearing this, the ladies' eyes gleamed with gossip: "What does the princess mean by that?"

Chen Zhixiu straightened her skirt and said with a smile, "It's nothing, it's just a pity that I didn't kill her sooner. She's always jumping around and getting in my way. I was afraid she would cause trouble under the guise of Tuantuan."

Everyone was shocked.

this……

How should they respond?