"I love smart friends like you!"

Lu Qiqi recounted her relationship with Aunt Xiang and the events that occurred at the General's Mansion.

Hearing this, the three men present—or rather, the boy Nineteen—all frowned almost imperceptibly.

They frowned, not only because of the sordid methods in General Wu's inner quarters, but also because of Lu Qiqi's desire to rescue Aunt Xiang from her suffering.

After she finished speaking, all three of them remained silent, and apart from the sound of breathing, there was no other noise in the tent.

Lu Qiqi's expression stiffened. "Is this matter very difficult to accomplish?"

Song Yanqing remained expressionless and secretly began to explain to Lu Qiqi, "Princess, you may not know this, but according to the laws of the Great Jin Dynasty, concubines belong to the master's household. Lowly concubines can be sold or given away at will, while good concubines are divided into those who are pawned and those who are brought into the household from among good people."

A concubine can be redeemed by paying interest on the money within the pawn period; otherwise, the pawn will not be available.

Although these concubines cannot be sold off at will, they are not much different from the servants in the household.

“The young master,” An Yi hesitated before speaking, “should not interfere in General Wu’s private affairs.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Qiqi's face stiffened. It seemed that this matter was very troublesome. If it could not be handled properly, the mother and daughter would suffer in the future.

Just as she was about to give up on asking Song Yanqing for help and was about to think of another way, she heard Song Yanqing speak.

"It's not like there's absolutely no way."

Upon hearing this, Lu Qiqi immediately looked up and met Song Yanqing's gaze.

......

With Song Yanqing's help, Lu Qiqi took leave that day and went to the Wu residence.

Ning Yiniang is currently temporarily in charge of managing the household. She and Xiang Yiniang are both concubines, but she is highly regarded by General Wu.

According to Lu Xiangxiang, a few months before the First Madam gave birth, and when Madam Wu went back to her parents' home in a fit of pique, Aunt Ning temporarily took over the household management duties and managed the entire household in an orderly manner with very few mistakes or oversights.

Lu Qiqi and Lu Xiangxiang had completely opposite views. In their opinion, Aunt Ning had temporarily taken over the housekeeping duties several times and was not targeted or made things difficult by Madam Wu afterwards.

But from this point of view, it is clear that this person is definitely not a kind person.

The servants reported to Aunt Ning during this visit.

Only then did they go to Aunt Xiang's courtyard to inform her.

Although Aunt Ning did not show her face, she gave Lu Qiqi, the village head, enough face, and instructed the servants that she would not need to report to Aunt Xiang when she visited her in the future.

Upon hearing this news, Lu Qiqi became somewhat curious about Aunt Ning.

When Lu Xiangxiang learned that Lu Qiqi had come to see her, she quickly asked Xiangling to bring the pastries that Aunt Ning had sent to the table.

"Little Aunt."

Before you see him, you hear his voice.

Lu Xiangxiang responded and quickly walked to the door to greet her.

After the two sat down on the round stools, Lu Xiangxiang held her small hand and asked, "It's not your day off yet, how do you have time to come to the manor?"

Lu Qiqi came this time to support Lu Xiangxiang, fearing that she wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure and that Song Yanqing's efforts would be in vain.

But now is not the time to tell Lu Xiangxiang.

So she tried to change the subject and avoid giving a direct answer.

Just then, she saw the delicate pastries on the table. Although there were pastries before, they were far less exquisite and beautiful than today's.

The two are clearly not in the same league.

She looked up and met Lu Xiangxiang's gentle, watery eyes, and said, "Auntie, why have I never seen these pastries before?"

Lu Xiangxiang was stunned for a moment before she composed herself and said with a light smile, "These were all sent by Aunt Ning; they are all top-quality pastries."

As she spoke, she picked up a peach-shaped pastry and placed it in Lu Qiqi's palm. "Try it, it's delicious."

Suddenly, an image flashed in Lu Qiqi's mind: Lu Xiangxiang picking wild fruits and handing them to the original owner when she was little.

Even though she herself was craving it, she still placed the only fruit she had in her hand into the original owner's palm.

She spoke the same words as before, but what she didn't know was that the soul inside this body had changed.

Just as Lu Qiqi was feeling like she had a fishbone stuck in her throat, Xiangling brought over some tea and said softly with a smile, "Thanks to Aunt Ning for managing the household, our aunt is able to enjoy such delicious snacks."

Previously, when the First Madam was in charge of the household, the servants not only deducted the allowances from the concubines' courtyards.

There was no need to even think about the exquisite pastries on the table, not to mention that Aunt Ning had also sent someone to deliver postpartum nourishing herbs so that Aunt Xiang could have some medicinal food.

When Lu Xiangxiang mentioned the medicinal diet, the rosy glow on her cheeks was obvious. After Lu Qiqi took her pulse, she was relieved to find that all the medicinal herbs were nourishing and had no adverse effects.

After sitting for a while, Lu Qiqi didn't say what she had come for. Lu Xiangxiang assumed that she was worried about her and had come to check on her.

Having been alone in the inner quarters for so long, Lu Xiangxiang felt very comforted when the care of her family suddenly appeared by her side.

"This is Aunt Xiang's courtyard."

Suddenly a commotion broke out in the courtyard, so Aunt Xiang asked Xiangling to go out and check what was going on.

Xiangling returned after leaving, her hurried footsteps indicating that something unusual was amiss outside the courtyard.

Lu Xiangxiang's heart sank.

Lu Qiqi, however, showed a look of joy.

Good heavens, at the same time as her leaving the manor, her horse must have already eaten its fill of fodder, while An Yi is only now arriving late.

Lu Xiangxiang carried Xiao Lingyue and walked towards the courtyard accompanied by Lu Qiqi.

She had just stepped out of the house when she was startled by the sight before her.

A dozen or so attendants dressed in black, with ebony scabbards at their waists, stood in a row in the courtyard, exuding an air of righteousness.

In front of them were six gift chests carried on a pallet.

This was the first time Lu Xiangxiang had ever seen such a grand display of gifts. Could it be that these people mistook her for the housekeeper, Aunt Ning?

Just as she was about to explain, she saw one of the stewards of the Wu family and realized that these people had not gone to the wrong place.

Suddenly, she glanced at Lu Qiqi's upturned lips and realized that Lu Qiqi had orchestrated this whole affair. She instantly understood why Lu Qiqi had come to her door.

Looking at Lu Qiqi, who was standing up for her, she couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat.

An Yi spoke up at that moment, bowing and saying, "Princess, may Aunt Xiang have a peaceful autumn."

Lu Xiangxiang, holding Xiao Lingyue, curtsied.

Lu Qiqi nodded in return.

Then, An Yi handed the gift list to the steward of the Wu family, asking him to pass it on to Aunt Xiang.

Aunt Xiang handed Xiao Lingyue to Xiang Ling, and took the gift list from the steward, feeling as if she were holding a hot potato, not knowing what to do for a moment.

Lu Qiqi noticed her helplessness, took a step closer to her, and gently patted her back to reassure her.

With someone supporting her, Lu Xiangxiang did not show any fear.

An Yi explained, "The Crown Prince of Libei heard that General Wu had a daughter and did not send a gift at the full moon celebration. He has ordered me to come and make up for it today. Please forgive him."

The Crown Prince of Libei is of noble status. Even if General Wu were in the mansion, he would have to bow and express his gratitude, let alone Lu Xiangxiang, who is a concubine.

What could she say?

No, she dared not say anything, only hoping that this hot potato would be taken away from her hands as soon as possible.