The first sound was a chirping sound; she was trying to attract Gao Xun's attention.

The last string of calls was made by Yun Zihan, because he had seen Gao Xun, that living Yama.

"Lord Marquis, Madam." Gao Xun noticed Yun Xiangling and quickly walked over without even needing to call out loudly. When his gaze lingered on Lord Yun, he paused for a moment before greeting him, "Lord Yun."

He gave Yun Xiangling a friendly smile, but he was serious and not very good at smiling, so it looked particularly stiff and comical. This was something Qiuqiu had taught him: to win over a sweetheart by starting with a sweet greeting.

Yun Xiangling was slightly taken aback, her eyes reddened, and she suddenly turned her head away, no longer looking at him.

Things didn't go as Gao Xun expected. While the other girls blushed, why were Xiangling's eyes red?

Did Chiu Chiu fail to handle this matter well?

The little dumpling, feeling slightly guilty for being watched, said: "It's okay, I've already tried my best to make amends."

Her little hand forms a circle with her thumb and forefinger, which those who know her well know means that everything is in her hands.

Gao Xun understood; it meant that the matter was still far from being settled.

"Chirp chirp, be serious!"

Gao Xun's serious expression sent a chill down Qiu Qiu's spine. Didn't he even realize what kind of monsters his future in-laws were? Did he even know what she was doing right now?

He's helping to protect the one he loves!

[Hmph! This will cost extra!]

The person who had been circling their hands now rubbed them together and said, "Hehe~"

【Adashiwa Gao Gao Jiang, Mishi Mishi~ Money is plentiful~】

Gao Xun: "..."

He pulled off the money pouch from his waist, intending to hand it to Qiuqiu, but suddenly pulled it back halfway.

Chuchu, whose huge money bag had vanished before her eyes, exclaimed, "Huh?"

Did the other party withdraw a bag of silver?

Chiu Chiu, hands on hips in anger, pointed at Yun Zihan, then at herself, and snorted, "Hmph!"

Gao Xun ignored the angry fat man, tossed the silver pouch in his hand twice, his expression cold and sharp, as if pointing a point: "I'm currently investigating a case..."

Yun Zihan shuddered, waiting for Gao Xun to continue, but he didn't seem inclined to speak again.

That guy is just shameless. He insists on knowing even when the other person doesn't want to, saying things like, "Master Gao..."

"By the way, how did you get here?" Gao Xun didn't want to talk to Yun Zihan. He was fond of Yun Xiangling and knew a lot about her situation and family. Yun Zihan and Yun Xiangling didn't get along, so he wouldn't speak to this person!

Chiu-chiu taught him to uphold male virtues, and that one should hate even those his wife dislikes!

Su Junyao grabbed Yun Zihan by the collar, "He cursed at Qiuqiu."

"Hmm?" Gao Xun raised his voice, "You're really bold."

Gao Xun knew very well how favored Qiu Qiu was in the palace; offending Qiu Qiu would be troublesome. His Highness the Crown Prince was still copying books, and even the Second Prince had been reprimanded for not protecting Qiu Qiu properly.

"It seems that the matter that Lord Gao asked Qiuqiu to do will not be possible."

"Why?"

The man, who had been calm and composed just moments before, suddenly became enraged, transforming into an uncontrollable beast. "Does Lord Yun have a problem with me?"

Lord Yun smiled wryly: "This humble official dares not."

What makes him dare to be dissatisfied with Gao Xun? He's just asking for death!

"Lord Gao, this is what happened, my daughter..."

"Lord Yun, please be careful with your words!" Yun Jinglan interrupted Lord Yun.

With so many people around, if others overheard, it would damage Yun Xiangling's reputation. The world is cruel; gossip alone can drive a woman to her death. A drama of two men vying for one woman will only make her the subject of gossip.

Su Junyao was glared at by his wife, and feeling guilty, he touched his nose, regretting that he had brought up the topic earlier.

"Lord Yun has failed in his duty to raise his son. Come with me to see His Majesty!"

What kind of teachings require His Majesty's personal witness?

Gao Xun wasn't stupid; he naturally knew there was something fishy going on. He made way for them, saying, "His Majesty is at Zhengyang Palace. I'll escort you there."

Yun Zihan: "..."

Heaven is going to destroy him!

With Gao Xun, this living devil, around, Yun Zihan didn't even dare to struggle. Perhaps Gao Xun himself had forgotten, but Yun Zihan couldn't. He had been kicked by him three years ago in Dongshi... The fact that he was still alive and standing here was purely due to the blessings of the Yun family ancestors.

Yun Xiangling followed behind the group without saying a word. Occasionally, when Gao Xun slowed down and stopped to wait for her, she would turn her face away and ignore him.

Gao Xun felt a tightness in his chest; it was the first time Yun Xiangling had ignored him like this. For the first time, he felt completely disoriented, his heart aching as if being scratched by a cat.

He approached stealthily, but Yun Xiangling quickly left; he chased after her, but she silently circled around him...

She fled, he chased, but she had no way to escape!

[I love watching it, and I hope you'll act in it more often.]

[Sigh, Gao Gao should have given Xiang Ling a big hug, and then...wait, why is my mother raising her hand?]

Chirp's daydreaming was interrupted. She stared blankly at the enlarged hand in front of her, though she fawned over her mother's hand and rubbed it against her, "Hehe!"

"Chirp chirp, this is Mommy's slap. If you think of any more nonsense, this slap will land on you!"

This scene felt familiar to Yun Jinglan; around this time last year, a little kid had said the same thing while still in swaddling clothes.

The remaining half of the sentence was simply unbearable to hear!

We absolutely cannot let her say it again!

The interrupted chirp was unhappy, making a couple of smacking noises, but its hands honestly covered its bottom.

My mother threatened me, but I wasn't afraid, because she wouldn't know what I was thinking.

The key to cooking fish is maintaining an air of mystery!

Yun Jinglan was so angry she laughed. If she wasn't afraid, why was she covering her butt?

"Chirp chirp, I'll be watching your performance later."

Su Junyao said in a low voice, "If we don't intervene soon, it will lead to a family tragedy!"

Chiu Chiu nodded, patted her chest, and said, "Leave this to me!"

Emperor Jingming was resting in the Empress's Phoenix Palace today. He had just sat down and hadn't even exchanged a few words with the Empress when Eunuch Liu reported that the Marquis of Wenyang and his family had come to the palace to ask His Majesty for a decision.

Eunuch Liu was definitely biased towards Qiuqiu. "This servant finds Miss Qiuqiu quite pitiful; her eyes are all red. Should we summon them in?"

Princess Fu Ning, who was staring at her father, suddenly turned fierce upon hearing her friend's name: "Give me!"

Eunuch Liu: “…”

My master is really scary; he speaks one word at a time. I thought he was being called a bastard.

"Let them in. I'll take care of anything for Qiuqiu."

"Yes, this old servant will summon the Marquis of Wenyang and his family to an audience."

With a flick of his whisk, Eunuch Liu reached the door and was about to speak when he realized he was a step too slow; someone had already rolled over, unable to wait any longer.

The word "roll" here is purely literal.

Eunuch Liu: "Your Majesty, Miss Qiuqiu, come in."

Emperor Jingming: "What?"

Get out? Did he tell Qiuqiu to get in?

Chiu Chiu had intended to take a few steps, but she's usually too lazy. When the time came to use her feet, she realized how inexperienced she was; with a "thud," she tripped over her own foot with her left and fell to the ground, rolling twice in the process.

Although the posture was ungraceful, it was quick.

So she chose a simple way to roll in.

A dusty little dumpling, with messy hair, rolled in from the palace gate looking pitiful, "Waaah!"

[Your Majesty, you must stand up for Qiuqiu!]

"puff!"

"Cough cough cough!"

Emperor Jingming spat out a mouthful of water, pounding his chest in pain, "You, you... cough cough... chu chu..."

"Chirp chirp...you...cough cough...joined the Beggars' Sect?"