Chapter 31 Life Becomes Easier

"Brother, Brother Jinzhi, what are you talking about?"

Xie Hanyue's cheerful voice rang out, instantly easing the previously tense atmosphere.

All the impatience on Lu Jinzhi's face disappeared, and he looked at Xie Hanyue with a smile.

"Moon, what brings you here?"

"I heard you were all here with your sister, so I came to see what fun things were going on. Where's your sister?"

As Xie Hanyue spoke, she didn't forget to look inside.

Xie Qingran stood by the window, taking in the whole scene, and gave a cold smirk.

In both her past and present lives, Xie Hanyue was like this. She was afraid that people's attention would be diverted from her, so she would make her presence known whenever she had the chance, as if she was afraid that people would forget about her.

"Miss, why has the Second Miss been bothering you so much lately?" Baozhu looked at Xie Qingran with a puzzled expression and whispered, "She clearly used to complain that our Yingxing Pavilion was too remote and didn't want to come here."

Xie Qingran withdrew her gaze and said calmly, "You're not allowed to say things like that in the future, or people will think I can't tolerate her."

The entire Xie family belongs to Xie Hanyue, so she can go wherever she wants.

Outside the door, Xie Hanyue grabbed Xie Zhaoye's arm and said with a smile, "Brother, Brother Jinzhi, come with me to my Lingqi Pavilion. I recently composed a new piece of music. Would you like to listen to it for me?"

With a smile, Xie Hanyue led the two people away from Xie Qingran's courtyard. Before leaving, she didn't forget to give a provocative glance inside.

In her previous life, Xie Qingran did care a lot about these things. She was always competing with Xie Hanyue for the attention and love of her family. Xie Qingran believed that they were born to love her, but they just didn't love her. They only had eyes for Xie Hanyue.

Now, Xie Qingran really doesn't care about any of this. It's their freedom to love whomever they want. Right now, she just wants to leave the Xie family and go to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. She'll use their power to climb up the ladder little by little and trample all this trash under her feet!

Xie Hanyue is indeed showered with love and affection, but she has a fatal flaw. When this flaw erupts, it will be the end of her. Now, there's no rush; we can take it slow.

Xie Qingran withdrew her gaze, sat down indifferently at the table, and began to continue studying the situation on the chessboard.

"Young Miss, the Prime Minister's wife is hosting a flower-viewing banquet at her home tomorrow and has invited you to attend!"

Baozhu hurriedly came over from outside, took a card, and handed it to Xie Qingran.

So fast?

Xie Qingran frowned. The first round of banquets had just ended, and now there's a second one?

"Did the Prime Minister's wife send out invitations to the front courtyard?"

"They said they sent them all, but the eldest young lady received a separate portion. The Prime Minister's wife insists that you have to come."

"I heard that this time it's on a boat in the moat, which is going to be a lot of fun."

Baozhu looked at Xie Qingran with anticipation.

She had never left the Xie family before and had never seen the outside world.

Now that she has this opportunity, Baozhu naturally wants to experience it properly.

"That's something new."

"I just don't know if Xiao Jue will go or not."

Xie Qingran smiled gently, then tapped the invitation with her finger.

"Miss, I don't know whether Young Master Xiao will go or not, but I've heard that Madam Qin will definitely be there!"

"That Qin family member is the Prime Minister's wife's niece. I guess she's the one who instigated this banquet."

Baozhu looked at Xie Qingran with some concern.

"Young Miss, I'm afraid they're here for you."

oh?

Xie Qingran looked at Baozhu with some surprise: "How do you, a little girl, know so much?"

"There are no secrets that stay hidden forever. I happened to overhear the ladies in the front courtyard gossiping," Baozhu said with a sheepish smile, looking at Xie Qingran with embarrassment.

Xie Qingran immediately realized that she had really underestimated this little girl. She was much more capable and powerful than she had thought.

It seems I really did stumble upon a treasure by accident.

"Since you're so capable, do you know who this Qin family member is?"

Xie Qingran sat on a chair to the side, looking at Baozhu with some curiosity.

In her previous life, Xie Qingran had never met Qin Shi, nor had she even heard of her. She only knew that after her husband died, she raised her only son alone in the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion.

"I heard that this Qin is a gentle and virtuous woman, and she is also very loyal. Even though her husband is gone, she still raises her young child and lives in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."

"I've also heard that she now has complete control over the entire Duke Zhenguo's mansion."

Baozhu leaned closer, lowered her voice, and looked at Xie Qingran expectantly.

This little girl is quite clever.

Xie Qingran knew, of course, that Qin Shi was now the mistress of the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, and she was in charge of most of the affairs in the inner quarters.

If she were to marry into the family now, the power dynamics within the inner quarters would certainly change. After all, Xiao Jue is the rightful heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and it is only right for her, as the heir's wife, to manage the inner quarters.

Xie Qingran glanced at Baozhu, but said nothing and continued playing chess.

Baozhu never expected that even after giving such a hint, Xie Qingran still wouldn't react.

She grew anxious: "Young Miss, aren't you worried at all?"

"I'm not worried."

"She couldn't stop me."

Xie Qingran's voice was firm as she placed a piece and nodded in satisfaction.

"It's solved!"

Xie Qingran had been studying this chess game for several days, and now it was finally solved. A rare smile appeared on her face.

Seeing this, Baozhu spoke again: "Miss, I heard that Qin's son is not even three years old yet and has just started to speak. Qin dotes on this son."

“My husband is gone, and the child is my only hope. How could I not cherish him?” Xie Qingran raised an eyebrow and looked at Baozhu: “It’s pointless to try to please a child. Don’t worry, Qin Shi is no match for me.”

Seeing Xie Qingran's confident demeanor, Baozhu didn't say anything more and could only obediently nod: "Yes, this servant understands. So, Miss, what do we do next?"

"Reading, practicing calligraphy, and embroidery."

"I do whatever girls are supposed to do."

Xie Qingran has found that life has become much easier since she stopped caring about the Xie family's attitude.

She took the book, walked into the yard, sat on a deck chair, and began to read leisurely.

"Xie Qingran, I have something to tell you!"

Lu Jinzhi appeared behind Xie Qingran like a ghost.