"I didn't think of that. Luckily, you've always been a picky eater, and you won't eat anything you're not used to if you eat out. Now, you won't eat food that doesn't look good either."

"I was right. If they eat it and faint, don't get so angry. They'll be the ones who suffer then."

"Alright, that's their scheme. With me here, I won't let you get tricked."

"Why did you get into the carriage again? Didn't you say the teachers were coming? Aren't you going to wait for them?"

"Three questions at once! I can go wherever I want. Come lie in my arms." This domineering person! I kicked him, but I still went to lie in his arms.

"But isn't it common practice in this town to make villagers do the work? Her face is covered in pockmarks, her fingernails are dirty, her hands and face are cracked from farm work, and she doesn't even wash her hair, yet she's made to work in the kitchen?"

"How would I know? Wang Fei would investigate. This isn't our responsibility. The teachers are already in the ranks. They're making a big fuss when they go back; they won't let you see anyone."

"Pah! All you know is to leave me in the carriage to fend for myself."

"I'm here to keep you company~" I turned to the other side. Xie Yuancheng wanted me to cooperate with him. I couldn't beat him in a fight, but I could dodge. Before I got far, I was caught and brought back.

"I'm sleepy!" I hugged the blanket and moved inside to sleep. Xie Yuancheng came over and pulled my hair, which was all loose. "You, go play over there. It wasn't easy to comb it this morning."

“I combed your hair, Ying’er. You’re so clumsy, you don’t know how to do these things.”

"Don't mess it up though." I reached out to pull my hair, and he slapped it several times, my eyes welling up with tears. "You're so mean~"

"I just want to hate Ying'er~ Who was it that was giving me flirty looks just now, and now they're admitting it?" I just winked at him and made it sound like I don't usually flirt with him.

I covered us all with blankets, and there was a heater and some other warm things inside, but it was still cold.

"Ying'er, it's daytime." I went to pull his clothes off, but I was having all sorts of wild thoughts. I just ripped them off, messing up my hair so his clothes wouldn't be neat anymore.

"This is just right. I can't be the only one to take the blame." I leaned against him to sleep, and Xie Yuancheng pinched my cheek but I wouldn't get up. I was pressed down and wouldn't go anywhere.

"Ying'er~ Teacher is waiting for me to speak. There are still some things to discuss on the way."

I closed my eyes and didn't let him struggle, so Xie Yuancheng braided my hair and played with it, just not letting him out, to see what he could do.

"Alright, I'll carry Ying'er outside. It's quite windy there. Let you feel the wind, your hair flying in the air, you'll look so beautiful."

"That brat!" I quickly rolled myself up in the blanket and leaned against the other side, kicking him lightly. "Hmph! Don't come to the carriage this afternoon, you're not welcome!"

"No~ I went out on patrol this morning and it was already cold. Ying'er actually wants to send me away. I'm delicate and frail. If I catch a cold, Ying'er will be sad and upset."

I covered my head with the blanket and refused to talk to him. Xie Yuancheng patted my head and went to tidy his clothes. I could hear the rustling sounds; he was making noise while tidying his clothes—he was more cunning than anyone else.

"I'd better read a book; I don't know how long it will take to get there." I picked up the book and was about to start reading when the kingfisher flew out.

"It will arrive in about twelve days, it's not far."

"How did you know again? You just fly out like that without even saying hello!"

"I would like to fly more often. It's cold outside, and you guys are always hugging and cuddling. It makes me blush. But you were so cool today. If it weren't for what you said, they probably would have made a scene all day."

"What? That's all very common. Anyone else would have said the same thing."

“If it were anyone else, without your background, they wouldn’t have said it either. I saw them whispering in the kitchen, saying things like this is an opportunity, and your man is so handsome.”

"Pah! With their looks, they dare to have such thoughts about Xiao Chengcheng. Aren't they worried about their own lives?"

"That's hard to say. The leader is very cunning. On the surface, she seems indifferent, but she wears several masks and can even do face painting. She probably wants to use the 'ugly duckling to become a great beauty' tactic. First, she's ugly, so everyone dislikes her when you take her along. Then she conquers everyone with her cooking skills."

Then, find an opportunity, accidentally become beautiful, and come up with a plan to first cause trouble for you, then use your superb medical skills to save you—that's how you incur a favor. Once you reach the real mansion, intentionally or unintentionally approach people, and then suddenly transform into a great beauty who brings prosperity to the world.

"Are you making up a story?" I went to stroke the kingfisher's feathers, and it tugged at its neck a couple of times before continuing to stand on the book and talk to me.

"No, I can read her mind. Otherwise, why would she bring a bunch of scoundrels to come and complain about something so trivial, when Marquis Anle only gave her a minor punishment? She just wants to take this opportunity to rise in rank."

"How did she rise to power? She's a farmer. Even a merchant has more say than her. Without a background and status, the court won't recognize her."

"Her methods, and some things beyond the mortal realm. I originally wanted to peck her face off, but you stepped forward, and Marquis Anle is an exceptionally clever person, so you escaped a calamity. What she wants is very big. Generally speaking, if you nip it in the bud, she will destroy your family and ruin your life. If she wants to rise, she has to pull some people down, so that resources can be balanced."

"Huh? Is it really that eerie?" I was about to close the book when the kingfisher pointed to page thirty-three. When I opened it, there was a picture of Zhong Kui catching ghosts. "Is this a ghost?"

"Yes, when her greed takes hold, she'll resort to underworld methods, and normal people are no match for her."

"This book is truly amazing; it's different every time I read it."

"That's right, I followed along with the writing, otherwise why would I let you see it?"

"Nonsense, this was given to me by the shopkeeper." I pinched the kingfisher's little wings, and it flew up, fanning itself at me.

"Hmph~ I'm Master's little follower, I can't turn into a human, otherwise I wouldn't stay by your side and would go traveling instead."

"I understand. The shopkeeper is so kind, sending all sorts of good things." I held out my hand to make it stand. When the bird gets angry, it flaps its wings. It's really funny.

"You helped him a lot, so naturally you'll help him out in some ways. But you got through most of it on your own. It's written on the first page: greed. Once you cross that line, no one can save you from there."

"So it's better to keep things simple. Staying in Linyang is so nice, and I can occasionally go to the capital to visit my eldest son."

"Many princes and high-ranking officials were involved in this court strife. You withdrew before things even started, so you're safe. You have a 50% chance of winning, but there will be endless troubles afterward. Although this emperor is a shrewd man, if he governs this country for another ten years, his descendants will live a good life."