There's always a way out. Duanmu Lei, the second son of the Marquis of Zhengye, coveted Hehua's beauty. Hehua threw herself into his arms, and Duanmu Lei sent people to treat the original owner, thus saving her life.

A month later, the original owner recovered from her illness, which happened to be the old lady's ninetieth birthday. The original owner barged into the birthday banquet and asked Duanmu Lei for lotus flowers, which finally allowed the original owner's beauty to see the light of day.

It is rare for a person to live to seventy, but the old lady of the Zhengye Marquis's mansion is now eighty-nine years old. Her ninetieth birthday is auspicious, and she has invited all the dignitaries in the capital.

Guests wishing to share in the glory of this centenarian would prepare lavish gifts and dress in their finest attire. Duke Xiao Chengrui of Wei, one of the "Three Dukes and Four Marquises," was among them.

The original owner of this body was as beautiful as a peony, and Xiao Chengrui was immediately captivated by her beauty, becoming obsessed with her. The Zhengye Marquis's mansion somehow learned of this, dressed up the original owner, and sent her to the Weiguo Duke's mansion.

After three days and two nights, the original owner was covered in wounds, and the Zhengye Marquis's mansion rose to a higher level.

"Scumbag." Ji Xiaoxiao cursed under her breath, her head sinking as she nearly lost herself in the darkness.

This body is in very poor condition. Normally, she gets out of breath after walking just a few steps; she is physically weak and pitiful to behold. Now, she has caught a cold and has a high fever. Ji Xiaoxiao is racking her brains, and her head is throbbing with pain.

Exhaling a few breaths of hot air and inhaling the cool, fresh air, Ji Xiaoxiao felt much better, her burning lungs relaxed, and she drifted off to sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, Ji Xiaoxiao's mouth was filled with the nauseatingly bitter taste of Coptis chinensis. Unconsciously, Ji Xiaoxiao waved her arms and accidentally knocked over the medicine bowl.

"Behave yourself." Green Bean slapped Ji Xiaoxiao across the face.

Seeing this, Hongdou cautiously looked around and said, "Sister Lvdou, this is a young lady from the Duke's mansion. What you are doing is not appropriate."

Green Bean poured the remaining medicine into Ji Xiaoxiao's mouth, saying nonchalantly, "A young lady from the Duke's mansion? A young lady fostered in our Marquis's mansion has the same status as the lowest servant. I am a first-class maidservant by the Second Young Master's side. What's wrong with hitting her?"

She was highly regarded by the second young master, which was Green Bean's greatest source of confidence. As the saying goes, even when beating a dog, one should consider its owner. Moreover, the second young master was deeply favored by the Marquis. When one person attains power, even their chickens and dogs rise to prominence. As a first-class maidservant by the young master's side, her status and position naturally rose accordingly.

Red Bean pouted, not wanting to argue with Green Bean. They fed Ji Xiaoxiao her medicine, leaving her covered in the medicine and standing in the cold wind in her thin clothes.

The moon was high in the sky, and a cold wind carried a hint of desolation.

Ji Xiaoxiao's eyelashes trembled slightly, her will to survive was astonishing, and she pulled through after drinking a bowl of medicine.

"Lotus, lotus," Ji Xiaoxiao murmured as she stood on the bed.

Lotus and the original owner grew up together and had a deep bond. Lotus risked her life for the original owner, who wept bitterly and vowed to be sisters with Lotus. But fate played a cruel trick; Lotus went to Duanmu Lei's place, and within three days, she had passed away.

With the original owner's parents and siblings gone, only the loyal Lotus remained. Ji Xiaoxiao absolutely could not allow anything to happen to Lotus. Ji Xiaoxiao forcefully suppressed her impulse, sat cross-legged, and used a secret technique to quickly transform her into a martial arts master.

After changing out of her sour clothes, Ji Xiaoxiao flew towards Duanmu Lei's courtyard. Several days passed in a daze, and Ji Xiaoxiao, anxious and impatient, hurried on her way.

Duanmu Lei was the second son of the Marquis of Zhengye. The courtyard was brightly lit, well-arranged, and luxuriously decorated, with maids and servants coming and going in an endless stream through the secluded paths.

"Oh, what a pity about that girl."

"Mung bean is no ordinary creature. If it falls into Mung bean's hands, it probably won't live long."

"If we don't come, we won't live long," said a little girl of eleven or twelve.

"Shh, shh, shh, don't talk nonsense." The older woman made sure no one was around and whispered, "Speak less and do more. Even if you can't control your mouth, never speak ill of your master. That's a big taboo."

Ji Xiaoxiao overheard their conversation, stopped at a rockery, and slowly walked out.

"Stop right there!" Ji Xiaoxiao suddenly spoke up. The maids and servants thought it was a female ghost and screamed in fright. But when one of the bolder ones shone a lantern up at her, they exclaimed, "It's Miss Gu Shen, Miss Gu Shen!"

"Miss Cousin," the maidservants and servants bowed, suppressing their anger.

Ji Xiaoxiao asked, "Where are the mung beans?"

"Mung beans?" An old woman chuckled and asked, "Why does Miss Cousin want to find mung beans? May I inform the young master before making a decision?"

Enraged, Ji Xiaoxiao grabbed the old woman's wrist, snapped it, and broke it.

Where are the mung beans?

At this moment, Ji Xiaoxiao looked like a vengeful ghost, her hair billowing out even without wind, all messy and disheveled.

Unable to bear the pain, the old woman led Ji Xiaoxiao to the side room behind the main hall of the courtyard.

This book is being published here for the first time; please do not reproduce it!