A thousand miles away, in Jinling Prefecture.

This is the busiest time of the night market, with people everywhere in the streets and alleys.

The Wu Brothers Hot Pot restaurant was bustling with activity as usual today.

Whether you are a high-ranking official, a member of the royal family, or a commoner, no matter who you are or what your status is, as long as you come to the restaurant to eat hot pot, the waiters and the young owner will all welcome you warmly.

A luxurious BMW carrying a group of noble ladies and their families stopped outside the shop. Servants carrying lanterns from the official residence greeted the ladies and young women as they alighted from the carriage.

"Zhui'er? This is the hot pot restaurant that's been all the rage in Nanjing lately? It doesn't look anything special."

The first to disembark from the carriage was Shangguan's eldest daughter, Shangguan Feng'er.

Disgust was evident on her pretty face. She casually tossed the hand warmer into her personal maid's arms, without considering the consequences if the maid failed to catch it.

"Young Miss, you may not know, but this shop may look unassuming, but I've heard that the dishes and broths inside are incredibly delicious. Even His Highness the Crown Prince..."

The young maidservant hurriedly took the hand warmer, nearly burning her fingers, but she dared not be angry and put on a flattering smile.

"Shut up! The affairs of noble people are not something a lowly maid like you should discuss!"

A beautiful woman, adorned with gold and silver, stepped out of the carriage, exuding an air of nobility.

"Mother, please calm down. I'm hungry and want to go inside quickly."

Upon hearing that His Highness the Crown Prince might come, Shangguan Feng'er no longer cared about the shop's unassuming appearance.

She immediately clung to her mother's arm and acted coquettishly, completely disregarding that they were on the street.

"You should tone down your temper. His Highness the Crown Prince is calm and composed; he'll surely prefer a virtuous and quiet girl..."

Cao Dantong gently tapped her daughter's head. Although her words were stern, her actions were gentle. She noticed that her daughter's beaded hairpin was a little crooked and helped to straighten it.

"Mother, I understand."

Shangguan Feng'er restrained herself somewhat, feigning a dignified demeanor. She then gave her mother a wink, signaling her to get rid of the tagalong and not let her half-sister, Shangguan Xian'er, into the hot pot restaurant...

It's infuriating that, even though she's the legitimate daughter and two years older than the other girl, for some reason, this younger sister learns everything quickly from a young age and is even more talented than her!

Therefore, despite the mother's objections, the father registered the child under her name, hoping to give her the status of a legitimate heir...

She really dislikes it!

But there was no way around it; the other party's talent and business acumen were too outstanding, and even his elder brother praised him highly and befriended him!

She didn't care. Since the other party was good at business and could push the Shangguan family into the ranks of the four great families, then let him go into business. As long as he didn't compete with her for the position of Crown Princess!

"Xian'er, it's rare for you to leave the manor today, so I'll allow you to wander around as you please. I'll cover all your expenses, so enjoy your trip."

Cao Dantong naturally understood her daughter's meaning. Similarly, she felt a deep aversion and rejection towards this illegitimate daughter registered under her name.

She was born to a mere maid, yet she displayed a talent for business, stealing the master's attention that should have been given to Feng'er...

She didn't care about anything else, but the position of Crown Princess had to be Feng'er's!

"Thank you for your understanding, Mother. I'll take my leave now."

Shangguan Xian'er is just as her name suggests. Although she is young, she has already grown into a very clever and charming person. Every move she makes is pleasing to the eye.

Bathed in the lamplight, her fair skin and delicate bones appeared even more striking, hinting at her radiance years from now...

"Go."

Cao Dantong's eyes stung a little. Seeing this woman, she couldn't help but think of that lowly maid who had already died...

"Please come in, sir/madam—"

Welcome!

......

Cao Dantong wouldn't consider transferring many servants to her illegitimate daughter; sending two old women along was already a sign of her great mercy.

After all, the Shangguan family only had two legitimate children, while the other four were born out of wedlock.

Even if she encounters danger, if Xiao Liu is gone, she's gone. At most, the master will punish her with confinement for a while, but he'll release her later...

Who is Shangguan Xian'er?

It's been eleven years since I was reborn into this era!

What does she have to be afraid of in these childish palace intrigues and domestic power struggles?

After leaving his stepmother's sight with his personal maid Shan'er, he took out two silver ingots from his pocket and gave them to the two spies, telling them to wander around as they pleased and to speak politely when they returned to the manor.

Having received their reward, the two naturally knew exactly what they should and shouldn't say.

Shan'er is stubborn and loves to sigh and get stuck on things even at a young age.

"Miss, didn't you really want to try the food at this restaurant? Why...?"

"Shh~"

"Shan'er, be careful what you say and do."

"But Miss, why should Madam send you away for the sake of the Eldest Miss? I feel sorry for you!"

"Alright, even though we can't have hot pot, we can still eat our way through Nanjing. And it's on Madam, so with someone willing to foot the bill, we shouldn't waste this opportunity!"

"Miss~"

Shan'er stamped her foot, finally managing to catch up with her mistress. The two of them strolled happily through the streets...

In fact, Shangguan Xian'er had some suspicions, but after hearing the familiar calls to attract customers outside the hot pot restaurant just now, she confirmed her guess.

In this era, it wasn't just her who was reincarnated; other people from her hometown were too!

Hopefully, they're friends, not enemies!

She had no intention of killing them all, nor did she intend to acknowledge them as family.

It's best to just leave each other alone...

"Miss, be careful!"

Suddenly, Shan'er's eyes widened in horror, and she wanted to rush over to shield her mistress from danger.

"Are you out of your mind?"

Someone lifted her by the neck. Shan'er looked down and saw herself suspended in mid-air. Terrified, she kicked her legs wildly.

"Hiss~"

I kicked the other person in an indescribable spot. Oh no, judging from their clothes, they're not an ordinary person!

Shangguan Xian'er's body has been deficient since childhood, making her unable to practice martial arts. Therefore, when danger comes, she is indeed unable to avoid it.

Just when she thought she was about to be hit by a flagpole, a handsome young man picked her up and leaped up, landing on the roof!

Lightness skill? There really is such a thing as lightness skill!

Are you alright?

"It's okay, thank you, sir!"

Shangguan Xian'er's eyes lit up, looking at the other person with the same gaze she would give her favorite gold and silver jewelry...

handsome?

Baili Youqin frowned. What kind of title is that?

"My name is Shangguan Xian'er, what's your name, young man?"

Shangguan Xian'er introduced herself, then hugged the other person's waist tightly, as if afraid that the other person would let go of her.

"There is a zither within a hundred miles."

As soon as he finished speaking, a squad of Imperial Guards jogged over.

Seeing this, Baili Youqin reminded him:

"pay close attention."

Then, with a light touch of their toes, the two slowly landed on the ground...

"Miss~"

"Your Highness."

......