Chen Xueqing grew increasingly nervous. Li Xiaoxiao glanced at her thoughtfully and then stopped asking questions.

"Alright, get up, everyone. Let's continue planning our business empire. Plant those seeds. Every time we use raw materials, we must collect the seeds first. All the villagers in Xinghua Village are growing these crops, but it's far from enough. We still need to purchase and plant a large amount of them."

"We have enough budget for future orders from other countries, right?"

Upon hearing about orders from other countries, Chen Xueqing and Gu Lan were both surprised and asked in unison, "Master, what kind of orders are you talking about?"

"Naturally, it's an order from the Jin family. They supply raw materials in other countries, but they're not allowed to sell them in the Northern Wei Kingdom. With the increase in these dishes, the leakage of raw materials is inevitable. I also have a new batch of seeds, but now is not the time to release them."

After hearing Li Xiaoxiao's words, Chen Xueqing was even more impressed, never expecting their business to expand so quickly.

"Master, I will expedite the acquisition of land in the neighboring village for planting."

Gu Lan was also surprised. He didn't know that his master was so capable that he had accomplished such a great thing without making a sound.

"Master, I will also speed up the process of expanding and managing the workshop."

With their promises, Li Xiaoxiao finally felt relieved. These two used to be the female lead's subordinates, but now that they were under her control, it was much more comfortable and saved her a lot of trouble.

"Alright, that's settled then. By the way, Gu Lan, what do you think about me marrying Xue Qing to you?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Lan trembled in fright. "Absolutely not! Miss Xueqing is beautiful and learned. I am not worthy of her."

The question was phrased tactfully, but Li Xiaoxiao felt there was something more to it, so she continued, "What if Xueqing also agrees? Does that mean you don't like her?"

These words were very direct, and Chen Xueqing, who was listening from the side, trembled so much that her waist shook and her hands quivered.

Gu Lan hesitated for a moment before saying, "I want to find a respectable young lady, but I don't dare to delay Miss Chen too much."

As soon as the words "good woman" were uttered, Chen Xueqing burst into tears. It turned out that in his eyes she could not be considered a good woman. Indeed, she had helped so many sisters please the mountain stronghold in broad daylight, and her reputation in the stronghold was already ruined. What was she still hoping for now?

"Xueqing, Gulan, you may leave."

Li Xiaoxiao finished speaking in one sentence, and the two of them went downstairs.

Chen Xueqing walked quickly, running towards the woods behind the Li family's house, while Li Xiaoxiao followed at a distance.

Once inside the woods, Chen Xueqing couldn't help but burst into tears. Gu Lan wanted to chase after her, but Li Xiaoxiao wouldn't let her.

In the original story, Chen Xueqing was indeed a business tycoon, but she later married Gu Lan as a concubine. She was schemed against by Gu Lan's wife and was disliked and neglected by Gu Lan. The wife suspected that she had cheated on her husband and became pregnant. She argued but to no avail. She miscarried and lived a miserable life. When she was over fifty, she filed for divorce, took in a young apprentice, and retired from the martial arts world.

Perhaps it would be better to let Chen Xueqing calm down beforehand. Gu Lan was initially a bit of a pushover, appearing to be a virtuous gentleman, which inevitably made Xueqing unable to see herself clearly.

Although this is somewhat cruel.

Gu Lan stood by the woods, his mind filled with countless thoughts, but he only dared to sigh at the verdant trees. After Li Xiaoxiao left, he continued to wait outside the woods.

After finishing these tasks, Li Xiaoxiao was about to rest when she heard a carriage approaching in the distance. She went out and saw Master Wang leading a group of students.

This is a bit puzzling; what are they doing here?

Wang Lian was dressed in pink, which was strange. When Wang Shanzhang got out of the car, he saw Li Xiaoxiao and was furious. "Li Niangzi, aren't you going too far? Even if you become the daughter of a general, you can't force Qi Yu to divorce, let alone force him to go to another place. He could have participated in the prefectural examination, and he might even have become the top scholar. But because of your selfishness, you actually did all this without my consent. Don't you feel any remorse?"

The students behind her echoed, "That's right, that's right, you're such a wicked woman."

A group of people started making a fuss, and their shouts were heard by several nearby households, who all came to watch. Li Xiaoxiao felt a headache coming on. She had never thought about this before. Wasn't Headmaster Wang just looking for trouble?

"That's my own business. If you have nothing else to say, please leave." Li Xiaoxiao had no intention of dealing with people who liked to cause trouble.

Wang Lian became increasingly agitated. Seeing a large number of soldiers emerging from the Li family's courtyard, she grew even more anxious. Her purpose in coming here was to find out Qi Yu's whereabouts. She was still unwilling to accept Qi Yu's rejection. Now that Li Xiaoxiao and Qi Yu had divorced, she thought she would have a chance, but unexpectedly, he left directly.

What is she going to do?

"No, you must tell Qi Yu his whereabouts. What if you drive him away and kill him? You've never been a kind person."

Wang Lian asked with her hands on her hips, and Headmaster Wang echoed, "That's right. Although Qi Yu was only a student at my academy for two months, I still need to be responsible for his safety."

Just then, a few village women gathered, and Li Xiaoxiao couldn't help but laugh whenever they talked about it. Strange things happen every year.

Just then, the soldiers gathered at the gate, and Li Xiaoxiao shouted back, "If you have so much free time, spend it studying the classics instead of making a scene here. I am the legitimate daughter of the Duke of the Founding Kingdom. If I wanted him dead, why would I get a divorce? I would just take him to my mansion, find a few men like my sister, and leave Qi Yu to fend for himself in the courtyard. Why would I kill him? If you insist that I killed him, then produce the evidence. Don't just make baseless accusations. Otherwise, we'll have a court hearing. Besides, does Qi Yu need your concern? He didn't even bother to greet you when he left. I don't know if you've had too much to eat, or if you, Wang Lian, are plotting something. You tried to seduce Qi Yu near the academy several times last time. I really don't know what you're up to this time."

After this incessant chatter, the villagers began to discuss, "That's true. There was really no need to kill Qi Yu. After all, it would be a huge stain if someone got the evidence. Besides, Wang Lian doesn't seem like a good person either. I heard that she often disguises herself as a man and mingles with the students at the academy. She's shameless."

"That's terrible. She's probably got her eye on this son-in-law. She's been coming here looking for him. I heard she even has an alias called Yi Shu at the academy."

The villagers went on and on, their nasty comments landing on Wang Lian. She was so angry that she scratched her palms with her fingernails under her sleeves. Her original purpose in coming here was to smear Li Xiaoxiao, but how did it turn out like this?

Why was this countrywoman adopted by the Duke's mansion? Why did she live a life of luxury? Why could she so easily abandon the man she had her eye on?