The Emperor naturally noticed Su Muyao's little actions, but what he was thinking was, "You think that chair hurts your butt? Don't I feel the same way?"

Looking at Xiao Dezi standing to the side, he really has no sense of propriety.

They've been with me for so many years, how come they don't know how to serve this little tyrant well? It would save me from losing face.

The Emperor turned to Minister Li and asked, "How do you think I should punish you?"

After kowtowing, Lord Li said, "Your Majesty, it is indeed my fault for disciplining you. I am guilty, and I hope Your Majesty will consider my years of hard work and spare the lives of my family."

The Marquis beside him also cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, Lord Li has been diligent and conscientious during his tenure and has never made any mistakes. Why don’t you let him atone for his crimes by finding the other two crossbows?”

The Emperor nodded and said, "Since the Marquis has pleaded for you and considered that your serious mistake has not yet been committed..."

"Find the other two crossbows. While you may escape the death penalty, you'll still face severe punishment. Give him twenty strokes of the cane as a warning to others. Young Master Li, you'll receive thirty strokes. Do you have any objections?"

Lord Li quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I have no objection to your mercy in sparing my life."

The emperor waved his hand, and Lord Li was dragged out.

Seeing this, Su Muyao understood that it was probably over. She jumped off the chair, clapped her hands, and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute, Yao Yao, this is a letter from Long Yuan to you."

As he spoke, he took an unopened letter from the table and handed it to Su Muyao.

The matter has come to an end here, since Su Muyao doesn't care much about what happens next.

After returning home, he went to his room and opened the letter. The contents of the letter were mostly questions about whether he had forgotten him.

He also said he would be returning to the capital in a few months and asked me to remember to greet him at the city gate.

After reading it, he curled his lip and said, "He still knows how to write to himself. He's eaten so much of my food and doesn't even thank me. Humph, what an ingrate."

At this moment, Xia came in carrying a pot of hot tea: "Princess, who has upset you?"

"Who else could it be but an ingrate! They ate so much of my food but didn't mention it once in their letter, nor did they thank me at all."

Xia nodded, naturally knowing that the little princess was referring to His Highness the Crown Prince, but she couldn't very well agree with him.

"By the way, the old lady wants you to come over."

Su Muyao blinked: "Did Grandma say what it was?"

"It must be something that happened to the second young lady."

Su Muyao expressed her confusion. Of course, the second young lady was Er Ya. Since arriving at the Princess's mansion, the two maids had been helping out in the workshop.

When they occasionally returned home, the servants in the mansion would respectfully address them as the eldest young lady and the second young lady.

This was also Grandma Su's idea. At the time, Grandpa Su and Grandma Su felt that these two girls were related to their beloved child by blood, and that the two girls had very good character.

Especially Daya, who is hardworking and capable, and always thinks of the family's interests.

When Su Muyao arrived at Grandma Su's room, she found that Da Ya and Er Ya were both there.

"Grandma"

"Oh, my sweetie, come sit here. Grandma has something to tell you."

Su Muyao nodded: "That's right. These two girls, Daya and Erya, are not young anymore. Some time ago, Grandma wanted to find them good marriages."

"The third son of Master Liu from West Street said he has taken a fancy to our Er Ya. He brought a matchmaker over this morning to propose marriage. I didn't dare to agree right away. I wanted them to meet him."

Su Muyao nodded: "I'll ask around and see what kind of character that family's son is."

Just as Su Muyao finished speaking, Er Ya, blushing, suddenly said, "Grandma, I do."

After Er Ya finished speaking, she lowered her head, and Su Muyao suddenly looked up at Er Ya.

He asked with a puzzled look, "You know the son of that rich man Liu?"

Er Ya nodded: "We know each other."

Hearing this, Daya was so angry that she slapped Erya, saying, "How did I teach you? You've learned it all and forgotten it."

When Grandma Su saw this, she quickly pulled Daya over: "Da Ya, don't hit your sister!"

"Now that we've met, I still need to ask someone to check up on his character."

Su Muyao nodded in agreement. She felt that something was amiss. Logically speaking, it would be difficult for two girls who worked hard in the factory from dawn till dusk to meet a young master from a wealthy family.

After Su Muyao left, he asked Lin Yu to investigate what had happened.

Daya left with Erya, but they were both very angry.

Along the way, she scolded Er Ya: "Didn't Grandma say that when we reach a suitable age, she will naturally arrange marriages for us? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Er Ya looked aggrieved: "Sister, you are my own sister, why can't you think about me?"

We're old enough to be married now, and it's not good for us to stay in the manor with our awkward status.

Isn't it normal to meet the right person and marry? Besides, Sanlang has already promised to make me his official wife, not one of those concubines. I'll have maids to serve me from now on."

Da Ya trembled with anger upon hearing this: "Do you really think I don't know? Ever since you started flirting with the third young master of the Liu family, he's been coming to see you all the time."

I've heard from others that he had countless maids and concubines in his harem.

Old Madam Liu wants him to find a woman from a respectable family who can help the Liu family become the legitimate wife of the Third Young Master Liu. Don't you think that with their mindset, they're just trying to use you to climb the social ladder and get into the Princess's household?

Er Ya shook her head: "No, it's not what you think. San Lang told me that all the concubines in the mansion were forced upon him by his mother, and he doesn't love any of them."

Madam Liu wanted Sanlang to produce offspring for the Liu family as soon as possible, so she arranged for him to be introduced to those women.

Think about it! What can we, mere ordinary maids, possibly offer them? This clearly shows that Sanlang truly loves me, not just because of the Princess's residence.

Upon hearing this, Da Ya became so angry that she stopped talking and went straight back to her room.

After lunch, the person Su Muyao sent to inquire returned.

After hearing the situation, he shook his head: "Xia, go and call the Second Miss here."

Soon Xia brought Er Ya to Su Muyao's room.

Su Muyao was sitting on a stool with a worried look on her face.

"Princess, the Second Miss has arrived."

"Okay, you can go now."

After Xia left, Su Muyao waved to Er Ya, "Come and sit down."

Lin Yu told the Second Miss about the information she had found out.

Er Ya looked at the guard standing to the side. She wanted to hear what other people thought of San Lang.

"The Liu family started out as a business family, but it gradually declined under the leadership of Old Master Liu."

Now, Liu Yu is the only son in the Liu family; he has two older sisters and two younger sisters, all of whom are married.