Lin Shuang lowered her head even further: "Your Highness, this servant..."

"Sister Lin Shuang, how can you think like that? The things the Princess gave us are clearly much more than what she gave to Miss Xi Que," Bai Lu said, looking at Lin Shuang with confusion.

Ji Fengyao sighed softly and said, "Lin Shuang, you are a meticulous and extremely intelligent person; it is precisely because of your intelligence that you were able to extricate yourself safely from that great vortex in the palace; it is also because of your intelligence that you chose me in the first place. But it is also because of your intelligence that you can never trust anyone. You always feel that you are not as good as Xi Que, no matter how much I rely on you."

"This servant never intended to betray the Princess, this servant only..." Lin Shuang raised her eyes and looked sincerely at Ji Fengyao.

"Of course I know you have no ulterior motives, otherwise you would not be in this world long ago." Ji Fengyao's words were not threatening, but sincere and frank: "You are wrong because you made a mistake, but you don't know where you went wrong."

"Did I make a mistake?" Lin Shuang asked, looking puzzled.

Bailu and Xique were also completely bewildered.

Is the Princess reciting tongue twisters?

"Song Huiru plotted against Xique in public, simply to exploit everyone's perception of me, gain sympathy, and earn some fame; it was all expected that Xique would attack those she had arranged, and even attack her; but you, as my closest confidante, showed everyone your calm and wise side, dissuading Xique and even analyzing and advising Song Huiru; Lin Shuang, you are playing with fire." Ji Fengyao looked at Lin Shuang seriously.

"Two reckless bandits have won the Ninth Prince's favor, and they have such a clever personal maid by their side. Lin Shuang, what do you think the world will think? What will those who are plotting against me and the Prince do?"

The magpie and the white dew were still confused by the misty clouds.

Lin Shuang instantly understood the key point, her face turned pale, and she began to stammer: "They think that this is all thanks to me, and they will try to bribe me; if they can't, they... they will want to get rid of me as soon as possible."

"Is it that serious?" Bai Lu exclaimed in surprise.

“From today onwards, the three of you should try to stay together and not separate. I will have the Prince send a separate team of guards to protect you.” Ji Fengyao nodded and said to Xique, “You should spend more time with Lin Shuang and also pay more attention to protecting her.”

"I will, Miss. Sister Lin Shuang and Bai Lu are all one with us. Anyone who wants to harm them will have to ask my fists for permission first!" Xi Que violently waved her little fists.

"Hehe, let's protect each other," Bai Lu said with an innocent smile.

Lin Shuang was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. She held Xi Que and Bai Lu's hands and said, "Your Highness, from now on I will treat Xi Que and Bai Lu as my own sisters. We will be family from now on, and I will never have any more of those petty thoughts."

"That's good. As long as we're united, we have nothing to fear." Ji Fengyao smiled brightly, exuding a roguish air: "I'll say it again, when you go out, just be arrogant. If anyone dares to mess with us, we'll beat them up first!"

The master and servants completely resolved their differences, and the room was soon filled with laughter and joy.

At this moment, in the ink-study, Shang Xiye looked at the letter in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed.

The letter was written in neat handwriting and contained only a short sentence:

I knew about Consort Lian's situation, and we talked late into the night by candlelight on our wedding night.

Signed by: Song Huiru.