Qiao Qiu deliberately had Huan Yu follow Qiao Dong to report on the situation, while she herself went to the servants' training room.
When the headmistresses saw her arrive, they all led their maids over to pay their respects. "Greetings, Third Miss."
Qiao Qiu waved her hand and summoned Granny Zhuang and Hong Lan separately.
Qiao Qiu looked at Granny Zhuang, her bright eyes revealing a hint of warning, "Granny Zhuang, I'm entrusting Honglan to you. Let her stay with you for a while. Release her the day before the imperial concubine selection. If I'm selected, Honglan will be the one I take into the palace, understand?"
As rumored, Granny Zhuang was stern. She was an old nanny in the manor, and even she couldn't help but feel afraid when she met Qiao Qiu's gaze. She became even more respectful involuntarily, "Yes, Third Miss, this servant understands."
Honglan was confused, but she understood when Qiao Qiu said he would take her to the palace. Touched, she said with tears in her eyes, "Don't worry, Master. I will definitely learn to be a good maid. If I fail to live up to your kindness, I will... I will kill myself by hitting my head against the wall."
Qiao Qiu's dark eyes widened slightly, and after a while she said calmly, "There's no need to kill yourself. I'll arrange another place for you then."
Honglan knelt down crying, "Master, I don't want to go anywhere else. I only wish to stay by your side, even if I'm just a cleaning maid, I'll be content."
Qiao Qiu helped her up with one hand. "Since you're going to stay by my side, you can't just be a cleaning maid. Haven't I already given you a chance? Make the most of it and don't let me down."
"Yes, Master."
Leaving the servants' quarters, Qiao Qiu went to where her two older brothers studied. The Prime Minister was known for his literary talent, so he also expected his son to excel in literature.
Qiao Qiu stood quietly by the window, listening to the teacher ask them about their studies and their answers. After listening, she shook her head slightly. Her brother's literary talent was indeed inferior to Qiao Yang's. If they were to compete for a position in the officialdom based on their abilities, she was afraid they would not be able to compete with Qiao Yang. The position of prime minister was not hereditary. When their father retired to his hometown, wouldn't her brother's situation be very difficult?
Qiao Qiu was lost in thought and didn't notice Huan Yu walking over.
"Third Miss, what are you doing here?"
The noise startled Qiao Qiu awake and also drew the attention of those inside to the outside.
Qiao Liu, Qiao Yang, and the teacher with the goatee came out. Qiao Qiu glanced at Huan Yu and curtsied to the three of them, "Teacher, eldest brother, second brother."
The obvious displeasure in her eyes made Huan Yu's face turn pale, her body tremble, and she stood nervously behind, not daring to speak.
Qiao Liu looked at her younger sister with a questioning expression, while Qiao Yang didn't take Qiao Qiu seriously and didn't even glance at her.
The teacher smiled kindly, stroked his goatee, and asked softly, "Why has the Third Miss come here? Why is she standing outside the window?"
Qiao Qiu smiled sheepishly, "Master, I wanted to talk to my elder brother about something, but he's in the study learning with you, so I was afraid of disturbing you and that's why I've been standing here."
The teacher nodded with a smile, "The girl is well-mannered, unlike the rumors."
Qiao Qiu smiled playfully and said, "Qiu'er thinks that a wise man like Master would not pay attention to rumors, otherwise, what would be the difference between him and ordinary people?"
The Master laughed heartily, “Well done, Qiu’er! What a sharp tongue you have! You’ve managed to outwit me.”
"You flatter me, Master." Qiao Qiu smiled faintly, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
The teacher stroked his beard. "Young Master, you may speak with the Third Miss. Second Young Master, come with me to continue the lesson."
"yes."
Before Qiao Yang turned to leave, he took a deep look at Qiao Qiu.
Qiao Qiu didn't take it seriously and said fiercely to Huan Yu, "You stay far away from me. If you dare to come close and eavesdrop, I'll break your legs."
Huan Yu trembled with fright, "Yes."
Qiao Liu grabbed her arm and scolded, "Qiu'er, how come you've already shown your true colors again after I just praised you?"
"Hmph." Qiao Qiu gave a playful hum and then pulled him along the corridor toward the backyard.
Upon reaching the back garden, Qiao Liu grabbed her arm and said helplessly, "I've already let you drag me all the way here, can you tell me what's the matter now?"
Qiao Qiu fiddled with her fingers, her big eyes darting around, lively and adorable. "Big brother, what if I told you nothing happened?"
"Hmm?" Qiao Liu raised an eyebrow, trying her best to control her temper.
"Hehe, just kidding. Brother, am I going to be sent to the palace next year?" Qiao Qiu looked up at him, her smile gone.
Qiao Liu was taken aback when she heard this, sighed, and reached out to pat her head. "Yes, you're going to participate in the talent show next year."
"Brother can't bear to part with Qiu'er?"
These words stung Qiao Liu's heart, and her eyes revealed heartache. "Everyone says that the palace is a place that devours people. You have been pampered since you were a child and do not know the wickedness of people's hearts. If you had a choice, your brother would never want to send you in."
Qiao Qiu grasped his hand, a relieved smile on her face. "Brother, just hearing your words is enough."
In both her incarnations, Qiao Qiu would be chosen by the emperor. She disliked competing with so many women for one man, so she spent the entire day hesitating about whether to fake her death and leave to avoid the imperial concubine selection.
But then she thought that if Qiao Dong became empress, she would definitely not let her brother and mother go. Qiao Qiu had reincarnated so many times, and the people who loved her the most were the ones who cared for her. If she had to watch them fall into crisis while she was living a good life outside, how could she live in peace?
She may have lost much of her kindness, but that doesn't mean she's lost her conscience.
Anyway, I've been through so many reincarnations, and I've been an emperor's concubine before, so what's the big deal about being one again?
As long as she can protect them, she'll play this palace intrigue game.
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