Xiao Yunrou decided to arrest the people, and she did it very quickly. Within two or three days, several people were charged with theft, dereliction of duty, etc. and locked up. Pei Lingfeng's secret guards quietly transferred them to another place for strict interrogation.

Even though several people were arrested, Xiao Yunrou was still worried, so she asked Pei Lingfeng for a few more people, including those who had separated from the Marquis' Mansion. As for the Xiao Mansion, Pei Lingfeng said that Xiao Yunyan was already investigating it, and she felt relieved.

Pei Lingfeng had his own way of investigation, and Xiao Yunrou had her own set of methods as a woman in the backyard. Although no secrets in other mansions were found, there were many people who were bribed. For example, the maid who swept the house in Xiao Yunrou's yard was bribed by Dou Jingshu, but because she could not enter the house to serve, and could not touch Xiao Yunrou's food, clothing, housing and transportation, she could only pass on some unimportant news.

Xiao Yunrou dealt with those who betrayed their master and had evidence of it, mercilessly, beating each of them with 20 sticks and selling them out of the mansion. The people in the mansion were trembling with fear because Xiao Yunrou suddenly and loudly dealt with so many servants, but because it was about betrayal, no one said anything, and it was very merciful not to beat them to death but to sell them. However, those who were sold out of the mansion would not be wanted by any wealthy family. The younger ones were taken away by matchmakers and sold to brothels, and the older ones could only be sold to places where they had to work as laborers.

The result of the interrogation by the secret guards came out soon. It was all arranged by the Qiao family. Xiao Yunrou didn't know that the Qiao family had connections with Pingnan Hou and the Zhong family, but Pei Lingfeng knew it. Pei Lingfeng told Xiao Yunrou the result, hoping that Xiao Yunrou could be on guard against the Zhong family, which might change the future outcome.

Xiao Yunrou had not expected that the Zhong family had started making arrangements so early. Thinking about the tragedy in her previous life, it was not unfair at all. She had been the mistress of the Marquis' Mansion for so many years in vain, and she had not discovered any of those hidden plots.

Xiao Yunrou couldn't help but feel fortunate that Pei Lingfeng in this life was smarter than before, as he was able to discover the trouble in the mansion.

"We should report this to father. After all, father is a powerful marquis who is trusted by the emperor. The Zhong family and Marquis Pingnan are too dismissive of the Marquis Zhenyuan Mansion."

Pei Lingfeng nodded in agreement, but when he thought about it, they dared to start with Prince An, they might really take the Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion seriously.

"Let's not talk about them anymore. It's late at night. It's time to rest."

Pei Lingfeng pulled Xiao Yunrou into his arms, picked her up horizontally and put her on the bed. With a wave of his hand, the lamp on the table suddenly went out and the bed curtain fell down.

"Pei Lingfeng!!" Before Xiao Yunrou could come to her senses, she was already lying on the soft bed, with her clothes half-undressed. She raised her panicked voice in the darkness, but then only a moan was heard, and nothing else was said.

Xiao Yun's weak and delicate voice was heard from behind the bed curtains. Pei Lingfeng had tossed her to and fro until she fell asleep, and only then did he let her go.

When Xiao Yunrou woke up the next day, it was already bright. She saw a vast expanse of white outside. Her mind suddenly became clear. She quickly took her undershirt and put it on, then called Qingci in.

"Why didn't you wake me up? If I'm late, the Marquis will blame me again." As soon as Xiao Yunrou sat up, she felt like her body was about to fall apart. She raised her hand and pinched her aching waist. She couldn't help but curse Pei Lingfeng many times in her heart.

"It snowed all night last night, but the road has just been cleared. The Crown Prince's wife will not be late if she gets up and changes clothes."

Qingci knew what was going on in the house because she was on guard last night, but she had not been serving Xiao Yunrou closely for long, so her face turned red when she heard it last night. It was Nanny Su who saw it and asked her to go back and rest before she felt better.

After washing up, Xiao Yunrou went to Zhining Garden to pay her respects. Perhaps because she had dealt harshly with those with ulterior motives in the Marquis' Mansion in recent days, Shen Shi was rarely malicious towards her, so the breakfast was peaceful and quiet.

As soon as she returned to the yard, she did not forget that Dou Jingshu had bribed the servants in her yard. She had not yet made a move against Dou Jingshu who coveted her husband, but she bumped into him head-on. It was really hateful.

"Qingci, didn't the Dou family send an invitation a few days ago?"

Qingci thought about it and realized that this was true. She knew that Dou Jingshu and Xiao Yunrou were not getting along, so she just left the post there and had no intention of going.

"Is the Crown Prince's wife going over?"

Xiao Yunrou took a sip of tea and asked casually, "Why should I go?"

The Dou family's official position is not high, and her relationship with the Dou family is not good, so why should she save face for the Dou family?

"I'm afraid everyone in the capital knows what Miss Dou is thinking. If the Crown Prince's wife goes there, who knows what kind of rumors will spread."

Qingci curled her lips, with a look of disdain on her face.

"But I heard that the young lady from the He family was going to go. Yesterday, when I was out of the house picking out fabrics for the eldest master, I saw Miss He buying new clothes. She said she was going to wear them when she went to visit the Dou Mansion."

Xiao Yunrou thought about Miss He, and remembered how she targeted Xiao Yunya at the banquet she hosted that day, and she couldn't help but sneer.

"Snakes and rats live in the same nest."

Xiao Yunrou thought for a moment and ordered, "Send someone to find out Dou Jingshu's schedule before the New Year. She thinks so highly of me, I must give her a great gift."

Qingci nodded in agreement. Not long after, Lvyi came in and reported the results of her investigation over the past few days.

Lipin was selected to enter the palace last time. She was favored by the emperor because of her beauty and was given the title of Lipin. The Du family also became somewhat respectable because of Lipin's favor. However, the son of the Du family, Du Rui, is a useless person. He knew how to be restrained when his family was in a bad situation before, but now he indulges in eating, drinking, whoring and gambling. He is not good at studying, and he will fail in the next spring examination. I don't know how he got the reputation of being a good person.

Xiao Yunrou listened to Lv Yi's report and pondered for a long time, thinking about all the possible connections between the Zhong family, the Du family, Concubine Wan and Concubine Li.

"Although Zhong Hao is about to get married, his former promiscuous nature won't last long. Go tell my eldest brother to go to Guanyue Tower for a gathering tomorrow."

Lv Yi received the order and left. Xiao Yunrou played with the teacup in her hand, remaining silent.

The next day, Xiao Yunrou went to Guanyuelou. Today, Guanyuelou's business was even more prosperous than usual. There were still many people standing at the counter, and the shopkeeper explained everything one by one.

"Gentlemen, I am very sorry, but all the private rooms are fully booked today. We really don't have any more. How about you sit in the lobby?"

The noise made Xiao Yunrou curious, and she asked the green beside her in a low voice.

"What day is today? Why are there so many people?"

Lu Yi was also surprised, but she really didn't know. "I'll go and ask around."

Xiao Yunrou nodded slightly and helped Lvyi upstairs. Because Xiao Yunyan had a close relationship with Prince An, Guanyue Tower specially reserved a private room for him. Otherwise, even if Xiao Yunrou came here on a whim, she might not be able to go upstairs today because of her status.

"Whose lady is this? Why can she go upstairs directly? Shopkeeper, didn't you say that the private room has been booked?"

Seeing Xiao Yunrou go upstairs without asking any questions, someone couldn't help but speak. The shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his forehead and explained: "This lady has reserved a private room early in the morning."

"How is that possible? This lady looks very unfamiliar, we have never seen her before. Shopkeeper, are you trying to deceive us? Do you know who this is? This is Concubine Li's younger brother!"

The other people also started to shout, and the person surrounded by them looked arrogant. Xiao Yunrou glanced at the crowd, but did not speak, just silently looked at Du Rui.

The shopkeeper knew Xiao Yunrou's identity, and silently criticized Du Rui and his group for being ignorant of good and bad. Before he could explain, he heard a pleasant female voice coming from the staircase.

"Big sister, what are you doing standing there? Come up quickly, big brother has already ordered tea."

Xiao Yunrou was a little surprised to see Xiao Yunya here, then she curled her lips into a smile and let Lu Yi support her as she walked up.

Xiao Yunrou's smile was so stunning that Du Rui, who had originally looked down upon her, was stunned. Xiao Yunya, who was standing at the entrance of the stairs, was wearing a veil because she had not yet left the room, but her exposed eyebrows and eyes showed her extraordinary appearance.

"Ladies, which family are you from?"

After Du Rui came to his senses, he changed his attitude and became a humble gentleman with elegant demeanor. But his eyes kept wandering between Xiao Yunrou and Xiao Yunya, and his evil gaze disgusted the two of them.

Xiao Yunrou did not respond, and neither did Xiao Yunya. Du Rui's followers saw this and immediately blocked Xiao Yunrou's way, looking very arrogant.

"Are you deaf? Didn't you hear Master Du talking to you? Master Du is Concubine Du's younger brother, he is a royal relative. He is talking to you to give you face. Don't be shameless!"

Xiao Yunrou stopped and sneered at the group of people in front of her who were taking advantage of their power.

"I didn't know that a concubine of the fifth rank could be called a queen. Royal relatives are the honor that only the mother's family of the empress can have. This young man is talking nonsense here. If the emperor knew about it, I'm afraid that even the concubine's position would be lost."

Everyone's faces changed drastically after hearing what Xiao Yunrou said, especially Du Rui, whose face looked extremely ugly.

"You are so brave!!" Du Rui said angrily.

When the lackeys saw Du Rui's expression, they wanted to attack him. The shopkeeper quickly stepped forward to stop them and said with a smile:

"Hey, Madam, why haven't you gone to the private room yet? Is there anything you need me to tell you?"

The shopkeeper didn't want to offend Xiao Yunrou at all. If things got out of hand, Guanyue Tower might not be able to do business today. He also didn't want to offend Lipin's brother who was currently enjoying the emperor's favor, so he could only remind Du Rui and his group implicitly.

"Madam of the Crown Prince?"

The group was stunned on the spot, with huge waves in their hearts. They began to look at Xiao Yunrou cautiously. Xiao Yunya chuckled when she saw this.

"The capital is so big, nine out of ten people are of high status. I have never heard of the Du family. Sister, don't waste your breath on them. Let's go upstairs and have some tea. Guanyue Tower has some new snacks, I wonder if they will suit your taste."

Xiao Yunrou glanced at Du Rui, whose face was pale and blue, and slowly went upstairs.