The second young master laughed at himself and said, "Because I have been in poor health since I was a child, I like to read these light and escapist books. I don't like the ways of Confucius and Mencius to actively participate in the world. I didn't expect the prince to be the same. The prince is the legitimate son of the empress, and he has been raised as a prince since he was born. Several elders in the inner cabinet stare at him with a keen eye, and all the ministers in the court are concerned about the prince . He is such a proud son of heaven, I really can't understand why he likes the same things as

me." "Perhaps the prince grew up in the East Palace, and the pressure is too great, so he likes these escapist books?" Chu Jinmiao thought more and more and felt that it was right, "Yes, I'm afraid the prince is also a talented and sensitive person in his heart. He doesn't like these mundane things, but he can't change his identity, so he uses books to express his feelings."

"I don't know about that." The second young master said, "I have never met the prince, so I don't know what kind of person he is. But I heard that he dared to shoot and kill the queen's maid in front of all the ministers, and he was also very disrespectful to the queen. Such a person should not be like this, right?"

Chu Jinmiao still insisted on her own opinion. She said, "Most rumors outside are inaccurate. But when the prince comes, we will know."

"Father really wants the prince to come." The second young master smiled bitterly, "He even reminded me to review the books the prince likes so that I can catch his eye. I have no interest in fame or wealth, but the Changxing Marquisate has been passed down to my father for the third generation. Looking at our family's current situation, I'm afraid the emperor won't approve my father's request for favor, and our family doesn't have any connections in the court, and it's even difficult to find someone to smooth things over. Grandmother and father have been thinking of a way, and they are doing this for the good of our family."

Chu Jinmiao was a little surprised. She grew up in the marquisate and had heard a thing or two about the affairs of the court. She asked curiously, "If the emperor does not agree to make you the crown prince and does not agree to continue the title of Changxing Marquis Mansion, then the Chu family will no longer be a marquis mansion?"

"Yes." The second young master said, "If the younger generation does not live up to expectations, within two generations, our Changxing Marquis Chu family will be completely ruined and reduced to common people."

Chu Jinmiao sighed and was shocked. If this was true, then her status and Chu Jinyao's would not be much different. If the second young master could not inherit the title, then they would both be daughters of common people.

But then Chu Jinmiao overturned this idea. A skinny camel is bigger than a horse. No matter how poor the Chu family is, it is still a noble family, and it is many times better than the poor peasant family of the Su family.

"You don't have to worry about these. Our family has been passed down in Taiyuan for three generations. Although my grandfather's generation declined a bit, it is still better than ordinary official families." The second young master looked at Chu Jinmiao tenderly and said, "Father and I are busy with the matter of seizing the title. You don't have to worry about these. Just be at ease as a young lady of a marquisate."

Chu Jinmiao forced a smile and said, "I'm not a young

lady of a marquisate. Chu Jinyao is." "What are you talking about!" The second young master frowned and didn't like to hear this. "Although there is a difference in your identity and that of the fifth sister, you are the sister who grew up in my eyes, and she is my biological sister. To me, you two are equally close."

"I knew that second brother would be good to me." Chu Jinmiao looked up, hugged the second young master's arm and smiled, "Second brother, you are so good to me, I will be very good to you in the future. Aren't you worried about the prince and Chengjue? Tell me more, maybe I can help you!"

The second young master didn't take it to heart after hearing it. He smiled indifferently: "You are a girl, what can you do to help."

Chu Jinmiao smiled but said nothing. This world values ​​men over women and is particularly harsh on women, but women can accomplish many things that men can't do. The prince has to meet so many foreign ministers every day. It is unclear whether Chu Jing and the second young master can catch the prince's eye, but she is the type of woman that the prince likes. Maybe the future of Changxing Marquis's Mansion will depend on her.

The second young master saw Chu Jinmiao with her eyes downcast, not knowing what she was thinking, and she didn't even hear his call. The second young master could only say one more sentence: "Fourth sister."

"Ah? Second brother, what's wrong?"

"It's getting late, I have to go see my father." The second young master said, "Do you still want to read that New Tales now?"

Chu Jinmiao looked embarrassed. The New Tales of the World that she showed to Aunt Deng that day was not her book, but the second young master's. Including the traces of frequent flipping through the book and the old ink marks, they were all the second young master's. The second young master was a gentle and thoughtful brother. No matter what Chu Jinmiao asked, the second young master would agree. When she was a child, she learned to write with the second young master. Therefore, Chu Jinmiao's handwriting is very similar to the second young master's, and it is easy to confuse them at first glance. Chu Jinmiao relied on this point to pass off the Second Young Master's skills as her own, deceived Aunt Deng, and impressed Aunt Deng with her diligence and love of learning.

In fact, Chu Jinmiao didn't have that much time to read books, let alone read niche collections such as Shishuo Xinyu and Wenxuan. She spent most of her time fighting with Zhao for her aunt, being jealous of the Seventh Girl, and joking with her maids. She was able to have a reputation in the Chu family, thanks to the world where women without talent are virtuous, as well as the support of her sisters in the same mansion. On the contrary, the Second Young Master, who had been weak since childhood, put a lot of effort into these poetry collections.

Chu Jinmiao thought that since her second brother loved her the most, he wouldn't mind if she borrowed his books. Besides, she was in the inner house, so even if she took the second young master's name, it would not affect him. It was a win-win situation, so why not do it?

That was why Chu Jinmiao didn't want to return the books to the second young master. What would she read after the second young master took them away? She still had to get familiar with these books and then get close to the prince. Chu Jinmiao asked, "Second brother, are you going to use it urgently in the next few days?"

The second young master paused and asked, "What do you mean?"

"I think this book is very interesting, and I also want to copy one. Second brother, why don't I wait until I finish copying it and then send it to you?"

So that's the case. The second young master smiled and said, "You are a daughter of a noble family, why do you need to copy books? You give me the book, I will ask someone to copy it for you, and then send it in."

Chu Jinmiao hesitated, because her handwriting would be different! But she really didn't want to do it herself. How much effort would it take to copy such a thick book. She thought about it and finally said, "Okay, but keep the notes in the book. I want to write them myself."

"Okay, whatever you say." The second young master touched Chu Jinmiao's head and smiled gently.

The second young master talked to Chu Jinmiao for a while, and then went out. Chu Jinmiao lived in the west wing of Zhao's house. The second young master just came out of the wing and happened to meet Chu Jinxian who was going out.

"Second brother?" Chu Jinxian called the second young master and asked, "Why are you here?"

"I came to see my fourth sister."

Chu Jinxian smiled without commenting. For the sake of peace in the family, Mrs. Chu only confined Chu Jinmiao and did not tell the outside world the reason, but Chu Jinxian knew exactly what Chu Jinmiao did. Sadly, Zhao and the Second Young Master were still in the dark, and now they came to visit Chu Jinmiao on purpose. Chu Jinxian found it ridiculous. She was about to remind the Second Young Master, but she saw something with her sharp eyes.

Chu Jinxian asked, "Second brother, what is this?"

The Second Young Master looked back and found that Chu Jinxian's eyes fell on the Shishuo Xinyu. He said "oh", took the book from the servant, and handed it to Chu Jinxian: "This is a book I read in my spare time. Fourth sister was curious a few days ago and borrowed it from me to read. Now I came to see her and took it away."

Chu Jinxian's face was serious and said, "Give me the book."

The second young master didn't understand why Chu Jinxian was suddenly interested in these books. But he always respected his elder sister, so he handed the book to Chu Jinxian as he said.

Chu Jinxian took it and flipped through it, then turned her head and whispered to the maid behind her: "I remember when Aunt Deng was still here a few days ago, she taught me Shishuo Xinyu, right?"

Chu Jinxian's maid thought about it, lowered her head and replied: "Miss, that's right."

Chu Jinxian opened the book again and looked at it. What else did she not understand? She sneered and said: "It turns out to be your book, no wonder."

"What's wrong?" The second young master felt something was wrong and asked cautiously.

Chu Jinxian closed the book and said seriously, "Second brother, did you know that a few days ago, the maid from Huailing Palace came to our house?"

"Of course I know that."

"The two maids taught Shishuo Xinyu." Chu Jinxian shook the book in her hand gently, looked at the second young master and said, "And Chu Jinmiao happened to borrow books from you during this time, and when the maid left, she was willing to return the book. What do you think this proves?"

Did Chu Jinmiao borrow books to deal with the maid from the palace? The second young master was stunned for a moment and said, "Not really, fourth sister is not that kind of person."

"I don't have any evidence now, so naturally you don't believe it, but you think I'm slandering her." Chu Jinxian said, "I won't argue with you, just open your eyes and see if she is that kind of person, you will soon know."

"Sister, you seem... to have some complaints about the fourth sister." The second young master chose his words carefully, "Since the fifth sister came back, father, grandmother, and now you, have slowly favored the fifth sister. I'm not saying that the fifth sister is wrong. The fifth sister has suffered outside, and it's right for us to love her more, but it's not fair to her that you distance yourself from the fourth sister. They are both daughters of our family."

After hearing this, Chu Jinxian chuckled softly, "Chu Jinmiao loves to be petty and is used to being loved by men, and you are no exception. Second brother, let me ask you, the fifth sister has been back for less than two months, and Chu Jinmiao has lived in the Marquis' Mansion for thirteen years. The family has unknowingly favored the fifth sister. What's the reason for this?"

The second young master wanted to say something, but he didn't know what to say after opening his mouth several times. Finally, he sighed and admitted helplessly: "Fifth sister's personality is indeed more likable than fourth sister. Fourth sister is willful and thoughtful. She likes to think too much when something is wrong. When she gets angry, she likes to make trouble. This is indeed not good, but she is also like this because she is insecure..." "

Okay, I don't want to listen anymore." Chu Jinxian stretched out her hand to interrupt the second young master and said, "I'm too lazy to listen to your words of defense for her. But she secretly borrowed your book, and it happened to coincide with the time of the palace nanny, which clearly shows that she has bad intentions. Maybe she even took your name and said that this is her book."

The second young master was a little annoyed: "Big sister, fourth sister is not that kind of person."

Chu Jinxian saw that the second young master refused to believe it, so naturally it was not easy to force it. After all, she was a daughter who was going to marry out, and it was not good to quarrel with her brothers from her natal family. Chu Jinxian said in a gentle voice, "Whether it is true or not, we will see later. I said this today to remind you that when she asks you for something, you should be more careful. Jinyao is our biological sister. It is okay for you to pamper Chu Jinmiao, but if you neglect or wrong Jinyao for her, I will not tolerate it."

"I understand." The second young master also softened his tone and said kindly, "I know that you are doing this for the good of our family. Whether it is Jinyao or Jinmiao, they are both my sisters. I will treat them equally."

Chu Jinxian wanted to tell him what Chu Jinmiao did behind his back, but these old ladies did not want to spread it, and the second young master might not believe it if he told him, and he would be the bad guy instead. Chu Jinxian smiled perfunctorily and passed over the topic.

After the Second Young Master walked away, Chu Jinxian's maid secretly asked: "Miss, the Second Young Master and the Fourth Young Master have been close since childhood. Why did you tell the Second Young Master all this? You are going to get married, and you will have to rely on the Second Young Master for support in the future. If you dare to tell the Second Young Master about the Fourth Young Master's faults, I'm afraid the Second Young Master will hold a grudge against you."

"I know that." Chu Jinxian said, "But Chu Jinmiao is a very thoughtful person. If I don't remind my second brother, he will always treat this person as his own sister and be open-hearted to her. In the long run, Chu Jinmiao might deceive them into doing something. It's better for me to say it earlier, even if it will make people dislike it, than to cause trouble to the family in the future."

"Miss, you are sensible. What about the Fourth Young Master borrowing books..."

"She must be fooling people." Chu Jinxian sneered, "I used to think she was petty and not presentable, but now I see that she has a very bad mind. My second brother is a man, and he always feels pity for such a weak woman and refuses to think the worst of her. Since he doesn't believe it, I will quietly tell grandma and father. My second brother can't see it, but grandma has been managing the backyard for so many years and has seen countless people. She can hide these little tricks from my second brother, but not from me. Grandmother. My second brother is still a little naive. It seems I have to remind my father and ask him to keep an eye on him."

Chu Jinxian sighed, "My second brother and Chu Jinmiao have a close relationship. They grew up together in front of our mother. They are closer than me, the eldest sister. When it comes to Chu Jinmiao, I can't force it. However, we should take things step by step. This time, I will remind my second brother. At least, next time Chu Jinmiao wants to do something naughty, my second brother will not trust her unconditionally."

"Miss, what does the Fourth Miss want to do with all this effort?"

"It's hard to say."

"Is it for the purpose of being a study companion in the Prince Huailing's mansion?"

Chu Jinxian shook her head: "I think, more than that."

"Huh?"

"I can't say either, but I always feel that she has spent so much effort for more than that." Chu Jinxian said, "But these are all my guesses. We will have to wait and see for the details in the future." After speaking, Chu Jinxian paused for a while and sighed inaudibly: "She is always like this, unwilling to work hard and always thinking crookedly. If she continues to take crooked paths like this, she will sooner or later hurt herself."

The maid was surprised after hearing this, and reminded her in a low voice: "Miss!" It would be very inappropriate if this word got out. As an elder sister, she made such comments about her younger sister. This is extremely bad for Chu Jinxian's reputation.

Chu Jinxian withdrew her thoughts and passed over the topic. She murmured, "Jinyao was slapped on the palm a few days ago. I don't know how she is. She is also stubborn and refuses to give in. Otherwise, why would she suffer such physical pain?"

"Fifth Miss is strong-willed and stronger than many men. This is a good thing!" said the maid.

Chu Jinxian didn't say anything. After a while, she said, "Forget it, let's go find grandma first. You go to Chaoyun Courtyard later to see if she needs anything, and come back to tell me."

The maid replied crisply, "Oh, yes!"

In Chaoyun Courtyard, Chu Jinyao was holding a pen stiffly and writing crookedly on paper.

Qin Yi looked at him coldly for a while, and the more he looked, the angrier he got: "I warned you at that time, just bow your head first, and we'll talk about the rest later. But you, your own ideas are more important than anything else, and now you know you're suffering?"

Chu Jinyao sighed: "It's been a few days, why are you still so angry? I've calmed down."

Qin Yi's face was still covered with ice, and he was thinking in his heart, what was he angry about?

The author has something to say: Small theater:

Behind the scenes interview: Qin Yi, why do you like the same books as the second young master? Is it because you are disappointed with reality, so you read some books on pure and profound things to escape from the world?

Qin Yi: No, that couple is always in front of me, I don’t read books that can calm my mind, I’m afraid I can’t control myself.

Behind the scenes interview: … (Why does Chu Jinmiao think you are a gentle, depressed, and thin person?)