"Aunt, what can a mere commoner like me possibly say to the Princess?"
Madam Yan was taken aback. She hadn't expected Gu Xiaoxiao to speak to her this way and was momentarily speechless.
"Then... then what did she say?" Madam Yan, still unwilling to give up, pressed on.
Gu Xiaoxiao's expression soured. "Aunt, I'm tired and wish to rest."
She turned her back to Madam Yan and lay down.
Madam Yan froze, then after a pause, said, "Xiaoxiao, rest well."
After Madam Yan left, Gu Xiaoxiao let out a cold laugh. She had been too naive, truly believing her aunt was the one who cared for her the most. Instead, she had been slapped in the face by reality.
Madam Yan returned to her room with a heavy heart. General Yan, seeing her demeanor, had already guessed most of it. "She didn't say?"
Madam Yan nodded at General Yan. "She said she was tired, so I didn't press."
General Yan sighed. "This is likely not a matter of being tired, but rather that she and Princess Changning have reached some terms, and she cannot tell you."
Madam Yan frowned. "Princess Changning holds such a high status. What terms could she possibly reach with Xiaoxiao? Are you perhaps too accustomed to the court's machinations that you're projecting them here?"
General Yan sneered. "Do you think I am that kind of person?"
Madam Yan was startled. General Yan truly disliked the power struggles of those in higher positions, which was why he had turned to the military. There were no such things in the barracks, only loyalty.
"Then... then what if it's detrimental to our General's estate?" The thought made Madam Yan’s entire body freeze. "She... she wouldn't..."
"She wouldn't. She likes Zhao'er. If she likes him, she wouldn't do anything to the General's estate. If she doesn't like him, then that's another matter."
"She likes him, she likes him," Madam Yan quickly asserted.
"Madam, over the next few days, have someone keep an eye on her. If there's any hint of trouble, report it to me immediately so we can be prepared."
Madam Yan nodded quickly. "General, rest assured, your wife understands the gravity of the situation and will certainly have someone keep watch."
The next day
The person Madam Yan sent reported that Gu Xiaoxiao had been obedient in her room and hadn't even left.
Madam Yan breathed a sigh of relief.
But what about the day after? And the day after that?
Madam Yan sensed something was amiss and quickly took people to Gu Xiaoxiao's room.
A maid stood outside the door, her eyes showing clear panic at seeing her.
Madam Yan's heart sank. Liunian quickly stepped forward and asked, "Where is Miss?"
The maid stammered, "She's... she's in her room?"
"Open the door for me," Madam Yan ordered coldly.
The maid trembled. "Madam, Miss... Miss is resting..."
"Resting?" Madam Yan let out two cold laughs. "I am her aunt. What is there to prevent me from entering if she's resting? Or do you have some secret you're hiding?"
The maid, terrified, fell to her knees with a thud. "Madam, your servant wouldn't dare!"
"Then open the door," Madam Yan said sternly.
If she didn't see what was happening now, she'd truly be a fool.
Liunian kicked the door open and walked in. Just as Madam Yan was about to step forward, she suddenly heard Liunian's cry from inside.
"Go in," Madam Yan commanded coldly.
She quickly entered and saw Liunian lying on the ground, her forehead bloody.
"Madam..." Liunian looked at Madam Yan with a wronged expression.
"Go and get yourself bandaged," Madam Yan instructed.
Liunian was helped out by other servants.
Madam Yan walked a few steps forward and saw Gu Xiaoxiao lying on the bed, her face an unnatural shade of flush.
"Aunt, is something the matter?" Gu Xiaoxiao asked.
"Xiaoxiao, what happened to you?" Madam Yan inquired.
Gu Xiaoxiao said, "I was sleeping just now and heard someone calling me in a very unpleasant tone. In anger, I threw a vase at her. Only after I threw it did I realize it was Liunian, who is by your side. Aunt, you won't blame me, will you?"
She spoke very earnestly, even with a hint of regret.
Madam Yan shook her head. "It's nothing. Liunian is just a maid, and you are the master. Even if you did hit her, what does it matter?"
"Aunt, Xiaoxiao knew Aunt was the kindest to her," Gu Xiaoxiao said, holding Madam Yan's hand gratefully.
Madam Yan was slightly taken aback. Gu Xiaoxiao continued, "Mother always said Aunt was so good, so kind. Now that I am by Aunt's side, Xiaoxiao truly feels that Mother was not mistaken at all. Aunt, you are the only one besides Mother who is genuinely good to Xiaoxiao."
Hearing this, Madam Yan felt a pang of guilt. Was she truly good to Xiaoxiao? It could only be said that she was alright. For Xiaoxiao to be so grateful made her feel somewhat ashamed.
"Xiaoxiao, please don't say that. Aunt has failed you. Knowing you like Zhao'er, I haven't helped you. But rest assured, this time Aunt will definitely help you." Madam Yan spoke with conviction.
Gu Xiaoxiao smiled. "Aunt, let nature take its course!"
Madam Yan was momentarily stunned. After a few more words, Madam Yan left the room.
A few steps later, she instructed a servant, "Go tell the General that things have changed."
In the evening, General Yan rushed back and asked Madam Yan, "What have you figured out?"
"General, although your wife is foolish, I too have experienced admiration. I know that when one truly loves someone, they won't give up before knowing if he is married. If they truly give up, it must be because she has found another way."
General Yan looked at her. "Are you suggesting she has another way to get Zhao'er to agree to marry her?"
Madam Yan nodded. "If it were just her alone, I would never believe it. But if that person is Princess Changning, then I think it's possible."
General Yan nodded. "You are correct. This is also my concern. If she has indeed made some agreement with Princess Changning, then regardless of what it is, the General's estate can no longer accommodate her. The current Emperor detests any entanglement between court officials and the royal family the most."
"General, what can be done?" Madam Yan grew anxious. If they truly angered the Emperor, the entire General's estate could be in danger.
"It will not come to that. I will not allow it," General Yan stated word by word.
At this moment, Madam Yan felt a surge of resentment towards Gu Xiaoxiao. While she hadn't been exceptionally kind to Xiaoxiao, without her, how would Gu Xiaoxiao have even come to the capital?
She had given Gu Xiaoxiao such good conditions, yet Gu Xiaoxiao intended to repay kindness with malice.
It was hard not to feel hurt.
"General, it is all my indecisiveness that has led to this point. This time, I will not waver." Madam Yan's gaze was firm.
However, before Madam Yan could resolve herself, news had already spread outside.
In the imperial court, the Censorate Grand Master impeached Princess Changning, accusing her of using her royal status to commit wrongdoing.
The Emperor, in his fury, ordered the Censor to be dragged out and given twenty lashes.