The aunt sent by the Empress Dowager was someone they knew, and it was Yu Guo who had accompanied Song Yi Xiao to the East Palace before.

  "The Empress Dowager heard that something happened in the mansion last night, and Madame Yan was injured. She is very worried, so she sent a servant to ask about it in detail." Yuguang greeted them and was invited by the couple to sit down, took the scented tea handed over by Jin Xiang, held it in his hand but didn't drink, first asked with concern, "I don't know where Madame is injured? Is it serious?"

  Song Yi smiled and pointed to her neck, saying: "Thanks to the Empress Dowager's kindness, it's just a minor flesh wound, nothing serious."

  She also said, "It was my fault for being careless and getting taken advantage of, but it's been too hard on the empress dowager, I'm truly ashamed!"

  "Milady, why say such a thing? The Empress Dowager herself said that the Emperor's feet have such audacious and reckless slaves. If we don't kill one to warn a hundred, can the wealthy and powerful families still sleep peacefully in the future? In the end, it's those people who brought about their own demise. As the mistress of the house, it's only natural to check the accounts as the year-end approaches. Who would have thought that these desperate creatures would dare to assassinate the mistress! Fortunately, you're unharmed; otherwise, the Empress Dowager would say that even beheading them all wouldn't be enough to atone for their crime!"

  "It seems that this time, it will be said that the steward has been embezzling a lot of the master's property over the years, and coincidentally, with the year-end approaching, he was afraid that I, the mistress, would discover his wrongdoing during the accounting, so in desperation, he committed the crime of assassination?" Song Yi smiled to herself, "He didn't mention kidnapping, nor did he mention my cousin Yan, which has avoided a lot of gossip!"

  Seeing her bowing her head in contemplation, Jian Yu Bai hesitated and said: "It's just that those people were left behind by Grandfather to guard the mansion, now that this has happened, I'm afraid it will be detrimental to his health when he hears about it!"

  "Your Lordship need not worry, the Empress Dowager said that Jian Xiang is a veteran of two dynasties, what kind of demeanor and breadth of vision is that? How could he be angered by such people? Moreover, you and your wife are also magnanimous people, and you won't transfer your anger to Jian Xiang because of this. Take advantage of the upcoming New Year's festival, send someone to deliver gifts and bring a few words of explanation - after all, we're one family!"

  "Auntie is right." Jian Yu Bai heard this and smiled slightly: Never mind what kind of magnanimity his grandfather had, with these words from the emperor's grandmother, he could only swallow his pride.

  Just like "falling ill" before.

  He no longer mentioned Jian Pingyu, but instead asked about the people above and below Qingxi Hall.

  Yu Guo smiled and replied a few words, then took the initiative to say: "Two days ago, the empress went to Qingxi Hall to pay respects to Empress Dowager, and Princess Changxing also went, bringing with her personally made pastries. I happened to be serving by her side, took a look, it was indeed exquisite - it's said that it's a recipe passed down from the ancestors of the Ji State Duke's family! Unfortunately, Empress Dowager didn't have a big appetite those two days, so she rewarded us servants with them!"

  Song Yi Xiao heard this and pursed her lips, thinking that it seemed Princess Changxing was out of favor with the Empress Dowager, at least temporarily.

  Otherwise, there are only two princesses in the palace. Changxing is still the eldest daughter of Empress Dowager's main room. The pastries she made with her own hands, even if Empress Dowager doesn't like them, it's impossible to give them all to the people below, and not even take a bite herself?

  Besides, how could Changxing Princess possibly not consider her grandmother's preferences and age when making pastries?

  "The Empress Dowager did this, and it's likely that she's not just angry about Longxing taking someone's husband, but more importantly, she's worried that after she steps down, she'll win over Jian Yi's descendants and stand on the side of King Zhao, helping her younger brother shake things up. Song Yi smiled faintly, guessing, "Today, Yu Guo auntie voluntarily revealed this news, it's likely not just about being friendly with Jian Yu, but also has the Empress Dowager's intention behind it - subtly encouraging us that after Longxing steps down, we don't have to be too afraid of her princess identity, and can freely tear her apart!"

  It's clear that the Empress Dowager is supporting the East Palace, no wonder she openly stood on Jian Yu Bai's side and publicly promised to help him suppress Jian Ping Yu's reaction to the assassination of Da Guan Shi and others.

  "No matter what the Empress's intention is, it's always a good thing for me!" Song Yi smiled and let out a sigh of relief. Although the First Lady was already very noble, she couldn't compare to the golden branches and jade leaves - after all, their parents were the Emperor and Empress!

  But now the Empress Dowager has made her attitude clear, and the imperial power that Princess Changxing brought with her will have to be discounted!

  Actually, Song Yixiao still can't figure out what this princess is thinking. Her infatuation with Jian Yu Bai isn't a secret, yet in the end she resorts to using underhanded means against Jian Yu Bai's younger brother - who is also Jian Yu Bai's sworn enemy!

  This relationship, without mentioning the awkwardness when relatives meet afterwards, even when the couple is alone, won't they feel unnatural?

  "Probably for the sake of Emperor Zhao?" Song Yi thought to herself, and could only come up with this explanation - otherwise, as a princess, no matter how willful she was, there was still the empress keeping an eye on her, how could she possibly do such self-degrading things?

  She guessed that this would happen, so she had a conversation with Yu Guo again. Yu Guo looked at the time and was about to leave: "The Empress Dowager is worried, I have to hurry back to report, lest she worries!"

  The couple stood up at the same time. Jian Yu Bai said: "I'll send Aunt away, Shan Yun you haven't fully recovered from your injury, can't be exposed to wind."

  Yu Guo also said so - Song Yi Xiao didn't decline and followed him to the door before stopping.

  She watched as the two of them left the courtyard and then went into the inner room.

  After a while, Jian Xubai sent Yu Guo back and told her: "Tomorrow you don't have to enter the palace, I'll write the thank-you note for you and hand it in - with such a bold and unscrupulous slave at home, you should rest for a few days to make things look serious!"

  He had no hesitation in ordering the execution of over a hundred old servants left by his ancestors, which seemed reasonable and not excessive.

  Song Yi Xiao had no opinion on this, although she didn't trust Jian Xu Bai anymore, she also knew that the two of them were still tied together in honor and dishonor. If Jian Xu Bai was scolded harshly for being unfilial, it wouldn't be good for her either.

  "Just say: 'I was originally not seriously injured, but lying on the couch all day is suffocating. When a group of visitors come to see me, I have to pretend to be weak again, which is really embarrassing. If people find out, it would be even worse. Is it an excuse that I'm injured and bedridden, with no one in charge in the backyard, so we're closing the door to guests?"

  Jian Yu Bai murmured: "It's okay for the first few days, but after you 'slowly recover', you'll have to see some people, otherwise it won't make sense."

  Song Yi smiled and thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

  In the following days, the old servant of the State of Yan's royal mansion, Zou Yu, plotted to assassinate his mistress in order to cover up the fact that many people had occupied the family's property, and this matter was spread far and wide throughout the imperial capital.

  Those familiar with Song Yixiao had sent cards to visit her, but were rejected by the gatekeeper who said "The lady is seriously injured and has no strength to see guests. The mansion currently only allows Master Gong to take care of internal affairs, it's inconvenient for him to meet with the ladies."

  Song Yishao, who was staying in the back house, took advantage of this time to discuss with Zhao's mother and others about the personnel in the backyard: "It seems that the people I brought with me as a dowry are definitely not enough. After these few days pass, when it is announced outside that I can take care of things, let's call someone to buy another batch!"

  Madam Zhao nodded and handed over a piece of paper: "This is the division of labor that we old slaves have discussed and decided upon."

  "What's the meaning of assigning a trivial task like sweeping the courtyard to Nai Jie?" Song Yi smiled and took it, saying, "This isn't an easy job, Nai Jie still has to take care of the child, how can she do it? Change it!"

  "Never mind, she hasn't been taught any rules, except for sweeping and sprinkling water. Besides, the courtyard is empty now, it's quick to sweep and sprinkle water twice a day, where does it take much effort? This errand is already an old slave thinking of her with private intentions!"

  Song Yixiao originally wanted to insist, but suddenly felt her sleeve being pulled, and the words that reached her mouth were swallowed back - after Zhao's mother and others left, she asked Qiaoxin: "Just now, did you stop me for a reason?"

  "Milady, Miss You is fine in every way, but her temperament is a bit too good. I dare to say that it would be better to have her sweep the courtyard instead of putting her in an important position, lest she find it difficult to command respect!"

  She knew she wasn't as trusted by Song Yixiao as Jin Xun was, so after saying that, she gave an example: "Previously, the madam arranged for me to go to the Yu household to help Zhao's mother with some chores. At that time, Young Master Yu was badly injured, and after Mother Zhao invited a doctor to take a look, they all said that apart from taking medicine, he also needed to nourish his body well, otherwise there would be a risk of sudden death!"

  As a mother, after hearing this, shouldn't she at least help her son recover his health?

  As a result, the slave servant had been cooking ginseng old chicken soup in the kitchen for several hours and sent it to Miss You's room. Afraid of disturbing the mother and son, she retreated first. After calculating that the time should be up, when she went to collect the bowl, she found: Miss You's nephew was holding the chicken soup there drinking, her son lying on the couch, staring at him with eager eyes!

  "How much chicken soup was left in the bowl at that time?" Song Yi smiled and heard the words, frowning involuntarily.

  "The servant asked the child of You sister in a low voice after the incident, and the child hesitated for a long time before daring to tell the servant that he had only taken one sip. Eldest brother rushed in and shouted that You sister and her son were not members of the You family anymore, how could they still come to the You house to freeload? You sister quickly snatched the chicken soup from him - the soup was cooked by the servant, and the ginseng was sent over by the mistress, and the chicken was bought with the silver given by the mistress. All these things You sister knew." Cui Xuan sighed bitterly, "But You sister... she only has this one son!"

  Song Yi sighed and completely extinguished the idea of entrusting You Qingchun with important tasks: "Since the courtyard she swept was empty, you all take care of it more often! After all, she is Zhao's mother's biological daughter!"

  Qiao Lin and Jin Xun were busy responding.

  Because both inside and outside knew about the arbitrariness of the old servants in the State Duke's Mansion, everyone from top to bottom in the mansion was replaced, which was also a matter of course.

  The people in front of the courtyard arrived quickly and were all present in just a few days.

  In the backyard, Song Yi Xiao was not well-prepared, but he had been gradually adding more manpower. Although these people were of varying quality and few could be used immediately, they couldn't take care of the entire backyard for the time being. Fortunately, there were only two masters in the house now, and by the end of October, everything would be running normally again.

  At this time, Song Yixiao calculated the date and also reached the time when he could announce his recovery. The next day after the news was released, Xie Yiren came to visit first. After the two met and exchanged pleasantries, they confirmed that Song Yixiao's condition was not bad, and she began to pour out her grievances: "Shan Wei, you really benefited from the disaster this time!"

  "What luck?" Song Yi asked with a surprised smile.

  "You're only able to meet guests today, eight days ago when the Cai family had a wedding, you naturally didn't attend." Xie Yiren's face was "I'm so furious I can hardly bear it", she said sorrowfully, "I thought about my relationship with Cai sister and went, but... that Cai second miss, I truly pray to heaven and earth, may I never meet her again in this life!!!"

  Song Yi Xiao knew that Si Kong Yi Han was not a thrifty lamp, but Xie Yi Ren was after all the legitimate daughter of the Duke's manor, a proper high-born lady with an air and demeanor that even the Empress Dowager had praised. How could she lose her composure to this extent?

  She sat up straight: "That was her big happy day, did she make things difficult for you?"