Qian Jiujiu pursed her lips. “I didn’t mean to take it, but it was given to me though. Do you want me to help you clarify to others about what Minister Qian had done?

“Using an illiterate daughter of a concubine to replace the daughter of the first wife for marriage. I don't know whose idea it is but I’m sure the Qian family will have to bear the crime of deceiving.”

“After all, I am merely the daughter of a concubine with nothing to lose. I’m not sure if you all have heard of the saying in my village that a barefooted person is not afraid of those who are wearing shoes.”

All three of them were taken by surprise when encountering such a Qian Jiujiu. Is she still the same person who would kneel before us and dare not even lift her head?

They could not help but exchange glances with each other. Staring at Qian Jiujiu, they were stunned to silence by her and they did not know what to say.

It was because what Qian Jiujiu mentioned was true. This matter could not be revealed to the public recently, especially these few days. People thought that the Qian family was still willing to marry off the daughter of the first wife after finding out that Lord Xiao had turned handicapped.

This had resulted in the Qian family to be highly praised by the people in the Capital. If others were to realize this was fake, then they could not shy away from the crime of deceiving and they would probably turn into a family hated by everyone.

Thinking of that, Qian Yuge’s face paled. However, she had never encountered such a matter before, hence she did not know how to respond to it. All she could do was to look daggers at Qian Jiujiu in fury.

In the study room of Minister Qian. Minister Qian had just returned to his room not long ago to receive the news that the Third Prince was here. Everyone knew that the Third Prince was the candidate with the greatest potential to ascend the throne.

With that in mind, Minister Qian welcomed the Third Prince swiftly. “Greetings to the Third Prince from your humble servant. May I know why you pay a visit today?”

The Third Prince, Mu Yesheng caught a glimpse of Minister Qian. “I heard that the daughter of your first wife will be back today. I wonder if I can meet her by any chance?”

Minister Qian was stunned for a moment. Never had he expected that Mu Yesheng paid a visit to meet Qian Jiujiu. The expression in his eyes betrayed his confusion. “Jiujiu is having a conversation with Mother right now.”

“I can bring you there.”

Mu Yesheng nodded in agreement. “Let’s go, then.”

Just then, both of them walked toward Old Madam Qian’s Heshou hall. Once they reached the entrance, they could not hear a single noise. Silence reigned in the hall. The Third Prince stopped in his tracks at that instant and turned to look at Minister Qian.

Minister Qian also wondered why there was no noise inside. At this point, it was the most awkward moment for the three people inside which explained why no one was talking.

These three people claimed to be noble individuals, hence they always looked down upon Qian Jiujiu. It would be impossible for them to lower their voices and speak humbly to Qian Jiujiu.

After a moment of silence, Qian Yuge could not repress her feelings any longer. “Qian Jiujiu, how dare you? You have only married Lord Xiao who will die anytime soon, yet you are dared to show off your power now?”

Qian Jiujiu raised an eyebrow. “Who are you to talk to me like this? Old Madam Qian, why does your residence have so many people with unknown backgrounds?”

Old Madam Qian felt a headache. This Qian Jiujiu has confirmed this matter and thought that she has held my shortcomings, hence she was not willing to admit defeat.

Qian Yuge was infuriated to an extreme level. She rushed toward Qian Jiujiu, feeling the urge to slap her in the face. However, she was stopped by Hong Ling who walked in unknowingly. “How dare you! Who are you?”

“How dare you reach out your hand, wanting to hit our princess consort. Anybody? Drag her out and beat her to death.”

Qian Jiujiu was also frightened by this voice. This was the Qian Manor, hence, it would be impossible for Qian Yuge to be beaten to death. However, it was good enough if she would be able to trigger Qian Yuge.

She threw a glance at Hong Ling as a recognition of good work. The actions of Hong Ling made the ladies in the Qian family assume that Qian Jiujiu was also scared witless by the servant.

It seems like the Qian Jiujiu now listens to the words of this servant. Hence, Old Madam Qian glanced at Qian Jiujiu as she said, “Jiujiu, there’s nothing much to talk about here…”

“After you pay your respect to me, you can go over to your mother’s place to have a chat with her.”

Qian Jiujiu let out a smirk. These people from the Qian family are trying to fool me again. In fact, I don’t really care about my identity in this family.

I’m just unreconciled to see Qian Yuge being so full of herself. Let’s treat this as an interest for the initial owner, Qian Jiujiu. Therefore, I have no choice but to take the identity as the daughter of the first wife from Qian Yuge.

She blinked her eyes as she stared at Madam Qian. “Mom, can I visit my mother?”

“After I return home, I will surely inform His Highness that my mother is in good health. In this regard, I could stay in Xiao Manor peacefully to take good care of His Highness.”

As she said that, she spared a glance at Hong Ling. At this moment in time, Hong Ling’s eyes were wide open. “Mother? Aren’t you the daughter of the first wife? How come you have another mother? Madam Qian, have you been degraded as a concubine?”

Once Madam Qian heard Hong Ling’s words, she could not help but give her a menacing glare. She only came to her senses afterward that Hong Ling was the representative of Xiao Manor.

No way! This matter cannot be made known to the representative of Xiao Manor. It appeared as though she was deceived by Qian Jiujiu earlier.

She went as far as to conceal her identity to avoid being taken down by Lord Xiao! How could it be possible that Qian Jiujiu was not killed by Lord Xiao who was keen on killing others?

It was all due to this reason. She could not help but cast a glance at Qian Jiujiu. “Jiujiu, why do you say so? I know you are angry with me.”

“Now that you’re married, it is only natural that I find someone to accompany me. You don’t have to be angry with Mom just because of others.”

“Come here, Mother has not told you yet. This is your elder cousin sister, my niece. Something has happened to her house, so I took her in.”

Qian Jiujiu raised her eyebrows. “Elder cousin sister? Mother, I have never heard you mention about me having an elder cousin sister though.”

The look on Madam Qian’s face turned gloomy but she forced herself to gaze at Hong Ling who was next to Qian Jiujiu. “This lady, could you please give us some space to have a heart-to-heart talk?”

Hong Ling turned to face Qian Jiujiu. Seeing that Qian Jiujiu nodded in agreement, she then said, “Alright then. Princess Consort, I’ll make a move first. If anyone dares to bully you, call for me.”

As Hong Ling uttered that, she gave Qian Yuge a ferocious glance. This had enraged her to a certain extent. She had never experienced this in her life.

Moreover, she could only tell what Madam Qian actually meant just now. “Mother, what niece? What nonsense are you spouting?”

Seeing that there were no outsiders in the hall, Qian Yuge spoke out freely.

Qian Jiujiu fixed her gaze at Madam Qian. “That’s right, Madam Qian. This daughter of the first wife is a lot more valuable than a niece. What do you think?”

“It will be quite absurd if it happens to have two daughters of the first wife in the Qian family. It’ll then be hard to explain the situation.”

“Qian Jiujiu, mind your words. You better don’t think that you’re amazing after getting married. Who knows when Lord Xiao will be dead. How dare you act arrogantly in front of me!”

Qian Jiujiu turned indifferent as she looked daggers at Qian Yuge. “Mother, did I hear it wrongly? Did my Elder Sister curse His Highness a moment ago?”

“I really don’t know where my Elder Sister found the audacity to say it. Could you imagine what would happen to the Qian family if I were to relay her words to the Emperor?”

Madam Qian was caught off guard, however, she regained her composure very quickly. She then smiled at Qian Jiujiu. “Jiujiu, we are family members, what’s the point of doing so?”

“Family members? Madam Qian treats me as a family member now? I don’t deserve that. I am a daughter who was married off like spilled water.”

“However, if I was not married, I would be belittled and bullied by you all as wished. Tell me, what should I do now that I have a chance?”

“Why not Qian Yuge, you kneel down and apologize to me? If not, you may not be able to escape the crime of cursing the royal family.”

Qian Yuge’s facial expression altered instantly as she stared at Qian Jiujiu with her face looking extremely furious but she still refused to kneel down and apologize. All she did was to fix her gaze at Madam Qian.

“Mother, look!”

Madam Qian smirked at this moment, “Jiujiu, please don’t say that I’ve bullied you. Please do not simply say the words just now. Who has heard Yuge say that in this house?”

Qian Jiujiu was rendered speechless. Are they trying to deny it? She remained silent because Madam Qian continued to speak.

“In fact, look at you! You’re already the daughter of the first wife and also the wife of Lord Xiao. What’s the point of quarreling with your family?”

“If your Elder Sister marries well in the future, you can also reap some benefits from it.”

Qian Jiujiu curled the corner of her lips into a smirk. Do you still think I was the old Qian Jiujiu? So easily being deceived? I’m afraid if Qian Yuge marries off well, she will return me with a deadly crash.

Even so, she did not care about it. Her main purpose in returning today was to visit the mother of the initial owner. She was here to find out if she was doing well after involving herself with them for a long time.

Qian Jiujiu felt a little lethargic. As for the interest of the initial Qian Jiujiu, she had received it. Qian Yuge had turned into the niece of the Qian family, hence her identity was definitely not up to par now.

After laughing for a bit, she looked vacantly at Madam Qian. “Madam Qian, you’re not speaking your heart out. But I have to say that you are so good at speaking. You have started to deny the words you have mentioned earlier.”

“As for the matter of the elder cousin sister, I couldn’t differentiate if it’s real now. What do I do now?”

Upon hearing that, Madam Qian thought to herself. I initially assumed I won’t have to take her so seriously. However, it seems like Qian Jiujiu has seen through my thoughts.

How can this b*tch be taught so well after staying in Xiao Manor for a few days? Or is this b*tch really Qian Jiujiu?

Even if it’s a transformation, won’t it be too fast? Unless she was faking it since last time? If so, how scheming does she have to be to conceal her true self from others?

“Jiujiu, you can rest assured in this case. After all, everyone knows that the daughter of the first wife in the Qian family got married to Lord Xiao. No one can change the fact that you’re the daughter of the first wife.”

Qian Jiujiu voiced out suddenly, “Forget it, you see what you can do with it. Where is my mother? I want to meet her.”

It’s impossible for you to meet that woman. Madam Qian’s facial expression turned extremely grim all of a sudden.

“Jiujiu, everyone knows that you are the daughter of the first wife. The servant who came with you is not someone who can be easily ignored. What if your identity is revealed after meeting your mother?”

Qian Jiujiu blinked her eyes. “So does that mean that Madam Qian disallows me to visit my mother?”