In the flower hall, ten-year-old Yuan Xueying sat quietly with her eyes cast down, holding a tea bowl and secretly praying: "I hope this Miss Song is easy to get along with!"

  She entered the Wang Fu on the same day as Song Yi Xiao, but they had never met before.

  Today, I came to visit on my own initiative, it was the intention of my brother Yuan Xuepei: "Although we are relatives of the royal family, whether it's our great aunt or uncle, they all have children of similar age to us, how much care can be given to us? So don't neglect Wei Shu Mu."

  In short, county officials are no match for current managers.

  Yuan Xue'e had always listened to and followed her elder brother's words, and upon hearing them, she naturally followed the good advice.

  She had been subjected to bullying by her step-grandmother and uncle's family at the Bolinghou Mansion, so she couldn't help but feel anxious: "Although it is generally the case that we are living in the Wang Mansion on borrowed time, I am still more legitimate than her as a biological niece. However, since my parents passed away, there has always been a distance between me and my maternal relatives. Now, my aunt is Song Miss's mother, if things don't go well, how can she not take sides with her own flesh and blood?"

  Just as I was thinking of going up to the seventh or eighth floor, I saw several people entering from outside. The girl in front had black hair and apricot eyes, white teeth and red lips, skin like fine porcelain, and a lively spirit in her glance. As soon as her eyes met Yuan Xueyu's, she smiled apologetically: "I'm really sorry! Just now my mother kept me talking and delayed for a while, making you wait!"

  He came over and greeted while talking.

  Yuan Xue let out a sigh of relief and quickly stood up to return the gesture: "No, it's I who came uninvited, please don't mind me, Sister Song!"

  "What did Sister Yuan say?" Song Yi smiled, calling for someone to change the tea while sincerely saying, "I'm already uneasy about being taken in by the Wang Manor, and I usually don't dare disturb anyone. If you're willing to come, that's giving me face!"

  "My younger sister is so lovely and charming, it would be great if we could meet more often in the future!"

  The two of them were kindred spirits and quickly became close, chatting as if they were biological sisters.

  After some small talk, Yuan Xueying finally got to the point: "I'm now living in Shibei Building outside Haitang Forest, we're neighbors, so why not go to girls' school together from now on?"

  Although Cui Jianlian has been driven back to the Cui family, Song Yixiao will not refuse such kindness: "Sister does not abandon, dare not obey?"

  With that said, Yuan Xueyu was about to take her leave: "You've just returned, sister, I won't disturb your rest."

  Song Yi smiled and detained her for a few words. Seeing that she was determined to leave, he personally escorted her out the door and held her hand, chatting with her for a while before seeing her off into the distance.

  Back in the house, Zhao's mother was surprised: "The princess said that Miss would be able to escape this time, thanks to Young Master Yuan. I thought for sure you'd come over to talk about this matter, but no matter how much we talked, it wasn't even mentioned?"

  "What did she say to you?" Song Yi couldn't help but laugh, "Emotions aren't something I still owe!"

  She had no connection with the Yuan siblings before, and Yuan Xuepei was willing to ask Jian Yu Bai for her. What's more, it wasn't Wei Mengying's promise - after all, this matter is just a transaction. Yuan Xuepei came here to make friends, but mentioning the transaction would spoil the atmosphere, wouldn't it?

  "Then why did she come over here?"

  It can't be just chatting, right?

  "Just now didn't she already say everything?" Song Yi smiled self-deprecatingly, "Everyone is living under the Wang family's roof, we two aren't close, but who else would we be close to?"

  "There's some good news. Just now the little maid in the back said that Zhiqin can get out of bed." Zhao Mama saw the situation and quickly changed the subject, "Miss, do you want to call her over?"

  Song Yi Xiao heard this and immediately put down her tea bowl: "How can we make her work? I'll go see her!"

  Zhiqin's injury has recovered quite well, and her spirits have improved a lot. However, the disabled part can never be restored to its original state - although she tried to show indifference in front of Song Yixiao, it was a huge blow for a nine-year-old girl to end up like this!

  Song Yi forced a smile and accompanied her for a while before leaving.

  She went back to the front and saw that there were a few embroidered items on the case, which was left by Yuan Xue'ai when she walked away. Her eyes cooled down for a moment, but she still instructed: "Put them all away, open the box and pick out a few similar ones, and send them to Qi Bi Lou as a return gift."

  Zhi Qin's disability, Yuan Xue Pei also has a share, so Song Yi Xiao actually doesn't want to associate with Yuan Xue Lian. But Wei Meng Yin is right, she doesn't have the qualifications to be arrogant now.

  Yuan Xueyao is the legitimate daughter of a marquis, and she took the initiative to extend an olive branch. If Song Yishuo didn't accept it, once the news got out, her father would be dismissed from office and relegated to living in the Wang Manor as a parasite - he was already looked down upon by the proper young ladies of the Wang Manor. Not only would this damage Song Yishuo's reputation, but also Wei Mengying wouldn't allow her own biological daughter to be so lacking in tact!

  "Time will tell." She had to be patient.

  Yuan Xueyu was unaware of Song Yixiao's complicated emotions, and instead felt secretly fortunate: "Ever since I started attending the girls' school with Sister Song, not only have our teachers been more meticulous in guiding us with our homework, but even the servants at the Wang estate have become noticeably more diligent."

  Those people didn't intentionally bully her, but even Rong Deng knew that she was living in the Wang Manor because Yuan Xue Pei had begged the Empress Dowager on her behalf, not because the Wang Manor had invited her. Moreover, due to the difference in social status between the Hou and Wang families, the attitude of the people in the Wang Manor, intentionally or unintentionally, couldn't help but reveal a few hints of laziness.

  Now Yuan Xueai and Wang Fei's biological daughter Song Yixiao are inseparable, like close sisters, these people naturally don't dare to be careless anymore.

  Under these circumstances, Yuan Xueying had a better impression of Song Yiliao - although she was only ten years old, Yuan Xuepei was already fourteen and was at the age where marriage should be discussed. However, due to the disturbance caused by the Wuhuan tribe, he wanted to follow the main army to gain some experience and merit, and then return to receive an official appointment, which is why he had been delayed.

  But Yuan Xue had already heard people around her mention her brother's marriage several times.

  "I wonder if brother likes Song Mei? If Song Mei becomes my sister-in-law, the relationship between us sisters will be even closer."

  Song Yi laughed and wanted to know her thoughts, definitely advising her to wash and sleep is serious - not to mention the experience of Zhiqin, she would never marry Yuan Xuepei; just say that in the situation of Boling Houfu, how could Yuan Xuepei marry a girl who was dependent on others? He must be aiming at those noble ladies with fathers and brothers to support him, so as to use his wife's family power to suppress his grandmother and uncle!

  However, Yuan Xueyao was young and inexperienced, thinking that she had a deep connection with Song Yiliao from the moment they met, and wanted to be a family, certainly happy and harmonious for a lifetime - since so, then of course seize the opportunity.

  After the day of the grand departure was set, she suggested to Wei Mengying: "Brother is a junior, of course, it's not good to ask seniors to send him off. But going alone would be too lonely, I wonder if I can ask Song sister to accompany me?"

  Wei Mengying and Song Yixiao both didn't know her plan, they all thought it was just a small matter, so they both agreed.

  On the day of seeing him off, Yuan Xue decided to say a few words less to her brother and try to draw his attention to Song Yixiao - as a result, people can't compare with heaven, they easily waited for the army to pass by in the crowded crowd, from the moment Yuan Xue saw his sister, who else was there in his eyes?

  The warm and thoughtful reminders went on and on, until they were moved to tears in front of everyone!

  In this situation, let alone Song Yixiao, who had long been drawn into the "people protected by Ah Xū", even Jian Xu Bai beside him couldn't get a glance!

  Jian Xu Bai Zuo waited for a while, but didn't see Yuan Xue Pei leave. Instead, the brother and sister were about to burst into tears. Just as he felt helpless, he suddenly heard a sweet voice thanking him, which made him feel surprised.

  He reined in his horse and took a step back, only to see Song Yi Xiao standing below, and he said in surprise: "It's you? Have you returned to the Wang Fu now?"

  "Thanks to your help." Song Yi smiled and bowed, pursing her lips in a smile.

  Although Jian Yu Bai Ken took action, it was because of Yuan Xue Pei's request, but he personally went through the trouble and even invited Dowager Empress - if they didn't meet, that's fine, but if they did, shouldn't he at least say thank you.

  Song Yi Xiao didn't plan on getting too close to this national duke, after thanking him she wanted to retreat back behind Yuan Xue Lian.

  But Jian Yu Bai had to wait for Yuan Xue Pei, who was standing idly by, and when she saw someone she knew, she couldn't help but say a few more words: "Are you all better now?"

  "It's okay, I'm fine." Song Yi smiled and heard the words, and had no choice but to withdraw her retreating feet.

  "Your family..." Seeing Jian Yu's faintly white complexion as if bringing up the Song family matter, Song Yi hastily interrupted: "Just now I was only thanking you and hadn't congratulated you on a victorious journey, may you return triumphantly soon!"

  Don't be kidding, this will make the people around him swarm with excitement. Let him tell those messy things about the Song family. Although Song Yuan has no hope of revival, what good reputation can this daughter of the Song family get?

  It's better to be straightforward and honest, so he followed her lead and changed the subject to the expedition, laughing: "The Duke of Ji personally led the troops, and this small country will surely be captured easily!"

  Ji Guo Gong? Song Yi smiled and suddenly a light flashed in her mind, she blurted out: "The Ji Guo Gong you mentioned, is he the Emperor's brother-in-law, Su Nianyi?"

  Jian Yu nodded, and Song Yi smiled, feeling that his smile was a bit stiff. It had been only forty years since Da Rui's founding, when the neighboring countries were slaughtered and fled in fear. The scars of war had faded with time, and it wasn't excessive to say that the current era was peaceful and prosperous.

  So it's rare that there is a Wuhuan who doesn't think twice, and from top to bottom, everyone feels that this merit of pacifying the borders should not be let go!

  Otherwise, this time's commander-in-chief would not be Ji Guo Gong Su Nianyi either.

  Let this famous old general take the field in person, it's absolutely not because they're afraid of difficulty with the Wuhuan, mainly because there are too many noble young masters who have come to gain merit this time.

  Fourteen-year-old Marquis Boling Yuan Xuepei and eleven-year-old Duke of Yan Jian Xu Bai are typical representatives - so the main general's weight is not enough, can't even suppress those under his command, how can he command to pacify the chaos?

  "But even if it's a national uncle, some young masters can't help but drag their feet!" Song Yi remembered that in her previous life, she had heard that this war to pacify the country should have been able to end within a year. This was because Wu Huan was far away, and the army would take several months to come and go.

  But in fact, it took six years to finally return to the court!

  It was all because after the war started, Da Rui's situation was very good. Several high-born but obviously brainless young masters were so pleased that they forgot their shape and, in order to seize credit, brought only a few riders, sneaked out of the camp, infiltrated into Wuhuan Wang's palace, wanting to capture the king first.

  The next game was that the Wuhuan king did not kill, they instead became prisoners of war, and were even tied to the city head by the Wuhuan to threaten Da Rui to retreat!

  Relying on these few hostages, the Wuhuan dragged on for more than five years. In the end, Da Rui bribed the Wuhuan Chancellor to secretly release the people, and this battle was able to continue. It is said that after the Wuhuan were pacified, the Duke of Ji State spat blood in front of his generals and retired due to illness after returning to the army.

  It is rumored that the poor old general was so enraged in this battle that he suffered a severe internal injury and had to rest for many years to prolong his life.

  "This matter..." Song Yi smiled and looked up at Jian Xu Bai on horseback, his fine armor, shining silver helmet, the wind blowing open the cloak behind him, fluttering like blood, his elegant eyebrows and eyes turning with a hint of battle-hardened sternness, but still unable to conceal his youthful energy - she thought with a mix of fear and endless worry, "He shouldn't have a share in this, right?"

  The emperor's eldest nephew, only eleven years old, was also the Grand Empress Dowager's personally raised State Duke - so even if he had thrown himself into the net to serve as a human shield for the Wuhuan people, Da Rui couldn't ignore his safety...

  What to do? The more I think about him, the more suspicious he becomes. If I don't remind him, I won't feel at ease, but if I remind him... how can I put it?!