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  Xiang Lan was a bit thin, looked quite pretty, her face was somewhat pale, with a sickly look. Her hair was also slightly yellowish, tied into two buns, and she was a bit taller than Cui Zhu.

  She didn't kneel down like a jade bamboo to beg Xiao Zongrong, she just knelt on the spot... On the snowy ground outside the house, her kneeling posture was straight and stiff, as if she had been forced to kneel down, not voluntarily.

  Her eyes collided with Xiao Congrong's, but she didn't dodge or evade, just staring at her silently, neither speaking nor pleading, as if life and death were of no consequence...

  It's just that her calmness made Xiao slightly reduce his hostility towards her. Such a person who knows martial arts, being forced to be her slave is unavoidable, right? She also has her own self-respect, why make things difficult for her? Even if taking her in is like raising a venomous snake by her side, she wouldn't humiliate her.

  Qin looked down at Cui Zhu, the little girl's face was small and delicate, looking like she was only eleven or twelve years old. Her eyebrows were dark and her eyes were bright, giving off a honest impression. Xiao Zong Rong thought for a moment before speaking in a light tone: "If you want to stay, then stay. The Xiao estate has many empty rooms, you can choose any one to live in. I like quiet, so don't disturb me!"

  "Yes, Third Miss, then we'll stay in that one, can we?" Xiang Lan spoke up, her voice somewhat low and husky, as she casually pointed to the room next to Xiao Cong Rong's.

  Xiao Zongrong unexpectedly glanced at her and found that she had indeed chosen the room that was most convenient for monitoring, as long as there was any movement in her room, he would definitely be the first to hear it.

  She was extremely unhappy, hating the feeling of being monitored like this. Her face pretended to be unaware as she frowned and said: "I never allow anyone to live in that room, I don't like hearing people quarrel when I sleep, you guys go live there!"

  She casually pointed to the room next to the gate of the courtyard and said, "Arrange for them, Brother Zhou. I'm not feeling well, I need to rest!"

  After finishing speaking, she walked into her own room, closed the door and lay down on the bed.

  Zhou Ze coldly said to the two maids, "I don't care if you were sent by the Emperor or the Third Prince, just take good care of Third Miss. If you dare bully her, don't blame me for being impolite!"

  Cui Zhu nodded in agreement, but Xiang Lan remained silent. Xiao thought that she should be looking at Zhou Ze with a cold gaze, her face expressionless.

  For some reason, Xiao Congrong suddenly had a bold idea, if Lan could be used for himself, how good would that be!

  She has martial arts skills and is also sent by Wu Mingyuan, so she must have some privileges. If she can be subdued to become her own person, wouldn't that be equivalent to having an additional capable assistant?

  Thinking to himself, he couldn't help but laugh. How could it be possible? The foolish loyalty of the ancients harms people, making slaves think that being loyal to their masters is a matter of course. Wu Mingyuan dared to send them over, certainly holding onto the idea that they were loyal to him. How could she possibly let them rebel so easily?

  But... why not try? They might be coerced, unless they have a slave nature, who would want to be born as a slave?

  Xiao Zongrong narrowed his eyes and set his target on Xiang Lan. He liked to challenge difficulties, and in his opinion, if he could conquer Xiang Lan, then the maid Cui Zhu would be no match for him.

  The next day at breakfast time, Cui Zhu came in and invited Xiao Zongrong, saying that General Hong had asked her to go out and eat together.

  Xiao Congrong had never been to the kitchen or eaten there since she arrived at Xiao's residence. Before, it was always Chunxiang and others who brought her food, until she was expelled, and she didn't know where the kitchen was.

  Thinking that she is now the only bloodline of the Xiao family and also the only master, she cannot entertain the guests living here, but instead wants the guests to entertain her. Feeling guilty in her heart, she quietly took out a silver ticket and handed it to Zhou Ze when she saw him.

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  Zhou Ze didn't know what she had stuffed into her own pocket at first, but when she opened it and took a look, she was startled and softly exclaimed: "Rong Mei Zi, where did you get so much silver?"

  "Don't worry, it's very clean, my lifesaver gave it to me! Since I'm not convenient with my legs and feet, I'll trouble Big Brother Zhou to take a look and see what the mansion needs to add. If it's not enough, I still have some! Just don't let others know!"

  Zhou Ze handed the silver ticket back to her, saying unhappily: "I have money, this is your benefactor's living expenses for you, keep it for yourself! There are still many days ahead, be more frugal and don't be so extravagant! You spend a thousand taels at once, do you think others run a bank? How can they afford your extravagance!"

  Xiao Congrong's face turned red from being scolded, she wasn't recklessly spending Chu Qingxian's money, but rather felt that with so many people here, the daily expenses were a considerable outlay. It was already good enough that Zhou Zekai helped her run errands back and forth, how could she still let him spend more?!

  "Look, don't worry about it," Zhou Ze said in a softer tone. "Uncle Hong has already given me 500 taels of silver and told me to come back for more if I need it. With so many people living off you, he's doing the right thing by contributing. You're just a young girl, how much can you possibly use? Let's not even mention that Uncle Hong used to work under Old Master Hou, and your family is all gone now. He's taking care of you out of obligation! Believe me, if you dared to say you'd give him money in front of him, he'd scold you so badly your head would spin!"

  Xiao Congrong thought about it and indeed, those hot-blooded men wouldn't care about such trivial matters. If he were to take it seriously with them, it would be an insult to them instead. Xiao Congrong didn't mention the money again and walked in to have dinner with Hong Kun together.

  On the dinner table, apart from Hong Kun and Zhou Ze, there were also two boys around ten years old, who opened their big black eyes curiously looking at Xiao Congrong's crutches. The gaze made Xiao Congrong think of Zhou Qin, who was poisoned to death, and she had looked at her wheelchair with the same curiosity, saying that she wanted to sit in it and play. Would they also want to play with her crutches?

  It's okay, Hong Kun beckoned her over and let her sit down beside him.

  Xiao Congrong walked over without hesitation, and Xiang Lan, who had followed her, pulled out a chair for her. As soon as she sat down, he wanted to take away her crutches, but Xiao Congrong grasped them and placed them on her own leg, saying lightly: "No need to take it away, I'll take care of it myself, it's more convenient that way!"

  Xiang Lan quietly stood behind her, Xiao turned back and saw that she was still there, then said: "You and Cui Zhu go down to eat too, I'll call you when I'm done!"

  He said expressionlessly to Lan: "Attending to Miss is my duty, I'll go after Miss finishes eating, it's not late!"

  Xiao frowned, really disliking her tailing him everywhere, but having been a commander for so long, he couldn't scold her in front of everyone, so he just let it be.

  Two young boys were Hong Kun's grandsons, one named Hong Bin and the other Hong Cheng. Although they were curious, they estimated that Hong Kun was very strict, so they didn't dare to ask questions, lowered their heads and quickly finished eating before running off.

  Hong Kun didn't say anything on the dinner table, just urging everyone to eat and drink their fill. After the leaders left and the servants cleared the bowls and chopsticks and brought in tea cups, Hong Kun finally spoke up: "Rong'er, you're the only one left in the Xiao family now. What are your plans from now on?"

  Xiao Congrong had anticipated this question and immediately said: "Uncle Hong, the Xiao family only has me left. This large Xiao Mansion is too wasteful for one person to live in. I want to sell it and leave the capital to find a place with beautiful scenery to settle down and spend my remaining years... What do you think, Uncle Hong?"

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  Hong Kun frowned: "Leaving the capital is fine, but finding a place to live in an unfamiliar land, that's not okay. You're alone and it's inconvenient, who will take care of you?"

  "I can take care of myself!" Xiao Zong said calmly and firmly: "Uncle, please trust me, I'm not showing off. Uncle will still be in the capital for a while, and I'll prove it to you!"

  "Alright, even if Uncle believes you can take care of yourself, but you're alone, and Uncle is still worried. The border area is too harsh, and Uncle cannot bear to bring you there to suffer! In that case, anyway, girls from good families will eventually get married, so wait until Uncle finds a good match for you, and sees that you have a good place to settle down before he can be at ease."

  Hong Kun glanced at Xiang Lan, and gave Zhou Ze a signal. Zhou Ze went over and said: "Xiang Lan, come with me. I bought a wheelchair for your mistress. Go help me carry it in!"

  Lan's face was expressionless as he said, "I'll take care of Miss, you can just let Cui Zhu handle these things!"

  "Zhou Ze angrily said: 'She's so thin and small, how can she move it!'"

  Toward Lan didn't even raise an eyebrow and said: "That's her business, with so many soldier brothers here, won't they seek help?"

  One sentence left Zhou Ze speechless, coldly smiling as he stared at Xiang Lan, but Xiang Lan was nonchalantly looking at Xiao Cong's back.

  Xiao Congrong listened to her refusal to leave, raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Uncle found me a good marriage, but it must not include Wu Mingyuan. I don't know what he said to Uncle yesterday, but I want to reiterate that there is no misunderstanding between us. This life, even if I marry a pig or a dog, I will never marry him again! Even if the Emperor issues an imperial decree forcing me to marry him, Xiao Congrong would rather die than enter his house again!"

  Hong Kun was somewhat moved, and didn't care if Xiang Lan was there or not. He furrowed his brow and said: "Can't you really get back together? The Third Prince truly regrets divorcing you. He says you liked him so much, he shouldn't have humiliated you, and is willing to do anything to make up for the wrongs he committed!"

  Xiao Congrong coldly sneered, "Then let him first go to the Xiao family tomb and kneel for three days and three nights before talking about this matter again! This can only appease the humiliation he brought to my Xiao family. As for making me like him again, it's impossible in this lifetime!"

  Hong Kun listened to her firm tone, and sighed with a shake of his head: "You kid, your stubbornness hasn't changed one bit since you were little! Alas, how can I persuade you now!"

  Xiao Congrong smiled and said, "There's no need to persuade her. If Rong'er really likes him, it's fine even if she has to compromise herself to marry him! But if she doesn't like him, then not even the King of Heaven can make it happen! Rong'er thinks that this is my principle - some things can be compromised on, but others cannot be compromised on even in death!"

  Hong Kun nodded: "That's what it means to be a human being, having principles and not doing certain things in order to stand tall! Alright, Uncle won't persuade you anymore! Uncle has seen that you're a sensible person, not the arrogant and reckless person others say you are. Uncle respects your decision and will no longer advise you to reconcile with Third Prince!"

  "Thank you, Uncle!" Xiao Zong felt that he had pulled in a very powerful backer.

  "Besides the three princes, are there any other young masters in the capital that you think highly of? Whoever it is, just say it out loud and I'll go be your matchmaker! Although I haven't returned to the capital in years, I'm sure they'll give me face!" Hong Kun chuckled.

  。

  Xiao Congrong had a headache, this old man was determined to marry her off!

  After some thought, Xiao Zongrong said seriously: "Uncle, I know you're doing this for my good, but I don't want to get married for the time being! Just listen to my reasons... Look at the young masters in the capital, which one of them doesn't have three wives and six concubines? I'd rather not be a concubine again! Not only would I be humiliating myself, but I'd also be bullied by others! As for being the legitimate wife, look at me, a divorced woman who's been told I won't have any children, and my leg is broken, who would marry me?! Even if someone were to marry me just to give face to Uncle, if they didn't truly care for me, I'd still suffer after getting married. It's better for me to live on my own and be free!

  She smiled: "Uncle doesn't want me to be bullied by others, right? So until I find someone who truly treats me well and doesn't despise me, I don't want to get married! This can't be forced, Uncle, don't blame me for being ungrateful!"

  "Alright, alright, you're right too! It's Uncle's fault for not thinking it through. Don't worry, I'll definitely help you find a family that won't look down on you and truly care for you. I've got this covered!"

  Hong Kun patted his chest and still didn't give up on the idea of marrying her off.

  Xiao Zongrong sighed bitterly and didn't continue arguing with him.

  Hong Kun thought for a moment and said, "Rong Er, I'm staying with you to avoid suspicion and also to support you... If you don't mind, why don't you become my adopted daughter? Originally, I wanted to adopt you as my granddaughter, but I was afraid that the Third Prince would misunderstand and take advantage of me. You know his aunt is my wife, so..."

  "Uncle!" Xiao Congrong called out cheerfully: "Thank you, Uncle, for recognizing me as your goddaughter. I thought I had no relatives left, but unexpectedly yesterday I gained a Big Brother Zhou, and today another uncle appears, it's great!"

  Hong Kun burst out laughing and said, "Then I can also be considered Zhou Ze's godfather! Haha, you not only have an extra godfather and big brother, but also two nephews! My two mischievous grandsons, when they're free, let them get close to you and help me educate them at the same time!"

  Xiao Zongrong smiled: "Grandfather isn't afraid I'll teach them bad things?"

  Hong Kun waved his hand and laughed: "The people of Xiao's family can't go wrong, with your grandfather's reputation, I'm a hundred percent at ease!"

  Xiao Congrong couldn't help but smile, her eyes slightly moistening. Had she finally gained recognition? Others no longer thought being a concubine was a shame to the Xiao family!

  She finally washed her reputation clean with her own blood!