Xu Ying's intentions are very clear, she wants to gather the women in the Copper Sparrow Garden to use them for her own purposes.

However, the women in the Copper Sparrow Garden, none of them are simple.

All of them have experience, having stayed in the inner courtyard.

Especially Madam Xiao and Madam Gan, they are adept at palace intrigue. Previously, when Prince Huai was at the height of his power, Madam Hui, Madam Xiao, and Madam Gan, secretly competed fiercely for the position of Crown Prince.

So whatever Xu Ying plans, they can smell it immediately.

Moreover, they need not fear Xu Ying.

Therefore, when she stood up and raised her glass, apart from Princess Zhaoqing Chu Ran who responded immediately, the other women ignored Xu Ying.

Xu Ying furrowed her phoenix-like eyebrows, noticing the atmosphere was cold, she spoke clearly, "What, do none of you wish Duke An all the best and a safe return?"

"Humph." Madam Xiao snorted coldly, then said, "Just simply raising a glass to wish, is so insincere. Tomorrow, I plan to go with my sister to the temple to pray for Duke An, transcribe peace scriptures for Duke An, and observe fasting and bathing until Duke An returns."

Madam Gan, sitting beside her, nodded in agreement.

Xu Ying: "..."

Chu Ran: "..."

Xu Ying pursed her plump and smooth pink lips, her long beautiful eyes narrowed into a line, then said, "Then, the two sisters, please do take care. When Duke An returns, I will definitely speak of the two sisters' hard work in front of Duke An."

Xu Ying directly referred to Madam Xiao and Madam Gan as her sisters.

"There's no need to trouble the Former Empress with this, besides, this is what my sister and I ought to do. As long as Duke An can return safely, what do our exertions amount to, they aren't worth Duke An's concern." Madam Xiao took a handkerchief from her sleeve cage, then, holding it with her fingers in a delicate orchid-like gesture, covered her mouth and said.

Below Xu Ying's curved phoenix eyebrows, a trace of coldness passed, also realizing that these two weren't easily influenced.

Due to Madam Xiao and Madam Gan's defiance towards Xu Ying, the New Year's Eve dinner in the Copper Sparrow Garden ended early.

...

In Princess Zhaoqing Chu Ran's room, it was already midnight.

The candle flame on the candlestick flickered with a golden yellow flame, dispelling the darkness in the room and bringing light.

A slender and graceful young lady with bright eyes and serene demeanor held a woven bamboo warmer, sitting quietly behind the desk, reading the compiled "Three Kingdoms Story" from Fu Ze Restaurant.

Since this "Three Kingdoms Story" was written by Chen Mo to attract business for Fu Ze Restaurant, it mostly excited the male audience's senses, it didn't quite fit Chu Ran's reading interests.

But it was written by Chen Mo, so Chu Ran picked it up multiple times to read, finding it difficult to finish in one go.

Just then, the door knocked.

Usually, there's not much traffic in the Copper Sparrow Garden, those who would come looking for her, were either the maid or Xiao Yunxi.

And at this late hour, it could only be the maid.

"In this cold weather, go and rest, no need to attend to me." Chu Ran said.

"Princess, it's me." A voice, exuding nobility, sounded.

"...why are you here?" Chu Ran raised her eyebrows.

Actually, Chu Ran is quite unsure how to address Xu Ying now.

Xu Ying's identity is that of the Former Empress, which is her brother's woman.

She was also the wife of Xu Ying's older brother.

She is both Xu Ying's sister-in-law and aunt-in-law.

In the Capital, they could address each other by their identities.

But having come to Xiangyang, their former status ceased to exist.

Precisely because of this, the two had lived under the same roof for such a long time without much alone time, nor having had a proper conversation.

Chu Ran was puzzled by Xu Ying coming at such a late hour.

And Xu Ying seeing Chu Ran respond, pushed the door open and entered, looking at the lady reading at the desk, she chuckled softly, "What is Your Highness reading?"

"Your Majesty, it's Duke An's script written for the restaurant." After thinking for a moment, Chu Ran still referred to Xu Ying by her Capital identity.

Xu Ying acted familiarly, directly sitting in front of Chu Ran, speaking, "I've read this script too, where are you at now Your Highness?"

"Zhuge Kongming borrowing arrows with straw boats." Chu Ran put down the script, holding the warmer, stood up, embraced the warmer with one hand, poured a cup of tea for Xu Ying, unexpectedly asked, "Is there something Your Majesty wants to discuss this late at night?"

Xu Ying turned her elegant face, her bright eyes twinkled, she softly said, "Can't I come to Your Highness if there's nothing to discuss?"

Chu Ran held the warmer with both hands, silently observing Xu Ying.

The two gazed at each other for a while, Xu Ying's jade face was full of melancholy, she said softly, "At the dinner just now, Your Highness saw, they aren't our kind."

Chu Ran, holding the warmer, sat across from Xu Ying separated by a few tables, "What does Your Majesty wish to say?"

Xu Ying moved closer again, holding Chu Ran's hand, said, "Your Highness, we need to huddle together for warmth."

Saying that, Xu Ying smiled, "Your Highness served Duke An, right?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Ran's face blushed, she rapidly retracted her hand, avoiding Xu Ying's gaze, just about to retort, when suddenly a soft voice came by her ear.

"I served Duke An too, not just once. Now I miss him very much, wish he'd kiss me, touch me..."

The dim candlelight spread over Xu Ying's plump and fair cheeks, her powdered face, showing a tinge of enchanting charm, she drew Chu Ran's hand again, said, "In this courtyard, my relationship with Your Highness is the closest, Your Highness must help me, naturally, I'll help Your Highness too."