Xiao He finally came to his senses, shook his head, and said, "I don’t know her."

Xuexue recalled the Old Madam’s expression, which was indeed suspicious, and cautiously asked again, "Are you sure?"

Xiao He thought for a moment, "I should not know her."

Xuexue frowned and asked, "What do you mean by ’should not’?"

Xiao He: "The Old Madam holds an extremely noble status. If a lowly person like me knew such a noble, how could I forget?"

Alright, he wasn’t wrong.

Xuexue thought for a moment and asked, "Did you get a good look at the Old Madam’s face just now?"

Xiao He shook his head, "Facing so many important people, my heart was trembling. I didn’t dare to look up."

This matter cannot be rushed; it needs to be approached slowly. So, Xuexue said, "You should head back to the shop for now. You did well today. Go ask the Shopkeeper for one hundred taels of silver."

Upon hearing this, Xiao He beamed with joy and said repeatedly, "Thank you for the reward, Miss Situ."

Finishing his words, he cheerfully bade farewell and skipped away happily.

Miss Situ is truly generous, far more so than his previous Masters. A few casual words, and he earned one hundred taels of silver.

Zi Xia watched his departing figure with some concern, "Miss Situ, Xiao He has a gambling history. Is it safe to let him help out at the store?"

Xuexue: "It’s all heavy work, and there’s no chance to contact any silver. It’s fine. Besides, I told the Shopkeeper to keep an eye on him. If anything seems off, just fire him immediately."

Zi Xia: "Miss Situ is truly wise."

Xuexue looked up at the sky and said, "It’s getting late. Let’s head back, or else the Prince will come looking for me again."

Speaking of Long Rui, a smile played on Xuexue’s lips. Despite Long Rui’s imposing and cold demeanor in public, he was like a gentle kitten to her, very clingy.

Zi Xia couldn’t help but praise, "The Prince treats you really well."

Xuexue laughed, "When you marry Long Yi, he will treat you even better."

Zi Xia’s face immediately turned red with embarrassment and she playfully rebuked, "Miss Situ, you’re so mean, teasing me."

Xuexue headed towards the entrance of the General’s Mansion, and while walking, she laughed, "Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore, lest Long Yi complains about me bullying you."

"So annoying."

Zi Xia stomped her foot shyly and quickly ran after her.

Xiao Jiu flew down from the eaves, flapping and catching up to Zi Xia, chirping, "Shame, shame, Long Yi and Zi Xia are getting married!"

"Get lost, you annoying bird! Why are you so irritating?" Zi Xia said angrily, slapping at the flying Xiao Jiu above her head.

"Oh no, help! Help! You’re a tigress, a tigress, Xiao Jiu will tell Long Yi not to want you."

Xiao Jiu flapped its wings furiously and flew up into the sky after being slapped by Zi Xia.

"I’ll beat you, you annoying bird, for your nonsense." Zi Xia stood with hands on hips, scolding Xiao Jiu in the sky.

Xuexue lifted the curtain of the palanquin and shouted towards the General’s Mansion entrance, "Zi Xia, hurry up, we’re going back."

Without waiting for Zi Xia to respond, Xiao Jiu swooped down from the sky and landed on Xuexue’s shoulder, speaking in a shrill voice, "Master, Master, Zi Xia said recently her health hasn’t been good and she wants to exercise; you don’t have to wait for her, she’ll walk back on her own."

Xuexue frowned slightly. Indeed, she had heard Zi Xia complaining about her health lately, but with a bit of suspicion, she asked, "Really?"

Xiao Jiu earnestly said, "Of course it’s true. When has Xiao Jiu ever lied to the Master? It’s getting late, let’s go quickly! If you’re late returning, the Prince will nag at you again."

Xuexue glanced again at the entrance of the General’s Mansion; Zi Xia hadn’t come out yet and might really want to walk back, so she said to the Palanquin Porter, "Lift the palanquin." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

The Palanquin Porter agreed and lifted the sedan chair, heading towards the street.