Inside the main hall.
Su Qing naturally wasn't putting on airs and deliberately leaving the Princess waiting.
The truth was, he really had something important to deal with and hadn't even known the Princess had arrived.
At that moment, many elders dressed in armor were already seated in the Council Hall.
Compared to the tense atmosphere when everyone had gathered before, the mood was much livelier now.
The noisy voices were no longer clamorous arguments born of disagreement, but words of praise.
"Boy Su, you've really got something. How did you manage that?"
"Not only did you win the Tian Family's trust, you even became the leader of the investigation into this matter!"
"Hahaha, I've known since you were little that you were a clever and capable child..."
Similar praises rang out without end.
Their current attitude was completely different from before—worlds apart.
Among them were many battle-hardened generals, yet every one of them wore a genuine smile.
The reason for this situation was entirely because they had finally produced a... smart person!
How could they not be satisfied when he had won the Tian Family's trust and taken up the banner?
Su Qing's astonishing results had already won over these generals, who had originally refused to believe in him.
The young man responded with a smile, utterly speechless inside.
Good grief, they even called me a clever and capable child. Aren't they just speaking against their consciences?
When they had left after the previous meeting, quite a few people had said he was fooling around.
Now he had become someone with great foresight... Forget it. Double standards were double standards.
"Boy Su, I don't know how you managed it, but you really made me misjudge you."
"You've won us time and an opportunity. What are you planning to do next?"
Zhang Anling asked with a hearty smile.
The wrinkles on the Flying General's face seemed to relax considerably at that moment.
This was undoubtedly an unexpected victory, but he still hadn't forgotten to pay attention to what came next.
As soon as he said this, the somewhat noisy voices around them gradually quieted.
"I already have a plan, but I'm short of manpower. I don't know whether it can be carried out."
Su Qing sighed as he spoke.
When asking someone for help, what could compare to having them offer it themselves?
"Hahaha, you brat, just say so if you need help!"
"I'll send my trusted men to assist you. Let me see how far you can take this."
The Flying General let out a hearty laugh.
He could tell that the youth was covertly asking for people, but there was no reason for him not to satisfy the request.
He would send people directly for the boy to command and see how far he could go!
Su Qing felt slightly reassured after hearing this.
A group of capable thugs was about to take up their posts, making it more convenient for him to carry out his next moves.
To be honest, he could hardly wait.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, he sent away the generals who wanted to sound him out about his plans.
They might not have meant any harm, but a plan known only to himself was the best plan.
After seeing his guests off, Su Qing walked toward the reception room in a cheerful mood.
Next, he had to call over his fiercely loyal Little Slave.
After being busy for so long, he needed someone to—
What was that saying again? It's hard to go from luxury back to frugality.
Once you had a Little Slave, you couldn't help wanting her to wait on you!
Well, there was nothing wrong with having such thoughts.
The Realm Protectorate didn't support idlers, and the Little Slave needed to do more work too!
Otherwise, she would feel uneasy eating for free here!
The youth walked briskly into the reception room, but the smile on his face froze slightly.
"Did I come back at a bad time?"
Su Qing asked as he felt two gazes land on him.
At that moment, two people were seated at the table.
The golden-haired Princess leaned back in her chair with her legs crossed, her posture languid.
She held a teacup in one hand while scrutinizing Qin Lan Shan, who stood to one side.
The Shopkeeper stood with her eyes lowered, but a hint of stubbornness showed in them.
The scene looked harmonious, yet it carried an indescribable pressure.
"Come here."
Jun Huang beckoned to the youth with a cold expression.
"Sis Huang, did you rest well last night?"
An innocent smile appeared on Su Qing's face as he greeted her cheerfully.
His plan to retreat had failed, so he could only obediently walk inside.
If I'd known this would happen, I should have conducted some tactical reconnaissance before coming in.
"I definitely didn't rest as well as Young Master Su. You must have slept soundly while hugging such a maid, right?"
A cold smile curled up at the corner of Jun Huang's lips as she spoke sarcastically.
As she talked, her high heel unconsciously ground lightly against the floor.
It was obvious that she was restraining the urge to stomp on someone.
"Ahem, Sis Huang, what are you saying?"
Su Qing shook his head guiltily. There was no way he would admit to such a thing.
In reality, it seemed that he really had slept while holding her last night.
"Your maid is quite high-quality. How did I not notice her the last time I came?"
Jun Huang didn't even look at the youth's expression. Instead, she stared fixedly at Qin Lan Shan.
Her gaze was filled with icy coldness and had nothing to do with friendliness.
"Why are you making such a fuss, Sis Huang? I thought you two had already introduced yourselves."
"She is Qin Lan Shan, the adopted daughter of the Duke of Tang. I kindly took her in."
"She is now voluntarily working for me, partly to repay her debt of gratitude."
Su Qing naturally heard the coldness hidden in the Grand Princess's words and immediately clarified.
What else could he say?
Should he say that with a little trickery, he had already completely subdued this Shopkeeper?
If he said that, things might become even worse.
"You mean this was her willing choice too?"
After a brief silence, Jun Huang questioned him.
Naturally, what she was referring to was the collar around Qin Lan Shan's neck.
It was extremely conspicuous no matter how one looked at it, making it difficult not to notice.
In fact, the Grand Princess had even thought for a while that Qin Lan Shan had deliberately revealed it as a provocation.
Leaving aside the question of status, this thing... what normal person would want to wear it?
"Yes."
Su Qing nodded readily.
He glanced at his Little Slave and gave her an approving look.
Not only had she failed to hide it, she had displayed it openly.
What did this mean?
It meant she had already accepted her identity!
Well, that was certainly worth celebrating!
Jun Huang clearly hadn't been asking him. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Qin Lan Shan.
If she discovered that this Daughter of a Great Clan had been forced into it, she would have found herself a reason.
There was no way she could let this brat off without giving him a good stomping!
"Your Highness, Master did not force me. I did this of my own free will."
Qin Lan Shan spoke in a gentle voice.
She had naturally done it willingly—one could even say she had desperately wanted it!
"Tsk... truly bizarre and incomprehensible."
Jun Huang clicked her tongue and withdrew her gaze, seemingly no longer interested in pursuing the matter.
However... a trace of indescribable irritation lingered in her heart.
Before you continue