Princess, she is the one who facilitated the extradition.

"What does the young lady mean?"

He hurriedly asked, because he had been in charge of investigating Qi Yu, so naturally he also needed to investigate the Duke of Qi.

If the Duke of Qi and his wife were not actually married, then his failure to notice such important information would be a major oversight.

As the prince's trusted bodyguard, Zhijian could not tolerate making such a grave mistake.

Gui Yao replied, "I will inform you when the women of Dasheng can also serve as officials and establish their own households."

Holding a sword, "..."

The girl was teasing her.

The Dasheng royal family is much more conservative than the Nanyao family; he probably won't live to see the day Gui Yao spoke of.

Xiao Huaijin suddenly realized that since the Duke of Qi could enter Xuanji Tower, Gui Yao, who only accepted commissions from women, could form a bond with him.

And after hearing what Gui Yao just said, I had a vague idea in my mind.

Just then, the shopkeeper and his assistants brought over several trays covered with cloth.

Suppressing his shock, Xiao Huaijin smiled and said to Gui Yao, "Miss, take a look, is there anything you like?"

The shopkeeper lifted the cloth covering the tray and said with a smile, "Honorable sir, please take a look."

Looking over, Gui Yao saw that diamonds of different sizes and colors were set into different pieces of jewelry.

A servant brought an oil lamp, and under its light, the diamond-encrusted jewelry became even more dazzling.

Gui Yao picked up a bracelet inlaid with three rows of small diamonds, put it on her wrist, and asked Xiao Huaijin, "Does it look good?"

The white glint flashed in Xiao Huaijin's eyes. It was backed by gold, and if not handled carefully, it could easily reveal a vulgar and nouveau riche air.

But he felt that the bracelet looked both luxurious and beautiful on Gui Yao's wrist.

"nice."

Then Gui Yao said, "This one will do."

The shopkeeper was somewhat disappointed, thinking he was a big employer, but he only picked out a bracelet.

Xiao Huaijin stood up, looked at the trays one by one, selected a few items, and said to the shopkeeper, "Except for these, pack up the rest and send them over."

The few items that were picked out were also pretty, but somewhat thin.

Gui Yao embodies the image of a peaceful and prosperous nation; delicate and flimsy jewelry would restrain her demeanor and make her appear petty.

She possesses an innate nobility that suits her to heavy and luxurious styles; her elegance and grace blend seamlessly with the objects she adorns, exuding grace and poise.

Realizing his understanding of Gui Yao, Xiao Huaijin's ears burned slightly.

Gui Yao was somewhat surprised, "Your Highness is going to give me so much?"

Apart from Mao Danmingyue, no one has ever been so generous to her.

Compared to this, I do seem to have been stingy.

Xiao Huaijin also sent her something last time.

Therefore, after the shopkeeper and the staff left, she took out a small box containing diamonds from her spatial storage.

He opened it and placed it in front of Xiao Huaijin. "Your Highness may choose a few that you like."

These shiny stones are her treasures; she takes them out and polishes them every night before bed.

Xiao Huaijin's lips curled up; Gui Yao was also going to give him a gift.

He grabbed a handful, and half the box was gone. Gui Yao was stunned!

It's heartbreaking. I should have just chosen a few and given them to the prince instead of taking the box out.

Her expression didn't escape Xiao Huaijin's notice. Xiao Huaijin slightly loosened his fist and let some of the contents leak into the box.

Gui Yao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help looking at the fist covered with many diamonds, and swallowed hard.

I still feel a little sorry for him; I hope that fist can loosen its grip a bit more.

Seeing her like this, Xiao Huaijin couldn't bear to tease her anymore. He smiled, opened his palm, selected a small but not too big one, and handed it to Zhangdeng, saying, "Help me set it on my belt."

The rest were pushed back to Gui Yao, "One is enough, thank you, young lady."

Gui Yao's heart finally settled.

But she expected six beads, and giving only one would seem stingy, so she picked out two more and handed them to the lantern bearer, saying, "A belt would look better with three beads on it."

Xiao Huaijin chuckled softly as he watched her generously part with her money, like a miser, and said, "I'll listen to you, Miss."

Gui Yao glanced at Zhangdeng and Zhijian again. The two of them had helped her dig up graves and investigate information, and she had also given each of them a pill.

The two thanked them profusely.

A short while later, the shopkeeper brought over the packed goods and the bill, which totaled 36,000 taels.

Gui Yao had guessed that the diamonds brought from overseas would be much more expensive, but this price still exceeded her expectations.

Therefore, on the way back to her residence, she told Zhao Mingyue about her overseas business trip and remarked with feeling, "Women are not necessarily inferior to men."

After Zhao's father died, Zhao Mingyue not only preserved the Zhao family business, but also expanded overseas trading companies, which Gui Yao considered remarkable.

Hsiao Huai-Chin strongly agrees, "This world is full of outstanding women, but it lacks the eyes to discover them."

He suddenly became very serious and said, "Young lady, have you ever considered whether the fact that Heaven only allows you to ferry women is some kind of divine instruction?"

He didn't know Yu Qinghuan's abilities yet, but Zhao Mingyue now had the emperor's secret support, so becoming a royal merchant was only a matter of time.

And the Duke of Qi...

Xiao Huaijin glanced at the figure waiting in front of Xuanji Tower, his eyes narrowing slightly; this person was no ordinary individual either.

Gui Yao paused slightly, her fingers, which had been fiddling with the diamonds on the bracelet, froze for a moment.

Seeing this, Xiao Huaijin placed the jewelry he had bought in front of her, saying, "Since you have guests, I will not go down."

It seems that the Duke of Qi did not want him, a prince from another country, to know his secret.

Now that Gui Yao has discovered the truth, this case will likely be closed soon, and his Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs should be officially launched.

Gui Yao followed his gaze and saw the Duke of Qi. "Thank you for your generous gift today, Your Highness. I will invite you to the Treasure Pavilion another day."

Reciprocity is key, something Mao Dan had taught her.

She understands.

Xiao Huaijin smiled, revealing his dimples, "Then I won't stand on ceremony with you, young lady."

Gui Yao's eyes crinkled into a smile. "Okay."

She glanced at the bracelet on her wrist, picked up the tied jewelry box, and jumped off the carriage.

Duke Qi hurriedly stepped forward, "Miss Guiyao."

Gui Yao led him into Xuanji Tower and told him what had happened at the Yang family last night.

"How could she be so foolish?"

When the Duke of Qi learned that his second young lady had given up thirty years of her life, his face turned deathly pale. He asked anxiously, "Does the young lady have any way to save her?"

"Lifespan is determined by Heaven, and that sorcerer taking away her life was against the will of Heaven."

It takes a bit of spiritual energy, but I can get it back.

"But the second young lady insisted on planting the evil child, and I'm afraid she has already committed a murderous sin."

If she insists on using the ghost fetus to harm people again, the Book of Merit and the Judge's Pen will both determine the cause and effect.

Gui Yao looked at the Duke of Qi, "If you want her to stop committing murders, it depends on you, Your Excellency."

Duke Qi said, "Please help me stop it, and also pass on my message that everything at home is under my care, and she doesn't need to make any sacrifices."

"Wanwei Road has been plagued by bandits for the past two years. I have already petitioned His Majesty to go and suppress the bandits. I am sure that this will bring him great merit and ensure the safety and well-being of the siblings."

"You intend to die for your country?"

How can the merit of suppressing bandits protect one's children for the rest of their lives? But if one dies for suppressing bandits, the merit will be doubled.

Gui Yao saw through the Duke of Qi's thoughts at a glance.

Duke Qi hurriedly denied it, "How could that be? I, Qi, am not incompetent for being able to inherit the title as a son of a concubine."

Although I haven't accomplished anything significant over the years, I can still handle a few bandits.

"I deliberately made her think that you were making a deal with me with your life in the hope that she would come to see you in person."

Gui Yao approached the Duke of Qi and said, "If Your Excellency has anything to say, you should speak to her in person."

Otherwise, even if I help her escape her husband's family, she will find little joy.

The difficulty in Qi Yun's case is not the ulterior motive or taking her away from the Yang family, but her inner turmoil and obsession.

But the Duke of Qi refused.

"I am, after all, a father. As my daughter grows up, it becomes difficult for her to have heart-to-heart talks with her father."

His eyes darted away. "The girl only needs to keep her promise. Even if she can't be happy for the rest of her life, it's good if she can live and go home."

Parents hope for their children to be happy and healthy, but life is full of suffering, and how many people can have their wishes fulfilled?

As for seeing my daughter...

Duke Qi smiled bitterly to himself. Did he not want to see him?

All he was thinking was that after enduring so many years of hardship, once some things were exposed, he was afraid he would no longer have the courage to go on.

Why not risk our last bit of courage and fight for the children's safety?

But Gui Yao's words struck him like a thunderbolt from the blue.

She asked, "But are you the father?"

Duke Qi lowered his eyes subconsciously.

With a thought, a glass mirror half the height of a person appeared beside her. She picked up the mirror and stood in front of the Duke of Qi.

"My lord, take a close look at this mirror and see who you really are."

Duke Qi did not look at the mirror; he turned his head away and focused his gaze elsewhere.

Gui Yao didn't urge her, nor did she move the mirror away.

The Duke of Qi, who had placed his hands on his knees, began to feel uneasy. He stood up and said, "Young lady, you are joking. I am the Duke of Qi, so naturally I am your father."

He hurriedly walked out.

Gui Yao called out to him, "Some time ago, my friend and I saw a woman in front of Qi Yu's grave."

She was paying respects to Qi Yu, but when she saw us, she hastily covered her face with her hat.

Gui Yao walked slowly up to him. "That person is you, isn't it?"