Luo Sheng looked at Hong Dou with reproachful eyes.

Previously, she’d asked Hong Dou about important figures in the Luo household, as well as relatives and friends who frequently interacted with Miss Luo.

For instance, Princess Changle.

Emperor Yong’an had poor fortune with children. The First Princess died before reaching her coming-of-age ceremony. The Second Princess had just gotten engaged when she died. The Third Princess fell from a horse a few days before her wedding and died. The Fourth Princess nervously got through her wedding, but before she could breathe a sigh of relief, caught a chill and died. The Fifth Princess bravely crossed the deadly threshold of marriage, only to die of difficult childbirth…

Then it was the Sixth Princess’s turn—Princess Changle.

Princess Changle was determined not to find a consort. To demonstrate her resolve never to marry, she began keeping male favorites.

After Emperor Yong’an ascended the throne, his sons died one after another. Now most of his daughters were also dead, leaving only one solitary sprout—Princess Changle. What else could he do but turn a blind eye and let his daughter do as she pleased?

Unfortunately, the noble ladies and daughters of Great Zhou didn’t have a custom of keeping male favorites. Princess Changle was lonely and cold, so mixing with Miss Luo became quite natural.

This beautiful youth called Mingzhu before her eyes was a gift from Princess Changle to Miss Luo.

Why enjoy pleasures alone when they could be shared? How could one keep male favorites without taking care of friends?

The youth about to cry was sent by an imperial merchant hoping to curry favor with Grand Marshal Luo by catering to his beloved daughter’s preferences. The youth’s name had been chosen with Kou’er’s help—Fuxue.

Supposedly, when the youth was brought before Miss Luo, she’d been eating dried pork. When preparing to give the youth a name, her eyes had wandered toward the meat.

Kou’er, seeing the young boy’s red lips and white teeth, had softened and interjected, “Why not call him Fuxue? ‘Snowy mountains bearing snow, bright candles illuminating the south’—it pairs perfectly with Young Master Ming’s name.”

Miss Luo only cared whether someone looked good or not. As for whether the name was Dried Pork or Fuxue, what did it matter? Fuxue it was then.

But who was Da Bai? She hadn’t heard Hong Dou mention this.

Hong Dou knew her miss didn’t remember anything and quickly reminded her, “Miss, you’ve forgotten—Da Bai is a big white goose! Fuxue is responsible for taking care of Da Bai.”

Luo Sheng fell silent for a moment before speaking. “Bring Da Bai here.”

A big white goose with a dedicated caretaker—she wanted to see what it was like.

Seeing Fuxue standing motionless, Hong Dou glared at him. “Didn’t you hear Miss’s orders? Go fetch Da Bai!”

Fuxue hastily bowed to Luo Sheng and ran off.

Luo Sheng rested one hand on the stone table, propping her chin, waiting quietly.

Mingzhu secretly observed the indifferent young lady, feeling somehow that she was different from before.

Previously, he’d dared to banter with Miss, and she’d liked his uninhibited manner. But now, he inexplicably felt pressure.

Miss had changed since returning from Jinsha. Was she really going to drive him away?

Luo Sheng didn’t wait long before seeing Fuxue leading a big white goose over.

Calling it a big white goose wasn’t the least bit exaggerated. At first glance, it was nearly half a person’s height, strutting over with imposing presence.

If this goose were slaughtered, it could make an entire goose banquet—this thought flashed through Luo Sheng’s mind as she propped her chin.

“Da Bai, greet Miss.” Fuxue patted the big white goose that was stretching its neck to stare at Luo Sheng.

Luo Sheng’s eyebrows moved slightly.

It seemed it wasn’t being raised for meat.

Just as she thought this, the big white goose flew at her, pecking wildly.

Luo Sheng’s skills were decent. Facing a big white goose’s sudden attack didn’t leave her disheveled, but she was surprised to discover that in terms of combat ability, this big white goose could match an ordinary adult man.

This goose looked extremely fierce, actually having the bearing of fighting her to the death.

Had Miss Luo raised this thing for amusement, or as a bodyguard?

While dodging, Luo Sheng was full of questions.

Hong Dou rushed over and pinned the big white goose down firmly. Seeing it still struggling, she raised her hand and gave it a slap, scolding as she hit, “Ungrateful little beast! Miss has only been away for how long and you’ve already forgotten her? Have you forgotten when you used to follow Miss around?”

Kou’er extended her slender finger to tap the red bump on the big white goose’s forehead, lecturing, “Da Bai, this won’t do! Miss spent one thousand taels of silver to buy you back. Is this so you could bite your master? You used to know to bring back pretty pebbles to make Miss happy. How have you regressed? Miss paid one thousand taels for you—you need to be worth that price. Without this awareness, it won’t do…”

Luo Sheng was already stunned.

One thousand taels?

For this white goose?

She couldn’t help but examine the big white goose pinned down by Hong Dou more carefully.

The big white goose had a fierce expression, its eyes watching her with vigilance and unfamiliarity.

Luo Sheng’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

They say birds and beasts are most perceptive. Could this goose have instinctively sensed that its master had changed?

A goose with such spirituality—it wouldn’t be good to slaughter it for meat.

Luo Sheng crouched down, her pale fingers landing on the big white goose’s long neck.

The big white goose was so frightened it immediately stopped struggling, staring dumbly at this dangerous person.

“If you act up again in the future, I’ll slaughter you for meat.” Luo Sheng poked the big white goose’s forehead, her tone icy and dangerous.

The big white goose lay on the ground, honestly motionless.

Luo Sheng’s gaze returned to Fuxue.

Fuxue dropped to his knees with a thud. “Miss, please let me stay. I have nowhere else to go… I beg you.”

Mingzhu silently knelt as well, his face pale.

Luo Sheng sighed. “Fine. From now on, you two will take care of Da Bai together. Without my orders, don’t come before me, and don’t wander freely about the manor.”

“Yes.” Fuxue wiped his eyes, showing a joyful expression.

Mingzhu lowered his eyes and softly acknowledged.

After dismissing the two, the courtyard finally recovered its quiet. Luo Sheng picked up her teacup and silently drank tea.

Hong Dou consoled, “Miss, don’t be troubled. Next time we’re on the street and see a handsome gentleman, we’ll just snatch two more back.”

Preferring the new to the old—she understood.

Kou’er glared at Hong Dou. “Miss, don’t listen to Hong Dou’s nonsense. Randomly snatching men from the streets won’t do—the risk is too great. It’s better to have those with known backgrounds like Young Master Ming and Fuxue…”

Luo Sheng set her teacup down on the stone table with a soft sound.

The two maids immediately stopped arguing and waited for their master to speak.

“Kou’er.”

“This servant is here.”

“Before going to Prince Pingnan’s manor for the banquet, help me investigate two people.”

Kou’er had a mouth that couldn’t stay idle and was quite skilled at gathering information.

She had two elder sisters—her eldest sister Princess Huayang, and her second sister Princess Wuyang.

Her eldest and second sisters were twin sisters who’d both married into the capital the same year. One married the heir of Marquis Changchun, the other married into the household of the Imperial Academy’s Chancellor.

At that time, her younger brother hadn’t yet been born. Father Prince only had three daughters, and marrying two sisters into the capital was actually to demonstrate loyalty to Emperor Yong’an.

Unfortunately, just a few years after the two sisters married out, the grand mansion of Prince Zhennan’s manor collapsed.

Though the saying went that crimes didn’t extend to married-out daughters, Luo Sheng had no confidence that her two sisters could be living well.

After receiving Luo Sheng’s instructions, Kou’er quickly brought back news about Princess Huayang and Princess Wuyang.