I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 271 The Big Rat Treads on the Snow

"Eat this, I've drugged those things."

Upon hearing this, the big rat immediately threw away the meat in its hand: "Ah, thank goodness you reminded me, you scared me to death."

"I can speak animal language and understand the language of all animals."

The mouse stared wide-eyed at what she took out, its beady green eyes bulging, and glistening liquid dripping from its mouth.

But instead of eating it right away, she asked warily, "You didn't drug me too, did you?"

Dongfang Jin...

Is this rat possessed by a spirit?

"If I were that kind of person, would I warn you not to eat anything laced with drugs?"

The large rat took a step back, squatted down, and looked up at her: "Humans are the most cunning. Tell me, what do you want to know about this house? Ask away."

"I will definitely tell you anything that I, the Great King, know."

After saying that, he reached out and grabbed a handful of rice and stuffed it into his mouth: "Wow, delicious, so delicious, this is the best rice I've ever eaten."

"Wow, this water tastes so good..."

Next, the big rat lay down on the table, eating as it spoke: "I won't eat your food for nothing. As long as it's from the capital, there's nothing I, Da Mei, don't know. Just ask me."

Seeing this, Dongfang Jin was even more surprised. Just a moment ago it was one mansion, and now it's the entire capital?

Is this rat really a rat spirit?

That's incredibly high intelligence!

It’s incredible!

Ruyi sighed, [They have their own language and wisdom; its intelligence is probably only found among the royalty of mice.]

Dongfang Jin nodded after hearing Ruyi's words, then looked at the large rat and asked, "Are you female?"

The big rat seemed very unhappy after hearing her words. It squatted there, raising its front paws: "No, I am a handsome man, the most handsome man, a real man!"

Dongfang Jin pointed a finger at its triangular head: "Did you know that Da Mei is a girl's name? Real men's names are all very domineering."

The big rat stared at her suspiciously with wide eyes and asked, "Does 'Da Mei' mean 'handsome man'?"

"No, we've known each other for a while now, how about I give you a name?"

"Tell me."

"Hmm, all four of your legs are white. I've heard there's a particularly rare breed of horse like you. How about you be named Snowwalker?"

"Treading on Snow? Good, that's a nice name. Not bad, I'll make you my human friend."

What do you want to know? I can find out anything I know, and even things I don't know.

"Don't underestimate me, my people are all over the world."

"I'll tell you a secret: I am a descendant of the White-haired Rat God."

Dongfang Jin was amused by its appearance, or rather, by its claim that it was a descendant of the White-haired Rat God: "Pfft, haha..."

“Not bad, high bloodline.” I’ve never heard of the White-haired Rat God, but I have heard of the White-haired Rat Spirit.

"I don't want to know anything right now. I have a tricky matter that I need your help with."

"Tell me, and I'll get you all these good things you've given me, on the condition that you don't go to any dangerous places."

Still clinging to life: "No, I just want you to send me a letter."

"Where to send it? I won't do it outside of town!"

Oh ho, you even know this: "the imperial palace".

"Wang Pangzi's territory?"

"Uh, hehe, you rats have surnames too?" Dongfang Jin was surprised.

"No, doesn't it live in the palace? The palace is where your human king lives."

Its name is Little Fatty, and it's my cousin. The palace used to be my great-grandfather's territory. After my great-grandfather died, that territory was given to it.

So he named himself Fatty Wang.

This mouse even marks its territory, that's interesting: "Oh, is that so? Can you deliver it?"

Judging from its tone, the palace isn't considered a dangerous place.

"Yes, but you have to give me some more rice. Your rice is even better than the rice in the palace."

Last time I ate a piece of chicken that my cousin gave me, and I haven't given him anything better than that chicken since.

I always felt uneasy about it, and I was embarrassed to see it several times.

"Perfect timing, your rice is quite good, I'll just use it to my advantage."

Dongfang Jin was surprised that this rat would use the phrase "borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha," but she did not underestimate it.

I took out a newly bought purse and put not only rice inside, but also some corn kernels.

I also handed a few to Ta Xue so she could eat them first.

"enough?"

Ta Xue nodded her little head: "That's enough. When I come back, can you give me some more of this corn?"

"Where do you live? When you come back, I'll give you more so you can move them into your home."

"Okay, I'll go right away. You hurry up and write the letter. I'll take the shortcut, quick."

Afterwards, Dongfang Jin wrote a note that read: "Bring two people to the Rongguo Duke's Mansion immediately. Jin, wait."

Write the note down, roll it up, and tie it with a red yarn. Just then, Ta Xue finished drinking all the water in her bowl.

Dongfang Jin put the letter around Taxue's neck: "Go, find someone named Long Er or Long Yi, it doesn't matter."

"Okay, I'll deliver it myself."

"Alright, I'll stay in this mansion. Will you be able to find me when you come back?"

"Yes, my nose is very sensitive. You smell the same as this rice, so it won't be hard to find you."

"Okay, please be safe."

Watching Ta Xue disappear in an instant, Ruyi joked, "Well, we've got another informant."

[This isn't your achievement, what was Gu Chenglin doing?]

He's packing up books, probably to give to the emperor. Don't worry, he's just taking the extra ones from the shelf next to him.

Dongfang Jin suddenly remembered something, "Ruyi, why can't the items from Youranju be copied?"

Because Youran Residence is originally the courtyard of this Ruyi Realm.

How did my own little library automatically end up at Youranju?

You mean to ask why those books can't be copied, right?

Dongfang Jin showed no embarrassment at being exposed. "That's exactly what I was thinking."

There's a reason why it can't be copied; thinking about it is useless.

Dongfang Jin...

She was just curious, and she couldn't bring out any of her tractors.

Ruyi thought to herself, "Your rank is not high enough. This Rongguo Duke's Mansion is really big. I roughly calculated that there are more than a dozen courtyards here that are the size of your house in Ling'an County."

There are also those with three doors, there are seven or eight seats; those with four doors, there are five or six seats; and those with five doors, there are three seats.

There is also an even more luxurious three-courtyard house in the middle, which is larger than the one with five gates.

This seems to be the main courtyard, Shuimo Hall. The name is quite nice.

Dongfang Jin looked at the person lying on the ground, who showed no signs of waking up. [Are the Gu family members all here?]

"Yes, they are here, but not in the main courtyard. They are in a courtyard called Youzhu Hall, where the women you mentioned are also located."

Sister Jin, I must say, your man and this Duke Rong look so alike, they're practically identical.

However, the man next to him was also handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and an imposing presence. It seems he looks like his mother.

However, she looks quite similar to the beautiful woman next to her; this woman is probably your man's stepmother/aunt.

[Ruyi, what do you think of Gu Yunxiao?]

This is Gu Chenglin's older brother, and also the person she's most likely to clash with; she needs to be careful.

【Jin Jie’er, this person is just like your man, expressionless, with a look that says 'keep away'.

However, this person gave off a somewhat cold and ruthless feeling, with no emotion in his eyes, colder than the emperor's gaze.

The young woman beside him was quite gentle, but she seemed a little cautious in front of him.

Yes, that's the feeling, it seems like they're deliberately trying to please you.

There were several children with them, three girls and two boys.

This family seems to have a story; [it appears they are Gu Yunxiao's legitimate son and daughter, and his illegitimate daughter.]