Everything went smoothly along the way.

  In the late afternoon, they arrived at the North City Gate outside Qinghe City. Xie Wan ordered Luo Sheng and Shen Tian to drive to Li Zihu Lane, and then, just like when they left, Wu Xing drove with Luo Ju, taking Yu Xue and Yu Fang to rush to the Temple Hou Dajie where the Xie Mansion was located.

  The horse carriage had just entered the street when Luo Ji suddenly said: "That person from just now, why did he run away after seeing us?"

  Wu Xing said with a dismissive tone, "It's probably just some little beggar." After running the car for a whole day, he was also eager to return to the mansion and take a good hot bath before going to sleep. Therefore, he didn't slow down the speed of the car at all, while he was also filled with excitement about returning to Beijing for the first time and couldn't wait to tell Wu's mother, who had never been to Beijing before, all about it.

  The car soon passed by the place where Luo Ji had previously discovered signs of human presence.

  Xie Wan heard them talking and also looked out of the window, but nothing could be seen in the dusk.

  The carriage soon arrived at Xie's mansion, and the gatekeeper recognized the people in the carriage. His expression unchanged, he immediately opened the door.

  Xie Wan also felt that something was strange tonight and looked around. Outside the second gate, there were four or five mule carts parked, among which one was obviously not from the Xie Mansion.

  She was just about to walk over and take a closer look when someone in the hall suddenly coughed softly. She turned her head to look, and saw that it was Pang Sheng's eldest son hiding behind the door, beckoning to her.

  Xie Wan looked around and walked up.

  Pang Shengjia's servant pulled her into the shadows and said, "Something's happened! Where did you go? Today, Madam suddenly sent someone to the Qi residence to pick you up and bring you back to the manor for the holiday, but the Qi residence said you didn't show up. Right now, Auntie and Madam are waiting for you in the main courtyard!"

  Xie Wan's heart sank, and they often stayed at the Qi family's house, even during small years. How could Wang suddenly think of going to pick her up and return to the mansion for the festival? She hurriedly asked: "What about brother?"

  "The second young master has been kneeling in the main courtyard for the whole afternoon, and was scolded by the old master. However, he refused to say where you went, even if it kills him, so now he is still kneeling in the main courtyard."

  Xie Lang still knelt for so long in front of his aunt. It can be seen that the matter is very serious.

  She immediately took out a few pieces of silver from her bag and handed them to Pang Sheng's family, then walked out and whispered a few words in Luo Ju's ear.

  Luo Jing hastily walked out of the door. She calmed down under the corridor before heading to the main courtyard where Xie Cang was.

  As soon as she entered the main courtyard, the Zhou family's people came out to greet her: "Third Miss, you're back!" One of them went to inform someone while another led her towards the main hall.

  Xie Wan didn't buy it. She couldn't believe that Wang Shi didn't know she was back. The fleeting figure on the street, caught in Luo's gaze, and the calm expression of the doorman all indicated that Wang Shi had received the news long ago. What's the point of pretending to be surprised now?

  In the main hall, Xie Qigong and Wang sat in the front row, while Ruan Shi and Huang Shi sat on the right side, and Yu Shi sat on the left side. As for Xie Liang, he knelt silently on the ground without saying a word.

  As soon as Xie Wan entered the door, Yu Shi was the first to rush over: "Wan'er! Where have you been these days?!" Before she could finish speaking, tears were already rolling down her face.

  Xie Lang did not get up, seeing his sister safe and sound, but also reddened his eyes.

  "Huang said with a sob: 'Wan sister, haven't you come to see Master and Mistress yet?'"

  Xie Wan patted Yu Shi's arm and walked up to bow: "Granddaughter has seen grandfather. Please, madam, take care."

  Wang sighed.

  "Kneel down!" Xie Qigong slammed his hand on the table and roared.

  Xie Wan raised her head. "I didn't do anything wrong, why should I kneel?"

  "Aren't you wrong? You deceived us saying you were going to the Qi's, where have you been these days?" Xie Qigong stood up, his face sinking so low it seemed like water could drip from it.

  "Oh, I went to Yellowstone." Xie Wan had a look of sudden realization. Then her eyes welled up with sad thoughts: "It's been over a year since my parents passed away, and I really miss them. I often hide under the covers and cry. But I'm also afraid that Master and Mistress won't allow it. Master worked hard to keep us siblings in the mansion, so naturally he wouldn't want me running around outside all the time. So I didn't tell the truth."

  Yu's family was relieved to see Xie Wan return safely, and they quickly forgot their previous worries and fears.

  At this moment, Xie Qigong was still shouting at her, and she said displeased: "Since Sister Wan is neither a prisoner nor a servant, why can't she run out? The brother and sister have their own affairs, staying in the house every day, who will help them manage the family business? They ruined the family property, are you happy? Sister Wan has no mother, if she doesn't learn how to hold the family early, whose face will be lost when she gets married?"

  Xie Qigong thought she was an unreasonable shrew and never liked to talk to her, so he just grunted and turned his face away.

  Wang said, "Auntie, your words are somewhat unfair. Just now when Yuanyuan didn't come back, weren't you anxious like an ant on a hot pot? We're not forcing her to stay here either. Fortunately, she's returned safely this time. If something had happened to her, wouldn't it be our responsibility in the Wang household? At that time, who knows, maybe you'd also shift the blame onto us?"

  "After all, we are doing this for her own good. Our family is not one that doesn't care about social norms. When a girl from our household goes out, it's only proper to let us know and say goodbye. This habit of lying is really not good. If something were to happen, it wouldn't just affect the second branch of the family, there are also several other young ladies in the manor who haven't been betrothed yet. Even if Auntie dotes on her, when the time comes, she won't be able to bear the sight either."

  Xie Qigong had not intended to make a sound, but when Wang said so, he immediately furrowed his brow. The matter arose suddenly, and if Wang hadn't mentioned it, Xie would have overlooked it. With Xie Rong's appointment as compiler, the Xie family was viewed differently by people in the surrounding area. If something shameful really happened, it would be a loss of face for the Xie family. How could they then form connections with respectable families?

  He pointed at Xie Wan: "From now on, no matter where you go, you must get the mistress's consent before leaving the house!"

  Wang's face showed a hint of pleasure, gazing at Xie Wan like a piece of meat on a chopping board.

  As long as she had this rule, it would be difficult for her to go out and do things at any time. Although the shop's affairs were handled by Luo Sheng and others, so she didn't have to worry too much, but she still wanted to open a rice shop and expand her business! As long as she couldn't go out, Wang Shi would easily take action against the second house's property or their siblings!

  It seems that Wang had made some preparations before making such a big fuss, although it is not possible to know at present whether she has gone to the capital or what she is doing specifically, but probably already knows who is actually in charge of the second house.

  But did Wang really think she could get away with just a few tricks?

  Aunt!

  In the silent house, she suddenly burst into tears and rushed into Yu's arms: "Aunt, I'm afraid I won't be able to visit you often in the future, take care of yourself!"

  Yu was originally speechless after being blocked by Wang, so she didn't speak for half a day. Now, thanks to Xie Wan's crying, she finally vented her anger.

  She stood up abruptly and said, "What kind of rules are these? Are you trying to bully them just because they stayed behind? What's wrong with a child wanting to go back home to their parents? If you hadn't been so strict with her all along, would she be so afraid of you now? Looking at the way you're all acting like step-parents, I can imagine what kind of life Wan sister had under your care!"

  Although Xie Wan said that this trip was a small stay in Huangshi Town, the reason is very suspicious. However, at this time, she would absolutely not help Wang Shi and others to stand on the opposite side of Xie Wan. Even if she knew there were loopholes everywhere, she would still help her to the end!

  Xie Qigong was so angry at her words that he fell over backwards!

  "Absurd! Absolutely absurd! I'm her own grandfather, a tiger doesn't eat its own son, and yet I'm wrong for disciplining her!"

  "You're not wrong! You don't eat your own children, but if you didn't eat them, how did our uncle get bullied to the point where he didn't even dare return home? Originally it was our uncle, now that he's gone, it's become taking advantage of these kids! You also have the nerve to say you're their real grandfather! I've never seen a real grandfather who uses his arm to push away his own children and helps others raise their sons, but frequently drives out his own eldest son and granddaughter!"

  "You!"

  Xie Qigong pointed at her, his face pale with rage, "Get out! Get out!"

  "Go out?"

  Yu smiled coldly, hands on hips: "What makes you think you can drive me out? I didn't come to your main house of my own accord, it was your people who invited me! Do you think I'm one of your servants, to be summoned and dismissed at will? No way! The place where I stand is only two feet wide, but the property that the second house will get in the future is enough for me to sleep on, even if it's just a fingernail-sized piece. If you have the guts, write it into your will that you won't give the second house a single penny!"

  It doesn't matter if I'm separated or not, but if Shu Xigong really wrote in his will that he wouldn't give any property to the second wife without her fault, then according to the logic of filling the house before the original wife's death, even if it's not called favoring the concubine and destroying the wife, there won't be a single good word when it gets out.

  A family without ethics is looked down upon no matter what.

  Xie Qigong grasped the cup in his hand and shook for half a day before smashing it into powder with a loud crash.

  Ruan heard the three words "making a will", but she quickly glanced at Wang. Huang, on the other hand, didn't make a sound and looked at her.

  Xie Wan grasped Yu Shi's hem tightly, sobbing and saying: "If only my parents were still alive, I would be able to see them all the time, and I wouldn't do anything that would worry Aunt, nor would I make Grandfather angry."

  Her sorrowful appearance suddenly touched Yu's soft spot, and she hugged her tightly with red eyes, saying: "Wan sister don't be afraid, father and mother will be watching from above, they will protect you and avenge those who bully you!"

  Xie Qigong was so angry that he couldn't catch his breath, and didn't care about this curse either. He turned away, pretending not to have heard it.

  Xie Wan's tears rolled down, and she cried out: "There are some things I've wanted to ask for a long time. I'm young and don't know what the big deal is, but because my uncle Jing and aunt often write to teach me to keep the rules of the boudoir and remember the two characters 'ren' and 'xiao', not forgetting the kindness of my parents in raising me. I think if I can't even go home to mourn my parents whenever I miss them, occasionally going back to burn incense, can this be considered 'ren' and 'xiao'?"

  Her words came out, but no one cared what she said anymore. All attention was focused on the three characters "Jiang Biao Shu".

  PS: Thanks for the sachet from Veracy, muah~! Also, I've adjusted the update schedule: first update at 7am, second update at 1pm, and third update at 7pm, muah~!