"Du Yi, how far is Zhuzhou from the Capital City?"

Du Yi appeared. "Two hundred li."

"How long would it take by carriage?"

"Less than a day with a fine steed. A carriage would need about two days."

’Two days...’

Ye Qianning fell into thought. It had been exactly two days since the incident, and the Xiang Clan Leader had already rushed here from Zhuzhou. Judging by the old man’s appearance, he didn’t look like he could ride a horse.

’Who is in a bigger hurry to deal with the old madam than the General’s Estate?’

"Little girl." Old Man Gu approached, beaming.

"What’s the happy occasion, Old Man Gu?"

"It’s not my happy occasion, it’s the Xiang family’s."

"Do tell."

"Well..." Old Man Gu was about to speak when he saw the old Clan Leader arrive. He said mysteriously, "You’ll know in a moment. Come on, let’s go watch the show."

Ye Qianning let him pull her toward the gate. Even without him saying anything, she knew what it was about.

The main gates of the General’s Estate opened. Two rows of guards stood at attention.

The entire entrance, and even the whole street where the General’s Estate was located, was packed with people. An ignorant old woman had prevented the commander-in-chief from departing for the front lines. Now, the border was left without a valiant general, cities were being lost, and countless commoners would die in the chaos of war.

Thinking of this, no one could remain idle. They demanded a public trial for Old Mrs. Xiang and the Second Branch.

"Get Old Mrs. Xiang out here! If she had the guts to stab the Great General, why doesn’t she have the courage to show her face?"

"They say even a vicious tiger won’t eat its own cubs. Is the General even her biological son?"

"Everyone in the Capital City knows what the Xiang family’s Second Branch is like. For that venomous woman to favor them so much, there must be a reason."

"I heard that venomous woman used to be a serving maid in the Xiang family. Her schemes must run deep."

"Hurry up and hand over Old Mrs. Xiang! Hand her over!"

"Everyone, follow me! Let’s rush in and drag out that old witch from the Xiang family! Let’s go...!"

The moment the gates to the General’s Estate opened, the quiet crowd erupted into a clamor again. Their words grew more and more agitated until someone took the lead and charged inside. The guards drew their blades to block them.

"That vicious old woman! Don’t tell me the General’s Estate is still going to protect her?"

"It’s been almost two days and the General’s Estate hasn’t given any news! Is the Great General awake yet? How do they plan to deal with the old madam?"

The commoners pushed and shoved, their emotions running high.

The Xiang Clan Leader came out, leading a group of people. Seeing the crowd below, he spoke in a loud, clear voice, "Everyone, please be patient. Today, I will certainly give you all a proper account of this matter."

"Who are you? Are you in charge here?" someone shouted from the back of the crowd.

"I am the head of the Xiang clan. I have come all the way from Zhuzhou specifically to handle this matter. I assure you all that I will not let the one who stabbed the General go unpunished." Although the Clan Leader was old, his voice was full of vigor.

Hearing this, the crowd was half-convinced, half-skeptical. As they pondered his words, the old madam was dragged out of the gate by servants. Behind her, four other servants carried the still-unconscious Xiang Mingli, while Mrs. Wang followed with her head bowed.

"Let go of me! You damn dogs, you’ve grown some nerve! Let go... AHH...!"

Old Mrs. Xiang was dragged outside. Before she could finish her string of curses, an egg was thrown at her head.

The egg slid down her hair and onto her face. She raised a hand to wipe it off and immediately shrieked, "You damn dogs, how dare you throw things at me! I am the old madam of the Xiang family, the Great General’s mother...!"

SPLAT!

"UGH...!"

Another egg was thrown, hitting her square in the body. Before she could even look up, a hailstorm of eggs and vegetable leaves rained down on her, pelting her so hard she couldn’t open her eyes. She tried to run but was dragged back by the servants.

"You think you’re worthy of mentioning the Great General? You’re shameless!"

"Kill her! Kill her!"

The Clan Leader stepped forward, shielding Old Mrs. Xiang. He addressed the crowd, "Everyone, be quiet! Do not commit such wicked acts in front of the General’s Estate. I said I would give you all an account, and I will not go back on my word."