Tang Xiaobai at this moment just wanted to swallow back the words "A-niang is kind-hearted".

Unwilling to be a concubine, then go die, to avoid being a laughingstock of Tang Ziqian, this...

"A-niang—"

Tang Ziqian was startled before he spoke, only to be stopped by a cool gaze from Gu Ning.

"A-niang... that’s unnecessary..." Even Tang Jiaojiao was stunned.

"Gu Wan is engaged to the Wei Family, why won’t you allow her to enter?" Gu Ning spoke indifferently, "Is the honor of Duke Yan Mansion not worth a lowly life?"

Turning back to Xin Yi, her tone softened: "The eldest young master has not treated you poorly, since you are unwilling to save face for him, I will not make things difficult for you. We will find someone sensible instead. But keeping you will become his disgrace, do you understand?"

"You are from Fengxian County, right? Where are your parents buried? Do you want to be sent back to Fengxian County, to reunite with your parents?"

"Disgrace..." Xin Yi murmured, staring intently at the dagger before her.

Tang Xiaobai had just wanted to speak, but seeing her expression, he closed his mouth, suddenly curious to see what choice she would make.

The room fell silent.

No one urged Xin Yi, it was as if they were all waiting to see her choice.

After an unknown amount of time, she finally spoke, her voice low: "My mother is buried on the northern slope of Fengxian City, under the tenth willow tree..."

She raised her hand, reaching towards the dagger.

"Thank you... madam—"

"Pa!"

The tray was slapped to the ground, the dagger falling onto the steps outside the door.

Tang Ziqian grabbed her collar, pulling her off the ground.

"You would rather die than be with me?" His handsome features twisted with a violent rage.

Xin Yi finally lifted her gaze to look at him, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Eldest young master... I’m sorry..."

...

Tang Xiaobai watched, wanting to bite his fingers.

What kind of scene is this!

Although it’s not necessary for a little handmaid to love a handsome, noble, and slightly pampering young master, but, but her brother really is charming enough! Not to the point of preferring death over marriage, right?

Not to that extent! Not to that extent!

Could it be—

Tang Xiaobai loosened his teeth, suddenly lifting his head to look at Xin Yi.

Could it be Xin Yi already has someone she loves?

Could it be... could it be Ah Xiao?

"Madam, Qin Xiao requests an audience!"

Tang Xiaobai immediately straightened up and glanced outside.

Just thought of the little ancestor, and he came?

Is he here to rescue Xin Yi?

Ah...

Didn’t the little ancestor say he liked her? So quickly switching affections? Is this seeing true feelings in adversity?

That’s why young love is unreliable, thankfully she’s mature and didn’t take it seriously.

No wonder last night he said to let Xin Yi go to the Qin family, and the little ancestor agreed almost without hesitation, indeed—

Tsk tsk, this childhood sweethearts...

While Tang Xiaobai was lost in thought, Li Mu entered with a maid.

Before entering the door, he noticed the gaze of Miss Tang.

Her eyes sparkled brightly, her strange excitement mixed with a touch of mysterious pity.

Though puzzled, he felt she seemed quite happy.

Is she happy to see him?

Li Mu thought, giving her a slight smile.

Gu Ning, as if in thought, glanced at her younger daughter, and asked with a gentle smile, "Ah Xiao, what’s the matter?"

Li Mu bowed: "Madam, I request you spare her life."

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but bit her fingertip again.

Aaaaahhhh!!!

The little ancestor is indeed here to save his little childhood sweetheart!!!

Gu Ning’s smile faded: "This is a family matter of Duke Yan Mansion."

Li Mu frowned slightly.

Precisely because Xin Yi is still a person of Duke Yan Mansion, and due to the events of last night, he personally came. Otherwise, he could have just asked Tang Ziqian for her directly.

But after all, this is the Duchess, the mother of the second miss.

Li Mu pondered for a moment and said: "The eldest young master once ordered us to investigate Xin Yi’s origins, but there has been no progress, until just now, someone sent something—" Saying this, he took an item from his sleeve, placing it in front of Xin Yi, "Do you recognize this?"

Xin Yi’s eyes widened suddenly, reaching reflexively to grab it.

Li Mu pulled back a step, his expression indifferent as he watched her almost collapse to the ground.

Tang Ziqian held Xin Yi with one hand, his eyes on the item in Li Mu’s hand, surprised: "Golden Yue Que?"

Yue Que is an accessory for military officers, a golden Yue Que is for officers of the third to fifth rank.

Tang Ziqian himself wore this, so familiar it couldn’t be more familiar.

But the one in Li Mu’s hand was already very old, so old one couldn’t tell how long it had been used.

After stabilizing herself, Xin Yi stared at the old golden Yue Que, her eyes a mix of sadness and joy: "This is mine... it’s mine..."

Everyone in the room except Li Mu had a change in expression.

How does Xin Yi have this item?

"This golden Yue Que was stolen from the Xin family in Fengxian County by an old neighbor when Xin Yi’s biological mother passed away—" Li Mu explained, still watching Xin Yi, "Who are you? To whom does this golden Yue Que belong? Why did you so meticulously enter Duke Yan Mansion?"

For the past two years, he had never given up investigating Xin Yi’s background but always found nothing.

The household records of Xin Yi and her mother in Fengxian County had gaps, with no clues before they moved to Fengxian County.

If someone purposefully arranged this, those arranging it must have significant influence.

And since Xin Yi entered Duke Yan Mansion at age eleven, it’s been four years now, without any anomaly.

If there’s a motive, it must be significant.

Upon receiving this golden Yue Que today, Li Mu became more certain of his speculation. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

A military general who held office as a third to fifth rank more than ten years ago, if not demoted, would be at least a second rank now.

Any military general of second rank and above holds considerable influence, doesn’t he?

Who does Xin Yi ultimately belong to?

Yet when asked, Xin Yi’s gaze quivered, her body unwittingly retreating, face white as snow, devoid of blood, yet she clenched her teeth and refused to answer.

"Bring that golden Yue Que to me," Gu Ning gently said.

Li Mu turned and handed over the golden Yue Que.

By etiquette, a maid should have taken it to present to Gu Ning.

But there was only one maid left in the room now, and she was still holding the just-retrieved dagger.

So, the youngest, Tang Xiaobai, naturally stood up to receive the golden Yue Que.

The golden Yue Que was shaped like a bent awl, Tang Xiaobai held one end but didn’t see him release immediately, prompting her to look up at him.

The little ancestor was looking at her, silently mouthing two words.

Tang Xiaobai blinked, then saw him let go.

She ran back and handed the golden Yue Que to Gu Ning, a bit dazed.

What did the little ancestor say just now? She didn’t understand lip reading...

Gu Ning held the golden Yue Que in her hand, inspecting it for a moment, then slowly clenched it in her palm, looking up to ask Xin Yi: "Where did you get this golden Yue Que?"

She always spoke gently, even when ordering Xin Yi to commit suicide.

This question, though, was colder than ever.

Tang Xiaobai’s heart pounded heavily, suddenly filled with a sense of foreboding.

Xin Yi gazed idiotically at the golden Yue Que in her hand, silent for a long time, before finally speaking softly: "It... it was left by my father..."

"Who is your father?" Gu Ning’s voice was still gentle, reverting to its usual softness, yet it sent chills through Tang Xiaobai.

Xin Yi’s eyes lifted slightly, meeting Gu Ning’s gaze, her lips pulling into an expression half laugh, half cry.

"My father is Duke Yan..."