The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

Zhou Ningchuan subtly took a step back, distancing himself from Chu Yuan'er.

Chu Yuan'er seemed oblivious to this detail; clutching the letter in her hand, her eyes were filled with fervor: "My lord, please read the letter."

Zhou Ningchuan paused for a moment, then reached out and took it.

It was still the mysterious person's handwriting; he hadn't received a letter from them in a long time.

This time, the letter read, "Your wife has returned; go and find her without worry."

Zhou Ningchuan was taken aback: "When did you receive this letter?"

Chu Yuan'er felt a little guilty: "Does the Marquis still remember that we used to receive letters at Wanxiang Tower? Now that so many years have passed, we thought we wouldn't receive any more letters, so we didn't send anyone to guard it anymore."

"I went to see my sister that day, and she wasn't very nice to me, so I thought it was that woman's doing again. But after I came back, I still felt uneasy. This morning, I saw that the Marquis had been cured of the poison, which made me suspicious, so I went to Wanxianglou myself and found this letter."

Chu Yuan'er's eyes lit up with joy: "It seems it's true, it really is my sister who has returned. It's just a pity that I didn't receive this letter sooner, otherwise the Marquis and my sister could have been reunited long ago."

Zhou Ningchuan was speechless for a moment, but looking at Chu Yuan'er's appearance, it did not seem fake.

He then glanced at Wu Chenghao beside him, who immediately replied, "It was indeed I who escorted Miss Chu to Wanxianglou this morning; the letter is on the counter."

"The shopkeeper said that he received the letter three days ago. But the messenger only said to wait for someone to come and pick it up, and did not allow them to deliver it, so they did not take it seriously."

Is it really such a coincidence?

Zhou Ningchuan frowned slightly.

Could it be that Zhao Zhao's return is really related to that mysterious person?

But so many years have passed, and the mysterious man has not asked him to do anything, so Zhou Ningchuan still doesn't understand what the other party intends to do.

He had tried several times to find the person who wrote the letter, but to no avail.

It seems pointless to pursue the truth now.

In short, his Zhaozhao is back, and that's enough.

His gaze toward Chu Yuan'er also became much kinder.

"You've worked so hard these past few days, taking care of everything. You deserve a good rest."

Chu Yuan'er's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly shook her head with a smile again: "Isn't it too formal for you to say that, Lord Marquis? It's wonderful that my sister is back."

"I've been making preparations ever since I received this letter this morning. We're going to have a big feast tonight to celebrate my sister's return."

Zhou Ningchuan paused as he stepped into the study, turning back slightly. "No need," he said, "Zhaozhao doesn't like crowds. We'll just have a simple meal tonight. You don't need to trouble yourself. Get some rest."

"My lord!"

Chu Yuan'er's tone was somewhat panicked. She called out to him in a trembling voice, slowly lowering her head as if she was trying her best to suppress her emotions.

"My lord, I know."

"The reason why the Marquis has kept me by his side for so long is only for the sake of my sister."

"To be honest, Yuan'er, I have indeed had some of the thoughts that a young lady should have. But my heart is with the Marquis. The Marquis is looking forward to my sister's return, and naturally, I feel the same way."

"Now that my sister is back, and the Marquis is afraid that she might misunderstand, it is only right that I leave."

Zhou Ningchuan glanced at her and saw that Chu Yuan'er's eyes were red at the corners, making her look pitiful.

But he simply looked away calmly.

This attitude undoubtedly tacitly acknowledged Chu Yuan'er's statement—that Lu Mingzhao had returned, and Chu Yuan'er had to leave.

But Wu Chenghao, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it any longer. Seeing that the Marquis had no intention of stopping him, he quickly stepped forward, knelt down, and blocked Zhou Ningchuan's path: "My Lord!"

"Miss Chu has been by your side for over a decade. Now you've driven her out of the manor. How is she supposed to cope?"

Zhou Ningchuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Hurry?"

"I will give her a sum of money, find her a fine mansion, help her establish her own household, and buy a dozen or so servants to take care of her. How can you expect me to leave her?"

Zhou Ningchuan's voice was calm, yet it naturally exuded an aura of authority.

Wu Chenghao lowered his head, feeling as if he were being pricked by needles.

But when he thought about Miss Chu's future situation, he felt that he couldn't just sit idly by.

"That may be true, but Miss Chu has been staying in the Marquis's residence all along. There are already people in the capital speculating about the relationship between Miss Chu and you. Under such circumstances, how will Miss Chu be able to marry in the future?"

Zhou Ningchuan raised an eyebrow and retorted, "As you say, does that mean she can get married just because she stays in the Marquis's mansion?"

Wu Chenghao couldn't help but glance up at Chu Yuan'er. Meeting her restrained and aggrieved gaze, he pursed his lips, lowered his head again, and said, "Although Miss Chu doesn't have a formal title now that she's staying in the Marquis's mansion, at least this is the life she wants."

"Since it was entrusted to him by the Marquis's comrade-in-arms, if that person were still alive, he would certainly not want his daughter to end up in such a situation."

"So even for the sake of our comrades, please reconsider, Lord Marquis."

"..."

After a long while, Wu Chenghao still hadn't heard Zhou Ningchuan's reply, and the cold sweat on his back grew thicker and thicker.

He tentatively raised his eyes, only to see Zhou Ningchuan's expressionless face and icy gaze.

"Deputy General Wu, in what capacity are you telling me this?"

Wu Chenghao's breath hitched, and a chill ran through him.

Yes, but in what capacity?

Chu Yuan'er willingly stayed in the Marquis's mansion, and now that she is forced to leave, it is the Marquis's mansion's decision.

As a deputy general, Wu Chenghao has no right to discuss matters concerning the commander's family.

If you are an outsider, you have even less right to comment.

He was just acting on impulse, wanting to play the hero and stand up for the wronged and pitiful Miss Chu.

However, this action not only crossed the line, but also violated the rules between superiors and subordinates.

Wu Chenghao cursed himself inwardly for being so foolish.

"Just this once."

"If you still don't understand your place, then don't come into the mansion again."

Zhou Ningchuan said his last words, then turned and went into his study.

The door closed with a soft, yet slightly loud, sound that made Wu Chenghao close his eyes in annoyance.

"Lord Wu, please get up."

Chu Yuan'er offered him a helping hand.

Only after the two had left the study did Chu Yuan'er speak softly:

"Lord Wu, you don't need to plead for me. We all know the Marquis's temper; it's just that I'm the one causing trouble."

Chu Yuan'er covered her face with a handkerchief and sobbed softly, but when she met Wu Chenghao's gaze, she still managed to force a comforting smile.

"But before leaving the Marquis's residence, I am already very satisfied to know that there are still people willing to speak up for me."

These words made Wu Chenghao instantly forget his earlier troubles, and he suddenly no longer regretted pleading for Chu Yuan'er.

For Chu Yuan'er, a weak woman, leaving the Marquis's mansion was hardly a good thing.

His speaking up for Chu Yuan'er was also a righteous act.

Ultimately, it was all because the Lady of the Marquis was jealous. As soon as her relationship with the Marquis improved, she was eager to drive away all the women around him.

"I know you are thinking of me wholeheartedly and are a loyal and righteous man. But in the current situation, since only you are willing to speak up, it is clear that you cannot help much."

Chu Yuan'er sighed softly.

"A man like you, sir, should think more about your own future. What if I offend the Marquis and ruin your prospects?"

Wu Chenghao took these words to heart. Yes, it was no use for him to speak alone.

But what if many people say it together?

Will the Marquis change his mind?