The legitimate daughter returns to the capital and embarks on a splendid life, tearing apart the fak

Liu Zhixue gritted her teeth, her face turning pale and then red, but she couldn't utter a word in rebuttal.

She clenched her handkerchief tightly, took a step back, and gritted her teeth, saying, "Investigate! Let her investigate!"

With a wave of her hand, Bitao sent several old women forward to open the boxes one by one.

Clothes, books, writing brushes, ink, paper, and other everyday items were neatly stacked in the box.

Bitao led the group to examine each item carefully, her movements meticulous and her eyes sharp.

"teacher!"

Yunxiu's voice suddenly came from the courtyard gate. She quickly walked in, and her expression changed immediately upon seeing this scene.

"Aunt Bitao, what are you doing?" She stepped forward, blocking Liu Zhixue's path, her tone tinged with displeasure. "My teacher has taught me for so many years, how could you treat her like this?"

Bitao stopped what she was doing, turned around and bowed to Yunxiu, her face showing just the right amount of respect, but her tone was neither humble nor arrogant: "Miss, this is Madam's order. After what happened in the manor yesterday, Madam said that from now on, everyone who leaves the manor must have their belongings checked, so as to avoid any misunderstandings later."

"I am only acting under orders, so please don't put me in a difficult position, Miss. If you have any questions, please ask Madam. If Madam says there's no need to investigate, I will naturally comply."

Yunxiu was speechless.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but when she met Bitao's calm and unwavering eyes, she ultimately didn't dare to speak again.

Her mother was furious, and she dared not provoke her.

She had no choice but to step aside, take Liu Zhixue's hand, and whisper, "Sir, I'll stay with you."

Liu Zhixue patted her hand, turned to look at Granny Qi standing to the side, and said softly, "Miss, Granny Qi has been by my side since she was a child, and she's getting old now. I can't bear to see her suffer with me. From now on, I'd like to ask you to take care of her for me, okay?"

Yunxiu nodded immediately: "Don't worry, sir, I will take good care of Granny Qi."

Liu Zhixue took out a yellowed paper contract from her sleeve and handed it to Yunxiu: "This is Qi Mama's indenture. Keep it safe."

Yunxiu took it with both hands and carefully put it into her bosom.

The two stopped talking and their gazes fell simultaneously on the servants rummaging through drawers and cabinets in the courtyard.

When Bitao flipped to the bottom box, she paused.

The box contained half a box of silver ingots, along with several gold hairpins and jade bracelets, all of excellent quality and exquisite craftsmanship, clearly of considerable value.

She picked up a gold hairpin, examined it against the light, then put it down, looked up at Liu Zhixue, and a meaningful smile appeared on her lips.

"Mr. Liu is quite wealthy."

Liu Zhixue's expression remained unchanged as she calmly said, "Although the Liu family is not as wealthy as before, we still have some assets. This is all my possessions, which I brought to the capital for self-defense. What, does Miss Bitao think that a schoolteacher like me is unworthy to use these things?"

Bitao smiled and put the hairpin back into the box, closing the lid: "Sir, you're overthinking it. I was just saying it casually."

She stood up, clapped her hands, and said to the old women, "Alright, cover them all up now, don't mess up the master's things."

The women quickly and efficiently closed the box again.

As Liu Zhixue watched this scene, an indescribable sense of humiliation welled up inside her.

She was mistaken for a thief.

Even if nothing was found, the humiliation was already etched on their faces.

She gritted her teeth and vowed that she would avenge herself sooner or later.

Yunxiu held her hand reluctantly, her eyes red-rimmed: "Sir, once my mother has calmed down, I will go and beg her to bring you back."

Liu Zhixue nodded and said softly, "Miss, please take good care of yourself. Even while I'm away, you must study hard and not slack off."

Yunxiu nodded repeatedly and escorted Liu Zhixue all the way to the second gate. Only after watching Liu Zhixue's carriage drive out of the mansion did she reluctantly return.

The carriage gradually turned the street corner and disappeared from sight.

A small, thin figure trailed far behind the carriage, following at a leisurely pace.

……

After seeing Liu Zhixue off, Yunxiu felt a deep emptiness in her heart.

My mother is gone. Will she ever come back?

Granny Qi sensed her thoughts and leaned closer, lowering her voice to say, "Miss, don't be sad. Madam Zhixue will be back soon."

Yunxiu's eyes lit up immediately: "Really? Mother has thought of a way?"

Granny Qi smiled mysteriously and whispered something.

As Yunxiu listened, the sorrow on her face gradually faded, and light returned to her eyes.

……

In Qingshui Garden, Bitao was reporting back to Chu Wanqing.

"Madam, Liu Zhixue has already been sent out of the manor. What should we do about the west wing?"

Chu Wanqing let out a long breath and said in a deep voice, "Turn it into servants' quarters. I don't believe that bitch can come back."

Bitao agreed, and then said, "Madam, the broker arranged by Master Biao has arrived, saying he's here to pick up the person."

Chu Wanqing nodded: "Alright, let him take them all away. Tell him to go back and tell Lan Qi to interrogate them thoroughly. I want to see when these people started betraying me and what benefits the other side gave them. After the interrogation, sell those who should be sold, and deal with those who should be dealt with."

Last night, Qinghe secretly took Zijuan to Lanqi's estate. Leaving the people with her wouldn't guarantee that news wouldn't leak out. Before leaving, Qinghe specifically instructed Lanqi to find a reliable person to impersonate a slave trader and take all the servants away.

As soon as Bitao left, Qinghe lifted the curtain and came in.

She looked travel-worn, but her face radiated undisguised excitement.

Chu Wanqing hurriedly asked, "How is it?"

Qinghe hurried forward and whispered, "Madam, thanks to Miss for saving Zijuan, otherwise she would have really died! She woke up as soon as she got to the manor, and she cried uncontrollably, saying she was sorry to Madam..."

She curled her lip, looking disdainful: "If you ask me, she's heartless! It's a shame the madam treated her so well."

Chu Wanqing waved her hand: "What did she say?"

Qinghe nodded and relayed Zijuan's words in detail.

It turns out that Zijuan's feelings for Yunheting started ten years ago.

At that time, Chu Wanqing was arranging marriages for several of her head maids. Zijuan was unwilling, but she couldn't say anything.

Once, she almost fell, but Yun Heting helped her up, and she took it to heart ever since.

"She said she didn't want to marry a servant, and didn't want her children to be servants too," Qinghe said, a hint of sadness in her voice. "She also said that the master promised her that he would make her a concubine after things were settled."

Chu Wanqing sneered: "After it's done? What's done?"

Qinghe shook her head: "She said that the master wants the eldest daughter to marry into the royal family, but as for which prince he plans to marry, she said the master didn't say, and she doesn't know either."

However, when I asked her if she knew about the matter of switching young ladies back then, she said she didn't.

Chu Wanqing remained silent for a moment, then sighed.

"Forget it, she's just a pawn. The real players are still out there enjoying themselves."