In the second household, a doctor was called. He diagnosed the illness as an acute attack caused by extreme anger.

“Madam, the Duke is old. His condition is critical, and he must not suffer any further agitation,” the doctor advised, then prescribed some medicine.

Just then, a maid rushed in, flustered.
“Madam, something terrible has happened!”

Wu Cuirou scolded her, “What kind of manners are these, shouting like that?”

The maid pointed outside.
“The people from the first household are digging up Madam’s money tree!”

“What?!”

Supporting the elderly madam, Wu Cuirou hurried to the entrance.

There, they saw a group of people behaving like bandits—digging up trees and prying up floorboards.

Jiang Qisheng stormed over and kicked them.
“What are you doing? This is my territory!”

A servant got up and dusted off his clothes. These servants weren’t afraid at all—they knew they would soon be leaving with the eldest master.

“Our master said that since the floor was paid for by the first madam, we must take it with us.”
“Men, pry up the piece under the second master’s feet!”

The once serene and elegant courtyard was now in complete ruins.

The floors had been torn up, leaving behind bare ground.
Giant pits remained where trees had been dug out.

“Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!” The elderly madam was so furious that she stormed off to confront the first household.

However, as soon as she stepped off the stairs, she collapsed into one of the pits.

Chun Tao’s eyes gleamed.

Seizing the opportunity, she jumped into the pit and snatched the golden phoenix hairpin from the madam’s hair before dashing away.
“Ha! Got it!”

…

After packing up, the first household gathered at the main gate.
Twenty-eight carriages were lined up in a grand procession.

Madam Chen asked, “Is everything packed?”

Chunzhi smiled. “Madam, everything is loaded. Not a single item is left behind.”

A crowd had gathered to watch.

“What is the Duke of An’s family up to? Moving houses?”
“That can’t be. I haven’t heard anything about it.”
“You don’t know? The Duke is expelling his eldest son from the family.”

Seeing the scale of the departure, it was clear that the eldest son was the one leaving.

The onlookers gasped.
“Is the Duke blind? Expelling his capable eldest son for the sake of that useless second son?”
“Exactly!”

Jiang Qisheng had just settled the elderly madam down when he saw flames raging outside.
“What’s going on?!”

A servant rushed in, panicked.
“Master, the study is on fire!”

Another servant ran in, adding,
“The kitchen is completely emptied—every pot is gone!”

Yet another burst in.
“Master, the golden koi in the pond—dead, all belly-up!”

Jiang Qisheng felt dizzy. That golden koi had cost him a fortune! He had planned to gift it to someone influential to climb the ranks.

Now, it was all gone.
No fish. No money.

“Jiang Fengyuan!” He gritted his teeth in hatred.
“Without the Duke’s protection, let’s see how long you can remain arrogant!”

“One day, the Duke’s estate will be mine. Jiang Fengyuan, just wait!”

…

After a day, the Duke and the elderly madam finally regained consciousness.

Seeing that the grand estate had been reduced to a pile of ashes, the elderly madam trembled with rage.

Wu Cuirou clutched an account book, crying.
“Mother, the first household has nearly destroyed the entire estate. Repairing it will cost a fortune!”
“Daughter-in-law has no other way…”

The elderly madam pressed a hand to her forehead, speaking weakly.
“Luzhi, bring me a thousand taels.”

Luzhi retrieved the money and handed it to Wu Cuirou.

Wu Cuirou frowned.

A thousand taels? That was nowhere near enough.

The debt repayment date was approaching, but right now, money wasn’t the priority.

“Thank you, Mother,” Wu Cuirou said, tucking the money into her sleeve. “By the way, where is Lizi?”

Since Mama Wang had left, she hadn’t seen Lizi.

“Lizi left after her parents passed away,” Luzhi explained.

Wu Cuirou was puzzled.

The Duke’s estate was an excellent place to serve—why would Lizi leave?

But she didn’t have time to dwell on it.

Just then, Zhao Mama entered.
“Madam, the Grand Princess is hosting a flower-viewing banquet in three days and has sent an invitation to the Duke’s estate.”

A flower-viewing banquet?

Wu Cuirou’s eyes gleamed with an idea.
She called Mama Zhao over.
“Release the one in the backyard.”

“Madam, you mean…?”

In the backyard of the second household, Mama Zhao personally delivered the news.

“Miss Ruowei, the Grand Princess is hosting a flower banquet in three days. Madam intends to take you there.”

Concubine Hua was delighted and handed Mama Zhao some silver fragments.
“Thank you for informing me. Is Madam taking anyone else?”

Mama Zhao accepted the silver.
“She is also bringing Miss Yan.”

With that, Mama Zhao left.

Jiang Ruowei’s eyes flickered with panic.
Madam had released Jiang Yan?

And was even bringing her to the banquet?

If she had known, she would have finished Jiang Yan off when she had the chance—to take revenge for what had happened in her past life.

Jiang Yan ran straight to the now-destroyed Yilan Courtyard of the first household.

The once grand courtyard was now nothing but ruins.

She stood there in disbelief.
“Aunt really just… left?”

A servant approached respectfully.
“Greetings, Miss Yan. The First Madam asked me to deliver this to you.”

The servant handed her five banknotes.

“The First Madam said that if you want to rise in the world, you must have your own people. Remember to hide your true abilities and be cautious of those around you.”

After speaking, the servant stepped away.

Jiang Yan stared at the five hundred taels in her hands.
Her eyes welled up.

She turned toward the direction Madam Chen had departed and knelt, bowing deeply.

“Jiang Yan will never forget Aunt’s kindness! One day, I will repay it!”

..

The first household traveled by carriage to their new home.

Madam Chen had already purchased a grand six-courtyard estate.

Before long, a majestic mansion came into view.

Two massive stone lions stood at the gate—imposing and dignified.

It was a thousand times better than the Duke’s estate.

“Jiang Residence.”

The interiors were decorated exactly to their taste.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful! This is the kind of place a noble young lady should live in!”

Jiang Yuanxi hugged Chen Shi and kissed her twice before excitedly running inside.

The servants busily arranged their belongings.

Since the estate was so large, Jiang Yuanxi even got her own courtyard.

That evening, the family enjoyed a peaceful meal together.

Hearing that the Jiang family’s first household had returned, the Duke of Han hurried over.

The gatekeeper ran inside to report.

Soon, the Duke of An led his children out to greet him.

The Duke of Han was an influential figure in the Emperor’s court.

If they could curry favor with him, Jiang Qisheng’s future would be secure.

Seeing them, the Duke of Han warmly grasped the Duke of An’s hand.
“Brother, is General Jiang at home?”

Duke of Han glanced at Jiang Qisheng. He had once been called “General Jiang” in the army.

Jiang Qisheng’s heart pounded. He steadied himself.
“Your Grace, are you referring to me?”

The Duke of Han looked at him, confused, then released his hand.
“No, no. I’m looking for Jiang Fengyuan.”

The Duke of An was eager to claim the favor, but…

“Jiang Fengyuan is no longer here! The Duke of An expelled him just yesterday!”

A bystander shouted the truth.