Madam Chen and Jiang Fengyuan returned as the sun slowly set.

Jiang Yuansheng came back from the academy, holding his younger sister while waiting in the courtyard with Jiang Yuancheng.

Seeing Jiang Yuanran walking briskly, he must have good news.

【What happened? I’m so anxious!】

“Father, Mother, how did it go?” Jiang Yuanchen asked eagerly.

He had wanted to go and see for himself, but his elder brother wouldn’t let him cause trouble.

Jiang Yuanran beamed, his face full of energy. “Naturally, it was a piece of cake.”

【A piece of cake? I think ‘a triumphant first battle’ would be more fitting.】

Cough cough. Jiang Yuanran cleared his throat. “Grandfather wants Father to think it over again.”

Jiang Yuansheng had already expected this.

Jiang Yuanran was worried. “Big brother, what if that old man changes his mind? Should we do something else?”

Jiang Yuansheng smirked. “We don’t need to do anything. The old madam and the second house will help us.”

“Them?”

Jiang Yuanran was shocked.

Would that old woman really speak up for them?

He wanted to ask more, but his elder brother had already carried their younger sister away.

Since they were going independent, the clan elders had to witness it.

Chen Shi instructed, “Yuan’er, Qingzhou is a hundred miles from here. Set out today and bring all the clan elders over.”

“Got it, Mother.”

With the elders as witnesses, even if the old man wanted to go back on his word, he wouldn’t be able to.

..

After the first household left, the old madam was so furious that she swept everything off the table.

“That wretched woman’s son is truly arrogant!” she gritted her teeth in anger.

With just one move, he had severed her support.

Poor Nanny Wang—she had been by her side for so many years.

If she hadn’t used Nanny Wang’s daughter, Li, as a threat today, Nanny Wang might not have taken the fall for her.

Besides, Nanny Wang knew too many of her secrets.

Now that she was dead, those things would never come to light.

Wu Cuirou looked at the shattered porcelain on the floor, feeling distressed.

Those things were worth a lot of money—the old madam was being too wasteful.

But she didn’t dare to say anything at this moment.

“Mother, please calm down.” She stepped forward to support the old madam.

The old madam was plump, having lived comfortably for years without managing the household.

She had eaten herself into a body full of fat.

Wu Cuirou nearly lost her balance and gave Jiang Qisheng a look.

Jiang Qisheng hurried over to help.

“Mother, what if Father changes his mind in two days and the first household refuses to leave the marquis’ manor?”

Jiang Qisheng was anxious.

Two days were enough for someone to have a change of heart.

The old madam, panting from anger, said, “At that time, just keep provoking the first household. Your father will definitely make them leave.”

His pride mattered more to him than the future of the marquis’ household.

Otherwise, after all these years, she wouldn’t still be just a concubine.

Wu Cuirou wanted to say something but stopped herself.

.

Jiang Ruowei was stunned for a long time after hearing what had happened that day.

“Mother, are you sure the first household wants to leave the marquis’ manor?”

Concubine Hua replied, “Of course. The whole manor is talking about it.”

If the first household left, the heir’s position would go to her master.

Then their status would rise as well.

Concubine Hua was overjoyed and couldn’t wait for them to leave.

“No… something isn’t right.” Jiang Ruowei muttered.

In her previous life, this didn’t happen.

The first household had been utterly destroyed by her hands.

They had never left the manor.

Seeing her daughter lost in thought, Concubine Hua held her hand.

“Ruowei, as long as the first household leaves and your father inherits the title, you will be able to find a good match.”

Ideally, she would marry into an official family as the main wife, unlike her mother, who had to live under someone else’s roof.

Jiang Ruowei grabbed her mother’s hand instead.

“Mother, the marquis’ household is running out of money. Do you think we’ll have a good outcome if we follow Wu Cuirou?”

A few days ago, she saw Zhao Momo, Wu Cuirou’s servant, go to the moneylender.

Curious, she inquired about it.

It turned out the second household had taken out a high-interest loan.

And the amount was huge—there was no way they could pay it back given the household’s current situation.

If the first household left, how could they possibly survive?

Concubine Hua’s expression changed.

“Still, it’s better than our current situation…” She was still holding onto the hope that her daughter could marry well.

Jiang Ruowei knew her mother wouldn’t understand, so she simply stopped talking.

After what happened at Tongde Restaurant, she had been waiting for news from the Third Prince.

But until now, he hadn’t even asked to see her.

Thinking about everything that had happened recently, she felt something was wrong.

Everything was different from her past life.

Where had the timeline changed?

…

Jiang Yuanran rode a fast horse and reached Qingzhou in just one day.

When the clan elders saw him, their faces wrinkled into smiles.

After learning his purpose, they immediately cursed the Marquis of An for being blind.

Jiang Yuanran used the money his mother had given him to buy the best horses and personally invited all the elders to Shengjing.

He also arranged accommodations for them.

The third day arrived quickly.

Jiang Yuanxi wore a bright red outfit with two little buns tied with red silk ribbons.

She even found a piece of red cloth and tied it around her forehead.

She looked confident and energetic.

Madam Chen dressed in a vibrant outfit and wore makeup, stunning Jiang Fengyuan.

Jiang Yuansheng and Jiang Yuanchen had taken leave from their studies for the day.

Once everything was ready, the family headed to Cangwu Courtyard.

【Charge! Mother, take them down!】

When they arrived, the second household and the old madam were already seated, waiting for them.

Of course.

They had been waiting for this day for years—they naturally wanted it to come sooner.

The second household looked at the first household’s elaborate attire in confusion.

At a time like this, why were they still concerned about appearances?

Let’s see if they could still act high and mighty today.

The Duke of An waited for Jiang Fengyuan to beg for mercy.

Once everyone had gathered, Steward Wan stepped forward. “Master, everyone is here.”

The Duke of An slowly opened his eyes.

“Well? Have you thought it over?”

Before Jiang Fengyuan could respond, he continued, “If you admit your mistake, I will pretend this never happened.”

His tone was condescending, as if granting them mercy.

Jiang Qisheng was anxious.

As expected, Father didn’t want the first household to leave.

Jiang Fengyuan cupped his hands. “I do not wish for my children to suffer with me. I voluntarily sever ties with the Duke’s household!”

The second household and the old madam were stunned.

They must be crazy!

They had prepared all sorts of arguments in case the first household refused to leave.

If that happened, they would have pressured the duke into expelling them.

But now, the first household was willingly leaving.

Duke An was caught off guard.

“Eldest Young Master, think carefully!” Steward Wan tried to dissuade him.

“This isn’t a trivial matter.”

Jiang Fengyuan respected Steward Wan, who had secretly helped him after his mother’s passing.

So he remained polite.

“Uncle Wan, there’s no need to persuade me. My mind is made up.”

Sigh!

The old madam saw the timing was right and decided to fan the flames.

“Fengyuan, I know this is my fault. But your father was unaware of it from the start. Apologize to him and don’t act on impulse.”

The Marquis of An came to his senses.

Yes, this had nothing to do with him—the unfilial son should apologize.

Jiang Qisheng secretly rejoiced and stared at Madam Chen.

“Let them leave!”

“I want to see what they can accomplish without the Duke’s household!”

“Without us, you are nothing!”