After drinking milk, Jiang Yuanxi lay on the bed with her bright eyes wide open, looking anxious inside.

[What should I do? What should I do?]

It was getting dark, and her parents were still playing with her.

[If my parents are gone, my dream of being the eldest young lady will shatter.]

“Yuanxi, give Daddy a smile.” Jiang Fengyuan said as he spun Jiang Yuanxi around in his arms.

Jiang Yuanxi looked at her father with increasing sympathy.

Reluctantly, she bared her little teeth.

Jiang Fengyuan excitedly said, “Xin Niang, look, Yuanxi smiled at me!”

Chen Shi smiled gently, watching the father and daughter interact.

Chen Shi knew what her daughter was worried about, but she couldn’t say it outright.

What if saying it meant she would never hear her daughter’s inner thoughts again?

Right now, the only way they could communicate was through hearing their daughter’s heart voice, as the little one couldn’t speak yet.

The couple found listening to their daughter’s heart voice to be incredibly fascinating.

They had prayed for so long to have this little treasure.

To them, Yuanxi was a gift from heaven, sent to save their family.

[Dad, you’re still smiling? The maid who cleans your study was bribed by the second branch and placed the Duke’s private seal in your study.]

Jiang Fengyuan’s expression froze.

He had forgotten about this matter.

He had been so focused on waiting for the other party to confront him, but he didn’t realize that sometimes, the greatest danger comes from within.

He handed his daughter to Chen Shi.

“Xin Niang, I just remembered something. I’ll be right back.”

Chen Shi knew where he was going and didn’t ask any questions.

She looked at the daughter in her arms, her gaze softening even more.

“Yuanxi, don’t worry. Daddy and Mommy will protect you.”

Jiang Yuanxi stared at Chen Shi, her eyes unfocused.

No one had ever said they would protect her.

In her past life, she was the God of War in the heavens, only protecting the thousands of citizens.

To the world, she was strong and terrifying, commanding respect and awe.

But she was also a girl, and even she had a soft side. She needed someone to love her.

This life was truly wonderful.

Jiang Yuanxi cried, tears of grievance flowing down her face.

Chen Shi comforted her, holding her for a long time.

“Yuanxi, don’t worry. Daddy will be back soon.” Chen Shi thought her daughter was crying because she was worried about the general, helpless as she was.

[Mom, I’m crying because I’m touched.] Jiang Yuanxi continued to cry, soaking Chen Shi’s clothes.

[No one has ever said they would protect me. I’m so moved.]

Chen Shi’s heart ached even more.

Her daughter must have had a hard life in her previous one.

But no matter what, Yuanxi was her daughter now, and she would protect her from now on.

After a long time, Jiang Yuanxi finally calmed down.

Chen Shi handed the baby to Chun Zhi and went to change her clothes.

Exhausted from crying, Jiang Yuanxi soon fell asleep.

Just as Chen Shi came out, Chun Tao hurried in.

“Madam, it’s bad, the Duke is here.”

The Duke of An stormed in with his men, heading straight to Jiang Fengyuan’s study.

Upon entering, he flung his sleeves and pointed at Jiang Fengyuan.

“Unfilial son, kneel down!”

Even though Jiang Fengyuan had expected this, his heart still ached.

He stood respectfully, “I don’t know what brings you here, Father.”

“Hmph,” The Duke glared at his eldest son. “Will you hand it over, or do I have to search?”

It had been over half a year since he had seen his father.

As soon as they met, without even asking for the truth, his father immediately accused him.

Jiang Fengyuan bitterly smiled inside.

“Father, I don’t understand what you mean.”

The Duke of An furrowed his brows, disgust evident in his eyes.

As soon as he saw his son, he remembered those past, unspeakable days.

“Kneel! Do you know the crime of privately storing the Duke’s seal?”

With a thud, Jiang Fengyuan calmly knelt on the ground.

He then looked up, firmly meeting his father’s gaze.

“Father, I did not.”

“Man Zeng, search!”

Man Zeng glanced at the Duke, then at the eldest son.

Having watched the eldest son grow up, Man Zeng knew what kind of person he was.

He was clear on his character.

But the Duke did not like his eldest son.

If they searched the eldest son’s study today, who knew how the outside world would gossip.

Man Zeng didn’t move. The Duke grew impatient.

“What, now you want to defy me?”

Man Zeng wanted to say something but saw the eldest son shaking his head at him.

“I assume Father heard my second brother’s words, which is why you’re here.”

The Duke of An coldly snorted, tacitly acknowledging his words.

“Your second brother is thinking of me. If the seal is lost, who in the Duke’s manor will be able to bear the responsibility?”

Jiang Fengyuan said nothing and simply let them search.

The guards turned his study upside down but didn’t find any hidden seals.

Jiang Fengyuan stood up, “Father, as soon as you entered, you accused me of taking the seal. But I don’t even know what it looks like. You only listen to my second brother and never believe me.”

“I feel that you are unfair to me!”

The Duke of An stood up angrily, pointing at Jiang Fengyuan.

“How dare you question me!”

Jiang Fengyuan stood tall, “If Father insists on searching, then search my second brother’s place too. Otherwise, tomorrow, I will resign and take Xin Niang back to the countryside.”

His defiant attitude shocked everyone.

The Duke sat back on his chair in disbelief, “You… dare to threaten me?”

Man Zeng, seeing the situation, stepped forward to advise.

“Master, you are highly favored. You are the most promising child in our house. If you resign, what will the Duke do?”

The Duke of An knew that without his eldest son, the entire Duke’s house would be in trouble.

If his son really resigned, the Duke’s house would likely be finished.

And his eldest son was someone who never backed down.

After a long silence, the Duke gritted his teeth.

“Search!”

Meanwhile, in the second branch, Wu Cuiyue was happily applying red lacquer.

After today, the Duke would completely abandon the main branch, and the second branch would rule the Duke’s mansion. Everyone outside would look up to her.

“Zhao Mama, how does this color look?”

Zhao Mama replied, “It’s a vibrant color, perfect for Madam.”

“Someone just saw the Duke bringing Man Zeng to the main branch.”

Wu Cuiyue smiled slightly, continuing with her preparations.

The good days for the main branch were over. The Duke hated it when others coveted his position.

“Where’s my husband?”

Zhao Mama lowered her head, “The Master is with Concubine Hua.”

Wu Cuiyue’s smile cracked.

Ever since Concubine Hua entered the mansion, her husband hadn’t rested in her bed for days. Even her son’s studies had been neglected.

She slammed the table, knocking over the porcelain jar of lacquer.

That woman, with her seductive look, would be dealt with once they took care of the main branch.

“Not good, not good!” A maid rushed in, almost falling.

Zhao Mama scolded, “What’s the big deal, making such a fuss?”

The maid knelt, trembling, “Second Madam, Man Zeng brought people here to search the Master’s study.”

Wu Cuiyue didn’t have time to worry about the lacquer as she quickly stood up.

A group of people rushed in. Before she could stop them, they barged in.

“Man Zeng, what are you doing!” Wu Cuiyue was panicking.

If Man Zeng came alone, it wouldn’t be so bad, but he brought ten or so guards. The situation was impossible to stop.

And Man Zeng was the Duke’s man. Could something have happened in the front yard?

Man Zeng bowed to her, “Greetings, Second Madam. The Master has ordered us to search the second son’s study.”

Before she could ask anything, the guards came out of the study, holding something that they handed to Man Zeng.

Seeing what Man Zeng was holding, Wu Cuiyue’s legs weakened, and she almost collapsed.

It was the private seal!

How did this thing end up in the Master’s study?

“The item has been found. We’ll take our leave, Second Madam.”

After Man Zeng left, Wu Cuiyue leaned on Zhao Mama, “Quick, go call the Master!”