Qi Yunxiao went to the Qingping Marquis's residence.

Upon seeing the young master's return visit, the Qingping Marquis's residence was on high alert.

Marquis Qingping was almost surrounded when he came to see Qi Yunxiao, but Qi Yunxiao's expression was calm: "Father, I would like to speak with you alone."

Marquis Qingping was also bewildered: This time he's not going crazy?

After carefully observing Qi Yunxiao's expression, Marquis Qingping still took Qi Yunxiao to his study.

The father and son closed the door and talked about something. After Qi Yunxiao left, Marquis Qingping went to his second wife and asked, "Has your estate been sold?"

Lady Qingping was furious: "The second young mistress of the Changping Earl's mansion only offered 18,000 taels of silver! Isn't that bullying?"

"We bought this estate for 20,000 taels of silver back then, and it was renovated later. Even if we don't include the cost of the renovation, it should still cost at least 20,000 taels of silver, right?"

Marquis Qingping lowered his eyes: "Someone offered 20,000 taels, will you sell?"

Lady Qingping asked in surprise, "You haven't left the house these past two days. Who offered you the price? How did you find someone?"

Suddenly remembering Qi Yunxiao's visit, Lady Qingping's eyes widened: "That rebellious son? He wants it?"

Marquis Qingping nodded: "He offered 20,000 taels, will you sell?"

Lady Qingping gritted her teeth: "No way! He won't give the family a single penny, and now he wants to buy his own estate? Doesn't he care about being gossiped about?!"

Marquis Qingping sneered: "Where did the money for buying this estate come from back then? Do I need to remind you?"

Lady Qingping was instantly speechless: "..."

"If you refuse to sell, then keep it. You can sell it when someone can afford 20,000 taels of silver."

"Until then, you'll have to live off pawning your belongings!"

Marquis Qingping turned and left without looking back.

Lady Qingping was dumbfounded: What do you mean?

This scoundrel actually helped his scoundrel son plot against the family's estate?

He's unhappy even though I disagree?!

Lady Qingping was so angry that she raised her hand to smash the teacup beside her.

The personal maidservant promptly reminded him: "Fifty taels!"

Lady Qingping's hand froze, and she turned her head to glare angrily at the old woman.

The old woman shrank back: "You asked me to remind you..."

Yes, if you smash one teacup, the whole tea set is ruined and becomes worthless.

Now, even the tea sets in my room can only be made of fifty taels each...

Exquisite tea sets that used to cost hundreds or even thousands of taels of silver were all pawned.

Of the exquisite tea sets that have not yet been pawned in the family, only one set remains in the study of the Marquis of Qingping, and another set is used for entertaining guests in the main hall.

That's just for decoration.

Just then, Qi Yunheng trotted in and asked Lady Qingping repeatedly, "Mother, I just heard that my elder brother came back. Did he bring back money?"

"Give me some money, and I'll go on an outing with the second young master of the Qi Prince's mansion and the others."

Qi Yunheng stared longingly at Lady Qingping, which instantly dissipated the anger in her heart.

What need is there for a backbone?

If we don't sell that estate soon, we'll be starving...

Lady Qingping, who had been standing straight, suddenly deflated and slumped down. She put down her teacup, turned to the maid behind her, and instructed, "Go and inform the Marquis that the estate has been sold for twenty thousand taels of silver..."

The newly acquired 30,000 taels were quickly spent, with 20,000 taels being exchanged for two house deeds and land deeds.

Shen Qingyu felt a sense of unreality, as if she were spending someone else's money, and she couldn't even imagine that the estate had become her own.

With his departure imminent, Zhuangzi's affairs still needed to be arranged.

Shen Qingyu looked at the Third Princess who was helping out: "Shall we go and take a look together?"

"Alright!" The Third Princess laughed heartily, pointing her riding whip. "Let's go!"

Shen Qingyu happily followed the Third Princess.

But as soon as they stepped out of the flower hall, Qi Yunxiao came over: "Want to go see the estate? I'll go with you."

So Ms. Zhao Yuzhu stayed at home with her three grandchildren, Long San drove the car, Shen Qingyu and the third princess rode in the car, and Qi Yunxiao rode on horseback. The group headed to the outskirts of the city.

Just outside Xinghua Lane, I came across two groups greeting each other, with different attire and different ways of greeting each other.

The Third Princess explained, "The one in blue is from the patrol battalion, and the one in black wearing a mask is from the Dragon Guard..."

Before he finished speaking, the captain in black walked towards Qi Yunxiao, stood in front of him, and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Leader!"

Third Princess: "!!!"

Shen Qingyu remained silent: These Dragon Guards were all going to Shen Family Village with us; we'll see them sooner or later.

That group of about a hundred people followed them out of the city.

After days of scorching sun, the official road was gradually filled with dust, so the Third Princess lowered the curtain to avoid getting covered in dust.

By the time they arrived at the village, it was nearly noon.

Led by the head of the estate, a group of more than twenty people bowed and greeted the young princess, saying, "We greet the Third Princess! We greet the Young Master! We greet the Young Master's Wife..."

The Third Princess and Qi Yunxiao and his wife stood at one end, looking at the twenty-odd people with inscrutable expressions.

Of the twenty-odd people, only five looked like old farmers, while the other dozen or so were young and pretty maids. Several of them had their eyes darting around, looking straight at Qi Yunxiao.

Recently, Qi Yunxiao has taken to wearing headbands or hats to cover his birthmark, which makes him look exceptionally handsome.

Those few who were darting around now looked even more intensely at him!

Shen Qingyu's face turned slightly cold.

Was this always here?

Was it that stepmother who specially arranged for him to come here after selling the estate to Qi Yunxiao?

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!