Shen Qingtang shook her head, saying it wasn't the right time to reveal everything: "Second Brother, this is a long story. Let's deal with the affairs of the manor first."

No sooner had the words left her mouth than a maidservant cried out in panic from outside: "Master! Madam! Something terrible has happened! The storeroom... the storeroom is empty! It's like it's been robbed; there's nothing left!"

The servants immediately erupted in chaos.

His face was full of shock.

The Duke of Dingguo's mansion has always treated its servants kindly and has never mistreated anyone. Now that their home has been robbed, everyone is both anxious and angry.

Shen's parents also panicked.

Just as I was about to order someone to investigate,

But Old Master Shen was sitting on the ground, not in a hurry at all. Instead, he stroked his beard and said slowly, "What's the rush? Money can be spent and then come back. It's all just material possessions."

This open-mindedness surprised everyone.

Shen Qingtang looked at her grandfather, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes.

She paused, then said calmly, "From today onwards, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion is temporarily dissolved. You should all find your own way out."

These words shocked everyone in the room.

"Miss! Why is this?"

"We won't leave! The Duke's Mansion has treated us with the utmost kindness. Even if we lose our possessions, we are willing to stay!"

The stewards and guards also expressed their opinions earnestly.

Shen Qingtang's heart stirred slightly, but she still shook her head: "My mind is made up. You have served in the manor for many years and made great contributions. This is your severance pay."

As she spoke, she took out stacks of silver notes and gold bars from her spatial storage and distributed them to everyone, saying, "Take these and go home to live a peaceful life."

Seeing that everyone still wanted to decline, she added, "After you go back, stock up on more food and make plans as soon as possible. Whether you listen or not is entirely up to you."

The servants looked at the heavy gold bars and silver notes in their hands, and heard her solemn tone.

They all knelt down and kowtowed, deeply grateful, before reluctantly leaving.

Mr. and Mrs. Shen were so shocked by what they saw that they were speechless.

My daughter's behavior is completely different from her usual self.

Add to that the old man's knowing look.

It's as if the two "crazy people" have reached some kind of consensus.

Grandpa Shen suddenly laughed, looking at Shen Qingtang with a look of satisfaction in his eyes: "Good! Good! Good! My granddaughter, you've finally regained the spirit you had before you got married!"

Shen Qingtang at that time.

She was the apple of the Duke of Dingguo's eye, courageous, intelligent, and exceptionally bright.

Where is the person who was later blinded by love?

Shen Qingtang met her grandfather's gaze and felt a warmth in her heart.

Yes, she's back.

Carrying memories and hatred from two lifetimes.

With the determination to protect his family, he truly returned.

The eldest brother, Shen Mingzhao, and the second brother, Shen Minglan, looked at Shen Qingtang casually taking out so many gold bars, and their faces instantly darkened.

They knew all too well their sister's situation in the Yongning Marquis's mansion—Madam Lu controlled the household affairs and wouldn't let her touch a single penny, let alone so much gold.

Even if you want to get a few more taels of silver on a regular basis, you have to be mindful of your mother-in-law's attitude.

"Qingtang, this money..." Shen Minglan spoke first, her tone filled with suppressed anger, "Was it because that bastard Lu Jin bullied you that you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Qingtang smiled, waved her hand, and turned to walk into the kitchen.

A moment later, she came out carrying a bunch of fresh ingredients—lamb rolls with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, and thinly sliced ​​fatty beef.

There were also bright green vegetables and even several packets of "hot pot base" wrapped in oil paper.

"Big brother, second brother, let's not talk about this now." She took out a copper pot.

He poured in some spiritual spring water and opened a packet of base ingredients. "I brought some good stuff. Let's have a nice meal together as a family."

The copper pot was placed on the charcoal fire, and soon it started bubbling away.

A rich aroma instantly filled the air. Shen Qingtang prepared several more dipping sauces: sesame paste, minced garlic, sesame oil, fermented bean curd... all mixed together, creating an irresistible fragrance.