Xu's wet nurse, surnamed Xiao, was a servant born into the Xu family. She had watched Xu grow up since childhood and treated her like her own daughter. Knowing Xu's concerns, she did not make a big fuss when she returned to the Cai family. She simply took an inconspicuous carriage and quietly returned to the Cai family.

Thinking that if Cai Wenxuan were to take advantage of their young lady's absence to have affairs, she would keep an eye on it and inform her young lady.

With this thought in mind, she did not get off the carriage immediately, but patiently sat in the carriage and stared at the gate of the governor's mansion.

As luck would have it, she had only been watching for less than fifteen minutes when she saw Cai Wenxuan leave with his servants.

Looking in the direction Cai Wenxuan had gone, Mrs. Xiao began to wonder, "At this hour, why isn't the young master going to the yamen? And why is he dressed like this? What is he going to do?"

She sensed something was wrong, so she instructed the driver, "Quick, follow them."

The carriage followed far behind Cai Wenxuan, turning through several alleys before leaving the city and heading towards a small town on the outskirts of Xizhou City.

There weren't many people on this road, and Xiao's mother was afraid of being discovered, so she didn't dare to follow too closely. Fortunately, it had rained the night before, and Xiao's mother instructed the driver to follow the hoofprints all the way to Songjia Town.

The town's roads were paved with blue bricks, making it difficult to find hoofprints anymore. They had fallen too far behind and could no longer find any trace of Cai Wenxuan.

But Xiao Mama had been to Songjia Town before. She had a close friend who had married into the town and was selling fabrics on this street. With a quick thought, she went to her friend's shop to inquire.

Songjia Town is not big, and the residents are all related or connected families, so they are all familiar faces to each other.

After asking around a bit, Xiao's mother found out about Cai Wenxuan's whereabouts.

"There is such a family, surnamed Chen, who moved here about three years ago. They said the husband was doing business outside, and he bought a house in town and hired three or four maids. They rarely went out. We all guessed that she was probably being kept by some wealthy family. We haven't seen her do anything in the past two or three years, but she lives a rich life and has even given birth to a son and a daughter."

Upon hearing this, Xiao's mother's heart sank, and she pressed for an answer: "Have you seen her man?"

"I've never seen him, but I've heard from others that her husband only comes two or three times a month, either early in the morning or late at night, so no one has ever seen what he looks like."

These words made Madam Xiao even more suspicious. She smelled the address of Madam Chen and asked the driver to take the carriage there.

When they arrived at their destination, before the car had even come to a complete stop, they heard a soft, somewhat familiar female voice say, "If Yu'er hadn't suddenly fallen ill, I wouldn't have dared to send a message to the lord so rashly. I hope this trip hasn't delayed the lord's business."

Xiao's mother quietly lifted the carriage curtain a crack and looked out, and saw two faces that were all too familiar.

Cai Wenxuan held the woman's shoulders and pulled her into his arms, gently comforting her, "The child is sick, so as a father, I have to come and see him. What's the big deal?"

Madam Chen looked timid, hesitated for a long time before saying in a low voice, "I'm afraid that if the mistress finds out..." She paused, her expression showing fear, "I can bear to suffer some hardship, but my two children have never suffered before, and I can't bear to see them suffer."

When Cai Wenxuan heard her mention Madam Xu, his expression darkened.

He had no choice but to bring the person back and settle them in Songjia Town. Back then, he had to rely on the Xu family; he was under their roof and had no choice but to submit. But now he had other options and no longer needed to be subservient to the Xu family.

"Don't worry, Madam Xu won't dare to be arrogant anymore. I will definitely come to pick you and your children up and take you back to the manor soon."

Xiao's mother overheard their conversation and almost rushed out to curse the two scoundrels on behalf of her daughter. However, being an experienced woman, she managed to restrain herself and waited until Cai Wenxuan left before instructing the driver to return to the Xu family immediately.

*

"What did you say? He found that little bitch and settled her in Songjia Town? And she even had two bastard children?"

Upon hearing what Xiao's mother said, Xu was so angry that she clutched her chest.

Her personal maidservant hurriedly tried to soothe her, but Xu Shi shoved her away. She paced around the room, took down the riding crop hanging on the wall, and said viciously, "Go prepare the carriage! I'm going to personally whip this shameless little slut to death today!"

Seeing that her eyes were red, Xiao's mother quickly stopped her and advised, "How can a young lady do such a thing herself?"

Madam Xu wouldn't listen. She was so angry at the thought of Cai Wenxuan keeping a mistress behind her back and having children with her that she wanted to kill him. She pushed Mama Xiao aside and loudly ordered the servants to prepare the carriage.

Once the carriage was ready, she didn't even inform the Xu family before rushing off to Songjia Town with her entourage.

Songjia Town.

After seeing Cai Wenxuan off, Mrs. Chen was putting her youngest daughter to sleep.

Just as she was about to lull the person to sleep, she heard a commotion and the sound of things being smashed outside. She got up, lifted the curtain, and looked out: "What's going on? Why is it so noisy?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than a whip lashed her hard. Madam Xu stormed in, and upon seeing her, her anger intensified: "It really is you, you little slut!"

Chen was stunned, not expecting her to appear there. After regaining her senses, she tried to close the door behind her. Xu, seeing her movement, understood and ordered the servants behind her, "Those two bastards are inside. Tie them up and bring them out."

Chen cried out in alarm and tried to protect the child, but was forced to kneel on the ground by two old women.

Moments later, the two children were dragged out by the servants. They didn't know what had happened and cried out in fear, asking for Chen Shi.

Annoyed by the noise, Xu lashed out with her whip and said, "Gag me!"

The two children cried even louder after their braids were pulled out. Seeing how ruthless she was, Madam Chen couldn't help but cry and curse, "These are the master's children! If the master finds out, he will not let you off!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Xu laughed viciously, slapped her twice, and arrogantly said, "I'll tie you three bastards up right now and take you back to confront each other. Let's see if that coward Cai Wenxuan dares to protect you."

After saying this, he ordered his servants to tie up the mother and her two children, throw them onto the carriage, and return to Xizhou City.

*

When the Xu family arrived at the Cai family to deliver the message, it was already night.

Cai Wenxuan had been exhausted these past two days and had only just rested today when he was called out again. He hurriedly put on his outer robe and came out, only to see that it was someone from the Xu family again. He said impatiently, "What is it that you have to say in the middle of the night?"

The Xu family representative said in a formal tone, "Master has important matters to discuss with his son-in-law."

Cai Wenxuan was really impatient, but thinking that Xu's father must have something important to tell him at this time, he changed his clothes and went to the Xu family.

When the carriage arrived at the Xu family's gate, the house was brightly lit.

Cai Wenxuan, puzzled, asked, "What's all this fuss about?"

But the servant leading the way remained silent, only saying, "The young master will know once he goes inside."