Her old face was filled with shame and embarrassment because of Shi Mianzhi and Wei Yanyan's disgusted behavior.

"You, you, you two are utter scoundrels!"

Isn't that a scoundrel? And a scoundrel you personally trained!

He Qiuniang and the others watched silently, none of them stepping forward.

"In short, the fire last night was entirely caused by you, He Qiuniang," Old Madam Shi continued.

"All expenses for rebuilding the government will be borne by you."

"Are you treating my mother like a sucker?" Shi Yu complained.

My mother's money is mine.

Anyone who dares to touch my money, I'll bite them to death.

Shi Yu nestled in He Qiu Niang's arms, gritting her teeth.

The old lady's cloudy eyes were gloomy.

"Qiu Niang, don't forget, Xi Ge'er has to take an exam in the fall."

"As his mother, you wouldn't want him to be eating and dressing poorly amidst a pile of ruins, would you?"

She believed she had the upper hand over He Qiuniang's soft heart and love for her child.

“Grandmother, my courtyard didn’t burn down,” Shi Chengxi said.

"When you build it, you don't need to include my share."

"Don't worry about me being affected."

"If you're really worried about affecting my chances in the autumn imperial examinations, then you can wait until after the results are announced before you start repairing the mansion."

When Shi Chengxi spoke, he was neither hurried nor slow, but every word he uttered was sharp and incisive.

He dared to set fire to his mother and younger sister.

How can they still have the nerve to feign concern for him now?

Upon seeing this, Shi Chengxi's handsome and refined features became even more profound.

"But speaking of fires..."

"I would also like to ask my grandmother to do me justice."

"How could there be oil stains in a corner of my mother's yard?"

"This is clearly arson!"

"I beg Grandmother to investigate the truth and give my mother justice."

[How could that old bastard possibly investigate? My goodness, you're still too naive.]

This fire was the result of her deliberate negligence.

[The scumbag father, Old Turtle, gives the idea; the wicked stepmother sets the fire.]

[Heaven has eyes; when the wind blows, the wicked will eventually reap what they sow. La la la la, la la la...]

Shi Yu shook her little head happily and started singing right in He Qiu Niang's arms.

The light and cheerful melody stirred up a breeze.

The stench of urine hit the noses of Old Madam Shi and the others.

"Oh dear, I suddenly remembered I have something to do, I have to go now."

The instigator, Wei Yanyan, covered her nose and nimbly slipped away.

Under the stern gaze of Old Madam Shi ("Do you also find this old woman smelly?"), Shi Mianzhi moved to Old Madam Shi's side.

Madam Shi acted swiftly and decisively, issuing He Qiuniang an ultimatum.

"You little thing can't be kept alive!"

"You choose: send him away directly or drown him!"