After cleaning him up and changing his clothes, Song Xingyao touched his face, which was slightly warm due to the alcohol.

With a slight flush from the alcohol and soft murmurs at the corners of her lips, Song Xingyao sat quietly beside him, gazing at his handsome face. Only then did she begin to wonder, why had he drunk so much?

Remembering what Yuan Zhao had just said, why did he suddenly bring this up? Wasn't it just a formality?

On second thought, what kind of social engagement in Jiangcheng could make Fu Siming drink so much? Now that I think about it, the reason Fu Siming gave was simply absurd.

Her fingertips gently stroked his face. "Fu Siming, what's wrong with you?"

The man on the bed did not answer her.

The next morning, Song Xingyao woke up in his arms, not even remembering how he had carried her to bed in the middle of the night.

But she was certain that only he would do that.

She was held tightly in his arms, and as she broke free from the blankets, she placed one hand on his waist and gently squeezed it.

The man in front of her opened his eyes. The smell of alcohol was gone from his body; in its place was the familiar scent of shower gel.

Fu Siming stared into his bright eyes, as if trying to see something in them, but once he sobered up, he seemed to have returned to his flawless self.

Bright gazes met and flowed, as if being drawn into his deep eyes. His eyes reflected my face, only my face, nothing else.

When she opened her eyes again and found him still staring at her, Song Xingyao gave up asking, "You're awake? Does your head still hurt?"

Fu Siming was a little stunned. He thought that the first thing Song Xingyao would do when she woke up was to ask him why she had drunk so much.

But she didn't bring up what happened yesterday; she only offered a simple expression of concern.

He didn't speak, but buried his face in her neck with a kind of infatuation, indulging in her pleasant fragrance.

Song Xingyao felt that he seemed to have become even more clingy after drinking...

Gu Mai's residence.

In the huge villa, he was left alone. After finishing his business here, he arranged for the only housekeeper he had left to take care of him to return to his country ahead of schedule.

He pulled out the somewhat incongruous little ornament from his breast pocket—the doll that Land had given him.

Gu Mai thought that since he was going back to China, he might as well go and see that old friend. After all, he was also the mother of the land, and there might not be another chance to see him again.

As I put the things back in their places, my phone on the table suddenly rang.

"Something terrible has happened, Master! Something's wrong!"

A hurried, flustered voice came from the other end of the receiver.

His face remained cold, his expression unchanged. "What's the rush? Tell me slowly."

"Yes... the royal family sent people to the manor. They said they found out that someone in the family is involved in the arms and mineral trade."

After a moment of silence on Gu Mai's end, the person on the other end of the phone reminded him, "Many managers from the collateral branches have come to the manor, saying..."

"say what?"

"They said they would impeach you and replace the head of the family."

After the person on the other end finished speaking hesitantly, they heard the other side slowly reply, "After something like this happened, your first thought wasn't to solve the problem?"

His tone was unmistakably sarcastic.

Then his cold voice rang out again, "I understand. Start preparing. I'll contact the royal family."

After saying that, he hung up the phone.

Gu Mai never expected that something like this would happen at such a crucial moment.

No matter how large a family is, it will not last long if it touches the foundation of the regime.

He called the prince of the royal family, and soon after, the people at the manor were summoned back.

The moment he boarded the private jet and took off, he suddenly felt that he was getting further and further away from the truth he wanted.

But right now, compared to the memories he desires, the survival of the Sigor family hangs in the balance.

Before leaving, he sent Song Xingyao a message to cancel the appointment, but did not leave a time for the next appointment.

When Song Xingyao received this message, Fu Siming was also by her side, but his all-knowing expression showed no surprise at the matter.

Zhuo Wen sat in his study, listening to his subordinates' reports.

"The royal family has already sent people to the Sigour Estate."

His slender fingers casually toyed with a chess piece. "Let's proceed as planned."

"Yes, Master!"

Zhuo Wen stood up and walked to the window. The villa in the distance, half of which was hidden by trees, looked rather desolate.

"Xiaoyue, they will soon get what they deserve. You must be waiting for that day too."

His face was expressionless, but a sinister smile suddenly crept onto it, a stark contrast to his usual gentle and kind demeanor, making one feel somewhat uneasy.

But he seemed quite pleased with himself.

It was late at night when Gu Mai landed. In the winter, even the once lush greenery in the manor of S Country had become somewhat desolate and withered.

Lauren's face showed a rare hint of weariness.

The top butler, who usually handles almost everything perfectly, seemed somewhat exhausted from dealing with the troublemakers from the collateral branches today.

This struck Gu Mai as somewhat novel.

The crescent moon and the snow-covered landscape made the ancient castle look somewhat eerie under the moonlight.

Gu Mai: "Where are they?"

Lauren arched her back in a wide arc. "Master, everyone has been settled in the manor. Please rest. The royal family said they will send an investigation team tomorrow."

"They're reluctant to leave? It seems they won't give up until they achieve their goal." A slight smile played on his lips, revealing no emotion.

It was as if what was happening before my eyes was the smallest thing in the world.

On their way back to the study along the corridor, the two encountered Gu Mi.

The words of a victor were written on his proud face.

“My dear brother, I don’t think you’ll be able to hold this position for much longer.”

Gu Mai simply stopped and stood in front of him, no more than 20 centimeters away.

Just like when she whispered in his ear last time, she spoke softly, "My dear brother, I see you still don't understand. I overestimated you. This position... when I don't want it anymore, it will naturally fall into your hands."

"You! Let's see how long you can stay smug!"

Gu Mi was only briefly furious when he was mocked, but he quickly composed himself.

Gu Mi thought there was no need to argue with him, since she had never gained anything from him anyway.

Although the last strategic relocation failed to force him to relinquish his position as head of the family, this situation is far more serious than the last one.

He wanted to see what other solutions Gu Mai had up his sleeve.

Gu Mai narrowed his eyes slightly, watching his retreating figure as he walked away quickly, a shrewd glint in his eyes.

Lauren saw his expression but remained silent.