Even though Xu Zhi considered herself to be physically strong, the thirty-mile journey from Anping County to Zhengjia Town made her wish she could dismount and ride a horse instead of sitting in the carriage.

The road was really difficult to travel on. The main road was quite wide, and two carriages could travel side by side. However, the road had only been simply repaired. It had not been paved with sand or gravel, nor had it been laid with bluestone. Over the years, there were many potholes on the road. It had rained a few days ago, and there was still some rainwater left in some of the potholes.

After entering Zhengjia Town, there is a long bluestone road that stretches for a full mile. The ancestral home and ancestral hall of the Zheng family are located at the end of this road.

After the group entered the town, the horses' hooves clattered on the bluestone slabs as they walked along. Xu Zhi gently lifted the carriage curtain and found that although the shops on both sides of the road were open, there were hardly any people on the street. Even those who were there were walking by with their heads down.

Xu Zhi found it strange. Zhengjia Town was located at the foot of a mountain ridge. Coming from Anping County, one had to pass through that mountain ridge. When Xu Zhi passed through the mountain ridge, she looked down from the car and saw that Zhengjia Town covered a considerable area. This road was the main road in the entire town, and it should have been quite prosperous. However, it seemed to have a desolate atmosphere.

Xu Zhi was quite puzzled, but since this wasn't her main purpose for coming, she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she was thinking about how to make arrangements when they arrived at the ancestral home.

This group traveled light, with only three carriages and about a dozen mounted guards. According to the plan, Xu Zhi intended to stay here for three days, at least to pay her respects to some relatives in the clan, otherwise, she would appear impolite.

Since they were going to stay for a few days, food and lodging were issues. Since it was their ancestral home, lodging wasn't a problem, but what about food? The daily shopping and whether they should hire a cook were all issues that Xu Zhi needed to consider. They had just passed a restaurant in town, and Xu Zhi looked out the car window. It was almost lunchtime, but there wasn't a single customer inside. She wondered if it would be appropriate to book meals with the restaurant.

When traveling, meals are very important. It's best to avoid having outsiders cook for you if possible, as getting an upset stomach and delaying your trip is never a good thing.

As Xu Zhi's mind was filled with these chaotic thoughts, the carriage stopped in front of a mansion. Uncle Qing had already gotten out of the carriage and walked to Xu Zhi's carriage, saying, "Young Madam, we have arrived at the ancestral home. Please get out of the carriage and enter through the main gate."

This is the custom: the main gate is not usually opened, but when the homeowner returns, they must enter through the main gate.

Xu Zhi got out of the car and stood by it, quietly observing for a moment.

The Zheng family's ancestral home faces south and is located at the easternmost end of the bluestone road in the town. There are two locust trees on either side of the gate. They are quite old, with thick trunks and branches. Tender leaves are already sprouting, and the green dots make this solemn and dignified gate look more lively.

The black lacquered door was tightly closed. Uncle Qing stepped forward and knocked on the door, but no one came to open it after a while. Xu Zhi couldn't help but frown.

There were people left by the Marquis of Pingxi's mansion to guard the residence. Before coming, Qingbo had already sent someone to explain Xu Zhi's identity and the reason for her visit. Who knew that no one would come to open the gate?

Xu Zhi stood quietly at the gate, her back straight. She looked up at the plaque above the black lacquered gate, where the two large characters "Zheng Residence" clearly indicated that the paint had just been applied. The house was quite large, and not far from the main gate was a side gate used for carriages. The side gate was now open, and Xu Zhi noticed that someone was peeking out at the group of people outside.

Xu Zhi gave a wink to one of the guards who had come with her. The guard went over and grabbed a person from the side door. Xu Zhi looked at him and saw that he was a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old, dressed as a servant in a blue robe and a small hat.

Upon seeing this, Uncle Qing came over and asked, "Where is Zheng Da, who guards the mansion?"

The servant knelt down abruptly and said, "Master took his wife and young master and young lady out early this morning."

Qingbo asked, "Didn't Zhengda receive the letter?"

The servant, his face pale, said, "I don't know."

Qingbo was so angry that his face turned white. He cursed, "What kind of master does he call himself, a servant who guards the house? Go and open the gate. The eldest young mistress of the Marquis's mansion has returned."

The servant, his face pale, said, "I wouldn't dare."

Seeing this, Xu Zhi could easily understand that someone didn't want her to enter the house. She walked to Uncle Qing's side and said to him, "Uncle Qing, forget it. Take me to Third Uncle's house. Yuan'er and I will pay our respects to Third Uncle first."

Qingbo had no choice but to lead his men to the home of his third uncle, Zheng Shan.

Third Uncle's house is located behind the ancestral home. It is a three-courtyard house, where only Third Uncle and his wife live with their eldest son's family.

As soon as Xu Zhi and her group entered the town, Zheng Shan found out. He was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) puffing on his pipe. His wife, Wang, was sitting opposite him at the kang table, sewing shoe soles as she said, "I heard that it's Yuan Ge's daughter-in-law who's coming this time. Wouldn't it be bad if we didn't go and greet her?"

Zheng Shan took two deep drags on his cigarette and said, "What are we going to do? Their two families are fighting each other openly and secretly, why should we get involved?"

Wang said, "Old man, you're right. You and Lao Wu are Qingchun's elders. Qingchun is confused. Why can't you and Lao Wu persuade him? Look at our children now, what have they become?"

Zheng Shan sighed and said, "Who do you think gave Qingchun the courage to do those things? It was all the Marquis's idea. It's just a pity that no one in the clan can restrain the members. Now we just hope that the Marquis's clan can be safe and sound. Otherwise, our clan will not have a good outcome."

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