Seeing that Xu Shao's complexion had improved a lot, Zhao Sixing returned to his own courtyard. Before he could even wash up, he was invited to the study in the front courtyard by the servants of his grandfather, Marquis Yongping.

Marquis Yongping looked at his eldest grandson standing in front of him. He was tall and handsome, a man in his early twenties, in the prime of his life. Zhao Sixing was good-looking and kind-hearted. He didn't react much to being scrutinized by his grandfather. He just stood there silently, letting his grandfather look at him.

Marquis Yongping pointed to the chair in front of him, gesturing for Zhao Sixing to sit down. After Zhao Sixing sat down, he said, "Brother Xing, I know about what happened. This is a shameful matter in our family. Go to the Zhou family tomorrow and bring some things to Miss Zhou as an apology."

Looking at the silver notes his grandfather pushed in front of him, Zhao Sixing sneered inwardly. However, since they were given to him by his grandfather, there was no reason not to take them. After taking the silver notes, he said to Marquis Yongping, "Grandfather, I will definitely give the silver notes to Miss Zhou."

Marquis Yongping nodded and said, "I heard that those thugs were taken away by your maternal grandfather's people? Since it's all a misunderstanding, go and talk to your maternal grandfather. There's no need to keep them locked up. They should be released to avoid any future disputes over this matter."

Zhao Sixing had no hope for the people in this mansion anymore. He was now thinking about getting married as soon as possible, and then using the excuse of studying to move out with his wife. Ideally, his wife would get pregnant soon, so that he could have an excuse to let his mother live with him outside.

Zhao Sixing rubbed the silver note in his hand and said to his grandfather, "Grandfather, please rest assured, I will naturally tell my maternal grandfather that my wedding day is in a few days. It's always better to avoid trouble."

Seeing that Zhao Sixing was so cooperative, Marquis Yongping was relieved. He asked a few more questions about his studies and wedding preparations before sending him away.

When Zhao Sixing returned home, he found six silver notes worth two hundred taels each. Although it wasn't a lot, it was enough to add to the money he had for buying the estate. Zhao Sixing planned to go to his maternal grandfather's house the next day to give the silver notes to Xu Di and ask him to help him buy a larger estate.

Nothing happened that night. After breakfast, Zhao Sixing went to his maternal grandfather's house and went directly to his grandfather's study after dismounting.

Marquis Yongning was already waiting in his study. When he saw Zhao Sixing come over, he carefully inquired about what had happened at the Zhao family last night. He couldn't help but sigh. Judging from this incident, Marquis Yongping's control over the manor was getting weaker and weaker. Because of the relationship between the Jiang family and the First Prince, their Marquis Yongping manor had completely become a pawn in the First Prince's hands.

In the capital, there are many noble families. After several generations, many of them will gradually lose their titles. Even those families that have not yet lost their titles will have less and less influence in the capital. No matter what kind of family you are, as long as you are favored by the emperor and can be appreciated by Emperor Liang Cheng, you will be a family that everyone tries to curry favor with.

As Emperor Liang Cheng grew old and his health deteriorated, the question of his successor was raised not only secretly but also openly in court. Some ministers even brought it up in court, and some censors even offered frank advice, submitting memorials and asking the emperor to consider the issue of succession in front of the entire court.

In the current Liang Dynasty, the issue of succession has become a three-way power struggle among the princes. Whoever is chosen as crown prince will become the target of the other two factions. None of these three princes are the most ideal successor in Emperor Cheng's mind. Emperor Cheng now hopes that Wu Muyue can teach the seventh prince, Xiao Yuan, well so that he can pass the throne to Xiao Yuan in the future.

In previous years, due to the defense of Hexi, the three princes were extorted for a lot of money by Emperor Liang Cheng. Without money, many things could only be discussed in vain. As a result, the three princes were quiet for many years. In the last two years, as they have accumulated capital, their struggles with each other have become more and more frequent.

Xu Di developed many informants, both openly and secretly, with the aim of controlling some of the more secretive matters in the capital and even the entire Liang Dynasty. It was also unintentional that he learned about the relationship between the Jiang family and the First Prince.

Jiang Zhaoming was Emperor Liang Cheng's confidant, but now he was secretly a supporter of the eldest prince. Xu Di was alarmed and thought about investigating the backgrounds of the three princes, and even the other princes, again. After all, only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win every battle. Xu Di did not have strong control, but he did not want to be the loser because of a lack of information. When that time came, it would not only be a matter of life and death for himself, his father and grandfather, and even his whole family.

Xu Di doesn't have to attend court yet. After signing in at the Hanlin Academy, he hurried home, eager to know the reaction from the Yongping Marquis's residence yesterday.

Upon meeting Zhao Sixing, Xu Di carefully asked him some questions. While listening to Zhao Sixing's explanation, he pondered the questions in his mind. Finally, after thinking for a moment, he asked, "Cousin, has anyone else joined your household recently?"

After listening to Xu Di's question, Zhao Sixing thought about it carefully and said, "I don't know about my grandfather's side. There's nothing unusual about the front yard where I live with my cousins. As for the back yard, I only go to my grandmother's place to pay my respects and then to my mother's yard. There aren't many people in my mother's yard. But once, I saw a few unfamiliar maids near the garden."

Xu Di's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Could it be that someone in your household made the purchase?"

Zhao Sixing shook his head and said, "We haven't bought any maids from outside for many years. They are all born into the family. What I find strange about those maids is that they are old, they look to be sixteen or seventeen years old, and they are all quite tall."

Upon hearing this, Xu Di had an idea, but he didn't have any clues yet. He nodded to Zhao Sixing and then got up to go outside to give instructions to someone.