The old lady looked at the Marquis, who was also over fifty years old. Of all the children in the family, the one with the most talent for studying was the third master, Xu Rao. He had finally passed the imperial examination and was about to be selected as an official when this happened.

The old lady said, "My lord, what's your plan for this?"

The Marquis was taken aback and said, somewhat confused, "Mother, I have now sent more people to look for Rao'er."

The old lady interrupted the Marquis, saying, "My lord, sending more men is one thing, and finding the person is naturally the best outcome, but what if we can't? What should we do if we can't find the person? Rao'er has a daughter, what should we do with her? And what about the Zhang family? Have they already sent someone to inform them about this matter?"

The Marquis said somewhat apologetically, "Mother, I have been looking for people outside ever since I received the letter yesterday. Many people have come to our house to inquire today, and I haven't thought about these things yet."

The old lady sighed and said, "My lord, you are the lord of this manor, and the people in the manor obey your orders. Now, quickly send someone to the Zhang family to inform them and invite them over to discuss how the girl left behind by Rao'er will live. These are all things you need to consider now, as this is the lineage left behind by Rao'er."

The old lady knew her son's limitations very well, which was why she didn't force him to do anything. She only hoped he would become a wealthy marquis. Fortunately, the family had a studious and ambitious third master. Seeing that the third master had passed the imperial examination and his future was bright, the future of the marquis's mansion was also very promising. Who knew that such a thing would happen?

The old lady said earnestly, "My lord, over the years, I've watched our manor grow weaker and weaker. I know you're anxious, and so am I. Our manor has so many people, from top to bottom, and families who depend on us for their livelihood. It's all our manor's responsibility, and I know you bear a heavy responsibility."

The Marquis looked at the old lady sitting at the head of the table. She was over seventy years old with a full head of white hair. In such a large capital city, most people who lived to this age were at home enjoying their grandchildren, while his own mother had to work hard for the family. The Marquis of Yongning felt very ashamed.

The old lady sighed and said, "The young master is good at maintaining the status quo, but not good at expanding. If our Marquis's Mansion wants to continue to flourish, we need another person with outstanding abilities. Originally, Rao'er was the most suitable candidate. With his help, the young master's pressure would be much less. It's just a pity that such a thing has happened. Since things have already turned out this way, we can only go with the flow and find the most suitable path."

Marquis Yongning nodded repeatedly, and the old lady said, "You make the arrangements up front, I'll go see Rao'er's daughter right now."

Although Xu Rao was born to a concubine, in the old lady's eyes, he was still her son's bloodline. It is said that there is a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children, but the old lady was a loving person and actually loved all her children equally.

Aunt Wu was surprised that the old lady had come over. Xu Zhi was lying in bed when she saw the old lady arrive with her entourage. She quickly got up to get out of bed and put on her luggage, but the old lady quickly helped her up and said, "You little girl, please lie down. Don't bother with these formalities with your grandmother."

Xu Zhizhen didn't know if the old lady had come in her previous life. At that time, she was really a child, only four years old. All she did was eat and sleep. If the servants had kept it from her, she probably would have eaten and gone to bed early.

The old lady asked Wu, who was serving Xu Zhi, what Xu Zhi had eaten and drunk. Wu answered respectfully, while Xu Zhi tightly hugged the old lady's arm and leg, which was sitting next to her. There was no reason not to hug her tightly.

When the old lady came over to Xu Zhi's place, Lady Wu, the wife of the heir apparent, and the eldest daughter-in-law also rushed over after receiving the news. Xu Zhi's small room was soon filled with people, some standing and some sitting.

The old lady sighed inwardly as she watched the two women, Lady Hou and her daughter-in-law, rush in. When they came in, only Sister Wu was serving them. Lady Hou, as the head of the household, and the eldest mistress who managed the household affairs, hadn't taken care of this little orphan girl at all. The old lady still felt uncomfortable.

"If you're not deaf and dumb, you can't be a father-in-law." Since the old lady had already handed over all the household affairs to the younger generation, she naturally wouldn't interfere in these matters. But since everyone had already come, the old lady gently patted the little boy's back and said, "I just came to see our little Jiu. Everyone has been busy all night, so go back and rest."

Lady Hou looked at the little girl dressed in a white silk top and bottom, who was sitting quietly on the bed with her little hands tightly wrapped around the old lady's arm, and said, "Mother, you've been busy all day. I'll have someone look after things here. You should go back and rest."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi tightened her grip on the old lady's arm, but no matter how hard she tried, she was still just a four-year-old child. It was the fear that Xu Zhi showed that made the old lady feel even more heartbroken. After all, she had lost her parents, and even a young child could sense it.

The old lady had already come and seen the child and knew that the people in the manor would not make things difficult for her, so she wanted to get up and go back. But Xu Zhi was still clinging tightly to the old lady's arm.

When Lady Hou saw this, she said, "Ninth Girl, Grandmother is getting old and needs to go back and rest now."

Xu Zhi clung to the old lady's arm, her voice trembling with tears, and said, "Grandmother, please don't leave me here alone. I know my parents will never come back."

Upon hearing this, the old lady sternly shouted at everyone in the room, "Which of you has been gossiping in front of the child?"

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