Zhang Zhaoci thought of her proper mother-in-law, and then of her own mother-in-law whom she only saw a few times a year, and couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

Xu Rao and Xu Di had already discussed how to return to the manor. When the Marquis of Jingbei's heir returned, the three of them would go back with him directly to the Xu manor, without giving anyone in the manor a chance to react. Xu Rao simply didn't believe that anything could happen after everyone had returned to the manor.

Xu Rao is now quite certain that someone wants to kill her, and that person is someone from the manor. As for which person in the manor, she doesn't know, but now that she thinks about it, everyone except the Marquis of Yongning is a suspect. That's why Xu Rao didn't ask Uncle Shen to send a message to the Marquis's manor immediately, and she didn't even dare to send a message to the Marquis of Yongning alone.

Zhang Zhaoci said, "I don't know if our ancestor cares about this matter. If she doesn't, our family will have to live apart."

Xu Di said, "People come up with solutions to problems; there's always a way."

The heir of the Marquis of Jingbei was to return to the capital in secret, so the Xu family of three was hidden in a carriage by the people of the Marquis of Jingbei's residence. After entering the city, the coachman drove directly to the gate of the Marquis of Yongning's residence and took the visiting card from the Marquis of Jingbei's residence to the gatekeeper.

The Marquis of Jingbei is now the most powerful marquisate in the capital. Of the group of people who followed the founding emperor in conquering the country, the Marquis of Jingbei's mansion has developed the best. Therefore, upon receiving the visiting card from the Marquis of Jingbei's mansion, the gatekeeper naturally rushed to deliver it to the study in the outer courtyard.

In the study, Marquis Yongning and his son were talking with several advisors when they saw the visiting card delivered by the gatekeeper. They were completely confused, but since the person had already arrived at the gate, they had to hurry and greet him. Marquis Yongning then asked his son to go to the gate to greet him.

The heir of the Marquis of Yongning did not expect that the carriage contained his half-brother's family of three. However, seeing Xu Rao constantly winking at him, he could only lead the family of three, who had been made up, toward the Marquis's outer study.

The Marquis of Yongning was surprised to find that the people from the Marquis of Jingbei's residence had sent his own son and his family. Seeing the three people unharmed, the Marquis of Yongning's eyes reddened.

After recounting their experiences over the past two days, everyone felt a lingering sense of fear.

Arrange for someone to take Zhang Zhaoci and Xu Di to the backyard to wash up, while the Marquis of Yongning kept Xu Rao behind.

After pondering for a long time, the Marquis of Yongning said, "Over the years, our family has always been cautious and has not offended anyone. Third son, tomorrow is the last day of the Ministry of Personnel's selection examination. I have been thinking about it these past two days. You go to one of the six ministries and we can stay in the capital peacefully for a few years."

Xu Rao said, "Father, I've thought about it these past two days. I want to choose someone from another place, leave the capital first, go out and avoid the storm, and gain some experience as an official."

After hearing this, the Marquis remained silent. Xu Rao said, "Father, this is actually a very good opportunity. Putting aside the fact that everyone wants to stay in the capital and many are unwilling to be sent to other places, it is better to start from the bottom and work your way up as an official. The most important thing is to hone my skills in the local area and achieve results so that I can truly catch the eye of the noble people."

Upon hearing this, the Marquis stared intently at Xu Rao. Xu Rao calmly allowed the Marquis to scrutinize him. The Marquis sighed and said, "Alright, then I'll listen to you. Since you're going to be sent out to a remote area, you'll need help from others. Go and choose an official first. I'll find you two suitable financial advisors. They say a hero needs three helpers. Since we're going to do this, let's do it well."

Xu Rao bowed to the Marquis very solemnly. The Marquis waved his hand and said, "Go back and freshen up, then quickly go and pay your respects to your grandmother. She has been living in fear these past two days."

Xu Rao agreed and hurried towards her own courtyard.

The Xu family of four lived in a small courtyard near the back gate of the Marquis's mansion. Xu Rao had a weak presence in the mansion and spent his days studying diligently. Zhang Zhaoci, on the other hand, was someone no one dared to offend. After the couple got married and had a child, they were originally able to move from their original three-room courtyard to a slightly larger one. However, because Zhang Zhaoci caused a scene in the main kitchen and offended the Marquis's wife and the eldest mistress of the mansion, they did not move and the family of four continued to live in this small courtyard.

The small courtyard has a small screen wall directly opposite the gate upon entering. Turning past the screen wall, there are east and west wing rooms on both sides. There are also two rear rooms against the south courtyard wall. A bluestone-paved path leads from the courtyard gate to the three main rooms. Originally, there was a rear building connected to this small courtyard through a moon gate on the east side of the courtyard wall, but the moon gate has now been sealed off. It is said that those rear buildings have been used as a storeroom for the mansion.

As Xu Rao strolled back to her courtyard, she was lost in thought. When she reached the gate, she saw people peeking at her from the neighboring courtyard. When they realized she had noticed them, they quickly ducked back inside. Xu Rao shook her head, ignoring them, and hurried into her courtyard.

After Zhang Zhaoci and Xu Di returned, they arranged for someone to boil water for them to wash up.

There is a special stove in the courtyard for boiling water. This stove can only be used for boiling water, not for cooking. This is also the rule of the mansion. Except for the small kitchen in the old lady's courtyard where she can cook, the other courtyards can only have their three meals a day delivered by the main kitchen.

The three main rooms are very spacious. Upon entering, there is a main hall. The east side is used as a bedroom, the west side as a study, the east wing is Xu Di's room, the west wing is a bathroom and toilet, and there is also a storeroom with some miscellaneous items. The back room is the place used by the rough maids in charge of night watch in the courtyard.

Logically speaking, Xu Di could have lived outside at the age of seven, and now he is ten years old. The eldest mistress, who is in charge of the household affairs, has not said anything, and the Lady of the Marquis has pretended not to know. Xu Rao and Zhang Zhaoci are not liked to stand out unless others bully them. So for the past two years, Xu Di has been living in the east wing of the courtyard. Although he goes to the clan school with them on weekdays, he still studies with his father most of the time.

When Xu Rao returned, Zhang Zhaoci and Xu Di had already washed up. Several maids quickly brought Xu Rao hot water. After a quick wash and changing her clothes, the three of them headed towards the old lady. They already knew that their beloved daughter and little sister had been taken away by the old lady.

The old lady's courtyard was quite far from the courtyard where the Xu family of four lived. Accompanied by two maids, the three of them walked through alleys and gardens, and finally stopped in front of a magnificent courtyard.

The old lady had already received the letter that Xu Rao and the others had returned. Knowing that Xu Rao was alright, the old lady first went to the Buddhist hall to offer incense to the Bodhisattva, thanking the Bodhisattva for protecting Xu Rao so that he could return. The old lady knew very well that among so many people in the mansion, only Xu Rao or Xu Rao's son, Xu Di, were qualified to take the imperial examination. The other children simply did not have the ability. For a family like the Marquis's mansion, Xu Rao's ability to take the imperial examination was truly opening up a new path, and a broad and promising one at that.

The old lady understood very well that Emperor Liang Cheng was now old and in poor health. Relying solely on his favor towards the Marquis's mansion would not last long. At the very least, the ascension of a new emperor would be a hurdle for the mansion. For the mansion to maintain its wealth and status for a long time, it was up to the descendants of the mansion to strive for success. Xu Rao gave the old lady hope, and also gave hope to everyone in the mansion. Therefore, the existence of Xu Rao, and even Xu Di, was of great significance to the mansion.