Chapter 208 Waiting

"We must seek justice for them!"

"The Xiao family is full of loyal martyrs; generations of them died in the army. They should not have been schemed against like this, and they should not have died in vain!"

Xie Qingran took a deep breath.

She reached out and grasped Qin's hand; their two warm palms clasped tightly together.

"Sister-in-law, let's be brave, let's be resolute. There's no one in front of us right now, but behind us are three children!"

Qin was a weak-willed person who had never had any opinions of her own since childhood, but upon hearing these words, she finally realized the truth.

Her child was only three years old. She was a mother, and she couldn't be cowardly; she had to be brave!

"Qingran, you're a few years younger than me, how come you live such a clear-headed life?"

Qin grasped Xie Qingran's hand in return, smiled gently, but tears streamed down her face.

"Sister-in-law, believe me, I will protect you, protect the children, and protect our family!"

"Before coming to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, I had no home. Now that I have a home, I will defend it to the death. No matter who it is, they will not be allowed to lay a finger on it!"

Xie Qingran took a deep breath, her eyes filled with determination.

Qin nodded in agreement: "Me too, I'll listen to whatever you say. Qingran, just tell me what we should do next?"

"Doing nothing and waiting is the best thing we should do right now."

“Sister-in-law, I’m going to throw a flower-viewing party at home. You don’t have to say anything at the party, just keep crying about how my brother died tragically back then, that’s enough.”

Xie Qingran gritted her teeth, her eyes turning somewhat fierce.

Since His Majesty wants to erase this matter, she is determined to amplify it; she will absolutely not give anyone a chance to forget it!

Seeing Xie Qingran's expression, Madam Qin immediately understood what she meant and nodded, "Okay, I understand!"

Xie Qingran breathed a sigh of relief, got up and went out, waving to Xiao Yanran and Xiao Yu: "Let's go, let's go back."

Xiao Yanran quickly walked towards Xie Qingran, hugged her waist, and whispered, "Sister-in-law, I'm scared!"

Without hesitation, Xie Qingran picked up the child and gently kissed her: "Yanran, don't be afraid, your sister-in-law will protect you!"

"Yanran, don't be afraid, your brother will protect you." Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Yanran earnestly: "We will all protect you, and I will protect my sister-in-law too!"

Xiao Yu spoke her last sentence with a hint of insecurity, even a touch of shyness.

Looking at Xiao Yu's adorable appearance, Xie Qingran felt gratified. She smiled gently and kissed Xiao Yu: "Great job, you're such a good brother to your sister-in-law!"

Holding one child in her arms and leading the other by the hand, Xie Qingran escorted the two children to the school gate, instructing them to study hard.

When I returned to the main hall, I saw Madam Wang sitting there.

Seeing Wang Shi at this moment, Xie Qingran's feelings were still somewhat complicated.

She took a deep breath, walked over, and bowed respectfully to Madam Wang: "Greetings, Mother."

"Good child, you've been wronged!" Madam Wang immediately stood up and grabbed Xie Qingran's hand: "Have the servants leave, Mother has something to say to you."

Xie Qingran nodded, and Baozhu led all the maids away, leaving only the two of them in the room.

Xie Qingran was still a little uncomfortable with Wang Shi's intimate contact, so she silently withdrew her hand and said indifferently, "Mother, just say what you want to say."

Madam Wang glanced at Xie Qingran and said, "Do you already know about the Imperial Concubine's matter?"

"What does Mother mean?" Xie Qingran raised an eyebrow and looked at Madam Wang.

Wang said helplessly, "His Majesty has already launched the attack. The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is definitely in imminent danger. Qingran, you should also plan for your own future."

What?

Xie Qingran originally thought that Wang Shi had come to help her, but she never expected that she had come to take her away.

She thought for a moment and looked at Madam Wang: "Mother, do you mean that I should divorce Xiao Jue at this time to protect myself?"

"Yes, yes, look at you, child. I knew you were a smart child. I know that you got together with Xiao Jue and married him because you were angry."

"But now, the situation is different. Qingran, you are still young, and you have decades to live your life. You... you shouldn't be stuck here!"

Wang held Xie Qingran's hand, her hands trembling slightly with excitement.

Seeing Wang Shi like this, Xie Qingran's eyes revealed disappointment. She knew that Wang Shi was saying these things because she cared about her, but Xie Qingran still felt that she was being cold-hearted.

Outside the door, Xiao Jue stood there. He had heard everything that was said inside. His face was terribly gloomy, and he quietly clenched his fists, his heart pounding in his throat.

He knew that at this point, it would be best for Xie Qingran to leave, but he still couldn't bear to let her go, and he didn't want to be the one Xie Qingran abandoned after weighing the pros and cons.

But Xiao Jue didn't know what Xie Qingran's choice would be.

"I won't leave."

Xie Qingran's cold voice rang out, but it ignited a spark of hope in Xiao Jue's heart, and his originally gray eyes lit up.

"Are you crazy?!"

Wang looked at Xie Qingran in disbelief, then stood up abruptly, her face contorted in shock.

"Do you know that His Majesty is dissatisfied with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion? These people have no ability to protect themselves at all. If you stay, you...you're insane!"

Xie Qingran's lips curled up slightly, and then she said calmly, "I said I'm not leaving. This is my home, and I will not abandon my home!"

"Home?"

"You! You're saying this is your home?"

Wang was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood what Xie Qingran meant. Tears streamed down her face, and her voice became choked with emotion.

"This is your home, so... so what about me? What about your father? What about your brother?"

"What are we? Aren't we your family?"

"Qingran, why? Why won't you forgive me?"

Wang took two steps forward, her hand trembling as she reached out to grab Xie Qingran's hand.

Xie Qingran instinctively stepped back, avoiding Wang's advances.

"Mother, even among relatives, there are degrees of connection, some deep and some shallow. Although we are blood relatives, our connection is too shallow."

Xie Qingran gave a faint smile, her words filled with endless sorrow and helplessness, yet also carrying a hint of relief.