Su Yushan found it increasingly suspicious. "Why didn't you say it earlier or later, but only now? Are you lying? Are you making up this excuse to save her?"

Faced with the questioning, Su Jiafeng's eyes darted around, and she made an excuse: "A woman's reputation is of paramount importance. If I hadn't been forced to, I wouldn't have said it to avoid embarrassing Xin'er. But now that things have come to this, I have to tell you the truth. Sister, please have mercy and grant me and Xin'er our wish!"

Compassion should be used on the right people. To show compassion to evil people is to release a tiger back into the mountains. "I forbid you to marry her. A woman with such a vicious heart is not worthy to be your wife!"

"But I love her, she's already mine, if I don't marry her, what will become of her?"

He was overthinking things. He glanced at Xin'er and said coldly, "What future does she have? Let her endure twenty lashes first before we talk about anything else."

"Fourth Master, Sister, I am willing to take the punishment in Xin'er's place!"

Despite Su Jiafeng's repeated attempts to stop him, how could Su Yushan bear to let him be beaten? Enraged, Su Yushan clutched her chest, unable to catch her breath, and pointed angrily at him, her voice trembling as she sneered:

"You're going to drive me crazy!"

He didn't want to put his older sister in such a difficult position, but in order to save Xin'er, he really had no other choice but to stand his ground and hope that his sister could show leniency online for the sake of family ties.

Hongli walked over and gently patted her back to help her catch her breath. If it were anyone else, he would not have given them the chance to act so presumptuously. But this person was Su Yushan's younger brother, and for Yushan's sake, he had to give Su Jiafeng some face.

After a moment's thought, Hongli said, "Marriage is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. As the saying goes, the eldest brother is like a father. Such an important matter should be discussed with your elder brother before a decision is made. You go back first, and have your elder brother come over tomorrow. Xin'er can stay in the manor for now."

Is Fourth Master trying to get rid of him on purpose so he can deal with Xin'er later? Su Jiafeng had some concerns and took the initiative to say, "I have to take Xin'er with me when I leave."

Su Yushan realized that he was clearly pushing his luck and becoming increasingly unreasonable. "You two are not married yet, you have no official status or relationship. Where are you taking her? Back to the Zheng family? How will you explain this to others?"

“I have my own way. Anyway, I can’t leave her here alone. I’m not comfortable with that.”

Hongli had already backed down, yet he still dared to bargain? Su Yushan's almond-shaped eyes widened, and she scoffed angrily, "I wouldn't feel at ease if you took her away!"

Unable to bear it any longer, Hongli frowned and reprimanded, "Su Jiafeng, stop your insolence! If you talk back to your sister again, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Faced with Hongli's stern face, Su Jiafeng dared not be presumptuous again. She softened her tone and pleaded again, "Fourth Master, please calm down. I didn't mean to talk back to my sister. I just hope that my sister can grant my wish and Xin'er's happiness and stop making things difficult for her."

That makes it sound like Su Yushan is the villain. "I made things difficult for her? She only has herself to blame!"

Ashamed, Xin'er sobbed softly and struggled to sit up, saying, "Brother Su, let it go! Don't be so humble for my sake anymore. Whatever punishment Fourth Master gives me is my retribution, and I have no complaints."

She had talked too much and was a little out of breath, so she couldn't help but cough a few times.

Seeing this, Su Jiafeng felt even more distressed and pleaded with Su Yushan again, "Please give her a chance to reform. That mastermind will definitely not let this go and will try to assassinate Xin'er again. It is not safe for her to stay here. Please let me take her back!"

Hongli thought to himself that Su Jiafeng was being too simplistic. In reality, Xin'er was safest here. With Demin watching over her, she could keep her life. Once she left, no one could guarantee her safety.

Thinking of this, Hongli's mind changed slightly. He stopped trying to stop her and instead agreed to let Su Jiafeng take Xin'er to the Zheng family.

Su Yushan was puzzled and looked at Hongli with a question. Hongli gave her a look, signaling her to calm down.

With Fourth Master's approval, Xin'er was finally relieved and, with Su Jiafeng's help, got out of the tent and put on her shoes.

She tried to walk by herself, but Su Jiafeng picked her up in one go. Xin'er was extremely embarrassed and struggled to get down, but he wouldn't let go and insisted on carrying her away.

"There's still some distance to the gate of the mansion. You're still injured, so you can't walk that far. Be careful not to aggravate your injuries."

Feeling his care, Xin'er's eyes welled up with tears, and she choked up, unable to utter a single word.

Witnessing this scene, Su Yushan felt very conflicted. She was moved by her brother's devotion, but also felt that Xin'er was not worthy of Jiafeng's sacrifice.

After the two left, Su Yushan finally asked the question that had been bothering her, "Why did you let Jiafeng take Xin'er away? She was clearly using Jiafeng!"

Hongli showed no worry, but smiled meaningfully, "She can use your brother, and we can use her too."

Su Yushan was momentarily confused and asked him what his plans were, but Hongli replied:

“If she continues to stay in the mansion, Jin Minjing will know that we have people guarding it and will not dare to make any rash moves. But if Xin’er goes to the Zheng family, Jin Minjing will definitely find another way to silence her. I’m just waiting for her to send someone to do it!”

With a quick glance, Su Yushan finally understood, "You mean, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind?"

He tapped the tip of her nose and chuckled, "You've finally figured it out."

She was indeed slow to react today; anger really does make people stupid. "I was so angry with Jia Feng that I didn't think about it at all."

Although Hongli's idea was good, she still couldn't help but feel indignant on Su Jiafeng's behalf.

"Xin'er approached him with ill intentions, deceived him time and time again, and used him. How come he doesn't hate her? Why does he like her so much and keep protecting her? Why is this child so stubborn?"

Hongli, however, found it incomprehensible. "What logic is there in liking someone? Even though you didn't have feelings for me back then, I still treated you well, didn't I?"

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