What sins has he committed to deserve this? Why would someone from the Marquis of Ping Le's household be in this remote, impoverished mountain village?

Now his life is in danger!

"My lord, I truly had no idea you were here. I have offended you, and I deserve to die!"

Shen Ziyu's icy voice rang out: "You truly deserve to die. Unauthorized mobilization of the city's defense troops outside the city is a capital offense. Go back and explain the whole story to the Emperor, and submit it to the capital. Or should I send someone to escort you there?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Shengsen knew he was doomed this time.

He took the initiative to explain to the emperor that he might still live, but if he were taken to the capital, he would surely die.

It doesn't matter if he dies alone, he still has two sons and grandchildren, we can't let anything happen to them.

Large beads of sweat dripped down, rolling up a dust bubble on the ground.

Chen Shengsen spoke with difficulty: "I dare not trouble you, sir. I will return to my residence immediately and send a memorial to the capital by express courier tomorrow, no, overnight. I confess my guilt and dare not trouble you, sir."

Just kidding, everyone knows that.

The Marquis of Pingluo's Mansion is a hereditary title.

Not to mention the first Marquis of Ping Le, every Marquis of Ping Le was a favorite of His Majesty the Emperor.

The title of Marquis of Pingle was bestowed by the founding emperor of the Great Wei Dynasty, and this is now the fifth generation of Marquis of Pingle.

The title of Marquis of Pingle was forged in blood; it was the emperor's confidence and a thorn in the side of foreign invaders.

Throughout history, the Marquis of Pingluo has guarded the northern border, ensuring peace and stability in the region.

It is said that all the sons of the Marquis of Ping Le have died in the battle in the northern border, and now only one young marquis remains.

This young marquis had been on friendly terms with His Majesty the Emperor since childhood.

After the northern border was pacified, the emperor intended to enfeoff the Marquis of Pingle as a king of a different surname, but the Marquis disappeared without a trace from the northern border.

Unexpectedly, it appeared here.

If he were to act rashly and be taken to the capital by the people from the Marquis of Ping Le's mansion, he would certainly not even have a chance to defend himself, and his family might even be implicated.

He went back and confessed. If he could still pull some strings or provide information about the Marquis of Ping Le's whereabouts, perhaps someone would save him.

The idea was good, but it was all for their own survival.

"Magistrate of Yuanning County, take your men and go back. If they dare to come again, they'll die!"

"Yes, yes, Your Excellency obeys!"

The magistrate of Yuanning County scrambled out of the courtyard.

His own fate was already uncertain, and he had no time to care about Ye Zongzhi. He directly led the soldiers and yamen runners away from this place of trouble.

He never imagined that a small robbery would cost him his job and now he might even lose his life.

He hated Ye Zongzhi and Ye Lingxi, father and daughter, to the core. If it weren't for them, he wouldn't have gotten involved with the evil spirits of the Ping Le Marquis's mansion.

Ye Zongzhi could only watch as Chen Shengsen's men drove away, remaining rooted to the spot for a long time.

Cheng Qingyan strolled leisurely to the gate and looked in the direction Chen Shengsen had left: "Oh, this wealthy gentleman has been left behind?"

"What are we going to do? It takes two hours to get to town from here! Someone's going to have to walk until their legs break!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, with such a pampered lifestyle, I wonder if he can keep it up."

Ye Zongzhi glared at Cheng Qingyan hatefully. Instead of leaving, he went into the courtyard.

Ye Lingyu sat on the stool talking to Shen Ziyu, and Ruan Banxia also came out.

Ye Zongzhi stood beside Ye Lingyu, who remained motionless as she drank her tea.

He was completely ignored, and Shen Ziyu and Ruan Banxia naturally wouldn't pay him any attention.

He looked down at Ye Lingyu, his eyes blazing with anger: "Is this how I taught you? You've been away from the Ye family for years, and you've even forgotten the most basic manners of hospitality?"

Cheng Qingyan placed an arm between him and Ye Lingyu: "You came uninvited and expect my wife to treat you like a guest? How dare you?"

Ruan Banxia couldn't help but laugh and said, "Pfft, Brother Cheng, you were so close, didn't you see how big his face is?"

Cheng Qingyan took a step back in disgust: "Ugh, this is so cloying!"

"Hahahaha, why don't you hurry back and look at your sister-in-law's face to make up for it~"

"Dr. Ruan, are you a local expert? Do you even have 5G? You even know the word 'good looks'?"

"What kind of network are you talking about? What does 5G mean? Is it some kind of fun thing?"

"It's alright, it's alright. I'm just praising Dr. Ruan for his intelligence!"

Ye Zongzhi felt neglected, and just as he was about to reach out to grab Ye Lingyu, Cheng Qingyan stepped forward and grabbed his wrist.

He then pushed him backward forcefully, and Ye Zongzhi fell to the ground.

Even after he fell, his eyes never left Ye Lingyu; he kept observing her reaction.

Unfortunately, Ye Lingyu did not react.

Cheng Qingyan pushed Ye Zongzhi with great force, and Ye Zongzhi fell to the ground. It took a while before the servants at the door noticed him and helped him up.

He was in a terrible state, covered in mud, his hair was askew, and his hands were covered in dust.

He laughed in fury: "Hahaha, good, good, good! Very good!"

"Ye Lingyu, you condoned others' violence against your own father! You truly are my good daughter!"

Ye Lingyu glanced at him only once before looking away: "I'd rather not be your daughter, but I have no choice."

"Also, Ayan is no stranger, she is the person I love most."

Upon hearing Ye Lingyu's words, Ye Zongzhi clenched his fists so tightly that his fingernails pierced his palms.

A lover? This worthless, penniless man in front of her? Does she deserve him?

He simply didn't want to see Ye Lingyu appear before him with a face that looked exactly like his deceased wife; he couldn't bear it.

Only after Bai Ruosu's death did he realize that Ye Lingyu's striking resemblance to Bai Ruosu was a form of torment.

That's why he let Ye Lingxi bully Ye Lingyu, pretending not to know.

They wanted to get rid of Ye Lingyu as soon as possible, to make her leave the Ye family and go far away.

So even if Ye Lingyu didn't choose Cheng Qingyan, she had no choice, because Cheng Qingyan lived in a poor, dilapidated mountain village.

He wanted Ye Lingyu to leave, but he never imagined that Ye Lingyu would fall in love with someone else.

Veins bulged on Ye Zongzhi's forehead as he suppressed his anger and said, "She's just an outsider! I'm your own father! I'm the one closest to you!"

His eyes were wide open, and his face was fierce.

Cheng Qingyan was afraid that he would suddenly rush over and hurt Ye Lingyu, so he silently stood in front of Ye Lingyu.

They relied on Shen Ziyu's influence to win over the county magistrate and the army.

She could handle Ye Zongzhi on her own.

Well, if she really can't manage on her own, she can bring her wife along.

Ye Lingyu looked at Ye Zongzhi this time, but her eyes were cold, devoid of any emotion, and even filled with hatred.

"I'll say it again, Ayan is the person I love most. She is not a stranger, nor is she an outsider."

"My father was already dead when you and Ye Lingxi tied me up and threw me onto someone else's bed."

"I don't have a father, and you don't deserve one either."

Ye Zongzhi's face turned ashen, filled with both hatred and anger after being publicly humiliated by his own daughter!