Outside General Xie's study, all was quiet. In recent days, Commander Ming's injuries had almost healed, and the guards in the shadows had not become noticeably more vigilant.

However, she had already been to that tunnel, so it didn't matter to her.

"No matter what, Ning Yi is still your younger brother."

As soon as Xie Lingqin entered the courtyard, she heard General Xie's angry and rebuking words coming from inside.

With a slight frown, Xie Lingqin stepped forward, while someone in the courtyard had already gone to report to General Xie that she had arrived.

General Xie was displeased and was about to raise his head to refuse when he heard Xie Lingqin's voice coming from the courtyard, "Father, I heard that you also invited Ning Yi over."

This tone was not the respectful and submissive tone a daughter should have when speaking to her father.

Instead, it carried a fierce air.

This fierce aura made General Xie think carefully, yet he seemed unable to refuse it. He looked up, his sharp gaze fixed on Xie Lingqin through the window.

In the courtyard, Xie Lingqin stood there with her maid, exuding a cool and composed demeanor. When she met General Xie's gaze, a gentle, innocent smile appeared on her face.

General Xie's brows furrowed; in that moment of distraction, he seemed to see Zongzheng Shao from years ago...

"Come in."

As a strange light flashed in General Xie's eyes, he called out to the outside.

Xie Lingqin then went inside.

Xie Danling was kneeling on the ground. He looked at Xie Lingqin and then lowered his head.

"I don't know what Danling has done to deserve such punishment from his father."

As Xie Lingqin spoke, she casually sat down to the side.

General Xie's eyes darkened further. "He's so old, yet he still doesn't know any better. He knows Ning Yi is his younger brother, but he still causes trouble. He has no manners at all. I should punish him. Lingqin, as the eldest daughter, what do you think?"

“Father is the head of the General’s Mansion, so this matter of punishment should be decided by you. How can your daughter express her opinion so casually?” Xie Lingqin did not seem to be on Xie Danling’s side.

Xie Danling didn't say anything; instead, she lowered her head even further.

General Xie's gaze fell on Xie Lingqin, scanning her closely.

"General, Young Master Ning has arrived, and that Scholar Ning has also arrived."

At that moment, someone outside the courtyard reported this.

General Xie looked outside, clearly displeased. "Useless."

"It's all thanks to Young Master Ning Yi for protecting us..."

"Let Ning Yi in."

"yes."

Xie Lingqin looked at the anxious scholar Ning outside the courtyard and gave an instruction to Zihe beside her.

Zihe accepted the order and immediately went out to give Ning Xiucai a few instructions. Ning Xiucai breathed a sigh of relief and then left, looking back every few steps.

Ning Yi saw the study with the main gate open from afar. Inside, Xie Lingqin was sitting there, looking rather wooden and unwilling. Now, she lightly touched the ground with her toes and darted over.

"elder sister."

Ning Yi completely ignored everyone else except Xie Lingqin.

Xie Danling was still a little displeased to see Ning Yi clinging to Xie Lingqin, but she let it go.

After all, he's younger than her.

General Xie was very unhappy. This was his son, and he showed him no respect at all. He came straight to Xie Lingqin and started yelling.

"Ning Yi".

General Xie put on airs and walked to sit behind the table. “You are a descendant of my General’s Mansion. You can’t always stay outside. I’ve told you this several times. From now on, you will move into the General’s Mansion. I have already ordered the servants to tidy up the courtyard for you.”

Xie Lingqin looked at General Xie's posture and realized that he was indeed acting like a fox borrowing the tiger's power, and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

It seems this father has run out of patience and is really planning to resort to force.

"No, I don't want to. I don't like you, and I don't want to live here."

Ning Yi refused.

"Don't you like Xie Lingqin? Isn't she your sister? Wouldn't it be better if you two were closer?" General Xie said patiently, pointing at Xie Lingqin.

"But my sister said that I should live with Brother Ning."

Ning Yi frowned, and General Xie was startled upon hearing this.

These words truly enraged General Xie. He looked at Xie Lingqin and roared, "Xie Lingqin, how could you say such a thing to your brother? How could you bear to leave him to wander outside? How could you be so heartless and cruel? He is only ten years old, and you let him live such a miserable life alone."

Every word was a scathing attack, as if they had finally found a breakthrough and were about to send Xie Lingqin to the deepest hell.

"You bad person, you're not allowed to be so mean to your sister."

Ning Yixiao's face was also filled with anger.

"You bastard, you've gone too far! I'm your father!"

General Xie slammed his hand on the table and looked at Ning Yi. "Tell me, did Xie Lingqin teach you to have this attitude?"

Ning Yi frowned, the young boy gritting his teeth, glaring hatefully at General Xie. The next moment, he sprinted forward, heading straight for General Xie.

Xie Lingqin was slightly surprised, clearly not expecting Ning Yi to suddenly make a move. However, she remained calm and immediately shouted at Ning Yi.

Ning Yi was about to strike General Xie's hand when he withdrew it. However, as he retreated, his sleeve swept across the back and he accidentally touched the mechanism next to the bookshelf.

Suddenly, a soft click was heard.

General Xie's expression changed drastically, and he immediately raised his hand and pressed the button on the mechanism.

The door to the secret passage, which had been slightly opened, was tightly shut again.

General Xie's face turned pale. At that moment, the panic in his eyes seemed as if the sky was about to collapse. Although it was only for a moment, Xie Lingqin took it all in.

snort.

Are you so reluctant to let people know about this secret passage?

The mechanism just now wasn't triggered by Ning Yi at all; she deliberately opened it by having Zi Hefei use a burst of internal energy.

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