At this moment, an old woman stepped forward:

“Madam… The Duke of Pingguo’s mansion has sent someone to ask when you will have some free time to sit down and have a chat.”

Exhausted and weak, Madam Gu asked, "What time is it now?"

"It's past midway through the hour of Wei (1-3 PM)."

"Give them a message: if they have time now, please invite them to meet at Baiweilou."

"yes."

Half past midnight, in the orchid-shaped wing of Baiweilou Restaurant—

Li Jiaojiao, Gu Hanping, and the Duchess of Pingguo arrived early.

A short while later, Old Madam Gu was helped in by her nanny.

No sooner had Old Madam Gu sat down than Gu Han's eyes turned red, and he slammed his hand on the table, rising to his feet:

"Grandmother, why are you doing this to me? Why? Why—"

With a "crash," Old Madam Gu, furious and with nowhere to vent her anger, smashed a teacup at his feet.

"You ask me why? I'd like to ask you, why did you steal cassava?"

Gu Han choked: "I... I just wanted to go back to the capital... I accidentally took the wrong road... The Empress Dowager even summoned me, meaning she didn't mind at first. If it weren't for Grandmother saying to change the person, how could the position of heir apparent have fallen to Gu Shao!"

"Hmph, what's so great about Gu Shao? Look at what he's done now. He's exactly the same as Gu Shen, preferring a lowly maid to marry a young lady."

"Shut up! Which of you brothers is laughing at the other?" By the end, Old Madam Gu was almost laughing in anger, her voice filled with sorrow. "They're both the same kind of turtle and tortoise, and the crow is laughing at the pig for being black."

“However… you are right about one thing. If I hadn’t known you had been to prison, I wouldn’t have asked for a replacement. But that day at the inn… Li Jiaojiao told me you had been to prison. I felt like the sky was falling, and that’s why I made the decision to replace you.”

Upon hearing this, both Li Jiaojiao and the Duchess of Pingguo froze.

A cold glint flashed in Madam Gu's eyes. Even though Gu Han had no future, she didn't want to become estranged from him.

So she shifted the blame to Li Jiaojiao.

Moreover, what she said was true. If Li Jiaojiao hadn't spoken up at the time, she wouldn't have known that Gu Han had a tarnished reputation, and she wouldn't have replaced him.

Gu Han was stunned, looking at Li Jiaojiao in disbelief. Yes, he had felt something was wrong when she suddenly said those words...

If Grandmother hadn't known, Gu Shao wouldn't have gotten away with it.

Li Jiaojiao gritted her teeth and said, "What do you mean? Who told your nanny to speak ill of me? Her words implied that I'm not good enough for Gu Han. Besides, aren't you Gu Han's biological mother?"

"I never imagined I'd have to be wary of even my own mother!"

Lady Pingguo also said angrily, "Jiaojiao is right. This was your own decision, and now you're blaming Jiaojiao. Gu Han, are you trying to be ungrateful and betray Jiaojiao?"

Gu Han panicked, "No, that's not what I meant..."

But a hint of resentment had crept into his heart, and his mind was a complete mess.

Li Jiaojiao glared at him angrily. How dare he complain about her?

She hadn't even complained about his incompetence yet! He couldn't even give her the title of wife of a prince, what future did this cripple have?

The Duchess of Pingguo stared coldly at Old Madam Gu: "Old Madam, no matter what, Jiaojiao and Gu Han are already engaged and have signed a marriage certificate. They are already husband and wife."

Madam Gu was taken aback: "The marriage certificate has already been written?"

"What, you disagree?"

Madam Gu pursed her lips: "It's nothing. As long as Gu Han likes it, he can marry whoever he wants."

This was also one of her ways of making amends to Gu Han.

Lady Pingguo said, "The title is gone, but shouldn't we at least give Gu Han more of the family property?"

Madam Gu said, "Set aside the three outermost courtyards of the west wing of the mansion; these will belong to Han'er from now on. Half of the family's estate, fields, and shops will also be given to Han'er."

Gu Han's eyes turned red upon hearing this: "I disagree. Gu Shao has already taken the title, so why should the family property be so little? Is this compensation? This is like sending a beggar away! I won't accept it."

Madam Gu sighed helplessly: "Gu Shao is the heir now. If this generation is not good enough, we can only rely on the next generation. Logically, he should get the lion's share. Giving you half now is already more than enough from your grandmother."

Gu Han: "Why did you do this to me? Why...?"

Li Jiaojiao: "That's not fair! It's so unfair... What happened to the promised compensation?"

Madam Gu: "..."

Finally, she waved her hand: "Go back now. Han'er, your grandmother will personally come to the Duke of Pingguo's mansion to fetch you tomorrow. If you wish, you can come home with your grandmother. If you don't wish..."

She shook her head, took the old woman's hand, and slowly turned to leave.

Gu Han slipped and fell to the ground. Why did they do this to him?

His grandmother, who used to love him dearly, betrayed him.

Li Jiaojiao also stood there in a daze.

What's so special about this?

I originally thought that Gu Han would receive the majority of the compensation from Old Madam Gu, but now it seems he will only receive half?

Moreover, he was a cripple, had been to prison, and had offended the Empress Dowager, so he would never have a future.

What's the point of marrying such a useless person? I feel ashamed to go out with him.

Although her dowry was only ten thousand taels, ten thousand taels wasn't bad, and she had the backing of the Duke's mansion... who knows, she might be able to find a son of a fourth or fifth-rank official...

Anyway, at least find someone who isn't lame...

What's infuriating is that I ended up signing a marriage certificate with him...

Thinking about it, she glanced at the Duchess of Pingguo with a hint of reproach.

The Duchess comforted Gu Han, saying, "Han'er, don't overthink it. As long as we're alive, we can always make a comeback. You're only twenty, with plenty of youth in your life. Let's go back first."

With vacant eyes, Gu Han and absent-minded Li Jiaojiao followed behind the Duchess of Pingguo, their steps half-dead.

Back at the Duke's mansion, the group had barely entered the hanging flower gate when Xiao Lü rushed over, her face pale.

"Madam, Miss, something terrible has happened! Several people have appeared out of nowhere, saying they're here to take back the house!"

Lady Pingguo was taken aback: "What kind of house are you going to take?"

"It seems to be our mansion. They said our family has already sold it to them! And the estates and shops in the mansion... anyway, they said a lot of land has been sold to them."

Lady Pingguo frowned: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Anyway... that's what happened. The person is in the main hall, arguing with the master and the young master! Quick, madam, go to the main hall."

The Duchess was pulled by Xiao Lü and walked towards the main hall.

Li Jiaojiao stood frozen in place; had all the land been sold?

That is...

Did Liu Xiawei do it? Or was it Liu Xiawei who sold it?

But she felt that... no matter how extravagant Liu Xiawei was, he would only sell a small portion of the property. How could he have sold even the current mansion?