"Master Jiang, to be honest, since we parted at your residence last time, I have been investigating. I have been to both Pang's maternal family and Pang's ex-husband's place. I only returned at noon and rushed over to your residence after having lunch in a hurry."

Although I have had a minor disagreement with Jiang Baicheng in your household, he is the one who suffered the loss. Only he harbors resentment towards me. I have no enmity with your concubine Pang or Steward Wu. So why would I fabricate and frame them for no reason? What benefit would it bring me?

The only reason I'm getting involved in this is because I feel we get along well, and I see you as a good person. Despite your immense wealth, you are so devoted to your wife, so I can't bear to see you continue to be schemed against by that treacherous person.

Don't underestimate me because I'm young. No matter how young I am, I would never treat such a thing as a joke.

"Alright, now I've said everything I needed to say. Whether you believe me or not, Mr. Jiang, is your business. If you don't believe me and want to continue being a sucker kept in the dark, I have no objection. Anyway, we've known each other for a while, and I've done my best." Hong Xiaoduo finished speaking in one breath, without getting up to leave, and picked up her teacup to sip.

Although Jiang An was still sitting upright, his mind was in turmoil. He recalled scenes of his son from childhood to adulthood, including the behavior and reactions of Pang Shi and Steward Wu. If he hadn't heard what Hong Xiaoduo had just said, none of that would have seemed amiss.

Now, the more he thinks about it, the more confused he becomes.

His wife died on the day she gave birth to the child. He was devastated during that period. Although the child was being cared for by Madam Pang, who brought the baby to him every day, he had no mind to pay attention to the infant. If, as Xiao Duo said, the baby had been switched, he really wouldn't have noticed.

Furthermore, recalling that year, he had overheard two old women in the mansion chatting and laughing in private, saying that Madam Pang, the young master, and Steward Wu were more like a family of three.

He was so angry that he sold the two old women, thinking they were just gossiping and making trouble out of nothing.

"I'll have someone investigate." Jiang An finally spoke as Hong Xiaoduo finished her tea and got up to refill the teapot.

If his mind is in turmoil, it means he has already taken her words to heart and has been swayed by them. In that case, he can only investigate and find out the truth. Otherwise, once the seed of doubt is planted in his heart and takes root, he will never be able to get along with his son, Madam Pang, and Steward Wu as before.

"Well, then Mr. Jiang, you'd better find a reliable person to handle this matter. Actually, I think you should try to meet Pang Yong first. After meeting him, I believe your state of mind will be different."

"Alright, I should head back now," Hong Xiaoduo said, putting down the teapot.

Jiang An was in no mood to ask her to stay any longer. He got up to see her off, but Hong Xiaoduo refused: "Mr. Jiang, although you are older than me, I still have to remind you that since you are planning to investigate, you should be cautious and pay attention to your safety."

My intention in getting involved in this matter was to ensure your well-being and a more comfortable life in the future, not to cause your death.

Jiang An frowned and nodded, saying, "Okay, I know what to do." His tone was tired, but there was no hint of perfunctoriness in it.

Hong Xiaoduo didn't say anything more and walked out lightly. As soon as she left the garden, she saw Madam Pang coming towards her, accompanied by two maids.

When Pang saw her come out of the garden alone, she was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "I just heard from the servants that my master was having tea and chatting with you in the garden without anyone serving you. My master is really confused. Doesn't he care if word gets out that it will damage your reputation, young lady?"

So I rushed over here.

But, young lady, what's going on here?

"Thank you for thinking of me, Aunt Pang. However, we people of the martial world are not bound by formalities. As the saying goes, if you are upright, you have nothing to fear. So we are not afraid of any rumors or gossip."

However, I have a rather short temper. If I find out that someone is slandering me behind my back, I will cut out their tongue.

"Aunt Pang, you're busy. I've had my tea and snacks, so I'll head back now." With that, Hong Xiaoduo put her hands behind her back and walked away.

Since Master Jiang wants to investigate, she shouldn't criticize Madam Pang now, lest she arouse her suspicion. Let her be smug for a while longer!

"Auntie, look how arrogant she is, right here in our mansion!" A maid standing nearby said indignantly, watching Hong Xiaoduo's retreating figure.

Pang ignored the maid's words and walked into the garden. She was very puzzled. Didn't the master value that girl a lot? What's wrong with him today? He rushed to greet her when he heard she was coming.

But now, they've let her leave alone? They didn't personally see her off like a little princess, nor did they send any servants to escort her. This is very unusual!

Hong Xiaoduo didn’t care whether Pang would go to Master Jiang to test her intentions. Anyway, Pang’s appearance was probably at the behest of Steward Wu.

After leaving the Jiang residence, she didn't encounter Steward Wu. On her way back, Hong Xiaoduo didn't go shopping and went straight back to her rented house.

"Mother, you're back so soon. Did you get everything done?" Yao Guang asked happily.

"Yes, my part is done." Hong Xiaoduo replied, while watching Tianxuan direct the other children to dig out the pits of the hawthorns according to the recipe.

Upon hearing this, the children didn't think much of it, but Quan Jinghuai, who was helping the disciples whittle bamboo skewers, looked at Hong Xiaoduo with curiosity.

But then he noticed Hong Xiaoduo raising an eyebrow and walking towards him, and Quan Jinghuai instinctively felt that something was wrong.

"Brother Quan, aren't you getting a little bored taking them to practice martial arts and doing such trivial things every day?" Hong Xiaoduo approached him and whispered with a smile.

"Just tell me what you want me to do," Quan Jinghuai asked, suppressing a laugh.

Hong Xiaoduo moved closer to him and lowered her voice, saying, "Could you please help me keep an eye on the Jiang residence and secretly protect Master Jiang?"

Upon hearing this, Quan Jinghuai frowned and looked at her speechlessly: "It's come to this?"

The fact that he was actually sent to handle the situation shows how serious the problem is; it could potentially involve someone's life!

Hong Xiaoduo nodded: "If I hadn't gotten involved, things probably wouldn't have come to this, at least not right now."

Upon hearing this, Quan Jinghuai didn't know what to say to her: "Don't tell me that all your busy work has only made things worse for others."

"How could that be? I'm sorry to trouble you, big brother." Hong Xiaoduo made a gesture of request.

Quan Jinghuai put down the bamboo skewers and knife in his hand, dusted off the bamboo shavings from his clothes, and left without saying anything to his disciples...