The biting wind of winter, carrying fine sand and pebbles, lashed against Wei Shuyao's cheeks like tiny knives, leaving deep cuts on her face.

Wei Shuyao's legs trembled involuntarily, and the hand that was covering her forehead fell down unconsciously.

After a moment of stunned silence, she suddenly snapped out of her daze as Li Qingchen turned around and hurriedly knelt on the ground: "Young Prince, this humble woman knows her mistake!"

"Oh, then where did you go wrong?" Li Qingchen's tone was icy, even more biting than the winter wind.

Wei Shuyao hesitated for a moment before replying, "This humble woman should not slander the young prince, nor should she mistake him for those...those..."

Thinking back on the disrespectful words she had spoken, she dared not repeat them. She could only stammer, her voice growing softer and softer until only sobs remained.

Li Qingchen scoffed coldly, looking down at the person at his feet: "It seems you still don't know where you went wrong, or to whom you should apologize."

Having said that, he summoned Yuan Que and instructed him, "Send Wei Si Niangzi back."

"yes."

Just as Yuan Que was about to step forward and help Wei Shuyao up, he heard his young master add, "The same way she came."

After saying that, Li Qingchen returned to the quiet room. Yuan Que was slightly taken aback, then turned to Wei Shuyao and said, "Fourth Miss, I apologize."

...

As the sun began to set in the west, the golden-red sunset filled half the sky.

A carriage stopped in front of the Wei residence. After the servants knocked on the door and identified themselves, they carried down a large vermilion lacquered box and placed it in front of the door.

"This is a box that was left behind today. The young prince specifically asked us to deliver it back to your residence." After saying this, the servant took his leave, jumped back onto the carriage, and drove away.

There were two gatekeepers at the Wei residence. They thought they could lift the box if it wasn't too heavy, but when they tried, they found it was quite heavy. So they went back and called two more people, and then they carried the box into the front yard.

They originally planned to carry the box directly to the warehouse, but a few sounds suddenly came from inside, startling the four men carrying the box, who stopped in their tracks.

What's that noise?

"I don't know, it felt like something hit the side of the box..."

Just then, there were two more knocks from inside the box, and the older man in the gatehouse said, "Put it down first!"

The box landed on the ground, and the four men stared at it, examining its contents with great curiosity. However, it belonged to their master, and as servants, they were not allowed to open it without permission.

So the slightly older gatekeeper instructed the younger one: "Go and inform the master and mistress quickly."

There was a strange noise coming from the gift box sent by the Prince of Qiaochuan's mansion, which puzzled Wei Zheng and Sun Lurong. They ordered someone to inform Wei Shuwan while they hurriedly went to the front yard to check.

When Wei Shuwan received the news and rushed to the front yard, her father and mother were both there, and the box had already been opened. However, it did not contain any betrothal gifts, but rather Wei Shuyao.

Wei Shuyao only knew how to cry, but refused to say a word of explanation. However, even though she didn't say anything, everyone had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Why would someone who should be with the Wei family be sent back by the people of the Qiaochuan Prince's Mansion? And in such a humiliating way at that.

Given that the Prince of Qiaochuan's mansion sincerely wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Wei family, there could only be one explanation for this illogical situation: the box wasn't forced on them, but rather Wei Shuyao crawled into it herself.

"Wei Shuyao, you...you really aren't ashamed?" This action completely shattered Wei Shuwan's understanding. Even though she always thought her fourth sister was outrageous, she never expected her to be this outrageous.

Wei Shuyao slumped inside the box, feeling as if all her muscles and bones had been removed. She simply didn't have the strength to climb out of the half-person-high box. The coachman seemed to have been deliberately tormenting her the whole way; the carriage was jolting violently, and she was constantly being thrown around inside, bumping into walls and all over the place—it was worse than being tortured.

At this moment, Wei Hai and Madam Meng also arrived, and even the old lady, supported by two maids, hurried to the front yard. Seeing the scene before them, they were all so shocked that they couldn't speak.

Since Wei Shuyao refused to speak, Sun Lurong recounted her speculations. The old lady and Wei Haimeng were startled and looked at Wei Shuyao several times, hoping she could defend herself. However, Wei Shuyao refused to say a word, as if she had tacitly agreed to everything.

In fact, Sun Lurong's speculation was almost accurate.

The servants of the entire household gathered in the front yard, whispering amongst themselves. The eldest branch of the family had completely lost face this time. Wei Hai immediately made a decision: "Second brother, second sister-in-law, I will have Yao'er explain to you after she has calmed down. We will not stay in this house any longer. We will move out tonight."

After saying that, he turned around and went back to pack his bags.

Meng and Caizhu supported the distraught Wei Shuyao on either side, and followed in a disheveled manner.

Half an hour later, Wei Hai had some simple luggage carried onto the old carriage they had come in, and then left the Wei family with his wife and daughter.

Although the old lady was reluctant, it was truly difficult for her to persuade them at this time. Not to mention the eldest branch of the family, even she herself was too ashamed to face anyone. How could she not want to move away with her own son and granddaughter? But she knew better than anyone that the Wei family could not do without the support of the second branch. If she were to leave as well, the two branches would be completely severed.

Only by enduring humiliation and staying behind could she help her son and her eldest grandson, who was still in prison, in many things in the future.

As Madam Wei was thinking about these things, the nanny came to report: "Madam, the Second Master has arrived."

Lady Wei raised her hand to tuck her eyes in, then spoke in her usual tone: "Let Zheng'er in."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!