Sheng Yunrong was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I know he is sincere to me, but I don't want to settle down so early."

Sheng Hongye's eyes narrowed, and he said seriously: "Rong'er, Pei Jinxiao is the Prince of Jing, and his status is noble. If you marry him, it will be a good thing for our Sheng family. But marriage is a big deal, and you have to make the decision yourself."

Sheng Yunrong nodded and looked at her elder brother gratefully: "I know, I will think about it carefully."

At this time, there was a sound of footsteps outside the door, and Pei Jinxiao pushed the door open and walked in. He saw Sheng Yunrong and Sheng Hongye, smiled slightly, and said, "Brother Sheng, Rong'er, sorry to bother you."

Sheng Hongye stood up to greet them, and the three of them sat down as host and guest. Sheng Hongye said, "Brother Pei, what brings you here today?"

Pei Jinxiao smiled faintly and said, "Actually, there is nothing important. I just want to come and see Rong'er, and by the way, I also have something to discuss with Brother Sheng."

Sheng Yunrong lowered her head slightly, but her heart was filled with waves.

As the night deepened, Sheng Hongye glanced out the window and said, "It's getting late. If you don't mind, Brother Pei, you may stay at my house."

Pei Jinxiao smiled slightly and nodded in agreement.

"Yunrong, my parents..." Sheng Hongye hesitated, with an unspeakable worry in his eyes.

Sheng Yunrong frowned slightly, gently put down the teacup in her hand, and her eyes showed concern: "Brother, why are you so hesitant? If you have anything to say, just say it."

Sheng Hongye took a deep breath, as if he was organizing his thoughts. After a moment, he slowly spoke: "My parents unfortunately encountered an accident a few days ago and are now recuperating in bed."

Sheng Yunrong's face turned pale. She stood up suddenly and almost dropped the cup in her hand. "Accident? How could this happen? How are they doing now?"

Sheng Hongye sighed, his expression heavy: "The doctor said that although Dad and Mom's injuries are not serious, they will need a long time to recuperate. I have instructed the servants to take good care of them, but..."

"Just what?" Sheng Yunrong asked, with anxiety flashing in her eyes.

Sheng Hongye hesitated for a moment, and finally expressed his worries: "It seems that the accident of my parents was not accidental. I suspect that this matter is related to the Sheng Mansion."

Sheng Yunrong's expression became more and more solemn. She was silent for a moment, then slowly sat down with a firm look in her eyes: "Brother, this matter is of no small importance. We must get to the bottom of it and not let our parents suffer in vain."

Sheng Hongye nodded, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes: "I have the same idea. But the people in the Sheng Mansion are complicated, so we have to be careful."

Sheng Yunrong thought for a moment, then looked up at Sheng Hongye: "Brother, I think this matter can be approached from two aspects. On the one hand, we need to secretly investigate the Sheng Mansion to see if anyone is involved in this matter; on the other hand, we also need to release the news to the outside world to see if anyone will take the initiative to reveal their tracks."

Sheng Hongye's eyes flashed with admiration, and he patted Sheng Yunrong on the shoulder: "Sister, you are getting smarter and smarter. I'll do as you say."

"Xiaohong, do you know what unusual things have happened in the Sheng Mansion recently?" Sheng Yunrong asked with sharp eyes.

Xiao Hong thought for a moment, then whispered, "Miss, I remember a few days ago, a strange middle-aged man appeared in the mansion. He claimed to be a distant relative of my parents, but I think his words and actions are a bit suspicious."

Sheng Yunrong's eyes flashed with a gleam of light: "Which middle-aged man are you talking about? Where is he now?"

Xiao Hong replied: "He claimed to live in the east wing and has been waiting outside my parents' room these days."

Sheng Yunrong nodded, and had already made up her mind: "Xiaohong, go to the east wing quietly and see if the man is still there. If he is, find a chance to lead him to my courtyard. I want to meet him in person."

Xiaohong took the order and left, while Sheng Yunrong returned to the room and began to prepare to welcome the mysterious guest.

In the library of the Sheng Mansion, Sheng Hongye was having a secret conversation with his trusted butler, Lao Li.

"Old Li, do you know who in the Sheng Mansion may be related to this matter?" Sheng Hongye asked with deep eyes.

Old Li pondered for a moment, then said, "Uncle, I think this may be related to the Second Young Master. He has been acting strangely lately, always hanging out with a group of strangers, and he seems to be very concerned about the injuries of my parents."

Sheng Hongye's eyes flashed with surprise: "Second brother? Why is he related to this?"

Old Li replied: "This is just my guess. You still need to investigate it yourself. However, I have arranged for my servants to secretly monitor the Second Young Master. If there is anything unusual, I will report it to you immediately."

Sheng Hongye nodded: "Okay, you did a good job. Continue to monitor, and notify me immediately if anything happens."

…

Sheng Yunrong's voice was firm and calm, as if she was pouring out all the secrets in her heart at once. Pei Jinxiao's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, and then he regained his composure. He listened quietly, with a subtle hint of depth in his eyes.

"The ancient temple on the mountain is not as simple as you think." Sheng Yunrong continued, with a mysterious light flashing in her eyes, "There is a secret hidden there, a secret that concerns the hundred-year glory of the Sheng Mansion."

Pei Jinxiao frowned slightly, tapping his fingers on the table, as if thinking about something. He slowly said, "Miss Sheng, is the secret you mentioned related to the rise and fall of the Sheng Mansion?"

Sheng Yunrong nodded slightly, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes: "Yes, that's right. The reason why the Sheng Mansion has been able to last for a hundred years is not only due to the wisdom and courage of our ancestors, but also that secret."

Pei Jinxiao's expression became solemn. He looked at Sheng Yunrong deeply and asked, "Are you going to tell me this secret?"

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly, with an indescribable confidence in her smile: "Of course, Lord Pei, you are my distinguished guest of the Sheng Mansion and my friend, Sheng Yunrong, so I will naturally not hide anything from you."

Pei Jinxiao nodded gently, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes. The atmosphere between the two became more and more harmonious, as if at this moment, they had become each other's most trusted partners.

Sheng Yunrong continued, "The secret is hidden in the underground secret room of the ancient temple. There is an ancient book that records the wisdom and experience of the ancestors of the Sheng family, as well as a vital map."

Pei Jinxiao's eyes lit up, and he asked anxiously: "Map? Could it be the treasure map of the Sheng Mansion?"

Sheng Yunrong shook her head gently, a trace of regret flashed in her eyes: "No, Lord Pei, it is a treasure map, but it does not hide wealth, but a secret about the future of Sheng Mansion."

Pei Jinxiao's expression became more solemn. He looked at Sheng Yunrong deeply and asked, "What does this secret have to do with me?"

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly, and a hint of depth flashed in her eyes: "Prince Pei, you may not know that this secret is about the future of your family. If you can find this secret, maybe you can solve your family's dilemma."

Pei Jinxiao's body stiffened instantly, and a trace of shock flashed in his eyes. He clenched his fists tightly, and his voice trembled slightly: "Miss Sheng, are you telling the truth?"