Watching the two men's expressions change and their departing figures, Huo Jiwen and Shi Lingqiao felt an urge to tear them apart.
After everyone disappeared, Shi Lingqiao's eyes immediately reddened.
This time, she directly and openly provoked him, "Husband, your uncle has only just arrived and he's already giving me a hard time. Is it because you're not the heir apparent?"
When he first met Huo Xi, he thought he was good-looking and had a good temperament, so he should be a good person.
It's a pity that she was thinking of ruining her reputation by associating with her wicked mother-in-law.
Now she finds this man with no manners the most hateful, and she's determined to make them pay.
Upon hearing this, Huo Jiwen, unusually stern-faced, said to Shi Lingqiao, "That's enough, let's go back."
Without waiting for Shi Lingqiao, he walked towards his own courtyard.
Didn't he know that Huo Xi was deliberately trying to intimidate him? (M.cascoo.net)
After losing his position as heir apparent, Huo Xi wanted to take advantage of him and act arrogantly.
The key issue is that his mother still indulges Huo Xi.
But knowing it is one thing, having it said out loud is another. Doesn't he have any shame?
Shi Lingqiao was very unhappy because she didn't expect him to give her the cold shoulder.
But instead of getting angry, he quickly chased after her.
In the Duke's mansion, she could only rely on Huo Jiwen, so she had to hold on to him tightly.
On the other side, in Qingyou's yard.
After she and Huo Xi sat down, she asked the head maid to make tea.
Qingyou asked, "Is your injury healed?"
Huo Xi paused for a moment, then gave her a reassuring smile, "It's just a minor injury to your arm, nothing serious now."
Qingyou dismissed everyone else, leaving only Granny Qi behind.
She and Huo Xi are not actually mother and son, so it is not appropriate for them to be alone in a room.
Granny Qi has been almost completely brainwashed by her, and now she will only side with her in everything.
She looked at Huo Xi apologetically and said, "I asked my brother to investigate the matter of your ambush. His people found out that it was Ji Wen who asked the Fourth Prince to do it."
"I never expected that, just because of a duke's succession that is not yet confirmed, he would hire someone to kill his own uncle who he grew up with."
She picked up a handkerchief and wiped her eyes. "It's my fault for not teaching him well."
Huo Xi was stunned again, clearly not expecting his sister-in-law to tell him the truth directly.
He felt a warmth in his heart and comforted her, saying, "How can you blame your sister-in-law?"
"He's probably going astray with others and getting stuck on some bad ideas."
Qingyou shook her head. "You don't need to make excuses for him. He's just that ruthless. In his eyes, family ties are nothing compared to that woman and power."
"I am utterly disappointed and heartbroken by him, and I no longer have any hope or expectation for him."
Huo Xi could tell that his sister-in-law was truly heartless towards her nephew, and for a moment he didn't know what words of comfort to say.
He thought for a moment and said solemnly, "Sister-in-law, you raised me, and I will take care of you in the future."
Huo Jiwen is unreliable, but his sister-in-law can rely on him.
Qingyou looked relieved. "Even if you hadn't said it, I was prepared to rely on you to take care of me when I got old."
She added earnestly, "Your brother entrusted the Duke's Mansion to me before he passed away, so I cannot let him and my father-in-law's blood be shed in vain. I must protect this Duke's Mansion for them."
“Ji Wen’s recent actions have been characterized by lust, disloyalty, injustice, and filial impiety; he is unfit for any important task.”
"So I have already spoken with my elder brother, and after the imperial examination, we will officially appoint you as the heir of the Duke's mansion."
Huo Xi is a smart person, so she doesn't need to beat around the bush.
Huo Xi didn't expect his sister-in-law to be so blunt about this.
He didn't mince words, "I never thought about wanting the position of heir to the Duke's mansion before, but now, whether for my sister-in-law or for the Duke's mansion, I am willing to take on this responsibility and burden."
Qingyou reached out and patted Huo Xi on the shoulder. "I knew you wouldn't let me down."
"Don't worry too much about it for the time being, just focus on preparing for the imperial examination."
Then she got up, took out a token and a booklet that she had prepared beforehand, and handed them to Huo Xi.
"This is the order for the secret guards left by your elder brother, as well as some arrangements for the Duke's mansion. I'm handing it over to you now."
Giving these things to Huo Xi now will also give him more ability to protect himself.
Qingyou added, "I hope you no longer need to endure and keep a low profile for my sake, and can do whatever you want from now on."
"I will be your strongest support."
Huo Xi took the token and booklet, feeling as if they weighed a ton.
It also carries his sister-in-law's expectations and care for him.
He nodded. "I won't let my sister-in-law down."
After sitting for a while, Qingyou told Huo Xi to go back to the courtyard to rest first, and that they would come over for dinner together in the evening.
At the same time, he also instructed his maid to have Huo Xi take away all the tribute tea bestowed by the emperor.
It is autumn now, while the imperial examination is in spring, also known as the "Spring Examination". There are still a few months to go. Huo Xi then calmed down and read books in the courtyard.
Huo Jiwen has not taken any action yet.
However, Shi Lingqiao was making many moves in private, frequently contacting the Fourth Prince.
Besides that, she would come to the courtyard to pay her respects almost every day, and even though Qingyou would deliberately torment her in different ways every day, Shi Lingqiao tolerated it all.
The more this happened, the more certain Qingyou became that the other party was up to something.
Three months later.
Qingyou had the emperor assign her secret guards to keep an eye on Shi Lingqiao.
That day, a guard reported that Shi Ling had secretly bribed the maids in her courtyard.
We have already bribed one second-class maid and two third-class maids.
She even had the Fourth Prince find dirt on the nannies and maids in her courtyard, and even contacted Granny Qi's distant nephew.
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