Boom!

Li Xusheng fell heavily to the ground, and bright red blood immediately spread out from under his body.

Mrs. Zuo was so grief-stricken and frightened that she could no longer utter a word. She knelt on her knees and came to Li Xusheng trembling all over.

She leaned over and saw that Li Xusheng was no longer breathing.

His eyes were wide open and his face was pale, but for some reason, the corners of his mouth were raised.

Madam Zuo gently stroked his cheek and opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, tears had already fallen on Li Xusheng's face.

The private room, which had been noisy and chaotic just now, suddenly became quiet.

Zuo An Ning stood behind the Duke of Yan, her little face as pale as snow. She clenched her hands tightly, and although she did not look up, she already knew what had happened.

"Ning'er, let's go out first."

Duke Yan spoke in a deep voice, turned his head and gave a wink to Nanny Zhu.

Nanny Zhu took a deep breath, suppressed her fear, and protected Zuo An Ning as they walked out.

There were very few people in the private room on the second floor, and when Duke Yan kicked the door just now, he had already asked the servants to clear the room quickly.

Zuo Anning followed him out obediently. Now that the crisis was over, her heart was in turmoil.

Duke Yan turned and looked at Zuo An Ning, his face full of heartache and pity.

"Ning'er, go find your aunt first, and let grandpa take care of the rest."

When Zuo Anning heard this, his eyes turned red.

She grabbed the Duke of Yan's sleeve and asked in a trembling voice, "Grandfather, what will happen to mother?"

Duke Yan didn't want to give Zuo An Ning a perfunctory response. After what happened just now, he had already realized that his granddaughter was capable of taking on responsibilities.

"Ning'er, this is a serious matter. Grandfather has decided to call your grandfather and your father to discuss it together."

"Don't worry, she is your mother no matter what, and your grandfather knows his limits."

When Zuo An Ning saw that Duke Yan cared so much about her, her nose couldn't help but feel sore.

She knew that at this moment, her grandfather would not feel much better than she did, and she should not add to the trouble.

"Grandfather, Ning'er will go find my aunt first. You should also take care of your health."

Duke Yan nodded slightly, watched Zuo An Ning walk down the second floor step by step, and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

It is such a misfortune for our family. The most innocent person who has suffered such a disaster is the child An Ning.

Just now, Tian Jing rushed to the Duke of Yan's Mansion and informed him of the secret meeting between his daughter-in-law and Li Xusheng.

After he found out who Li Xusheng was, he had a premonition in his heart. Now that he suddenly learned about it, he was not completely unprepared.

Unexpectedly, Tian Jing then said that An Ning went with him, and his heart instantly weighed on his shoulders.

Unexpectedly, such an unbearable scene was seen by An Ning. Fortunately, this child was strong enough and could distinguish right from wrong.

Let Ning'er go to Qiao's house and live with Jing'er for a few days. Jing'er is smart and will know how to comfort Ning'er.

After Zuo An Ning came out of Qianxiang Teahouse, the carriage arranged by Duke Yan was already waiting at the door.

Qiao Tianjing did not show up. He hid in the distance. When he saw Zuo Anning get on the carriage, he rode his horse as fast as he could and rushed back to Qiao's house.

When Zuo An Ning arrived at the gate of Qiao's house, Qiao Tianjing came out to greet her personally.

Zuo An Ning was still wearing a veil at this time.

She was really sad and cried again with Nanny Zhu in the carriage. Now her eyes were swollen and she really didn't want others to notice anything.

Qiao Tianjing was very careful. Seeing this, he didn't ask anything. He just said in a gentle voice, "Cousin, my mother has been waiting for you for a long time."

Zuo An Ning nodded and followed Qiao Tianjing inside. When they reached the main courtyard gate, they saw Mrs. Qiao coming out to greet them in person.

"Ning'er!"

Mrs. Qiao was really anxious. She had already learned all the ins and outs from Qiao Tianjing, and she felt extremely sympathetic towards Zuo An Ning.

Zuo An Ning had been able to hold on at first, but when she saw the genuine worry and concern on Mrs. Qiao's face, she could no longer hold back her tears and threw herself into Mrs. Qiao's arms.

"aunt!"

Mrs. Qiao was heartbroken. She stroked Zuo Anning's back again and again, saying softly:

"Ning'er, be a good child, don't be afraid, as your aunt is here to take care of everything."

When Qiao Jiaojiao heard the crying outside the yard, her heart ached.

She staggered to the door, grabbed the door frame and looked out, and saw Zuo An Ning hugging her mother and crying bitterly.

[Alas, my cousin An Ning is so pitiful——]

Qiao Jiaojiao frowned tightly.

[For the well-educated and well-mannered girls of this era, everything that cousin An Ning experienced today completely subverted their worldview. ]

[The dirty deeds done by the previous generation will eventually affect the next generation. ]

[I'm afraid this incident will become a knot in Cousin An Ning's heart for the rest of her life.]

After Zuo Anning had cried her heart out, her emotions finally stabilized a little. Seeing this, Mrs. Qiao gently pulled her into the house.

In order to avoid any rumors, Mrs. Qiao had already dismissed the other servants and left only Madam Liu in the room to serve her.

Nanny Liu was a considerate person. She had fetched some water early. When she saw Zuo An Ning coming in, she quickly wrung out a handkerchief.

Mrs. Qiao pulled Zuo An Ning to sit down, took down the curtain for her, and gently wiped her tears.

Qiao Jiaojiao sat obediently aside without saying a word.

Zuo An Ning felt such meticulous care, and his anxious heart finally found a little comfort.

She grabbed Mrs. Qiao's hand and said in a trembling voice: "Aunt, thank you for being so kind to An Ning. An Ning really doesn't deserve it. My mother...she actually..."

Zuo An Ning really couldn't say it. Her mother was actually helping outsiders to plot against the Qiao family!

Mrs. Qiao was clear in her mind, and she said softly, "An Ning, these things have nothing to do with you, you don't have to feel guilty."

Zuo Anning shook her head, with an anxious look on her face, and said quickly:

"No, aunt, this matter is very important. An Ning must remind you and uncle."

"Then... Li Xusheng wants to use my mother to spy on the Qiao Mansion. If there is a chance, there will be a second chance. Who knows, the thief may have already reached the Qiao Mansion!"

"Aunt, you must remind my uncle to be careful. That thief has evil intentions. An Ning is really scared."

"Luckily, mother and you had a falling out early on, so nothing serious happened. Otherwise, An Ning would be blamed for her death!"

Zuo An Ning stood up hastily when he reached this point, and it looked as if he was about to pay his respects to Madam Qiao.

"An Ning, don't be like this. Your aunt will be worried if you do this. You are so innocent. You don't have to take all of this on yourself!"

Mrs. Qiao hurriedly grabbed Zuo An Ning.

This child has a clear sense of right and wrong and is also righteous. She is really a great girl.

Zuo Anning raised her head, her eyes red.

"Aunt, I feel so miserable, I don't know what to do."

Mrs. Qiao held Zuo Anning in her arms.

"Good boy, don't think too much. How about you just stay at your aunt's place for the time being?"

"Aunt really likes Ning'er, and Jiaojiao likes her sister Ning'er very much, too. Look!"

Zuo An Ning looked in the direction Mrs. Qiao pointed, and saw Qiao Jiaojiao walking towards her with great effort, with an innocent smile on her face.

"Sister, pancake!"

Qiao Jiaojiao handed her favorite biscuits to Zuo An Ning, her eyes sparkling.

When Zuo Anning saw this, her heart suddenly softened. She took the biscuit and touched Qiao Jiaojiao's head again.

"Thank you Jiaojiao, my sister also likes eating cookies the most."