With eyes full of love and pity, Helan Linfeng fixed his gaze on his own flesh and blood, whom he had finally been able to recognize.
An overwhelming sense of grief and resentment welled up within me—the rightful heir to the royal family! He should have been enjoying wealth and honor, receiving the admiration and worship of all, yet now he had fallen into such a miserable state: he had been abducted to this remote and impoverished place by a lowly runaway slave, and was being driven around and used like a crude and unbearable farmhand! Such a fate was truly heartbreaking.
Xiao Wenjing spoke again, "Father, although Granny Yang is hateful, her family is innocent. Before this, they did not know my true identity and did not cause me much harm."
He Lanlinfeng excitedly grasped his son's hands, "My child, you are so kind. They have harmed you like this, and you still plead for her."
Xiao Jingchuan and his wife exchanged a glance before he slowly spoke, "Grandfather! I beg you to spare the second branch of the Xiao family. As for Granny Yang, hand her over to Magistrate Shen."
Helan Linfeng nodded, agreeing to Xiao Jingchuan's suggestion. He had not yet ordered his men to take Granny Yang away.
Granny Yang bowed her head and confessed her crimes, telling Helan Linfeng everything she had done. She knew she couldn't escape; she had to sever ties with her son's family before she died, otherwise her son and eldest grandson wouldn't be qualified to participate in the imperial examination.
"Your Highness, before I die, I have a request. Please, for the sake of our years of mother-son relationship, allow me to sever ties with Wen Kai's family."
Granny Yang looked at Xiao Wenjing with grief. She had always known that he was a soft-hearted child, and she could only have a chance of survival by asking him for help.
Xiao Wenjing remained silent for a moment, gazing at Granny Yang, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
Finally, he nodded slightly and agreed to Granny Yang's request.
At that moment, Granny Yang felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she excitedly kowtowed to express her gratitude.
Before her death, Grandma was still thinking of her family. Xiao Hongbin was deeply moved. He turned around and knelt down in front of her.
"Grandma, don't worry, I will take good care of the family for you."
"Bin'er, although your father is an elder, he is like a child who never grows up and needs to be taken care of in every way. After I die, you must be more understanding." Granny Yang was already in tears. She deeply regretted raising her son into a giant baby.
Xiao Hongbin listened quietly. Granny Yang thought of her second grandson who had been driven mad by her, and said, "Bin'er, after I leave, you will take my place and send your second brother out to live. Help him as much as you can. He became like this because of me."
After listening to his grandmother's words, Xiao Hongbin nodded heavily.
He knew that their second branch of the family had already lost to Xiao Jingchuan. After all, Xiao Jingchuan was the grandson of the Prince of Zhennan, possessing an incomparably noble status and position.
In comparison, no matter how hard they try, their family can never compare to Xiao Jingchuan.
Because Xiao Jingchuan didn't need to put in any effort to easily enjoy wealth and luxury. Meanwhile, his family had to bear the stigma of disloyalty and injustice, forever despised by everyone. This unfair treatment filled Xiao Hongbin with immense resentment, yet he was powerless to change it.
Xiao Jingchuan and his wife exchanged a glance, then immediately looked at Granny Yang, "Grandma, if you really care about Hong Xu, then separate them now."
Before his mother could speak, Xiao Wenkai interrupted, "Mother! I will never forget your great kindness. Please rest in peace on your journey!"
Granny Yang: "Son! Find a pen and paper now, divide the family property, and while you're at it, write a letter severing ties with the family and ask the old village head to sign it."
Min Xiaoqian shed tears of emotion. Just as she was about to express her opinion, Xiao Hongxu came out of the bedroom.
"Father! Our family of four is leaving with nothing. All the family property will go to my eldest brother. From now on, you two will live with him!"
"Hong... Hong Xu, are you alright?" Xiao Wenkai looked at his second son who had suddenly appeared in surprise.
Xiao Hongxu nodded and said, "Over the years, my uncle and I have spent all our wages on your education. I have no more money to support your studies. Please do as I say and let me leave with nothing!"
Xiao Wenkai: "If you leave with nothing, where will you live?"
"Don't worry, there's always a way out," Xiao Hongxu said firmly.
At this moment, Granny Yang was filled with guilt. She told her second son to promise Xiao Hongxu that she could only repay what she owed him in the next life.
Xiao Jingchuan understood Xiao Hongxu very well; if he were Xiao Hongxu, he would also choose to leave with nothing.
Although Xiao Wenkai was unwilling, he still agreed to split the family property.
When he wrote the document for dividing the family property, he invited the old village chief to be a witness.
Not wanting to implicate Xiao Wenkai and Xiao Hongbin, Granny Yang publicly severed ties with them.
Shen Yunsheng remembered the silver that Granny Yang had deposited in the bank, so he asked Granny Yang to hand over the deposit slip. They would not take the silver that she had spent, but she had to return the rest to its rightful owner.
After dawdling for a long time, Granny Yang went back into the house, took out the stub, and returned it to Xiao Wenjing.
She had intended to use the money for her son's travel expenses, but now it's all gone.
"Jingchuan's family, I still don't believe I'll lose to you."
Granny Yang looked at Shen Yunsheng with a sorrowful expression. She never dreamed that she would fall into Shen Yunsheng's hands.
Shen Yunsheng said in a serious tone, "Don't worry, we won't implicate the innocent. Your son and grandson can still take the imperial examination."
At this moment, Granny Yang shed tears of regret. She kowtowed three times to Helan Linfeng and was then escorted to the county government office by Helan Linfeng's guards.
Before Chen could even bring up the matter of annulling the engagement, Xiao Wenkai returned Xiao Zhenzhu and Li Tianci's marriage certificate to her.
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