Father, who is both a heir and a descendant, is still biased; the bound system has gone berserk.

Early in the morning, the old lady of Anqing Marquis sent Xu Mama to Xu Lingyi's courtyard to find out what was going on.

When they got outside, they saw Xiao Tao standing guard there.

"How is it inside?" Granny Xu asked in a low voice.

Xiao Tao blushed and said, "Young Master, you've been up all night. You're really... amazing."

"I heard that Miss's voice has become hoarse from crying."

Granny Xu clapped her hands and said happily, "Good, good! We're sure to have a son in one go!"

Xiao Tao asked, "Should we wake them up now?"

Granny Xu quickly stopped her, "No, no rush. They can sleep as long as they want. I'll go and inform the old lady now, so she can be happy!"

"Oh, Granny Xu, please go quickly," Xiao Tao said happily.

Those who got things done received a reward.

In the future, she will inevitably have to watch the young master grow up. When the young master grows up and inherits the title of marquis, she might be able to enjoy the old lady's blessings for a few days!

Just as Xiaotao was fantasizing about her wonderful future life, a blood-curdling scream suddenly rang out from inside the house.

Startled, Xiao Tao turned around, pushed open the door, and rushed inside.

Xu Mama, who hadn't gone far, also heard the painful scream. She paused, and her eyelids twitched violently.

She turned and ran back almost without thinking.

After Xiaotao rushed into the house, she saw two naked figures.

Xu Lingyi held a dagger in her hands, from which blood was dripping.

In a corner not far away, a gruesome, mangled mess lay quietly.

Under the bed, Huang Zicong clutched that area, screaming and backing away, blood seeping from between his fingers.

Xu Lingyi, her eyes bloodshot, went mad and brandished a dagger, slashing at Huang Zicong's neck.

"ah--"

Xiao Tao covered her mouth and screamed.

Xu Lingyi turned her head and looked over. Thinking that the maid was an accomplice last night, the madness in her eyes intensified. She immediately changed direction and stabbed at Xiao Tao.

"Ahhh, miss, are you crazy?"

Xiao Tao screamed and ran around the room.

Xu Lingyi chased after him, brandishing her dagger repeatedly.

They'll chase after anyone and chop them down.

In an instant, Xiao Tao and Huang Zicong's screams grew louder and louder.

When Granny Xu entered, this was the horrific scene she witnessed.

The guards who ran over with her were stunned when they saw the scene inside.

They were caught in a dilemma: whether to go in or not.

Go inside, the people inside aren't wearing clothes.

If we don't go in, the people inside might lose their lives.

Especially when they saw the bloody mess on the ground, they all felt a chill in their lower body and a cold sweat down their backs.

"Granny Xu, help!"

Xiao Tao cried out for help.

In her desperation, Granny Xu could only appeal to her emotions and reason with her, "Young Miss, what are you doing?"

Xu Lingyi ignored her words and swung a dagger down, stabbing it into Huang Zicong's shoulder.

Huang Zicong let out another scream.

But he didn't even dare to faint; if he did, this crazy woman would kill him.

Xu Mama's vision blurred, but she continued, "Miss, the old lady made these arrangements for the future of our Anqing Marquis's mansion."

If you give birth to a son, you will become the matriarch of our Marquis of Anqing's mansion.

Why are you so pessimistic?

Miss, please put down the knife. Let's talk this out.

"I know you're upset, but you've vented your anger now. If someone dies, things will really be ruined!"

Xu Lingyi paused, her hair disheveled, and her eyes bloodshot as she turned to look.

Granny Xu was overjoyed, thinking that the young lady had listened to her, and slowly moved forward, "Young Miss, let this old servant help you put on your clothes first..."

"Is he really ruined? Didn't you know he had venereal disease?"

Now I have it all, and I've ruined it all. Don't you find it ridiculous that you're only saying this now?

Granny Xu's face paled, and she gestured to the guards outside to invite the old lady over.

Xu Lingyi had disheveled hair, her body was covered in bruises, and her face was as white as a ghost.

She laughed maniacally, staring at everyone, "Marquis Anqing is right, I should have been exiled back then, exile is better than being in this disgusting place!"

"Your Anqing Marquis's mansion is truly disgusting! If I had known, I would never have been so greedy, hahaha!"

This is the scene that the old lady saw when she arrived.

Xu Lingyi is going crazy, Huang Zicong has been crippled, and the room is filled with chaos.

The old lady was startled and took a few steps back, but was supported by Xu Mama. A hint of murderous intent flashed in her eyes.

"Aunt, help! She's gone mad! She's really gone mad! You have to avenge me!"

The old lady looked at the bleeding spot on Huang Zicong's head and her mind went blank.

He glared at Xu Lingyi and said sternly, "Are you crazy? Look at what you've done! Do you even have the demeanor of a young lady from a noble family?"

"You don't seem like the matriarch of the Marquis's mansion at all. What grandmother schemes against her granddaughter? And with someone suffering from syphilis."

Besides, I'm not a member of your household. I'm Xue Lingyi. I pretended to be your granddaughter because I didn't want to be exiled!

Retribution, it's all retribution. I shouldn't have been greedy...

The guards present, as well as the other servants who came upon hearing the commotion, were all shocked.

Among them are many people who have taken wives.

"Lingyi, what nonsense are you spouting?" The old lady's expression changed, and she shouted sternly.

Xu Lingyi now hates her to the core. "I think I know how Xu Ningxiang died!"

Could it be that she was smarter than me and saw through your scheme, which is why you killed her?

Hahaha, you're not some kind of grandmother, you're clearly a demon!

Xu Lingyi pointed at her and started cursing.

The old lady's vision blurred, and she shouted, "Guards! Quickly, guards! Tie her up!"

Xu Lingyi showed no fear. "You dare to kidnap me? Don't you want an heir?"

She twirled the knife in her hand, aiming it at her lower abdomen. "If you dare to tie me up, I'll stab you."

Anyway, your nephew with venereal disease is already ruined. I heard he's the only son in your Huang family.

The old lady's pupils contracted, and her hands trembled violently.

Indeed, even though she desperately wanted to kill Xu Lingyi at that moment, she had to admit that Xu Lingyi was now the only hope for her Huang family.

She might already be carrying the Huang family's child.

She was also counting on this child to inherit the Anqing Marquis's mansion.

Just then, the gatekeeper rushed over and whispered something in the old lady's ear.

After hearing everything, the old lady of Anqing Marquis's eyes widened and her face turned deathly pale. "Good, good, Xu Ningxiang is truly remarkable. She is indeed just like her mother, coming here specifically to sabotage my efforts!"

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

Just then, someone else came in from outside.

He was a junior eunuch in the palace who delivered imperial edicts.

"Madam Anqing, His Majesty requests your presence."

A glimmer of hope flashed in the old lady's eyes; perhaps there was still a chance for things to turn around.

That's right, the person who provided the map of the weapons and treasure was her son. Of course, the credit for her son should go to the Marquis of Anqing's mansion.

For a moment, a hint of joy rose in her eyes again.

Before leaving, she made sure to instruct, "Lock her up first, don't let her go anywhere, take good care of her food and drink, don't let my grandson go hungry."

Granny Xu hurriedly made arrangements, first locking up Xu Lingyi, and then carrying Huang Zicong away for treatment.

When the old lady arrived at the gate of the mansion, she saw that Xu Xiaoyong was also about to enter the palace.

"Madam, it seems His Majesty has not only summoned me, but also other people," Xu Xiaoyong said with a smile.

"The merits left behind by my elder brother will surely benefit the entire Marquis of Anqing's mansion."

As the Marquis of Anqing, I must offer incense to my elder brother later.

The old lady of the Marquis of Anqing sneered: "You dare to call my son elder brother? The merits he left behind should naturally protect his descendants."

Xu Xiaoyong wasn't angry at all; instead, he smiled warmly and asked, "The old lady mentioned the descendants of my eldest brother. Do they have the surname Xu or Huang?"

"you!"

The old lady of Anqing Marquis's face changed. Thinking of the scene in the room just now, she felt dizzy.

She glared coldly at Xu Xiaoyong, "No matter what, the credit left by my son will not be given to you, an illegitimate child."

The old lady turned and walked toward the carriage.

Xu Xiaoyong also turned and walked towards his carriage.

As he turned away, the smile vanished from his face.

The old lady was right when she said that the credit Xu Xiaozhong left behind would only belong to the eldest son's family.

Once inside the palace, even though the old lady of the Marquis of Anqing and Xu Xiaoyong didn't get along, they didn't exchange another word.

The two men, with solemn expressions, followed the palace attendants to the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Besides Emperor Cangxuan, the Crown Prince and Ying Yufu were also present in the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Of course, the most important one is Xu Ningxiang.

Xu Ningxiang's injuries had not fully healed, so Cang Xuan specially provided her with a soft cushion to sit on.

At this moment, the map of the weapons treasury was placed on the emperor's desk.

Ying Yufu had excellent eyesight; she glanced at the map from afar and saw the words "Qinghuang Mountain of Yuzhou" within the red circle.

She developed a slight interest in Yuzhou.

Just then, Madam Xu and Xu Xiaoyong were led in together.

Upon entering, the two knelt down and bowed.

After the ceremony, Emperor Cangxuan called for the emperor to rise.

When Madam Xu looked up, she saw Xu Ningxiang sitting on the cushion.

She immediately rebuked, "Ningxiang, how dare you be so disrespectful in front of His Majesty? Get up at once!"

"I offered her this seat because she was injured, and I was showing her compassion. There's no need for the old lady of Anqing to say anything more."

Emperor Cangxuan said with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Madam Xu quickly lowered her head, "Yes, it was I who spoke out of turn. I was just worried that Ningxiang was young and naive and might behave improperly in front of His Majesty."

"That's alright. I will naturally be tolerant of the daughters of meritorious officials."

Madam Xu said, "Your Majesty is wise. Although Ningxiang is not a biological child of the Marquis of Anqing, she was raised by the Marquis of Anqing and is no different from his own daughter."

She was indirectly reminding Emperor Cangxuan that Xu Ningxiang was not a member of the Xu family, and that the emperor should not worry about her.

Emperor Cangxuan glanced at Madam Xu with a mysterious look in his eyes, his emotions unreadable.

He changed the subject and said, "Although the map of this weapons treasury was obtained by Xu Xiaozhong before his death, the one who is now offering the treasure is his daughter, Xu Ningxiang."

Therefore, Xu Ningxiang and her father share the same merit.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Madam Xu was greatly surprised and said, "Your Majesty, Ningxiang is a young woman and cannot bear such merit. This is all because the Marquis of Anqing's family has taught her to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country since she was a child. It is what she should do."

With a single sentence, she attributed all of Xu Ningxiang's achievements to the excellent teaching of the Marquis of Anqing's family.

They even said that Xu Ningxiang, being a woman, was not worthy of such credit.

The subtext is that Xu Ningxiang doesn't deserve this credit, and it should belong to the Marquis of Anqing's family.

Ying Yufu's eyes widened instantly. She leaned close to the Crown Prince's ear and whispered, "This old woman is just as shameless as my grandmother."

The crown prince chuckled silently, then replied, "I've learned something."

The two of them were whispering to each other.

Emperor Cangxuan glanced at the two of them without showing any emotion, feeling a great deal of dissatisfaction in his heart.

Many people envied his status as emperor, and he used to feel immensely honored.

However, ever since I saw the Crown Prince and Ying Yufu watching plays whenever they had free time, and whispering in each other's ears while watching, sometimes not only whispering in each other's ears, but also eating a handful of melon seeds.

At times like these, he would fall into deep self-doubt.

Being an emperor doesn't seem so enviable, does it?

Emperor Cangxuan was also speechless after hearing what the old lady of Anqing Marquis had said.

He said, "Madam Xu, you are also a woman, you really shouldn't say such things."

To take my Northern Xuan Kingdom as an example, my mother, the Empress Dowager, followed the late emperor in his campaigns in the south and north. She led the women's army to rescue wounded soldiers, transport grain and fodder, and mend battle robes.

The late emperor also highly praised the Empress Dowager's achievements.

There was also a heroine, a merchant by birth, who was the richest woman in the world. During the chaos of war, she rescued disaster victims, contributed military funds, and worked alongside my mother to serve the country. Her contributions were no less than those of any king or nobleman.

Therefore, the late emperor bestowed upon her the title of "Lady of the Nation".

"Now, however, Madam Xu denies the contributions of women and attributes all of their contributions to her family."

Did Madam Xu consult Xu Ningxiang herself?

Madam Xu turned pale after hearing Emperor Cangxuan's words.

She hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty is right, it was I who misspoke."

After saying that, she looked in Xu Ningxiang's direction and said, "Ningxiang, it was all Grandmother's fault for speaking out of turn. Don't take it to heart."

"You have performed such a great service, and your grandmother is very proud of you. Today, you will return home with your grandmother, so that we, your grandmother and grandson, can speak of His Majesty's great favor before your parents' memorial tablets."

Xu Ningxiang's eyes revealed a hint of mockery, which Old Madam Xu noticed, causing her heart to clench.

She gave Xu Ningxiang a warning look and said, "Ningxiang, don't forget whose daughter you are. You are my own granddaughter!"

"Madam Xu is joking."

Xu Ningxiang's smile deepened slightly: "My father's merits should indeed belong to the Marquis of Anqing's mansion, that's right."

Madam Xu was overjoyed. Sure enough, blood ties cannot be severed. Even after what happened, she still protected the family.

"My merit is due to His Majesty's favor. Although Ningxiang is a woman, she dares not fail to repay the Emperor's grace."

Ningxiang naturally accepts this credit and will forever remember the Emperor's kindness.

As Xu Ningxiang spoke, she nodded three times in the direction of Emperor Cangxuan.

"Good!" Emperor Cangxuan was overjoyed and said with satisfaction, "Xu Ningxiang, you are a good girl with backbone and you know when to advance and retreat."

I have heard that the Xu family has found their true granddaughter. Now that you are like a rootless duckweed, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Princess Baoyue, grant you your own residence, and establish a separate ancestral hall.

I hereby bestow upon you a mansion, ten thousand taels of gold, and other treasures.

Why bother returning it? Let's draft an imperial edict.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Eunuch He immediately replied.

Ying Yufu's eyes widened suddenly.

so envious.