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

Shou'an Hall.

The old lady sat at the head of the table, her face beaming with joy.

Seeing Shangguan Tang and Ying Yufu arrive, the old lady smiled and said:

"Shangguan, I called you here because it's related to Nan Yao's meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion."

Having just learned of the tragic fate that awaited his family, Shangguan Tang was truly unable to smile.

She bowed to Ying Yufu and then found a seat to sit down.

It's quite a coincidence that the seat next to Ying Nanyao was usually reserved for Shangguan Tang.

But today, Liu Xueyan from the eldest son's family was sitting right next to Ying Nanyao.

"It's a good thing that you've done a great job in suppressing the rebellion, Lord Marquis. Congratulations." Shangguan Tang forced a smile.

"Alright, alright, congratulations are indeed in order. However, besides this good news, there is another piece of good news to announce."

The old lady at the head of the table said with a smile.

When Shangguan Tang met the old lady's gaze, she felt a stab in her heart.

The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is currently facing difficulties, while the Marquis's mansion, which has enjoyed endless benefits, is overjoyed at this time.

Shangguan Tang's hand holding the handkerchief tightened silently.

"I wonder what the other piece of good news is?" Shangguan Tang asked casually.

The old lady smiled and looked at Ying Nanyao and Liu Xueyan, who were sitting together like a perfect couple, and said, "Nanyao, you should tell Shangguan about this other happy event."

Shangguan Tang then looked at Ying Nanyao and noticed the delicate and charming Liu Xueyan sitting next to him.

Shangguan Tang's heart trembled suddenly. Although she had chosen to believe her daughter's words before, seeing this irritating scene with her own eyes now, she felt a chill in her heart.

The fact that they were sitting together so openly, with an invisible, ambiguous atmosphere between them, further proved the authenticity of the nightmare that Fu'er had described.

The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has only just been involved in an incident, and they're already so eager to stop hiding it!

In an instant, Shangguan Tang felt an icy chill seep into her entire body, making her shiver uncontrollably.

She tried hard to suppress her emotions and stared intently at Ying Nanyao.

Ying Nanyao glanced at Liu Xueyan beside him with a gentle smile and said, "Another piece of good news is that my sister-in-law is pregnant. Our Marquis's mansion will be blessed with another member."

Liu Xueyan and Ying Nanyao exchanged a glance and smiled at each other.

Two rosy clouds rose on her cheeks, and her palms gently caressed her still-flat stomach; happiness radiated from her entire being.

Whether she was numb or extremely cold, Shangguan Tang stopped shivering.

She sat stiffly, staring at Ying Nanyao, without saying a word.

Ying Nanyao, full of vigor, said, "Tang'er, I am the heir to two families. Over the years, because of your sake, Yan'er has suffered a lot of grievances."

"Now that Yan'er is pregnant, this may seem a bit sudden to you, but it's all for the sake of the Marquis's mansion. You should understand, right?"

Shangguan Tang felt that the mutual respect she had believed in all these years was just a joke. Her lips trembled, and she opened and closed them but couldn't make a sound.

Ying Yufu held her mother's hand with worry.

Feeling the warmth coming from her hand, Shangguan Tang turned her head and met Ying Yufu's worried gaze.

Shangguan Tang's heart suddenly trembled violently.

She also has children.

And also the closest relatives of the Duke of Zhenguo's family.

If Ying Nanyao is destined to betray her, then the most important thing she should do is protect the family she cares about most.

Instead of grieving and being heartbroken over a man.

Seeing that she remained silent for a long time, Ying Nanyao's expression turned slightly unpleasant.

Shangguan, could it be that you still don't understand the situation and are jealous of Yan'er?

At this moment, Liu Xueyan spoke softly and weakly: "Second sister-in-law, my second brother... just pity me for being all alone and wants to give me another child."

If you're unhappy, blame me, sob sob sob...

Liu Xueyan covered her eyes with a handkerchief and began to cry.

Ying Nanyao's expression changed. "Yan'er, the doctor warned you not to have too many emotional fluctuations, lest you harm the fetus."

Having said that, he looked at Shangguan Tang with a slightly cold expression and said, "Shangguan, you have always been sensible, virtuous, and gentle. You should be happy for Yan'er, right?"

Shangguan Tang's emotions had gone through ups and downs, like frost and ice, in a short period of time, but now he was surprisingly calm.

She looked at her husband of eighteen years and suddenly chuckled softly.

She said, "Yes, I am very happy for my sister-in-law. Congratulations, sister-in-law! Congratulations, Marquis! Today, the Marquis's mansion is blessed with double happiness!"

Seeing her say this, Ying Nanyao's expression finally softened. "Tang'er, you are indeed virtuous and magnanimous. In that case, I will go to the palace tomorrow to request an official title for Yan'er."

Shangguan Tang felt that she was hallucinating.

Then Ying Nanyao looked at Liu Xueyan with deep affection and said, "I have made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion this time, and His Majesty said he would grant me a request."

"Yan'er is now carrying the bloodline of the Marquis's family, and is a great contributor to our family. She has single-handedly guarded the main branch all these years, which has been truly arduous. This title of nobility is rightfully hers."

Liu Xueyan looked back at him with tears in her eyes.

The two seemed to have only each other in their eyes, unable to see anyone else.

Ying Yufu had dreamt of Ying Nanyao requesting an imperial decree for Liu Xueyan.

She looked at her mother with heartache; her mother must be feeling terrible right now.

Shangguan Tang clenched his fists and said in a hoarse voice, "My lord, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is in a difficult situation right now. I originally thought that you would take this opportunity to plead with His Majesty to find out the truth and clear my second brother's name..."

Upon hearing this, Ying Nanyao's expression immediately changed.

"Shangguan, I thought you were sensible!" He looked at Shangguan Tang with a face full of disappointment.

"The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has committed heinous crimes. How could I possibly plead for leniency? His Majesty will make the final decision on this matter."

Liu Xueyan also looked apprehensive and said, "Yes, Second Sister-in-law, if Second Brother pleads for Lord Shangguan, the Marquis's mansion might be implicated in the disaster relief fund case. At that time, even if the Marquis had a hundred mouths, he wouldn't be able to explain himself!"

At this point, she burst into tears. "Second sister-in-law, are you saying this because you are dissatisfied with my second brother's request for an official title for me?"

But if you do this, you will harm your second brother and the Marquis's mansion!

"How about I give you this imperial title? Then you won't have to put your second brother in such a difficult position!"

"Yan'er, what nonsense are you talking about? Something happened to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Shangguan Shi is not worthy of the title of Imperial Consort. If I were to petition for her, it would surely anger His Majesty. I know you are kind, but this matter cannot be discussed with you."

Ying Nanyao said with a pained expression.

Liu Xueyan lowered her head weakly to apologize, "I misunderstood."

"I know you're doing this all for my sake."

Ying Nanyao glanced at Liu Xueyan with heartache, then looked at Shangguan Tang with icy eyes. "Hmph, she's indeed narrow-minded and short-sighted, only thinking about her family!"

At this moment, the old lady at the head of the table also said with a displeased expression, "Shangguan, now that you have married into my Marquis's mansion, you are a member of my Marquis's mansion. At times like this, you should think more about your husband's family. That is the way of a wife."

Just then, Ying Yufu leaned close to her mother's ear and whispered something.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Tang's eyes flashed, and then he said:

"Since Your Excellency wishes to request an official title for your sister-in-law, then go ahead and do so. I will not have any objections."

Ying Nanyao nodded in satisfaction. "You're quite sensible. By the way, where's the Flying Tigers' token? Give it to me."

[Ding! Face-slapping mechanism triggered!]

[Host, your scumbag father was able to quell the rebellion this time entirely thanks to the Flying Tiger Army.]

The Flying Tiger Army was your maternal grandfather's dowry to your mother. In the past two years, your scumbag father borrowed the Flying Tiger Army from your mother under the pretext of competing for the position of commander of the Thousand Feather Army.

Right now, this scumbag also wants the Flying Tigers' token; he's blatantly trying to steal your mother's Flying Tigers!

Ying Yufu looked disdainful. She had used her mother's Flying Tiger Army to quell the rebellion and gain merit, but she wanted to use the credit to ask Liu Xueyan for an imperial title.

Her scumbag father is good for nothing except for his good looks!

[Host, if you leave the Flying Tigers behind and prevent your scumbag father from taking them, then you've successfully slapped him in the face!]