Zhi Wan saw her sudden change in demeanor and sensed something. Sure enough, the next moment, her uncle’s imposing voice sounded from behind them.

"What are you all making a scene about?"

Upon hearing this, Zhi Wan took out a handkerchief, rubbed her eyes, and turned to Lu Zhenbei, calling out weakly and pitifully, "Uncle..."

"Wan’er?" Lu Zhenbei was a little surprised to see her. "When did you get back?"

Zhi Wan discreetly sized him up and saw he looked weary and haggard. ’Clearly, the affair with Aunt Wang has taken its toll on Uncle lately.’

’If he’s suffering, it must mean this Aunt Wang doesn’t hold much weight in his heart.’

Thinking this, Zhi Wan wiped her eyes and said between sobs, "I just got back. In Yangzhou, I heard about your situation. My cousin and I were both very worried about Aunt. My cousin had me return first to check on things. If he didn’t have unfinished business, he would have come back with me to see Aunt..."

Hearing this, a flicker of discomfort crossed Lu Zhenbei’s handsome face, but he still asked, "Have you gone in to see your aunt? How... is she?"

"I have. Aunt is not doing well at all," Zhi Wan replied truthfully.

Lu Zhenbei’s brow darkened, and he fell silent.

"Duke, Xuan is hurt!" At that moment, Aunt Wang cried out.

Lu Zhenbei snapped back to reality. His gaze shifted to her, and he asked in a deep voice, "Why is he hurt?"

Aunt Wang glanced timidly at Zhi Wan. "It was the Miss..."

"Uncle, that child said I’m just a freeloader in the Lu Family and even shoved me! Then Aunt Wang said I have a father who sired me but no father to raise me. I was so furious that I pushed the child back..." Zhi Wan cut her off, speaking quickly. By this point, her face was covered in tears. "If my parents were still alive, I wouldn’t have to freeload in the Lu Family! If they were still here, I wouldn’t be an orphan, and people wouldn’t be able to gossip about me like this..."

Aunt Wang stared at her in astonishment, her fingernails digging into her flesh. ’I truly underestimated her!’

Lu Xuan also stopped crying. Seeing Lu Zhenbei’s expression darken, he hid timidly behind Aunt Wang.

"Both of you, get out! Without my permission, you are not to set foot in Lan Courtyard again. What’s more, you are forbidden from speaking ill of the Miss. If I hear so much as another word, you can get out of the Duke Mansion!" Lu Zhenbei roared.

Aunt Wang and her son were stunned by his fury.

Coming to her senses, Aunt Wang tugged at the corner of Lu Zhenbei’s robe. "Lord, Xuan is just a child. Children say thoughtless things. It’s the Miss who’s too..."

She didn’t finish her sentence, but she shot Zhi Wan a resentful glare.

"Is Aunt Wang trying to say I’m too petty?" Zhi Wan looked at her, tears streaming down her face. "Aunt Wang is right. I have a father who sired me, but no father to raise me..."

Hearing this, Aunt Wang’s heart sank. Sure enough, Lu Zhenbei snatched his robe back and took two steps away from her.

"Lady Wang, if you wish to remain here, you’d best learn your place. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless!" Lu Zhenbei said grimly. "Furthermore, in my heart, there has only ever been one wife: Wei Minghui. You know full well what happened back then. The only reason I didn’t finish you off right then and there was out of respect for your brother!"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Wang’s face turned deathly pale. Not daring to linger, she quickly pulled her son away and left.

But just before she left, she glanced at Zhi Wan.

’She seemed unable to believe that, in Duke Lu’s eyes, an orphan girl was more important than she was.’

Lu Zhenbei paid them no mind and turned to Zhi Wan, asking with concern, "Are you all right?"

Zhi Wan wiped her tears and said, feigning strength, "I’m fine. Thank you for standing up for me, Uncle."

Seeing this, a flicker of guilt crossed Lu Zhenbei’s face. He comforted her, saying, "Don’t take to heart what those people said. In your uncle’s heart, you are no different from my own daughter."

"Thank you, Uncle." Zhi Wan curtsied.

After a pause, she couldn’t help but add, "In my heart, I have long respected Uncle as a father. To me, Uncle is an upright and honorable hero who protects our home and defends our country."

Lu Zhenbei couldn’t help but chuckle at her praise. "Little girl, if you have something to say, just say it."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan mustered her courage and said, "About this whole situation... my cousin and I both believe you must have your reasons. We don’t want to believe you would betray Aunt. Uncle, are there extenuating circumstances?"

Hearing this, Lu Zhenbei was filled with shame and guilt.

After a long moment, he said in a strained voice, "But I’m afraid... your uncle is going to disappoint you."

Zhi Wan’s heart sank. She asked anxiously, "So you don’t have a reason?"

Lu Zhenbei opened his mouth, then closed it. There were some things he didn’t want to say to a young lady, but seeing the disappointment welling in the girl’s eyes, he couldn’t stop himself from explaining, "Lady Wang’s older brother was my second-in-command. He died on the battlefield, and before he passed, he entrusted his only sister to my care.

I took pity on Lady Wang, as she was all alone with no one to rely on, so I helped her find a house and get settled.

Unexpectedly, she used her housewarming as an excuse to invite me and my soldiers over. As it turned out, she put something in the wine..."

He didn’t say the rest, but Zhi Wan understood.

’Lady Wang had tricked him.’

"It’s good that you’re back. Spend more time with your aunt." After saying this, Lu Zhenbei glanced at Lan Courtyard, then turned and left.

Zhi Wan stood in place for a while before heading toward Yaoguang Pavilion.

’She had hoped to help reconcile her aunt and uncle.’

’But she never expected the truth to be something like this.’

’Even though Uncle hadn’t wanted it, he had indeed slept with Lady Wang and had an illegitimate son.’

’No wonder Uncle wanted to keep the matter with Lady Wang a secret.’

Zhi Wan let out a long sigh.

"Miss!"

Just then, a cheerful voice called out.

Zhi Wan looked up and saw Dongxiang approaching with a happy expression.

"Dongxiang," Zhi Wan said with a smile and a nod.

As she got closer, Dongxiang noticed the corners of her eyes were red and asked with concern, "What’s wrong, Miss?"

"It’s nothing. I just ran into a couple of mad dogs," Zhi Wan said nonchalantly.

"Mad dogs?" Dongxiang was utterly confused; there were no dogs kept in the mansion.

"Perhaps they slipped in through a hole in the wall. I’ve already chased them off," Zhi Wan said.

Dongxiang’s eyes lit up with understanding. "I see! Then we should have someone plug up that hole another day."

Zhi Wan was amused by her words. "Yes, it should be plugged up."

By the time she returned to Yaoguang Pavilion, Shuang’er had already put away all her luggage.

Zhi Wan took out the gift for Lady Wei and had Shuang’er deliver it to Lan Courtyard. Then, taking the gift she had brought for Old Madam Lu, she went with Dongxiang to Fushou Hall.

Old Madam Lu was as unwelcoming to her as ever. Zhi Wan presented the gift, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then returned to Yaoguang Pavilion.

After such a long boat journey, Zhi Wan went to bed early that night.

When she awoke, she found herself on a sandy beach. The air was thick with a murderous aura and the scent of blood.

She frowned and looked around, only to discover a man lying on the ground not far away.

She recognized the man at a glance. Her heart leaped in alarm, and she hurried over.

"Hey, why are you lying here?"