Ji Youze assured her, "Of course, it’s true. Hurry, it’s almost dark!"
Xie Pan’Er went to find Luo Family and asked her for the ledger of the fifth branch of the Xie Family. Luo Family hesitated before telling her where the ledger was. Then, she asked, "Pan’Er, have you ever thought about your father and brother’s opinions on us establishing a new Ancestral Hall after the mourning period ends?"
Hearing this, Xie Pan’Er hesitated slightly before asking Luo Family, "Why would you ask that? I think Brother would definitely agree. You should be able to see that too."
Luo Family hesitated, saying, "But your father, he..."
Xie Pan’Er looked at Luo Family anxiously. "What about Father?"
After thinking for a while, Luo Family said, "Today, your father actively spoke up for the main branch."
Hearing this, Xie Pan’Er thought back to what her father had said and couldn’t help but laugh. "Mother, you’re muddled. In that situation, how could Father not speak for the Xie Family? We haven’t completely severed ties with the main branch yet. If the matter of the Gu Insect isn’t firmly attributed to the Lin Family, then if the Xie Family is ever accused of colluding with the enemy and treason, we’ll be among the nine generations of the clan to be exterminated!"
Hearing this, Luo Family gasped. It took her a long moment to recover, and she patted her chest with belated fear. "I was shortsighted. You go ahead! Just handle the matter of the clan expulsion quietly."
Xie Pan’Er squatted down, grabbing Luo Family’s hand, the happiest smile on her face. "Mother! Once we establish our own Ancestral Hall, our family can live happily and freely, just as we wish."
Luo Family caressed her daughter’s face, a happy smile on her own, but her heart ached with sorrow. She owed her daughter so much; how could she ever make up for it?
Xie Pan’Er and Ji Youze went to find Old Lady Ji and Old Lady Xie to handle the clan expulsion.
Xiaosuisui watched Ji Youran remove the Gu Insects from Xie Si and Xie Wulang. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she observed the two small insects, one red and one white, chasing each other and circling within the jade bowl.
"Second Uncle, can I keep these insects?"
Ji Youran was speechless. Should he give them to her, or not?
Huo Xing’Er pulled Xiaosuisui into her embrace. "We should go back. It’s almost dark."
Xiaosuisui struggled in Huo Xing’Er’s arms. "I want the little bugs!"
"Do you want the bugs, or your grandmother?"
Xiaosuisui didn’t understand. What was the conflict between the bugs and her grandmother? "What does that matter?"
Huo Xing’Er said, "Your grandmother is old; the bugs might frighten her."
Xiaosuisui had a realization. She didn’t want the bugs anymore. She wanted her grandmother to be well and never be frightened by bugs. However... "Second Uncle, please keep the bugs for me. Give them to me when Grandmother isn’t afraid of them anymore!"
Standing rooted to the spot, Ji Youran’s mouth twitched for a good while.
Huo Xing’Er, holding Xiaosuisui, waited by Old Lady Ji’s carriage for her. Actually, her disposition was usually quite indifferent, but this time she inexplicably wanted to know the outcome of Xie Pan’Er’s clan expulsion and the future of the fifth branch of the Xie Family.
Soon, Old Lady Ji emerged from the Xie Family residence, accompanied by Nanny Zhang, several Guards, and Maids. Huo Xing’Er, still holding Xiaosuisui, hurried forward to greet them. Xiaosuisui immediately stretched out her small hands, wanting Old Lady Ji to hold her.
"Grandmother, carry me!"
Nanny Zhang quickly intervened, "Princess, let this old servant hold you! Old Madam is tired and can’t carry you!"
Xiaosuisui readily settled into Nanny Zhang’s arms.
With Huo Xing’Er’s support, Old Lady Ji boarded the carriage. She then invited Nanny Zhang to ride back with her. Nanny Zhang initially tried to decline, but Old Lady Ji insisted.
"The carriage is spacious enough. Come up and rest for a bit. You still have to give Suisui her lessons when we get back!"
Nanny Zhang no longer refused. She got in and sat beside Huo Xing’Er. Xiaosuisui snuggled into Old Lady Ji’s embrace and asked, "Grandmother, is the matter concerning the pretty big sister’s family settled now?"