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The woman slowly regained her composure and said: "If what you say is true, I'd be willing to testify against these beasts and personally see them to the guillotine!"

Su Chenyu replied: "I won't lie to you. But right now, the soldiers are searching all over Xuanyang for you. You can't go back yet!"

The woman said: "Alright, I won't rest until I've seen my enemies where they belong—dead in the afterlife."

Madam Wen suggested: "Why don't you stay at the Wen Manor for now? It's much safer here."

The woman immediately bowed to Madam Wen and said: "Thank you for your hospitality. I won't freeload, though. Just let me know what needs to be done, and I'll help in any way I can."

Madam Wen helped her up and said: "Your wounds haven't fully healed yet. Let's talk about work after you're all better!"

"Thank you so much!" The woman started crying again and said: "These past few days, I've begged many people for help, but they were all too scared to get involved. They avoided me like the plague. You're the first ones to step forward and help me."

Madam Wen tried to comfort her and said: "They're just ordinary people. Who would dare to stand up to the government?"

The woman wiped away her tears and said: "I understand. I don't blame anyone else. It's just that I, as a mother, was useless. I couldn't protect my own flesh and blood. My daughter is buried without even a simple coffin! sobs"

Hearing the madam's anguish, the maids nearby also began to wipe away their own tears.

Madam Wen said: "The dead are gone, their spirits in heaven wouldn't want to see their mother reduced to this state!"

The woman nodded with reddened eyes: "Thank you for listening patiently." She then bowed to everyone, turned, and walked away.

Seeing her hunched and frail figure, her steps hesitant like a walking corpse, everyone felt a pang of sympathy.

Su Chenyu said: "I wonder how many abusive and corrupt officials there are in Dragon Soul Kingdom, and how many more ordinary people are suffering this kind of pain."

Jing Chen added: "We must eradicate these pests once and for all!"

Magistrate Wen felt moved. He was relieved that he had stayed true to his conscience and never mistreated the common people.

After staying two days at the Wen Manor, the group finally returned to Xujia Village.

Wen Yuan and his sister didn't return with the others.

Magistrate Wen's injuries still needed time to heal, so Wen Yuan had to stay behind and help his father with official duties.

Wen Die was reluctant to part, but Xu Wenwu took her aside and reassured her. Only then did he bid the Wen family farewell and leave with the rest.

As she watched her love ride away in his white robes, Wen Die couldn't help but stare, wondering when they'd meet again.

Madam Wen said: "Die'er, the Xu family will send a matchmaker soon. Wenwu will take the imperial exams next year, and you can't distract him now. Once he passes the exams, he can marry you right away! There's no need to be impatient!"

Wen Die nodded: "Mother, I understand. I know Big Brother Xu's ambitions too. I won't hold him back. Mother, I'll focus on improving myself too, so we can keep pace and support each other in the future!"

Madam Wen smiled:"I'm glad you see it that way. Men prefer intelligent women who can be their partners—someone to share ideas with when things get tough. When two people depend on each other like that, they truly respect each other as equals!"

Wen Die nodded: "Mother, I understand now!"

The five of them spent a day rushing to Xujia Village. Everything was just as they'd left it—no changes at all.

They arrived at dusk, when tourists had finished dinner and were out for a stroll.

The sight of such handsome young men entering the village attracted quite a few gazes.

A few lovesick girls stared unabashedly, and some even flirted boldly with them.

The youths ignored all this.

As they approached the Xu residence, the front gate swung open.

"Qibao, you're back!" Mrs. Wang had just finished dinner and was ready to go out for a walk. She opened the door to find the group waiting there.

"Yes, Grandma, we're back! But we haven't eaten yet—I'm starving!" Qibao tugged on Mrs. Wang's arm, looking cute.

Mrs. Wang gently touched Qibao's cheek, concerned: "Qibao, you look a bit thinner. Were you too busy rushing and didn't eat properly? Grandma's heart aches for you. Come inside. I'll ask Aunt Jin and the others to prepare another meal for you!"

Upon arriving in the main hall, Su Chenyu immediately collapsed into a chair, treating the Xu family's home as if it were her own.

The old man had just finished his meal and was about to pour himself a cup of tea to drink! When he saw the few people coming back home, he quickly put down the teapot and asked: "You are finally back? What took you so long?"

When Xu Laosan, seeing his daughter, promptly poured her a glass of water and offered some snacks, showing meticulous care - the epitome of a doting father.

"My daughter! Why have you become so thin? How can this be possible? My daughter must have suffered a lot during this trip!"

The old man nodded in agreement: "Indeed, she's lost weight. Her face used to be so round before, but how come it has turned from round to cone-shaped now?"

Qibao was speechless. Isn't this exaggeration? She had been away from home for barely half a month. How could she have lost weight so visibly? She even pinched the flesh on her face to check - mm, indeed, it was just Grandpa and their illusions.

Mrs. Li said: "Qibao! Your health is important! You can't do anything without eating. You are still young and growing!"

Mrs. Zhang agreed: "That's right! Wenwu, why aren't you taking better care of your younger sister?"

Xu Wenwu shook his head with a smile: "It's my fault. Next time, I'll make sure to look after my sister properly!"

Su Chenyu couldn't take it any longer. The Xu family's doting on Qibao had reached a point that was maddening: "Grandpa and Granny Xu." He said: "Qibao eats even more than I do. How could she possibly lose weight?"

Mrs. Wang looked puzzled: "Really? She eats more than you? Chenyu, if I may say so, shouldn't a boy have a larger appetite than a girl? You're still growing, and you need to eat enough to support that!"

"...Right, Granny Xu." Su Chenyu responded reluctantly: "You're correct!"

Qibao, seeing that her family was fixated on her food intake, decided to change the subject: "Grandpa and Grandma, have you forgotten the purpose of our trip?"

The old man slapped his thigh: "That's right! How could I forget something so important! Qibao, tell us how your Uncle Wen is holding up? Is he going to be all right?"

Mrs. Wang said: "Qibao just came back, let her rest and let Wenwu talk!"

Rubbing his nose, Xu Wenwu briefly recounted the incident with Magistrate Wen's injury.

The old man sighed in relief: "That's good. As long as he's alright, it's fine. Who would be so brazen? To even attempt to kill a Magistrate!"

Su Chenyu interjected: "It's simple, the young master set his eyes on the manor's young lady. After being rejected, he couldn't accept it and hired someone for revenge!"

"Oh!" the Xu family members exclaimed, clearly taken aback.

"How is Die'er doing?" Mrs. Zhang asked: "She must feel terrible about it."

"Indeed." Wenwu agreed: "Mother, there's something else I need to share with the family."

Mrs. Wang noticed her grandson's solemn expression and curiously asked: "What is it? Wenwu, please tell us."