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Xie Huixuan immediately asked: "Where is Xiao Cui? We must find her quickly."

Old Liu shook his head: "Miss, I just checked, Xiao Cui is gone. I'm afraid someone noticed her and hid her away."

Xie Huixuan bit her lower lip, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes: "Old Liu, we can't wait any longer. Tomorrow morning, I will go to find Xiao Cui myself."

Old Liu looked at Xie Huixuan worriedly: "Miss, this matter involves too much, it might be dangerous for you to go alone."

Xie Huixuan smiled slightly and patted Lao Liu on the shoulder: "Don't worry, Lao Liu. I will be careful."

The next morning, Xie Huixuan changed into men's clothes and quietly left the Ningguo Mansion. Following the clues provided by Lao Liu, she came to an abandoned house. This was where Xiao Cui once lived.

After opening the door, Xie Huixuan saw the mess inside the house. She carefully searched and suddenly found that a brick in the corner of the wall was loose, leaving a hole. She was moved and walked in quietly.

There was a narrow passage inside the cave. Xie Huixuan walked carefully and suddenly heard a faint cry. She followed the sound and found a small room. Xiao Cui was curled up in the corner, trembling all over.

Xie Huixuan comforted her softly, "Xiao Cui, don't be afraid, I'm here to save you. Tell me, what did you see that night?"

Xiao Cui raised her head, her eyes full of fear. She looked around and confirmed that there was no one else, then whispered, "Miss, that night, I saw a dark figure break into the master's room. Later, I heard screams."

Xie Huixuan frowned: "Black shadow? Do you know who that person is?"

Xiao Cui shook her head: "Miss, I was too scared to make a sound, so I didn't see it clearly. But I think that person must not be from the mansion."

Xie Huixuan had a plan in mind, and she decided to take Xiao Cui away from here first. She carefully led Xiao Cui out of the abandoned house and returned to the Ningguo Mansion.

After returning to the mansion, Xie Huixuan placed Xiao Cui in a secret place, then found Lao Liu and told him what happened. Lao Liu was silent for a long time, then said: "Miss, this matter involves too much, we can't delay it any longer. Tomorrow, I will accompany you to see the official and get to the bottom of this matter."

Xie Huixuan nodded, with a hint of determination in her eyes: "Old Liu, thank you. No matter what, I will seek justice for my father."

The next day, at dawn, Xie Huixuan and Lao Liu entered the government office together. The officials in the government office looked serious, but they did not dare to neglect Xie Huixuan, the second daughter of the Ningguo Mansion. They were led to a spacious hall and waited for the officials to arrive.

Soon, a middle-aged official walked into the hall. He was dressed in brocade and looked dignified. As soon as he entered the door, he bowed to Xie Huixuan and Lao Liu: "Miss Xie Er, Lao Liu, I have read the details of what you said. Now, please tell me in detail what happened."

Xie Huixuan nodded slightly, a trace of gratitude flashed in her eyes, and she slowly said: "My father, Xie Xun, the Loyal and Brave Marquis, has been honest and upright all his life and respected by others. However, a month ago, he was suddenly attacked on his way home and was seriously injured. He has been bedridden ever since. We suspect that this incident is related to certain forces in the officialdom."

The official frowned and motioned for Xie Huixuan to continue. Old Liu couldn't help but interrupt, "Yes, sir, that day I followed the master home and encountered a carriage on the way. The people in the carriage suddenly attacked us. We suspected that the carriage belonged to the government."

After hearing this, the official's face became more serious. He thought for a moment and said, "We will verify all the clues you provided. But before that, you must promise not to leak this matter to the outside world, so as not to cause unnecessary panic."

Xie Huixuan and Lao Liu responded in unison, and the official left with peace of mind.

After the official left, Xie Huixuan said to Lao Liu: "Uncle Liu, do you think this matter can be resolved smoothly?" Lao Liu pondered and said: "Miss, this matter involves a lot of people, we can't take it lightly. But as long as we are firm in our beliefs and seek justice for the master, I believe that heaven will not tolerate it."

One day, Xie Huixuan was looking up information in the study room when Lao Liu hurried in, looking nervous: "Miss, this is bad. I just got the news that an official in the government has leaked our whereabouts. Those powerful people have already known about our investigation."

Xie Huixuan's face changed and she stood up immediately: "Uncle Liu, we can't just sit there and wait for death. We must take immediate measures. You go and notify the government first and ask them to strengthen their precautions. I will go and notify my father right away."

Xie Huixuan came to her father's bedside and whispered, "Father, those people already know about our investigation. We must be careful." Xie Xun opened his eyes slightly and said weakly, "Xuan'er, this matter concerns the reputation of my Xie family. You must be careful and not let them succeed."

……

"It's you who covered up the truth, not me." Gu Zhiyi said lightly, with an imperceptible firmness in her eyes.

When housekeeper Lao Liu heard this, his face changed slightly. He lowered his head, as if trying to suppress his inner panic. After a moment, he raised his head and tried to respond in a calm tone: "Madam, how dare I say a word of falsehood? All of this is for the peace of the mansion and the reputation of the Xie family."

Gu Zhiyi smiled lightly, with a hint of sarcasm in her smile: "Peace? Reputation? Old Liu, do you really think that you can keep all this by covering it up?"

Old Liu was speechless. He knew that what his wife said was the truth, but the worry in his heart forced him to continue to explain: "Madam, things are unpredictable. Sometimes, we have to do something we have to do. This old servant is also for the long-term plan of the Ningguo Mansion."

Gu Zhiyi stood up, walked to the window, looked at the mottled raindrops outside the window, and her voice became low: "Lao Liu, you have been with me for many years, and I have always trusted you, but your actions this time have made me a little disappointed in you."

Old Liu was shocked and knelt down hurriedly, saying sincerely: "Madam, I was wrong. Please forgive me for making such a wrong decision in a moment of impulse. From now on, I will do my best to serve the Ningguo Mansion."

Gu Zhiyi turned around and looked at Lao Liu, a complex emotion flashing across her face. She sighed and her tone softened: "Lao Liu, please get up. I understand that you are doing this for the Ningguo Mansion and for me. However, there are some things that we cannot escape from, let alone cover up."

The next day, Gu Zhiyi called Lao Liu to the study. She sat in front of the desk and said seriously, "Lao Liu, I have thought about it for a long time and decided to let you investigate this matter. I believe you can find out the truth."

Old Liu was stunned. He didn't expect that Madam would give him such an important task. He hesitated: "Madam, this... this is a matter related to the reputation of the Ningguo Mansion. I am afraid that I am not qualified for it."

Gu Zhiyi smiled gently: "Old Liu, you have followed me for many years, I naturally know your ability. I believe that you can find out the truth. Moreover, this is also an opportunity to clear your suspicion."

A trace of determination flashed in Old Liu's eyes, and he nodded heavily: "Madam, I will do my best to find out the truth and restore the reputation of the Ningguo Mansion."