After our homes were confiscated and we were exiled, the women in my clan and I raised a million sol

Hearing Zhang Liang's praise, Zhong Xueqing and Wang Xueyi excitedly took Zhang Liang's hands and trotted to Qin Youlan and the others.

Wang Xueyi's face was filled with an expectant smile. She couldn't wait to ask, "Sisters, what do you think of this wreath on Brother Zhang Liang's head?"

Qin Youlan and the other sisters smiled at each other, but there was a hint of complexity in their smiles.

This complexity only lasted for a brief moment and did not attract the attention of Zhang Liang and others.

Then, Wang Yuehan said, "It looks very nice and suits uncle very well. I didn't expect you two girls to come up with these things."

Although she had a warm smile on her face, there was an indescribable sadness in her heart.

Wang Yuehan knew that if she had woven this wreath herself and put it on Zhang Liang's head, his joy at this moment might have been even stronger, and she might even see that the usually calm him had lost his rational side.

However, the reality is that the wreath was made by two other girls, which made her feel a little complicated.

Zhang Liang touched the wreath on his head, feeling everyone's enthusiasm and kindness, and smiled happily: "It's really beautiful, thank you."

When Zhong Xueqing and Wang Xueyi saw his smile, their pride and satisfaction were beyond words.

However, behind the smiles of Wang Yuehan and others, there was a hint of loss, and she could only sigh silently in her heart.

While Zhang Liang, Zhong Xueqing and others were enjoying the flowers in the garden, Zhong Tian had already followed Zhang Liang's orders and led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to launch a thorough investigation of the nearby temples.

They set out in a mighty procession, passing through various temples along the way and conducting detailed inspections and interrogations.

As the investigation deepened, Zhong Tian and his team gradually discovered that there were problems with most of the temples here.

Some temples hide prohibited items, while others have close ties with certain criminals.

Some temples have even become dens of filth and corruption, hiding many unspeakable secrets.

Zhong Tian frowned, and then he did not let go of any of these problematic temples.

At this moment, Chu Xun hurried into a study, his face full of anxiety and panic. As soon as he entered the room, he gasped and said, "Father! Something...something big happened!"

Chu Shi was concentrating on reading the book at his desk. After hearing Chu Xun's words, he raised his head, frowned and said, "What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Chu Xun swallowed hard, trying to calm himself down, and then immediately said, "All the temples that our land was affiliated with have been dealt with by Ning Gucheng's people."

"Now they have taken our land back and are demanding we pay back all the taxes we missed."

Chu Shi's expression instantly became solemn. He slowly put down the book in his hand, stood up, and walked towards the window with slightly heavy steps.

The view outside the window was still peaceful, but his eyes seemed to be able to penetrate this calmness and see the storm lurking in the distance.

Suddenly, he hit the windowsill with a hammer, making a dull sound and breaking the silence in the room.

"Didn't you tell them that we are from the Chu family?"

Chu Shi's voice was low and powerful, with a barely perceptible tremor.

This sentence is not only a question, but also reveals an indescribable anger.

Hearing this, the person standing nearby immediately stepped forward and whispered in the old man's ear, "I've already said it, but those people won't listen at all."

"They were very tough and said that no matter what our family background was, if we didn't do what they asked, they would come to our house and ask for our money."

Chu Shi snorted coldly, his voice full of disdain and indignation.

Then he said, "How can these people be so arrogant? Don't they even give our Chu family face?"

After hearing Chu Shi's words, Chu Xun lowered his head and said nothing, as if he was thinking about something.

Chu Shi's eyes were as sharp as torches, as if he could see through people's hearts.

He continued, "I remember Ninggucheng seemed to be within the Liu family's sphere of influence. So, could it be that the Liu family is planning to attack us?"

This sentence was like a bombshell, making the atmosphere in the room even more solemn.

After hearing his words, Chu Xun frowned and said, "That shouldn't be possible, right? After all, we have always lived in peace with the Liu family. There is no reason for them to attack us, right?"

Chu Shi immediately turned around and glared at him, his eyes as sharp and cold as a knife.

He said coldly, "How dare you bring this up! Last time at the poetry gathering, you not only offended the Liu family, but also lost the family heirloom sword. I haven't even settled the score with you yet!"

After hearing his father's words, Chu Xun immediately lowered his head and dared not say another word.

He could only silently endure the pressure and anger from Chu Shi, fearing that he would further anger his father who was already on the verge of anger.

After Chu Shi's anger subsided a little, Chu Xun asked cautiously, "Father, what should we do now?"

There was a tremor and uneasiness in his voice.

Looking at his only son in front of him, although Chu Shi felt a little disappointed, he was still his own flesh and blood after all, and his heart was filled with helplessness.

He sighed deeply and said, "What else can we do? Let's send our people to ask the Liu family what they really want to do. If they still insist on doing it their own way, don't blame us for taking action."

Having said that, Chu Shi's voice suddenly paused, as if he was organizing his thoughts.

He then continued, "Many landowners here have their lands registered with the temple."

"Now the Liu family of Ninggucheng not only refuses to accept this, but also wants to make trouble. I think those people must be hating the Liu family to death."

Chu Xun narrowed his eyes when he heard this, then slowly said, "But father, the Liu family has always been at odds with people like us. After all, in the eyes of those lowly people, the Liu family has always been a good family."

After Chu Shi heard his son's words, his expression didn't change much.

He curled his lips coldly, as if he disagreed with Chu Xun's point of view.

He sneered and asked, "Good man? Being a good man in this world? Hahaha!"

His laughter was full of irony and helplessness, as if he was mocking the real world.

"If he wants to continue to be a good person, then send him to death!"

After Chu Shi said this, his eyes became sinister.

His gaze was like a sharp knife, chilling to the bone.

Seeing his father like this, Chu Xun was so scared that his body trembled.

He knew his father's temper and methods very well, and knew that he couldn't say anything more at this time.

So he nodded, indicating that he understood Chu Shi's meaning.

"I understand, Father."

Chu Xun said in a low voice.

"I will start doing this right now."

After saying this, he slowly left the room.

Chu Shi stood in front of the study door, watching his son's back gradually disappear, then he sighed deeply, and that breath seemed to contain endless vicissitudes and helplessness.

Although the outside world respects his son as a talented person, the old man knows in his heart how much water and vanity are hidden behind this title.

"This boy."

Chu Shi murmured softly, with a barely perceptible tremor in his voice.

"Such a waste, not only can't open up new things, but also can't maintain them."

There was a flash of disappointment in his eyes, as if he was recalling every detail of his son's growth. Those expectations and dreams he had once had now seemed so far away.

"If we hand over our huge Chu family fortune to him, we don't know if he can keep it safe."

Chu Shi's words were full of worry and uncertainty. He knew that the future of the family was full of variables, but Chu Xun's ability made people feel uneasy.

Thinking of this, Chu Shi's eyes became sharp, and he remembered the ambitions and calculations of his younger brothers at home.

Their thoughts are almost exposed, and everyone is eyeing the position of the head of the family, wanting to get a piece of the pie.

"It seems that I have to get rid of them before I die, otherwise that kid..."

Chu Shi's voice suddenly became cold and hard, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

He knew that for the sake of his son and the future of his family, he had to take some measures, even if it meant facing betrayal and bloodshed between brothers.

After saying this, the old man snorted coldly, his voice full of determination and firmness.

He couldn't fall down, at least not now. He had to make sure everything was in place before he could leave this world peacefully.