Expelled from the Duke's mansion, the fake heiress is richer than a country.

Xiang Gang's face turned pale instantly.

Oh no! This time he's entertaining a female guest! And coincidentally, the two of them were seen walking out of the private room together. Who can prove what they were doing in the private room? Miss Yu is young and beautiful; anyone would have doubts.

He immediately went over, beaming, picked up one child, took the other's hand, and looked at the young woman with tender eyes, conveying a plea that he hoped she would be rational and not cause trouble in public.

"Jinniang, what are you doing here?"

This place is a mixed bag of people, and he warned his family never to come here!

Jinniang was annoyed by his obsequious manner, knowing full well the answer yet. She pointed her chin at Yu Wanran and coldly questioned her.

"who is she?"

The family was happily strolling down the street when suddenly the man was called away. His secretive manner made her suspicious. Sure enough, when she went to the shop, she found her husband had just seen the other person off.

The girl had a calm and composed demeanor, and didn't seem to have any seductive qualities, but she just couldn't help getting angry?

Little did she know, Yu Wanran was even more surprised than she was!

Seeing the two so intimate, he blurted out, "Master Xiang, you have a wife and children?"

Before she could finish speaking, Jinniang, who was already consumed by jealousy, seemed to have caught the two of them red-handed. She grabbed and pinched Xiang Gang's hand hard, twisting his soft flesh until it spun around.

The pain was so intense that Xiang Gang almost jumped up. Ignoring the agony, he glared angrily at Yu Wanran.

"What nonsense are you spouting, woman? You're causing misunderstandings! It's perfectly normal for a man like me to have a wife and children!"

Jinniang is naturally a jealous person; upon hearing this, she'd surely throw a fit of jealousy and flood the house!

Yu Wanran felt embarrassed.

The Xiang Gang she knew was someone she had saved when he was being chased. Xiang Gang was gloomy and taciturn, and apart from being wealthy, he was comparable to Zhong Yeliu in every other way.

Xiang Gang recounted that he had once served as the deputy leader of the Green Gang, but later had a falling out and was hunted down. However, she was unaware that Xiang Gang was already married and even had children.

Xiang Gang and Lin Anzhi were close, and their relationship was intimate. Rumors among the caravan members circulated that Xiang Gang was homosexual. In the past twenty years, Yu Wanran had indeed never seen Xiang Gang touch any woman, and he rarely even spoke to her.

Therefore, she genuinely believed the rumor to some extent...

Realizing that rumors are just rumors, Yu Wanran immediately apologized and explained softly.

“I’m sorry, Madam, you’ve misunderstood! I heard a rumor that the Chief is a homosexual… so I was very surprised to see him marry and have children.”

In order to avoid Jinniang's misunderstanding, Xiang Gang's reputation had to be sacrificed.

Xiang Gang's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot!

Jinniang first stared at her husband in disbelief, then burst out laughing and pinched Xiang Gang's arm.

"See? I told you not to let me go out easily? Look at what people are saying about you outside!"

Xiang Gang was furious.

Because of his line of work, he inevitably made many enemies. Therefore, he dared not publicize his marriage and children, wishing he could hide them at home and never show them to the world.

Who knew that people would spread such rumors about him!

That Miss Yu is really something!

Knowing you're so perceptive, there's no need to say the truth out loud! How will he ever face his wife and children again?

Of course, compared to letting Jinniang suspect his infidelity, bearing this blame would indeed save Jinniang from getting angry...

He's the one who's suffering!

Wangyou maintained her expressionless face.

However, he wasn't calm. Instead, he was a little disoriented after hearing his master drop this bombshell...

After washing herself up, Yu Wanran didn't care whether Xiang Gang lived or died. She immediately said goodbye to the couple politely and slipped away.

Jinniang, now in a better mood, even waved her little handkerchief at her.

Back at the inn, Yu Wanran found the matter increasingly unsettling. Xiang Gang later lived a solitary and miserable life. Where had his seemingly close family—his wife and children—gone?

Could something have happened...?

Yu Wanran couldn't sit still and thought it over. Finally, she decided to write a letter and sent Wangyou to Xiang Gang's house that very night. She advised Xiang Gang to protect his wife and children and to be wary of those around him. She also suggested that he secretly change his current home address.

Based on the timeline, Xiang Gang likely suffered a devastating upheaval within the Green Gang within the next year or two.

The original plan was to leave the capital as soon as possible, but due to an appointment with Xiang Gang, they had to stay at the inn for two more days. However, this meant increased pressure from the Empress and Crown Prince's forces...

Yu Wanran was filled with anxiety.

She has now prepared for both scenarios and will see how things develop in order to adapt accordingly.

But despite all her calculations, she underestimated human nature.

The next day, before she could even leave the house, she was cornered inside the inn by Yan Cheng'an and Gao Huai'en, who had come to visit again.

Gao Huaien helped a woman wearing a bamboo hat and with half of her body covered by a black veil out of a seemingly inconspicuous blue cloth sedan chair, and she gracefully entered Yu Wanran's guest room.

Gao Huaien gestured for Yan Chengan, Wangyou, and the others to step outside, and then personally closed the door. Seeing that no one else was around, the woman lifted her veil, revealing her dignified, imposing face.

"Do you know who I am, Miss Yu?"

The woman smiled slightly and spoke.

Yu Wanran glanced at the other person.

The woman was dressed in the simplest cloth clothes, her hair was tied up in a dark bun without any ornaments, and she had even taken off her earrings.

But she raised her fair and plump wrist, revealing a jadeite bracelet of imperial green, with a phoenix design faintly engraved on it. Even a fleeting glimpse was enough for Yu Wanran to guess her identity.

After hesitating for a moment, Yu Wanran sighed silently and stepped forward to curtsy.

"This humble woman, Yu Wanran, greets Your Majesty the Empress! May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"

"He's definitely a smart person!"

The Empress smiled without showing her teeth, and after glancing at her with a commanding look, she sat down directly in the chair at the table.

"Then, I presume you understand the purpose of my visit today?"

Yu Wanran remained silent. She maintained her bowing posture unless prompted to rise.

The Empress's gaze deepened, realizing that this woman had a stubborn temper. Considering she needed her help, she softened her tone and changed her approach.

"Rise. I am traveling incognito, and my arrival is sudden. Please do not take offense, Miss Yu."

"I dare not!"

Yu Wanran then stood up, straightening her spine. She lowered her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the Empress's feet, avoiding eye contact; her manners were impeccable.

When the Empress saw her like this, she couldn't help but think of her background and thought to herself that she was indeed from the Duke's mansion and knew the rules.

It's this cleverness... she's too clever, and she even has a bit of an unruly streak! This made Steward Gao feel like he couldn't handle her, so he hurriedly came back to ask for her instructions.

Thinking of his only son lying on his sickbed, barely breathing and with no interest in life in his eyes, his heart felt as if it were covered with a thick layer of dust, and he had no mood to deal with the woman in front of him anymore.

As long as the other party can help her child, she will use any means necessary, even at the cost of her life!

The Empress beckoned to Yu Wanran, lowering her status considerably: "Miss Yu, come and sit down. There are no outsiders here, so there's no need to stand on ceremony. Let's have a proper talk."