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

In the main hall of the Duke's mansion, Xiao Wang gazed at the spacious courtyard, his feelings equally complex. He flicked the slight ripples in his robes, thinking of the daughter he had once considered his pride.

He had thought that if she couldn't make it on, she would eventually come back to beg him and his wife. He never expected that after sixteen years of raising and caring for her, the child would turn her back on him without a second thought, all because of a sudden falling out.

He and his wife, of course, would never stoop to the level of welcoming back someone they had driven out of the house. They were both waiting for her to become destitute and come back to beg them, at which point…

Going with the flow is fine too.

Unexpectedly, the wait lasted for more than half a year.

Xiao Wang sighed inwardly.

After all, she was born into the Duke's family and raised by his own hands. Perhaps her pride outweighed her affection for her parents?

But what was the child's purpose in coming to see him so early this morning? Was he finally begging him to return home because he couldn't make a living outside?

Upon seeing the familiar tall and slender figure being led in by the guards, Xiao Wang's eyes flashed, a strange sense of pride lurking within him.

He said it himself: how could a poor, remote place compare to his own magnificent Duke's mansion! A smart child should know how to make the right choice.

But should he agree to the child's return? Now doesn't seem like the best time. He heard from his wife that Yao Yao is causing quite a commotion in the inner quarters.

The thought of his biological daughter returning from the countryside gave Xiao Wang a headache.

That wild nature of hers, she can't be tamed at all! I really don't know who she takes after? He couldn't help but take his anger out on the Yu family again, and his heart, which had just softened towards Yu Wanran, hardened again.

Yu Wanran was completely unaware that on her short walk into the Duke's mansion, Duke Xiao had been thinking so much.

Upon entering the hall, she noticed the other person's slightly cold gaze, a gaze that would have wounded her deeply in her past life. But at this moment, it stirred no emotion within her.

She curtsied to Xiao Wang, and before he could speak, she said in a calm tone, "This humble woman greets the Duke! I have something important to tell the Duke. May I ask that the Duke dismiss his attendants?"

Xiao Wang was taken aback and stared intently at Yu Wanran, seemingly only then noticing that the package she was carrying was stained red with blood.

He hesitated for a moment, then gave the guards a look, signaling them to leave and close the hall door.

"Last night, a group of masked men dressed in black came to the Yu family to kill and set fire to their home."

Yu Wanran noticed Xiao Wang's stunned expression, bent down and gently placed the package on the ground, untied the knot, and revealed the head that had died with its eyes wide open.

Originally, she intended to bring the entire corpse to the Duke's mansion, but then she thought that would be too conspicuous, and she might not even be allowed to enter the city. Therefore, she hoped that Duke Xiao would understand that she did not intentionally bring a human head to demonstrate her power.

To dispel the suspicions of the suspicious Duke Xiao, she deliberately showed a sorrowful expression.

"Lord Duke, do you really... hate me so much? Do you want to exterminate my entire family?"

Before Xiao Wang could ask any questions, she pressed on, lowering her head and speaking with a choked voice.

"I will never forget the kindness of the Duke and Duchess in raising me. But I never knew... that you two hated me so much that you wanted my life? But you shouldn't have implicated other innocent people!"

Xiao Wang frowned deeply.

"Ranran, what nonsense are you talking about? You and I...we have never done anything to you!"

Yu Wanran had been waiting for him to say that.

Pointing at the severed head on the ground, tears streamed down her face: "Isn't this Rui Zhen, the secret guard of the Duke's mansion? Duke, didn't you want to kill me?"

“In ancient times, Nezha cut off his flesh to return to his mother and his bones to return to his father. Your Excellency, if you wish to reclaim the debt of sixteen years of raising me, I am right here. You may beat or kill me, but I will not say a word.”

She simply knelt down and presented the sword with both hands.

"I only ask that you spare the Yu family and not tarnish the reputation of the Duke's Mansion!"

Xiao Wang was caught off guard by her outburst, and just as he was about to get angry, he calmed down after hearing the last sentence.

He believed he understood his daughter; she wouldn't come to him to confide in him unless she had suffered a great injustice. Moreover, under his guidance, the child understood his good intentions in protecting the Duke's mansion at a very young age.

He's more sensible than his good-for-nothing son.

He bent slightly, carefully examining the head's features. A surge of turmoil welled up within him, but he remained outwardly calm.

He raised his hand, gesturing for Yu Wanran to stand up, and said in a deep voice, "This person is indeed a secret guard from the Duke's mansion. But, do you believe me that I didn't order him to do it?"

"Then... who is so bold as to deliberately tarnish the reputation of the Duke's Mansion outside?"

Yu Wanran wiped away her tears and immediately expressed her belief.

"My lord, don't they know your predicament is dire? The censors are waiting to arrest the Duke's mansion at any moment. If people find out that the Duke's mansion is preying on the people and wantonly killing innocents, this..."

Xiao Wang was very pleased with her respectful and admiring gaze, feeling that he hadn't raised this adopted daughter in vain. Even after being kicked out, she still cared deeply for the Duke's mansion. And her last words truly resonated with him!

He had many wives and concubines, and sons and daughters, but only this child in front of him could understand his hardships. However, thinking about how distressing this matter was, he became irritable again.

"How many people went to Qingping Village last night? You only captured this elite force?"

He didn't care about the harm done to the Yu family; he only cared about the outcome of Yu Wanran's case.

Yu Wanran naturally understood the other party's thoughts and succinctly reported the key points: "Thirteen people came, one escaped, and two were captured alive. Except for Rui Zhen, the others were reported to the authorities as local thugs!"

Xiao Wang felt relieved and looked at Yu Wanran: "I'm sorry you had to go through this, Ranran. I will definitely give you an explanation for this."

Knowing full well who the mastermind is, Xiao Wang remains silent. What kind of explanation can he possibly give?

Yu Wanran's mind raced, and she decided to add fuel to the fire: "The one who escaped was a woman. If I'm not mistaken, she's the assassin who tried to kill Yan Cheng'an not long ago!"

One sentence made Xiao Wang's expression change drastically.

The Duke's mansion had an intelligence network, so he naturally knew that the young master of the Yan family had been assassinated on his way back to the capital. Moreover, he also knew that Yu Wanran, when faced with adversity, would seek change, and that she had just happened to encounter that incident while on a business trip.

Originally, I didn't want to ask any further questions, but since this matter is related to the Duke's mansion, I have no choice but to pay attention.

Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?

Yu Wanran said solemnly, "I happened to have fought with her while escorting Young Master Yan's caravan. I am naturally familiar with that female assassin's physique and martial arts style."

Xiao Wang clenched his back teeth hard.

Seriously, he's such a worry!

What did they find? Are they trying to wipe out the Duke's family?

His gaze swept over Yu Wanran, and for a fleeting moment, a murderous intent flashed in his chest—no one knew this better than the person in front of him; should he settle things once and for all?

But seeing the other person's respectful expression and adoring eyes, his heart softened.

After all, she raised the child herself for sixteen years!

Even after being expelled from the Duke's mansion, she still prioritized the Duke's family in everything. When she felt wronged and knew the matter was serious, she would come to him crying and reminding him to be careful.

Such a good child! He couldn't help but wonder why he had been so foolish as to give up on her back then. The Duke's mansion certainly didn't lack the money to raise another daughter!

Yu Wanran noticed out of the corner of her eye that the other person's expression had softened, and silently breathed a sigh of relief.

She made the right bet!