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

"Father, you're getting old and your legs aren't as strong as they used to be. Why don't I go to the capital with my third sister, and you stay at home? The house can't function without you."

Despite his fear, Yu Wenbin still forced himself to speak.

Yu Wanran waved her hand: "Father, elder brother, you don't need to go! There are people from the escort agency here, I can manage on my own..."

Before the words were finished, and before Yu Man and his son could refute, a faint sound came from outside, like the wind or footsteps.

The family members looked at each other, their expressions instantly turning grim.

Who would come so late?

Yu Wanran realized she had been careless!

Although the Duke's mansion has been temporarily subdued, the female assassin has escaped. Could it be that she is still resentful and has gathered her forces to return and attack?

She reacted swiftly, blowing out the oil lamp with a "poof," gesturing for her family to be quiet and find a place to hide. Then, she quietly drew her sword, propped it against the door, and peered through the crack to observe the outside world.

The moonlight was bright tonight, and two dark figures could be vaguely seen walking briskly from the distant mountain path, standing outside the fence of her yard.

The more Yu Wanran looked at her, the more suspicious she became.

Why do those two figures look so familiar?

"county……"

The shorter one opened his mouth to knock on the door, but before he could utter a single word, his companion slapped him on the shoulder, silencing him.

Yu Wanran finally recognized the two people, and after a moment of surprise, she sheathed her sword, opened the door, and went out.

"Yan Qing, Yan Bai, how could it be you?"

Two guards in blue robes, each carrying a sword, were present. One was Yan Qing, who had visited Qingping Village before; the other, Yan Bai, had fair skin and never tanned. Both had followed Yu Wanran since childhood and were personally chosen by Duke Xiao to serve as her bodyguards.

Upon seeing their former master, both men were overcome with emotion and immediately prostrated themselves in worship.

"master!"

Yu Wanran quickly helped them up, looking at the large bundles they were carrying with surprise: "What are you doing here? Does the Duke... have any orders?"

Yan Qing and Yan Bai exchanged a glance. Yan Bai took out two pieces of paper from his bundle and respectfully presented them to Yu Wanran.

“Master, the Duke knows you are short of people by your side, so he has ordered the two of us to continue to follow and protect you. These two contracts of servitude belong to me and Yanbai.”

Yu Wanran's eyes flashed.

Seeing that she wouldn't accept the indenture, Yan Bai hurriedly added, "Master, we left the city a step behind you and missed the mule cart, so we arrived at the village late."

Yu Wanran shook her head, her face indifferent.

"Go back and convey my gratitude to the Duke. Tell him that the Yu family is poor and cannot afford to support servants for the time being..."

Before he could finish speaking, with two thuds, Yan Qing and Yan Bai both knelt down again.

Yanqing's eyes were filled with tears: "Master, the Duke's mansion has kicked us out! We grew up in the Duke's mansion, and we have no relatives or friends here. Besides you, who else can take us in?"

Yan Bai looked at Yu Wanran's expression.

"Master, Yanqing and I only ask for a place to stay."

Noticing the Yu family members coming out of the house one after another, he lowered his head and spoke in a hoarse voice.

“My master once said that he would treat Yanqing and me as family. Even if we were to get married in the future, he would arrange our whereabouts. Now, does my master no longer acknowledge us?”

The Yu family members watched this scene, wondering what had happened. They dared not breathe and silently stood behind Yu Wanran.

Only at times like these did they truly feel that Ranran had returned from the Duke's mansion—a place of strict hierarchy, where servants were expected to kneel at any moment, and where masters could easily decide the fate of their servants.

Yu Wanran frowned slightly.

"Didn't we say last time that you were following the young master?"

Yan Bai raised his head: "The Duke has assigned all three of the county princess's bodyguards to the young master."

In short, they are superfluous.

Yu Wanran took the two thin sheets of paper, held them in her hands and rubbed them for a while. After a moment, she smiled wryly.

"If you're not afraid of suffering following a master who can't even protect himself, then stay! I'll need more people for my future trade trips, so your monthly salary will be one tael for now."

The monthly salary of an ordinary bodyguard in the Duke's mansion is ten taels. This does not include rewards or allowances for missions.

The salary Yu Wanran gave this month was even less than what a high-ranking maid in the Duke's mansion received. After saying this, she subtly observed the reactions of the two men.

Yan Qing and Yan Bai seemed to have been mentally prepared. Upon hearing that she had agreed to take them in, they immediately kowtowed with joy.

"Thank you for your mercy, Master. I only ask for two meals a day to keep me warm!"

Ji Chunhua hurriedly came up.

"Ranran, there aren't any extra rooms in the house, you..."

Why are they suddenly letting two outsiders in?

Yan Bai hurriedly said, "Please rest assured, Madam! My brother and I don't eat much; we're already used to sleeping outdoors, so there's no need to assign us extra rooms!"

He pointed to the large package on his body.

"We brought our luggage, so we'll just pitch a small tent outside."

In short, their activity space will never affect the owner's normal routine. Otherwise, why would they be called bodyguards?

Ji Chunhua was dumbfounded and didn't know what to say.

Yu Wanran said, "Then you should find a place to rest yourselves. I will be setting off for the capital the day after tomorrow. Yanqing will come with me, and Yanbai will stay behind to protect my family."

Yan Qing and Yan Bai bowed respectfully to her, replied "Yes," and then turned to leave, their figures disappearing into the night.

"Father, Mother, just pretend they don't exist from now on."

Yu Wanran turned to the astonished Yu family members and said, "They will only protect your safety in secret and will not appear in public. Two meals a day plus supplementary food, sister-in-law, please make two extra portions and keep them in the kitchen."

Regardless of Xiao Wang's purpose in sending these two people, she was currently in need of manpower. With Yan Qing and Yan Bai around, at least she could weather the storm on the surface.

As for the indenture...

She went back to her room and coldly packed away the items.

The secret guards are highly skilled; can a mere indenture restrain them? What a joke! The Duke's mansion has plenty of ways to exploit these secret guards' weaknesses.

Moreover, the guards were all orphans, raised from childhood, and extremely loyal to the Duke's mansion. Xiao Wang's act of sending her former guards revealed his true intentions without any attempt to conceal them.

But she couldn't refuse.

This aroused the suspicion of the old fox, and I fear I'll never have another chance to move. Anyway, it doesn't matter who I use, I'll just take it slow and see. At least one tael of silver is enough to buy a guard to serve for a month—a good deal.

The rest of the Yu family didn't think that way.

Two people have inexplicably appeared in the house. Although they're not around, I'm constantly suspicious of everything they do, suspecting they're secretly watching me. But Ranran has already taken them in, so I can't kick them out. I have no choice but to live with this resentment for now.

Yu Man and his wife whispered to each other before going to bed.

I initially disagreed with my daughter moving out and establishing her own household, but now I think it's a good idea? My daughter has a strong will and doesn't listen to anyone.

Furthermore, the merchants did indeed influence the imperial examinations of future generations. If the Yu family has a grandson in the future, and the son is incompetent, they will surely hope that the grandson will study hard and succeed, right? Ranran's plan is actually the best for the family's future.

Yan Qing and Yan Bai chose a large tree that was neither too close nor too far from the Yu family's house, and made a secluded nest on it.

Yan Qing said happily, "Brother Yan Bai, you rest first, and I'll take over for you in the second half of the night."