Before confiscating their property, they emptied the imperial city and exiled them!

Lin Huaiming grabbed Lin Wanwan's hand that was holding the reins and pleaded, "Sister, I was wrong before, but you only have me as your brother."

Even if you eventually marry Chu Junze as you wish, so what? He will become your only support.

Your honor or disgrace rests entirely on his whim. Are you truly content to live such a life?

Lin Huaiming knew his older sister well; she was proud, so this was the only way he could provoke her—it was his only chance to save himself.

Sure enough, Lin Wanwan was moved by his words. If she hadn't been defiled by the previous constables, she certainly wouldn't have been afraid of Lin Huaiming's threats.

But things are different now. He's right. My only support right now is Chu Junze, and I do need his help.

Lin Wanwan looked at him coldly and said, "I will only save you this time."

Seeing that he had a chance, Lin Huaiming hurriedly promised, "Okay, just this once, I promise I won't do it again next time."

Lin Wanwan said softly, "When Lu Hu questions you later, don't admit that you ran away. Say that you accidentally got separated from the main group."

Lin Huaiming was overjoyed when he heard this; how could he not have thought of it?

They should just deny it. How can they be sure they ran away?

"Sis, you're so smart. Now they can't do anything to me."

Lin Wanwan looked at him and said, "Don't be too happy yet. You'll still have to suffer some physical pain."

Lin Huaiming said nonchalantly, "I know that. As long as I'm alive, that's all that matters. Otherwise, how will I be able to take care of my grandmother and my sister in the future?"

Lin Wanwan remained unmoved by Lin Ziming's glib tongue, while Gu Shi was moved to tears.

Song Huai'an walked quickly to Lin Xiaoxiao's carriage, knocked on the carriage and said, "Lin girl, can you come out for a bit?"

I have something to discuss with you.

Song Wenjing was about to stop her but Lin Xiaoxiao stopped him.

Lin Xiaoxiao put down the playing cards in her hand and said with a relaxed expression, "It's okay, I'll go see what Dad wants to see me about first."

He then told Song Wenjing to stop the carriage, got off, and walked to Song Huai'an's side.

Song Huai'an sighed: "Xiaoxiao, you're so smart, you should know why I asked you to come here!"

Lin Xiaoxiao: "I understand what Dad means. This time, I'm just expressing my own attitude."

Song Huai'an glanced at her and said, "Just say what you're thinking!"

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled faintly and said, "If Father insists on letting Xie Yurou marry Song Wenjing, then you can ask Song Wenjing to give me a letter of divorce!"

"Don't worry, I won't hold a grudge against the Song family because of this, but it's best to cut off all contact after all."

Song Huai'an was surprised that Lin Xiaoxiao would have such an idea, and hurriedly said, "Xiaoxiao, you know that's not what your father meant."

"Even though Xie Yurou has married into the family, you are still the legal wife. Our Song family would never do anything to betray you."

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "I know what you mean, but I can't do it. Xiaoxiao doesn't ask for much, just a simple lifelong commitment to one person."

If Song Wenjing cannot give me such a promise, then I will not force him!

Song Huai'an was stunned for a moment. He understood what Lin Xiaoxiao meant. She wasn't negotiating with him, nor was she afraid that the Song family would kick her out of the house.

Instead, if she insisted on going her own way, she would abandon the Song family.

Song Huai'an sighed: "Xiaoxiao, why are you doing this?"

Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at Song Huai'an: "Dad, you and Mom lived your whole lives like this, didn't you?"

After Song Huai'an understood, a trace of guilt appeared on his face.

Yes, he only had one woman in his life, Su Shi. Before Wen Jing was born, his mother had also wanted to take a concubine for him.

However, he sternly rejected her, simply because his heart could not tolerate the appearance of a second woman.

"Xiaoxiao, I was wrong. I underestimated you. I will never make the same mistake again."

Song Huai'an's eyes were filled with guilt. He had indeed made a big mistake, but fortunately there was still a chance to make amends.

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "Since Father has made his choice, I will go back now."

When Song Wenjing saw Lin Xiaoxiao return, he hurriedly and nervously grabbed her hand.

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled and said, "Don't worry! Dad isn't as old-fashioned as you think."

A hint of doubt lingered in Song Wenjing's eyes. It wasn't that he didn't trust Lin Xiaoxiao, but rather that he didn't trust his own unyielding father.

"You need to understand, his decision can't sway me, so you can't!"

Before Song Wenjing could finish speaking, Lin Xiaoxiao interrupted him: "Don't worry."

She was merely engaging in a game of wits with Song Huai'an.

When it was time to rest that night, Lin Huaiming, following Lin Wanwan's instructions, refused to admit that his previous disappearance was an attempt to escape.

Lu Hu could only whip him once before letting him go.

Lin Xiaoxiao realized that it was Lin Wanwan's idea, which meant that she hadn't given up on her younger brother.

At dinner time, the Song family's meals were still plentiful.

Xie Yurou diligently served food to Chen Shi, deliberately trying to impress Song Wenjing so that he would notice her more.

But throughout the meal, Song Wenjing didn't even glance at her.

This made Xie Yurou very depressed.

I even wondered if there was something dirty on my face.

After seeing Song Wenjing keep putting food on Lin Xiaoxiao's plate, he became even more jealous of Lin Xiaoxiao.

Then, looking at Lin Xiaoxiao who had just picked up a piece of braised pork, he said in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, little sister has such a good palate, the whole plate of braised pork has gone into your stomach."

Lin Xiaoxiao put the meat in her mouth: "What? You don't want me to eat the meat?"

Xie Yurou: "No, that's not what I meant. My sister has probably misunderstood me."

"I knew it. Miss Xie isn't so oblivious as to interfere in other people's business."

Is this someone else's business?

Is Lin Xiaoxiao deliberately trying to distance herself from me?

Xie Yurou smiled gently at Lin Xiaoxiao: "Sister, you're joking. I've long considered you all family."

If my sister dislikes me, then that's a different story.

Watching the two engage in a heated exchange, Madam Chen did not intervene, because she knew that Xiaoxiao would not suffer any injustice.

If Xiaoxiao is at a disadvantage, it's not too late for me to speak up for her.

Lin Xiaoxiao looked at Xie Yurou and nodded seriously, saying, "You're right, I really don't like you, and you don't like me either, do you?"

Xie Yurou's mind went blank for a moment.

What did she say?

Having never experienced such a scene before, she was momentarily at a loss for how to react.

Song Wanqing spat out the food he had just put in his mouth.

She looked at Lin Xiaoxiao in disbelief. How could her sister-in-law be so strong-willed?

She just expressed her true feelings so vividly?

Mrs. Su patted her daughter's back to hide her barely suppressed smile: "Be careful, you're such a grown woman, why are you still so impatient?"

Song Wanqing quickly drank a couple of sips of water and said awkwardly, "It's because Auntie's cooking is so delicious that I couldn't resist!"

After clearly expressing her thoughts, Lin Xiaoxiao stood up and left.

Only the weak need to fawn over others; Lin Xiaoxiao said she didn't need to.