The Old Madam paused for a moment before continuing, "Witness? I’m afraid she’s being devious, randomly finding someone and claiming it’s a witness!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a voice was heard from outside the door: "Old Madam, you’re of considerable age, speaking ill of the younger generation behind their backs harms your image, doesn’t it?"

Startled by the sudden voice, the two people in the room looked up to see that it was Xuexue who had arrived.

The Old Madam’s face immediately darkened and she stated expressionlessly, "What are you doing here?"

The Old Madam still bore a grudge against Xuexue for piercing her palm, the wound still faintly aching. This little wretch was too despicable, and Jiejie didn’t restrain her, allowing her to act recklessly in the mansion. Now that Zhizhi was gone, she was even more audacious, trying to inherit the General’s Mansion’s assets. As long as she’s here, Situtu Xueer can forget about succeeding.

No, a way must be found to bring Situ Dieer and her siblings back.

Thinking of this, the Old Madam looked at Situtu Xueer warily.

Situ Xueer said, "Old Madam, this is really strange. This is my home, why can’t I come?"

The Old Madam no longer grovelled to Xuexue as before, knowing that she couldn’t profit from her anymore. Hence, there was no need to be polite to her, and so she glared with her triangular eyes and said sinisterly, "As the saying goes, a married daughter is like spilled water. The General’s Mansion is only your maternal home now, not your home. You can’t come and go as you please."

Situ Xueer looked at Situ Yongjie beside her with a faint smile and asked, "Father, your daughter is young and doesn’t understand these rules. Is the Old Madam right?"

Situ Yongjie furrowed his brow and said, "Don’t listen to your grandmother’s nonsense. The General’s Mansion is your home, always your home. You can come whenever you like."

The Old Madam’s face turned instantly black.

Situ Xueer smiled sweetly and said, "Father is indeed kind; it’s no wonder your daughter went to great lengths to find a witness for you."

The Old Madam asked gloomily, "What witness?"

Situ Xueer glanced at her obliquely, pointedly saying, "To prove that other than me, everyone in this mansion is illegitimate. If the Old Madam doesn’t believe it, we can do a blood test."

The Old Madam’s expression changed; the word ’illegitimate’ pierced her ears, perhaps because Situ Yongjie was not her biological son. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

The Old Madam said bitterly, "Situtu Xueer, what is your real purpose in creating all this trouble?"

Xuexue replied, "What purpose could I have? I just don’t want Father to raise someone else’s sons."

The Old Madam retorted, "You’re so kind-hearted? Your purpose is to scheme for the family assets, isn’t it?"

Xuexue laughed coldly, "I really don’t covet the little assets of the General’s Mansion, Old Madam. I won’t hesitate to tell you that I’ve found a good family for Father. After some time, Father will marry a new madam and can start a new life, and the unpleasant past can be put behind us."

The Old Madam asked blankly, "Then... what about Zhizhi?"

Xuexue said, "He was never part of the General’s Mansion, he can go wherever he wants; we can’t manage him."

Situ Yongjie furrowed his brows and said, "Xuexue, Father doesn’t want to remarry."

Xuexue said, "If Father doesn’t quickly marry and have a brother, the Old Madam will suspect that your daughter is scheming to seize the General’s Mansion’s assets. Such a grave accusation is too much for your daughter to bear."

Situ Yongjie looked displeasedly at the Old Madam, then turned his face away and said, "Henceforth, anyone who spreads nonsense will be kicked out of the General’s Mansion."

Although these words weren’t explicitly directed at the Old Madam, everyone present knew that the General was speaking to the Old Madam.

The Old Madam’s face looked extremely unpleasant.