The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 962: Chapter 939: Honor Amidst the Chaos 7

Anning felt the ground and smeared some dirt on her face, then did the same for Xiao Fu and Xiao Yin, making their faces dirty as well.

She said to Xiao Ying and the others, ”Smear some dirt on your faces, quickly now.”

Xiao Ying and the others didn’t know why, but they knew their mother always had their best interests at heart, so the three boys quickly grabbed dirt and smeared it on their faces.

Xiao Yin glanced at Anning, and suddenly understood what was going on.

But since Anning didn’t say anything, she wouldn’t either. Saying it would only upset her brothers and sisters.

Anning patted Xiao Yin, ”Just sleep, it’ll be better if you fall asleep.”

Xiao Yin dozed off drowsily.

Anning stayed quietly with the children in the cell, but the other cells were not so calm.

The Old Madam finally breathed a sigh of relief and fainted directly.

Mrs. Zhao was startled and hurried over to check, ”Old Madam, Old Madam, please wake up.”

Following Mrs. Zhao, Aunt Qian said softly, ”Madam, pinch the Old Madam’s philtrum.”

Mrs. Zhao glared at Aunt Qian but still pinched the Old Madam’s philtrum. After a while, the Old Madam slowly came to.

When the Old Madam opened her eyes and saw Mrs. Zhao, tears streamed from her eyes.

She was born into a noble family and had enjoyed decades of prosperity and wealth. She had never suffered such grievances. At this moment, she couldn’t help but think it might be better to die.

In another cell, the people from the second, fourth, and fifth branches were locked together.

Mrs. Wei from the second branch was with her young son Xiao Han, Mrs. Hui from the fourth branch with Xiao Zhong and Xiao Keke, and Ms. Jin from the fifth branch held onto Xiao Kai and wouldn’t let go.

Mrs. Hui, before being dragged out, must have taken a few pastries from the Old Madam’s room. Now, she quietly took them out to give to Xiao Zhong and Xiao Keke, but Xiao Han saw and demanded some.

Mrs. Wei had always been domineering at home.

Seeing Xiao Han asking, she directly went to snatch the pastry from Xiao Keke’s hand.

Mrs. Hui wouldn’t comply and immediately slapped Mrs. Wei’s face.

Ms. Jin was sinister. Seeing the two branches fighting, she took the opportunity to snatch the pastry from Xiao Zhong’s hand and stuffed it into Xiao Kai’s mouth, stuffing it so urgently that it nearly choked Xiao Kai.

Anning whispered, hearing the commotion, ”Are you hungry?”

Xiao Ying shook his head, ”Mother, we’re not hungry.”

In the men’s cell, Xiao Yuan was locked up with the Old Master, Elder Jue, and Lao Si Xiao Jin. In another cell, Elder Su, Fifth Xiao Fang, and Lao Liu Xiao Ling were locked up with Xiao En and Xiao Ming from the eldest branch, and the remaining junior children were locked up together.

The Old Master looked much older, sitting silently in a corner without speaking.

Xiao Jue called over Xiao Yuan and Xiao Jin and spoke softly, ”Third Brother, Fourth Brother, do you have any thoughts?”

Xiao Yuan lowered his head without speaking, and Xiao Jin, having some opinions about the Eldest, spoke angrily, ”Thoughts? What can I think? Everyone knows who caused this. I said from the start not to get involved with the deposed Crown Prince, but you wouldn’t listen, Eldest Brother. Now you want to ask me, what can I do?”

Xiao Yuan tugged at Xiao Jin, but Xiao Jin shook him off, ”Stop pulling me. I know you’re always easygoing, never having a say in the mansion, so I’m not talking to you. I’m asking Eldest Brother, are you satisfied now?”

The Old Master opened his eyes, ”Lao Si, sit down.”

Xiao Jin, unwilling to listen, sat down angrily.

Xiao Yuan sat beside the Old Master, ”Father, are you holding up?”

The Old Master replied softly, ”Don’t mind me, I’m holding up, but your Second Brother’s health has always been poor...”

Xiao Yuan stood up, ”I’ll go and talk to Fourth Brother, lest he bottles it up and falls ill.”

He sat beside Xiao Jin but didn’t counsel him.

He just couldn’t bear to see the Old Master’s partiality even at this time.

Xiao Jin scoffed, ”Don’t be so honest. You want to be filial, but someone has to give you the chance. Father’s always favored Eldest and Second Brother; in his heart, we’re nothing.”

Xiao Yuan sighed, ”After all, he is our father; we can only respect and be filial.”

”Only you are the good person.”

Xiao Jin glared at Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan watched Eldest being attentive to the Old Master and quietly said to Xiao Jin, ”I’m just thinking it’s going to be hard for us in the future. I’ll be fine. As you know, your Third Sister-in-law grew up in the fields; she’s adept at farm work. Even if we go to the countryside, we can always find something to eat. Fourth Sister-in-law is from the Qingliu, not spoiled either, and Zhong takes after our grandfather—tall and strong. In the future, we won’t be afraid of being bullied, but as for the eldest and second branches...”

Xiao Yuan lowered his voice further, ”The eldest’s family has always been weak, and Second Sister-in-law isn’t easy to deal with. You’ve heard about Fifth Sister-in-law’s temper from Fourth Sister-in-law, right? With them dragging us down, our future will be tough.”

Xiao Yuan’s words reached Xiao Jin’s ears, and Xiao Jin listened quietly.

The men of the family were well aware that they wouldn’t be killed, only suffering in the cells until His Majesty made a decision, possibly leading to exile.

At that time, they would lose all honor and not know where to live.

Wherever they go, they might end up at the bottom, relying on farming a few barren acres for a living.

Xiao Jin hadn’t thought about the future until Xiao Yuan mentioned it, and he couldn’t help but ponder deeply.

Xiao Jin had never loved reading, always wanting to be a military officer. He had trained under Master Wu before, building a strong body and skills. Even if the family fell, as long as he was alive, Xiao Jin could support his wife and children.

His son, Xiao Zhong, though not yet grown, was as sturdy as he was and could work. Mrs. Hui was easygoing and always listened to him. Even if they farmed the land, they could sustain themselves.

Xiao Jin also knew what kind of people lived in the third branch.

Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law were honest, and although Third Sister-in-law’s family background was not prominent, she would outshine anyone in farming.

The children of the third branch were not spoiled and could work in the countryside.

The third branch wouldn’t be a burden.

But the eldest and second branches couldn’t be said the same.

The two branches were always favored, each of them spoiled. Eldest Brother always complained about his weak body. His eldest son needed medication for several months each year, and the youngest, although healthy, was spoiled and unruly.

The two children of the second branch were also inadequate.

These two branches were the biggest burdens.

If they still lived in the Duke Mansion, Xiao Jin wouldn’t care as long as he had enough to eat and drink.

But now things were different.

If the six branches stayed together in the future, the eldest and second branches would undoubtedly be significant burdens.

Xiao Jin didn’t want to carry these burdens.

He looked at Xiao Yuan, ”Third Brother, what do you think we should do?”

Xiao Yuan lowered his voice further, ”Divide the family.”

Xiao Jin’s eyes lit up.

Yes, now that they were in prison, their minds were most unstable and easily agitated, it was time to bring up the division of the family.

”Do you think we should suggest it?”

Xiao Yuan smiled, ”We don’t suggest it; let the Eldest Brother suggest it.”

The two brothers exchanged a glance and understood each other.

Xiao Jin deliberately said, ”Third Brother, when we came out, I saw Eldest Sister-in-law and the Old Madam. Eldest Sister-in-law seemed careful in her walk. Do you think she might be hiding something?”

Xiao Yuan, with a hoarse voice, replied weakly, ”If they’re hiding something, that would be good. I think the Old Madam and Eldest Sister-in-law might have hidden some treasures. They were in the Old Madam’s room when the incident happened. The Old Madam always trusted Eldest Sister-in-law. Perhaps she gave something to her before the search. If it’s true, our future won’t be too grim. After all, whatever is hidden, doesn’t it belong to both of us?”

”That’s true.”

Xiao Jin nodded, ”Once we’re out, I’ll have to ask Eldest Sister-in-law for some Silver Tael so I can have a good meal.”