The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1021: Chapter 998: Honor Amidst Chaos 66

The Old Master picked up the letter and was about to tear it.

Anning laughed and said, ”Go ahead, tear it. I have another copy here.”

The Old Master was so exasperated that he found it impossible to tear or not to tear, and sat down panting heavily.

Anning continued with a smile, ”Now there is both witness and evidence. Our Third Young Master and Mr. Four are indeed the sons of the Young Master from those years, descendants of the Main Branch, having nothing to do with you from the Second Branch. Luckily, the Third Young Master split from you early.”

Madam Hui wiped her tears and said, ”Mr. Four has said that the past won’t be harped on, but in the future, he won’t recognize you, and you shouldn’t expect to live in privilege by your status. You have your own sons; there’s no reason to rely on nephews for support.”

Anning added, ”Besides, there is still the matter of the enmity over the killing of the mother between you and the nephews.”

As she spoke, she adjusted her sleeves, ”We’re here today just to tell you this, to inform you that we know the origins of the Third Young Master and Mr. Four. Also, the Third Young Master has stated that you did not favor the Sixth Master originally, but we hold him in high regard. From now on, the Sixth Master will be one of the Main Branch, and the Third Young Master will record in the family genealogy that the Sixth Master is a legitimate son of our Main Branch, not a bastard of your Second Branch. You should keep that in mind.”

After finishing, she stood up with a smile, ”Alright, the matter has been discussed, we should leave.”

Madam Hui stood up with a smile, ”Indeed, staying longer is of no benefit; leaving early is wise.”

Anning walked a few steps then turned back, ”By the way, I am planning to remove the servants of this courtyard. As for the residence, consider it our kindness to let you live here.”

She called over Liu Li, ”Go, tell the steward of the outer courtyard as I instructed, that all the people here are to be withdrawn. Wherever you choose to go, I will arrange it. From now on, all servants should first return to their homes to live, rest for a few days, and still collect their monthly salary. After that, I will arrange suitable duties for you.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Li happily went off.

Anning and Madam Hui didn’t concern themselves with what the Old Master and the Old Madam thought, and together with Nanny Zhou, they left the premises.

They had barely stepped out when the Old Master nearly fainted from his distress.

He forced himself to stay conscious.

He looked towards the doorway with tears streaming, ”The Third Young Master is a wolf cub, he is truly ruthless.”

The Old Madam cried too, ”How could it be that he is not our biological child, how could he not be born of us...”

The Old Master held the Old Madam’s hand, ”I used to think the Third Young Master was straightforward and calm, back then in the Capital he never argued nor sought trouble, who knew he secretly hated us this much? He could bear it with a hardened heart, quietly beginning the plan, only now, seeing us as useless, a burden, he struck us hard, he’s taking half our life, truly ruthless.”

The Old Madam, fearing something might happen to the Old Master, quickly consoled him, ”Don’t be angry, why be angry? Even if the Third Young Master disowns us, it’s just as well, after all, what he’s done is a crime deserving decapitation.”

The Old Master sighed, ”What of it? Regardless, we’ll be implicated. Even if he claims not to be our biological child, would that leave uncles and aunties unscathed? His actions constitute grave crimes that bring house extermination.”

The Old Madam fell silent.

”Enough, enough, he has found every way to sever ties with us, let it be as he desires.”

The Old Master seemed to have aged considerably.

In his heart, he knew Xiao Yuan now has soldiers and wealth, the three South Yi Prefectures are under his control. With one word, countless people would fight for him, yet his own three sons are worthless, he dare not clash directly with Xiao Yuan, for the sake of his descendants, he cannot.

Moreover, Xiao Yuan’s intentions run deep, making the Old Master fearful.

They had been exiled to Southern Yi for less than two years, previously living in the village, where Xiao Yuan showed no ambition, yet he managed to draw Nanny Zhou into his confidence, following his orders.

Additionally, Xiao Yuan found such incriminating evidence.

To arrange such is no task done in just a day or two, requiring countless time and effort, yet he quietly accomplished it, proving Xiao Yuan perhaps started laying these plans since the exile.

This depth of calculations, upon reflection, made the Old Master shiver.

He now more than ever dared not provoke Xiao Yuan.

The Old Master had no choice, nor did the Old Madam.

Anning and Madam Hui exited the residence, she sent Liu Li ahead while she and Nanny Zhou headed back.

On the way back, Madam Hui asked Anning, ”Third Sister-in-law, you had the evidence long ago, why didn’t you speak, letting Eldest jump around causing such trouble?”

Anning chuckled, ”What good would it have done to speak early on? At that time, we were in Jingtian Village without power or influence, who would have listened? Besides, even if the Third Young Master wasn’t born of the Old Madam, ultimately the Old Master and Old Madam raised him. Merely pointing that out could put the Third Young Master in the wrong, at that time revealing it would not be favorable to us.”

Madam Hui quietly considered.

Wasn’t that precisely the case? Back then, we were scraping from the earth; it served no purpose to disclose such. Furthermore, back then, even with the Old Master acting up, what chaos could he incite? At most, it would have been an argument over two taels of silver.

Now it’s different, the situation now allows the Old Master truly to cause trouble.

Moreover, now Xiao Yuan holds elite troops, civil and military officers, and control over three prefectures. His influence is vast and formidable; what He says goes. If he denies being the Old Master’s child, the Old Master wouldn’t dare utter a complaint.

Thinking this, Madam Hui laughed, ”Third Brother and Sister truly know how to endure.”

”Endurance is a blade hanging over, ready to cut.”

Anning chuckled softly, ”Endurance is not easily achieved, but rather imposed by circumstance, an act of necessity.”

Liu Li returned home, her limbs trembling with excitement.

”Mother, we don’t need to fear anymore. Do you know what I heard today... You can’t imagine how it relieved my resentment.”

She laughed as she recounted the events she witnessed today to her mother. Upon mentioning Xiao Yuan was not the Old Master’s son, her mother was shocked, ”Is this true?”

Liu Li nodded emphatically, ”Indeed, I heard it with my own ears, saw it with my own eyes, there’s no mistake.”

She spoke while laughing, ”It truly released the grievance within my heart.”

Her mother, Liu Li, laughed too, ”If indeed so, those people won’t fare well, just you watch, they’ll have their due.”

Liu Li laughed a while, ”No, I must spread this news; the entire Nanyi City deserves to know.”

She dashed out the door briskly.

Liu Li was familiar with the former servants of the mansion, and had some good connections.

She went to find those friends, sharing the news with each.

Then, those friends passed it to their families, who started spreading it further.

By the next day, countless people in Nanyi City knew of the news, they knew Mr. Xiao and Mr. Four were not biological children of the current Old Master, but authentic heirs to the Main Branch, who were deprived of parents and titles by the Second Branch, and suffered mistreatment over so many years.

Many people condemned the Old Master and Old Madam as ruthless, while praising the Third Young Master for his integrity, maintaining no vendetta despite his treatment, and supporting their household financially, proving Mr. Xiao was indeed a righteous man.