Chapter 262: The Little Troublemaker Ghost is Out Again

Old Lady Xie asked in alarm.

Xie Pan’Er also heard the words "Old Lady Ji" and wondered,

Could it be the Old Lady Ji I know? But Old Lady Ji has never shown any intention of interfering in my family’s affairs. If the Old Lady Ji visiting at this time is really her, then what is her purpose in coming to the Xie Family? Could it be related to me?

As Xie Pan’Er was thinking, she overheard Nanny Hua whispering a reminder in Old Lady Xie’s ear.

"It’s the Old Lady Ji whose mansion entrance is marked by the Guardian God Pillars. Word has it that the Ji Family returned to the Capital City with His Majesty’s Imperial Carriage just yesterday. And today, Old Lady Ji has already sent you an invitation. Old Madam, I’m afraid this visit bodes ill!"

Old Lady Xie’s gaze flickered to Xie Pan’Er’s face from the corner of her eye.

Xie Pan’Er held her head high, meeting Old Lady Xie’s gaze directly.

A steward hurried in, reporting, "Old Madam, Old Lady Ji’s carriage has arrived at the Mansion’s front gate. The Eldest Master has been informed and is personally at the gate to welcome her. What are your instructions...?"

When Old Lady Ji of the Ji Family visited the Xie Family, protocol dictated that the most respected women of the Xie inner household, such as Old Madam Xie and the First Madam, should personally go to greet her.

The Steward, unable to locate the First Madam, had come directly to Old Lady Xie for instructions!

"Hurry and bring the First Madam back!" Old Lady Xie ordered. "And inform the Second, Third, and Fourth Madams to come out and welcome her."

As Old Lady Xie instructed the maids and older female servants to notify the madams in the inner courtyard, she subconsciously omitted the Fifth Branch.

Not only did she ignore the Fifth Branch, but she also ordered Xie Pan’Er to be taken back to the Fifth Branch’s courtyard.

With a handkerchief stuffed in her mouth, Xie Pan’Er was held firmly by two maids who forcibly escorted her back to the Fifth Branch’s courtyard.

Xie Pan’Er knew she couldn’t win against Old Lady Xie, so she allowed the maids to escort her away. As they forced her back, she silently resolved,

The matter of being expelled from the clan—no matter how difficult, I must find a way to make it happen!

When Xie Pan’Er was escorted back, she saw Huo Xing’Er standing in the Courtyard and immediately rushed into her embrace, bursting into tears.

"BOO HOO HOO... Second Madam... those from the Eldest Branch are too much! The Old Madam actually intends to use the Gu Insects in my father and brother to control me!"

Huo Xing’Er looked at her and knew she hadn’t managed to gain any advantage. With a helpless sigh, she patted Xie Pan’Er’s shoulder comfortingly.

"This can’t be rushed. We’ve already obtained your mother’s deed of sale. We just need to wait for Suisui’s Second Maternal Uncle to come. Hopefully, he can help remove the companion Gu Insects from your father and brother. Even if you can’t get back the Fifth Branch’s properties, with your skills, you’ll be able to support your little family."

"Can Second Young Master Ji truly help my father and brother remove those companion Gu Insects?"

"Whether he can or not, we’ll know once he’s here, won’t we?"

Just as Xie Pan’Er and Huo Xing’Er were speaking, Xiaosuisui’s cheerful shout came from the entrance. "Second Aunt, Pretty Sister, I’m here!"

"Why is Suisui here again?" Huo Xing’Er said, rubbing her temples in exasperation. "Didn’t I ask Third Sister-in-law to take her back for her afternoon nap?"

"Third Sister-in-law did take her back for a nap," Ji Youran replied, holding Xiaosuisui with a helpless look. "But my carriage had barely left the Mansion grounds when she intercepted it and jumped in herself."

Huo Xing’Er caught an odd implication in his words.

"Are you saying she didn’t leave with you, but slipped out of the Mansion midway?"

Ji Youran nodded. "Exactly. She left a note and slipped out of the Mansion. She didn’t say a word to Mother or Third Sister-in-law."

"How could she do that?" Huo Xing’Er exclaimed. "If Third Sister-in-law and Mother discover she’s gone, imagine how frantic they’ll be!"

"You don’t need to worry about that," Ji Youran reassured her. "I’ve already dispatched someone to inform Mother and Third Sister-in-law."

Hearing Ji Youran’s reassurance, Huo Xing’Er finally relaxed. She took Xiaosuisui from Ji Youran’s arms and gently pinched her little nose.

"You little troublemaker," Huo Xing’Er said, "can’t you behave yourself at home? Since arriving in the Capital City, you’ve thrown our entire household into an uproar!"