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Even if reconciliation is impossible, she must at least renew her affectionate ties with His Highness the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince could but remember the favor she and the Rong family have done him, and extend his protection to the Rong family, how could the Rong family fail to establish a firm footing among the noble families of Capital City?

Madam Rong recalled her past behavior, where she had treated Gu Changjin with utter disdain, and she could not help but feel immense regret that now gnawed at her intestines.

Who could have imagined that this humble and impoverished family was actually the noble and esteemed crown prince's? If Rong Shu had not divorced, the Rong family would now be the imperial concubine's maternal family!

At the thought of this, Madam Rong's heart ached even more. Nurse Gu was right; she not only couldn't be harsh with her eldest granddaughter now, but she had to humble herself to coax her, ideally persuading her to return to the marquis residence.

"Fetch my collection of Dragon Ball tea and brew it, Shen enjoys this particular blend; she is likely to appreciate it."

Her personal nanny hurriedly agreed and left, only to return when the small kitchen had prepared the tea and presented it to Ho'an Hall. One by one, members from each household arrived.

From the first house came Zhu Shi and Eldest Son Rong Ze. The second household was represented by Zhong Shi, Second Son, Third Son, and Third Miss. The third house consisted of Rong Xun, Auntie Pei, and Fourth Son Rong Qing.

It wasn't a festive occasion, yet today was unusually well-attended, save for Second Master Rong Yu, who was stationed in Liaodong, and Madam Shen, who had gone to Minglu Yard.

After the customary greetings and bowing, they had just taken their seats when an attendant announced that Rong Shu and Rong Wan had arrived.

Grandmama Rong took a few deep breaths and managed to force a smile, saying, "Quickly invite Zhaozhao and Wan'er in."

Rong Shu had last entered Ho'an Hall on the day Rong Wu got married. Gazing at the familiar courtyard before her, she felt no trace of emotion stirring within her.

She lifted her skirt and entered, paying a perfunctory curtsy to Elder Madam Rong. "Today, Zhaozhao has invited all the family members for an important matter to discuss with our elders. I kindly ask Grandmother to have everyone else leave."

Seeing Rong Shu's indifferent expression and her lack of warmth towards her, Elder Madam Rong was displeased.

"Who will serve the tea if everyone goes out?" She took the teacup from a nanny and sipped it slowly. "What important business could a young girl like you have? Summoning everyone to Ho'an Hall and dismissing the servants, people might think our Cheng'an Marquis Estate is entangled in some grave matter."

Elder Madam Rong often failed to distinguish between matters of importance and triviality, but Rong Shu was prepared. However, before she could speak, Rong Wu stepped forward, her face serious. "Grandmother, what Sister is about to say concerns the reputation of our marquis estate. I beg Grandmother to listen to her and let the servants go out first!"

Rong Wu had been raised under Elder Madam Rong's care, and their bond had always been strong. Yet, Rong Wu was now speaking up for Rong Shu, contradicting Elder Madam Rong, which was truly unusual.

Elder Madam Rong narrowed her eyes and looked at her beloved granddaughter. After a moment, she said, "Everyone, out."

With that command, the servants, maids, and concubines in Ho'an Hall, as well as those from each household, streamed out of the room.

Luo Yan handed a stack of documents to Rong Shu and, together with Liu Ping, followed the Rong family's servants outside. They then stood guard at the door.

"Not so urgent that it couldn't wait until now?" Elder Madam Rong put down her teacup. "Now that there are no unrelated people here, tell me what this matter is that's so pressing."

With a composed expression, Rong Shu's gaze swept across the elder Lady Rong, who was suppressing her discontent, and then slowly lingered over each person in the main hall.

In their previous lives, all these individuals were imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice. On the day they were locked away, Lady Elder fell ill with a stroke and nearly met her end.

Rong Shu's gaze ultimately fell upon Madam Zhu. Taking two steps forward, she stood before the woman and spoke softly, "Aunt, Qiu Shiyang is currently in my custody, and he has admitted to everything. Would you like Zhaozhao to recount it, or would you prefer to speak for yourself?"

Lady Zhu abruptly lifted her gaze, the teacup in her hand trembled violently. She took a deep breath to suppress the turmoil beneath her eyes and said, "What are you talking about, Zhaozhao? Why can't Aunty understand?"

How could Elder Aunt not understand? Qiu Shiyang was Second Uncle's man, once a military household in the Qingzhou garrison. In recent years, he changed his name and identity to become the steward of your estate, all to secretly carry out Second Uncle's orders. You, Second Uncle, and Uncle have been secretly working for the Qi family and Xiao Yu, hoping to reclaim the title that Father once held when Xiao Yu ascends the throne."

Rong Shu spoke calmly, "I was hoping that if there were any grudges between the first, second, and third branches, you could clarify them today. Revenge should be sought against the one who wronged you, not involve the entire third branch. Mother, Aunt Pei, Second Sister, Fourth Brother, and I have never owed anything to the first or second branch!"

At this, the room fell abruptly silent.

Suddenly, Zhong Shi stood up with a frown, asking, "Zhaozhao, what are you talking about?"

Her gaze shifted between Zhu Shi and Rong Shu before she continued, "What did your second uncle do?"

Rong Shu turned her gaze slightly, gazing at Zhong Shi's astonished expression as she gently pressed her lips together.

Second Aunt truly knew nothing; her father and Second Uncle had kept her in the dark all along. For these years, she had willingly stayed in the capital, serving her mother-in-law and caring for her three children, seldom returning to her natal home.

Unbeknownst to her, her husband and father were secretly aligning themselves with the Qi family, becoming embroiled in political strife.

Rong Shu pondered for a moment before saying, "These matters are not for you to ask me, Second Aunt."

A wave of dizziness washed over Zhong Shi, and she clenched her teeth so hard they nearly shattered. Seeing that Rong Shu did not respond, she turned her gaze and fixed her eyes intently on Zhu Shi. "Eldest Sister, is what Zhaozhao said true?"

Zhu Shi did not answer her directly but instead gazed steadily at Rong Shu, inwardly wondering just how much Rong Shu knew.

Does Qiu Shiyang truly lie in her power, and has he indeed confessed to everything?

Qiu Shiyang is a man utterly devoted to Rong Yu, one who would never betray him even in death.

Consoled herself, Rong Shu was merely deceiving her. Even if it wasn't deception, there was no need to panic.

They merely chose to support Xiao Yu. Over the years, they were discreet in their actions, making it incredibly difficult to find any evidence. Qi Heng was imprisoned, Xiao Yu was confined, and the imperial court cleansed the Qi family, yet they never traced it back to the Shen or Rong families.