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Upon seeing Rong Shu, everyone's steps involuntarily paused.

Madam Zhu softly called out, "Zhaozhao..."

It was also such a snowy day when Rong Shu accidentally wandered into the Chen Yin Courtyard in her childhood. Back then, the little girl was as lovely and pure as a jade snowball, melting her heart with tenderness. However, now, things had changed, and the girl who used to call her "Aunt" with a gentle voice could hardly be found again.

Madam Zhu's voice remained unchanged, as gentle as water, carrying a subtle warmth.

Rong Shu lightly pressed her lips together, nodded slightly at her, and called out "Aunt" before passing her, taking out several purses to give to Rong Ze.

"These are for Brother, Second Brother, Third Sister, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother. With this farewell, we may not meet again for a long time. Even if you get married in the future, I might not know about it. So, I decided to prepare these gifts in advance."

The purses were quite heavy, but Rong Ze didn't refuse them. He smiled and said, "Alright, Brother will hold them for them."

Then, he turned to Second Brother and the others behind him and said, "Quickly thank your big sister."

Second Brother Rong Hong spoke up first, saying loudly, "Thank you, big sister. Brother said that big sister won't be going to Taiyuan Prefecture with us and that you all should take good care of yourselves."

Rong Hong was the eldest child in the second branch and the most sensible. He understood that the trouble that the Rong family would face was due to the mistakes of his father and Aunt, unrelated to his eldest sister.

Rong Shu replied with a smile.

Following Rong Hong, Rong Qi also bit her lip and led Rong Bo forward to express their gratitude. The last to come was Fourth Brother Rong Qing.

Rong Qing was only five years old and still didn't fully understand what had transpired in the manor that day.

Since he had always been fond of Rong Shu, he quickly freed himself from Stepmother Pei's grasp and ran towards her. "Big Sister, aren't you coming with us to Taiyuan? Qing'er wants both you and Second Sister to come along."

Tears began to well up in Rong Qing's big eyes as he continued, "Big Sister, why hasn't Second Sister come yet?"

"Qing'er will be the pillar of Third Branch one day, so you can't shed tears so easily," Rong Shu said, wiping away the moisture at the corner of his eyes. "Don't worry. Even if Second Sister can't come today, she'll visit you in Taiyuan someday."

Given the Jiang family's behavior, they wouldn't allow Rong Wu to attend this event. But Rong Shu knew Rong Wu's character—she would find a way to visit Taiyuan even if she couldn't come today.

Upon hearing this, Rong Qing's face lit up with a smile.

Stepmother Pei called out to him from behind. He glanced back at Rong Shu with reluctance before returning to his stepmother's side, obediently taking her hand.

Rong Shu straightened herself and looked at Pei Yun.

She had lost much weight and looked worn out, with dark circles under her eyes that were terrifyingly dusky. A few strands of silver threads had even appeared amidst her hair, revealing her aging appearance.

But she was someone who had survived the annihilation of her entire family. Although the current scene of officials raiding her home was horrifying, Pei Yun remained unflustered.

Yesterday, Rong Xun had intended to give her a divorce certificate, asking her to leave, saying that with Rong Wan taking care of her in the capital, and the Jiang family's support, her life would be better than in Dai Zhou.

Holding her hand, Rong Xun spoke with a tone of guilt, "Ah Yun, although I've separated from Zhen Niang, I will keep the position of my legal wife for her. Perhaps when her anger subsides one day, she might return."

Only at that moment did Pei Yun realize that the mutual affection she believed they shared was nothing but a mockery.

Wasn't it already evident long ago?

She had merely chosen to deceive herself.

Pei Yun knew that life would be tough after going to Dai Prefecture.

With the Rong family's assets seized and Elder Madam Rong suffering from a stroke, she would have to care for Qing'er and attend to Elder Madam Rong. If she could follow as Rong Xun's legitimate wife, her suffering alongside him would not be in vain.

Yet, Rong Xun was willing to let her go rather than give her the position of his wife.

The most ironic part was that even though Rong Xun was willing to let her go, she herself refused to leave. She couldn't clearly articulate whether it was because she couldn't bear to part with Qing Ge, or due to the lingering resentment in her heart.

Well, that was that. In the end, Shen Yizhen wouldn't return, and even if Rong Xun waited until his dying breath, he would never see her come back to him.

Pei Yun looked at Rong Shu and asked, "Did Wang-er send a message to you?"

After the incident with the Rong family, neither Rong Wang nor anyone from the Jiang family had sent word. Hearing Rong Shu's earlier remarks, Pei Yun assumed that Rong Wang must have conveyed a message to her.

Unexpectedly, Rong Shu shook her head and replied, "No, she hasn't. The Jiang family has likely confined her and forbidden her from visiting."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yun was about to refute with a "How could it be?"

Yet, in the blink of an eye, she recalled how, when the Pei family had fallen into adversity, the Jiang family had sent her a marriage termination notice. Not only did they fail to extend a helping hand to the Peis, fearing being implicated by their misfortune, they immediately distanced themselves and canceled the engagement.

At this thought, Pei Yun's complexion couldn't help turning pale, a chill creeping up her spine slowly.

Not a single envoy from the Jiang family had come today. She could now discern their stance to some extent. What would life be like for Woe in the Jiang family in the future, she wondered.

Pei Yun dared not entertain such thoughts.

"Seals will be placed on these premises momentarily!" a bailiff shouted impatiently. "Don't just stand there, move along quickly!"

As the words faded, another official rushed in, adjusting his tilted hat from the haste of his run. He bowed respectfully to Rong Shu and said, "Miss Rong, an imperial edict has arrived from the palace for you. It's currently awaiting your reception at the main gate. Please attend to it promptly."

Rong Shu was taken aback by the official's announcement.

The bailiff quickly added, bending low, "His Highness the Crown Prince is also waiting outside."

Though Qilin East Street lacked the grandeur of Zhuque Main Street, it was home to numerous prominent noble clans whose titles rivaled or even surpassed that of the Cheng'an Marquis Estate.

With the Rong family's mansion being raided today, many representatives from these families had gathered, congesting the entire Qilin East Street.

When Rong Shu stepped out, she found a sea of people standing outside, with Gu Changjin standing right in the center.

Upon recognizing his identity, the spectators hastily retreated, leaving Gu Changjin surrounded by emptiness amidst the crowded street. Only three attendants from the palace stood respectfully by his side.