CHAPTER 261: CHAPTER 261: OLD LADY XIE’S SCHEME

Old Lady Xie was enraged. A mere slip of a girl, daring to so brazenly demand the expulsion of their branch from the family right in front of me! She really thought I was a sick cat just because this tiger wasn’t showing its claws!

Nanny Hua, upon receiving Old Lady Xie’s command, rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward.

Xie Pan’Er firmly grabbed Nanny Hua’s hand without hesitation. The small girl’s thin face clearly reflected the determination in her eyes.

"Old Lady, please think carefully before you strike me. If you hit me, it means you agree to expel our Fifth Branch from the family and return the properties of our Fifth Branch that you’ve seized. If so, I will let you strike me; even if you beat me to death, I am willing!" The implication was clear: if Old Lady Xie wanted to hit her today, she would have to expel their branch. Otherwise, she couldn’t lay a single finger on her.

A ruthless glint flashed in Old Lady Xie’s eyes, along with a spark of calculation. This young girl has won the Grand Princess’s favor; she has backing. Hitting her would be like slapping the Grand Princess in the face. Never mind whether His Majesty would find out, just the Ji Family alone isn’t easy to deal with. This slip of a girl is threatening me!

"You want your branch expelled? You want to betray the Ancestors? That alone is a heinous act. If such a reputation spreads, even if the Grand Princess favors you, His Majesty and the Ji Family will question your character. When that time comes, how far do you think you can possibly go?"

Old Lady Xie’s words were like a thorn, piercing straight into Xie Pan’Er’s heart.

Cold sweat broke out on her back, drenching her undergarments.

"How about this: I will personally speak with Madam Lin and ensure she treats your Fifth Branch well from now on. You continue to be the Third Miss of our Xie Family and properly accompany the Grand Princess. In the future, if you achieve success, you can support your natal family. If you don’t manage to rise to prominence, your Fifth Branch can still continue to receive the protection of the First Branch!"

These words from Old Lady Xie, mixing threat with inducement, might have intimidated an ordinary young girl. But Xie Pan’Er was not just anyone. She had already made up her mind and had even come to an agreement with the Ji Family. She was determined to have her branch expelled and ensure her family members were settled, so she could accompany the Grand Princess without any worries!

She gritted her teeth hard, refusing to compromise with Old Lady Xie.

"Old Lady, it’s not that Pan’Er doesn’t trust you, but I truly cannot trust Madam Lin’s character. My father and brother still have the companion Gu Insects she implanted in them. You just said you would have the First Branch treat our Fifth Branch well, and that Madam Lin would stop tormenting my mother from now on. But you never once mentioned having Madam Lin remove the Gu Insects from my father and brother. From this, it’s clear that in your heart, you’re probably also planning to use those Gu Insects to control our Fifth Branch!"

At her words, a trace of anger appeared on Old Lady Xie’s face, and her eyes betrayed a hint of guilt from being seen through.

She lifted her teacup and took a sip, not responding to Xie Pan’Er’s accusation.

「Outside, a middle-aged man rushed in, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat. He held out a large, crimson invitation card inlaid with gold.」

"Old Lady, Old Lady Ji has sent you an invitation! She wishes to visit our Xie Mansion to call on you!"

Old Lady Xie frowned upon hearing this. For a moment, she couldn’t place who this Old Lady Ji was. But when she raised her eyes and saw the large, crimson, gold-inlaid invitation presented by the Steward, she was startled.

In the capital, very few people could use such crimson invitation cards inlaid with gold. Only the families of First Grade officials were permitted. Beyond them, only First Grade titled ladies who held an imperial mandate were qualified to use them.

"Which Old Lady Ji?"