The whole family died tragically? The eldest daughter is the most powerful in the capital after her

Qi Ze Shen gently held her hand, as if he wanted to convey all his feelings through this simple contact.

Lin Ruoxue lowered her head slightly, not daring to look him in the eye.

She knew Qi Zeshen's feelings and understood his tolerance and understanding of her, but the uneasiness and worry in her heart would never go away.

The shadow of her previous marriage was like an invisible shackle, tightly entangling her and making her feel uneasy about entering into marriage again.

Qi Ze could deeply understand Lin Ruoxue's feelings, but he still felt a little disappointed after being rejected.

His throat seemed to be blocked by something, and after a while he whispered: "Ruoxue, I never asked you to make a decision immediately. You know, I am willing to wait for you."

Lin Ruoxue raised her head and looked at the deep affection in his eyes, and her heart inexplicably tightened.

Seeing that she was still hesitant, Qi Ze Shen took a deep breath and slowly let go of her hand.

He knew he couldn't force her and could only wait for her to walk out of this shadow on her own.

His voice was low but firm: "Ruoxue, I won't force you to make any decision. But I will definitely make sure you don't have any worries. When you feel you can marry me with confidence, I will be by your side, waiting for you."

A warm current surged in Lin Ruoxue's heart and her eyes gradually became moist.

She said softly: "Ze Shen... Thank you, thank you for waiting for me, and thank you for giving me time."

The two looked at each other and could see the love in each other's eyes.

Just at this moment, there was a burst of hurried footsteps outside.

"Master Qi!" He Hua hurried into the yard with obvious anxiety on her face.

She walked quickly to Qi Zeshen and said breathlessly, "Master Qi, the servant of the Qi family is here and said that the old lady has suddenly fallen ill and asked you to go back quickly."

Qi Zeshen's expression suddenly became solemn, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.

He stood up immediately, frowning, "My grandmother is ill? Is the situation serious?"

Lotus shook her head and said hurriedly: "The servant didn't tell me in detail, he just said the situation is not good, you should go back and take a look."

Qi Zeshen couldn't care about anything else at this moment: "Ruoxue, I have to go back. I'll come to see you after I finish dealing with my family matters."

Lin Ruoxue also stood up hurriedly, her eyes full of worry: "You should go back quickly, the old lady is blessed by heaven, she will be fine."

Qi Zeshen nodded and left the Lin Mansion in a hurry.

Gu Nanyuan also received a secret report: the eighth branch of the Qi family escaped from the place of exile.

This news is like a bombshell.

"Room Eight... actually dared to come back." A sharp light flashed in Gu Nanyuan's eyes.

He understood that this matter was of great importance.

The eighth branch betrayed the court and followed the rebellious second prince.

If it weren't for the Yongliang Marquisate and his father doing their utmost to protect the prince, the situation would have been different now.

After the prince ascended the throne, he only exiled the eighth branch, which was already a special favor.

But now, if the eighth family escapes, it will bring a devastating disaster to the Qi family.

Gu Nanyuan immediately turned around and calmly ordered: "Qingji, Qingxiang, the two of you immediately escort Miss Lin and her family back home safely. Don't be negligent."

Qingji and Qingxiang looked at each other and immediately clasped their fists and accepted the order: "Yes, sir!"

Lin Ruoxuan asked hurriedly: "What happened?"

The matter of the eight branches of the Qi family has not been made public, and knowing too much is not a good thing.

Therefore, Gu Nanyuan did not tell the truth: "Old Madam Qi is seriously ill, I will go over to see the situation."

"Then you have to be careful. If there is anything I can help with, just let me know."

Gu Nanyuan nodded, then left Rulou and galloped on his horse.

The atmosphere in the Qi Mansion was tense and depressing.

Master Qi, the Marquis of Yongliang, was sitting in the main hall, his face livid, a secret report in his hand, his whole body almost shaking with anger.

His knuckles turned white and the letter paper made a slight friction sound when he pinched it.

"The Eighth House's lineage was a betrayal back then!"

Yongliang Hou slammed the table fiercely, his eyes blazing with anger, "When the crown prince had not yet ascended the throne, they chose the second prince behind the back of the Marquisate, and as a result, the second prince's rebellion failed, and the Qi family was implicated! If it weren't for me and Nanyuan's father fighting to the death to protect the crown prince, would the Marquisate still exist today?!"

His voice echoed in the hall, and every word was filled with suppressed anger.

Those past events left a deep scar in his heart. Now that the Eighth House had escaped, it was tantamount to direct betrayal and would implicate the Marquis' Mansion.

Qi Zeshen, who was sitting next to him, looked pale. He had never seen his father so angry and for a moment he didn't know how to comfort him.

Madam Qi on the side was still groaning, and kept muttering: "Old Eight, why can't you let it go?"

"How can you do such a stupid thing?"

"Mother," Marquis Yongliang's voice was deep and powerful, with a hint of suppressed anger, "Now that the people of the Eighth House have fled back to the capital, they are doomed. If they dare to flee back, it will be tantamount to their own destruction! We can no longer bear any responsibility for them."

Qi Zeshen also nodded in agreement, with a hint of earnestness in his tone: "Grandma, father is right. Eighth uncle chose the wrong path and made a big mistake. We have already paid too much for them. If we go to protect them now, the entire Qi family will be in danger again. Please think twice."

Madam Hou also echoed and consoled her, "Mother, you have to think about the entire Qi family."

"The Eighth House has brought disaster upon themselves. We cannot be implicated in this. The future of the Qi family depends on Ze Shen and the other children. You cannot put everyone in danger for the sake of the Eighth House."

However, the old lady's expression remained stubborn and refused to budge.

She half leaned on the cushion, her eyes filled with pain and forbearance, her voice hoarse but firm: "You all don't understand. Although the Eighth Branch made a mistake, they are still the bloodline of the Qi family. Now they are wandering outside and suffering. How can I bear it? No matter what you say, I can't just watch them fend for themselves."

Yongliang Hou's face became increasingly gloomy. He tightly grasped the armrest and said in a cold tone, "Mother, you are just confused for a moment! Now that they dare to escape back, it is a blatant disobedience to the order, which is a capital crime! If we intervene again, I am afraid that the entire Qi family will be destroyed!"

As the old lady listened to these persuasions, a tear of pain flashed in her eyes.

She raised her hands to cover her chest, her face pale, her voice trembling: "How can you say that? They are your uncle and brother! Are you going to just watch them die like this?"

At this time, the sound of hurried footsteps of a servant was heard outside the door.

"Master, Master," the servant bowed and reported nervously, "Master Gu is here."

Marquis Yongliang frowned. Although he had known that Gu Nanyuan would definitely come, the old lady was stubborn at the moment and the conflicts within the family had not been resolved, and he felt even more complicated.