This series of questions from Zhu Bufan was entirely out of genuine emotion, shouting hoarsely, and with righteous indignation.

"This... this..."

Elder Zheng, who usually handled matters calmly and unhurriedly, was rendered speechless by Zhu Bufan's barrage of questions.

As a senior figure of the Zhu Family, Elder Zheng naturally knew about this matter. He clearly remembered the events of that year and still did not understand why Zhu Xiaotian exiled Zhu Bufan.

Even the Family Head, Zhu Bufan's grandfather, didn't know the reason; otherwise, such an intense situation would not have arisen back then.

"Young Master Zhu, don't get worked up!" Elder Zheng seemed to feel sweat beading on his forehead, having not expected that dealing with such a young, inexperienced boy would be so challenging.

With these words, Elder Zheng utilized a Secret Technique to calm one's emotions. Once these words entered Zhu Bufan's ears, it was like a Clear Spring, dousing the nameless fire in his heart by more than half.

Zhu Bufan quickly realized his emotional loss of control, took a deep breath secretly, and hurriedly drank a mouthful of tea.

"Cough, cough, as for what happened in those days, who can say clearly? Perhaps your father had unspeakable reasons? Moreover, your father has left home for nearly ten years, always serving in the Imperial City, busy with public affairs, and hasn't had much energy to address some matters. Maybe he neglected you because of this!" Elder Zheng himself didn't quite believe his words, feeling slightly embarrassed inside.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Bufan said nothing, but his face was frighteningly grim.

"Young Master Zhu…"

"So, Elder Zheng, who exactly is obstructing my return to the family!" After calming down, Zhu Bufan asked following the path Elder Zheng had laid out.

"The one obstructing your return is none other than Zhu Xiaotian's legitimate wife!" Elder Zheng said in a deep voice.

"What? It's her! How can it be her?" Zhu Bufan's face changed, his expression agitated.

…

This conversation lasted a long time. By the time he came out of Zhu Zichu's courtyard, twilight had already set in. Returning silently to his courtyard, Zhu Bufan could not calm his heart for a long while.

Elder Zheng managed to lower his stature and spoke to him so gently, naturally with his own purpose, and Zhu Bufan took advantage of this to learn about the affairs in You State for the first time.

Zhu Xiaotian had a legitimate wife and three concubines. The legitimate wife had one son and two daughters, and her family was the illustrious Zijinghua family, no less prestigious than the Zhu family.

The situation in the Zhu family was exactly as Zhu Bufan had expected: a great family with immense power, constantly engaged in overt and covert struggles, all driven by one word.

Power…

Power generated influence, money, and status, which in turn supported each other, strengthening one could enhance the others.

Years of complex life made Zhu Bufan see through the struggles for power with extraordinary clarity.

"Humph, strength, this is strength! Indeed, it truly is, everything depends on strength! Having the bigger fist is the true rationale!" Zhu Bufan murmured.

Zhu Bufan's understanding of the importance of strength reached a new level.

"It seems my existence threatens some people's interests!" This was the thing Zhu Bufan was most certain of. "I never thought I would now become a key figure, surviving in the cracks between two sides. It seems I must figure out how to navigate this, not only to ensure my survival but also to gain substantial benefits!"

However, Zhu Bufan knew very well that from now on, he would face various difficulties, the greatest of which would be the assassination attempts from ***.

From Zhu Yuheng and the bald man's group, it was clear how enormous the Energy the ** Lady commanded was. Even martial artists of the Tenth Rank could be commanded, and with the Zijinghua family backing them, what dangers would he face?

"Escape?" Zhu Bufan chuckled, shaking his head. From start to finish, Zhu Bufan had never thought of it, not even the thought crossed his mind.

Some things are simply unavoidable, and some answers have to be sought, even at the cost of one's life!

"Strength, always the strength; only strength is the fundamental of standing firm!" Zhu Bufan clenched both fists and shouted loudly in his heart.

With firm belief and clarified goals, Zhu Bufan felt refreshed and filled with high-spirited fighting spirit.

"First, go see Aunt Rong and have her fourth-class slave status upgraded, and then seclude myself for a few days to strive to break through the bottleneck and reach the Ninth Rank soon. As long as I can reach the Ninth Rank, coupled with the Body Training Effect of the Hanhai Tide Skill, my strength will leap significantly! Then, for self-protection, I'll have much more assurance. As long as I'm not facing someone like Zhu Yuheng, a Tenth Rank master, even if I can't win, I should be able to escape with ease."

Thinking that, Zhu Bufan straightened his clothes and walked towards Aunt Rong's residence.

…

Outside the courtyard, there is a small artificial river channeling water directly from the Li River outside Nanli City. Every morning, specific people break the ice on the water surface to ensure the daily water supply.

Ordinary laundry and cooking water is taken from the small river about a foot wide.

"You wretched woman, when I tell you to wash, you wash. Why so much talking?"

Just stepping onto the bridge, a voice filled with anger suddenly came from under the bridge, catching Zhu Bufan's attention. He curiously looked down and saw a subservient wearing black clothes and a black hat scolding someone. Beside him stood a woman in her twenties with a pretty face. This woman exuded an aura of arrogance, looking down at the person being scolded, her brows filled with pride and mockery.

Around them, the women doing laundry, most had expressions of schadenfreude, laughing as they watched the drama. Only a few showed signs of sympathy, but no one stepped forward to intervene.

"B-but, I have completed my work today... Steward Liang, please let this old one off..."

A voice with a hint of fatigue and fear begged. However, Zhu Bufan was taken aback as the voice sounded extremely familiar.

"Humph, your work is done?" The black-clothed and hatted domestic, known as Steward Liang, sneered: "Your work is arranged by me. I say it's done when it's done; I say it's not done when it isn't... Since when it's your place to decide?"

"B-but…" The woman attempted to argue, but Steward Liang interrupted unceremoniously: "This is Miss Hong, Young Master Zhu Wu's personal maid. These clothes belong to Bixia Courtyard; since you belong to Bixia Courtyard, naturally, you have to follow Miss Hong's orders... Whatever Miss Hong orders, you do... Why so much nonsense... Humph, can't do it, unwilling to do it, I'll show you my methods!"

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