"I'm not..." Baili Ziyun started, then immediately denied Grand Princess Zande's assertion. "We brought so many people. Have them all attack. Even if Shen Xiaoyan and the others are formidable, two hands are no match for four feet. Just stall them, and Mother can leave."
As Baili Ziyun spoke, a smile spread across her face. She nodded to herself and continued, "Yes, that's it. Mother, have Jiang Hong bring the men to stop them, and we'll leave. When we get back, we'll send the army to kill them. Okay, Mother?"
"Truly my son."
Grand Princess Zande's earlier coldness vanished, replaced by a comforting smile. She clasped Baili Ziyun's hand, patted it gently, and said with a smile, "Ziyun, don't blame your mother. I just wanted you to think for yourself earlier. It's so you won't act impulsively again in the future. Understand?"
"Then... what about my father?" Baili Ziyun asked, looking at Baili Hao lying on the ground.
The black cloth on Baili Hao's face had not been removed, so Baili Ziyun couldn't see his expression. She could only see his usual doting and kind eyes.
"Mother, you scared me to death! I thought you and Father didn't want me anymore."
Baili Ziyun's emotions had swung wildly. She could no longer hold back and burst into tears.
Shen Xiaoyan turned away, speechless.
So, this couple was using her to teach their daughter a lesson.
Shen Xiaoyan didn't know what to say. Should she praise Grand Princess Zande and her husband for their bravery in the face of danger, or should she question their sanity?
"Then, Mother, how..."
After crying, Baili Ziyun, with red eyes, looked at Grand Princess Zande and spoke with some worry, while secretly glancing at Shen Xiaoyan, who stood nearby.
"Don't you find it very strange?" Grand Princess Zande slowly prodded.
"Strange? What's strange?" Baili Ziyun was confused for a moment. Then, after thinking for a bit, she understood what Grand Princess Zande meant.
They had brought 800 guards with them today. They had been fighting here all along, and Shen Xiaoyan had even gripped Grand Princess Zande's neck. Shouldn't those guards have rushed over immediately when they saw Grand Princess Zande's safety threatened?
Thinking this, Baili Ziyun looked towards where the guards were, but found that the area was already empty.
"Where are they?" Baili Ziyun couldn't believe her eyes. She rubbed her eyes, but still saw only an empty expanse of grassland.
"Mother, where are our people?"
Grand Princess Zande smiled. "Naturally, they've gone where they should go, to do what they should do."
Baili Ziyun pondered for a moment, her eyes lighting up. "Did they go to catch those three little brats?"
"My son is clever."
Grand Princess Zande smiled and nodded at Baili Ziyun.
"What do you say, Shen Xiaoyan, didn't expect this?"
Baili Ziyun's spirits instantly revived, as if victory was within her grasp. She said arrogantly to Shen Xiaoyan.
"Do you think we're all blind?"
Shen Xiaoyan looked at the faces of Grand Princess Zande and her husband, and after a long pause, asked strangely.
"So many people are gone. Do you think we're so foolish as to only realize it now, like you?" Shen Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow at Baili Ziyun.
"Stop arguing. I know you're capable, but surely your three children aren't the same?"
Grand Princess Zande chuckled complacently, then looked at Sima Han beside her. "Ahan, and your wife. I've inquired, and she's also not strong enough to even lift a chicken. Your son is less than half a year old. Oh dear, if something happens to them by accident, don't blame your aunt. After all, you brought this upon yourself. Don't you agree?"
By the end, Grand Princess Zande's gaze turned venomous. She had initially had some reservations due to Sima Han's status, but now, it seemed completely unnecessary. Such a nephew who didn't share her heart would only bring her trouble if he ever succeeded. She absolutely could not allow such a threat to exist, so she might as well nip it in the bud before he had the chance.
"You're quite confident. What are you relying on? Is it sheer numbers?"
Shen Xiaoyan finally couldn't stand Grand Princess Zande's continued boasting and interrupted her coolly.
"Don't you find it strange that your 800 guards went to catch four children and a woman, and it's been so long without any of them returning?"
"What do you mean?"
The smile on Grand Princess Zande's face instantly froze. Yes, it had been a long time, but why hadn't they emerged yet?
"Do you want to know what happened?" Shen Xiaoyan raised an eyebrow and said to Grand Princess Zande with a smile.
Grand Princess Zande's expression shifted constantly, but for a moment, she didn't know what to say. After all, she didn't know the situation inside. However, whether she spoke or not, Shen Xiaoyan hadn't given her the choice.
Shen Xiaoyan reached out and pulled Baili Yue to her side, then strode towards the main door.
"Whether you come or not is up to you."
Zheng Wei threw down this sentence and followed Shen Xiaoyan with Sima Han and Shen Xiaoming.
Grand Princess Zande stood there, her face as dark as the bottom of a pot. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, "Let's go."
Jiang Hong carefully picked up Baili Hao and slowly followed behind Grand Princess Zande. Jiang Yi also closely trailed behind.
Baili Ziyun's arm was held by Shen Xiaoyan. She wanted to break free but was powerless, so she could only follow Shen Xiaoyan step by step.
The two of them entered the outer gate first and saw that the courtyard was quiet, with no sounds and nothing amiss. Shen Xiaoyan smiled enigmatically at Baili Ziyun and led her towards the back courtyard.
Grand Princess Zande entered the courtyard and saw this scene. She felt secretly strange, thinking that the people must be in the back, so she also hurried towards the back.
In the back courtyard, there was still no sound. Only by the door of the main room, a maid was doing needlework on the veranda. The maid heard footsteps approaching and stood up to look. Upon seeing Shen Xiaoyan arrive, she walked forward a few steps, bowed, and said, "Madam has returned. The two young masters and the young lady are awake and playing with the wet nurse inside."
"En, I know. You stay here and guard," Shen Xiaoyan said with a light smile.
The two of them were standing by the window of the study. Through the crystal glass, they could see the three children on the kang bed inside, playing with the wet nurse. Zheng Jiang saw Shen Xiaoyan and smiled, greeting her. Zheng Wei and the two others followed and stood aside without speaking.
"How is this possible?"
When Grand Princess Zande arrived, she saw this heartwarming scene and exclaimed in disbelief. Where were her guards?
"Where did you put my guards?" Grand Princess Zande walked up to Shen Xiaoyan and demanded sternly.
"Your people? How would I know? I was with you the whole time just now," Shen Xiaoyan shook her head and said innocently. "Besides," Shen Xiaoyan added, "perhaps they saw our family was small and went to help with chores in the back."
"Nonsense." Grand Princess Zande snorted coldly, flicked her sleeve, and turned her face away, no longer wanting to look at Shen Xiaoyan's face.