Miss Zhang felt deeply saddened seeing her father like this. She hurried forward, reaching out to help him up while choking back tears, and said, "Father, you’re bleeding. Stop kowtowing, please get up!"
"No, unless Miss Situ agrees, I won’t get up."
"Father, why put yourself through this?"
"My daughter, I’m doing this for your good."
"Father, don’t do this. I’m not going anywhere; I’ll stay ho to accompany you."
"My daughter, you’re truly foolish." Wealthy Master Zhang couldn’t help but choke up. He didn’t want to part with his daughter either, but the Prince Pu’s Mansion wielded power and influence—ordinary folk like them couldn’t afford to provoke it.
"It doesn’t matter. I’ll stay ho with father and mother; I won’t go anywhere."
"My daughter, listen to father. Go with Miss Situ."
"I won’t."
Miss Zhang pouted, looking unwilling. The General’s Mansion might be grand, but it wasn’t her ho. At ho, she was still a proper young lady. However, if she went to the General’s Mansion, it would be different—she would only have the fate of a maid.
"Aren’t you afraid the Prince might co back to settle scores with us? I’m doing this for your safety," Wealthy Master Zhang explained the stakes to his daughter.
Hearing this, Miss Zhang beca panicked. "Father, will Young Master Tang co to trouble us again?"
"Judging by Prince Pu’s deanor today, he definitely will." A prince, unable to get what he wanted from re commoners, was bound to be unwilling to let it go. With Miss Situ leaving, Prince Pu would inevitably co back for vengeance. After much thought, Wealthy Master Zhang shalessly pleaded with Xuexue to take his daughter to the General’s Mansion—at least with its protection, Prince Pu would tread carefully and refrain from acting rashly.
"What should we do?"
"That’s why father wants you to go with Miss Situ to the General’s Mansion."
"But...!"
Miss Zhang glanced up at her father and then turned her head to look at Situtu Xueer, conflicted and torn.
"Be good, listen to father, and go," he urged.
"Fine." Miss Zhang struggled internally for a while, realizing that if misfortune befell her, her family would undoubtedly suffer as well. The best course of action was to seek refuge in the General’s Mansion for so ti.
"Father, I’ll go inside and pack a few clothes." Miss Zhang was about to turn around and go in to pack.
A maid, however, hurriedly ca out holding a bundle. "Miss, your belongings are ready."
"So quickly?" Miss Zhang looked surprised.
"It was Madam’s instructions," the maid replied.
"Mother..." Miss Zhang called to her mother nearby in a tearful voice.
Having grown up, she had never been apart from her parents. Miss Tang felt deeply reluctant in her heart.
Seeing their hesitation and unwillingness to leave, Zi Xia feared it would delay Miss Situ’s affairs. She turned to Wealthy Master Zhang and said, "Don’t be like this. If you want to see Miss Zhang in the future, you can visit her anyti. The General’s Mansion isn’t far from here, after all."
Afraid that Xuexue might change her mind, Wealthy Master Zhang quickly said, "Yes, yes. Daughter, hurry up and go with Miss Situ. Father will visit you whenever he has the ti."
Under the persuasion of Wealthy Master Zhang and his wife, Miss Zhang reluctantly bid farewell to her parents and followed Xuexue onto the carriage.
Her personal maid also followed and boarded the carriage.
Of course, all of this had been approved by Xuexue.
Originally, Xuexue had planned to visit the flower shop, but with Miss Zhang and her maid now riding in the carriage, going there no longer seed appropriate. Thus, she decided to return to the mansion first and make arrangents for them before resuming her plans.
The General’s Mansion.
As soon as they entered, they ran into Situtu Qinger, who was strolling in the garden with several maids.
"Oh! Isn’t this elder sister? Why have you returned so soon after just leaving?" Spotting Xuexue’s return, Situtu Qinger stepped forward and greeted her with a sarcastic tone.
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