Chapter 577: My Dear Daughter 2 (1/2)

Xiyan didn’t return until the evening. She secretly reported the information that she learnt to Chu Lian.

Chu Lian listened to her report and confirmed her suspicions. One of the cloisonné vases had been pawned away. Although Countess Jing’an had done it stealthily, it was impossible to do it without any traces.

Chu Lian guessed that the money received from pawning the vase had probably been deposited into House Jing’an’s public accounts.

As Chu Lian waited for He Changdi to return for dinner, she thought about how she should tell him about this issue. Unfortunately, Laiyue came to report that He Sanlang was going to have dinner with his colleagues from the Ministry of War tonight. Eldest Brother He Changqi and Second Brother He Changjue would also be present at the dinner, so it seemed like he would be coming back slightly later tonight.

Chu Lian sent Laiyue back with an acknowledgement. She promptly asked Senior Servant Gui to set up the meal so she could finish eating earlier and go to bed afterwards.

At the same time that Chu Lian received the report, Matriarch He was also notified. The matriarch ordered the manservants of the outer court to take good care of her grandsons, who were returning late at night.

After dinner, He Ying pulled her daughter into her bedroom and whispered into her ears.

Pan Nianzhen’s face instantly flushed. She nervously tightened her grasp on the handkerchief in her hand and asked timidly, “Mother… Is… Is this really alright?”

He Ying slapped her daughter’s back, “What’s wrong with it? If we don’t use this method, you’ll never be able to stay in the Jing’an Estate. Do you really want to marry those poor, powerless, and pathetic men? Do you want to serve under their strict mothers?”

Pan Nianzhen hastily shook her head, “No… I don’t.”

“Then do as I’ve taught you. If it doesn’t work out, I have my own way of making sure that no one finds out. If it’s successful, even your grandmother won’t be able to stop you from marrying into House Jing’an.”

Pan Nianzhen summoned all her courage, bit her lips, and finally gave her mother a nod, “Alright, Mother, I’ll listen to everything you say.”

“That’s right. That’s my good daughter. All those years of guidance weren’t in vain.”

The same night, around 11pm, the three brothers of the He family returned to the estate together.