Chapter 677: His Heart Is Punishable
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Old Madam Xiao was stunned.

“Then why does Second Brother look so sad all day? He’s also very hot-tempered and gets angry at every turn.”

Because of this, they were also worried recently.

Shi Qingluo gave her a comforting look. “He’s frowning and irritable. It’s definitely not because of his title or his return to Nanxi County.”

“Then why?” Old Madam Xiao asked in confusion. “I thought he was unhappy about returning to Nanxi County.”

They didn’t want to return to Nanxi County either.

She already knew that Kong Yuelan was going to the capital city to marry King

Yi. Although she had scolded Kong Yuelan a lot in private and felt that Kong Yuelan was not abiding by womanly principles, there was nothing she could do to stop her. She was even more jealous.

At the same time, they also knew that Xiao Hanzheng and his sister were going to be successful with the Kong Family.

Second Brother had told them that he did not want them to go to Nanxi County to suffer, so he asked them to stay in North City and live under Xiao Hanzheng.

What was the point of returning to Nanxi County? Of course, it would be more interesting to follow the magistrate and princess.

The eldest and the others might be able to get some positions with Xiao Hanzheng. Didn’t they see that Xi Rui, a rich playboy, had become a dean?

Therefore, they decided to stay in North City.

Shi Qingluo could guess what the old lady and the other two were thinking from their expressions.

“Of course not,” she said with a smile.

“I think Baron Xiao is suffering. His legs are crippled, and he’s been poisoned by Ge Chunru. He can’t have any children anymore. His only daughter can’t inherit the title in the future. He must be worried!”

She was talking about Tao Liu’s daughter. After all, the scumbag father had long broken off their marriage, so they could not be considered to be related.

Xi Rong was the only exception in the Liang Empire. Xiao Yuanshi’s daughter naturally did not have such an honor.

The old lady felt that it made sense. “That’s true. Second Brother must be feeling very bitter. ”

Being harmed bv that b*tch Ge Chunru to this extent, anvone would feel terrible.

Most importantly, without a son, wouldn’t the title be wasted in the future?

“Then won’t the title be over once it’s passed down to his generation?” the old lady said with a pained expression.

Shi Qingluo nodded. “If he doesn’t have any children in the future, then it must be this generation.”

Then, she changed the topic. “However, if he adopted a son and his name is recorded in the family tree, the title can still be passed on to his adopted son.”

“I wonder if Baron Xiao will adopt in the future.” “If you don’t adopt, then it’ll be a waste of a noble title.”

The speaker had the intention, and so did the listener.

Old Madam Xiao’s eyes darted around. “An adopted child is fine too?”

Shi Qingluo nodded. “Of course. If he’s adopted, he’ll be Baron Xiao’s son, and he’ll inherit the title legally.”

“This is a title of nobility. It’s much more impressive than being a county magistrate.”

“Although you are returning to Nanxi County, not only does the magistrate have to bow when he sees you, even the magistrate has to show some courtesy.”

Then, she talked about how good a title was. It was better than not taking the imperial examination route and being a small official.

The Wang and Wu families couldn’t help but feel excited.

It made sense. Their son couldn’t even become a scholar, let alone an official.

Therefore, it was still possible to get an eighth-grade county magistrate, but it was difficult to get a seventh-grade county magistrate, let alone get promoted.

In the future, if they were to become a Baron, wouldn’t he be even more awe-inspiring than being a county magistrate? If his status was high enough, the entire family’s status would rise as well.

Both of them had thoughts. Anyway, Xiao Yuanshi could not give birth to a son. It would be good to adopt their son. A biological nephew was not better than a wild child outside.

The old lady also thought that this was good. Her eldest was suffering from the fact that he had the ability but could not display it.

However, if he became a Baron, his status would also rise in the future. Anyway, the second son would not be able to give birth to a son, so it would be good to adopt a nephew.

The old lady was very tempted, but she still had some misgivings. “But isn’t it a little embarrassing to go back to Nanxi County? Why aren’t we in the capital?”

“How can we lose face by going to Nanxi County?” Shi Qingluo asked. “Isn’t this a matter of glory?”

“Not to mention Nanxi County, even in the entire Nanguang Prefecture City, no one has been conferred a title of nobility.”

“Back then, everyone knew that you sold your houses and fields to the capital to join General Xiao, but they wouldn’t know if you’re doing well now.”

“I heard that some people are gossiping about how your days are going to be tough and that you’ll regret selling your houses and fields.”

“Those people will definitely be shocked when they return with the title of nobility. Then, they will all envy you for having such a good son.”

“There are many people with high status in North City. You won’t be conspicuous when you walk out.”

“Besides, you don’t know many people, so they won’t praise or envy you.”

“But if you return to your own territory in Nanxi County, this is a noble title. It sounds impressive. At that time, won’t everyone praise you wherever you go?”

“Of course, you have to share such a joyous occasion with your clansmen, friends, and family.”

“Besides, it’s an honor to be able to hold your head high. It’s definitely not embarrassing.”

She had grasped the vanity of the Xiao Family and the others, so she guided them.

As expected, Old Madam Xiao’s breathing became heavier when she heard that. When their family left the village, there were indeed people waiting to see them make a fool of themselves.

If she returned with a title of nobility, those old women who had never dealt with her in the past would be jealous to death.

She was a Baron’s mother and the Xiao Family’s matriarch. Her status was different from those ignorant village women.

They did not know many people in North City, and they had to give in to the aristocratic families when they saw them.

The main thing was that they knew that even if they were to cling onto Xiao Hanzheng, that cold-hearted grandson would not give them any benefits.

However, it was different when they returned to Nanxi County. They had returned to their hometown in glory and were so proud.

Furthermore, the old lady was getting on in years. Nanxi County was her homeland, and her family and friends were all there. She still missed them.

Some time ago, the Old Master had been talking about going back to take a look. After all, that was their roots.

When Shi Qingluo saw that the old lady had loosened up, she immediately said, “If you don’t want to go back, let Dalang and the others find a job in North City.

They can support you.”

“It’s just that Baron Xiao has returned to Nanxi County. If he were to adopt a son, Old Madam, you would have a grandson. It would be too difficult to see him again from such a long distance.”

“And when the time comes, all the wealth in the Baron’s manor will belong to your grandson.”

The old lady was furious when she heard this. “We came out to look for Second

Brother. Wherever he goes, of course we have to follow.”

That’s right. If she didn’t follow him to Nanxi County, that b*stard Second Brother would adopt a son of his own. Then wouldn’t her Dalang be unable to inherit the title?

This would not do.

Madam Wang and Madam Wu were also anxious. “Yeah, we’ve been out for so long. It’s time to go back and take a look.”

It wasn’t just Chengjue’s problem. If that black-hearted Second Brother went back, he would definitely take all the family’s wealth with him. There was no way he would leave anything for them.

They were used to living a good life now, so how could they endure hardship?

No, they had to follow them to Nanxi County. They couldn’t let the b*stards outside take advantage of him.

Old Madam Han could not sit still any longer. “Qingluo, we still have things to do and will be heading back first. Let’s talk another day.”

She had to hurry back and tell Old Master that they had to go back with Second Brother.

Second Brother, that b*stard, had urged them to stay with Xiao Hanzheng and they had almost fallen for it.

It turned out that he wanted to bring his family wealth back to Nanxi County to adopt a b*stard child to inherit the title.

Now that she thought about it, how could a grandson who had lost his parents be more reliable than a son?

That b*stard Second Brother was really vicious. Fortunately, she had met Shi Qingluo today and was enlightened.

So much wealth and nobility could only belong to their old Xiao Family..