"You must be exhausted both physically and mentally after all the traveling these days," said the head of the Wangquan Family with certainty.
Dongfang Huaizhu looked back. The congratulatory gifts brought from the Dongfang Family had already been handed over to the servants of the Wangquan Family. She heaved a sigh of relief. "It's a long journey for me to come here this time. I've prepared some modest gifts to congratulate the head of the Wangquan Family on his upcoming birthday in advance."
Dongfang Huaizhu, as the daughter of the former head of the Divine Volcano Manor, was composed and unhurried even when facing the insightful head of the Wangquan Family.
The head of the Wangquan Family nodded approvingly. "In that case, thank you for the kindness of the head of the Dongfang Family." He ordered the servants to lead Dongfang Huaizhu to the guest room and place her and Dongfang Qinlan together.
"Thank you, head of the family," Dongfang Huaizhu said after bowing. Then she followed the young servant to the guest room. The corridor was long, exuding a low - key luxury. It wasn't long before she arrived at the guest room.
Dongfang Qinlan curiously looked around the room. Finding it no different from her own home, she quickly sat down on the stool. After the long journey, her legs felt like they didn't belong to her.
Before long, the two of them fell silent and climbed onto the bed to sleep.
I don't know how much time had passed. When Dongfang Huaizhu, exhausted from the recent journey, woke up on the big bed in the guest room, she had slept extremely soundly. Maybe it was because she was so physically and mentally exhausted. When she woke up, Dongfang Qinlan was no longer by her side.
"She's really full of energy," Dongfang Huaizhu murmured to herself. The little girl actually had the energy to run out. She was truly Dongfang Qinlan.
Dongfang Huaizhu got up, washed and dressed, and was about to open the door when she heard someone knocking on it. "Miss Dongfang?" The person outside called tentatively. Assuming that Dongfang Huaizhu should have gotten up, they knocked on the door. It was the voice of a middle - aged man.
"I'm here. What's the matter?" Dongfang Huaizhu was puzzled. She was new to the Wangquan Mansion and didn't know anyone well. Who would knock on her door so early in the morning?
"Miss, please forgive my rudeness. I'm the steward of the Wangquan Family. I guessed that the miss should have gotten up, so I've prepared breakfast for you," said the steward of the Wangquan Family, extremely considerate.
"Okay, I'll come out right away. Please wait a moment, steward," Dongfang Huaizhu tidied up her appearance and stepped out of the room.
"Miss?" The person standing at the door turned around. It was a middle - aged man with a bit of white hair at his temples, giving an imposing feeling.
"Miss, you can call me Steward Fei. From today on, I'll take care of all your daily necessities in the Wangquan Mansion," said the man who introduced himself as Steward Fei, looking very meticulous.
Dongfang Huaizhu thought he was just doing his job as a steward. Then she wondered how many stewards there were in the Wangquan Family.
"Come on, set out breakfast for the miss," Steward Fei summoned the servants. Then a group of servants filed in and laid out breakfast on the table in the room. Dongfang Huaizhu glanced at it briefly. There was a great variety, filling up the whole table.
"Thank you, Steward Fei. It's actually not necessary," Dongfang Huaizhu was flattered. She had never been treated so warmly by a stranger she had just met.
"Miss, you're welcome. Just come to me if you have any problems."
"I won't bother you while you're having breakfast," Steward Fei said to Dongfang Huaizhu and slowly backed away.
Dongfang Huaizhu didn't say anything else. She entered the room and silently had breakfast. The cooks in the Wangquan Family were really good. Even the ordinary white congee was delicious, and the dishes were well - balanced with meat and vegetables.
"Something's wrong! Something's wrong! Come quickly! There's a thief in the mansion!" A clear female voice came from outside along with hasty footsteps.
"What's going on? What's missing? Stop panicking. It's disgraceful!" Hearing the scream of the maid, Liu Xiayun immediately came out of her room.
"Miss Liu, one of our family's rare treasures is missing!" The maid's face showed an expression of disbelief. The Wangquan Mansion was so well - guarded. Such a thing as losing something shouldn't have happened. But now...
"Has the Wangquan Mansion been robbed?" Liu Xiayun rolled her eyes. More wicked ideas came to her mind. She wondered who was going to be in trouble this time.
Another maid stood beside her, looking flustered. "Didn't several guests come to the mansion recently? They just arrived, and then something went missing in the mansion. Could this be just a coincidence?"
This little maid happened to hit upon what was in Liu Xiayun's mind.
"The guests in the mansion must be from the Dongfang Family. There was nothing wrong in the mansion before they came. It seems that..."
All the ill - intentioned people in the mansion pointed the finger at Dongfang Huaizhu. As the eldest daughter of the Dongfang Family, she was not someone to be trifled with.
"However, Miss Liu, Miss Huaizhu is a guest of the former head of the family. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for us to question her so publicly?" The maid who reported this matter was also afraid of causing any trouble. After all, the Dongfang Family and the Wangquan Family had been on good terms for generations.
Liu Xiayun put her hands on her hips and pointed at the maid's nose. "What are you afraid of? Our family's treasure is missing. Are we still afraid of questioning others?"
The maid was so intimidated by Liu Xiayun's imposing manner that she lowered her head and didn't dare to talk back.
"All those who know about this, come with me to see the former head of the Wangquan Family. Let him make the decision. It couldn't be fairer!" Liu Xiayun led a group of people and rushed aggressively towards the former head's study.
"Miss Liu, what are you doing with so many people? This is the former head of the Wangquan Family's study. He likes peace and quiet on weekdays!"
Just as Liu Xiayun reached the door of the former head's study, she was stopped by the steward.
Liu Xiayun tried several times but couldn't get in.
"Steward Fei, a rare treasure has been lost in the Wangquan Family. I have a suspect and I'm here to report it to the former head. Why do you have to stop me?" Liu Xiayun was very angry when she saw the steward blocking her way.
"Miss Liu, don't be angry. It's not that I don't want you to go in. It's just that the former head of the Wangquan Family has gone out on business. This is his study, and no outsiders are allowed to approach!" Although Steward Fei's tone was kind, his words implied that Liu Xiayun was an outsider.
Hearing this news, Liu Xiayun knew that her scheme had failed. She led the crowd away dejectedly.
"Are we just going to leave like this?" Liu Xiayun's maid didn't seem to want to give up.
She was just a maid and had no grudges against Dongfang Huaizhu, but she insisted on causing trouble for her. As the saying goes, like master, like servant.
"Leave? No way. The Wangquan Family's treasure hasn't been found yet. We have to talk to the person involved!" Liu Xiayun looked very proud.
Liu Xiayun led a group of female relatives in a grand manner to the door of the guest room where Dongfang Huaizhu was staying.
"Dongfang Huaizhu, come out! You thief with a guilty conscience. Come out quickly and admit your mistake to everyone!" Liu Xiayun stood at the door and shouted. She didn't look like a well - bred young lady at all.