Met with General Li

"Grandfather, she is lying! I… I never did that!" Zhou Yingyi immediately approached Zhou Wanwu. She held the man's arm spoiled, like a girl who was very close to her grandfather.

Zhou Wanwu felt a little confused by the change in the situation. He was shocked and really didn't expect to hear someone reveal his granddaughter's bad temper.

"Master Zhou, I may only be a servant, but I have never tricked others as Zhou Yingyi did. She's the worst young miss I've ever met!" Xiao Ya exclaimed loudly. Her face was red, filled with anger.

"Grandfather, don't listen to her! You must know me well. I can't possibly—"

"Wow, I didn't expect to see this show when I just got back home." Zhou Lin suddenly interrupted Zhou Yingyi's words. Her hands were brought together as if to applaud.

Zhou Yingyi shook her head vigorously. She immediately said, "Aunt Lin, I've always looked up to you. I've always looked up to you as a role model. How could I possibly do something so embarrassing?"

Zhou Lin smiled beneath her veil. "How would I know? During this time, I rarely came home. Of course, I don't know what you do. But, despite all that, I can't forget the attitude you had towards Ning Ji'er."

Ye Ningjie only smiled faintly at that.

Zhou Lin did not allow Zhou Yingyi to escape punishment. She proposed a punishment in the form of banning Zhou Yingyi from leaving the residence for a set time.

Zhou Yingyi, who heard that, immediately shook her head. She was a woman who couldn't stay inside the residence all day. She must take a walk at least once a day.

"It can't! It is not fair!" Zhou Yingyi protested. This is tantamount to being imprisoned!

"I also want to add." Zhou Yan then raised his hand. "The Zhou family's expenses should also be reduced. Perhaps Father and Grandfather should consider withholding Sister Yingyi's monthly ration."

"What!" Zhou Yingyi widened her eyes. She couldn't believe she would be treated like this. Being locked up in the residence was a terrible thing, but being withheld from the monthly ration was even worse!

"Not! How can you be more on the side of outsiders? I am a member of your family!"

Zhou Jingran cleared his throat. He took a deep breath. "Yingyi, the punishment proposed by Zhou Lin and Zhou Yan is a light one. But what you did was a pretty big mistake. You should apologize to Xiao Ya."

"Uncle..." Zhou Yingyi felt like crying. She was angry at everyone, but unfortunately, no one was on her side.

She looked at Xiao Ya with pursed lips. Her hands clenched tightly. How could she apologize to a lowly maid? She was reluctant to do that.

"Not just apologizing to Xiao Ya. She should also apologize to Ning Jie'er," said Lady Zhou, Zhou Yan's mother.

"Aunt-in-law!" Zhou Yingyi felt even angrier. She wanted to scream, but in the end, she didn't dare to do so.

Zhou Wanwu let out a long breath. Before he could speak, Zhou Xinhe had already spoken, "Yingyi, you seem like a good girl. Why are you doing these things?"

This time, Zhou Xinhe's expression looked terrifying. His brow furrowed deeply. He always taught children to do good deeds, be virtuous, know manners, and know what was wrong and right. However, Zhou Yingyi didn't seem to have listened to his teachings very well.

"Grandfather Xinhe, I—"

"No need to say anything more. The punishment that Lin'er and Yan'er mentioned was very appropriate for you, and that includes light punishment. If you make another mistake, I might send you to the countryside to take care of our family farm."

Ye Ningjie held back her laughter. The punishment for Zhou Yingyi might indeed be light. However, that was enough to warn her. If that woman makes trouble with her again, she will probably make her regret it for the rest of her life.

Zhou Yingyi couldn't say anything if Zhou Xinhe had already spoken. She would not be able to possibly change the old man's decision. Finally, she was forced to apologize to Xiao Ya.

"I'm sorry," Zhou Yingyi said in an insincere manner.

Xiao Ya snorted. "You only get a light punishment. However, if you do something bad again to your servants in the future, I believe bad karma will come to you."

Zhou Yingyi secretly sneered inwardly. Who cares about the future? She didn't care. What's most important right now is ending this embarrassing situation.

Then she faced Ye Ningjie. She disliked this one guest more than anyone else. Ye Ningjie was a nightmare for her. She had never felt so angry at someone like this.

She was planning to punish Ye Ningjie with Zhou Xinhe's hands. However, what happened was just the opposite. She was the one who was punished by Zhou Xinhe through Ye Ningjie's trick.

She secretly glared at Ye Ningjie. Let's see later. The girl will definitely regret it!

"Young Miss Ning, I'm sorry," Zhou Yingyi said. People who heard her would definitely know that she wasn't really apologizing.

Ye Ningjie smiled faintly. Then she said, "It doesn't matter. I know accepting new people is not easy."

"Young Miss Ning is truly wise," Zhou Yingyi said with a hint of sarcasm. Even if Ye Ningjie smiled and was kind, it would not change the hatred in her heart.

"Alright. I guess this is over, right?" Zhou Wanwu asked everyone. Then he coughed. "After all, tonight, Zhou Yan will be leaving for an unknown amount of time. I hope we can return to our original purpose."

Right after Zhou Wanwu said that a guard suddenly ran in. He immediately reported to Zhou Wanwu. "Master, General Li has come."

"Quickly let him in!"

The guard nodded. He ran outside. A few moments later, he returned with a group of troops consisting of 10 soldiers. The group was led by a muscular man clad in light armor. He looked young and dashing.

Everyone immediately saluted General Li Hongyi. He was the second Great Imperial General after his father, Li Tingwen. His status was the same as that of the imperial officials. However, what brought him even more respect was that he had a close relationship with the emperor.

"Lord Zhou, I brought the emperor's edict here," General Li said after returning the Zhou family's greeting. "Eunuch Pei, recite the edict now!"

A eunuch stepped forward. He unrolled the decree to read it. Meanwhile, the Zhou family members kneeled to receive it.

Ye Ningjie silently lowered her head. Her expression was flat and cold. She suddenly felt a gaze coming from someone. She turned her head and saw General Li staring at her with a grin.