“The duke has returned! The duke has returned!” Gong Pan exclaimed as he escorted Zu An and Yu Yanluo back to the Duke Manor.

All of the maids and servants were stunned at first, but they soon expressed their incredible shock. Afterward, they all excitedly spread the news through the manor. News of Jian Yanyou’s return quickly traveled everywhere.

When Jian Taiding, who had been resting in his room, first heard the disturbance, he was furious. He quickly called in his trusted aide from outside, exclaiming, “Who is making that racket outside without any regard for the rules?”

The guard replied, “Second master, the servants seem to be worked up over some matter. This subordinate will look into it right now.”

Just then, another subordinate quickly rushed over while shouting, “Second master, second master, bad news!”

Jian Taiding’s expression immediately darkened when he heard those words. He said, “Punish yourself with twenty strikes. Do not speak if you are only going to say unlucky things.”

The subordinate realized his mistake and immediately broke out into a cold sweat. He immediately knelt down apologetically while slapping his own cheeks.

Jian Taiding’s mood finally eased a bit when he heard the slaps. He said, “Enough. What happened that made you so flustered?”

“The first master… has returned!” the subordinate...