“If he collaborates with the Zhou and Zheng families, how will our clan perceive him?”

“They will undoubtedly regard him as a traitor to the family!”

“Then, his reputation will be utterly ruined.”

“The crucial point is that we, as his closest relatives, will also be implicated. If Ji’er performs well in the future and has a chance to be promoted to a higher level, he will be eliminated solely because he is Ning Zhuo’s cousin.”

“Do you understand?!”

Wang Lan gasped, her face filled with panic, and nodded repeatedly, “I understand, my lord, I understand!”

“I will do everything in my power to persuade Ning Zhuo to return to the Remedial Cultivation Squad.”

“Even if, even if it means sacrificing my…”

Ning Ze was startled, then heard Wang Lan continue, “…sacrificing my dignity. I will kneel and beg him to return.”

Ning Ze secretly breathed a sigh of relief, adding, “Kneeling must be done in public; he won’t be able to bear it.”

“Also, most importantly, when necessary, don’t be stingy; give him enough money!”

“As long as I get out, there is hope. I can regain my footing and make up for everything we’ve lost.”

Wang Lan nodded repeatedly, “I understand, I understand everything, my lord. I’m going now.”

“It must be a success!”

“Understood!”

Watching Wang Lan’s departing figure, Ning Ze was still uneasy and added, “If it’s not successful, we can think of other ways, but don’t do anything rash!”

Wang Lan turned back, forcing a smile, “Don’t worry, my lord!”

Seeing Wang Lan’s desolate expression, Ning Ze felt uneasy, and his worries only deepened.

Ning Xiaoren received a detailed report in his study.

The report contained a verbatim record of the conversation between Ning Ze and Wang Lan.

Ning Xiaoren nodded slightly, secretly pleased.

Whether Wang Lan’s persuasion succeeded or not, it would severely damage Ning Zhuo’s reputation.

Currently, what truly restrained Ning Xiaoren from taking action was precisely Ning Zhuo’s reputation.

As a victim of unfair rewards and punishments, he was too sincere and resonated too much with the vast Ning family branches.

“If Ning Zhuo despises the Ning Ze family and develops a rebellious attitude, truly collaborating with the Zheng or Zhou families, that would be a fatal flaw.”

Ning Xiaoren’s eyes flickered with a cold light; he was anticipating it.

Wang Lan meticulously prepared her makeup and waited specifically for the moment when Ning Zhuo was demonstrating spells to his classmates, when the crowd was largest.

She barged into the courtyard.

“Xiao Zhuo!”

She walked straight towards Ning Zhuo.

Ning Chen, Ning Yong, and others cast curious glances.

Ning Zhuo stopped casting his spell, “Aunt, is there something you need?”

Under the gaze of the crowd, Wang Lan walked in front of Ning Zhuo and then suddenly knelt down, crying out, “Xiao Zhuo, Aunt is kneeling before you, I beg you.”

“Please, save your uncle.”

“He is your own uncle, your only kin in this world!”

Everyone in the courtyard was shocked.

Before they could react,

Ning Zhuo also knelt down.

He knelt on both knees and said to Wang Lan with emotion, “Aunt, please rise. How can I accept such a great act of respect from you?”

“Although I am not related to you by blood, you raised me to adulthood. I am deeply indebted to you and will surely repay you.”

“Even though Uncle embezzled my cultivation resources for over a decade, he is still my uncle.”

“If he is in mortal danger, I will definitely do everything in my power, setting aside everything to rescue him.”

“Ning Chen, Ning Yong!”

Ning Zhuo shouted in a low voice.

Ning Chen and Ning Yong immediately stepped out of the crowd and helped Wang Lan to her feet, one on each side.

Only after Wang Lan stood up did Ning Zhuo rise to his feet.

Wang Lan cried, “Xiao Zhuo, you’ve actually wronged your uncle. He didn’t embezzle or withhold any of your cultivation resources. It was a lie by the young patriarch, Ning Xiaoren.”

Ning Zhuo gasped, “Aunt, what do you mean by this?”

The people in the courtyard were confused.

Wang Lan’s next words gradually made the situation clear to everyone.

Wang Lan said, “It was all a scheme by that Ning Xiaoren. He learned of your talent and aptitude and wanted to win you over, so he deliberately framed your uncle, falsely accusing him of embezzling a large sum of cultivation resources.”

“But the truth is, he hasn’t given us any resources at all for the past decade. He just wanted to sow discord between you and your uncle so that he could take advantage of the situation and successfully curry favor with you!”

“He wants you to think that he is the only one in this world who is good to you so that he can gain your boundless gratitude and have you serve him in the future!”

“What!”

Ning Zhuo was shocked, “Aunt, you can’t say things like this recklessly.”

Wang Lan shook her head, her attitude firm, “This matter is indeed true, but our family was afraid of Ning Xiaoren’s authority and dared not speak out before.”

“But this time, he’s gone too far.”

“He’s threatening me with your uncle’s life, forcing me to use this familial relationship to pressure you, to force you back to the Remedial Cultivation Squad, to obediently listen to his arrangements, and to accept all unfair treatment!”

“I can’t take it anymore, and your uncle can’t either.”

“He secretly contacted me, telling me to do this.”

“Because Ning Xiaoren’s actions are pushing you, pushing our family to our deaths!”