Two days later, Xie jia’s father and son left Jinzhou in disgrace.
Xie shi never appeared in person.
Given her precarious situation, she dared not leave the residence to meet Xie er laoye for fear of angering Gu daren.
Instead, she sent her maid, Chun He, to see them off.
“Jiu laoye, taitai cannot leave the residence and has instructed me to deliver this parting gift to you.”
Chun He handed over a bundle containing money, a letter, and some provisions.
Xie er laoye’s face was dark and gloomy. For the past two days, his brows had been tightly furrowed. He asked, “How is your taitai faring?”
Chun He shook her head slightly. “Taitai is not doing well. Laoye is furious with her. Over the past couple of days, laoye has been staying in Bai yiniang’s quarters, which has deeply upset taitai.”
Hmph! Xie er laoye snorted disdainfully.
“Tell your taitai to act swiftly on the matter I discussed with her last time. Help will be provided at the right moment. As for the confiscated properties, they’ve undoubtedly fallen into Gu Zhili’s hands. If the opportunity arises, your taitai must reclaim them.”
Chun He lowered her head with a conflicted expression.
Xie er laoye glared at her. “Did you remember what I said?”
Chun He gathered her courage and said softly, “Jiu laoye, please don’t make things harder for taitai. Ever since your arrival, laoye has reprimanded her several times. Before, taitai and laoye were harmonious, and everything went smoothly. But for the past two months, nothing has gone right—as if cursed by bad luck.”
Hearing this, Xie er laoye flew into a rage, glaring at Chun He. “Are you implying that your taitai’s misfortunes are my doing? Is that your thought or hers?”
Chun He replied in a small voice, “Nubi is bold enough to beg jiu laoye to be considerate of taitai.”
Xie er laoye snorted coldly. “Ridiculous nonsense! Your taitai’s incompetence is her own fault. How dare she shift the blame onto me?”
Chun He remained silent.
With a mocking sneer, Xie er laoye took out a letter and handed it to her. “Give this letter to your taitai.”
Chun He hesitated, not daring to take it.
Xie er laoye remained calm. “Take it. Don’t lose it. It’s a letter from the capital.”
Hearing it was from the capital, Chun He quickly accepted the letter and kept it close.
From the carriage came the sound of groaning—Xie Xian was in pain again.
Worried, Xie er laoye opened the door and asked, “Silang, is your wound hurting again?”
Xie Xian struggled to open his swollen eyes, his gaze venomous as he glared at Chun He.
Chun He shivered. “Biao shaoye?”
Xie Xian looked miserable. His face was swollen, looking like a big, shiny bun, utterly wretched.
Lying prone in the carriage, he spoke haltingly, “Tell gumu to beware of Gu Jiu. That woman is ruthless and cunning—not someone to be trifled with.”
Chun He bowed slightly. “Thank you for the warning, biao shaoye.”
Xie Xian tried to laugh but couldn’t manage it.
Through clenched teeth, he muttered, “One day, I’ll make Gu Jiu beg for death.”
Chun He inwardly scoffed, feeling disdainful.
She despised Xie Xian. He couldn’t even handle a frail young woman yet had the audacity to talk about revenge. Empty words, nothing more.
Still, er guniang was indeed formidable to have injured Xie Xian so grievously.
And somehow, she had even managed to get laoye to stand up for her and confiscate the Xie family’s properties in Jinzhou.
Nearby, a bailiff loitered, clearly urging the Xie father and son to leave Jinzhou quickly.
Xie er laoye shot the bailiff a venomous look. What a good Gu Zhili, he thought bitterly, showing not an ounce of mercy, not saving any face.
“Silang, let’s go!”
Xie er laoye boarded the carriage, and they set off for the capital.
Chun He took an ox cart back to the provincial governor’s fu.
For the past two days, Xie shi had been listless, unable to muster any energy.
Even Gu Yue and Gu Shan being by her side couldn’t elicit a single smile from her.
Gu Yue and Gu Shan sat quietly on chairs, hardly daring to make a sound for fear of upsetting her further.
Gu Yue had been released from her confinement early due to Gu daren reprimanding Xie shi. As her daughter, it was her duty to show filial piety during such a time.
Though still angry, Xie shi hadn’t lost her reason. No matter her frustration, she still needed to protect her daughter’s reputation. If Gu Yue remained confined, people might speculate and gossip, which would harm her standing.
The worst fear was that rumors of Gu Yue and Xie Xian secretly meeting would spread. Thus, Gu Yue needed to make appearances and fulfill her role as a dutiful daughter.
Chun Cao entered the room carrying a bowl of health-nourishing soup. Gu Yue stood up and said to Chuncao, “Hand it to me.”
She took the bowl from Chuncao, blew on it a few times, and then softly called out, “Mother, the soup is ready. Nü’er will serve you.”
Xie shi opened her eyes and looked at Gu Yue, nodding to herself.
After the lessons from last time, Yue’er had clearly matured and become more composed.
Not bad, not bad.
She truly deserved to be the daughter Xie shi had painstakingly raised.
Perhaps, her previous behavior was just a moment of folly, leading her to become entangled with Xie Xian.
Xie shi waved her hand, and Chun Cao bowed before retreating.
Xie shi asked, “Yue’er, have the family rules be copied?”
Gu Yue held the bowl with both hands, her expression respectful. “Mother, nü’er has copied the family rules fifty times.”
Xie shi rarely smiled. “Fifty times is sufficient. I hope you’ve grasped my painstaking efforts through the process.”
Gu Yue looked at Xie shi, her eyes moist with filial emotion. “Nü’er has made you worry, which is truly unfilial. From now on, I will be careful in word and deed, not daring to make even the slightest mistake.”
Xie shi nodded in satisfaction. “If you understand this, my efforts in teaching you haven’t been in vain. Put the soup down; holding it must be tiring.”
“Thank you, mother.”
Gu Yue placed the bowl down, wiped the corners of her eyes, and then smiled again.
“To have mother forgive me makes nü’er truly happy.”
“Silly child, why act distant with me?”
Gu Yue snuggled up next to Xie shi, just as she had done countless times before. The two appeared close and affectionate, a picture of enviable intimacy.
But Gu Shan noticed the difference. It was obvious—things were no longer the same.
Gu Yue’s smile seemed so fake in her eyes. Though their bodies were physically close, it felt distant and even a bit strained.
Gu Shan was certain Gu Yue had a grudge in her heart.
To be adored for fourteen years, only to suddenly realize that her mother’s affection came with conditions—someone as proud as Gu Yue could never accept it calmly.
How could she possibly feel the same closeness as before?
Gu Yue glanced at Gu Shan, her gaze complex. Gu Shan quickly lowered her head, pretending not to notice anything. Gu Yue smiled, her smile growing brighter and even carrying a girlish charm.
Chun He entered, walking into Shangfang with the heat of summer.
“Chun He is back.”
“Greetings, taitai.”
Xie shi released Gu Yue.
Gu Yue obediently sat down in a chair, then snuck a glare at Gu Shan. Gu Shan looked innocent. Gu Yue snorted coldly to herself: Si meimei, just you wait.
Chun He bowed and reported, “Taitai, jiu laoye has left Jinzhou with biao shaoye.”
Xie shi’s expression was indifferent. “Did jiu laoye say anything?”
Chun He hesitated for a moment. Understanding her hesitation, Xie shi said, “Yue’er, Shan’er, you two may leave now.”
“Mother, please take care of your health. Nü’er will take leave.” The two sisters rose, bid farewell, and left the main room together.
Once they were gone, Chun He spoke softly, “Taitai, your brother said that the matter he mentioned last time must be handled quickly.”
Xie shi raised an eyebrow. “Anything else?”
Chun He continued, “Jiu laoye also said that taitai should seize any opportunity to take back control of the properties.”
A hint of mockery appeared on Xie shi’s face. “Er ge is still the same as ever. Even now, he dreams of reclaiming the properties. Does he not understand that once something lands in my husband’s pocket, it’s not so easily taken back?”
She vented her frustration, her mood growing even gloomier.
Chun He quickly produced a letter. “Jiu laoye asked me to deliver this letter to taitai. He said it’s from the capital.”
The mention of a letter from the capital made Xie shi immediately sit up. She tore open the envelope and carefully read the letter inside. After finishing, Xie shi let out a long breath, her expression visibly relaxing.
Then she took out a firestarter and lit the letter.
The paper ignited instantly, the flames growing stronger. In the glow of the firelight, Xie shi’s face revealed a smile full of hidden meaning.
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