Chapter 26 I am my brother. Xie Dang's eyes were bloodshot, and he looked as if he was about to...

Thank you twice in one summer

Xia Rushi hasn't returned to the Marquis's residence for the past few days.

She didn't mention returning to the Marquis's mansion, and Xie Pan didn't ask either, quietly and obediently staying by her side.

Given Xie Pan's imposing, mountain-like physique, it is truly strange and incongruous to say that he is obedient.

But Xie Pan was like that; he neither asked nor spoke. Yet, as soon as she raised her hand, a bowl of hot soup was placed into the water.

His taciturn nature and compliant manner left her bewildered; Xia Rushi sometimes even wondered if she was keeping a male prostitute.

Because Xia Rushi did not return to the manor, she was unaware of the bloody turmoil within the Marquis's residence.

These past few days, her mind has been entirely focused on that mother and child.

Wei Mingzhao's ability to rise through the ranks of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and become a commander proves he's quite capable.

This secret dungeon was hidden from view, and no one knew about it. Wei Mingzhao didn't send anyone to interrogate them; he simply threw them into two poorly ventilated cells and then no one went in to question them.

It was as if they had forgotten about the mother and child here, wanting them to die peacefully here.

Initially, Lin was fearless because she had the blood of a marquis. So what if she was a marquis's wife? Besides, isn't she no longer one?

But by the third day, her stomach, which hadn't eaten any rice, was burning with pain, as if it were on fire. Not to mention, no one had brought her water!

Since following the Marquis, she had never lived such a life again!

She's hungry, fine, but what about her child?

Her children are hungry and thirsty too.

Although they weren't far apart, the stone cell was so heavy that she couldn't hear what was happening to her son.

On the first day, she was able to shout loudly, but she didn't hear him answer.

On the third day, someone finally came. When the stone door opened, she heard her son's groans of distress coming from outside.

She was so anxious she wanted to shout, "Stop torturing my child! Torture me instead!"

But she no longer had the strength to shout. Her voice was barely louder than a mosquito's.

Finally, on the third night, the door to the dark cell was opened.

The moonlight spilled onto the ground, the only light she had touched in the past few days.

Then came countless torches, suddenly making it as bright as day.

She looked up and saw Xia Rushi.

Xia Rushi's face, as beautiful as a hibiscus flower, was supported by a pure white fox fur coat, making her look incredibly noble, like a celestial being descended to earth, which only made her seem more ordinary.

Lin shrank back, trying to hide, but the corner where she had urinated and defecated in the past two days was clearly visible in the light. Where could she hide?

Since her time with the Marquis, when had she ever been in such a sorry state?

Lin's face flushed red, then turned pale, and finally turned into overwhelming anger!

Her eyes were filled with resentment as she looked at Xia Rushi. "What are you doing? Are you trying to starve us to death?"

Madam Lin chuckled foolishly, "The Marquis cherishes my son the most. If anything happens to my son, aren't you afraid the Marquis won't let you off the hook?"

This time, Xia Ru scoffed lightly, "I'd like to see how he won't let me off the hook."

With a wave of his hand, Xie Conglin was dragged over like a dead dog.

Lin rushed forward like a madwoman, but with the solid stone railing between them, she could barely touch the hem of her son's clothes even with her outstretched hand.

"Stop fooling around, I just want to ask you a few questions."

Xia Rushi held out her hand to show her the white porcelain bottle, "Do you know what this is?"

Lin shook her head.

"I poisoned you a long time ago. Have you felt weak lately, and have you been having nosebleeds?"

Upon hearing this, Lin looked up abruptly, her pupils shrinking sharply.

"You don't even know your own limitations, yet you dare to attack me?"

Xia Rushi sneered, "If your answer satisfies me, I will give you this bottle of antidote."

Lin was trembling all over, not from fear or anger, "Just one bottle?"

Xia Rushi's gaze was indifferent. "It's just one bottle. It's up to you how you want to divide it."

Coming to her senses, Madam Lin gritted her teeth in hatred, "You are so vicious, the Marquis will not forgive you if he finds out!"

Xia Rushi scoffed upon hearing this, "I'll see how he tries to make things difficult for me!"

Someone brought over a round-backed chair, placed soft pillows behind it, and someone else placed a brazier next to Xia Rushi. Only after everything was arranged did they invite Xia Rushi to sit down.

The renowned Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wei Mingzhao, personally ordered it to be done. After it was finished, he even stepped forward and asked, "Aunt Jia, are you cold? Could you bring two more charcoal braziers?"

Xia Ru said no need, this is fine as it is. Anyway, she won't be staying for long.

Wei Mingzhao, who was usually calm and composed, hesitated at this moment, which was quite unusual.

Glancing into the shadows of the dungeon, I saw two tall figures disappearing into the dim corner.

Wei Mingzhao's brow twitched. Although Aunt Jia hadn't said much, she and Second Uncle had been inseparable lately, always together. Meanwhile, the Marquis was searching the manor for someone again…

When the Marquis and his second uncle arrived, there was nothing unusual on their faces, nor did they fight, so they must not know anything. But how long can this be kept secret?

He felt that things might get out of hand soon!

Unfortunately, Aunt Jia's mind was focused on the Lin family and she didn't notice the signal Wei Mingzhao was giving.

Wei Mingzhao had no other choice but to quietly tell his confidant to open the back door of the secret prison, and then lead Aunt Jia away through the back door after everything was finished here.

As for his good father-in-law, the valiant Marquis Zhongwu, he was the only one who could hold him off.

Wei Mingzhao grimaced inwardly, thinking that even if he got hurt a little, Xie Wanyan at home would surely feel sorry for him.

Lin Shi had seen how carefully these officials served Xia Ru Shi.

Is Xia Rushi the pristine white snow on the mountaintop, or is she just the sludge in the sewer?!

"Tell me how you and the Marquis got to this point."

Lin lowered her eyes to hide the hatred in them, her voice low and weak, trembling slightly and pitiful.

"My relationship with the Marquis... that happened fifteen years ago. At that time, my husband was poisoned and would soon pass away. He held on to his last breath and brought me to the Marquis, begging for his care..."

Lin seemed lost in her memories, her voice gradually becoming steady and tender.

“The Marquis was very polite to me at first. At that time, I was not in good health. The Marquis did not let me do anything about family matters. He did everything himself.”

"There were always people spying on us, so we had to share a room. Then one day, the Marquis got drunk, and we... took the act for real."

Lin was so engrossed in the moment that she began to provoke Xia Rushi, saying, "Your Highness's place is truly magnificent, it makes one very happy."

In the shadows, Xie Dang hurriedly looked at Jia'er. Seeing Jia'er's expressionless face, his heart sank and his brow twitched.

Suddenly, Madam Lin clutched her lower abdomen, overjoyed. "I never expected that I would conceive Conglin that time. This is a gift from Heaven and the Marquis."

Lin paused slightly, then looked up at Xia Rushi, "Sister, which family in the capital doesn't have concubines? Why are you so intolerant of me?"

That's so pitiful.

In the shadows, Xie Dang's entire body tensed, his aura now unleashed without restraint.

Xie Pan, contrary to his usual silence, turned and looked at his brother with a strange expression.

Xie Dang was unaware that his fiery eyes were fixed on Lin Shi, as if it were the first time he had ever seen Lin Shi like this.

Xia Rushi nodded subtly upon hearing this.

That should be pretty much the case.

Suddenly changing the subject, he asked, "So, while I was returning to the capital, you sent assassins to kill me?"

Xia Rushi stated the matter directly, "With your frail appearance, where did you find such a swift assassin?"

Lin froze, but still stubbornly insisted, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Xia Rushi crossed her arms and glared at her, "Besides, my life and death have been unknown for the past two years, how come you haven't even entered the inner chambers yet? Your Marquis's heart towards you is not sincere!"

Xie Dang was startled by these words and quickly looked at his wife.

Here, Xie Pan blocked most of the view, so he could only see half of his wife's profile.

Xie Dang felt a deep pain in his heart. How could Jia'er say such a thing so lightly?!

What, her marquis!

Xie Dang felt a sense of panic, and a violent feeling of losing control overwhelmed him.

Xie Dang ignored everything else and strode out from the shadows, right up to Jia'er's side.

Seeing that he had moved, Xie Pan didn't stay idle either, and followed closely behind.

Two tall men suddenly appeared in the narrow passageway, attracting considerable attention.

Xie Dang's eyes were fixed on Xia Rushi. He called out to Jia'er softly and said, "Don't listen to this person's nonsense. I have never had any romantic feelings for her. I was just taking care of her because someone asked me to!"

When Xie Dang appeared, Lin noticed him immediately, and a glimmer of hope ignited in her eyes, but it twisted when she heard his words.

"Entrusted by someone?"

Xia Ru sat upright in her chair without moving, as if she were the most distinguished person among everyone present.

She glanced at Xie Pan first, then looked at Xie Dang, and scoffed, "And then you dragged him to bed?"

Ignoring the presence of others, Xie Dang not only lowered his noble head, but also bent over and knelt on one knee in front of Xia Rushi under the astonished gaze of Madam Lin.

"I was indeed drunk that day and don't remember anything. When I woke up... I was lying next to her. But Jia'er, you know, I can't do that when I'm drunk!"

Xie Dang disregarded his pride and spoke in detail in front of everyone. Lin Shi's face, which had become extremely thin from hunger in the past few days, had large, protruding eyes that were now wide open, as if they were about to fall out!

Xie Dang had always been aloof and superior in front of her; when had he ever acted so humble and subservient?

“I always felt something was amiss, and since I had been entrusted by someone, I did not drive it away, but kept it under my watch.”

Xie Dang looked up at Xia Rushi and said, "Aside from that night when I was drunk, I really didn't do anything. Even that night, I shouldn't have done anything."

Upon hearing this, Lin acted as if she had gone mad, crying and laughing at the same time.

Lin was shocked to see the Marquis act this way in front of Xia Rushi. She suddenly screamed like a madwoman, "The Marquis didn't do it! It was all my scheme. That day, the Marquis held me in his arms as if I were his wife, calling me by my wife's name tenderly, kissing me, but at the last moment it didn't work. I used my hand to help the Marquis get it done!"

Ignoring everything else, Lin's face was twisted with madness as she cried out, "I put the Marquis's offspring into my own body, and heaven has taken pity on me, I've actually gotten pregnant!"

"So what if the Marquis misses his wife? Even though she's a hundred and eight thousand miles away, she still sleeps with me day and night, and we still have children together!"

Xie Dang looked completely bewildered.

The man kneeling before Xia Rushi seemed frozen. He turned his face away abruptly, looking at Lin Shi seriously for the first time.

Xia Rushi remained seated, leisurely enjoying Xie Dang's devastated expression.

Why was she so angry back then? It was because she understood Xie Dang.

Having lived with him for so many years, she still doesn't know his temperament?

Even if he is impatient and annoyed now, he once felt an inappropriate pity for the Lin family.

Otherwise, the child wouldn't be able to be born.

Even if the baby were born, it wouldn't have appeared before her. Things wouldn't have escalated to this point.

This is what made Xia Rushi angry and disappointed. While she thought their relationship was very deep, he had already started to stray without her knowing.

In all the years he's lived with her, how many moments did he think of that mother and son?

It's like eating a bowl of incredibly sweet and fragrant sorbet, only to find half a cockroach leg at the bottom of the bowl after you've carefully chewed and swallowed it.

Even after vomiting it all up, the feeling was still nauseating. Even seeing clean ice cream would remind her of that half-eaten cockroach leg; that's how Xie Dang is to her now.

Xia Rushi rested her chin on her hand and looked at Xie Dang. Xie Dang's eyes were bloodshot, and he looked as if he was about to burst open.

Those clenched fists were trembling uncontrollably, as if they were about to punch someone to death!

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Author's Note: Next Chapter Preview:

"Mother, Second Uncle,"

Xie Lang greeted the two politely, but his next words were incomprehensible: "It's freezing outside, let's go back inside and light a charcoal fire before we hug again."