Chapter 674 has been awaited for a long time.

"..."

"..."

Neither of the two older sisters could respond to that.

Song Chunxue didn't even know her own birth date and time?

Xie Zheng's eyes were filled with a chilling light.

He stood up and walked over to Song Chunxue, placed his hand on her shoulder, and turned to his two older sisters, saying indifferently, "It seems you've been deceived. Instead of giving money to a swindler, you might as well come to me. I've learned a bit from my senior brother, and I'm quite good at the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams. After all, I passed the imperial examination based on my own abilities, so fortune telling and face reading are not difficult for me at all."

"If there's nothing else, let's go eat first. We're going to Lord Zhao's house for tea this afternoon, so it wouldn't be good to be late."

The two older sisters looked embarrassed, and upon hearing the words "Lord Zhao," they immediately thought of the purpose of their visit that day.

The eldest sister humbled herself and apologized, "It was because the sisters were too concerned that they were fooled. I'll settle the score with that person later."

"I heard that you went to the Zhao residence yesterday and won the imperial green jade in the gamble. Is that true?" Second Sister's tone softened considerably.

“That’s right, sister is quite well-informed, she heard about it so quickly. You used to tell me that it would be good for the Xie family to build relationships with important people. I went to see for myself last night, and it is indeed beneficial. Lord Zhao specially invited us to have tea today.”

Xie Zheng looked at his two older sisters and said, “So please don’t feel sorry for losing relatives like the Chang family who have bad intentions. Our Xie family has a solid foundation and has always built its fortune steadily with conscience and knowledge. The Chang family’s sycophantic and treacherous behavior will eventually lead to their own downfall. It’s best to keep your distance from them in the future, lest they turn on you when they are cornered.”

The two older sisters looked distressed and remained silent.

They were also urged to come by their husbands' families, because they didn't want to offend the Chang family. Rumor has it that Chang Jiang is about to be promoted, and they have been close to each other all these years.

Over the years, they have only one opinion about this younger brother: they are angry at his lack of ambition.

Now that they're older, they've brought with them a woman of low status who has already given birth to five children, leaving them even more disappointed.

If Xie Zheng had simply married any ordinary girl from the capital, it would have been better than marrying a widow from a poor, remote place—that would have been extremely unlucky.

Moreover, ever since they brought this woman back, Xie Zheng and his daughter have become so rebellious that they can't utter a single word against him.

“I will investigate the arson to the end. If the Chang family denies it, I will ask Princess Anyang to help me and have the most capable investigator in the Dali Temple handle the case. If I don’t find the mastermind behind it and make him kneel down and beg for mercy, then all these years of my life, Xie Zheng, will have been wasted.”

He was deeply disappointed by his two older sisters' attitude. In the past, he had only felt helpless as his siblings gradually grew distant, but now he realized that the most precious thing in the world is empathy, and that prejudice from relatives is the most hurtful.

Xie Zheng's attitude was firm, and he no longer tried to hide anything or hesitate.

He declared firmly, "Now that things have come to this, the Xie family and the Chang family are irreconcilable enemies. If we leave any room for maneuver and wait for them to bully Yun'er in the future, I, Xie Zheng, will use my head to send the Chang family father and son to their deaths."

Xie Lingyun followed Xie Zheng and Song Chunxue out, gritting her teeth as she said, "I don't blame you for trying so hard to bring Chang Yunxuan and me together, but I, Xie Lingyun, will remember what happened today for the rest of my life."

...

In the afternoon, Xie Lingyun left home with two strategists in their early thirties who were feeling unappreciated, two highly skilled men chosen for her by her two fathers, and two clever maids.

She felt very reassured that her daughter was being taught by two well-connected and capable men.

From the moment she returned to the Xie family, she never considered herself a weak woman.

After divorcing Chang Yunxuan, she not only didn't cry, but also got drunk twice out of joy.

During these two bouts of drunkenness, she sketched and drew at the table, clearly listing out the things she needed to do over the next three years, one by one.

Afterwards, she presented the list and plan to her father for his review.

Her father carefully reviewed and supplemented the plan for her, and now she had a perfect plan in mind. She was confident that within three years, the Xie family would rise again in her hands.

No one dared to underestimate her because she was a woman in charge.

It's okay to underestimate her now; it's actually a good thing for her.

For someone who wants to become stronger, being looked down upon and underestimated is a blessing in disguise, which can actually help her to play dumb and outmaneuver others.

Xie Zheng watched Xie Lingyun leave with a confident air and couldn't help but sigh softly.

“Like father, like son. Besides, Yun’er is smarter than you. She has her mother’s decisiveness and courage. With those two resourceful people helping her, she might be able to make a name for herself in the capital in the future.” Song Chunxue comforted him, “Don’t worry too much.”

Xie Zheng nodded, "I just regret not raising her as my son sooner."

Song Chunxue laughed, unconvinced.

"However, if she hadn't taken that hard fall, and if she hadn't had these two children, she wouldn't be the brave and resourceful Xie Lingyun she is today. A fine sword needs to be forged, but grand principles can't be taught."

Xie Zheng raised an eyebrow. "Sister Song is right. It's not for nothing that I call you senior brother."

Song Chunxue stepped on his foot and said, "Speak properly."

Xie Zheng laughed heartily, "Then let's go to the Zhao residence."

Sigh, Song Chunxue shook her head.

Where has the once dignified, handsome, stern, and self-disciplined Lord Xie gone?

*

I visited the Zhao residence again.

Witnessing the tranquil and peaceful garden scenery, reminiscent of a misty rain painting in Jiangnan, and the breathtaking mansion, Song Chunxue sincerely exclaimed, "It's good to be rich!"

Without a large gathering of guests or a cacophony of voices, Song Chunxue and Xie Zheng were led along a quiet forest path to a poetic courtyard filled with lush bamboo.

Surrounded by green trees, the courtyard remains cool and comfortable even in the sweltering summer.

"This courtyard is so beautiful, even the imperial garden in the palace can't compare," Song Chunxue muttered softly.

"I wouldn't dare say that. If those words were to reach the ears of that person in the palace, your senior brother's head, and even the entire Zhao family's position, would be in jeopardy, even if that were the truth."

Xie Zheng walked behind her, his hands behind his back, his upper body slightly leaning forward so that he could hear what she was saying.

"Okay, I understand."

Song Chunxue's left eyelid twitched violently.

She raised her hand and pressed it. "A twitching left eye means good fortune; will I find money on the street today?"

"really?"

“I never noticed before, but it’s been working every time these past few years. I don’t care if my right eye twitches, but if my left eye twitches, it’s definitely a sign of wealth.” Song Chunxue stopped and whispered, “Although a twitching right eye isn’t a good thing, if you think it’s a good thing, it can’t be a bad thing.”

Xie Zheng nodded, looking like he was humbly accepting instruction, "Sincerity brings results."

As they spoke, they were led to a waterside pavilion covered with wooden planks and exuding the scent of wood, where they could faintly hear people talking inside.

"Junior brother, Lord Xie has arrived. Please come in." Lord Zhao walked out of the waterside pavilion in a gentle voice, raised his hand to lift the gauze curtain, "There is another friend who wants to see you today. He has been waiting for a long time."