Chapter 68 The Old Madam Faints from Anger

Inside Songtao Pavilion, Xie Wulu was smashing things around like a madman!

"Hahaha..."

He suddenly burst into wild laughter, a sight that terrified the other three members of the second wife's family.

He laughed until tears streamed down his face: "I, Xie Wulu, have been pretending to be a grandson for ten years! I was about to succeed! But Xie Sangning! With just one act! One act! She brought me back to reality! She made me a complete joke for the past ten years!!"

An eye for an eye play!

But the results were much better than what I could achieve!

Xie Sangning chose the perfect moment to make him fall hard from the height!

Although Wang felt sorry for him, she couldn't help but complain, "I just can't understand why you would do such a lowly thing, stealing other people's money, when you've never lacked food or drink in your life?"

Xie Chengzong also snorted heavily, seemingly very dissatisfied.

With red eyes, Xie Wulu suddenly looked up at Xie Chengzong and Wang Shi: "Why would I steal silver? As long as I have enough to eat and drink, that's enough."

"You place high hopes on me, expecting me to uphold the family's honor! But you've offered no help whatsoever! I need support, I need to network with the powerful!"

"Why steal money? Because you don't have any! We're all just parasites clinging to Xie Zhenting, sucking his blood!"

"Father, why don't you work harder? Why do you make me suffer so much?"

With Xie Zhenting's salary and rewards alone, he could only support the Marquis's mansion and ensure that they had enough to eat and wear!

If only my father had held no official position! If only the second wife hadn't been penniless...

"I was forced! I was forced!"

Xie Wuyou was stunned, as if she were seeing this younger brother for the first time. The madman in front of her frightened her!

Xie Chengzong and his wife were also dumbfounded.

It turns out my son harbors nothing but resentment towards me!

It turns out Xie Sangning was right. In Xie Wulu's heart, being their child was truly a disgrace, a disgrace to be inferior!

This play completely divided the hearts of the second wife's family.

Xie Wulu no longer cared about hiding himself; he just wanted to vent.

"Xie Sangning! I will never let you get away with this!!" He roared like a wild beast towards Ruixue Tower, his voice filled with deep-seated resentment and boundless hatred, yet also revealing a profound sense of powerlessness.

He knew Wang was right; he couldn't go to Xie Sangning.

Going there would be like walking into a trap, like bringing shame upon yourself.

Everyone else was angered by Xie Wulu and left. When she left, Wang Shi was blank and was helped out the door by Xie Wuyou.

Xie Wulu slumped down amidst the mess, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling, only unconscious murmurs escaping his lips: "It's all over... all over... fame... future... gone..."

Faced with this difficult choice, Xie Wulu chose to endure.

He retreated to Songtao Pavilion, refusing to leave the room.

However, his silence was tantamount to another form of acquiescence in the public discourse of Beijing.

"Look! He's feeling guilty! He's too scared to show his face! If he didn't do it, what is he afraid of?"

"It must be Xie Wulu without a doubt! Look at the position of the second branch in the play, the second branch of the Marquis's mansion, what a coincidence!"

"Tsk tsk, he started swindling money at the age of six, and in ten years he's amassed hundreds of thousands of taels of real gold and silver! If he put that kind of energy into the right path, he would surely achieve great things. Why did he have to take this crooked and evil route!"

"I heard that someone from the Ministry of Personnel has already sent word that with such character, how can he be granted an official position? His academic achievements will likely be revoked!"

"Serves him right! How dare this scum be an official? The General who protects the country is really unlucky to have such a relative!"

Rumors spread like wildfire, rampant in streets and alleys, teahouses and taverns, and even the backyards of government offices.

Xie Wulu's carefully cultivated image of a talented young man, gentle and refined, has completely collapsed.

Instead, they were labeled as "six-year-old con artist," "gold thief," and "unfit to be an official."

Inside Ruixue Tower, Xie Sangning listened calmly to Ru Chun's detailed report.

The fiery sunset outside the window illuminated her cool profile.

"Miss, the Minister of Personnel has already informed us that Xie Wulu's official appointment document... is probably not going to be issued. Someone is also preparing to submit a memorial to strip him of his academic titles," Ru Chun whispered.

Xie Sangning picked up a black jade chess piece and gently placed it on the chessboard, making a crisp, soft sound.

"Hmm," she responded softly, her gaze falling on the crisscrossing chessboard.

not enough.

The following day, Xie Sangning went to Fushou Hall to pay her respects to her grandmother with tears in her eyes.

The old lady's face turned ashen, and she felt a sudden dizziness!

She values ​​her reputation above all else and hates airing her dirty laundry in public!

Now look what's happened! Her eldest grandson from the second wife, on whom she had placed so much hope, has become the laughing stock of the entire city of Nanjing!

They might even lose their official positions!

Not only his official position, but if the rumors spread, even his academic achievements might be revoked!

Even if they are fortunate enough not to be disqualified, what use is a tribute student who cannot serve as an official in the court!

Even the academy wouldn't dare accept him because of his reputation!

Let alone asking him to teach and educate people!

"What a misfortune for our family! What a misfortune for our family!"

The old matriarch beat her chest and stamped her feet, tears streaming down her face: "Drive him out of the General's Mansion! Drive him out of the Xie family! The Xie family cannot... cannot suffer such disgrace!"

After saying that, she couldn't catch her breath, her body swayed, and she fell straight backward!

"Madam!" Exclamations of alarm instantly echoed throughout Fushou Hall, plunging the place into chaos.

Xie Sangning's lips curved into a pleased smile.

"Ruchun, I've sent a petition to the imperial physician. I'm sure the one in the palace is even more afraid of my grandmother's death and will do everything in her power to save her."

——

Inside the Imperial Study, the eunuch Desheng, with his head bowed, had just finished reporting the news that the Dowager Lady of the General of the State's Mansion had suddenly fainted and was in grave danger.

"Crack—!"

The teacup on the imperial desk shattered with a crash!

Pei Yan's hand was still suspended in mid-air, his knuckles slightly white from the force, and his face was filled with a gloomy look as if a storm was brewing.

The old matriarch of the Xie family absolutely cannot die at this moment!

Once he closes his eyes, Xie Zhenting, as the eldest son, must observe a three-year mourning period according to custom!

Three years!

These three years are enough for the four countries that have been eyeing the situation to find an opportunity to act!

What could the imperial court possibly use to fight against the four kingdoms in such a hasty situation?!

Only with Xie Zhenting can Qingguo be at peace!

The emperor understood this principle deeply, which is why he was so eager to find someone to replace Xie Zhenting and take over the reins!

The Emperor abruptly raised his eyes: "Issue my imperial decree! The head of the Imperial Medical Academy, along with all on-duty physicians, must immediately proceed to the General of the State's residence! At all costs—"

He paused, then said, "Keep that old woman alive! Whether she's paralyzed, crippled, or barely clinging to life, she must live until Xie Zhenting is no longer a threat! However..."

"If it's not serious, it's not good for her to be able to run around and be active. Only by being paralyzed can she avoid causing trouble, understand?"

As for whether the old woman was living a life worse than death, or suffering day and night?

The pain of an ant is nothing to speak of.