Chapter 23 I am my brother. "Second brother, may I come in for a cup of tea...?"
Thank you twice in one summer
The days that followed were peaceful and beautiful, even though they were confined to this small courtyard.
Xia Rushi waited for Xie Pan to return every day to have dinner together. The two would take a walk in the courtyard to digest their food and talk.
Most of the time she was the one talking, and Xie Pan was the one listening.
Xie Pan was just like his name.
Pan means a large stone.
Silent but steadfast and reliable.
Occasionally, when Xia Rushi holds his hand, he will walk awkwardly, his hands and feet moving in unison.
She suffered that winter and her health deteriorated. Seeing that she was tired, Xie Pan wouldn't let her leave.
Then I went to cook herbal foot bath for her.
The two slept in the same bed that night, but Xie Pan was very well-behaved and dared not turn to her side or touch her.
But whenever Xia Rushi felt cold and moved close to him, he would quietly move closer to her.
Just when Xie Pan thought life would continue smoothly like this, and when he secretly hoped that things might get better for them, the turbulent undercurrents in the Marquis's mansion finally broke through the calm surface.
The Marquis's mansion has truly changed.
Qingqing is so kind-hearted, she absolutely refuses to continue her relationship with Xie Lang.
Looking at her utterly desolate expression, Xia Rushi felt as if she were seeing her former self.
Although Lang'er didn't do anything that crossed the line, people's hearts are hard to come by, and once hurt, they are hurt, and it's not just a matter of being hurt for nothing.
Could she still go against her conscience and advise Qingqing to endure it?
That would be a sin against heaven!
It is said that a kind heart is hard to come by, and how hard it is to find a kind heart!
Xia Rushi was extremely annoyed and disappointed in Xie Lang!
Although she knew that Lang'er would always stumble on this point, Xia Rushi still felt endless regret when she actually did stumble.
She took Qingqing's hand and apologized to her, saying it was all her fault as a mother for not teaching her properly.
Therefore, because of Lang'er and Qingqing's matter, she has been leaving the courtyard more often lately.
Furthermore, there had been a hint of a reply regarding the previous matter; she had secretly corresponded with her brother. After learning that she was unharmed, her brother first severely reprimanded her in a letter, saying that she had been frightening people since childhood! Later, after learning of her doubts, he took responsibility for the matter.
Even if the injured sister suspected that the group that injured her wasn't bandits, he could still wipe out their stronghold!
Xia Rushi's elder brother, Xia Wenzhi, is the General of Zhennan. He has his own ways of investigating Xie Dang without letting Xie Dang know.
Do you think he'd let his sister suffer? Do you think he's a pushover?
This time, Xia Wenzhi didn't let his younger brother get involved; he took the matter upon himself. When the incident came to light, the Minister of War's wrath wouldn't be easy to withstand, but he, the General of Zhennan, could.
At this time, Xia Wenzhi had no idea what a big surprise his beloved younger sister would give Lord Xie.
Xia Wenzhi also had a slight doubt in his mind. How could his sister have hidden herself so well? Had Xie Dang not discovered her? But he didn't think about it further. Later, whenever he recalled this moment, he couldn't help but grin and sigh to his wife, "My sister, she truly lives up to her family name! She's a real scoundrel!"
Every time, his wife would slap him to stop him from talking about his sister like that.
Let's get back to this point.
Besides secretly helping Lang'er sort out this mess, Xia Ru also had to appease Qingqing. Because of her friendship with Ying Yi, she couldn't let Qingqing suffer any losses. Moreover, by being more prudent in her actions, she could leave a way out for her two young children.
Therefore, he signed the divorce papers on Xie Lang's behalf.
Xia Rushi also knew that Qingqing intended to leave regardless of whether she signed the papers. It was better to grant her wish.
She cursed Lang'er in her heart, thinking that he shouldn't show his face now, but once he could, she would definitely beat him up!
Since Qingqing is leaving, she has to pave the way for Qingqing's future by handing over her secret weapon to Qingqing.
She could travel far and wide, disappearing from sight if she wanted. But if trouble came, she had to be protected.
She thought that given Lang'er's personality, she was quite prudent in her actions. If Qingqing wanted to leave, she would probably allow it.
She didn't think much of it.
She was on tenterhooks for days, never expecting Lang'er to give her a "surprise"!
This kid's got some brains, but what kind of bastards are he doing!
Lang'er stormed into Tingzhuxuan's courtyard in a fit of rage, went straight to the backyard, and asked her with complicated emotions why she was there. Only then did Xia Rushi take a good look at her son whom she hadn't seen for so long.
Lang'er noticed something was different. Her usually flat eyebrows and eyes had transformed into wrinkled mountains, like a thousand-year-old ice finally melting.
She explained the situation, saying everything she could. Lang'er left, dejected and heartbroken.
A child must walk their own path; she cannot walk it for them.
It's as if no one else can face the bloodshed and turmoil of the future for her.
There were so many things going on lately that she didn't even notice Xie Pan's unusual behavior.
Only now did she realize why Xie Pan had suddenly started digging a cellar at night recently; she had thought it was because he was suffocating from sleeping in the same bed with her.
She then remembered why Xie Pan had sent her to the cellar when he left the mansion.
She thought it was to guard against Xie Dang, but she didn't expect it was to guard against Lang'er.
I wonder how many times they've clashed in secret?
However, both of them knew their limits.
Another day, Xie Pan returned to Tingzhu Pavilion. For some reason, he suddenly put his arm around her waist as she got up and pressed his face against her waist and abdomen. Soon after, the fabric there became damp.
Xia Rushi gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
At first, she would occasionally call him "husband" when she didn't remember things, and later she would call him that a few times when she was teasing him. After that, she stopped calling him that.
Xie Pan is Xie Pan.
Xie Pan also had something on his mind; he felt that the old lady seemed to have noticed something.
A few days ago, when the old lady's maidservant passed by him, she stopped and said something meaningful.
If you find a woman you like, the old lady will help you make arrangements.
He was filled with unease, feeling that this dreamlike period of happiness was about to end.
Even the most beautiful dreams eventually come to an end...
In the past few days, Xia Rushi has received several letters.
Different words, but similar results.
Wanyan's letter stated that Lin's identity seemed unusual. Wei Mingzhao sent people to search all the clan residences along the border, but they could not find any evidence that Lin had been married before.
My brother also wrote, saying that he had tracked down the person who hadn't died yet. Under torture, she only said she was entrusted with a task. The task was none other than to kill her on that snowy night, so she couldn't return to the capital alive!
The elder brother has already sent the confession to the capital.
Lang'er...
Since Qingqing disappeared, Lang'er's personality has changed drastically, and she has become ruthless. The letter only said that she had poisoned the mother and child, and that they would die in three months if there was no antidote.
Lang'er is not the type to act arbitrarily...
At least not before.
The reason he could do this was because he believed that it was the Lin family who had done it.
That Lin family!
Xia Rushi narrowed her eyes, her gaze filled with a dark and resentful intensity.
She has such a big heart and such a big mouth. Giving birth to a son is fine, but she wants to take over the Marquis of Zhongwu's mansion. Doesn't she know whether she has the teeth to swallow it?
Even if she has strong teeth, let's see how strong she can still be after we break all her teeth!
But it is unknown whether Xie Dang knew, or how much he knew.
This case, however, does not include any work by Xie Dang.
Xia Ru didn't intend to ask Xie Dang; they were now on opposing sides, and she no longer trusted him.
So when Xie Pan didn't return one day, she changed into a servant's dress to cover her night clothes and quietly left the mansion.
As she was leaving the manor, she happened to run into Xie Dang returning home. Xia Rushi quickly hid under the shadow of the trees by the high wall, standing there with her head bowed, like a sapling taking root. At first glance, she looked like an ordinary maid.
Only after Xie Dang walked into the mansion without looking to the side and could no longer see anyone else did Xia Rushi float out of the mansion like a ghost.
Unbeknownst to her, Xie Dang suddenly stopped after circling the corridor, and amidst the servants' astonished gazes, abruptly turned and hurried back. His piercing eyes swept around like those of a hawk.
His mouth was very dry, so he quickly pointed to the spot where Xia Rushi had just stood and asked the steward beside him, "Which courtyard's servants were standing there just now?"
The steward was stumped by the question, but when he saw that the Marquis's outstretched finger was trembling, he immediately focused his attention, thought carefully for a while but still couldn't match it up, so he could only lower his head and bend over, "I don't recognize him."
Xie Dang suddenly clenched his fist. "Investigate!"
A fist the size of a sandbag slammed into a stone pillar, sending mud and ash raining down. "Even if you have to turn the entire mansion upside down, you have to find this person for me!"
"yes!"
The butler accepted the order and hurriedly left.
Xie Dang stood still, his gaze fixed on that spot.
He walked over slowly, closed his eyes, and took a deep sniff. Soon, his eyes welled up with tears.
No wonder he couldn't find her; she was hiding in the mansion.
Xie Dang smiled.
But that smile was uglier than a cry.
How long has she been in the manor? Why hasn't she seen him? Has she been hiding from him?
They've been through so much together, and she hates herself like this?
Xia Rushi was unaware that she had given herself away and that her secret had been discovered.
She left the mansion through a side gate, where Wei Mingzhao was waiting in the back alley.
Seeing Aunt Jia come out, Wei Mingzhao stepped forward and whispered, "Mother."
Xia Ru glanced at him and saw the bright red scratches on the side of his neck, where flesh had been torn away.
Upon seeing this, Wei Mingzhao quickly covered his mouth, blushing and stammering, "I was just joking with Wanyan."
Now, Wei Mingzhao is the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and even in front of the Regent, he doesn't have this soft and obedient demeanor. But Aunt Jia is different; when he was young, she doted on him. Not to mention, Aunt Jia is the great-great-grandmother of the family, truly his ancestor!
In Wanyan's eyes, Aunt Jia is her very eyeball!
He and his child couldn't get a spot, and Wei Mingzhao secretly felt jealous but dared not say anything.
But Wei Mingzhao dared not mention this, for he would be beaten if he did.
Xia Rushi glanced at him and knew what the boy was thinking again, but she didn't investigate further. She looked at the sky and simply said, "Let's go quickly."
Wei Mingzhao had prepared horses outside the city, their hooves already wrapped in soft cloth.
Fearing being discovered, Wei Mingzhao was very careful, and he carried out the same wartime surprise attack as he would.
The area was also filled with spies; if anyone came, he would protect and hide Aunt Jia first.
Who this person is, you and I both know, but we dare not say it aloud.
While the commotion at the Marquis's residence was so great that it was about to wake the old lady, Xia Rushi had already arrived at an inconspicuous little village on the outskirts of the capital, led by Wei Mingzhao.
The two dismounted and walked.
Some villagers kept dogs, and Wei Mingzhao had already sent someone to drug them.
Xia Ru asked for details as she walked, and Wei Mingzhao answered in a low voice.
With everything arranged, Xia Rushi was not one to dawdle.
After looking around the courtyard from the entrance, he pushed the door open and went inside.
The village was quiet, with the sound of wind rustling through the leaves, and the chirping of insects and birds.
It actually has a touch of pastoral charm.
As soon as Xia Rushi entered the courtyard, she saw the black robe hanging on the rope.
That size wasn't just right for Xie Dang, so it must be the robe Xie Dang changed into here.
Xia Rushi sneered, her heart growing even colder.
Xie Dang is truly capable; he and she were inseparable for life in the Marquis's mansion.
He was actually playing the "having a home outside" game with her.
Wei Mingzhao looked on with trepidation and whispered, "Aunt Jia, don't alert them."
Xia Ru sneered, "Trying to stir up trouble?"
This is the snake she came to catch today!
Xia Rushi raised her hand and waved it, and a pair of black-clad guards suddenly appeared.
Wei Mingzhao's eyes widened.
At this time, the Marquis's residence.
Xie Pan had just returned to the mansion and was heading towards Tingzhu Pavilion when he bumped into his elder brother face to face.
The elder brother was standing at the entrance of Tingzhu Pavilion, fiddling with the Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist, his head down, seemingly lost in thought. Hearing the noise, he looked up at him.
His gaze was extremely gloomy.
Xie Dang pointed to the courtyard gate of Tingzhu Pavilion, "Second brother, may I come in for a cup of tea?"
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Author's Note: Next Chapter Preview:
She had many more questions for Lin, and she was also curious about how long it would take for Xie Dang to realize that his beloved was missing.
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