Chapter 48 "I've come to take you home."...
Madam Xue used this as a starting point, and it really did start to resemble a conversation between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
But Shen Xi dared not be careless and carefully replied, "My husband has taken good care of me, which is truly wonderful."
Madam Xue glanced at her, her fingertips lightly twirling the ring on her hand: "Oh? Why did the guard say that Cheng Yan ordered you not to leave the manor today?"
The question was deliberately asked, and Shen Xi's heart tightened. She forced herself to remain calm: "It is exactly what my daughter-in-law just said. Because I am unwell, my husband was worried that I would not stay at home to rest properly, so he issued this order."
Unexpectedly, she was still trying to exonerate Xie Chengyan. Madam Xue looked her over for a moment, then suddenly chuckled and spoke slowly.
“Chengyan is a bit stubborn,” Xue said, then changed the subject, “He’s only recuperating, but he’s so worried. Why don’t you stay here and I’ll keep an eye on him for him? It’ll be a good way for us to keep each other company.”
"How could I trouble Mother like this?"
Shen Xi declined, her eyelids drooping slightly, deliberately showing a hint of difficulty, and hesitated before saying, "Besides, there is Erlang in the Duke's mansion after all, so it might not be very convenient for my daughter-in-law."
Upon hearing Xie Wenlang's name, Madam Xue's smile vanished, and her gaze toward Shen Xi darkened.
The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
After a moment, Madam Xue looked away, her tone still as gentle as ever: "Child, why are you thinking so much? This matter is long over. Besides, no matter what, you are still a member of the Xie family. What's wrong with you staying here to keep me company for a while?"
These words startled Shen Xi, causing her fingertips to tremble slightly as she clenched her fist.
She hurriedly spoke, "Mother..."
Before she could say anything more, Madam Xue had already made the decision: "Alright, it's settled then. You can settle in comfortably, and just tell the servants if you need anything."
As she spoke, Madam Xue leaned forward and gently patted Shen Xi's hand, which was unconsciously clenched into a fist.
Just as she was about to say something more, a maidservant came in to deliver a message: "Madam, the Duke requests your presence in his study, saying he has important matters to discuss."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Xi clearly noticed that Xue Shi's palm, which was resting on her hand, paused and unconsciously tightened, but she quickly realized what was happening.
Madam Xue maintained her gentle smile, glanced at Shen Xi in front of her, and instructed, "It's unfortunate that we're at this time. You rest here for now, I'll go see what's so urgent."
Shen Xi rose to see her off, saying, "Take care, Mother."
Watching Xue's figure disappear at the end of the corridor, Shen Xi broke out in a cold sweat, and his eyes unconsciously darkened.
Stay for a while.
That sounds nice, but how is this any different from Xie Chengyan keeping her under house arrest in the General's Mansion?
They really are mother and son; they do exactly the same things.
Shen Xi clenched her fists inwardly.
*
As Madam Xue walked gracefully to the front of the study, she suddenly stopped.
He glanced sideways, gave a signal to the person next to him to stay outside, and then went inside alone.
Inside the study, Xie Yi stood with his hands behind his back, his complexion not good, his brows furrowed tightly.
When Madam Xue saw this, she was somewhat surprised: "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
The study door closed behind him.
Xie Yi looked over upon hearing the voice, his face darkening considerably: "Why did you bring her to the Duke's mansion?"
Madam Xue was taken aback, and it took her a while to realize that the "she" he was referring to was Shen Xi. Confused, she said, "What's wrong with that? After all, she's the rightful daughter-in-law. What's wrong with talking to her for a bit?"
Xie Yi took two steps closer and snorted coldly: "How could someone of her social standing be worthy of Cheng Yan? I've put a lot of effort into dealing with the General's Mansion these past two days."
Having shared a bed for many years, Madam Xue almost instantly grasped the deeper meaning behind Xie Yi's words, and was quite surprised: "You don't mean to take advantage of Cheng Yan's absence..."
Halfway through her sentence, Madam Xue suddenly covered her lips, knowingly swallowing the rest of her words.
Xie Yi did not refute, but closed his eyes and pinched his brow: "Madam, you have ruined a big plan for me."
In the past, when Xie Chengyan was in the capital, the General's Mansion was like an impregnable fortress, and it was extremely difficult for him to send someone in to check on Xie Chengyan's situation.
They finally got their chance and managed to pry open a small opening, ready to make their move tonight.
Unexpectedly, Madam Xue brought the person to the Duke's mansion.
Xie Yi said in a deep voice, "If she happens to meet with misfortune during her trip to the Duke's mansion in the next two days, Cheng Yan will suspect you and me first."
After hearing his words before parting, it was hard for Xie Chengyan not to suspect him.
Madam Xue was secretly alarmed. She knew that Xie Yi was quite dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law, but she did not expect that his dissatisfaction had reached such a point.
But then she realized something was wrong and stared straight at him: "You think Shen Xi's family background is too low and she's not good enough for Cheng Yan, but why didn't you say that when Erlang proposed to you?"
Xie Yi sighed, his brow furrowed: "Erlang is different from Chengyan."
“Indeed, they are different.” Madam Xue scoffed. “You’ve been grooming Chengyan since he was a child, even carefully selecting his wife. But what about Erlang? Have you ever given him a second glance?”
Xie Yi's expression darkened: "Don't overthink it."
Madam Xue suddenly stood up and flicked her sleeve, her eyes turning cold: "Whether I'm overthinking it or you're being biased and doing too much, you know the answer in your heart."
"What nonsense are you spouting now?"
Madam Xue continued, "If it weren't for my Xue family back then, you wouldn't be in this position today. Now that you've used us, you've discarded us. You haven't cared about Erlang's affairs at all; all you care about is your career. Xie Yi, is there any truth in what I'm saying?"
Xie Yi's expression grew increasingly grim, and his gaze towards her became exceptionally cold and sharp.
Madam Xue showed no sign of backing down: "Xie Yi, do you really think I knew nothing about what you did back then, or who you brought back?"
"What do you mean?"
Seeing Xie Yi's somewhat nervous expression, Madam Xue sneered, a sudden surge of pleasure welling up inside her. She said softly, "Back then, it was I who begged my brother to settle things for you."
After saying that, she stepped out of the study without looking back.
The sun is not visible today; the sky is overcast and gloomy, as if a heavy rain is about to fall.
Madam Xue slowly walked through the corridors, looking at the familiar plants and trees before her, their branches and leaves gradually withering and decaying, a scene of utter desolation.
Looking at the scene in the courtyard, she felt a bit tired. Her gaze was vacant for a moment, but then a resolute look gradually settled in.
She calmed down and asked the old woman beside her, "How is things in Mozhou? Have everything been arranged?"
The old woman looked around, lowered her voice, and replied, "Don't worry, Madam. Everything has been arranged according to your wishes. It's just... there hasn't been any good news yet."
"It's alright." Madam Xue's eyes suddenly flashed with a fierce light, and she smiled slightly before instructing, "Keep a close eye on Shen Xi. If things succeed, have my brother deal with her. If not..."
She paused, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes: "She is the best knife."
Xue said no more. The gloomy sky blocked out the sunlight, and there was no warmth at all.
She couldn't help but recall many years ago, on a similarly cold and gloomy day, when Xie Yi brought Xie Chengyan back.
The child was so pitiful, she felt so sorry for him and took good care of him.
Unexpectedly, from that moment on, everything went wrong.
But that person's heart remained cold.
Whether it was many years ago or now.
*
Meanwhile, since Xue left, Shen Xi has remained in the same place.
Xue's intention to keep her was clear, and she could not refuse.
Although Xie Chengyan's bodyguards were protecting her, Xue Shi had not yet shown any malice, and Shen Xi was unsure how to handle the situation properly.
Regardless, Xue was Xie Chengyan's birth mother, and she should at least give him the respect he deserved.
After waiting for a long time, they still did not see Xue return.
Instead, she sent a maid to deliver a message: "Young Madam, you didn't sleep well last night. You were so tired after returning from the study that you went back to your room first. You instructed me to take you to rest as well."
Shen Xi's eyes flickered, and he stood up: "In that case, I'd like to return to the General's Mansion first. Mother can call me anytime if she needs anything in the future."
Before she could finish speaking, the old woman who had been standing guard behind her stepped forward to stop her: "Young mistress, there's no need for you to make such a fuss. Madam's intention is for you to stay at the Duke's mansion during this time."
Shen Xi glanced around and saw that many people had taken a step forward as soon as she said those words.
This was at the Duke's mansion, and it was Xie Chengyan's mother's idea, so Shen Xi couldn't easily cause a conflict and could only reluctantly stay.
After nightfall, Shen Xi was unable to fall asleep for a long time.
Perhaps it was because of the change of environment, but she always felt uneasy.
Suddenly, a loud boom.
A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, signaling the first autumn rain of the year.
Lightning flashed and thunder roared outside, and in a short while, a torrential downpour began, washing over the grass, trees, and rocks, creating a soft, rhythmic sound.
Unable to sleep, Shen Xi stood by the window, watching the continuous heavy rain create ripples on the ground, her mind in turmoil.
After an unknown amount of time, a sudden burst of noisy voices broke out in the quiet night, where only the sound of rain could be heard.
Startled by the commotion, Shen Xi snapped back to her senses, and the servants outside were also instantly awakened, rushing to check outside.
The chaotic footsteps and voices gradually approached Shen Xi.
Curious, she took two steps outside, only to be met with a sudden downpour that lashed her face and head.
The wind and rain were unusually strong, and before she knew it, the raindrops had blinded her.
I closed my eyes tightly and stood still, but the noisy sounds grew closer.
When she opened her eyes again, an unexpected person appeared at the end of the corridor.
Another bolt of lightning struck, and Shen Xi's eyes were suddenly filled with light.
The night was dark. Dressed in a sharp outfit, he looked travel-worn, his steps hurried yet firm, carrying a chill. Ignoring the people behind him who tried to stop him, he walked towards her without hesitation.
Shen Xi paused for a moment, staring at him intently, her eyes flickering.
He left under the blazing summer sun and returned in a sudden, unexpected autumn night rain.
In the blink of an eye, it all felt like a dream.
When she came to her senses, her feet had already involuntarily left her spot, and she subconsciously ran towards him.
Leaving the wind and rain behind, Chen Xi buried her head in that familiar and warm chest.
"My husband."
Xie Chengyan raised his hand and caught her steadily. His eyes were deep and dark. He pressed on the back of her neck and said only one word.
"I've come to take you home."
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Author's Note: Okay, enough arguing, time for the honeymoon phase begins!! [Lower-eared rabbit head]
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