The Drunken Moon Pavilion was bustling with voices and people coming and going.
In a corner, several men dressed in coarse cloth huddled together, their heads close together. One of them whispered, "Haven't we found the boss yet?"
The others shook their heads.
"That's strange. They said they were going to the city to make a quick buck, so why haven't they come back to the village yet?"
The man's stubble-covered face was filled with doubt.
Someone nearby, with a mournful face, whispered in a low voice, "Second Master, has something happened to the Boss?"
The second-in-command slapped the speaker hard on the back of the head: "Shut your jinxed mouth!"
"And then what happened?"
In a private room on the third floor, the room was filled with the fragrance of incense. The clear, melodious voices of several women, like pearls falling on a jade plate, drifted from within, seemingly filled with great pleasure.
"Guess!"
"Tell me quickly!"
The person asking the question was Gu Yaoniang.
Today, Princess Ruining hosted a small gathering of the sisters at Zuiyue Tower. With all four present, the conversation naturally turned to Xie Danqiu.
After Gu Yaoniang was called away by Uncle Zhong, Princess Ruining and Wang Zhilan were worried. Since they had nothing better to do at the princess's residence, they decided to go directly to the Qin family's residence in Kushui Lane.
Dry Water Lane is different from the Xie and Wang families. The Xie and Wang families' mansions are surrounded by other prominent families, who are particular about manners and etiquette, and there are few people walking around outside their gates.
Kushui Lane is considered a mid-to-high-end location in Shuojing. The location is good, but most of the houses are small courtyards with one or two entrances, so the prices are reasonable.
Most of the residents here were local gentry from Shuojing City or families of minor officials from other places who had come to the capital to take up their posts.
These families didn't have those strict social rules, and they interacted more with each other. Often, groups of three or five people would gather at their doorsteps to chat and reminisce. In the summer, they would also enjoy the cool air together in their courtyards.
However, once people get to know each other better and become more relaxed, if there's a lively atmosphere, there will inevitably be more onlookers.
When Princess Ruining and Wang Zhilan arrived at Kushui Lane, they saw a few people standing sparsely in front of the Qin family's house.
Although there were people, they didn't surround the Qin family compound in layers. Instead, everyone seemed focused on their work, but their eyes were constantly fixed on the Qin family's gate. Their ears were perked up, and they were paying close attention to the Qin family's movements.
Before they even got close, they heard a shrill female voice wailing: "Oh dear! What sins has our Qin family committed! This daughter-in-law is never home! She doesn't take care of the children, doesn't cook, and doesn't know how to do needlework. The young ladies of Shuojing are so precious... My poor grandson, he's been born and hasn't even worn a single piece of clothing made by his mother!"
The faint sound of a child crying could also be heard.
Princess Ruining asked a woman beside her, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"
Seeing the curious look on her face, the woman assumed she was just like herself, watching the spectacle, and enthusiastically explained:
"Oh my! You have no idea, this old lady of the Qin family is quite something! This is the family of the top scholar, you know?"
The woman seemed to be from the south, and she spoke with great enthusiasm in her soft Wu dialect about everyday matters.
"The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were at odds all day! The daughter-in-law wanted to go out, but the old lady wouldn't allow it. It seemed like they were pushing and shoving each other, and the child got hurt!"
Upon hearing that Xuan'er seemed to be injured, Princess Ruining and Wang Zhilan didn't bother to inquire further and quickly walked into the Xie family's wide-open gate.
Xie Danqiu stood in the courtyard with a dark expression, holding Xuan'er, confronting the Qin family's old lady.
Xuan'er had a cut on her head and was crying uncontrollably in Xie Danqiu's arms.
Xie Danqiu retorted, "You're listening to their complaints? Do you think I'd suffer a loss?"
The gloom on Xie Danqiu's face had faded today, replaced by a triumphant and triumphant air, making her even more radiant and beautiful.
"Indeed! When the princess and I arrived, our Lady Xie was wreaking havoc in the dry alley!"
Wang Zhilan covered her mouth and giggled.
Seeing that the other three didn't seem too worried, Gu Yaoniang assumed that Xuan'er was probably alright, but she still couldn't help but ask with concern, "How did Xuan'er get hurt?"
Speaking of her daughter, Xie Danqiu's face turned cold, and she said resentfully, "That old hag! I thought she was just narrow-minded and didn't bother with her, but I didn't expect her to be so heartless! She has always looked down on Xuan'er for being a daughter and made things difficult for me at every turn, but I didn't bother with her."
I thought that no matter what, Xuan'er was still her own granddaughter. But I never expected her to be so heartless! Today, when I was about to leave, she saw that I ignored her when she said a few words to me, so she actually reached out and pinched Xuan'er, making her cry and forcing me to stay!
That would have been fine! But she actually went so far as to pinch Xuan'er's forehead until the skin bled!
Gu Yaoniang gasped. Princess Ruining and Wang Zhilan, knowing what had happened, were still somewhat indignant when they brought it up again.
Although a child's skin is delicate, pinching it until it breaks shows that the perpetrator was truly ruthless and showed no mercy.
Xie Danqiu spoke of her daughter's grievances with obvious heartache. But then she smiled and said, "It's all good, though. I was worried that if we divorced, I wouldn't have a reason to take my Xuan'er with me. Now it's perfect, I've already taken Xuan'er back to the Xie family. It's just that my daughter has suffered."
She felt a pang of regret and melancholy. This incident had given her a chance to escape, but it was an opportunity gained at the cost of hurting her beloved. If she had a choice, she would never have let Xuan'er get hurt.
"Don't worry about me. I heard you left because of a family emergency. Has it been resolved?"
Speaking of this, Gu Yaoniang couldn't help but sigh.
"What happened?"
"Do you need any help?"
Princess Ruining and Wang Zhilan also came over to ask.
Gu Yaoniang hesitated for a moment, then said, "I think I'm being watched."
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
