Chapter 36
On the first day after the beginning of autumn, the sunshine lasted exceptionally long. Xie Yunchu had been tossing and turning all night and went to bed a little late today. When he woke up, his lovely daughter was already babbling beside the bed.
Sister Ke loved to laugh, so her wet nurse held her in her arms and sat her in front of the dressing table, letting her watch her mother dress herself.
Xie Yunchu had experience in his previous life and knew that it was not good to always hold the child in his arms.
"Go to the yard and spread some mattresses, watch her, and let her crawl around more."
The nurse felt distressed and whispered, "Second Madam, our little sister is so weak, what if she gets tanned?"
"How is she weak? She is so fierce. Besides, she will get tanned if she climbs well, and she can walk steadily if she climbs well."
Seeing that Xie Yunchu insisted, the wet nurse did not dare to say anything more and went out with the child in her arms. After a while, Qiu Sui and Dong Ning brought the maids to the yard to put together a few Luohan beds, padded them with comfortable and soft mattresses, and finally covered them with a layer of fine ivory mats for the little girl to play on.
Dong Ning put some toys he had made at the end to entice his sister to crawl on them. Sister Ke ran around on the mat like a wild animal, kicking her legs with great strength.
After a while, Xie Yunchu came out after breakfast and sat in the corridor to read. She had asked Jiang for leave last night and would not go to visit her mother in the morning and evening today. Not long after, Qiu Sui received news from the front yard.
"My Lord, the young master is here. He is reading with our son-in-law in the study."
It turned out that Wang Shuhuai had a day off today, so he asked Xie Yunyou to come to his house to teach him.
Xie Yunchu was naturally very happy. He ordered people to prepare tea, fruits and melons, and he personally went to the kitchen to cook a few of his signature dishes at noon.
At noon, someone was sent to invite the two to have lunch in the backyard. Xie Yunyou came, but Wang Shuhuai did not.
Xie Yunchu asked in surprise, "Where is your brother-in-law?"
Xie Yunyou looked tired and obviously a little depressed. He sat down on the brocade stool in the corridor with his head hung down. "My brother-in-law has official business to attend to. Let me eat first."
Xie Yunchu noticed that his face looked strange, "What's wrong with you?"
Xie Yunyou held his face in his hands, burying his fair and handsome face in his palms, and was very disappointed with himself. "I am far behind my brother-in-law. Sister, I am afraid I will not be able to pass the autumn examination this time."
When Xie Yun was in the first grade of elementary school, he didn't know what to say. His younger brother was naughty and didn't like to study since he was young. In contrast, Xie Yunzhou, the son of Aunt Lu, studied by candlelight every day. His father liked Xie Yunzhou, but he was not in a good mood with Xie Yunyou. He always compared the two sons. Over time, Xie Yunyou became more and more disgusted with studying. Later, he went to Songshan Academy and although he had some improvement, he was still far behind in the imperial examinations.
"It is said that at thirty one can pass the imperial examination and at fifty one can become a Jinshi. If it were so easy to pass the imperial examination, why would some people worry so much about it? Don't be discouraged. If you can't pass it this year, we can study for another three years. If it still doesn't work, we can look for other ways out."
Xie Yunyou raised his eyes in annoyance, "But my brother-in-law was only eighteen years old when he won the first place in the imperial examination."
Xie Yunchu smiled, "You are only sixteen years old this year, and you know how to use your brother-in-law as an example. This is progress. You'er, don't be impatient. Listen to your brother-in-law, take your time, and lay a solid foundation."
Xie Yunchu invited his brother to have lunch, and asked someone to put Wang Shuhuai's dishes into the lunch box. However, Xie Yunyou said,
"Let's pack the food box together. I'll deliver it to my brother-in-law personally."
Xie Yunyou went to the study room with the lunch box. Seeing Wang Shuhuai still sitting behind the desk reading documents, he walked in and called out "brother-in-law" with a smile. He then moved the jade hook cloud pattern palace lantern on the square yellow pear wood table next to him and personally set the table for Wang Shuhuai.
Stir-fried pork with wild rice stem, fish soup, steamed pigeon with gastrodia elata, Dongpo tofu...there is also an apricot drink and lotus fish dumplings.
Wang Shuhuai was stunned for a long time as he looked at these familiar yet unfamiliar delicacies.
The lotus-shaped fish buns were Xie's specialty. She vaguely remembered that she made it for him every few days during the summer of the year she was pregnant. When he was at home, she would personally deliver it to his study. When he went back to the government office, she would send people to chase him to the government office.
I used to look down on others, but now I want to take advantage of others.
Wang Shuhuai's Adam's apple rolled, and he faced Xie Yunyou's smile and slowly suppressed the bitterness in his heart.
In the afternoon, Wang Shuhuai picked some books, told Xie Yunyou to study hard, and then let him go back.
After sending the person away, he planned to go back to the government office area, but when he looked up, he saw Xie Yunchu holding the child and playing in the flower hall.
Xie Yunchu smiled and said, "It's hot in Chunjing Hall. I brought Ke'er here to cool off. Will it disturb you?" In front of the flower hall is the study.
Sister Ke loves to laugh and finds everything she sees curious. She wears a pink silk blouse and spreads out her arms like lotus roots, calling Wang Shuhuai "Daddy".
Wang Shuhuai took the child and held him for a while, his eyes never falling on Xie Yunchu. He only said to her in a calm voice,
"You'er is smart and can understand things quickly, but his foundation is not solid, so he may not be able to pass the autumn exam this year."
Xie Yunchu was not anxious. "It depends on his own luck."
Wang Shuhuai had nothing to say and returned the child to her. "I'll stay in the government office tonight." He walked towards the study.
Xie Yunchu was not surprised. "Then don't be too busy. I'll have someone bring the ginseng soup. Second Master, remember to drink it."
The slender figure stopped behind a branch on the stone path, and the mottled light circles swayed back and forth on his tall back.
When Wang Shuhuai heard this, he felt an inexplicable surge of emotions in his heart.
He heard the bell-like laughter of the mother and daughter behind him, and he could not help but look back. Xie's fair face shone brightly in the sun. She looked at her daughter with a smile on her face, and her love was about to overflow. She had also looked at him with such eyes.
Just because he is busy with official duties and has no time to accompany her, she has to treat him with respect?
Only incompetent men will stay in the backyard and cling to women.
Never mind. It’s a good thing that his wife doesn’t bother him. He has official duties to attend to, and she has her own space.
Wang Shuhuai entered the study, changed into official uniform, and returned to the Ministry of Revenue.
Two days later, the concierge sent Xie Yunchu an invitation. Chunqi opened the invitation and cried out,
"My aunt has sent someone to invite you to have tea at her house."
The concubine was Xie Yunchu's aunt, Xiao Youran's mother, Mrs. Xiao.
"What's the post about?"
Chunqi shook his head, and Nanny Lin continued, "It was just something that happened the night before."
Xie Yunchu stood up and went inside to clean up, "Then I'll go there."
She asked Nanny Lin to look after the child and got on the carriage to go to Xiao's house. Uncle Lin rode with her on the way and talked about the two shops that Xie's family had given her.
"I have already checked the accounts of the two shops. One was a writing business and the other was a study. The total turnover in the accounts was no more than 1,000 taels per month, and the monthly profit was only about 100 taels. I have opened up the shops and redecorated them according to your instructions. The needlework staff and the shopkeeper are all in place, but the supply of goods is not ideal at the moment and the price is too high. What do you think we should do?"
"Just grit your teeth and buy the best gauze first. I'll find a way to get the supply."
Xie Yunchu already had an idea about the two shops. She was in urgent need of money to build a new canal warehouse and had to make quick money. During this period of time, she racked her brains to learn from her past life's experience and finally decided to open a high-end garment shop.
Isn't Wang Shuhuai going to Jiangnan? She plans to arrange a servant to follow him south to find the source of gauze, and then transport it to the capital in a steady stream. Although there are ready-made clothing shops everywhere in the capital, they are not large in scale. They just make clothes according to measurements and then send them to various prefectures.
Xie Yunchu suddenly came up with an idea.
She plans to make a batch of high-end ready-made clothes, using the best gauze and hiring the best seamstresses. Each style will be in limited quantity and sold at a high price. Once sold out, there will be no restocking. Scarcity makes things valuable, so she wants to take advantage of the upcoming Chinese Valentine's Day to attract customers.
Gauze is precious and the crafting process is complicated. The amount of gauze that can be shipped to the capital every year is very limited, so she has to find a way to monopolize the supply.
What the capital city lacks the least is the powerful and wealthy. The noble ladies compete with each other in everything from their husbands, children to clothes and appearance.
Xie Yunchu planned to do business with wives of officials.
She drew some patterns and gave them to Uncle Lin. "First, tell the tailor to make a set of each of these four styles for me according to my patterns."
"Get ready. Time is running out. We will open on July 7th."
Uncle Lin took the bag from Chunqi and rode back to the shop.
When Xie Yunchu arrived at the Xiao family, the housekeeper beside Madam Xiao was already waiting at the door and greeted her warmly.
To Xie Yunchu, the Xiao family was like her second home. After her mother left, she entrusted her two children to her cousin, Mrs. Xiao. Mrs. Xiao often came to the Xie family to visit them. When Xiao Youran was young, she would always have anything she wanted. Xie Yunchu regarded Mrs. Xiao as her own mother.
Madam Xiao was waiting for her at the door, hugging her and calling her sweetheart.
"My son, thanks to you for helping your foolish sister. Otherwise, she would never have been able to control a man like that."
Speaking of Xiao Youran, Madam Xiao sighed, "If she had half of your cunning, I wouldn't worry about her. She only looks powerful, but in fact, she is the one who suffers."
He first led her to the main room and asked her to sit down. Xie Yunchu comforted her, "Actually, sister, as long as you think positively, life will be easy. No sugar cane has two ends. Zhu Shizi is the only son. There are no sisters-in-law or brothers in the family who will compete with her for the family property. It's nothing more than her mother-in-law making things difficult for her. If she is smart enough, it won't be a big deal. Look at me, isn't my life like this?"
Madam Xiao thought of Xie Yunchu's situation and said, "Don't envy your sister. You have something very powerful that others can't even dream of. If your family Shuhuai works hard, you will definitely be the wife of a cabinet minister in the future."
Xie Yunchu felt relieved when she thought of her husband. What else could she expect? Her husband was outstanding, clean and self-disciplined, and rose step by step. He was really impeccable. However, she still had to be polite.
"If I can't become your wife, I will settle the score with you."
"It can't be wrong." Mrs. Xiao hugged her and smiled.
After drinking tea and eating some fresh fruits, Mrs. Xiao talked to her about business.
"I asked you to come here today not because of You Ran, but because I have something important to tell you."
Xie Yunchu asked hurriedly, "What's the matter?"
Madam Xiao was worried, "There is an old story that I have never told you. The reason why your father and your mother were not on good terms was because he had someone in his heart."
Xie Yunchu was slightly surprised when he heard this.
"That was the daughter of his mentor, the old Taifu Ming family. Unfortunately, your father had already been engaged, but the other party was married to someone else, so the two of them missed each other. But recently I heard that Madam Ming returned to the capital. She was originally married to Cangzhou, but her husband died of illness, and she only had a concubine's daughter, who married to Jiangnan. She returned to the old house of the Taifu Mansion alone."
"Maybe I heard that your father hasn't married yet. Someone mentioned it to your grandmother a while ago. You know, we live close to each other, and someone must have told me about the Xie family. I told you as soon as I got the news."
"Chu'er, you have to be ready."
Xie Yunchu looked calmer than she had imagined. "In fact, I also hope that my father will remarry. It is really inappropriate for the harem to be without a mistress. The last time I entered the palace, the Empress mentioned this."
When the Queen was mentioned, Madam Xiao groaned, "I forgot that the old tutor was once your Majesty's teacher, and Madam Ming is also familiar with the Queen. She only needs to go to the palace, and there's no guarantee that the Queen won't act as a matchmaker to help bring this about."
"Chu'er, can you really accept your father marrying again?"
Xie Yunchu said carefully, "The man has feelings and the concubine has intentions, it is beyond our control. Aunt, can you help me find out about the character of this Madam Ming? As long as her character is noble, why not? If the mistress is vacant for too long, I am worried that Aunt Lu will change."
Based on her understanding of Aunt Lu, this woman would never give up as long as she was alive.
If a mistress could be found to annoy Aunt Lu and help her suppress the mother and daughter, Xie Yunchu would be happy to see it happen.
Mrs. Xiao was just planning to invite Xie Yunchu to have lunch, but a maid came in a hurry and didn't even bother to go into the house. She stood at the door and cried out,
"Madam, cousin, something happened in the Xie family. Master Yunyou quarreled with Master Xie for some reason, and Master Xie was so angry that he wanted to kick him out of the house."
Xie Yunchu's face darkened.
Madam Xiao slammed the table and stood up, "He dares. Come on, Chu'er, let's go to Xie's house." She pulled Xie Yunchu and was about to go out.
Xie Yunchu was still calm. She stopped Madam Xiao and said, "Aunt, this is the Xie family's business. Please don't interfere. I'll go by myself."
"No," Madam Xiao said with anger, "I watched you two grow up, and you are my dearest ones. How can I let him bully you? I must go and make the decision for you two."
Xie Yunchu's nose felt sore. The two of them had no time to eat. They just had some snacks in the carriage and hurried to Xie's house.
On the way here, Madam Xiao also sent someone to inform Xiao Huaijin that at the critical moment, he still needed the support of his mother's family. Xie Yunchu would stand by Xiao Youran at all times, and Madam Xiao would also be their backer.
The two mansions were not far apart and arrived in just a moment. The group walked around the screen wall and, led by servants, went straight to Xie Hui's study.
There is an open pavilion behind Xie Hui's study. The pavilion is spacious, connected to the courtyard on the east and a corridor leading to the study on the south. The other two pavilions are facing the water, each with a curved railing for protection. At this moment, there are two people kneeling in the pavilion.
Aunt Lu was wearing a plain jacket and had her hair combed into a beautiful bun, with only a jade hairpin holding her hair up. She was crying and kneeling on the ground with her face covered. Beside her, a kind-hearted young man stood straight with tears in his eyes, without saying a word.
All the maids and servants were driven outside. When Xie Yunchu and the other person went in, they saw Xie Yunyou sitting at the railing outside the hall with a fierce look on his face, while shouts could be heard from the inner room from time to time.
"Get lost, I don't have an unfilial son like you!"
Xie Yunyou didn't give his father any face at all, and replied arrogantly, "Yes, I am an unfilial son, so you are a good father? Without a hateful father, where would the unfilial son come from?"
Xie Hui was so angry that veins on his forehead bulged. Another teacup was thrown into the pavilion through the window lattice. Xie Yunyou sat there motionless, not taking it seriously at all.
Until he saw Xie Yunchu and Madam Xiao coming together, he was stunned for a moment, "Sister, why are you here?"
When the people in the room heard this, all the noise stopped.
Aunt Lu and others also looked over.
Madam Xiao saw her beloved child being told to get out, and her heart ached. She rushed over and hugged Xie Yunyou in her arms, crying and shouting, "My poor child, your mother didn't love you and your father didn't care about you since you were a child. You finally grew up with so much trouble, but now you are being driven away. Come on, You'er, pack your bags and come with me. I will work like a cow and a horse to support you. At worst, I can take you to beg for food, but I will never accept this humiliation!"
After hearing this, Xie Yunchu couldn't help but burst into tears when he thought about how he and his brother had grown up together and depended on each other, stumbling along the way and suffering a lot.
After a while, Xie Hui came out, dressed in his robes, and stood on the steps, bowing to Madam Xiao. "I am truly ashamed to have disturbed Madam."
Madam Xiao snorted coldly, "Jijiu, there is no need to be like this. If you have anything to say, just say it. Don't chase people away. You'er is not young. She has an older sister and an aunt like me. If she does something inappropriate, there are people who will reprimand her. It's not worth it for Jijiu to get angry and smash things."
Xie Hui's face was full of embarrassment.
Perhaps the noise here also alarmed the old lady. Soon, the second wife, Mrs. Li, also came here tremblingly, supporting the old lady.
"If you want to kill him, kill me first!"
Xie Hui's mind became more and more confused, he spread his hands and shook his head.
“Why bother?”
After a while, the group sat down and asked what happened. Xie Yunyou took the initiative to explain the reason. He pointed at Aunt Lu and said,
"I passed by the study at 9:00 p.m. today and saw Xie Yunzhou sneaking to the backyard. I became suspicious and followed him. I saw him quietly going to Aunt Lu's side yard and bringing some food and clothes to his mother. This is not a big deal, but I heard Aunt Lu admonishing her son, saying, 'Just study hard. As long as you pass the imperial examination and are better than Xie Yunyou, we will win. No matter what, you have to beat him and let your father see who is his most outstanding son. My son, my mother is counting on you, so you must do your best.'"
When Xie Yunchu heard this, she knew that Xie Yunyou had been fooled by Aunt Lu. She asked her brother, "And then?"
"Then…"
Xie Yunyou's voice choked.
Aunt Lu moved her hand away, revealing a horrible face. The left half of her face was covered in blood, and a deep red scar was faintly visible. Everyone was shocked.
Xie Yunchu frowned and glanced at Xie Yunyou, revealing worry.
Aunt Lu choked up and said,
"The young master rushed in in a rage, holding a knife and trying to chop me. If Zhou'er hadn't been there, I would have died today. I admit that I am of humble origin and unworthy of the young master's respect, but I gave birth to a pair of children for your father, and I made your clothes when you were young with my own hands. How could the young master call for killing at every turn?"
Xie Yunyou stiffened his neck and retorted, "Nonsense!" He pointed at Aunt Lu and Xie Yunchu and said, "Sister, Aunt Lu is shameless. She actually insulted me for flirting with her. This vicious woman used all means to frame me. Of course, I was angry and wanted to teach her a lesson, but I didn't want to hurt her. Unexpectedly, she saw the dagger on my waist, took the initiative to pull it off, and cut her face with the knife to put the blame on me!"
Xie Yunchu held his forehead with his hand, not knowing what to say for a moment.
This concubine Lu is really a ruthless character. She even sacrificed herself for the sake of her plan.
Xie Hui also had a gloomy expression. He pointed at Aunt Lu's shabby face and scolded Xie Yunyou, "You bastard, if this matter gets out, your future will be ruined, and my old face will be completely lost by you!"
Xie Yunyou smiled calmly, "Dad, did I marry this woman? You brought such a shabby woman into the family, and you blame me for it?"
Xie Hui was speechless, his face flushed red. Seeing that he was about to explode again, Xie Yunchu interrupted in time and asked,
"Is there no maid serving at the scene? Father, I don't believe what Aunt Lu said. She is obviously framing my brother."
"You know my brother's temper. Even though he is a little naughty, he never bothers to lie."
Second Aunt Li took over the conversation.
"When the incident happened, the maid was sent away by Madam Lu to wash clothes in the backyard. There was no witness."
Xie Yunchu looked at Xie Hui, "Father, regardless of whether there are witnesses or evidence, Aunt Lu has deceived you, do you believe her?"
At this time, Aunt Lu pushed Xie Yunzhou beside her. The young man trembled, buried his face very low, and spoke hesitantly.
"Please ask father to seek justice for mother..."
Xie Yunchu understood that Xie Hui was concerned about Xie Yunzhou.
On the other end, Aunt Lu was sobbing, her long eyelashes filled with tears that were about to fall. She just stared at Xie Hui with her pair of affectionate eyes, unable to move her eyes away.
"Master, I have harmed Yunzhou. You know what has happened to us mother and son in your house. Even if I have no merit, I have worked hard. Yunzhou is also your flesh and blood. These days, he has been suppressed and excluded everywhere. He can't eat and has no interest in studying. He has lost a lot of weight. I don't need justice, but you have to make the decision for Yunzhou."
Xie Yunyou moved a brocade stool and sat upright beside Aunt Lu, saying with a half-smile,
"Aunt, I advise you not to beat around the bush. You are just unhappy about the new wife coming into the family, so you want to plot against me, kick me out of the game, and get some benefits for your son, such as some property compensation or a position as an official?"
Aunt Lu's face changed, and she stared at Xie Yunyou as if she met him for the first time.
Xie Yunchu and Mrs. Xiao exchanged glances. It turned out that Xie Yunyou saw through Aunt Lu's tricks.
Aunt Lu was suddenly speechless. She just looked at Xie Hui aggrievedly and dared not say anything.
After hearing what Xie Yunyou said, Xie Yunzhou's face flushed. He lowered his eyes and tried his best to hold back his tears.
"Father, I don't want anything... I just ask you to give my mother freedom for all the years she has served you diligently and conscientiously. Don't keep her captive any longer."
Xie Yunzhou bowed with both hands and begged for mercy while sobbing.
When Aunt Lu saw her son like this, she cried even more pitifully. She kept moving her knees forward, trying to cling to Xie Hui's knees. Xie Yunyou threw a brocade stool over in time to block her way.
Aunt Lu glared at him, and Xie Hui felt a little embarrassed.
Aunt Lu insisted on grasping the crux of the matter.
"Master, no matter what, the second young master murdered his stepmother, which is a serious crime. You can decide for yourself. If you don't help me, I will let Yun Zhou go and beat the drum to report it."
This was to force Xie Hui to take some benefits in exchange for her keeping her mouth shut.
Xie Yunchu glanced at Xie Yunzhou, then at his father's conflicted expression, and understood the problem. Although Aunt Lu was hateful, Xie Yunzhou was shy and kind, and studied hard. His father had always had high hopes for Xie Yunzhou, so he did not dare to be cruel to Aunt Lu for the sake of his son's feelings.
Aunt Lu took advantage of this and took a risk to fight for her son.
But Xie Yunyou was not moved at all. Instead, he stared at Aunt Lu with a sinister look, "Go ahead and sue, and let the coroner from Jingzhao Prefecture come to investigate. Was the wound on your face self-inflicted or was it inflicted by someone else?"
Aunt Lu's fingers trembled under her sleeves, but in an instant she looked at Xie Hui calmly.
"I wish someone would come and clear my name, but Master, do you really want to go that far?"
Xie Hui values his reputation, so how could he allow such a small and dirty matter in his house to be reported to the government? More importantly, this would be extremely detrimental to Xie Yunyou's reputation.
A young master should never get involved with a stepmother.
Just as Xie Hui was about to let go, Xie Yunchu looked at Xie Yunzhou with a smile, "Yunzhou, you were at the scene, in front of your father, look into his eyes, and ask yourself, what happened to the injury on your aunt's face?"
Xie Yunzhou's face turned pale, "I..."
Aunt Lu glared at Xie Yunchu fiercely, hugged her son in her arms, and said angrily, "What do you mean? You took advantage of his kindness and forced him to blame his mother, right?"
Xie Yunzhou burst into tears and fell to his knees on the ground sobbing.
The autumn examination was approaching, and Xie Hui really didn't want his son to be entangled in these sinister plots.
"Zhou'er, is it really your brother who hurt your mother? You must tell the truth. If you continue to let her do whatever she wants, you will be hurting yourself."
Xie Yunzhou was still crying and refused to speak.
Xie Yunyou looked at him coldly, disdainfully, "Father, ask someone to go to Jingzhao Prefecture to find a coroner to examine the body on the spot. We don't need to report it to the authorities, and we can do it privately."
Xie Yunchu nodded, "That's a way."
Xie Hui knew the truth from the attitudes of Xie Yunzhou and Xie Yunyou. Xie Yunyou was frank, but Xie Yunzhou was timid and hesitant. He must have been so miserable because his mother had lied.
"No need, Lu, I'll give you one last chance. If you reflect on yourself, there's still room for improvement."
Aunt Lu saw that the situation was hopeless and knew that her threats would not work, so she simply sat down on the ground and said,
"Master, let's be frank. The new wife is coming, and Yun Zhou is being marginalized. He is your most outstanding son. Please give him a guarantee. I don't want anyone beside me. As long as you give the position of Yinguan to Zhou'er, I will die in the side courtyard and never ask for anything."
Xie Hui was a third-rank court official and held a quota for a hidden official position.
Although the imperial examination is glorious, it is as difficult as climbing to the sky, with thousands of people trying to pass it alone. Aunt Lu saw that her son was not interested in his studies and was worried that he would fail the autumn examination. The new wife was about to marry, so the two of them decided to come up with this last resort to find a guarantee for their son.
After listening for so long, Madam Xiao finally had the chance to speak.
"Thank you, Master Jijiu. Look, your concubine is indeed lawless and has no knowledge of etiquette. Yunzhou is the eldest son, but Yunyou is the legitimate son. You have been the Master Jijiu of the Imperial Academy for so many years and are a role model for scholars all over the world. Are you going to break the rules of your ancestors?"
Aunt Lu retorted, "It's true that Yunyou is a legitimate son, but there is no restriction in the court that only legitimate sons can inherit the position of an official."
"Even so, why should we give it to Yun Zhou?"
"Because Yunzhou is kind and honest," Aunt Lu's tears seeped out again, "Yunyou still has a capable elder sister and an outstanding brother-in-law to protect him, but we Yunzhou have nothing, Master..." Aunt Lu knelt on the ground with half of her face facing Xie Hui, "I am already in this state, can't you pity me and my son and give Yunzhou some protection?"
Madam Xiao flatly refused, "Absolutely not. Thank you, Master Jijiu. Yunzhou studies hard and has a chance to pass the imperial examination. On the other hand, Yunyou is not good at studying. The position of Yinguan must be given to Yunyou no matter what."
Xie Yunchu did not give Aunt Lu a chance to smooth things over. She looked at the wound on Aunt Lu's face coldly.
"Father, why don't we ask a servant who is good at using a knife to come here? The direction of the knife marks will be different if the person injures himself or others. It will not be difficult to get to the bottom of this matter. However, if it is proven that Madam Lu injured herself, then she will be charged with scheming against the legitimate son."
Aunt Lu looked desolate, she sat on the ground, and said indignantly, "Master, even if you don't give him an official position, you must give Yunzhou some property before the new wife comes home. If he fails the exam, won't he lose everything..."
Just at this moment, Xiao Huaijin arrived, bringing in two guards. All three of them were experienced with knives. They immediately asked Xie Yunyou what had happened and reconstructed the scene of the dispute. From the direction and depth of the wound, they concluded that Aunt Lu had injured herself with Xie Yunyou's dagger. Aunt Lu had nothing to say.
Xie Yunchu made the final decision, "Father, Aunt Lu has repeatedly framed the master and stirred up trouble. If you continue to keep her in the mansion, when the new wife comes in, won't it be another mess?"
The old lady who had been watching coldly could no longer bear it and forced her son to make up his mind, "Send this person away as far as possible and stop harming the two children."
Aunt Lu held Xie Yunzhou's arm tightly and refused to let go, and the mother and son cried together.
Xie Hui raised his head and took a deep breath, then closed his eyes and said, "Come here, tie up Madam Lu and send her to the farm outside the city. She will never be allowed to enter the capital again."
Aunt Lu screamed, vomited blood and fainted due to anger. Xie Yunzhou hugged his mother and cried.
The old woman came forward and forcibly dragged the person away. Xie Yunzhou cried alone. The old lady ordered someone to take him away. She also wanted Xie Yunyou to leave, but Xie Yunyou refused. He looked at Xie Hui coldly.
"My father wants to remarry, but I won't agree!"
When these words were spoken, everyone was surprised.
No wonder Xie Hui kept saying that he wanted to get rid of Xie Yunyou. It turns out that this was the crux of the problem.
Xie Hui was so embarrassed that he felt ashamed.
Xie Yunchu wondered, "What's going on?"
The old servant who usually served Xie Hui said with a smile, "At noon today, a matchmaker came and said that he wanted to be a matchmaker for our master. The matchmaker was none other than Madam Ming from the old Taifu family. Madam Ming and our master have known each other since childhood. Now our master is still unmarried and Madam Ming is a widower. The palace sent a message to see if they could bring the two together. Madam Ming has already agreed, so the matchmaker came to ask our master what he thinks."
"The old lady sent someone to ask the master, but our young master heard it. He was furious and started arguing with the master as soon as the others left, saying that he was not allowed to remarry."
Xie Yunchu and Madam Xiao looked at each other, both a little surprised. Firstly, they were surprised at the speed of the palace, and secondly, they were surprised at Xie Yunyou's attitude.
Madam Xiao asked Xie Yunyou, "Why don't you agree?"
Xie Yunyou's sword-like eyebrows were like sheaths, and he sneered in the direction of Xie Hui, "Why? I have no mother, and I have never called her mother in my life. Why should I call a strange woman mother? Since you want to remarry, why didn't you marry when we were young? My sister raised me with great difficulty, and you ignored our reputation and married a woman back for your own enjoyment. Why?"
All in all, Xie Yunyou was full of resentment.
Seeing him being so rude in front of Madam Xiao, Xie Hui became even more furious. "You are simply lawless. How can you decide my affairs?"
Xie Yunyou was not willing to be outdone. His eyes were red as a leopard's as he glared at Xie Hui fiercely, "Since you couldn't wait to marry her, why did you marry my mother in the first place? Why did you give birth to me and my sister to suffer?"
Xie Hui choked up suddenly.
The sun was shining brightly, and even the flowers and trees in the yard were wilted by the sun.
Xie Yunchu remained silent.
Madam Xiao choked up several times, and finally gently pulled Xie Yunyou and said softly, "Child, I know you have suffered and been wronged, but now that things have come to this, why don't we sit down and talk it over."
The old lady was also worried about this matter, and said to Madam Xiao, "I'm sorry for causing Madam to come to my house. I couldn't eat because of the quarrels between the father and son. You know that I can't make the decision about their affairs."
Mrs. Xiao knew very well that Xie Hui was extremely stubborn, and Xie Yunyou was very much like him. She didn't know if this could be considered tit-for-tat.
Madam Xiao asked Xie Hui directly,
"I think this marriage is settled?"
Xie Hui straightened his sleeves and replied calmly, "Your Majesty asked me what I thought yesterday, and I also met her in the evening..." Xie Hui couldn't say the details, his old face blushed slightly, and he said, "I have made up my mind."
Perhaps because she was afraid of being bullied by the children, she explained a few more words, "When the children grow up, it's time to discuss marriage. She has a good reputation and a steady and gentle temperament. She can handle the big task."
Madam Xiao glanced at Old Madam Xie, who looked indifferent. Madam Xiao then exchanged a glance with Xie Yunchu.
"Did the matchmaker mention Najib's proposal today?"
Xie Hui felt more and more embarrassed, and replied awkwardly, "We are already old, so we should keep things simple. I mean just setting up a few tables. She... has the same idea."
Xie Yunyou on the other end sneered, "Look, you've already decided everything after just one meeting. You're not even forty years old. I think you're only fourteen, not much different from a hot-headed teenager."
Xie Hui's face turned red and blue, "You rebellious son..."
Xie Yunchu was worried that the two of them were arguing too much, so he quickly stood up and pulled his brother to the corridor to talk.
"Let me ask you honestly, do you not want a stepmother, or are you simply going against your father?"
Xie Yunyou pouted and said nothing.
Xie Yunchu guessed it was the latter and tried to enlighten him, "Although Aunt Lu was sent away, there is still Xie Yunxiu. After so many things happened in the mansion, she still didn't come back. This shows how cunning the mansion is. With a stepmother above us, we can avoid more trouble. You are a smart person, don't you know how to use the power of others to defeat them? If you don't like to be called mother, just call her Madam."
Xie Yunyou was stunned and kept silent.
Xie Yunchu persuaded his brother and came to the pavilion. Madam Xiao could tell from her eyes that the brother and sister had reached an agreement.
Madam Xiao said, "I didn't expect this to happen at first. Aunt Lu's disturbance just now reminded me that I need to take care of the affairs of the family before getting married."
Xie Hui bowed to her and said, "Madam, if you have anything to say, please speak directly."
Madam Xiao smiled and said, "Before Yun'er left Beijing, she left a dowry. Half of it was given to Chu'er as a dowry. Where is the other half now?"
Xie Hui's eyebrows moved, "It's in my hands."
Madam Xiao smiled more deeply, "Before the new wife comes, this half will be transferred to You'er's name, and Chu'er will take care of it."
This shows that he does not trust Xie Hui or the new wife at all.
Xie Hui's face looked rather unhappy, but as a scholar, he would not care about these yellow and white things.
"become."
Xie Hui was a straightforward person. He immediately ordered the old servant to go to the inner room of the study and bring out the box that Qiao had left behind. He handed it to Xie Yunchu without even looking at it. "This is what your mother left behind. Except for the half that was given to you as a dowry, the rest is all here."
Xie Hui thought that the matter was over, but unexpectedly, Madam Xiao gathered the jade bracelet under her sleeve and said gracefully,
"Speaking of which, these originally belonged to You'er. You'er is your only legitimate son. As the chief priest of the Imperial College, you did not place him in the Imperial College, but instead sent him to Songshan Academy, letting him muddle through. Lord Chief Priest, are you really at peace with yourself?"
There was no sound in the hall for a long time, only the rustling of trees.
Xie Hui stroked his knees, his thin face twitching slightly. He closed his eyes and sighed, "You think I am willing? He is disobedient and refuses to listen to my teachings. I am extremely worried..."
Madam Xiao sneered. She didn't want to dwell on the past. "No matter what, the Lord Jijiu should compensate You'er. I think the position of Yinguan should be given to You'er."
Xie Yunyou and Xie Yunzhou had the same attitude, "I don't want it. I want to take the exam myself."
Xie Hui was half pleased with his son's courage, and half angry that he didn't study hard. "If you can really pass the exam, I won't worry about this anymore."
Xie Yunchu was really unsure about his brother, so he signaled Xiao Huaijin to take him away. Xiao Huaijin immediately grabbed Xie Yunyou's arm and pulled him away.
Xie Yunchu was relieved when he saw this, and said to Xie Hui, "Father, just give it to You'er."
With the Yinguan, Xie Yunyou can attack or defend, and live a worry-free life.
The eldest daughter spoke with great significance. Xie Hui weighed the academic performance of his two sons and finally nodded, "Okay."
Xie Hui is a man of his word, and he never changes his mind. Today, by some strange coincidence, he has managed to find a protection for his brother through Aunt Lu.
Xie Yunchu felt relieved.
After a long day's work, he returned to the palace at the end of the afternoon. However, he saw that the main gate of the palace, which was usually closed, was opened. Red silk was tied in front of the door, and some eunuchs and palace maids were coming in and out from time to time. It looked like a grand scene.
He immediately drove the carriage to the side door and stopped. As soon as he got out of the carriage, he asked the gatekeeper,
"What happened in your house today?"
The old woman replied with a smile on her face, "To answer Second Madam, Her Royal Highness the Princess and the Duke have returned home."
Xie Yunchu was startled, and hurriedly took Xia An to Chunjing Hall. Passing by the flower hall, he bumped into Wang Shuhuai, who was wearing a deep blue robe and was about to go to the backyard. "Second Master, you're back."
Wang Shuhuai's face was indifferent. Seeing that she looked exhausted, he knew that she had hurried back to the mansion. He didn't know what she was busy with all day long. "Grandmother and grandfather returned to the mansion and told the younger generation to go to Qinghui Palace for dinner."
Xie Yunchu understood and said anxiously, "Then wait for me, I will change my clothes right away."
Wang Shuhuai watched her lift her skirt and lightly slip into Chunjing Hall. She looked like a fluttering butterfly, ostentatious and romantic.
What was there to make her so happy?
After a long silence, Wang Shuhuai stopped and waited for her outside the moon cave gate.
After a while, Xie Yunchu came out wearing a red begonia-colored thin chiffon jacket and a gorgeous horse-faced skirt. She was naturally beautiful, and at this moment, she was so dazzling that even the bright sunset was outshined.
Wang Shuhuai frowned and asked, "Why are you wearing such gorgeous clothes?"
Xie Yunchu was slightly surprised. When had her husband ever cared about what she wore? She blinked and said, "Grandma likes young people to wear brighter clothes."
Wang Shuhuai didn't know what he was thinking about. He barely maintained his usual indifference and nodded, "Okay."
Because of this delay, the couple arrived at Qinghui Palace late.
The main hall was filled with small tables and brocade stools. Couples shared a small table, while unmarried girls and boys sat at a table of two each. There was also a high table next to the table, each with a lotus leaf palace gauze jade lamp, and several small blue plates with gold-painted patterns, containing cloth towels, tea salt, and the like for rinsing the mouth.
Everyone from each room was present, leaving only the main seat vacant.
Small tables were placed on both sides, with several old masters sitting in two rows on the left and right. The younger generations lined up in order of seniority at the back. There was an empty table behind the second master and his wife, which was where Wang Shuhuai and his wife sat.
The second master saw that the two were late and scolded them unhappily.
"What have you been doing? Your grandmother finally left the palace, but you two are late. Don't take advantage of her favor and become arrogant."
Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuhuai bowed their heads and admitted their mistakes.
Uncle Wang Shuzhao was sitting on the left side of Wang Shuhuai. Seeing this, he smiled and joked,
"Don't blame me, Uncle. Shu Huai is leaving Beijing soon. My sister-in-law will be reluctant to let him go. The couple must have endless private conversations."
Wang Shukuang beside him also joined in the fun, "That's right, Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law are a very loving couple. Now that Second Brother is gone, I don't know how sad Second Sister-in-law will be."
Xie Yunchu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and couldn't make any excuses, so he lowered his eyes.
This look is considered shy in the eyes of others.
The eldest grandmother Miao also added some exaggeration.
"Chu'er hasn't separated from Shuhuai yet, right?"
"You couldn't leave me alone for half a day before. Even when Shu Huai went to the yamen, you had to eagerly deliver the lunch box to him, fearing that Shu Huai wouldn't be able to adapt to the yamen's dining hall. Alas, Shu Huai's appetite has been spoiled by your brother and sister-in-law."
Wang Shuhuai lost his usual gentle appearance, and there was no expression on his face at all.
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