Chapter 249: Clear Stance
Having lived half her life, Xie Jingshu had never been spoken to so harshly by her family. She felt as if her heart was being stabbed again and again.
However, she couldn't refute Xie Daoheng, since she was only deceiving herself and wasn't truly shameless. In this respect, she was fundamentally different from the Prince of Nanyang.
After a long silence, Xie Jingshu took a deep breath and tried to keep her tone as calm as possible, "Then I'll just go see her, okay? I won't say anything, I'll just go see if she's doing well."
She was, after all, Xie Wanniang's biological mother. Even though Xie Daoheng knew Xie Wanniang wouldn't be happy, he still had no choice but to agree—as her adoptive father, he couldn't possibly deprive Xie Jingshu of her right to visit Xie Wanniang as well.
He said, "Don't rush over there. I'll write her a letter first so she can prepare herself."
Xie Jingshu felt a bitter taste in her mouth, but she still nodded calmly as if nothing was wrong, "Okay."
She herself knew that because of her forceful coercion of Xie Wanniang to acknowledge her ancestors and the fact that she almost lost her life as a result, she was an unpopular mother to Xie Wanniang.
If she didn't want to completely break with Xie Wanniang, who harbored resentment, she had to control her desire for control and be as polite as possible, respecting Xie Wanniang's wishes and feelings.
Leaving aside how distressed Xie Jingshu was, Xie Wanniang was surprised to receive a letter from Xie Daoheng saying that Xie Jingshu was coming to see her. Xie Wanniang couldn't help but frown unconsciously.
Jiang Yuan, who had just returned from the military camp, saw her sitting there, clutching a letter, looking worried. He quickly took off his armor and went over to her, asking his wife gently, "What's wrong?"
Xie Wanniang looked up at him, then handed the letter in her hand forward.
Jiang Yuan took it and scanned it quickly. "You don't want her to come?"
Xie Wanniang touched Jiang Yuan's handsome face as he leaned closer, "I'm afraid she'll upset you."
She herself didn't care. Anyway, she no longer had any expectations of Xie Jingshu. She had even repaid Xie Jingshu for the kindness of giving birth to her and raising her with the time she almost died. Now she didn't owe Xie Jingshu anything.
If Xie Jingshu is sensible, she doesn't mind having another person in the family to eat with. But if Xie Jingshu still wants to forcefully control her life, she doesn't mind turning the tables and sending the other person back to the Taoist temple to cultivate in seclusion.
Of course, she would provide the necessary allowance, which would just be an extra fixed expense each year.
With her earning power, she wouldn't mind spending money to buy some peace and quiet.
But Jiang Yuan was different. He had already done enough for her. She couldn't let this man, who had given her his heart and soul, emptied his wallet, and even risked his life for her, suffer the humiliation of her so-called birth mother.
Jiang Yuan easily saw through Xie Wanniang's thoughts, after all, the woman he loved had no intention of hiding her true feelings from him.
He hugged Xie Wanniang, who was already slightly pregnant, and said, "I'm fine. I spend most of my time in the military camp anyway. Even if she says something unkind when I occasionally see her, it won't hurt me."
He paused for a moment and then said, "Besides, I married you without her knowledge, so it's understandable that she doesn't like me."
Xie Wanniang disagreed, "It was my idea to keep it from her; you, Father, and Mother were just going along with it."
The implication was that any complaints should be directed at her, not at Jiang Yuan and Xie Daoheng.
But Xie Wanniang also knew that Xie Jingshu couldn't help but be angry with Jiang Yuan and Xie Daoheng, who were "accomplices".
Especially Xie Daoheng, he has probably already been the target of their anger.
Silently sympathizing with her father for three seconds, Xie Wanniang sighed and began writing a letter. Jiang Yuan, on the other hand, was very observant, circling around her, sometimes bringing her paper and pen, sometimes pouring water and grinding ink for her.
After being coaxed by him, Xie Wanniang's mood brightened, and she readily agreed to let Xie Jingshu come and stay for a while. However, she also made no attempt to hide the fact that she had to "make things clear from the start" in her letter.
She asked Xie Daoheng to tell Xie Jingshu that she could come, but she couldn't find fault with her husband.
Seeing her stand up for him, Jiang Yuan couldn't suppress the smile on his face, but Xie Jingshu, who received "ugly words" from her own daughter, was in a very bad mood.
But there was nothing she could do. The person who was in the wrong first didn't deserve to get angry because of someone else's advance warning.
After packing her luggage, Xie Jingshu reluctantly embarked on a short journey from Tang County to Zijing Pass, accompanied by Xie Wei, who had been sent by Xie Daoheng to escort (monitor) her.
Xie Wei was cheerful throughout, his attitude was impeccable, and he took great care of Xie Jingshu, making it impossible for Xie Jingshu to put on her sour face.
Accompanied by the group of guards sent by Xie Wanniang to deliver the message and pick up the person, the two quickly arrived at the house in Zijing Pass where Xie Wanniang and Jiang Yuan lived.
The house wasn't big, with only two courtyards, but fortunately, it had an adjacent courtyard with their belongings, so there was no need to worry about whether it would be enough room for so many people.
The male servants and guards all lived in the front courtyard, while a few women, including Haitang, lived in the west wing. Only Xie Wanniang and Jiang Yuan lived in the back courtyard.
When Xie Jingshu was coming, Xie Wanniang certainly wouldn't settle her in her and Jiang Yuan's courtyard. Fortunately, their house had a small garden in the east wing, as well as two separate, beautiful courtyards. Xie Wanniang simply chose one of them for Xie Jingshu to stay in.
The small courtyard wasn't far from the main courtyard, but it was still better than having Xie Jingshu live in the main courtyard and Jiang Yuan live in the front courtyard or the military camp.
Yes, Jiang Yuan had considered making room for his mother-in-law, but his wife was very opposed to it and refused to live with Xie Jingshu at all.
Between Xie Jingshu and Xie Wanniang, Jiang Yuan naturally valued Xie Wanniang's wishes and feelings more, so Xie Jingshu's residence was decided to be in the east wing.
Xie Jingshu was not surprised at all, as she was well aware of her position in Xie Wanniang's heart.
The girl used to treat her quite well, and would visit her with gifts every now and then. Even though she was cold towards her, the girl remained steadfast in her devotion for over a decade.
But after she forced Xie Wanniang to acknowledge her ancestors, Xie Wanniang had clearly become estranged from her.
Not only did she stop visiting her every now and then like before, Xie Wanniang even started keeping such important things as "being alive and married" from her.
It's clear that she no longer cares whether her birth mother will be sad, regretful, or guilty.
Her joys and sorrows were no longer important to Xie Wanniang.
This realization was even more painful for Xie Jingshu than when Xie Wanniang disappeared without a trace.
At that time, she could at least deceive herself, telling herself over and over again that since no body had been found, Xie Wanniang was very likely still alive.
Now, Xie Wanniang's series of actions shattered all her illusions, forcing her to soberly face reality and the cruel reality that her daughter no longer cared about her.
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