Each person has their own business
Xie Ling glanced at Xie Sili, his mind seemingly wandering to various thoughts, before finally turning his gaze to Qin Shi beside him.
Just as he was about to speak, Luo Mei's voice rang out, "Grandpa, Madam, how do you know about the young lady's affairs?"
"It was Green Bamboo who informed us." Xie Ling sighed as she said this, "Luo Mei, how has the young lady been doing in the manor these days? How have the eldest son and Madam Huang been treating Ali?"
Luo Mei has always been composed and knows what to say and what not to say. Although they are very different in front of Lv Zhu, she can occasionally understand Xie Si Li's choices.
Just like when they learned about this from Si Yi, although they were worried at first, they all knew that it was Xie Si Li's choice.
The sickly appearance was indeed how they presented themselves to outsiders; only they themselves truly knew how strong their daughters were.
“Master, you don’t know, how could Madam tolerate the young lady? She wishes the young lady were dead!” The outspoken Luozhu said directly, “On the day we returned to the manor, we found a lot of good things in Li Residence, and I kept them all.”
When Xie Sili asked them to handle it, she kept some of it as evidence, just in case she didn't have the evidence to produce when needed.
“The lady placed something odorless and tasteless in the young lady’s room. Fortunately, we have served the young lady for many years, and although we are not experts in medicine, we have some knowledge of it.” Luo Zhu said, her eyes reddening. “If you want to kill the young lady, why beg her to return to Chang’an?”
Upon hearing this, Xie Ling, Qin Shi, and Yang Shi immediately instructed Luo Zhu to retrieve the preserved evidence.
Luozhu presented the items she had retrieved to them. "Grandpa, Madam, Second Madam, these are the items mixed in with what Madam prepared for the young lady." As she spoke, she spread out the items one by one. The small sachet looked inconspicuous and was easily missed if one was not careful.
Upon seeing this, Madam Yang picked up one of the small sachets, opened it, and glanced inside. The contents made her frown. "Father, Mother, is this really a good thing? I studied under Mr. Shang Lu of Baozhilin in Yuzhou City for a period of time."
They naturally knew that Yang was studying under Shang Lu, and they also knew that Baozhilin, where Shang Lu worked, was a well-known medical clinic in Yuzhou City. Most of the people who came and went from Baozhilin were ordinary people from Yuzhou City. The medicinal herbs sold there were much cheaper than those in other medical clinics, and free clinics were held every five days of the month to serve the people.
"What are the effects?" Xie Ling asked, her expression slightly tense, clearly worried about Xie Sili's condition.
“If this sachet hadn’t been discovered, it would have led to Sister Li’er’s death from chronic poisoning over time.” Madam Yang twirled the sachet in her hand and turned her gaze to Xie Ling and his wife.
"What audacity!" Xie Ling exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table and standing up.
“My poor Li Jie’er,” Qin Shi said, her voice becoming hoarse. “If you can’t tolerate Li Jie’er, why bring her back?”
As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Xie Ling, "Fortunately, the master intervened, which prevented Sister Li from marrying His Highness Prince Yan." Her eyes reddened as she spoke.
Xie Ling glanced at Madam Qin and patted her on the back. "Madam, thank you and your second son's wife for taking care of Ali these past few days. If she can get a little better before the New Year, we'll move to Si Garden."
"Father, don't worry, I've treated Li Jie'er like my own daughter all these years." After saying that, Madam Yang nodded to Xie Ling. "You don't need to worry. These days, Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju will take care of Li Jie'er together."
Xie Ling nodded to Madam Yang, "I feel more at ease leaving it to you."
Watching Xie Ling turn and leave, Qin Shi wanted to say something more, but then she heard Xie Ling's voice, "Don't worry, considering how Huang Shi has managed the Prime Minister's residence all these years, I won't do anything to her. I just want an answer."
Before heading to Xie Zhun's study, Xie Ling first called Si Yi out to ask him some questions. Only after learning what Si Yi had told him did he close his eyes and compose himself.
“Grandpa, the young lady is a kind-hearted person. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have taken us in back then. Perhaps in your eyes, it’s not a big deal, but for us, her helping hand is like saving our lives.” Si Yi kept glancing at Xie Ling out of the corner of her eye as she spoke.
“She is indeed kind-hearted; otherwise, how could she have considered his heartless father under such circumstances?” Xie Ling’s voice was choked with emotion.
Upon seeing this, Si skillfully made his retreat.
Xie Ling went to Xie Zhun's study in a bad mood.
Before Xie Ling could even open the door, he heard a voice from inside, "Master, how did that wretched girl end up getting involved in this matter?"
"How should I know?" Xie Zhun's dissatisfied voice rang out. "She deserves to become like this because of this, shamelessly ruining my good deed."
"Master, please don't be angry," Madam Huang said gently. "Since we didn't get rid of that wretched girl before, why don't we find another opportunity..."
Although Huang didn't say the rest aloud, one could imagine what she was thinking.
Unable to bear it any longer, Xie Ling kicked the door open and grabbed something from the table next to him, throwing it at Xie Zhun.
"Father, what are you doing?!" Xie Zhun stood up abruptly, his voice rising involuntarily, "I am your son! How dare you beat your own son for the sake of a lowly woman!"
Upon hearing this, Huang was stunned and stood there, looking up at Xie Chun in disbelief, seemingly not expecting him to say such a thing.
"You bastard!" Xie Ling picked up a stick and swung it at Xie Zhun, who dodged it with lightning speed. "Is that even human language you're talking about?!"
"How can Ali not be your biological daughter!" Xie Ling threw the stick aside and said breathlessly, "You can even say such things for the sake of the Huang family. Don't you have any responsibilities as a husband and father?"
"Xie Sili is not my daughter at all!" Xie Zhun said to Xie Ling in a defiant manner. "She has not been by my side since she was a child, so how can she be my biological daughter? Since you only recognize Xie Sili as your granddaughter, why can't I only recognize A Yao as my daughter? I only recognize her as my daughter..." He stubbornly argued with Xie Ling.
“I didn’t know Lu’s background back then. It was you who insisted that I marry Lu. I never loved Lu. If it weren’t for her, how could I have wronged my wife to become my second wife?” Xie Zhun said, somewhat devastated.
"Since the Lu family's origins are unknown, how could her children possibly be..." Before Xie Zhun could finish speaking, Xie Ling slapped him across the face.
The heavy slap left Xie Zhun completely bewildered. "Father, are you really going to hit your son for that woman of unknown origin?"
"Boss, let me tell you right now, that's the only daughter-in-law I acknowledge. She's not someone of unknown origin. She worked hard to bear your children, yet you give her this kind of evaluation. If you die one day, how will you face her?" Xie Ling said, exasperated.
"Father, don't be angry with Master. He's only doing this for your own good. Li'er is just a girl, he..."
"You have no right to speak here." Xie Ling's gaze, sharp as a blade, fell upon Huang, who stood to the side.
“You begged me to let Ali return to Chang’an, and I sent her back without much thought. I always thought that since you hadn’t seen her for so many years, you would naturally care more about this daughter. I never expected that you would want to kill her.”
"Father, how can you say such a thing? We didn't mean to hurt the Third Miss. She is still Master's child." Madam Huang's face was full of smiles, which were perfectly concealed.
Xie Sinan and Xie Sili are destined to be stepping stones for her children; no one can stop their bright future.
"Look what this is!" Xie Ling said, throwing the object in front of the two of them. "Huang, since you can't tolerate Ali's existence, why did you force her to marry Prince Yan and even try to poison him?"
A fleeting look of guilt crossed Huang's face, but she managed to hide it well. She looked up at Xie Ling and smiled, "Father, you're really wronging me. Although the Third Miss isn't my biological daughter, I've raised the Second Young Master as my own son all these years."
Madam Huang didn't give Xie Ling a chance to speak, "I know you've never liked me, Father, but I've been working hard for the Prime Minister's residence all these years. Even if I haven't done anything meritorious, I've still put in the effort, haven't I?"
Her eyes reddened as she spoke, and she looked at Xie Chun standing beside her. "Master, I..."
"Stop talking." Xie Zhun said, pulling Huang Shi into his arms and wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Don't worry, I see all your efforts, and it has nothing to do with anyone else."
"Boss, have you made up your mind?" Xie Ling looked at the scene before him, slightly clenching his hands hanging at his sides, his tone ambiguous. "You've already decided you don't want Sister Li anymore, have you?"
“She was never my biological daughter.” Xie Zhun’s tone left no room for argument. “You had better also take that idiot Xie Sinan with you. I don’t want to see that good-for-nothing at all.”
Just as Madam Huang was about to speak, Xie Ling's voice rang out, "Fine, I'll take Nan-ge'er with me." He then turned his gaze to Madam Huang, "Madam Huang, you also wish you could take Nan-ge'er with you, don't you?"
He didn't get a reply from Ms. Huang, but he got the answer he wanted from her eyes.
Xie Ling didn't say anything more, and was about to turn and leave when she heard Xie Zhun's voice, "Even if you want to leave, you have nowhere to go now, so you might as well stay..."
"Don't worry, my second son's wife and I will definitely not bother you." Xie Ling said, then turned and left without looking back.
“Master, is this really a good idea?” Madam Huang’s gaze fell on Xie Zhun. “My parents have nowhere to live, and it’s the New Year now. If word gets out, you will be the subject of gossip and slander.”
"Now, the Imperial Censor Shen is an upright and incorruptible man, almost as good as Lord Lu of the Capital Prefecture. If he finds out about this, the Emperor might take his anger out on you, sir." Madam Huang looked at Xie Chun and gently comforted him, "It doesn't matter if I suffer some grievances, sir, your career is more important."
Although the position of Prime Minister is now the highest rank, everyone knows that our country has always revered the right. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Your Excellency could attain the position of Right Prime Minister?
Every word Huang spoke was for Xie Chun's sake, and she even leaned on Xie Chun's shoulder at the end, saying, "Master, you are my heaven. I don't want to see you put in a difficult position between me and Father. We are all family."
Xie Zhun listened to Huang Shi's words and reached out to hug her tightly.
After a long silence, he said in a low voice.
"What more could a husband ask for than a wife like this?"
Unbeknownst to Xie Zhun, Huang smiled with amusement.
If Xie Ling and his family were kicked out now, how would the high-ranking officials and nobles in Chang'an criticize them behind their backs? The image she had worked so hard to build over the years could not be allowed to collapse at this time.
More importantly, if her constant forbearance fails to earn Xie Ling's respect and understanding, she will become the victim, which will benefit her good reputation in Chang'an.
This is entirely beneficial to her.
After leaving Xie Zhun's study, Xie Ling went directly to Li Residence, where Xie Sili lived.
Looking at Qin and Yang, who were guarding the bedside, he said in a low voice, "You two come out first. I have some things I want to tell you today."
After exchanging a glance, Madam Qin and Madam Yang instructed Luo Mei to take good care of Xie Sili before leaving with Xie Ling with peace of mind.
They didn't notice that after they left, Xie Sili, who was lying on the bed, slowly opened his eyes.
Seeing that Luo Mei was about to speak, she put a finger to her lips, signaling them not to speak.
The three of them stood outside, and after a short while, they heard Xie Ling's voice, "Eldest brother, we don't want Sister Li and Brother Nan anymore. We're packing our things and getting ready to leave. I don't want to spend the New Year at the Prime Minister's residence anyway."
"What should we do about Ali? Her health isn't suited for the long journey back to Yuzhou City." Qin didn't have many ideas about where to spend the New Year; she was only worried that Xie Sili wouldn't be able to withstand such a arduous journey.
“I heard from Green Bamboo that Si Garden is ready for occupancy. We’ll move in there then.” Xie Ling said, turning his gaze to them. “Although Nan-ge’er hasn’t grown up under our care all these years, he’s still a son of the Lu family. We’ll take him with us then.”
Hearing the sounds coming from outside the door, Luo Mei's gaze fell on Xie Sili.
a long time.
Only Luo Mei's voice could be heard.
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