Chapter 92
Xie Sui'an walked up to Qin Sang with his hands in his pockets, casting a shadow that enveloped her: "Is your current backer enough for you to stir up trouble?"
He was so close, his warm breath almost brushing against her face. If it were anyone else, she would have already taken three steps back. But she didn't feel that resistance towards him.
For no apparent reason, I was quite happy.
Qin Sang raised her head, a faint smile appearing on her lips and at the corners of her eyes: "It's alright, a little better than I expected."
He laughed and said, "So now, we're in the same boat."
Qin Sang frowned.
Xie Sui'an: "Do you really believe that Aunt Jiang is the real culprit who killed my grandfather?"
"This... needs further investigation."
"Since you're seeking revenge, you must be more aware of the situation in Kyoto than I am. My grandfather's death and your grandfather's death must be connected in some way. So..."
Qin Sang finally took a step back and looked at the young man in front of her, whom she had previously categorized as a "spoiled brat." Overnight, his eyes had become filled with a deep sense of composure.
Upon closer examination, it makes sense; it is indeed the case. The treason case of that year is one thread, and Xie Zhongxu's death is another. The ends of these two threads inevitably lead to the same destination.
"What are you going to do?" she sighed softly.
Xie Sui'an shifted his gaze, looked around, and then fixed his eyes on the celadon teacup on the table: "Aunt Jiang confessed, but Fourth Uncle ran away. He must know something."
In his eyes, Xie Xiao seemed shrouded in a fog, often making him incomprehensible. He was clearly full of talent, yet refused to take the imperial examinations to become an official; he was often quiet and reserved, yet pretended to be playful and cheerful. But his grandfather had never been stingy with his love and care, nor had he ever interfered with his choices. Why then did he feign such lack of ambition? Why was he so idle, refusing even to marry?
He has secrets. I didn't ask about them before because there was no need to. But now these questions have become crucial.
Qin Sang scoffed: "Anyone can think of that, but do you know where to find him? Once the news gets out, there will be no shortage of people looking for him, and Prince Ning'an, who has people watching him, won't let it go."
“But you know where he is,” Xie Sui’an’s gaze returned, his tone firm, yet his eyes gentle, as if he couldn’t bear to look at her with overly sharp eyes, “right?”
She had indeed been thinking about where Xie Xiao might go, and she had a possible place in mind, but how did Xie Sui'an realize it? Did he have words written on his face?
After a moment's pause, Xie Sui'an's expression changed: "You really knew?"
"..." Qin Sang turned and walked out: "I don't know."
Even if I knew, I still couldn't get in. It's such a horrible place, a place where you never come back. Who knows if I can get out unscathed this time like last time?
And even if you're going, you should at least check with Xie Jingze first.
Xie Sui'an followed closely behind: "Where are you going?"
As Qin Sang walked, she quickly glanced at him: "Although the Emperor did not grant Xie Xiang a marquisate, he did give you the opportunity to personally appoint you to the Imperial Guard. Are you sure you want to get involved with me? What if something is discovered and it implicates the Xie family?"
Xie Suian paused for a moment, and in that pause, Qin Sang had already walked far away.
***
She led Lingding around the garden, wandering aimlessly for a while, and when she saw that Xie Sui'an hadn't followed, she sat down on a stone bench.
Lingding hadn't heard anything from the two people talking quietly outside the door, but seeing Qin Sang wandering aimlessly after coming out and now lost in thought, she was a little worried: "Did the Second Young Master say something to you when he came in? Why are you so angry?"
"Am I angry?" she asked, looking up.
Seeing the sorrow in her eyes, Lingding hesitated and nodded.
Qin Sang sighed and lowered her head. She just felt that the process of growing up was always too cruel, just like a bird that has to experience a dangerous fall when it takes its first flight. She just didn't want to see that process.
"Let's go to the mourning hall."
She donned mourning clothes again and went to the funeral hall. There were still many people there today; those who came earlier were high-ranking officials and ministers, while those who came later were relatives, friends, and subordinates. The family members had been busy for two or three days and were exhausted, both physically and mentally.
Xie Jingze knelt there, tired but with his back straight. Compared to Xie Tiao and Xie Zhiyuan, who were kneeling with their backs bent, the grandchildren of the Xie family were clearly more outstanding.
She knelt down beside him when no one was looking.
Noticing someone else beside him, Xie Jingze turned his head and was a little surprised to see Qin Sang.
"Did your fourth uncle take you to Worry-Free Island?" Qin Sang went straight to the point, without any preamble or beating around the bush. "Your fourth uncle wouldn't happen to be the lord of Worry-Free Island, would he?"
When Xie Jingze said the first sentence, he appeared calm and composed, but when he said the second half, his eyes widened slightly.
Clearly, he didn't know, or he hadn't thought about the question.
He might have believed that his playful uncle had taken him to such a mysterious and absurd place for fun, that he was a regular customer there, and that he might have some connection with the owner, but he never considered the important and absurd question that Xie Xiao was the island's owner.
Qin Sang had already understood half of what was going on from his expression, and continued to ask, "Does Big Brother know how to get to the island? I have some questions I'd like to ask him."
Xie Jingze frowned: "What do you want to ask?"
Qin Sang was slightly surprised: "I don't believe my brother didn't have any questions for him. Why would he suddenly..."
"Of course I know, but why are you so curious?" Xie Jingze interrupted her, his eyes full of scrutiny.
Yes, she's just a young girl living under someone else's roof, she worries far too much.
Before he could answer, Xie Jingze lowered his eyes and sighed again: "I heard that you gave Grandpa a letter that involved the treason case from back then. Do you know how much trouble your words will bring to the Xie family? I don't care why you came here or why Grandpa accepted you back then, but now Grandpa is gone. Whether you have grievances or grudges, don't involve us anymore. My father is not like Grandpa; they can't tolerate you."
Countless thoughts flashed through Qin Sang's mind, but she didn't know where to begin, so she steered the conversation back on track: "Now, I'm not the only one looking for my fourth uncle..."
Xie Jingze remained unmoved.
Alright, we've returned empty-handed.
Qin Sang stood up, her eyes met those of the young mistress Xie beside her, and they brushed past each other.
Suddenly, she felt a little lost. Apart from Xie Sui'an and Xie Wu, no one in the Xie family actually welcomed her.
***
Three days later, Xie Xiang's coffin was escorted back to his hometown by the former Imperial Guards, so that his soul could be laid to rest in his native land. The grand ceremony was a testament to the dignity of this veteran minister who had served in power for over forty years.
However, prosperity is fleeting. The prestige was only given to Xie Zhongxu himself. After the prosperity faded, dust returned to dust, and when he looked up again, all he saw was desolation.
Just as a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, a country cannot be without a prime minister for a day.
The once bustling Xie residence has become deserted and quiet in just a few days.
A few days later, the imperial-bestowed prime minister's residence was, as expected, reclaimed to make way for the new prime minister, which didn't seem so hard to understand. Fortunately, Wang Huiwen was virtuous and had already prepared a new residence. The entire family moved there, a grand yet sorrowful affair.
The new residence was smaller, so Xie Tiao and Xie Zhiyuan separated their households and established their own residences. Qin Sang's status was awkward. She originally wanted to take the opportunity to move out of the Prime Minister's residence, but she and the people in the Xie family knew that with the Prince of Ning'an's golden words, her status as the granddaughter of Xie Xiangyi was unacceptable.
She was settled by Wang Huiwen and was given a nice new house, still a three-section courtyard.
Moreover, a family recognition ceremony was held soon. Although she was recognized as a goddaughter, it was not said that she had to change her surname. It was not nice to change it to Xie Sang. Xie Tiao was easy-going and felt that recognizing a goddaughter was not a big deal and there was nothing to make a big fuss about. Which wealthy family did not have two godchildren? A meal and a cup of tea would suffice.
I was going to share my experience of paying homage to Buddha before, but now I'm keeping everything simple.
But it's alright, at least this way Prince Ning'an will have a legitimate reason to propose marriage later. If the marriage doesn't work out, the girl is quite pretty; perhaps sending her to the palace could secure her a future.
Xie Sui'an was not present on the night of the family reunion.
He jumped onto the roof of his new house to enjoy the night breeze and drink his meager wine.
When they bought their houses, they purchased two adjacent properties, just for the sake of today. The two families have two separate gates, but they are still next to each other, helping each other out. This is a rule set by Madam Xie when she was alive.
Jinyun sat cross-legged beside him, wanting to speak but not daring to, pouting, feeling as distressed as his master.
With the loss of their official position, the Xie family's status has plummeted like water flowing down a precipice.
Not to mention his young master, even when Jinyun himself goes out, the servants who used to greet him have started to neglect him.
No one expected that Xie Xiang would not be granted a title after his death.
A high-ranking official of two dynasties, yet he didn't receive a single noble title. What does the Emperor mean by this? Everyone knows the answer.
Thus, all the wealth and prosperity seemed like a mirage, vanishing in an instant. Those things that were once high above, like pure clouds in the sky, were suddenly blown down by a gust of wind and fell to the ground.
He pouted and glanced at his young master, thinking that the marriage with the Xiahou family must have fallen through. His young master was now just a lowly soldier in the Imperial Guard, with no one to rely on. How many years would it take for him to finally get ahead?
Just thinking about it, Jinyun could picture the young master being bullied.
After all, when you are in a high position, there are always people who are jealous in the shadows, hoping to kick you when you fall so as to soothe their dark hearts.
This young master used to be so arrogant and domineering... It hurts to even think about it.
Young master must also be troubled by this matter, otherwise why would he drown his sorrows in wine every day and be so depressed?
Jinyun looked and looked, tossing the withered branches on the roof, completely at a loss.
The moon is bright and the stars are few tonight, but the moonlight is clear and bright, casting shadows of trees on the ground.
After offering a toast, Qin Sang slowly strolled back to her residence. Looking up, she saw a figure in white lazily leaning against the other side of the ridge, gazing in her direction in a daze.
She looked up and their eyes met. She was stunned. How long had she been waiting?
His eyes were filled with resentment; how much unwillingness did he harbor?
She felt a pang of sympathy, lowered her head, and continued walking, trying to pretend she hadn't seen it.
But after taking two steps, she couldn't help but look up. Seeing that he was still looking at her, Qin Sang felt a little uncomfortable. She clicked her tongue, lightly touched the ground with her toes, and flew up.
I barely made it onto the roof, and before I could even chuckle, I was about to fall.
Xie Sui'an only saw her give a silly laugh before she fell down, and immediately pounced over to pull her back.
He could smell the alcohol on her.
"Drinking so much?" He frowned in disdain. "You're this happy now that you're in our house?"
It depends on how you interpret that statement.
Qin Sang herself didn't know why she had drunk so much tonight, one cup after another. Maybe the rice wine was too sweet, or maybe she was feeling down.
There was no reason for it, and she hadn't felt any regret before, but at this moment, she felt a void and a little uncomfortable in her heart, as if drinking a few more glasses of sweet wine could fill this bottomless emptiness.
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