The next day, news came that Xie Yongshan had died by running into a pillar in his house.
He had no attachment to life, yet his predicament was inescapable.
Rather than suffer endless torment, it's better to end it all.
To Gu Jiangli's relief, Xie Shiyan exuded a sense of liberation after learning the news.
The hatred that haunted him could finally be put to rest after the deaths of Xie Yongshan and Liu.
When Madam Xie found out, she didn't say anything, but simply held a proper funeral for Xie Yongshan and Liu.
After Xie Yongshan and Liu's funerals were completed, Old Madam Xie entrusted all the household affairs, big and small, to Xie Shiyan.
Then she stopped going out and stayed indoors. The old woman next to her said that the old lady ate vegetarian food and chanted Buddhist prayers every day, and that no one should disturb her unless it was something important.
Xie Shiyan became the true master of the Xie family.
Gu Jiangli had mentioned these things to Xie Shiyan before going to sleep at night.
They all believed that Madam Xie might have known from the beginning that Xie Yongshan's end would be tragic.
Therefore, when Xie Shiyan imprisoned Xie Yongshan and Liu Shi, Old Madam Xie never interfered, and even told other members of the Xie family not to interfere in the matter.
When Xie Shiyan talked about this, his eyes were indifferent, as if he were talking about someone else's story.
"If my grandmother hadn't forced Xie Yongshan to get married, my mother wouldn't have been able to enter the Xie family and become Xie Yongshan's wife."
"Grandmother was a formidable woman. She was shrewd, capable, and insightful. Naturally, she could see that my mother had no good intentions towards Xie Yongshan."
"Such a marriage will definitely end badly."
"But she made what she believed to be the right choice in the scales."
"She was willing to sacrifice Xie Yongshan's marriage for the sake of the Xie family's offspring."
Gu Jiangli had spoken with Madam Xie several times, and she was indeed a capable woman.
Madam Xie valued the continuation of bloodlines, so when she said she could bear Xie Shiyan's child, Madam Xie sided with her almost without hesitation.
This shows that this isn't the first time she's made this kind of choice.
The importance of continuing the bloodline versus the marriage of one's descendants is self-evident.
"So, when Grandmother knew you wanted to deal with General Xie, she only gave you a few words of advice and didn't really get involved."
"Because she knew she couldn't stop it."
Xie Shiyan closed his eyes, seemingly preparing to fall asleep.
She gave up Xie Yongshan and chose the peace and tranquility of the Xie family.
"She knew that if she really intervened and tried to protect Xie Yongshan, I would definitely make a mess of the entire Xie family."
Gu Jiangli closed her eyes with him.
"Congratulations, Shi Yan, you have now found true peace."
Xie Shiyan became the head of the Xie family not only with the support of the people, but also with the fear of the royal family.
The Xie family's few collateral branches are nothing to fear.
The two were sleeping soundly.
Winter is gradually approaching.
Gu Jiangli's due date is also approaching.
Her mother and grandfather would visit her at the Xie family home from time to time to check on her health.
Each time I come, I bring some amulets or tonics that I've prayed for, hoping that her delivery will be smooth and safe.
Gu Jiangli invited them to stay for dinner, and Xie Shiyan also dined with the Gu family.
Gu Zan always praised Xie Shiyan highly.
He was said to be young and promising, loving his wife, and a good man.
Gu Jiangli couldn't help but chuckle every time she heard these things.
If she told her grandfather that she almost got strangled to death by Xie Shiyan the first time they met, she wondered if he would still praise him like that.
Xie Shiyan always noticed Gu Jiangli's teasing gaze, and then he would listen attentively to Gu Zan's praise with a somewhat embarrassed expression, and then humbly accept it.
The atmosphere among them was more like that of a family.
In order to have someone familiar by his side, Xie Shiyan asked Gu Zan for someone else.
So Lotus came to the Xie family from Congge Gu’s residence and stayed by Gu Jiangli’s side.
With another acquaintance present, Gu Jiangli felt more at ease.
Lotus continued to take meticulous care of her as always.
Gu Jiangli also understood Hehua's character.
So she quickly noticed that Lotus was distracted.
On the day of Lidong (the Beginning of Winter), the Xie family held a sacrificial ceremony.
Lotus made a mistake when she was preparing incense and candles for her.
If Gu Jiangli hadn't spoken up for her, the Xie family might have punished her.
Gu Jiangli knew that Hehua wouldn't make a mistake on such a small matter unless she had something on her mind.
Therefore, she had no intention of blaming the lotus.
However, Lotus was filled with remorse. After the ceremony, she kept crying and apologizing to Gu Jiangli, hoping that he would punish her.
Gu Jiangli wiped away her tears and said softly:
"Lotus flower, it's just a small matter, why would I punish you?"
"If you have something on your mind, feel free to tell me."
"Or if you're too tired and need to rest, you can tell me."
Lotus sobbed, "Madam, I'm not tired, I don't need to rest."
Gu Jiangli said helplessly, "Then tell me, what's on your mind?"
Lotus hesitated and refused to speak.
Gu Jiangli pretended to be angry, "If you still don't tell me, I'll really get angry."
"No, no, no... Madam, please don't upset yourself." Lotus was genuinely worried that Gu Jiangli would get angry because of this.
Gu Jiangli pulled Hehua to sit next to him and asked patiently, "Can you tell me now?"
Lotus lowered her head, not daring to look at her.
But she still spoke softly, "Madam, I'm worried that you'll be even angrier if I tell you. I'm thinking... about my mother."
Gu Jiangli was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.
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