In the study, Chu Mubai sat upright at his desk, unconsciously unfolding a series of letters—a man's handwriting.
This was instructed by the maid of the Xia family mansion in the desert, who was eager to make a name for herself. At that time, Xia Yixin asked her to burn the letters she had not burned.
All of them are correspondence between Prince Rui and Xia Yixin. It is said that Xia Yixin once saved Prince Rui when she was young, and the two corresponded for several years without knowing his identity. Later, when Prince Rui's identity was exposed, Xia Yixin became his enemy.
It's not hard to see why, because Prince Rui's letters often used an intimate tone to ask about the terrain and troop deployment. It's just unknown how Xia Yixin, who was only ten years old at the time, responded.
But with these facts, it is enough to charge Xia Yixin with treason, or even General Xia with dereliction of duty.
Chu Mubai burned all the letters one by one.
Five years ago, General Xia suddenly died in battle; it was probably not that simple.
As for Xia Yixin... what are her feelings for Crown Prince Rui now, if she still has any affection for him?
Chu Mubai's eyes were filled with murderous intent, and even the strong fragrance of cold incense was chilled.
The next day.
The relationship between Minister Xia and Grand Tutor Chu was neither particularly bad nor particularly bad; at least on the surface, the two families got along well.
But upon hearing that Chu Mubai, who was rumored to have the appearance of an immortal, was coming, the seven unmarried daughters of marriageable age in Minister Xia's mansion began to dress up early in the morning. Of course, the most dazzling of them all was fifteen-year-old Xia Youyou.
Xia Youyou deliberately wore a peach-pink opera dress today, her breasts were pushed up high by the straps, and her already charming face was painted to look even more pitiful.
Upon entering the main hall for receiving guests, she glanced around at her several half-sisters, only turning away with satisfaction when she saw that none of them dared to wear clothes in the same color scheme as her.
With a mocking smirk, she murmured in a voice only they could hear, "You little bitches know what's good for you."
When her birth mother, Madam Yang, appeared, Xia Youyou immediately went over obediently and said, "Mother."
Seeing Xia Youyou's expression, Madam Yang knew exactly what she was thinking. She gave her a warning glare and said in a low voice, "Youyou, you promised your mother you would enter the palace. No matter how beautiful Chu Mubai is, you are not allowed to do anything reckless, understand?"
"Mother, don't worry. Tonight I just miss my dear sister and want to spend some quality time with her. Besides, there are so many other sisters here tonight."
With Xia Youyou's assurance, Madam Yang felt a little relieved. She had long known that her daughter was no ordinary person. As for Xia Yixin, just looking at her face reminded her of her annoying mother.
Back then, Lady Yang was in love with General Xia, but her own sister snatched him away. She harbored resentment ever since, especially since the Minister Xia she married kept bringing back women one after another, while the man in the desert was a man who was devoted to one woman for life.
What made her feel relieved was that the damned woman died after giving birth to Xia Yixin, the one who brought misfortune to both her father and mother. She even brought death to General Xia, whom she admired. Yang's biggest regret was that she shouldn't have been so merciful as to let her live in the mansion for five years.
She should have found a chance to kill that wretched woman who brought misfortune to her parents as soon as possible, and married off the other maids in the Minister's mansion to Chu Mubai. Perhaps then she could have climbed the social ladder of the Chu family.
Just then, the servant waiting outside ran in excitedly, saying, "Madam Minister, the young lady and her husband are back, and they've brought a lot of things!"
The Chu family had produced three dukes for four generations, so their wealth was naturally substantial. Yang, eager to see them, immediately led a group of women out to greet them.
On that day, they tied Xia Yixin up and stuffed her into the bridal sedan chair. The dowry was even less than that of a concubine's daughter in the mansion. Anyway, Grand Tutor Chu was in a hurry to bring good luck to the family and didn't care too much.
However, today, the entrance to the Minister's residence is packed with people.
The guards of the Chu residence were all tall and imposing, carrying eighteen cartloads of gifts. Pearls, agates, jade, red coral, gold, silver and other valuables filled the boxes. As they opened each box, everyone in the courtyard was astonished.
The expressions varied, some were surprised, some were envious and jealous, especially Xia Youyou, who almost tore her handkerchief to shreds.
Just then, from afar came the greedy voice of Minister Xia, "My dear son-in-law, you are too kind, too kind~" Minister Xia had just finished court and happened to run into the Chu family's sedan chair at the door.
Lady Yang was also very envious, but unfortunately, the old fox Minister Xia had it sent to the storeroom as soon as he entered the door.
She adjusted her expression and greeted the courtyard gate. "Yixin, Mother is really..." Before Yang could finish speaking, she stopped when she saw the man leading Xia Yixin in.
What a handsome young man!
As expected of the ethereal man in the rumors, Yang's knowledge was limited, but she felt that this man seemed to have stepped out of a painting, with an otherworldly temperament and a gentle, jade-like demeanor.
The other unmarried women in the courtyard also blushed. Although Xia Youyou had secretly seen him once before, her heart fluttered at this moment.
However, Chu Mubai merely glanced at everyone, bowed to Madam Yang when Grand Tutor Xia introduced them, and then led Xia Yixin into the main hall.
From beginning to end, he held Xia Yixin's hand the whole time, and his gaze toward her was full of doting affection and focus. Other women were as if they didn't exist to him.
Xia Youyou was completely ignored for the first time, and her small face turned pale with anger. Especially when she saw the two people's backs, which looked so perfectly matched, she couldn't suppress the hatred in her eyes. But when she thought of her plan for tonight, she curled her lips into a smile that was originally charming but was now incredibly sinister.
Since Minister Xia had received so many gifts from Chu Mubai, he naturally wanted the two of them to stay for dinner.
Minister Xia also had three sons, but they were all good-for-nothings. After passing the imperial examination, they all became scholars and the minister spent money to buy them official positions.
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