Chu Mingzhu originally wanted to bring up Xie Yushu's humble origins as a country girl, but then she suddenly remembered that Xie Yushu was already a first-rank princess, and she swallowed those words back.
But the thought that her own nephew had secretly run off to find Xie Yushu in order to escape from her side made her even more resentful of Xie Yushu for taking Xiao Yi away. Now that her nephew had also been taken away, the old and new grudges combined made her hate Xie Yushu even more.
Fearing that she might grow distant from Chu Jinyu if they didn't see each other for a long time, she immediately begged Xiao Yi to bring Chu Jinyu back.
Xiao Yi also felt that if Xie Yushu truly loved Chu Jinyu after his return, she might agree to marry him as a secondary wife, so he readily agreed.
So the next day, they hurried to Tai'an Prefecture.
When Xiao Yi arrived, Chu Jinyu had already been out of school for a while. Xiao Yi contacted two subordinates and learned that Chu Jinyu had been picked up by Xiao Haitang, and the two siblings had gone to Han Zhongyu's residence together.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi frowned deeply.
"How did you end up staying at Han Zhongyu's residence?"
The two subordinates replied
"I heard that Xie Yushu found Han Zhongyu to be the young marquis's tutor. And Xie Yushu went to the capital, probably because she was afraid something might happen to the young marquis, so she specially found Lord Han to be her backer!"
Hearing the two of them calling Xie Yushu repeatedly, Xiao Yi corrected them, dissatisfied.
"She is now a first-rank princess, you must not address her by her given name!"
They really didn't know that, and upon hearing this, they quickly replied...
"Your subordinate has remembered!"
Xiao Yi nodded and went to the Han residence.
Han Mansion
Han Zhongyu was already upset because of Han Boyu's letter. He cursed Xiao Yi eight hundred times in his heart. Since he left without saying a word back then, why did he come back to bother Xie Yushu now?
How can there be such an annoying person!
The result was reported by the subordinates.
"Xiao Yi requests an audience!"
Han Zhongyu slammed his hand on the table in anger, breaking the calligraphy brush in two.
Then he realized that his attitude was quite unwise, so he hid the broken brush and pretended to be profound.
"Bring them in!"
Although Xiao Yi didn't know the relationship between Han Zhongyu and Xie Yushu, the fact that Xie Yushu could entrust Chu Jinyu to him showed that Han Zhongyu held a special place in Xie Yushu's heart, which made Xiao Yi secretly unhappy.
And so, two men, seemingly calm on the surface but with turbulent emotions running through their hearts, met!
Xiao Yi gave Han Zhongyu a blunt look, his heart filled with disdain.
"Does a weak scholar deserve her special treatment?"
Han Zhongyu also glanced at Xiao Yi.
"It was this brainless brute who made her a discarded woman."
What is that?!
Although they were cursing each other a hundred times in their hearts, they maintained basic courtesy on the surface.
"Lord Han! I've long admired your name!"
General Xiao! We're in the same boat!
Please have a seat!
"I wonder what brings General Xiao here?"
"I heard that Yu Shu entrusted Jin Yu to Lord Han. I have come today to take Jin Yu back. I apologize for troubling Lord Han these past few days."
"I thank Lord Han for his guidance of Jinyu these past few days!"
"General Xiao, there's no need for thanks. Yu Shu's matter is my matter. Besides, Jin Yu is now my student. We're not outsiders, so taking care of him is my duty."
These words sounded particularly harsh!
Upon hearing Han Zhongyu address Yu Shu so affectionately, Xiao Yi felt a surge of anger and couldn't help but remind him.
"Yu Shu is a woman and has no relation to Lord Han. It is probably inappropriate for Lord Han to address her in this way!"
Han Zhongyu also asked in return, without any politeness.
"What is the relationship between General Xiao and Yu Shu? Why are you meddling in this?"
Your mother has already divorced her.
Now, what right do you have to interfere in her affairs?
Poke where it hurts.
Han Zhongyu's words were so harsh that Xiao Yi's hair stood on end in anger, and he slammed his fist on the table.
"The one surnamed Han!"
What happens between her and me is none of your business!
My mother and I separated a long time ago. The divorce letter she gave me was not my intention. Sooner or later, I will marry Xie Yushu in a grand wedding procession.
If you have any ulterior motives, you'd better keep them to yourself!
Han Zhongyu also slammed his teacup on the table.
“You surnamed Xiao, what right do you have to warn me? Do you know what she went through in your house after you left without a word?”
You just left, and your mother and sister have already taken over your courtyard. If it weren't for her medical skills and her own property, what kind of life do you think she, a woman abandoned by your mother, could have lived?
How many people can withstand the pointing fingers and gossip from outsiders, and the rumors circulating in the village?
If she were just an ordinary woman, what you see now might be nothing but dust!
How will you try to win them back then?
I also want to give you some advice: let go! You're not good enough for her!
Xiao Yi was furious that this man surnamed Han dared to warn him.
"I left back then because of special circumstances. This kind of thing will naturally not happen again, and I will make it up to her. As for you, you are always an outsider, so it's best not to get involved!"
Seeing that he was unyielding, Han Zhongyu made a statement.
"Hmph! In my eyes, you're an outsider too. Since that's the case, let's see who has the best skills!"
The two were practically at each other's throats, and the guards standing outside the door were also on edge, ready to strike at any moment.
As a result, things calmed down inside again.
Inside, Han Zhongyu and Xiao Yi stared at each other with unfriendly expressions for a while. Xiao Yi finally remembered that he had come to pick up Chu Jinyu and spoke coldly.
"As for Yu Shu's matter, it's up to us to decide. I'm here today to pick up Jin Yu. Where is he? Bring him here; I'm taking him away!"
"Chu Jinyu was placed here by Yu Shu. Unless she agrees, no one can take her away!"
“He is a member of the Chu family. It is only right and proper for him to attend his aunt’s wedding. Even if Yu Shu knew, she wouldn’t stop him.”
His aunt? Chu Mingzhu?
Upon hearing this, Han Zhongyu looked at Xiao Yi as if he were a monster.
"Is Chu Mingzhu going to marry you?"
Xiao Yi, since you want to marry Chu Mingzhu, what face do you have to keep bothering Xie Yushu?
You don't understand her at all!
That's so disrespectful to her!
You are absolutely not worthy to be compared to her!
Xiao Yi couldn't stand it when people criticized him for wanting to marry Xie Yushu after marrying Chu Mingzhu.
His expression and tone were just like Xie Yushu's, making him feel wronged and powerless, as if he had committed some unforgivable mistake.
It's clearly Xie Yushu who's stubborn and intolerant, so why is everyone criticizing him?
He understood that the women in the inner quarters were jealous of each other, but she was so domineering that she wouldn't allow any other woman to be by his side. She was the only one in the entire Great Qi. He had already promised to let her be on equal footing with Chu Mingzhu. Wasn't that enough affection?
Besides, Chu Mingzhu was his childhood sweetheart, and the marriage was arranged by imperial decree. How could he possibly defy the imperial decree?
Xiao Yi's anger was almost overflowing.
"My marriage to Chu Mingzhu was bestowed by imperial decree, and Xie Yushu is also my wife whom I formally married after paying betrothal gifts. There is no conflict between us. You need not trouble yourself with my affairs!"
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