After hearing this, Shen Tangning remained silent for a moment before speaking: "In my grandfather's eyes, you are first and foremost his daughter, and only secondly someone else's wife and mother... No father who loves his daughter would have the heart to blame her when she is wronged."
Of course, her father was an exception.
Madam Xie paused, a hint of realization flashing in her eyes.
The eldest cousin's wife greeted them as they entered, without asking any questions. She simply smiled and said, "Knowing you would be coming, I had the kitchen prepare lunch early this morning. The old master is feeding the koi by the pond."
Madam Xie laughed: "At this hour, I thought Father would be in his study."
The eldest cousin's wife smiled knowingly: "Now that he's retired and at home, he doesn't have to work as hard as before, and he's much more relaxed now."
Madam Xie went alone, and Shen Tangning did not follow. Her eldest cousin-in-law watched her leave, then turned back and asked in a gentle tone, "How is your mother?"
She thought that after being husband and wife for so many years, the sudden separation must be very painful.
Shen Tangning smiled and said, "There has never been a better time than this."
The eldest cousin's wife seemed to understand something, and then smiled, "That's a good thing."
"Where is my second cousin's wife?"
...
Upon seeing the figure by the pond in the distance, Madam Xie's steps became somewhat heavy.
Grand Tutor Xie... is no longer Grand Tutor Xie. Old Master Xie is leisurely scattering fish food into the pond, and seems to be in a good mood.
Madam Xie stood there for a long time. He glanced behind him and said slowly, "Since you're already here, what are you standing there for?"
Madam Xie composed herself and stepped forward, saying, "Daughter greets Father."
Old Master Xie turned around and looked at her carefully. Suddenly, his eyes deepened: "Linlang, you suffered injustice in the Shen family. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Hearing the familiar address, Xie Linlang's eyes suddenly welled up with tears:
After she got married, everyone called her Madam Shen. She went from being the vibrant and unrestrained Xie Linlang to having a cold and aloof title, and she had to learn to manage the household affairs in a calm and collected manner.
The daily grind honed her into a cold and sharp person, and over time, she even forgot what she was originally like.
Old Master Xie's expression softened: "Silly child, your father won't blame you, what are you afraid of? Shen Chang is not good to you, we'll just replace him!"
Xie Linlang's lips twitched slightly. Her initial emotion turned into a wry smile. She never imagined that such words would come from her old-fashioned father.
It turned out that she didn't understand her father as well as Tang Ning did.
She lowered her eyes: "It's all in the past, Father."
Old Master Xie's mood was somewhat heavy, and the words he had been holding back for a long time finally came out: "Do you resent me?"
Shen Chang was the son-in-law he chose. Of course, even the discerning old master Xie made a mistake. Perhaps Shen Chang was very good at disguising himself back then, or perhaps he had not yet been corrupted by the power and greed of officialdom and had not yet grown into the smooth and worldly person he is now.
He admired Shen Chang, who came from a poor background but was exceptionally talented in literature; otherwise, he wouldn't have disregarded social status and married his youngest daughter to him.
But in this world, the easiest thing to change is the human heart, and the most complex thing is human nature.
Xie Linlang raised her eyes: "I used to resent it, but I don't anymore."
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