Xie Chichun - Chapter 25

The carriage moved slowly through the torrential rain. In Han Jie’s arms, Xie Xuan was as still as a wooden doll—neither yielding nor resisting. Gradually, her shoulders began to tremble, and she muffled her sobs, letting her tears soak into Han Jie’s clothes.

It took a long while before she finally lifted her head, her eyes now devoid of any emotion.

Han Jie couldn’t quite grasp her mood and called softly, “Xuanxuan?” Unable to resist, he reached out to smooth her damp hair. But Xie Xuan abruptly jerked away, banging her head against the carriage wall without seeming to notice. Then she glared fiercely at Han Jie, mustering all her strength to shove him backward, sending him sprawling onto the carriage floor. She then scooted to the door, lifted the curtain, and ordered sharply, “Faster!”

Through the rain, the eaves and trees along the roadside came into view—they were already close to the Xie residence.

Xie Xuan kicked aside the Moonlight Saber that held down the carriage curtain, and as if that wasn’t enough, stomped on it a couple more times.

Watching from behind, Han Jie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, his heart a tangle of emotions as he stared blankly at the girl he loved. By the time he snapped out of it, the carriage had already stopped in front of the Xie mansion.

By now, the rain had lightened to a drizzle, as if reluctant to stop. Xie Xuan lifted the curtain, her small face stern, and pointed outside, delivering her dismissal: “Brother Yujie, please leave now. The gatekeeper has umbrellas and spare horses. My father is probably home—do as you please.”

Without waiting for his reaction, she jumped out of the carriage and dashed through the light rain into the estate, ignoring the maids rushing to greet her, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Left standing in the rain, Han Jie stared blankly at the spot where she had vanished.

Xie Xuan was furious. Whether sitting, lying down, or with anyone, an inexplicable rage surged inside her, making her want to punch Xie Yue or bite Han Jie until he was covered in holes. Xie Jun had noticed her unusual mood and asked what was wrong, but Xie Xuan stubbornly refused to explain—

She absolutely would not admit that it was all because of that despicable Han Jie!

She remembered that in her past life, Han Jie had also been very kind to her at this time. But she never expected that now, as a mere ten-year-old girl, he would dare to hold her! He actually took advantage of the moment when no one was around to embrace her! Did he still think of her as the obedient little girl who was once his future wife?

The engagement between their families had long been broken off—hmph!

That shared carriage ride had become a nightmare. Han Jie’s scent, his embrace—they haunted her thoughts. Once memories of her past life surfaced, they were impossible to suppress. Several nights in a row, Xie Xuan dreamed of scenes from before—sometimes sweet moments with Han Jie, other times the bitter loneliness of waiting, or the veiled hostility of Madam Han.

It was tormenting her to the point of exhaustion!

Frustrated, Xie Xuan threw her brush onto the desk and paced back and forth in her room.

She had to find something to do—something to completely drive that wretched Han Jie out of her mind!

Catching sight of the noisy sparrow sunbathing outside, she thought of Xie Yue. Though her half-sister was detestable, she had become much more subdued since Luo-shi had been confined. Though resentment still flickered in her eyes, she hadn’t dared to cause any more trouble. Then, an idea struck Xie Xuan—Luo-shi!

Yes, Luo-shi!

Ever since that unfortunate incident in the Purple Water Pavilion where she accidentally witnessed Xie Zhen and Luo-shi’s intimate interactions, Xie Xuan had felt awkward for a long time. She couldn’t speak comfortably with Xie Zhen, nor could she fully pry into Luo-shi’s secrets about the second madam, Yue-shi. After this long buffer, it was time to take action.

When she arrived at the eastern courtyard, Xie Jun was quietly embroidering a handkerchief. She was set to marry next year, and though the maids could assist, Luo-shi—unlike a birth mother—wasn’t attentive, so Xie Jun had to prepare many things herself.

Seeing Xie Xuan, Xie Jun smiled. “Your cheeks are puffed up again. Who upset you this time?”

“No one,” Xie Xuan said, sitting beside her. “I had another nightmare about what happened at the Mystic Temple. Sister, I was truly terrified. If Brother Yujie hadn’t arrived in time, you wouldn’t have a little sister anymore.”

Xie Jun pulled her into a hug. “I was scared too. We must never let such a thing happen again.”

“Sister, aren’t you curious at all?” Xie Xuan whispered, leaning close. “Madam said it was her maid’s doing, but I don’t believe that for a second!”

Xie Jun’s fingers stilled, the embroidery needle pricking her skin unnoticed as she turned to Xie Xuan. “You still think it was the second madam?”

“Whether it was or wasn’t, only Madam knows for sure.” Xie Xuan snatched the embroidery from Xie Jun’s hands and set it aside, pulling her up. “You’re curious too, aren’t you? If we don’t drag this hidden enemy into the light, none of us siblings will ever sleep peacefully.” Seeing Xie Jun hesitate, she added, “Especially Dan’er. As Father’s eldest son, you know what that means.”

Xie Jun understood all too well. After a moment’s thought, she relented. “Fine, I’ll go with you this once. But only this once. If there’s nothing else, you must stop stirring trouble.”

“Deal!” Xie Xuan agreed.

The small courtyard where Luo-shi was confined lay in the northeastern corner of the estate. The sisters brought only their personal maids. When they arrived, the old woman guarding the courtyard was startled and hurried over. “Young misses, what brings you here? This place is filthy—best play elsewhere.”

“I’m here to see Madam,” Xie Xuan said, scanning the area. “Where is she?”

“In the east chamber,” the woman replied, not daring to delay as she led them inside.

At the door of the east chamber, Xie Jun dismissed the others and sat on a small green-painted stool in the corridor. Exchanging a glance with her, Xie Xuan pushed the door open to find Luo-shi slumped in a worn-out armchair, looking utterly defeated.

At the sight of Xie Xuan, Luo-shi’s face darkened further. She snorted and turned away.

This version of Luo-shi was a far cry from her former triumphant self. Xie Xuan made no effort to hide her amusement, raising an eyebrow. “I came all this way to visit, and Madam still won’t give me the time of day?” She dragged over a stool, wrinkling her nose. “Why is everything so dusty? Doesn’t Madam mind the filth? Since you’ve got nothing better to do, shall I ask the maid to bring a duster so you can clean up?”

“Xie Xuan!” Luo-shi, still the mistress of the house, couldn’t tolerate such mockery from a ten-year-old. “How dare you speak to your mother like this!”

“Oh?” Xie Xuan shoved the stool aside and stepped closer. “Then please explain, Madam—what kind of mother sells her daughter to a temple? Even if I’m not your blood, how have I ever gotten in your way?”

Luo-shi’s expression shifted. Coldly, she snapped, “What nonsense are you spouting?”

“I’m talking about the incident with Master Qingxu,” Xie Xuan said, her lips curling into a smile. “But I should thank you, Madam. You invited such a ‘great master’ to ‘ward off my misfortunes.’ And look—I survived that day at the Mystic Temple, even stumbled upon evidence of your schemes. I’d never seen Father so angry before—you truly have a talent for stirring up trouble.”

This was Luo-shi’s sore spot.

When she first entered the Xie household, she had endured endless gossip. Even after ten years, people still whispered behind her back. The only reason she had endured was because of Xie Zhen’s occasional favor. But now that Xie Zhen had publicly slapped her, how could she ever hold her head high in this house again?

Fury and hatred boiled inside her. Luo-shi stood abruptly, as if to strike Xie Xuan, but managed to restrain herself after two steps.

Xie Xuan, fearless, taunted, “Want to hit me? Haven’t you been punished enough?”

“Get out!” Luo-shi’s face twisted with rage, but she dared not act—not when she was already under scrutiny.

Xie Xuan smirked. “Actually, I’ve always wondered—why did you want me dead? Selling me to a temple was vile enough, but someone actually wanted me killed. That wasn’t your idea, was it?”

Her tone was so provoking that Luo-shi turned away, refusing to engage.

Xie Xuan sighed dramatically. “Never mind. I thought since we both live in the Pear Courtyard, I’d help you out. But if you’re not interested, once Grandfather passes judgment, Xie Ze and Xie Yue will be motherless. How tragic.”

At the mention of her children, Luo-shi stiffened. “What are you getting at?”

“Grandfather is still investigating this, Madam. Attempted murder of a duke’s daughter—did you really think a few days’ confinement would suffice?” Xie Xuan laughed mockingly. “No one in this house is a fool. Don’t you think they’ll wonder why you wanted me dead?”

“I disliked you and seized the chance to remove you. What’s there to wonder about?”

“Grandfather won’t see it that way. That day, it was my uncle who took me to the temple. Had I died there, the rift between the Xie and Tao families would’ve deepened. Sister and Dan’er would’ve grown distant from the Taos. Once Sister married, Dan’er would’ve had no uncle’s support, no elder sister’s care. Father’s favoritism is no secret—you could’ve easily disposed of Dan’er. Then this vast estate would’ve gone to Xie Ze. Am I wrong?”

Silence fell over the room.

Luo-shi turned away with a cold laugh but didn’t deny it.

Xie Xuan pressed on. “But someone like you wouldn’t think so far ahead. Whoever gave you this idea is quite clever—convincing you to kill me in half a day, consequences be damned. Should I praise their cunning or your stupidity?”

“Xie Xuan!” Luo-shi lunged, gripping Xie Xuan’s throat. “I’ll strangle you right now—what can you do?”

—But her grip lacked real force.

Xie Xuan, having provoked her deliberately, only smiled more venomously. “Then you’d only be doing someone else’s bidding, ensuring your own expulsion from the Xie household. Xie Yue and Xie Ze would suffer—how pitiful. Do you know why I came today?”

Seeing Luo-shi’s unease, Xie Xuan swatted her hand away. “A maid said the second madam spoke to you about my trip to the temple. Sister and I visited the Bamboo Courtyard to confirm. The second madam didn’t deny it—she claimed she merely mentioned it in passing. Yet you decided to kill me. How heartless!”

Luo-shi’s face paled. “Preposterous! Why would the second madam tell you this?”

Looking down, she saw the little girl’s fox-like smirk—the triumphant gleam of a predator who had cornered its prey.