Xie Chichun - Chapter 26

Luo-Shi froze for a moment before suddenly realizing the hidden meaning behind her own reaction and words. Instinctively, she pressed the back of her hand to her lips.

Having already forced Luo-Shi to reveal the truth, Xie Xuan sighed theatrically, stirring the pot further. “Perhaps she was just trying to clear herself early. If this matter had been kept hidden, it would’ve been a weapon in your hands. But by bringing it into the open, she has nothing to fear—after all, she never explicitly told you to kill me, did she? Even if Grandfather uncovers the truth, she can simply admit to gossiping and at worst be reprimanded for loose lips. In the end, it’s you who’s pitiable, carrying all the blame alone. Tsk.”

With a mocking glance at Luo-Shi, Xie Xuan slowly turned to leave.

Inside, Luo-Shi wavered between doubt and belief, but in the end, she clenched her handkerchief and said coldly, “Grandfather will handle this matter justly. Don’t you dare meddle.” With that, she retreated to the inner chamber, as if unwilling to speak further.

Xie Xuan had no interest in arguing either. She pushed the door open and stepped outside.

Outside, Xie Jun’s face had gone pale.

Her hand, clutching a handkerchief, rested on the window lattice, her knuckles white. The other hand trembled slightly. When she saw Xie Xuan, she turned away as if avoiding something, leaning against a red-lacquered pillar and gripping her sleeve tightly.

Xie Xuan stood behind her for a moment before speaking softly. “Sister, you understand now too, don’t you? From Madam’s reaction—”

“I don’t believe it.” Xie Jun shook her head, her voice trembling. “I don’t believe the second madam could be so malicious.”

“Why not?” Xie Xuan circled around to face her sister, her expression bleak. “If not for your vigilance all these years, would Dan’er have been safe? Once you’re married, the protection around him will weaken. Then, if the second madam urges Madam to eliminate him, what would Xie Ze amount to?”

“But—” Xie Jun tightened her grip on the handkerchief, searching for an excuse but finding none.

Xie Xuan reached out and took her sister’s hand. Their cold fingertips touched, a silent acknowledgment of their shared plight. “Elder Brother Hong is the same age as you. Though he’s Second Uncle’s son, he’s the eldest grandson in the household. The title of Duke—who wouldn’t covet it? Especially since Father’s erratic behavior has long displeased Grandfather, and Madam’s reputation is in tatters. Do you really think the second madam is content to remain subordinate? She’s always hidden her intentions well—you know that.”

Xie Jun bit her lip and remained silent for a long time before asking, “Is this… also from your nightmares?”

“You may not believe the dreams, but as for the second madam’s true motives and her relationship with Madam—you’re clever, Sister. If you think carefully, you’ll piece it together.” Xie Xuan looked up at the aged wind chimes swaying under the eaves. The long grass on the opposite roof rustled in the wind, as if rain were coming.

The two sisters returned to the eastern courtyard of the Pear Blossom Residence in silence, leaving Fangzhou and Shuangliu outside as they sat in Xie Jun’s study, each lost in thought.

After a long while, Xie Jun let out a self-deprecating laugh. “I always thought the second madam doted on me. All these years, she’s treated me so well. I just can’t believe… I’d sooner believe that person from the Mystic Temple would harm Dan’er than believe the second madam would.”

“Sister, everyone has their own interests at heart. We’ve never clashed with the second madam. Right now, she takes care of us. Once you’re married, you might even be able to offer her some benefits. Even if not, it’s still a connection. But Dan’er is different. He stands in Elder Brother Hong’s way—of course she wouldn’t ignore that.”

“Let me think about it.” Xie Jun lay down on the couch, exhausted, covering her face with a handkerchief, her whole body radiating helplessness.

Xie Xuan knew that pressing further would be useless. Now that the truth was out, she could only wait for Xie Jun to come to terms with it herself.

These days, Xie Zhen seemed to be avoiding them. He had assigned more capable servants to the eastern and western courtyards but had moved into the outer study himself, rarely returning. When he did, his face was grim.

When he entered the Pear Blossom Residence, Xie Xuan and Xie Jun were crossing from the eastern to the western courtyard. Spotting him, they naturally went to greet him. But when Xie Xuan looked up, she saw a familiar figure behind Xie Zhen—Luo-Shi!

Wasn’t Luo-Shi supposed to be confined for several months? How was she back already?

Xie Xuan felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, staring dumbfounded at Luo-Shi, who stood behind Xie Zhen with a meek expression. She even forgot to greet her father.

It was Xie Jun who gently tugged her sleeve and whispered, “What’s wrong with you?”

Xie Xuan mechanically bowed to Xie Zhen, watching as Luo-Shi obediently followed him into the inner chambers. She saw Xie Yue clinging to Luo-Shi, crying and laughing in joy, and heard Xie Zhen murmuring instructions to Luo-Shi. A storm of curses raged in Xie Xuan’s mind—she wanted nothing more than to drag Xie Zhen out and demand an explanation.

By the time Xie Zhen emerged after settling Luo-Shi inside, Xie Xuan had already stormed back to the western courtyard to sulk.

Fangzhou and Mu Ye, unaware of the reason for Xie Xuan’s anger, hurried to serve tea to Xie Jun, whose face was equally dark. When they noticed Xie Zhen, they quickly bowed. “Master.”

Xie Zhen motioned for the old maidservant behind him to place a package of exotic trinkets on the table, then waved everyone out before lifting the curtain to enter the inner room.

Seeing both daughters inside, he sat in an armchair and said, “I know you’re unhappy about Madam’s return, but Xuanxuan, I did this for your sake.”

Xie Jun, of course, said nothing. Xie Xuan didn’t even look at him, burying her head under the quilt, refusing to speak.

Xie Zhen explained, “Yesterday, she went to Grandfather to confess her mistakes. Only then did I learn of many things in this household that I hadn’t known. I’m often busy outside and can’t oversee the inner courtyard. You’re both still young—you need someone to manage things.”

Seeing Xie Xuan still fuming under the covers and Xie Jun’s displeased expression, he added, “Grandfather and I both know her crimes are unforgivable. As punishment, she must kneel outside the ancestral hall for an hour every noon. She’ll also be closely watched—she won’t get off lightly.”

Kneeling in public at the ancestral hall? Xie Xuan pricked up her ears.

This punishment was even more severe than confinement. In the current sweltering heat, kneeling under the scorching sun or pouring rain at noon was far more humiliating than lounging indoors. Moreover, with this mark of shame, Luo-Shi wouldn’t dare act arrogantly for a while.

Xie Xuan reluctantly accepted this arrangement, peeking her head out from under the quilt.

Seeing her expression, Xie Zhen couldn’t help but smile. “I was neglectful before, but from now on, I’ll keep a closer eye on things. I won’t let you suffer.”

“Mm.” Xie Xuan puffed out her cheeks and nodded grudgingly, crumpling the embroidered bed curtain in her grip—she didn’t believe Xie Zhen’s promises for a second! And letting Luo-Shi return—was this supposed to be “caretaking” or inviting a wolf into the house?

Still, it was good that Xie Zhen understood the gravity of the situation and was now wary of Luo-Shi’s schemes. Moreover, Luo-Shi’s decision to confess under pressure meant there was now a rift between her and the second madam. With the second madam’s intentions exposed to Grandfather and Xie Zhen, they would be on guard—which was good for Xie Dan.

At the very least, compared to the days when Luo-Shi had monopolized power and deceived everyone, their situation had improved. Since they couldn’t completely crush Luo-Shi in one stroke, they’d have to take it step by step.

After her initial rage, Xie Xuan gradually calmed down.

Since her return, Luo-Shi had been unusually subdued, treading carefully and not daring to cause trouble. But her constant presence was still an irritant to Xie Xuan and Xie Jun.

Especially during the nightly meals—it was unbearable having to sit across from her.

As dusk fell and dinnertime approached, Xie Xuan lay listlessly on the couch, refusing to move.

Fangzhou, observing Xie Xuan’s frustrated thrashing, approached cautiously. “Young Miss?”

“I don’t want to eat!” Xie Xuan’s voice was muffled under the quilt as she kicked her legs in protest.

Xie Jun was equally unwilling. She shook her head at Fangzhou before sitting beside Xie Xuan’s bed. “Being angry won’t help. We’d be better off calming down and thinking of a solution. Father is really… really…” Brought up with strict propriety, she couldn’t bring herself to openly criticize her father. Instead, she changed tack. “Though he had no choice but to let Madam return to manage the household, the way things are now is truly infuriating.”

“She tried to kill me! And now Father actually believes her lies and expects her to take care of me and Dan’er? Sister, isn’t this the most absurd thing in the world?” Xie Xuan sat up, looking at Xie Jun. “What should we do?”

Xie Jun stood as well, and the two sisters walked slowly toward the door, speaking in hushed tones. “Though she’s back in the Pear Blossom Residence, if we’re careful, we can still guard against her. Father may trust her now, but with her past actions as precedent, he won’t hand everything over to her. Xuanxuan, the most important thing now is to stabilize Father. No matter how dissatisfied we are, he’s our only support.”

“That’s true, but how long can we stay vigilant? Do we really have the energy to keep fighting her like this? It’s just treating the symptoms, not the root cause!” Xie Xuan shook her head.

“Then what do you suggest?” Xie Jun found herself deferring to her younger sister’s judgment—

Ever since that near-drowning incident, this sister of hers had changed. She no longer seemed like a ten-year-old girl; sometimes, her ideas were even bolder than Xie Jun’s.

Xie Xuan didn’t hesitate. “If we want a permanent solution, we must ensure Madam has no chance to recover. Sister, whether you like it or not, the most effective way to deal with this is to seek help from that person at the Mystic Temple.”

“The Mystic Temple—” Xie Jun cut herself off abruptly.

“I know you resent her, but Sister, who else can keep Madam in check? Madam’s only reliance is Father—” Xie Xuan thought of that day in the Purple Water Pavilion and let out a disdainful snort. “Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but wouldn’t it be better to find a way to rekindle Father’s guilt toward someone else? Make Madam seem insignificant in comparison—then things would be much easier!”

By now, they had reached the door, about to head out for dinner. But whenever the topic of Tao-shi came up, Xie Jun’s expression turned icy, and she fell silent.

Xie Xuan, too frustrated to patiently coax her sister anymore—

Xie Jun was just like this. If she was willing to face something, no persuasion was needed. But if she chose to avoid it, she became exactly like Xie Zhen—unwilling to think critically even after ten years, deaf to all advice.

If Xie Xuan wanted a better future, she’d have to take matters into her own hands.