Chapter 10: If That Night
Yun Chu took a sip of tea.
Ting Xue reported carefully: "Chen Bo went to the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor twice. The first time, the Young Son personally received him, saying the cricket was too small. So Chen Bo hurried to buy a bigger and stronger cricket to deliver. Unexpectedly, the Young Son didn't even come out, directly ordering people to drive Chen Bo away. He said if we can't deliver a satisfactory cricket, this matter isn't over..."
Ting Feng frowned: "Why is the Prince of Pacifying the West's Young Son so difficult to deal with?"
"Don't speak nonsense," Ting Shuang reminded her. "These words can only be said before the mistress, never bring trouble to the mistress outside."
Yun Chu ate some dishes before putting down her chopsticks: "The Young Son has seen countless fine things, naturally looking down upon ordinary market crickets. Ting Xue, go tell Chen Bo to take some people to search for crickets in the mountain forests outside the city. Only unusual crickets might catch the Young Son's eye."
Just as Ting Xue was about to accept the order.
The flower hall's curtain was suddenly lifted.
A tall, jade-like man walked in.
It was Xie Jingyu.
He sat down at the dining table: "Bring another set of bowls and chopsticks."
Ting Feng was overjoyed.
The master hadn't come to the mistress's place for meals in a very long time.
If the husband and wife could eat together and cultivate their relationship, he might even stay overnight at Yusheng Residence.
She quickly brought a set of bowls and chopsticks and respectfully placed them before Xie Jingyu.
Yun Chu had originally intended to eat more, but upon seeing Xie Jingyu, she completely lost her appetite.
Her voice was light: "Why has husband come?"
"The Prince of Pacifying the West is busy with official duties and hasn't yet taken a Princess Consort. The Young Son lacks discipline, so his temperament inevitably becomes arrogant and domineering." Xie Jingyu spoke unhurriedly. "Sending a servant like Chen Bo will make the Young Son feel slighted, naturally causing trouble for Chen Bo. If you trust me, wife, I happen to have leave tomorrow. Why not let me make this trip for you?"
A barely perceptible cold smile appeared on Yun Chu's lips.
This was just like Xie Jingyu - clearly wanting to befriend the Prince of Pacifying the West himself, yet making it sound like he was going out of his way to help her.
But could a mere cricket really help him climb social connections with the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor?
She concealed her mockery and said: "Thank you, husband, for helping me out of this predicament."
Xie Jingyu looked at her: "We are husband and wife. Family doesn't need to say thank you."
He suddenly noticed that his wife's fair face had regained some of the radiance that didn't belong to Madame Xie.
When he first saw her at the general's mansion, she was exactly like this - as if absorbing all the light, her entire being possessing an incredible beauty.
His throat moved, and uncontrollably, he grasped Yun Chu's hand.
In that instant, it felt like a venomous snake was crawling up from her palm. Yun Chu broke out in goosebumps all over, instinctively wanting to pull her hand away.
But Xie Jingyu released her first.
His gaze was obscure.
He had also once imagined them being an affectionate couple, with children and grandchildren filling the hall, growing old together.
But who could have predicted such a thing would happen...
If that night...
Xie Jingyu stood up: "I still have some matters to attend to, I'll take my leave first."
He walked out in hurried steps.
Reaching the entrance of Yusheng Residence, he glanced back and saw Ting Shuang had fetched a basin of water placed on the table, with Yun Chu desperately washing her hands.
His face immediately darkened.
He hadn't even looked down on her for losing her virtue, how dare she...
He raised his head and saw that Yusheng Residence had unknowingly become Sheng Residence.An indescribable emotion swelled in her heart...
"Master."
He Shi's figure suddenly appeared in the night.
Seeing him emerge from the Jade Flute Residence, He Shi spoke with a sour tone: "Did Master come straight to the lady's quarters upon returning to the manor?"
Xie Jingyu walked forward with his hands clasped behind his back: "Is there anything inappropriate about me visiting my wife?"
"Does Master know what the lady did today?" He Shi bit her lower lip, "The lady invoked family discipline and beat Wei Ge'er unconscious. His buttocks were torn open and bleeding profusely. The physician said it would take ten to fifteen days to recover... The lady isn't the child's birth mother, so she shows no heartache when punishing him. But my heart aches for him, Master. Could you please restrain the lady and make her stop..."
"She is their legal mother! Disciplining them is her rightful duty!" Xie Jingyu's sharp gaze swept over her, "Whether An Ge'er can find a good tutor, whether Wei Ge'er can achieve success, whether Ping Jie'er can marry into a noble family—all these depend on her. What can you, their birth mother, possibly offer them?"
He Shi lowered her head, her face filled with bitter resignation.
She turned and went to Xie Shiwei's courtyard.
Before even entering, she could hear mournful groans coming from inside.
"All of you, leave."
After dismissing all the servants and closing the door, she rushed to the bedside: "Wei Ge'er, does it hurt?"
"Mother, dear mother, it hurts terribly!" Xie Shiwei threw himself into He Shi's arms, "Why did she have to become my mother? I hate her! I hate her most of all..."
He Shi quickly covered his mouth: "Wei Ge'er, she is your legal mother! You must respect her! Don't ever say such reckless words again!"
No matter how much she disliked Yun Chu, she had to admit that acknowledging Yun Chu as their mother was the most beneficial choice for the children.
Xie Shiwei bit He Shi's hand resentfully: "She wouldn't even give me a cricket! She never treats me like a son! Why should I respect her? I hate her to death..."
Before he could finish, the room's door was suddenly pushed open.
He Shi opened her mouth to scold the servants for their impropriety.
But when she turned, she saw Ting Shuang and Ting Xue entering from either side. As the door opened, Yun Chu stepped in.
Her face turned deathly pale with fright. Losing her balance, she stumbled and knelt on the floor.
"L-Lady!"
She bowed her head in greeting, praying inwardly that the lady hadn't heard Wei Ge'er calling her "mother."
"Why such a grand gesture, Nurse He? You're my husband's person—I dare not accept such formal courtesy from you." Yun Chu passed by her and looked toward the figure lying on the bed, "Wei Ge'er, did you just say you hate me most?"
Xie Shiwei pressed his lips tightly together without making a sound.
Though he had said it, he didn't actually hate his mother that much.
Before turning four, he had lived in hardship with his birth mother in a manor outside the city.
After returning to the Xie household at four to live with his father and mother, every aspect of his life—clothing, food, shelter, and travel—had improved immensely.
He knew he shouldn't offend his mother, but after receiving so many strikes, he felt truly wronged...
"It seems Wei Ge'er still hasn't learned his lesson." Yun Chu shook her head indifferently, "I originally intended to waive the remaining ten strikes. But since you remain so undisciplined, we'll continue with the family punishment after your wounds have healed."
Xie Shiwei's eyes widened in shock.
He had thought his mother came to comfort him. Never did he expect her to be so heartless as to order more strikes.He dared not utter any more disrespectful words, rolling off the bed and grabbing Yun Chu's sleeve: "Mother, I truly know I was wrong. I've learned my lesson, I really have. Please spare me the remaining strokes, I beg you, Mother!"
He Shi's lips parted slightly, but she forcibly swallowed her plea for leniency.
Yun Chu bent down, helping Xie Shiwei lie prone on the bed, her voice gentle as she said, "That was the most expensive cricket on the market, priced at five hundred taels of silver. Comparatively speaking, twenty strokes really aren't much."
Xie Shiwei cried out in despair, "Can't I just compensate you with five hundred taels, Mother? If five hundred isn't enough, then make it a thousand!"
OpenNovel