Chapter 104: Old Madam Vomits Blood
Xie Laotaitai abruptly sat up from her couch.
Over twenty years ago, their Xie family was nothing remarkable. As a woman, she naturally paid little attention to court cases.
But she understood clearly now—He Shi was a descendant of the convicted He family. Her eldest grandson Jingyu had actually taken a daughter of a convicted official as his concubine!
At this moment, she finally understood why He Shi, who had once been so determined to marry Jingyu, gave up her intention to enter the household after Jingyu became an official!
She also understood why He Shi had been so unwilling whenever she suggested making her a concubine!
That wretched woman knew her own identity, knew she would bring trouble to the Xie family, knew she would ruin the futures of the children!
"That... that was all over twenty years ago..." Xie Ping's lips trembled as she spoke. "The He family has already received their deserved punishment—over a hundred people across three clans were nearly wiped out... The court long ceased pursuing the He family's past crimes. Even if people found out Father took a He daughter as concubine, it wouldn't matter... Although I was born of He Shi, I only recognize Mother as my true mother..."
Yun Chu sneered inwardly.
Xie Ping and Xie Shi'an were truly biological siblings, equally selfish, afraid that she, their legal mother, would abandon them upon learning the truth.
She concealed her mockery and spoke: "Ping Jie'er, you're still too young. Think about it—when the He family had so many people executed, a century-old noble clan wiped out just like that, could the surviving He family members not harbor resentment? Would the Emperor and court be unaware of their bitterness? If the He family members remained far away where they belonged, the Emperor and court naturally wouldn't say anything. But—"
She paused before continuing, "An Ge'er is about to enter the Imperial College, and you, Ping Jie'er, are soon to marry into Anjing Prince's household. Both of you are descendants of convicted officials, yet you're getting so close to imperial family members. Who can guarantee you won't vent your resentment on the imperial family? If your identities become known, every single member of the Xie family will pay the price!"
The Old Madam felt a metallic sweetness rise in her throat.
Even a young girl like Ping Jie'er knew about He Shi's identity, yet she had been deceived for so long!
If they had really waited until An Ge'er entered the Imperial College, until Ping Jie'er became Princess Anjing, their Xie family would surely be charged with deceiving the emperor!
The Xie family had struggled through three generations over decades, finally reaching the capital, finally achieving this position—only to be destroyed by that wretched woman He Shi!
The Imperial College was now out of reach!
The marriage to Anjing Prince must not happen!
"Pfft!"
The Old Madam couldn't hold back and vomited a mouthful of blood.
"Chu'er!"
The Old Madam grasped Yun Chu's hand.
Yun Chu handed her a cup of tea: "Old Madam, please don't anger yourself. My husband and An Ge'er are devising a solution. From what I understand, they plan to send He Yiniang either south or north."
Xie Ping nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, send her away, the farther the better. As long as outsiders never learn He Shi's identity, everything will be fine."
"Old Madam, today's curse incident proves that He Shi harbors resentment toward our Xie family too—perhaps resenting you for not letting her enter the household back then, or resenting me for occupying the legal wife position," Yun Chu said. "If the Xie family sends her away, her resentment will only grow deeper. Then, whatever she might do next would be beyond our control."Old Madam's heart sank. "Chu'er, what do you mean?"
Yun Chu remained silent.
"Chu'er, I know Jingyu has wronged you, and the Xie family has failed you, deceived you. We will slowly compensate you for all these afterward!" Old Madam's voice carried a pleading tone. "But An Ge'er, Wei Ge'er, and Ping Jie'er all genuinely regard you as their mother. Can you bear to watch their futures completely ruined? You and Jingyu are husband and wife, united as one. You are a woman of the Xie family. Our Xie family has struggled immensely to reach this point today. Can you bear to see Jingyu's official career end here?"
Yun Chu stood up, lowering her gaze as she said, "I will decide whether I remain a woman of the Xie family based on how your Xie family acts."
After speaking, she turned and walked out of Anshou Hall.
Old Madam Xie's mind was reeling.
Did Chu'er's words mean she wanted to sever ties with the Xie family? Was she seeking a divorce?
Heavens! With He Shi, a descendant of a convicted official, already dealing a devastating blow to the Xie family, if Yun Chu also left, the Xie family would truly never recover.
"Ping Jie'er, help me up!"
The old madam forced herself to rise from the couch, supported on either side by Mama Zhou and Xie Ping.
When the cursed doll was discovered, the old madam had coughed up blood. Having just vomited a large amount of blood, her body was barely holding up.
But she knew she had to force herself to get up, otherwise, it would be the Xie family's turn to collapse.
They soon arrived at Xie Jingyu's courtyard. The servants were all busy with their tasks, but the atmosphere in the study was intensely grave.
After the old madam entered, Mama Zhou closed the study door and stood guard at the steps below, preventing any servants from approaching.
"Grandmother, why have you come?"
Xie Jingyu hurriedly helped the old madam sit in a chair, placing a soft pillow behind her.
"I already know about He Shi's matter," the old madam said bluntly. "Jingyu, you and An Ge'er have been discussing for so long. What have you decided to do?"
Xie Jingyu pressed his lips together.
Xie Shi'an clenched his fists.
Although the father and son had been alone for a long time, they had hardly reached any resolution because there was no way out.
Keeping He Shi in the Xie residence was simply impossible.
But if they sent He Shi away, would that truly be foolproof?
Now that someone was watching the Xie family, if He Shi left the residence, she might fall into the hands of those with ill intentions. By then, it would be too late to do anything.
"I have a solution."
As soon as the old madam spoke, everyone's eyes turned to her.
"If He Shi dies, then there will be no evidence against us," the old madam said slowly, word by word. "It depends on whether you can bear to do it."
Xie Ping felt dizzy. "No..."
Although she looked down on He Shi as her birth mother, she had never considered letting He Shi die.
Xie Jingyu leaned on the desk, his face full of shock. How could his grandmother utter such a cruel sentence so lightly?
He and He Shi had met in their youth, understood and loved each other, and had three children together. Though their feelings weren't as deep now, he would never allow He Shi to die.
The study fell into complete silence.
Amid the quiet, Xie Shi'an spoke: "If Father wishes to advance further in his official career, if Elder Sister wants to securely become Princess Anjing, if I want to study at the Imperial College, and if the Xie family aims to become newly prominent in the court... then He Shi can only... die."
Xie Ping's face turned pale.She couldn't believe An Ge'er could utter such heartless words. Though Old Madam and He Shi shared no blood ties, it might be understandable for Old Madam to want He Shi dead. But An Ge'er carried half of He Shi's bloodline—how could he wish his own mother to die!
Shouldn't he be persuading Old Madam to reconsider?
Xie Jingyu closed his eyes: "Then... let it be as Grandmother says."
Old Madam struggled to her feet: "An Ge'er, you're the one who understands reason and prioritizes the greater good. This matter shall be entrusted to you then, with Ping Jie'er assisting. As He Shi's children, for your sakes, she will surely go to her death willingly."
Xie Ping nearly collapsed on the spot.
OpenNovel