Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 127: Xie Shiwei Returns Home

Upon Xie Shiwei's return to the residence, Yun Chu specially arranged a family banquet.

The banquet was held in Old Madam's courtyard, with attendees from every household, creating a lively atmosphere.

Old Madam sat in the host's seat, watching as servants supported Xie Shiwei into the courtyard.

Although she didn't favor this grandson, he was still a descendant of the Xie family. Moreover, the Yun family had promised to secure a future for Wei Ge'er, suggesting he might still have prospects.

"Wei Ge'er, come, let your great-grandmother take a look at you."

Old Madam pulled Wei Ge'er close, stroking his face with a benevolent expression.

"You've lost weight. Our Wei Ge'er has suffered at the estate."

Xie Shiwei remained silent.

Not long after, Xie Jingyu and Xie Shi'an arrived together.

Xie Shiwei abruptly looked up.

He saw Xie Shi'an dressed in brocade robes, a jade crown binding his hair, the very image of an elegant young gentleman—radiant with vigor.

Meanwhile, he himself wore coarse cloth garments, resembling a servant of the Xie residence, with a broken leg that had ruined his entire life.

Unable to contain the fury surging in his chest, he charged forward and seized Xie Shi'an by the throat.

"Cough, cough, cough!" Completely caught off guard, Xie Shi'an gasped for air. "Xie... Xie Shiwei, have you gone mad? What are you doing?"

Xie Jingyu raised his right hand and slapped Xie Shiwei hard across the face. "You unfilial son! Causing trouble the moment you're brought back—are you trying to anger me to death?"

Xie Shiwei was struck onto the table, overturning all the dishes that had just been served.

Several concubines screamed in fright.

"Wei Ge'er, what's wrong with you?" Yuan Shi hurried over to pull Xie Shiwei back. "This banquet was specially arranged to welcome you home. Why are you making a scene?"

"Xie Shi'an, I'm asking you!" Xie Shiwei's eyes blazed with fury as he stared at the elder brother he had once admired most. "After my leg was injured, was it you who stopped the family from calling a doctor to treat me? My leg could have been healed, but because of you, I became a cripple for life. Was it you?!"

Xie Shi'an remained calm. "Your leg was beyond saving from the start. It has nothing to do with anyone."

"Then what about Concubine He? How did she die?" Xie Shiwei roared. "Was it you who drove her to her death?"

His words caused everyone in the courtyard to pale.

Only a handful of people knew the truth about Concubine He's death; the rest believed she had taken her own life after being implicated in witchcraft.

Hearing Xie Shiwei claim that Xie Shi'an had driven Concubine He to her death, the other concubines could hardly believe this was the truth...

"Silence!" Old Madam shouted angrily. "You were brought back to the Xie family to secure your future, yet you spout nonsense and cause trouble. Someone, take the Second Young Master away!"

Xie Shiwei struggled desperately, kicking and punching the servants, even biting several of them.

He overturned both banquet tables in the courtyard, hurling everything to the ground, and the chaos grew increasingly uncontrollable.

Xie Jingyu felt hot blood surging in his chest, enraged beyond measure. The physician had warned him against anger, but such a scene made it impossible to restrain his fury.

Spotting a wooden stick on the ground, he picked it up and struck Xie Shiwei across the back.

Xie Shiwei let out a piercing scream.

"Enough, stop this." Yun Chu walked over, took the stick from Xie Jingyu's hand, and threw it to the ground. Then, she supported Xie Shiwei's arm. "Wei Ge'er, do this for your mother's sake. Stop making a scene, alright? Let me escort you back to your courtyard."Xie Shiwei could vent his anger at anyone, but he could never bring himself to show a sour face to Yun Chu, because it was his mother who had brought him back here.

He fell silent and followed Yun Chu back to his own courtyard.

"Wei Ge'er, don't blame your father for hitting you. No matter how angry you were, you shouldn't have choked your elder brother's neck." Yun Chu sat by the table, persuading him gently. "Your elder brother attends school daily and will soon enter the Imperial College. If people see bruises on his neck, wouldn't they gossip about unpleasant matters regarding the Xie family behind our backs?"

Xie Shiwei looked up: "Mother, tell me the truth. Does He Yiniang's death have something to do with elder brother?"

"Wei Ge'er, who told you such things? Don't believe them. He Yiniang committed misdeeds, couldn't face herself, and drank poison to end her life." Yun Chu's expression changed dramatically. "Your elder brother is the pride of your father. All your father's efforts and every resource of the Xie family are invested in him. If you continue opposing your elder brother, your father will never forgive you. I can protect you temporarily, but can I shield you forever?"

Xie Shiwei clenched his fists tightly.

He had merely offended Marquis Xuanwu, and the Xie family had abandoned him.

Yet Xie Shi'an, who had personally killed his own birth mother, could inherit everything the Xie family possessed!

Why was it so unjust!

"It's getting late. Rest well. I'll take my leave now."

Yun Chu patted his shoulder and turned to leave the courtyard.

Just as she reached the courtyard gate, she saw Xie Shi'an standing there: "An Ge'er?"

"Mother, Wei Ge'er has some misunderstandings about me. I must clarify them." Xie Shi'an said, "I'll go in now."

As he reached the doorway, a lamp crashed at his feet: "Get out!"

"Wei Ge'er, I'm your elder brother." Xie Shi'an sighed and picked up the lamp. "With Mother gone, we brothers are each other's closest kin in this world. Give me a chance to explain."

"Fine! Explain it to me clearly!" Xie Shiwei rushed out of the room, limping. "Explain why you forbade the family from getting me medical treatment! Explain why you forced Mother to drink poisoned wine! Go on, explain!"

"Your leg was beyond healing to begin with. That matter has nothing to do with me." Xie Shi'an said calmly. "As for Mother's affair... it's complicated. It can't be explained briefly... Wei Ge'er, don't worry. Though your leg can't be cured, after I achieve scholarly honors, I'll ensure your wealth and prosperity, guaranteeing you a worry-free life!"

Xie Shiwei stared coldly at him: "Really?"

Xie Shi'an nodded: "Of course it's true. But on one condition - you must remain quietly at the manor estate until I attain my official rank. I'll personally escort you back to the estate tomorrow, alright?"

He knew his younger brother well - impulsive, quick-tempered, and thoughtless.

Now that Wei Ge'er knew such a major secret of the Xie family, how could he feel secure letting their maternal grandfather take him away from the Xie household?

Wei Ge'er must remain with the Xie family, confined to their estate for life!

Xie Shiwei's face contorted with rage: "What do you mean by remaining quietly at the estate? You're afraid I'll stay in the Xie residence and take what rightfully belongs to you, aren't you? Xie Shi'an, you're utterly hypocritical! You killed Mother for your own future, and now that I know your secret, are you planning to eliminate me too?"

He snatched a teacup from the table and smashed it against Xie Shi'an's head. Blood immediately gushed out.The servant boy in the courtyard let out a terrified cry and rushed over immediately to pull Xie Shiwei away.

"Quick, go fetch the master! Summon Old Madam at once!"

When young masters came to blows, servants like them couldn't intervene—they needed someone with authority to control the situation.

Old Madam had already been contemplating speaking with Xie Shiwei, primarily because this reckless boy had discovered there was something suspicious about Concubine He's death. Such a sensitive secret must never leak out, so she specifically came to warn Xie Shiwei.

Halfway there, the reporting servant boy informed her that the second young master had smashed the eldest young master's head open, leaving a bloody gash!