Chapter 25: The Xie Family Deceived You
He Shi felt somewhat disheartened.
She was the same age as Xie Jingyu. At their age, he remained the elegant young master he had always been, while she had already aged considerably.
"What are you doing here?"
Seeing her standing at the courtyard gate, Xie Jingyu's weary face showed anger.
He Shi lowered her head: "My lord, I admit my wrongdoing and willingly accept punishment, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to be tortured to death... With the madam's tacit approval, Concubine Tao has cut off the food supply to the small temple. This is trying to cut off my means of survival..."
Xie Jingyu pinched the bridge of his nose.
He had just returned from Lord Yu's residence, where he had spent most of the day without even catching a glimpse of Lord Yu.
In the past, Lord Yu had treated him quite well, taking him along to all social engagements and introducing him to many important figures in official circles.
With the assessment imminent, Lord Yu had suddenly become cold toward him.
He truly couldn't understand what he had done wrong.
After a day of frustrations with no one to confide in, he returned home only to be confronted by He Shi with these trivial matters.
He wasn't one to lose his temper easily, but at this moment he could no longer contain himself. He spoke coldly: "You insisted on staying in the Xie residence yourself, so whatever treatment you receive is your own choice. Furthermore, I ordered you to remain confined to the small temple, yet you appear at the door of my study. Since you don't take my words seriously, I'll have no choice but to station someone at the entrance of the small temple."
He Shi's lips stiffened abruptly.
She thought of their first meeting long, long ago, when his eyes had held admiration when he looked at her.
She thought of the concern in this man's eyes after she gave birth to An Ge'er.
She thought of the tender affection years ago, when she lived in the outskirts of the capital with their three children, and he would visit once every month.
Since moving into the Xie residence, their relationship had become that of master and servant. Her form of address for him had changed from "Yu Lang" to "My Lord"...
It wasn't until this moment that she realized they could probably never return to how they were before.
"Still not leaving?"
Xie Jingyu's voice was full of impatience.
He Shi's tears suddenly welled up.
She had exhausted all means to have their children recognized by the family, she had schemed to stay by Xie Jingyu's side, she had willingly become a servant just to keep the family together... Had this man truly seen all her sacrifices?
"Yes, My Lord, I'll take my leave now."
He Shi curtsied, turned around, and tears streamed down her face.
Watching her retreating figure, Xie Jingyu couldn't help but sigh. Allowing her to stay in the Xie family was already showing consideration for their past relationship.
If he did more for He Shi, it would surely arouse Yun Chu's suspicion. He still needed to rely on the Yun family's influence to advance his career—how could he afford to fall out with Yun Chu?
Returning to the small temple, He Shi's heart felt like dead ashes.
She still needed to see An Ge'er pass the imperial examinations and become a high official, she still wanted to personally see Ping Jie'er married off, she still needed to witness Wei Ge'er's success... She absolutely could not die in this small temple.
Since Xie Jingyu couldn't be relied upon, she could only depend on herself.
She wrote a letter and gave the only bracelet on her wrist to the young nun, begging her to help deliver it.
"Oh, she wants to send a letter to Steward He in the outer court?" Yun Chu looked at the young nun who had come to report. "Then deliver it for her."
The young nun acknowledged the order and took the letter to the outer court.
Ting Shuang said with some surprise: "He Shi and Steward He from the outer court share the same surname. Could they be related in some way?"Yun Chu nodded, "The two are likely biological siblings. To uncover He Shi's true identity, we must start with He Xu."
He Shi's background was certainly unusual—otherwise, she wouldn't covet the position of main wife, and even if she couldn't attain that, she would at least be willing to become a Concubine.
A faint suspicion stirred in her heart, but without evidence, speaking of it would convince no one.
Whether Xie Shi'an's official career could be completely severed depended entirely on He Shi's identity.
Just then, a servant from the front courtyard came to report, "Madam, I went to the Yun residence. The Yun family said the eldest young master will return to the capital tomorrow morning."
Yun Chu abruptly stood up.
Although Jizhou wasn't far from the capital, her elder brother had official business to attend to there. His early return was entirely unexpected.
The remainder of the day passed with excruciating slowness. Early the next morning, she took a carriage back to the Yun family home.
However, after Yun Ze returned to the capital, he first went to the imperial city to report on his mission and didn't return until noon. Exhausted from head to toe, his wife Liu Qianqian took him to change clothes first.
Lin Shi asked curiously, "Chu'er, do you and your elder brother have urgent matters to discuss?"
Since her daughter returned home, she had been absent-minded, frequently glancing outside. Only when Yun Ze returned did her anxious mood slightly ease.
Yun Chu forced a smile, "The Xie family's ancestral home is in Jizhou. My husband hasn't returned for many years—I wanted to ask elder brother about the situation there."
Lin Shi nodded thoughtfully.
When Yun Ze returned after changing clothes, Lin Shi left the drawing room with Liu Qianqian, giving the siblings privacy.
"Elder brother." Yun Chu's voice was already hoarse, "The children... have they been brought back?"
Yun Ze opened his mouth but couldn't form words.
If he had retrieved those pitiful children, he would have told his sister immediately, rather than using the clothes change as an excuse to contemplate how to evade the matter.
The light in Yun Chu's eyes slowly faded, her voice growing rougher, "Elder brother?"
Yun Ze sighed, "Chu'er, I personally went to the Xie family's ancestral home in Jizhou and asked the clansmen about the children's burial site. But the elders told me that four years ago, the capital branch of the Xie family never sent anyone back, and they had never heard that Xie Jingyu's legitimate children had died young. The Xie family deceived you..."
A thunderous roar seemed to explode in Yun Chu's head.
Her body swayed, and she steadied herself against the table to avoid collapsing.
She closed her eyes, took several slow deep breaths, and gradually regained her composure.
"Thank you... thank you, elder brother!"
She struggled to utter these words and turned to leave.
"Chu'er."
Yun Ze disregarded propriety between siblings and grasped her wrist.
"Let me accompany you back."
Yun Chu pressed his arm, her voice hoarse to the extreme, "I can face these matters myself. If I truly cannot handle them, I'll return home and seek your help."
She turned and strode outside.
Normally, she would bid farewell to her mother and sister-in-law before leaving.
But now, she had no mind for such formalities.
Ting Shuang supported her as she hurried out of the Yun residence, boarded the carriage, and urged the coachman to go faster, faster still.
The carriage raced through the streets and soon arrived back at the Xie residence.
She rushed inside and collapsed weakly into a chair in the drawing room, her voice laced with deep chill, "Bring He Shi here."The two matrons had never seen such a mistress before. They exchanged a glance and hurried to the small temple to apprehend her.
He Shi lay weakly on the bed, her body truly unable to hold on any longer after sustaining untreated injuries and going days without a proper meal.
Just as she closed her eyes, the door of the side chamber was kicked open with a crash.
Startled, she thought Concubine Tao had arrived with her people. But lifting her head, she saw they were merely rough work matrons from the Jade Flute Residence.
These were people sent by the mistress herself.
The mistress had always been hypocritical—even when dealing with her, she would have Concubine Tao handle it. Why would she send people personally now?
Before He Shi could ponder further, the two matrons hauled her up and began dragging her out.
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