Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 62: This Is Too Much

Qin Mingheng lowered his gaze, looking at Yun Chu who stood just a few steps away from him.

This was the first time they had been so close in public. With just a gentle breath, he could catch the faint fragrance emanating from her.

His mind drifted back to that night five years ago—her wedding night—when she had been stunningly beautiful. Five years had left no trace on her face; she remained just as captivating.

"The injury to the Marquis Xuanwu's heir at the Xie residence is indeed our fault, but the child's broken leg is a consequence of his own actions..." Yun Chu said with her head bowed. "The Xie family will cover all medical expenses for the Marquis Xuanwu's heir and provide a month's worth of nourishing delicacies for his recovery..."

Seeing her so humble and submissive, Qin Mingheng's anger flared up.

When he had seen her before, she was still the eldest daughter of the Yun family, lifting her delicate chin with an air of pride.

How could five years in the Xie family have taught her such humility? For the sake of the Xies, how could she allow herself to fall into such lowly dust!

Qin Mingheng's fury intensified. "Do you think our Marquis household lacks such trivial silver? Madam Xie, do you believe this matter can be brushed aside so lightly?"

"Then what does the Marquis suggest?"

Lin Shi stepped forward from the side.

This was a matter between the Xie family and the Marquis household. It was only right for Chu'er to step forward and apologize, so she hadn't initially planned to intervene on her daughter's behalf.

But seeing Marquis Xuanwu vent all his anger on Chu'er while not a single person in the entire Xie family stepped up—Old Madam Xie had feigned fainting to avoid the situation, Xie Zhongcheng stood with his hands behind his back in the crowd, Yuan Shi kept her head lowered in fear, Xie Jingyu stood silently with his head bowed, and the others were merely children, unable to take charge—Lin Shi could no longer stand by.

In this vast Xie residence, her daughter was forced to stand at the forefront.

Lin Shi walked forward, subtly positioning herself in front of Yun Chu. She lifted her head. "The Marquis' heir suffered a minor finger injury that will heal with some rest, while the Xie family's second young master has permanently lost the use of one leg. Isn't that punishment enough?"

Although the Marquis household held noble rank, they wielded little real power, whereas the Yun family were influential ministers commanding heavy troops. As the matriarch of the Yun family, there was no need for her to bow to the Marquis household.

Yun Chu sighed inwardly.

With her mother stepping in, no matter how furious Marquis Xuanwu might be, he would have to swallow his anger. The Xie family was getting off too easily.

"Marquis, let us drop this matter," Luo Shi said, having already instructed the wet nurse to carry the child onto the Marquis' carriage. The injury was merely superficial—almost scabbed over already—and would likely heal by tomorrow. There was no need to make such a fuss, especially compared to the Xie second young master, whose kneecap had been crushed, making walking difficult for life...

"Then let it be as my wife says." Qin Mingheng looked at Yun Chu. "Madam Xie, though born of a military family, has raised such a child, truly bringing shame to the Yun family's reputation. Without proper discipline, if he causes trouble in the future, don't let the Yun family be disgraced because of it."

Having said this, he turned and left. Luo Shi bowed slightly to Lin Shi and Yun Chu before following him out.

With the Marquis Xuanwu's household gone, the remaining guests exchanged glances before taking their leave one after another.

As they reached the Xie family's entrance, everyone couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"Is there something wrong with the Xie family's feng shui? How could such major incidents happen at two consecutive birthday banquets?"

"Did you see how terrifying Marquis Xuanwu's expression was? He looked like he wanted to devour the Xie family whole. The Xies and Marquis Xuanwu have truly become enemies now.""The eldest son of the Xie family is merely the top scholar in the county-level examination. It will take at least another decade before he can enter the court. With the Xie family offending the Marquis's household, they're finished."

"Don't forget the Xie family has the Yun family as in-laws. Just now, Madam Yun pleaded for the Xie family, which clearly shows the two families haven't fallen out."

"The main reason Marquis Xuanwu let the Xie family off was because the Marchioness intervened. One can't help but marvel at how fortunate the Marchioness is to have met such a devoted man as Marquis Xuanwu. Despite the vast estate, he hasn't taken a single concubine."

"..."

Yun Chu saw the Yun family members to the gate and held Lin Shi's hand. "This incident could be dismissed as children's mischief or escalated to the Xie family condoning violence. If the Marquis's household can't vent their anger, they'll keep targeting the Xie family overtly and covertly. So, Mother, please don't get involved in this matter."

Lin Shi gently touched her hair. "Last time, because of the children's affair, your eldest brother drank with the Minister of Revenue, intending to create some trouble for Xie Jingyu. Now it seems your brother need not intervene. Marquis Xuanwu's wrath alone will make him suffer enough. When that time comes, he'll realize that without the Yun family's protection, his Xie family is nothing."

Yun Chu felt warmth in her heart.

This is what family means - even when she says nothing, they'll stand at the forefront for her.

When Marquis Xuanwu rebuked her coldly earlier, her mother must have noticed and would surely find a way to avenge this humiliation.

"Mother, don't worry about me. Be careful on your way back." Yun Chu watched the Yun family carriage depart before turning back.

Xie Laotaitai had slowly regained consciousness. Leaning on her maid's arm, she weakly raged, "Marquis Xuanwu goes too far, far too far! Wei Ge'er's leg is broken, his life ruined, yet he still won't let our Xie family be! What right does he have to appeal to the Emperor? If anyone should appeal, it should be our Xie family! A grown man breaking the leg of the Xie family's legitimate son - the Emperor will surely punish him!"

Xie Zhongcheng closed his eyes. "Marquis Xuanwu's great-grandfather once saved the Emperor and has the imperial family's favor. Naturally, the Emperor will side with him. Moreover, Marquis Xuanwu has only one son, who's naturally more precious than our Xie family's son born to an unofficial concubine..."

Yuan Shi's lips trembled. "So it ends like this? Our Xie family must swallow this bitter loss?"

"The matter isn't over." Yun Chu entered from the doorway. "Marquis Xuanwu left in anger. This fire could reignite at any moment."

Xie Jingyu knew this all too well. As long as Qin Mingheng held onto his rage, he could forget about peaceful days ahead.

The Xie family had worked so hard to reach this point - must they stop here?

"Old Madam, what about the Second Young Master..." He Shi spoke weakly from the side, using all her strength to hold back tears. "There's a renowned doctor newly arrived in the capital. Please, invite him to treat the Second Young Master. He's only eight - he can't be crippled like this..."

The Old Madam nodded. "Yes, yes, quickly summon the doctor. Wei Ge'er's condition is most urgent now. We'll discuss other matters after he's treated.""Father, are we truly going to treat Wei Ge'er's illness?" Xie Shi'an spoke slowly. "It was precisely because the physician declared Wei Ge'er's leg broken that Marquis Xuanwu's anger subsided somewhat. If Wei Ge'er recovers, the Marquis will believe our Xie family has paid no due price. You can imagine the consequences."

He Shi, standing nearby, lifted her eyes in disbelief.

An Ge'er was Wei Ge'er's own elder brother—how could he utter such heartless words!

Brothers should stand united through thick and thin—how could he abandon Wei Ge'er...

A mocking smile tugged at Yun Chu's lips. These were exactly the kind of words Xie Shi'an would say, for this man was selfish and cold-hearted to the extreme...

Xie Jingyu turned to Yun Chu, vaguely noticing what seemed like mockery at the corner of her mouth. But when he looked closer, he found Yun Chu merely pressing her lips together in worry—it must have been his imagination. He inquired, "What is your opinion, my lady?"

Yun Chu raised her eyes, about to respond.

In her peripheral vision, she noticed movement outside the window behind Xie Jingyu. Above the approximately two-meter-high wall, where several large trees grew at the corner, two small heads suddenly popped up.

She recognized those faces—they were actually the Young Son and Little Commandery Princess of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor!