Chapter 67: Keep This Secret for Me
The sky had already darkened.
Yun Chu’s gaze fell upon Xie Shiyun. “Yun Ge’er, Mother asks you, who do you think this shoe in my courtyard belongs to?”
Her voice was calm and even, but Ting Yu could sense a hidden anger in her tone.
She quickly spoke up, “Madam, Yun Ge’er, he…”
“I am asking Yun Ge’er. Concubine Yu, step aside for now.” Yun Chu’s voice was faint. “Yun Ge’er, you know that Mother dislikes children who lie the most.”
Ting Yu was nearly frantic with anxiety.
But Ting Shuang stood right beside her, staring coldly at her, making her too afraid to make any move.
Xie Shiyun stood before Yun Chu with his head lowered.
A month ago, every time he came to the Jade Flute Residence, Mother would hold him on her lap. Back then, whenever Mother was pleased, she would give him many good things.
Lately, however, Mother had grown increasingly distant toward him.
He had done nothing wrong, so why had he lost Mother’s favor?
He felt wronged, deeply wronged.
With this thought, two streams of tears rolled down Xie Shiyun’s face, golden teardrops falling one after another. He looked up, crying, “Mother, have you taken in another child and decided you don’t want Yun Ge’er anymore?”
Yun Chu composed herself and asked, “What do you mean, ‘taken in another child’? What are you talking about?”
“Mother, don’t lie to me. I saw it,” Xie Shiyun sobbed loudly. “I saw a boy about my age in your courtyard. You were holding him and smiling at him. Is he going to be your son from now on? Will you never care for me again…”
Yun Chu’s fingers tightened.
Indeed, she had guessed that Yun Ge’er must know something. Otherwise, given his timid nature, he would never have mentioned the shoe in front of Prince Pingxi.
She turned to look at Ting Yu. “Did Concubine Yu see it too?”
Ting Yu’s fingers twisted tightly together.
She bit the tip of her tongue and replied, “Madam, this concubine saw nothing. Yun Ge’er must have been mistaken. I will discipline Yun Ge’er properly and ensure he does not speak carelessly in front of Old Madam or the Master.”
Yun Chu lowered her gaze.
Her courtyard was no longer safe. She could not allow those two children to come to the Xie residence again.
She took a sip of tea and sighed. “Yun Ge’er was not mistaken. There is indeed a child sent by the Yun family in my courtyard, intended to be adopted as my legitimate son. However, I have always felt it improper and have not yet mentioned it to Old Madam or the Master. Concubine Yu, until I make a decision, you must keep this secret for me.”
Ting Yu could hardly believe it.
The truth was exactly as she had suspected—Madam truly intended to adopt a child with Yun family blood.
This was indeed improper and violated propriety!
But once the Yun family decided, the Xie family would have no grounds to refuse. No matter how improper it was, it would become a reality.
She clenched her handkerchief tightly. “This concubine will always be Madam’s person and will certainly keep this secret.”
Yun Chu watched her quietly.
She had given Ting Yu a chance. It was up to her whether she would cherish it.
Later that evening, someone came to report that Prince Pingxi had taken the Young Son into the palace. Yun Chu knew that this matter was finally over.
The next morning, as soon as she woke up, Yun Chu felt the oppressive heat.
The household came to pay their respects as usual. With Xie Shiwei absent, it seemed as though nothing had changed.Yun Chu delegated the affairs of the Xie residence and continued studying the layout of the hot spring manor. After the hour of Chen, Xie Jingyu returned from court. She changed her clothes and went to the front courtyard.
Xie Jingyu had already changed out of his court attire and was holding an apology gift box: "This is a high-quality inkstone. Do you think it's suitable, my lady?"
Yun Chu replied, "The Marquis Xuanwu's household lacks nothing. What he wants is an attitude."
Xie Jingyu agreed.
The couple boarded the carriage and sat facing each other, quite close together.
Yun Chu tilted her head slightly, lifting the carriage curtain just a bit to look out at the bustling street.
Xie Jingyu gazed at her delicate profile. For some reason, he felt Yun Chu was drifting further away from him, like a cloud in the sky—visible but untouchable.
If she still held even the slightest expectation of him, he would be willing to try forgetting that night she lost her purity.
But the light in her eyes when she looked at him had vanished. The affection between them as husband and wife had, at some point, become thinner than paper.
He knew what it would cost to bring her to the Marquis Xuanwu's residence, yet he had brought her anyway.
"My lady."
Xie Jingyu's throat tightened.
He couldn't help calling out.
Yun Chu lowered the curtain and turned back. "Husband?"
"All these years... have you ever resented me?"
Hearing this question, Yun Chu nearly laughed.
In her past life, of course she had resented, blamed, and hated him—but what did it matter now?
In the face of family blood feuds, what were such feelings?
"What are you saying, husband?" Yun Chu spoke gently. "I am a woman of the Xie family. The honor and disgrace of the Xies matter more to me than my own life. Coming to the Marquis Xuanwu to apologize is my duty. How could I resent you?"
Xie Jingyu's voice grew hoarse. "My lady, you know that's not what I meant."
Yun Chu lowered her gaze. "Bearing children for the Xie family is also my duty. Since I lack the capability, it's natural that you don't come to my chambers. I won't harbor resentment."
"I want to make amends for my mistakes." Xie Jingyu watched her lowered eyelids. "Tonight, I'll come to Jadesong Residence..."
Yun Chu's fingers tightened. Without looking up, she said, "Husband, I'm... unwell."
The expression slowly faded from Xie Jingyu's face.
Whether she was truly unwell or not, he could see she had no desire for him to visit Jadesong Residence.
In that case, he needn't feel guilty about bringing her to the Marquis Xuanwu's residence either.
The carriage traveled smoothly to the gates of the Marquis Xuanwu's estate.
After alighting, Xie Jingyu presented their name card. The guards at the gate took it inside to report.
Qin Mingheng was in the courtyard playing with his dog. He threw a frisbee, and the dog leaped up to catch it before trotting back wagging its tail.
"Marquis, Lord Xie requests an audience."
Qin Mingheng glanced at the card and sneered. "Let him wait outside."
He had attended Old Madam Xie's birthday banquet only because he'd heard Yun Chu was seriously ill and seized the chance to see her.
This time, he came because Xie Shi'an passed the Cultivated Talent exams—and because Yun Chu had invited him. Of course he would grant her this favor.
He had always despised Xie Jingyu—the man was too despicable and shameless.
Qin Mingheng continued playing with his dog.
Just then, he overheard two servants whispering nearby: "Lord Xie has offended our Marquis. He'll have hard days ahead.""The Yun family's eldest daughter was once the most celebrated beauty in the capital. I truly don't understand why she married down to Lord Xie. A former first-rank legitimate daughter now has to accompany him to the Marquis' estate to bow her head and apologize—how pitiful and lamentable."
Qin Mingheng's movements abruptly halted as he inquired, "Madam Xie has come too? Why wasn't I informed earlier?"
In such sweltering heat, she had been standing outside exposed to the sun for so long—her delicate porcelain-like skin couldn't possibly endure such harsh exposure.
He immediately commanded, "Have them enter."
The servant hastily rushed toward the estate's main gate.
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