Chapter 19

A Place to Settle

“He doesn’t have any reasons. He’s just mad with rage.”

Xie Sui An’s voice grew cold as she pulled herself out of her memories and forced herself to face the suffocating reality.

Nan Yi fell silent, unable to find any words to respond. Over so many years, Xie Sui An had undoubtedly placed her hopes in her beloved brother countless times, only to be disappointed again and again, which eventually led her to speak such a conclusion with finality.

“Sister-in-law, let’s not talk about him anymore. It’s getting late, and you’re new to Wangxuewu. Since you’re unfamiliar with the place, let me escort you back to Huai Xu Courtyard.”

Nan Yi nodded quietly, silently following Xie Sui An’s lead.

Xie Sui An attempted to bring up another topic. “Sister-in-law, is there anything missing in your room? Don’t be shy about it. If you need anything, just tell me, and I’ll get it for you. How are you getting along with Concubine Qiao? She’s a kind person and shouldn’t be making things difficult for you.”

Nan Yi, still in a daze, suddenly looked up, and the tears that had been lingering in her eyes fell without warning.

Even Nan Yi was stunned. She didn’t know when the tear had started to form, but it seemed to have fallen for Xie Que Shan’s story. Xie Sui An misunderstood the situation and immediately grew anxious.

“Sister-in-law, why are you crying? Did Concubine Qiao bully you?”

It was an unfortunate misunderstanding that worked in Nan Yi’s favor. She had gotten close to Xie Sui An to improve her situation in the Xie household, so she simply went along with it. She raised her hand as if to wipe away the tear, shaking her head in a hesitant, half-refusing manner.

Xie Sui An, having already imagined a scenario in her mind, saw Nan Yi’s compliant demeanor and her anger flared up instantly.

Her anger was mostly out of sympathy for Nan Yi, but a small part of it... was her misplaced sense of justice, desperate for an outlet.

Xie Sui An’s life had always been smooth sailing. She despised evil, held strong principles, and was always willing to stand up against injustice and darkness. Yet, the evil of the world had never truly touched her. In times of peace, this was a blessing, but in times of chaos, it had become Xie Sui An’s curse.

The trees she had relied on were falling one by one. Unable to change the current state of affairs by herself, she could not accept the topsy-turvy world around her.

So she placed all her hopes on Nan Yi—she firmly believed that this mysterious woman, who had arrived with an enigmatic identity, would be the key to breaking the deadlock. If she couldn’t be a strategist, she would be the sword that protected her sister-in-law, ensuring no one could harm her.

...

Xie Sui An barged into Huai Xu Courtyard and immediately pulled Qiao Yinzhi out.

“Qiao, today we will have a good talk. What is your reasoning for acting as a concubine?”

Xie Sui An dragged Qiao Yinzhi toward Chuyang Courtyard, where Lu Jin Xiu resided. She managed all the household matters, and since she was Xie Sui An’s biological mother, arguing with her was the most effective way to settle things.

Nan Yi kept her head lowered, following behind Xie Sui An, feeling like a shameful turtle hiding its head. She had used Xie Sui An to secure her position in the Xie family, but in the face of such blatant favoritism, she still felt guilty. Sixth Miss was a straightforward and kind-hearted person, and the one she had deceived was her pure and sincere heart.

Guilt swelled in Nan Yi’s chest.

Yet, despite mentally condemning herself a hundred times, the instinct to survive took over. Nan Yi could not give up this opportunity to establish herself in the Xie family.

As Xie Sui An was still walking down the corridor, before even stepping through the door, she saw someone inside through the window screen and loudly began, “Mother, no matter what, my sister-in-law is my eldest brother’s legitimate wife. How can you and Qiao treat her this harshly?”

Just as Xie Sui An stepped into the room, she froze. Nan Yi had caught up to her and glanced inside.

It was Xie Que Shan sitting in the study, and Lu Jin Xiu was standing respectfully beside him. She shot Xie Sui An a sharp look.

“Making such a fuss, how unseemly. Shouldn’t you greet your brother first?”

Xie Que Shan raised his eyes to glance at Lu Jin Xiu. He clearly remembered that not long ago, she had distanced herself from him, addressing him as “Envoy Xie” and refusing to acknowledge him as a member of the Xie family. Now, without him even needing to say anything, she had quickly switched sides.

Lu Jin Xiu was a woman skilled in calculating the pros and cons. Upon hearing that Xie Que Shan had taken control of the family and that the family head had been confined to the back mountain to meditate, she wasted no time in complying with all of Xie Que Shan’s demands. When he asked to see the back courtyard’s accounts, she presented them all for him to review.

She hoped her headstrong daughter would be as perceptive as she was, but clearly, Xie Sui An would never bow down.

Xie Sui An remained silent, pretending not to see Xie Que Shan. She had intended to turn and leave, but since the matter of the day had not been resolved, she steeled herself to stay.

Xie Que Shan didn’t seem to care, as if the earlier conflict with Xie Sui An had never happened. His gaze passed over her and landed on Qiao Yinzhi, who was standing quietly with her head lowered. Finally, his eyes rested on Nan Yi.

“How has Qiao treated you harshly?” he asked.

Nan Yi kept her head lowered, quickly calculating in her mind—was he asking knowingly? He had come last night, seen everything clearly, yet he still had to ask her this? Was he setting a trap?

As she thought this, Nan Yi put on a pitiful tone and said, “She hasn’t treated me harshly. It’s just that I haven’t had the chance to settle myself yet… Sixth Miss, let’s forget about it and go back.”

Her soft, gentle voice reached his ears, and Xie Que Shan slightly narrowed his eyes.

She had learned quickly, knowing how to retreat to avoid offending anyone, even when asking for something.

Lu Jin Xiu hurriedly intervened, “It was my oversight. I thought Qiao would take care of things in Huai Xu Courtyard, so I didn’t instruct her further. Nan Yi must have suffered because of it.”

Lu Jin Xiu, half-heartedly, shifted the blame onto Qiao Yinzhi.

Qiao Yinzhi, a very gentle person, did not respond. She immediately knelt down, lowering her head and answering.

“It was my fault for not arranging things properly. Eldest Young Master is of high moral character and deserves to have a noble and virtuous woman as his wife, not this deceitful woman who hides the truth. She is unworthy of living in Huai Xu Courtyard.”

—Does that mean I only deserve to die?

Nan Yi forcefully swallowed the words that were about to spill out.

She felt wronged, and Qiao Yinzhi also felt wronged. Although she was a concubine, she was determined to preserve her husband’s reputation and would not allow anyone to taint his life with impurity.

It seemed that everyone in the room was a victim, even the instigator, Xie Heng, was no longer at fault.

The room fell silent.

Even Xie Sui An didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t expected that the usually obedient Qiao, who always listened to her eldest brother, would be so fierce at this moment. What had once been a simple matter of where to live and how to live had now been elevated into a serious issue, thanks to Qiao Yinzhi’s actions.

Xie Que Shan let out a low laugh, his voice half-drowsy, half-languid. “I promised the people of Lidu Prefecture that I would ensure she properly observes mourning for my eldest brother. If it gets out that my sister-in-law is being mistreated in Wangxuewu, it will be a slap in my face. Qiao, you’ve really given me a huge problem.”

Qiao Yinzhi knelt on the floor, sobbing quietly, unable to speak.

Lu Jin Xiu, fearing that Xie Que Shan might punish Qiao Yinzhi, hurriedly tried to smooth things over. “Master, why trouble yourself with the small matters of the back courtyard? It’s understandable that Qiao would be resentful so soon after the death of the eldest. Wangxuewu has other courtyards besides Huai Xu. How about I have the maidservants prepare Zhe Yue Pavilion for the young madam?”

Xie Que Shan gave her a cold glance. “Had you arranged this earlier, we wouldn’t be having this scene today.”

Lu Jin Xiu’s heart sank, realizing she had unwittingly brought trouble upon herself.

“I think it’s best if you stop managing the back courtyard, Lu Xiao Niang. Hand over all the arrangements to Nan Yi. She is the widow of my eldest brother and should be in charge of the household, with your assistance. It’s only reasonable. What do you think?”

With those words, every woman in the room stared wide-eyed.

Lu Jin Xiu’s face flushed with anger. Xie Que Shan’s calm remark was a sharp slap to her face.

Nan Yi was stunned, quickly kneeling and declining, “I’ve just come to the Xie family and don’t know anything, I can’t handle such a big responsibility.”

“Then learn from Lu Xiao Niang,” Xie Que Shan said. “Sister-in-law, do you think being a widow is for enjoyment?”

Nan Yi was left speechless.

Qiao Yinzhi, more infuriated than ever, raised her head. “How is she worthy of being the mistress of the Xie family?!”

“She’s unworthy, then what about you?” Xie Que Shan calmly looked at Qiao Yinzhi.

Qiao Yinzhi’s lips trembled, but she could not answer a single word.

“Then it’s settled.”

Xie Que Shan’s decision seemed to have been made casually, but also as if it had been thoroughly considered. He had just become the head of the Xie family today, so taking control of the back courtyard wasn’t a surprise, but handing it over to Nan Yi was certainly unexpected by everyone.

However, today’s disturbance caused by Xie Sui An wasn’t part of the plan. If he hadn’t coincidentally run into her in Lu Jin Xiu’s study, when would he have had the opportunity to announce this decision?

Could it be that Xie Sui An’s and Nan Yi’s every move had been part of his plan all along? Had he been waiting for this moment in Chuyang Courtyard?

What exactly is he trying to do?! Nan Yi stared at Xie Que Shan, whose expression remained unchanged, her heart filled with confusion and unease.

“He’s setting you up for failure!” Xie Sui An bit her lip in anger.

After leaving Chuyang Courtyard, Xie Sui An led Nan Yi to her new residence, Zhe Yue Pavilion. They walked under the covered corridor, avoiding the guards, whispering to each other in low voices.

“Setting me up for failure?” Nan Yi couldn’t believe it.

“He’s clearly holding a grudge. He hates that you made him lose face at your brother’s funeral, and now he wants revenge. But since he can’t do it openly, he’s putting you in a position you can’t handle, where you’ll make mistakes and fall from grace—such a vicious move!”

“But why go to such lengths to target me...?”

“Xie Que Shan is a madman! He’s willing to take such a beating just to get back into the Xie family. If he can hurt himself, there’s nothing he won’t do!”

“What should I do then?” Nan Yi asked anxiously.

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I won’t allow him to harm you. Though you’re a hidden pawn, behind you stands the entire Bing Chu Si.”

Xie Sui An intended to reassure Nan Yi, but her mention of Bing Chu Si made Nan Yi feel uneasy. She was afraid that if Xie Sui An continued discussing Bing Chu Si, her secret would be exposed. Quickly, she changed the topic.

“Thank you, Sixth Miss. My situation is minor, but the urgent matter now is figuring out how to save my third uncle.”

In the corridor, Xie Sui An clenched her fist. “Xie Que Shan won’t be allowed to harm anyone in the Xie family. I will fight him to the death.”

Death—could such a resolution be made so easily?

Nan Yi gazed at the determination on Xie Sui An’s face, feeling both confused and uncertain. She was grateful to Xie Sui An but did not want to be her ally in this. She didn’t want to fight Xie Que Shan; she only wanted a safe place to live and to survive.