Chapter 21

The sky pressed low, with layers of gray clouds, making the weather incredibly dull. On the bluestone path, footsteps hurried along.

“Miss, this way please.”

Sang Yao remained silent all the way, and soon arrived at the Silent Moon Palace where Sang Shu was.

Lu Ting promised the emperor to give results within three days, but for such a case, three days seemed insufficient.

She realized in her heart, this wasn’t about solving the case, but rather, Lu Ting was forcing her to admit her mistake within these three days.

And today was already the second day.

As she entered the Silent Moon Palace, she could see Sang Shu waiting for her at the palace gate.

These few days, Sang Yao had been tense emotionally, and almost everyone at home believed that Lu Ting had helped because of her.

Everyone was persuading her to plead with Lu Ting.

She didn’t know what to do. Meeting her sister today, Sang Yao felt like she had found a lifebuoy. She quickened her pace and hugged Sang Shu, holding back tears, “Sister… what should I do?”

Sang Shu patted Sang Yao’s back and said gently, “Good sister, don’t worry.”

She led Sang Yao into the palace, handed her a cup of tea, and with teary eyes, Sang Yao began, “Sister, Prince Wu is not a good person at all. It’s him who…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Sang Shu interrupted, “I already heard about it.”

Sang Yao paused, then continued, “Sister, do you have any way to save father?”

Sang Shu pursed her lips. She let go of Sang Yao’s hand and said, “Actually, I met with father yesterday. This matter is not as simple as we think.”

The emperor handed this case to Lu Ting for a reason.

Speaking of Lu Ting, his birth mother was just a lowly palace maid, but due to her stunning beauty, the emperor took her to bed with a glance and made her a beauty, then favored her for many days.

In just half a year, she was promoted to the position of a consort. Even her relatives were promoted by the emperor, enjoying great prestige. Later, when she became pregnant with the dragon heir, she was still favored. But during a palace banquet, the emperor was suddenly assassinated. This beauty, with her delicate body, took a fatal blow for the emperor.

From then on, this beauty vanished, becoming the forever cherished love in the emperor’s heart.

And the only heir of this cherished love is Lu Ting.

Lu Ting’s plan to frame Sang Yin is related to something involving his birth mother. So, the emperor easily convicted Sang Yin of the crime without thoroughly investigating it.

With things being so urgent, she didn’t have time to think. She went to the Taiji Hall yesterday to plead, but instead of softening the emperor, she almost got herself banned.

This whole thing was carefully planned by Lu Ting. The purpose was to leave them with no choice but to beg him.

Sang Yao choked up and couldn’t speak.

It was then that she noticed that although her sister had been speaking in a relaxed tone, she looked extremely pale, with dark circles under her eyes, something she had never cared about before.

In Sang Yao’s eyes, her sister was always capable of everything, but this time, it seemed there was really no way out.

Sang Shu wiped away the tears on Sang Yao’s cheeks and continued, “But sister, because of this, you must not go to him, understand?”

“Being with such a person is no different from seeking a tiger’s skin. It’s a good thing to break ties this time.”

Sang Yao pursed her lips and said, “But father…”

Sang Shu smiled and said, “Don’t cry, Yao Yao. Father is in good spirits. Before he left, he entrusted me to tell you not to be so unyielding as to beg Lu Ting.”

She held Sang Yao’s chubby face and said with a smile, “It’s common to be demoted in the officialdom. Your father has been too arrogant for too long. It’s a good opportunity for him to calm down.”

Sang Yao’s worries did not ease in the slightest. She buried her head and asked, “…Is there really no one who can deal with Lu Ting like this?”

Sang Shu hmmmed softly and said, “Of course there is.” She paused, then teased her, “For example, Xie Yun that Yao Yao likes.”

Sang Yao couldn’t laugh, emphasizing, “I don’t like him.”

The smile on Sang Shu’s face faded slightly, and she continued, “It’s okay. Since Father was able to rise from a mere book repairman to a minister of justice, he can come back from Danzhou on his own in the future.”

Sang Yao kept her head down and said nothing.

She knew her sister was comforting her, but these things were not as easy as they sounded.

It wasn’t easy for their family to reach this point today.

Father spent ten years going from a small book repairman to where he was today. He always boasted in front of Sang Yao, but never mentioned the hardships he had endured.

Moreover, Danzhou was a remote and barbaric place. It would take two years for a round trip.

The same was true for her sister. She entered the palace at a young age, without a family to support her. It was only after countless unseen struggles that she could sit alone in the Silent Moon Palace.

She thought, since Lu Ting could target her father, he would likely continue to harbor hatred and come after her sister.

When she walked out of the palace gate, the sky had darkened, and there was a bit of wind around, but it wasn’t cool.

She sat silently in the carriage. Rendong asked beside her, “What did the princess say?”

Sang Yao shook her head, not wanting to say more.

The carriage slowly

The carriage moved slowly, and Sang Yao felt suffocated, so she pulled back the curtains.

The familiar street scenes flashed by, and she silently thought that asking Lu Ting for help wasn’t such a difficult thing to accept after all.

She knew how to ask. Although she had never experienced it herself, she had read a lot from Xie Yun’s manual.

Just treat it as a dog bite, endure it for a while, sleep it off, and it will pass.

Besides, she would eventually have to marry someone. It’s just a matter of which dog would bite her. She might as well find a useful one.

Moreover, Lu Ting didn’t give her much time to think.

She had to make a decision quickly.

After a long time, Sang Yao spoke quietly, “Stop here.”

The carriage slowly stopped, and Rendong asked puzzled, “Miss, what’s wrong?”

Sang Yao exhaled silently, adjusted her clothes, and walked out of the carriage. She turned back and said, “Ren Dong, you go back first. I suddenly remembered something.”

Rendong also got out of the carriage and said, “I’ll go with you.”

Sang Yao shook her head and said, “No need, I have to go alone.”

Sang Yao rarely acted so decisively. Although Rendong was worried, she didn’t say much.

Sang Yao turned and walked away.

Dull thunder rumbled from the horizon, spreading across the sky.

Raindrops fell.

Sang Yao never mentioned to anyone that Lu Ting had sent someone to deliver a letter, which only contained seven words and an address.

Her hair was wet with rain, and her mood heavy. She quickened her pace. What’s the big deal about being touched by a big green worm? She had to do something for the family.

But she didn’t often go to that place and was not familiar with it. She had to rely on her memory to continue forward.

The rain grew heavier, and Sang Yao’s steps quickened. But as she walked, she felt something was wrong.

Wait a minute.

She seemed to have gotten lost again.

She couldn’t find the place.

…

She felt like crying out of frustration. How could she be so useless, unable to find a place even when she was rushing to be bitten by a dog?

She thought in despair, there would never be anyone dumber than her.

The petals of the crabapple were beaten by the rain, falling limp on the ground, much like her mood.

Sang Yao stared at the fallen crabapple blossoms in despair, then suddenly her footsteps paused, and she remembered something. She turned her head to look.

Unknowingly, she had arrived at Dangyu Street.

In front of her was almost the same scene as last time.

In front of the red gate of the Xie family, a tall man walked down, speaking gently to the servant next to him.

Sang Yao remembered, he was Master Xie.

He was Xie Yun’s older brother, Xie Yan.

Sang Yao stared at the tall plaque of the Xie family, and a strange idea finally emerged in her dull mind.

Her heart beat wildly. Without thinking much, she ran over in the rain.

“Master Xie!”

Xie Yan turned back at the sound and saw a disheveled woman. However, the rain did not diminish her stunning beauty, so Xie Yan remembered who she was.

The girl who had peeked at Ah Yun last time.

And Ah Yun recognized her.

He hid his surprise and politely said, “Miss, is there something you need?”

Breathless, Sang Yao tightened her grip on her skirt and said, “Is Xie Yun… at home?”

Few people called Xie Yun by his full name.

Xie Yan’s expression remained unchanged, and his tone became even gentler, “He should be. Do you want to see him?”

Sang Yao nodded quickly and then asked carefully, “Can I see him?”

Thinking of his unfeeling and unprincipled younger brother, Xie Yan suddenly became curious. Hesitating for a moment, he nodded and said softly, “Of course.”

A servant handed Sang Yao a cloak and told her to put it on. Then Sang Yao followed Xie Yan into the Xie family gate.

Inside the mansion, there were green tiles and red eaves, with layers of pavilions and terraces, and ancient pine trees scattered around. It was much larger than Sang Yao had imagined, but she was not in the mood to appreciate it now.

Xie Yan led her to a side room and said, “Please wait here for a moment. Yun will come over later.”

“I have other matters to attend to. If you need anything, just ask the servants.”

Sang Yao nodded awkwardly.

After Xie Yan left, Sang Yao was alone in the room.

She held the tea cup in her hand, suppressed her nervousness, and constantly pondered how to speak to Xie Yun when he arrived.

---

Meanwhile, in a room filled with swirling incense, a man sat in front of a stack of copied scriptures. In front of him was a solemn statue of Guanyin, and a graceful and gentle woman sat beside him, holding a string of sandalwood prayer beads.

However, his ears were not at peace. The woman beside him was lecturing him endlessly.

Xie Yun lowered his head, his face extremely unpleasant.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy?”

“Just look at your brother. He’s only two years older than you, but he’s already have both a son and a daughter to enjoy under my knees, yet you don’t have a trusted and caring person by your side. If you have any difficulties, just tell me. Your father and I won’t force you.”

She earnestly advised, “Forget about getting married for now. At your age, not having a woman by your side is worthy of criticism.”

She had heard countless rumors about his son’s impotence or homosexuality.

It was ridiculous!

Jinglian waited quietly on the side, not daring to make a sound.

Before, Madam Xie was afraid of displeasing her son, so she rarely mentioned it. But now, as time dragged on, she couldn’t care so much. Whenever she caught her son, she would educate him.

He was almost able to recite these words.

But he deserved it, he needed more discipline.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door.

Xie Yun immediately said, “What is it?”

The servant’s voice came, “Young Master, Second Young Master said that a distinguished guest has arrived at Qushui Garden and invites you to meet him.”

Xie Yun did not hesitate at all, stood up, straightened his clothes, and quickly looked at Jinglian, “Since that’s the case, you stay here with Madam.”

Jinglian bowed in response.

Madam Xie hadn’t finished speaking, but Xie Yun quickly walked out. She said discontentedly, “Who is this distinguished guest? Why do you have to see him now?”

Jinglian didn’t know, but he had to make up something, “Madam, it should be Mr. Liu.”

It didn’t matter which Mr. Liu it was, Madam wouldn’t ask.

“Which Mr. Liu?”

“…I don’t know.”

She stood up, her face unsightly, and said, “I knew you were colluding to deceive me.”

“Follow me and see what’s going on. I want to see which Mr. Liu it is.”

---

The tea turned cold.

As time passed, Sang Yao became more and more uneasy.

She remembered her sister saying that Xie Yun had the ability to help them.

She couldn’t help but think of Xie Yun’s cold and unfeeling face. But would he help her?

He should.

If he didn’t help, she would have to be bitten by a dog. Last time, when he knew she was going to be Lu Ting’s concubine, he was so angry that he couldn’t be bothered to look at her. Now that she was right in front of him, he shouldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

Xie Yun should know that as long as he helped her, she wouldn’t have to be Lu Ting’s concubine anymore.

Sang Yao silently thought that since Xie Yun liked her so much, he would definitely help her.

She would treat him better in the future.

But as she thought about it, her mind started to run wild.

But Xie Yun didn’t seem like a good person.

Could he take advantage of this opportunity to owe her a favor and then imprison her and take advantage of her?

This…

Sang Yao thought of her father’s teachings. She clenched her fists in shame and thought that if that was the case, she could accept it.

At this moment, the door creaked open.

Sang Yao quickly stopped her thoughts, stood up with a “swoosh,” and looked at the pale and handsome man.

He was still dressed in black, with a refined and noble temperament. When he saw her, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, showing some surprise.

Xie Yun was indeed surprised. He lightly closed his eyes and looked up and down at the somewhat disheveled girl in front of him.

“What are you here for?”

The door was gently closed.

Sang Yao had prepared a lot of words, but when she saw Xie Yun, she forgot all of them for some reason. The grievances she had suppressed for a long time surged up.

She started to cry again.

Sang Yao felt extremely sad. She took a few steps towards him, her eyes watery with tears, looking pitiful.

Xie Yun remained silent, looking down at her.

The girl lowered her head in grievance, carefully grabbed his sleeve, and said in a very low voice, “Xie Yun…”