Chapter 26 – A Visit

Madam Song glanced at the old couple’s expressions and cautiously asked:

“That Xie family hasn’t come to break off the engagement yet, have they? Don’t tell me… they actually expect Miss Yujiao to remain a widow by their doorstep?”

Old Master Xia slammed the table in fury. “They wouldn’t dare!”

His strike was so forceful that the two bowls of sweet soup meant for guests jumped from the tremor.

Xia Daohua shrank her neck, glanced at Old Master Xia and Madam Zhou’s faces, then at Xia Yujiao. Seeing no one was paying her any attention, she quickly edged toward the door, hugging the wall and tiptoeing to avoid being noticed.

Xia Yujiao’s face turned deathly pale, even with a hint of green.

Madam Zhou’s face darkened. “If the Xie family really dares to be this heartless, our Xia family won’t sit by and take it!”

Madam Song nodded sympathetically.
“It’s true—the Xie family is handling this very poorly. Sister Zhou, if you can’t settle the engagement withdrawal with them, come find me at the government-run marriage agency in town. I’ll help you speak on your behalf.”

Suspicion briefly flashed in Zhou’s eyes.

“Sister Song, you truly are kindhearted! As long as I draw breath, I will never allow anyone to bully my daughter! Please, go on back for now. I must get an explanation from the Xie family!”

The bearded man, who hadn’t spoken a word the whole time, suddenly stood up and dropped to his knees with a loud thud.
“Father- and Mother-in-law, I may not amount to much, but I do hold a minor official post as a banner officer. No matter how wealthy the Xie family is, they are still commoners. If they act with reason and propriety, then fine. But if they try anything shameless, I will make them pay!”

His sudden kneeling startled everyone in the room—including Xia Daohua, who had almost made it to the doorway.

Matchmaker Song couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Brother Jin, aren’t you being a bit too eager?”

But the bearded man ignored her, still kneeling, his voice booming like thunder as he sat up straight:

“Father- and Mother-in-law, please rest assured—your son-in-law will handle everything!”

His fierce look and harsh voice made Old Master Xia and Madam Zhou frown deeply.

Old Master Xia stiffly pulled him up while suppressing his anger.
“What’s the meaning of this? Why are you calling us ‘in-laws’ out of nowhere?”

Madam Zhou’s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. She forced a smile, but her trembling voice betrayed her anger:
“The matter with the Xie family still needs to be discussed. You two honored guests should take your leave for now. We appreciate you bringing the news today.”

She spoke only to Matchmaker Song, completely ignoring the bearded man—didn’t even spare him a glance.

The bearded man looked awkward.

He cast a hopeful glance at Xia Yujiao, but she turned away, refusing to meet his eyes.

Xia Daohua recalled what she had seen that day and couldn’t help but feel a chill down her spine.

Could this man really have just casually gotten rid of two people?

What did human life mean to him?

Perhaps Xia Yujiao had the same thought. Her face was pale, her body wobbly, as if she might collapse at any moment.

The bearded man looked concerned. If not for the presence of others, he probably would’ve rushed over to support her.

Xia Daohua couldn’t bear to watch.

Why was he so blatantly acting this way? Wasn’t he afraid the old couple would see through him?

The answer was clear—he wanted people to see there was something between them. But Xia Yujiao was scared to death.

Her voice trembled as she spoke:

“Father, Mother, they came with good intentions to inform us. Isn’t it a bit rude of us to act like this? Shouldn’t we at least offer them a meal?”

The old couple didn’t think much of it. They assumed she was just upset by the news of Xie Bao’s illness and that it had shaken her emotionally, causing her voice to tremble.

Both nodded, comforting her in unison:

“Good girl, just go back to your room now.”
“Child, you don’t need to worry about formalities.”

Xia Yujiao, filled with unease, turned to leave, but not before glancing imploringly at the bearded man.

In the end, the old couple politely saw the bearded man and Matchmaker Song out. After the initial shock and anger, their emotions seemed to have calmed a bit, and their words became more tactful.

As soon as they left the Xia household, Xia Yujiao burst into tears.

Madam Zhou’s heart broke seeing her like that:
“My poor daughter, don’t cry, don’t cry! Don’t worry, your mother’s here! If the Xie family dares to force you to become a widow, I’ll dig up their ancestors’ graves!”

Xia Daohua jolted—this old lady was intense!

Even Xia Yujiao was startled, forgetting to cry as she hurriedly tried to calm her mother:

“Mother, please don’t be reckless!

“The Xie family might be commoners too, but they’re a major local clan with over seventy branches!

“Even counting Uncle’s side, how many men does our Xia family have?

“If you really dig up their ancestral graves, that would mean all-out war—there’d be no room left for negotiation!”

She turned to beg Old Master Xia:
“Father, please talk some sense into her too!”

Old Master Xia was silent for a moment before saying:
“You’re just a girl. Don’t worry about useless things. What, you still can’t let go of that Xie brat?”

Xia Yujiao hurriedly replied:
“I’m not! I’m just afraid things will get out of hand!”

Old Master Xia waved his hand.
“No need to be afraid. If it’s fate, it won’t miss you. If it’s trouble, you can’t avoid it. If the Xie family won’t break off the engagement willingly, then they’re in the wrong! Even if things blow up, your father and mother will not let you be a widow waiting at the door!”

By now, Xia Daohua had quietly shuffled her way outside.

Since the old couple didn’t seem angry at her, she lingered by the door and eavesdropped a bit longer. Realizing how devoted the old pair were to their daughter, she felt relieved.

Thinking further, it was thanks to their love for their granddaughter that she even got this second chance at life—because they were willing to spend real silver to save the original girl’s life.

Even though the person they saved wasn’t really her…

But faced with such sincere, loving elders, pretending to be a kind, sensible, filial granddaughter really wasn’t all that hard, was it?

Xia Daohua followed the edge of the wall, tiptoeing her way back to the fourth branch’s territory. But just as she turned the corner, she saw a group of people walking toward her.

Leading them were a man and woman around the same age as Old Master Xia and Madam Zhou.

Both looked grief-stricken. Behind them trailed a young man also looking sorrowful. Each person carried something wrapped in coarse hemp paper—possibly pastries.

Xia Daohua froze in place—why were there so many unexpected visitors today?

She quickly turned back toward the main house and shouted brightly:

“Grandpa, Grandma! There are guests!”

(End of Chapter)