Chapter 11 – Is He Tired of Her Already?

In the past, whenever the young master was upset, he would always summon his cousin.

But this time, Xie Xianyu lifted his gaze toward the window. Outside, night had deepened; she was surely asleep by now. A fine drizzle had begun to fall, and with the heavy night dew, for her to come would mean walking the long way around, at least half an hour.

After a long silence, he said faintly, “Forget it.”

Qing’an scratched his head. So he’s tired of her already?

But then why, earlier that afternoon, had he rushed back the instant he heard she had run into a thief in the estate?

That night, Wutong Pavilion was anything but peaceful.

“Master, I swear I did not have an affair with Yuan Zhao! It was that little slut Xu Wanru—she deliberately framed me!”

Xie Kun’s hand cracked across her face again. “Still dare to argue? The evidence is clear. Do you take me for a fool? They found your sachet on that lecher’s person! I underestimated you—daring to consort with outsiders against me!”

The Third Madam’s face was swollen and bloodied, tears streaming down her disfigured features. Beaten to the ground, she dragged herself up, clutching at his robes, kneeling and pleading.

“That sachet isn’t mine! Xu Wanru makes me sachets all the time—that one was hers! She planted it on Yuan Zhao to frame me!”

“Then why was Yuan Zhao here in the first place? Without your permission, how could he get in? And what about old Zhang and Cuifeng—both your confidantes—who were conveniently here to ‘receive’ him?!”

The Third Madam trembled, whether from anger or fear, and at last, gritting her teeth, confessed: “It was I who invited him. I only wanted to give him Wanru. For Yun’er’s marriage, for Rui’s future—I merely wished to use this opportunity to form ties with Marquis Yongchang’s household.”

Xie Kun faltered. He half-believed her. Yuan Zhao’s lustful reputation was well known, but he had never heard that his tastes extended to middle-aged women.

“It’s Xu Wanru! She turned it back on me, slandering me! If Master doesn’t believe me, ask Lord Yuan himself!”

Another vicious kick slammed into her chest. “You idiot! Ask Yuan Zhao? After I’ve had him beaten? It’s a miracle if he doesn’t tear me apart! Foolish woman—scheming and yet failing, undone by a mere slip of a girl. Worthless after all these years!”

The Third Madam sprawled on the floor, clutching her chest, her face twisted with hatred. That heartless little whore Xu Wanru—she would make sure she died a wretched death!

For once, Wanru slept soundly through the night.

Dreamless, she awoke refreshed, the morning air carrying a sweetness.

With some matters resolved, she felt more at ease. And yesterday, Xie Xianyu had not come to her again.

By the look of things, perhaps the past days were merely because he had just returned home, a fleeting novelty. After all, it had been a year already—naturally he would grow tired. That kind of intensity couldn’t last.

As Suyue dressed her hair, she chattered: “I heard the Third Madam suddenly fell ill—she says she must rest and is refusing all visitors. But I probed a bit—actually, the Third Master has confined her. At least it’s a breath of justice! Though a pity it’s only confinement.”

“Third Madam bore him both a son and daughter. She’s still his legitimate wife. She can’t be easily cast aside. What happened is disgraceful, and the Xie family has its reputation to preserve. They won’t let it reach outside ears. Besides, Third Master may not believe everything.”

“That’s true.” Suyue sighed. “But when she’s released, she’ll surely make trouble for you again.”

“I never expected her mercy when I struck. When she tried to sell me to Yuan Zhao, she certainly never intended me to live. No matter what, she would never let me go.” Wanru’s eyes turned cold.

“Then won’t your days here become even harder?” Suyue worried.

Wanru pressed her lips together. “Which is why we cannot remain in the Xie household much longer.”

From her drawer she drew a small locked chest, opened it with a key, and revealed a neat stack of land deeds and banknotes.

These were her father’s properties. From childhood, Wanru had been clever; he taught her bookkeeping and the identification of medicinal herbs early on. After her mother passed away, she managed the family’s accounts.

A year ago, when her father suddenly died, her stepmother immediately sought to join hands with the clan to seize everything. Wanru had fled in the dead of night with her younger brother, taking the family assets with her. That was why her stepmother was so desperate to hunt them down, even reporting them to the authorities.

If not for Xie Xianyu, who vouched for her as a cousin and allowed her to stay with the Xie family, the Xu clan would never have let her go.

But she hated that she was a girl, unable to establish her own household. Little A-jin was still young, and they were destined to be manipulated by others.

Yet she would not accept such a fate. She refused to yield.

She shut the chest firmly, drawing a deep breath.

Later, Wanru went to Shou’an Hall. The Old Madam’s courtyard had its own small kitchen, where Wanru often came early to prepare medicinal meals personally for her.

“Why, young lady cousin, you’re here so early? The Old Madam isn’t even awake yet,” laughed the cook, Mama Chen.

“I went to bed early last night, so I woke earlier today,” Wanru replied, rolling up her sleeves to prepare the ingredients.

“Ah, such diligence! Whoever marries you will have burned incense in thanks! But truly, you should leave this to us servants—why do it yourself?”

Despite her words, Mama Chen never lifted a finger to help.

Wanru only smiled. “Old Madam is used to my cooking. I’d rather make it myself. Besides, I’ve nothing else to do.”

“Then you work away.” Mama Chen slipped out.

Through the window, Wanru could hear other servants gossiping in low voices.

“That one’s always shirking work. As soon as the Old Madam said the cousin could help, she shoved everything onto her!”

“Hmph! Some little nobody from a petty household, clinging on here like she’s a mistress. Does she know what kind of family the Xies are? Even the Third Madam treats her like a maid—why should I care?”

Their whispers dissolved into snickering.

Suyue’s face turned pale with anger. “Miss, why not tell the Old Madam and have her punish these insolent slaves!”

But Wanru’s tone was calm, detached. “Servants bowing to the powerful and trampling the weak—what’s unusual in that? Even if the Old Madam punished them, they’d only find ways to retaliate in secret. These people have been in the household for years. I’m not truly a mistress here—crossing them will only make my life harder.”

Suyue bit her tongue, stifled.

After half an hour of work, Wanru finished the medicinal soup and personally delivered it to the Old Madam.

“Old Madam, today I made chestnut, yam, and pork trotter soup. Please try it.”

“Ah, Wan girl, always troubling yourself for this old woman,” the Old Madam said with a smile.

Wanru presented the soup with a bright smile. “If Old Madam likes what I make, I couldn’t be happier.”

The Old Madam tasted it and praised it endlessly. “Your hands are truly skillful. This is far better than the kitchen women’s cooking. These days, I wake feeling more spirited already.”

“As long as Old Madam enjoys it.” Wanru beamed.

After half a bowl, the Old Madam asked, “Tell me, has your aunt considered a marriage match for you yet?”

Wanru’s smile faltered. She shook her head softly. “Not yet. Even Xiuyun’s marriage hasn’t been settled—Aunt naturally hasn’t time for me.”

The Old Madam frowned. “Xiuyun is only fourteen, not even of age yet. But you’re sixteen. It’s time you gave it some thought.”

Wanru pressed her lips, then forced another smile. “For now, I don’t wish to marry. Please don’t worry for me, Old Madam.”

“You child…”

At that moment, Granny Zhuqing entered. “Old Madam, the Madam Dowager is here.”

“Let her in.”

The Madam Dowager entered, bowing. “Mother.”

“What brings you here?” asked the Old Madam, leaning back against her cushion. Wanru quietly stepped aside.

With a smile, the Madam Dowager said, “It’s about Xian’er’s marriage. I have someone in mind and wanted your opinion.”

Wanru lowered her gaze, staring at her shoes.

“And whose daughter is it?”

“The Jiang family’s third young lady, Xuejun. She once paid respects to you when she was little—you even praised her looks.”

The Old Madam’s face brightened. “Ah, yes, now you remind me. That girl was a beauty even as a child—surely she’s grown into a fine young woman. The Jiangs are a respected family, well matched with ours. As Xian’er’s wife, she would do nicely.”

“So Mother thinks she is suitable?”

“But has Xian’er been asked his opinion?”