Chapter 23 – You’re Not Allowed to Seduce the Teacher:

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Qing’an didn’t have time to think further—he hurried to follow in Xie Xianyu’s steps.

At Wutong Pavilion.

A young maid rushed in to deliver news. “Master!”

The Third Master was lounging on a soft couch, dozing while two pretty little maids massaged his shoulders and legs, utterly at ease.

The sudden intrusion startled him, and he cursed irritably. “Worthless wretch! Why are you making such a fuss?”

The maid stammered, “The Eldest Young Master is here… he wishes to see you.”

The Third Master’s expression changed instantly. He flipped off the couch, shoved the maid beside him aside, and widened his eyes. “Who did you say?”

“The Eldest Young Master,” the maid repeated nervously. “He’s already at the gate.”

Flustered, the Third Master barked, “Quick, quick—invite him in!”

The third branch of the family had always been invisible within the Xie clan. Xie Xianyu, as the eldest legitimate son of the main branch and the designated heir, held a status worlds above the Third Master. They rarely had any dealings.

But for him to come here in person today… cold sweat broke out on the Third Master’s back. He dared not be careless.

Moments later, Xie Xianyu strode into the reception hall. The Third Master personally greeted him, forcing a genial smile. “Xian’er, why didn’t you send word in advance? I could have prepared a proper welcome.”

Xie Xianyu bowed slightly. “No need for ceremony, Third Uncle. I’ll only stay a short while—no tea required.”

The Third Master’s sweat trickled. Clearly, this wasn’t a casual visit.

“What brings you here, then?”

Xie Xianyu’s tone was cool. “Today at Ta Ming Lake, I heard of an ugly incident.”

“What incident?”

“They say a young lady of the Xie family was caught stealing. It has already spread widely. The Xies are known as a family of integrity—our daughters should be examples of virtue. Such disgrace harms our reputation. I hope Third Uncle will discipline her well, to prevent a repeat.”

The Third Master’s face flushed crimson. He nearly choked with rage, then turned a furious glare on the just-arrived Third Madam. “Who stole something?”

The Third Madam’s heart skipped a beat. She had intended to smother the matter quietly, but now it had been dragged right to her husband.

Her face darkened. “Husband, about this…”

The Third Master no longer needed explanation. If it had been a concubine’s daughter, his wife would have punished her severely and rushed here to complain.

His rage boiled, though he still forced dignity in front of Xie Xianyu. Bowing his head, he said shamefully, “I’ll deal with it. That girl will not be allowed to embarrass us again.”

Xie Xianyu cupped his hands. “Thank you, Third Uncle.”

He cast a brief glance at the Third Madam, then turned and left without lingering.

Only after his figure vanished did the Third Master roar, “Bring the Sixth Girl here!”

Servants scrambled. Soon, Xie Xiuyun entered trembling. “Father…”

Smack!

A resounding slap knocked her to the floor. The Third Master thundered, “Shameless wretch! You still dare call me father? I should beat you to death!”

Xie Xiuyun clutched her cheek, crying in defiance. “Father, it wasn’t me—it was Xing’er who stole it and framed me!”

“You dare talk back?!” Another heavy slap sent her reeling.

His fury was uncontainable. For this scandal to escalate to the point where Xie Xianyu came to reprimand him—he, the elder, utterly humiliated by his own daughter!

The Third Madam rushed to shield her daughter. “Husband, stop! Xiuyun knows she was wrong!”

The Third Master jabbed a finger at both of them, voice shaking with fury. “I should never have married you! Nothing but disgrace! From today, Xie Xiuyun will not step one foot outside this house. No spring banquets, no outings—if she can manage a marriage at all, it will be a blessing. Lock her inside, let her reflect and mend her rotten character!”

“Father!”

Xiuyun wailed, but her cries were useless. With a flick of his sleeves, the Third Master stormed away. Two matrons dragged Xiuyun off, shoved her into a room, and bolted the door.

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Wanruo, meanwhile, had expected Xie Xiuyun to seek revenge after their recent conflict. To her surprise, news came instead of Xiuyun’s punishment.

“They say the Third Master found out, flew into a rage, beat Sixth Miss, and locked her away. No one is allowed to visit—not even the Third Madam’s pleas worked,” Su Yue reported.

Wanruo blinked. “The Third Master actually interfered in such a trivial matter?”

He was known for shirking responsibility, preferring wine and women.

“Who knows? Perhaps he thought it too disgraceful.”

Wanruo exhaled in relief. That was one less problem—at last, something had gone her way.

Su Yue hesitated. “Miss… it’s nearly dusk.”

Wanruo pressed her lips together. “…I know.”

She pulled out a sachet of medicine she had just finished. “Go out of the manor, buy some herbs, and while you’re out, deliver this to Lin Han at the Penglai Inn.”

“Yes.”

Wanruo then rose and made her way toward Songhe Garden. As usual, she circled through the garden, slipping along a hidden path behind a rockery.

The whole way, she worried—how could she possibly get Ajin out of the Xie household and settled somewhere safe?

But no matter how she thought, she couldn’t find a secure solution. The Xu family still hovered like vultures. Outside the Xie estate, she had no one to rely on.

Lost in thought, she soon arrived at Songhe Garden.

“The cousin has come,” a servant said with a bow. “The young master awaits you in the waterside study.”

Wanruo nodded and entered.

Xie Xianyu had just carried a qin out from a side room, setting it carefully on a low table. Seeing her, he gestured for her to sit. “Today we’ll begin with the zither.”

Wanruo stared. He’s serious?!

She tried to protest. “I thought about it… I don’t think I have any talent for music…”

He shot her a sidelong glance. “You haven’t even tried. Sit.”

She had no choice but to obey.

Standing behind her, he leaned over, placing his right hand lightly on the strings. His deep voice brushed her ear. “First, finger techniques: mo, tiao, gou, ti, bo, tuo, da, zhai.”

His long, slender fingers pressed the strings—each casual pluck producing a crisp, resonant tone.

She, however, couldn’t focus. Was it because he stood too close? Her ears tingled.

“Your turn.”

“Eh?” She blinked. Try what?

He turned his head—so near she felt as though his eyes held only her.

Seeing her confusion, he repeated the demonstration. “This is mo.”

Wanruo snapped back to attention and clumsily brushed a string. A harsh screech split the air.

Her face flamed. She had ruined such a fine instrument. Nervously, she asked, “Then what?”

His gaze lingered on her reddened cheeks, trailing down to her flushed ears.

His eyes deepened. He plucked again. “This is tiao.”

Wanruo mimicked him—the qin screeched again.

She swallowed, trying to mask her embarrassment.

“You’re using the wrong strength. Like this.” He demonstrated once more. Her ears flushed deeper, bright red like ripe apples—tempting to bite.

She tried again, and the qin gave a pitiful wheeze, as if dying.

Frustration bubbled in her. She snapped, “I don’t want to learn anymore. My hand hurts.”

To her surprise, he didn’t insist. Instead, he leaned closer, his gaze dark and heavy. “Then we won’t learn.”

Only then did she realize—his body was burning hot. The clear light in his eyes was clouded over, filled with desire.

This side of Xie Xianyu… she had seen countless times in bed.