It took a long time for Xie Yun to come back to his senses from that unexpected kiss.

But his face looked even colder than before. The only thing that softened this coldness was his ears, which were quietly turning red.

But except for himself, no one knew about this heat.

As if he was disgusted, he extended a finger to touch Sang Yao’s shoulder, then slowly pushed her away, creating distance between them.

Then he withdrew his hand, took out a handkerchief, and wiped his finger, saying in a deep voice, “I don’t want to repeat myself.”

He casually called a servant over, without looking at Sang Yao again, and ordered, “Escort this young lady out of the mansion.”

Sang Yao widened her eyes, but before she could say anything to stop him, the man had already

stridden away.

Seemingly unwilling to stay for even a moment longer.

She stood still.

Her first reaction was that Xie Yun had rejected her.

And he rejected her decisively, so she still had to find Lu Ting.

A servant came over and said, “Miss, please.”

But Sang Yao didn’t move her feet. She was still looking at Xie Yun’s retreating figure.

Actually, being rejected by Xie Yun was not unreasonable at all. Rumors about him being harsh, cold, and indifferent were not groundless.

His way of doing things is different from others. There are never any women around him, and hardly anyone dares to express their feelings to him. This can reveal a lot.

His rejections are always straightforward and direct, leaving no room for any fantasies. He doesn’t understand romance, doesn’t indulge in love, and no matter what he does, his goals are always very clear.

It’s almost harder to gain his favor than to climb to the sky.

If she hadn’t found that manual, Sang Yao wouldn’t have come to ask him, and she wouldn’t have been upset by his rejection.

But she did find it, so she had hope for him.

Even though she knew in her heart that she shouldn’t rely on this feeling to ask Xie Yun for help with anything.

From the beginning, Sang Yao felt that Xie Yun and the person in the manual were two very different people, but most of the time she could make her logic coherent.

But now she suddenly had some doubts. Does Xie Yun really like her?

Sang Yao had never liked anyone before, but she vaguely understood that liking someone shouldn’t be like this. Liking someone would involve possessiveness; he wouldn’t stand by and watch her go to find Lu Ting.

Even if she didn’t mention what happened between her and Lu Ting to Xie Yun just now, and he didn’t know about Lu Ting’s demands on her, if he really cared about her, he was so capable that he would have found out with a little investigation.

The heavy rain continued to fall, gathering and then dripping down along the eaves, making a very loud noise.

Sang Yao lowered her head in despair. Xie Yun’s current indifference magnified the slight suspicion, making her start to feel that she might have been overly imaginative.

It’s a bit ridiculous.

Besides, whether Xie Yun likes her or not is not important at all.

There’s also that unsightly manual. Who knows what it is and where it came from. She didn’t want to care about it anymore.

She’ll throw it away when she gets back.

She didn’t want to have anything to do with this person anymore. Every time she met him, she wasn’t very happy.

Jing Lian, who had witnessed everything, was gritting his teeth at this moment, hating

how his master was acting. If you really despise it, why not bother wiping your mouth? You’ve touched Sang Miss several times and didn’t see you wipe, now you’re pretending to be refined.

Really speechless!

“Miss?” The servant reminded softly.

Sang Yao came back to her senses. She neatly folded the cloak Xie Yan had given her and put it down, then followed the servant.

At this moment, not far away came a shout, “Miss Sang, please wait.”

Sang Yao turned around and saw Jing Lian. And the dignified lady beside him.

At the first sight of her, Sang Yao felt that familiar feeling again. She thought she had seen a fairy.

She looked about thirty years old, dressed in a dignified light purple, walking steadily without swaying, her skirt gently swaying, wearing light makeup, her bone structure elegant and firm, her temperament elegant, with the charm of a forest. It made people feel close at first sight, but also couldn’t help but feel respectful. Every frown and smile seemed like a heavenly being.

Even if Sang Yao was stupid, she could see that this person’s identity was extraordinary. She suppressed the sadness in her heart and thought that no matter who this person was, calling her madam must be correct. She respectfully bowed to her and said, “Madam, good evening.”

Madame Xie took hold of her arm, her beautiful phoenix eyes staring at Sang Yao’s face. After a moment of scrutiny, the smile on her face became more satisfied. She tried to restrain her inner excitement and said kindly, “Miss, no need for formalities.”

She then added, “I am Ah Yun’s mother.”

Sang Yao felt a panic in her heart, her mind blank for a moment. Xie Yun’s mother, wouldn’t that be the legendary Madame Xie?

She had heard of Madame Xie since she was young. Even then, her beauty was unmatched. It was said that Madame Xie was famous before she entered the capital, talented and more outstanding than many men.

It was rumored that Madame Xie had almost become the empress back then. Later, for some reason, she married Elder Xie.

Sang Yao was easily excited when she saw a fairy-like figure. She had originally wanted to say “Madame Xie, hello” to Xie Yun’s mother, but due to nervousness, she blurted out, “Mother, hello.”

The three of them were stunned.

Jing Lian’s forehead was about to reach the sky. Progress was really fast. Sang Miss, you’re so amazing.

Madame Xie also didn’t react. She felt this feeling was really strange. She was still hesitating whether to respond.

But isn’t this a bit too fast? She had just learned about this girl a moment ago.

But then again, her son had just kissed this girl. How could he not be responsible? And if they got married now, she could have a grandchild next year.

Realizing what she had said, Sang Yao turned pale. Where was a crack in the ground when she needed one to hide in?

She wanted to slap herself twice, feeling extremely embarrassed with her head down. She tried to explain, “I… I meant to say, ‘Madame, hello.'”

Madame Xie gently patted Sang Yao’s arm and smiled, “It’s okay.”

“The rain outside is still falling. Why don’t you stay a while longer?”

She was so gentle.

Listening to her kind and gentle voice, Sang Yao felt even more sad.

She had never had a mother since she was young. Whenever she asked, her father would say that her mother had passed away early due to illness and had not left anything behind, not even a painting.

There’s nothing like that.

Over the years, it was her father who raised the two sisters.

Father ranked second in the Sang family. The old lady loved the eldest and the youngest, but she always ignored her father, so their living expenses were always lower than those of the eldest uncle and the youngest uncle.

But even so, Dad never let her envy anyone. If she wanted to eat something, she just had to mention it to Dad. He would pretend to be annoyed, but in the evening, he would bring back that food.

Father would hide the oil paper behind him, take a big step in, and stop when he saw her, looking mysterious. Then, with a glance at her, he would pinch the oil paper, making an enticing sound, and say in a drawn-out voice, “Which little pig said they wanted to eat crispy pastry?”

So, when Sang Yao was young, the happiest time for her was during the evening time, with the evening breeze blowing gently. She would sit in the courtyard playing, and as the sun set, her father, who had been out all day, would walk into the courtyard. He wore a faded long shirt, and the warm yellow sunlight sprinkled on his tall and thin figure.

His hands were behind his back, pinching the oil paper to make noise.

Inside could be crispy pastry, or maybe glutinous rice balls, or sometimes even half a roast chicken. Whatever it was, there was her anticipation and satisfaction.

But now, her father had finally reached the fourth rank, allowing her to buy whatever she wanted. Yet, because of this curse, he was demoted to that wilderness.

He was so arrogant. Even if his father came back in the future, without backing, they would still be demoted.

It was all in vain.

Thinking of this, Sang Yao felt depressed. She shook her head and said, “Thank you for your kindness, but I have to go back quickly.”

Madame Xie glanced imperceptibly at Jing Lian.

Jing Lian cleared his throat and, after a moment’s thought, according to his understanding, Miss Sang could not come to find their master for no reason. It must be because of Lord Sang’s matter.

Seeing the sorrow on Miss Sang’s face, it seemed that the master had said something unpleasant again.

But there was no need to worry about this at all.

It was just because everything was done in secret and couldn’t be revealed to others, so he couldn’t explain the ins and outs to Miss Sang.

He could only gently persuade, “Miss Sang, please rest assured, Lord Sang will be fine.”

Sang Yao thought Jing Lian was comforting her and said thank you in a dull voice.

Jing Lian accepted Madame Xie’s gaze and tried hard to say, “It seemed like Young Master had something urgent to attend to, which is why he hurriedly left. Would you like to rest here for a while and then discuss with Young Master?”

What’s there to discuss? He just doesn’t want to help her.

Sang Yao shook her head again and said, “Forget it.”

Seeing Sang Yao about to leave, Madame Xie guessed and asked directly, “What brings you to Ah Yun today?”

Sang Yao was taken aback, meeting Madame Xie’s gentle gaze.

Honestly, she had thought that a family like the Xie’s would value background and the person in power would be especially serious, but Madame Xie was not like that.

Her gentleness even surprised Sang Yao. She gritted her teeth, thinking what if Madame Xie was willing to help her?

Although it was unlikely, but at this point, she had no choice. After hesitating for a while, Sang Yao told Madame Xie about the situation.

Madame Xie asked her a few more questions along the way, and Sang Yao answered them honestly. Although Madame Xie did not give her a clear answer, Sang Yao was already satisfied.

When she left, the rain had stopped.

Even so, Madame Xie had a carriage prepared for her to send her back home.

Sang Yao was extremely touched, feeling that everyone in the Xie’s mansion, except for Xie Yun, was kind-hearted and beautiful.

•  

Meanwhile, in the Xie’s mansion.

Jing Lian stood nervously in front of Madame Xie and said, “Madame, I only know these things.”

He had just recounted everything he knew, including Sang Yao and Lu Ting’s unsettled marriage, and the master’s plans these days.

Everything he said was true, without a single falsehood.

The elegant and beautiful lady sat in front of him, the tea had cooled, but none of it had been touched.

“You said they’ve known each other since they were young? Ah Yun even helped her?”

Jing Lian nodded, but that was a very long time ago. He estimated that even the master himself couldn’t remember.

Madame Xie furrowed her brows, silent.

Xie Yun had always been a strange child since he was young, only focused on studying the classics, and had never shown interest in playing or even having a concubine. How could this be the reaction of a normal man?

“Before the news of Miss Sang becoming Lu Ting’s concubine came out, did Ah Yun have any plans to eliminate him?”

Jing Lian shook his head.

He thought about it, and it seemed that the master at that time just found Lu Ting annoying.

Madame Xie pursed her lips, her fingers on the armrest tightening slowly. “I told you to keep an eye on Ah Yun, is this how you’ve been watching him?”

“This is…

Jing Lian was stunned for a moment, then reacted and widened his eyes, “Madame, are you saying…!”

Madame Xie looked at Jing Lian as if she were looking at a piece of rotten wood, “What use do I have for you?”

Originally, there were few women around Xie Yun, and a few appearances required careful investigation.

Xie Yun’s temperament was deep and required careful consideration to understand what he was thinking. Sang Yao’s situation was obvious.

It was clear that their childhood affection ran deep, and since then, he had not taken a wife or concubine until today.

But before she even came to him, she was going to be someone else’s concubine, and Xie Yun’s sharp nature couldn’t tolerate it.

However, he wouldn’t actively talk to Sang Yao about it, he would only silently resolve it, leading to this big show.

His plan to ruin Sang Yao’s marriage was simple: eliminate Lu Ting.

This was completely in line with Xie Yun’s style.

Jing Lian’s mouth hung open. He had never thought of this before.

It seemed far-fetched, but at the same time, it made sense.

•  

At this moment, Sang Yao had no idea how the situation was developing in such a bizarre direction.

She sat in the Xie’s carriage, still unsure of what to do.

According to Lu Ting’s deadline, once today passed, there would only be one day left. While Madame Xie promised to ask around, it was still unclear if there would be any results.

The interruption by Xie Yun just now shattered the mental preparation she had made.

The carriage was smooth, heading towards the Sang residence.

The servant escorting her did not speak along the way. The rain-washed flagstones shone brightly, and the occasional breeze carried a faint smell of mud.

She had thought that Xie Yun might be her turning point, but reality told her that she was always so naive.

She didn’t really blame Xie Yun. They each had their own lives, and she shouldn’t demand anything from him because of an uncertain, ethereal liking.

Moreover, Xie Yun had helped her before.

Without blame, she was just a little unhappy.

She hesitated all the way and finally didn’t have the courage to get off the carriage again.

But regardless of her hesitation, she knew that in the end, she would still have to go to Lu Ting.

Maybe tomorrow.

After all the trouble, she was still going to be Lu Ting’s concubine.

Originally intended as a concubine, now it might really be as a concubine.

She leaned her head against the carriage, feeling miserable. The day was almost over, and everything about her was still so terrible.