Chapter 63: Hidden Truth

Watching this scene, the other clan members exchanged uneasy glances. It seemed that the relationship between the Princess Regent and the old lady wasn’t as harmonious as the outside world believed. But why had they come to her aid when the Xia family was in trouble?

The clan leader, older than the old lady, sat quietly without speaking. After a while, he cleared his throat, stroked his white beard, and looked at Xia Tong and the others. “It’s said that family matters shouldn’t be aired in public. We’re all one family. If there are misunderstandings, let’s clear them up. But look at the words you’re saying! You all bear the surname Xia. If you really split the family, wouldn’t that be a laughingstock for outsiders?”

“Exactly! Why make such a serious split? Wouldn’t the Xia family become the laughingstock of the entire capital?”

Others chimed in agreement. Xia Zhian kept his head down, remaining silent, but Xia Tong didn’t want to continue this vague connection. She spoke up directly, “Elders, I understand your feelings. Cutting ties may seem drastic, but my father and I simply don’t want to have any further entanglements with those in the residence. However, we are still members of the clan.”

After she spoke, the others exchanged glances, seemingly confused about what disagreement had arisen between the Princess Regent and the old lady to cause such a scene.

After a moment of silence, the clan leader suddenly furrowed his brows and looked seriously at Xia Tong. “You’re a well-behaved child. If you hadn’t suffered any grievances, you wouldn’t be so adamant. Feel free to tell your great-uncle. If there’s anything bothering you, I won’t stand by idly.”

Xia Tong had visited this clan leader when she returned to the capital. He was her grandfather’s elder brother. Although the older generation had long been corrupted by interests, this clan leader was not blindly biased toward the old lady.

“There are some things I don’t want too many people to know, but there’s no need for hesitation now.” Xia Tong lowered her gaze, gently rubbing the jade bracelet on her wrist, her voice calm. “You all should remember the injustice that befell the Xia family, where we were thrown into the dungeon. If it weren’t for the regent’s rescue, who knows what would have become of us? It might have even implicated more people in the clan.”

“But Grandmother seems to have completely forgotten the regent’s saving grace, even secretly colluding with the Grand Tutor to plot against him. Such ungratefulness is something my father and I absolutely cannot condone!”

Upon hearing this, the other clan members were taken aback. The clan leader furrowed his brow and turned to the old lady. “Sister-in-law, is this true?”

“That’s nonsense!”

Madam Wang suddenly stepped forward, sneering at Xia Tong. “You clearly look down on us burdened relatives. Now that you have the regent as your backing, why would you still bother with us poor relatives?”

The clan leader frowned, a glimmer of sharpness flashing in his cloudy eyes as he looked meaningfully at the old lady, saying nothing.

“The regent is a great benefactor to our residence. How could we repay kindness with enmity? If the fourth brother truly wishes to split the family, just say so. Although I’d prefer to persuade you otherwise, if you’re really set on it, I won’t try to stop you,” Xia Lin sighed.

Xia Zhian stood there, his face serious and solemn, saying nothing. No one could decipher his thoughts, while the other clan members grew more heated in their discussions.

After a moment, the old lady suddenly stomped her cane and looked sternly at the clan leader. “Since the unfilial child has made up his mind, there’s nothing more for me to say. However, family matters should not be publicized. I still hope the affairs can be resolved internally.”

After she finished speaking, the clan leader stared at her for a moment, said nothing, sighed, and with the help of others, stood up, hunched over, and left with the others.

Xia Tong found it strange that the old lady had agreed to the separation so readily.

Once everyone had left, Xia Lin turned to Xia Zhian with a serious expression. “Fourth brother, I don’t know what your intentions are. Everyone else may not be aware of it, but you were the one who witnessed our father’s insistence on breaking off the engagement with the Gu family. You know full well that the regent is Gu Qing’an’s son, yet you still grow close to him. Are you trying to put all of our clan members in danger?”

In an instant, Xia Tong’s expression changed. She hadn’t expected these people to know about the matter. No wonder their attitude had shifted so dramatically. However, if the villains truly wanted to kill them, they could have done so long ago; why would they go out of their way to save them?

“The execution order for Gu Qing’an was signed by Father, and he even had Tong’er break off the engagement with Gu Qin. Considering what we did as the Xia family, do you think the Regent would let us off the hook?” Even Xia Min felt indignant.

Upon hearing their words, Xia Zhian, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up, “While that may be true, the past is the past. The prince’s heart is far bigger than we can imagine. Otherwise, why would he have saved us last time?”

“Enough!” Madam Wang scoffed, her face filled with sarcasm. “Our Xia family is his enemy. Would the elder brother let his enemies go?”

This group would always be trapped in their own assumptions. Xia Tong had once doubted it as well, but reality had proven that some ill-tempered people could be far more magnanimous than those who acted holier-than-thou.

“Father, why bother talking to them? You’ve already been more than kind to everyone in this household. If they think the Grand Tutor’s family can save them, let them go ahead. Whatever happens in the future has nothing to do with us.” Xia Tong stood up and walked over to her father, her gaze firmly fixed on the old lady.

The latter squinted but said nothing. Xia Lin suddenly signaled to the people behind him, and soon a group of servants rushed in with sticks, surrounding several people.

Xia Zhian’s face changed. “What does the elder brother intend to do?”

Gone was the pretense of kindness, Xia Lin’s face was cold and grim. “You two traitors, Xia family really wasted their efforts raising you. Now that the fourth girl is here, stay a while longer. Once the night falls, the Regent’s residence will cease to exist!”

Gu Qin currently had no troops by his side. Once the Third Prince received the imperial decree for succession, he would surely not spare Gu Qin. Then it wouldn’t be too late to deal with these two useless individuals.

“You—”

Xia Tong pursed her lips, glaring at the group. Fortunately, she had Xifeng watching outside. If she didn’t come out soon, Xifeng would surely notice something was off.

“Once things settle, we’ll deal with you two traitors!” The old lady stomped her cane and left with help.

“Two ungrateful wolves!”

Madam Wang and the others mocked them before Xia Tong and the others were shoved into a heavily guarded room.

Luckily, the old lady still cared for her son. The room had food and a charcoal fire, but outside were only the servants keeping watch, making it airtight.

The atmosphere in the room was somber. Xia Tong sat in silence, surprised that this group had the audacity to imprison her. Why had they said those things? Was Gu Qin in danger?

“We should trust the prince,” Xia Zhian suddenly said.

Inside the room, only the sound of Madam Liu’s soft sobs could be heard, feeling that she was the reason for her daughter’s predicament. Xia Tong looked at her father seriously, “Do you now see the true nature of my Grandmother?”

These madmen could do anything. They didn’t even think that even if Gu Qin was gone, why would the Grand Tutor’s family keep them, who had no value?

Xia Zhian paced back and forth, his face stern, brows furrowed deeply. “They just refuse to believe in the prince’s generosity. But after this incident, the prince… may no longer leave the Xia family alone.”

Xia Tong remained silent. The Xia family, in alliance with the Grand Tutor’s family, would definitely not spare Gu Qin a second time. But that was fine, keeping these madmen around would only cause trouble for her parents in the future.

But why were they imprisoning her? Gu Qin had already moved his troops away. Was he really in danger?

“Actually, there’s another reason why your uncles are so worried,” Xia Zhian said in a low voice.

Xia Tong leaned back on the couch, gazing intently at her father, a bad premonition rising within her.

Standing by the window, Xia Zhian sighed heavily as he looked at the snowy landscape, as if lost in memories. “Back then, your uncle and I were quite close to your Uncle Gu. Your Uncle Gu was exceptionally talented but too stubborn and resistant to persuasion. The aristocracy had its own set of rules that would never be broken for one person, and at that time, your Uncle Gu had already aroused much dissatisfaction. Coming from a humble background, nobody cared about him. Until he discovered evidence of the Grand Tutor embezzling government funds, disaster struck suddenly.”

Saying this, a flicker of guilt and regret crossed Xia Zhian’s face. “Your Uncle Gu told me and your uncle, but unexpectedly, your uncle immediately informed the Grand Tutor. By the time I found out, it was too late. The Grand Tutor held immense power and influence, even your father didn’t dare to drag the Xia family down. I could only watch helplessly as your Uncle Gu’s family was seized and exiled. Who would have thought Gu Qin would join the military? But how could we deny that your uncle betrayed your Uncle Gu? To this day, no one knows about this, and I’m sure the prince is unaware too. Otherwise, why would he spare the Xia family?”

Upon hearing this, Xia Tong’s heart trembled as she leaned back, wanting to speak but unsure how. She had thought her grandfather was simply following the Emperor’s orders to carry out a confiscation process. She hadn’t realized that the real culprit was her uncle, and her father was aware of it. No wonder the Xia family didn’t believe Gu Qin would repay evil with kindness. How would he react if he knew about this?

“However, one day the prince will learn of this matter, and he definitely won’t spare the Xia family. But this is also retribution and a way for your father to make amends to your Uncle Gu,” Xia Zhian said solemnly, his head lowered.

Xia Tong pressed her lips together in silence for a moment, then suddenly approached her father, her small face serious. “You did it all for the Xia family, and you didn’t do anything wrong to Uncle Gu. It was my uncle who betrayed Uncle Gu. This has nothing to do with you.”

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Author’s Note: After this plot is over, the female lead will be pregnant~