“He has no reasons—he’s completely mad.”

Xie Sui’an’s voice turned cold as she pulled herself out of the memories, forcing herself to face the suffocating reality.

Nanyi remained silent, at a loss for words. Over all these years, Xie Sui’an must have placed hope in her beloved brother countless times only to be disappointed, before she could resolutely reach such a conclusion.

“Sister-in-law, let’s not talk about him anymore. It’s getting late, and you’ve just arrived at Wangxue Hollow, unfamiliar with everything. Let me escort you back to Huai Xuyuan.”

Nanyi nodded and silently followed beside Xie Sui’an.

Xie Sui’an tried to start other topics: “Sister-in-law, is there anything lacking in your room? Don’t be embarrassed—tell me what you need and I’ll get it for you. How are you getting along with Concubine Qiao? She’s kind-hearted and shouldn’t make things difficult for you.”

Nanyi was still in a daze when she looked up, and tears that had been gathering in her eyes suddenly fell.

Even Nanyi herself was stunned—she didn’t know when this tear had been brewing in her eyes, but it seemed to fall for Xie Queshan’s story. Xie Sui’an misunderstood and immediately became anxious.

“Sister-in-law, why are you crying? Did Concubine Qiao bully you?”

By a fortunate coincidence, this played right into Nanyi’s hands. She had approached Xie Sui’an precisely to improve her situation in the Xie manor, hadn’t she? She decided to go with the flow, raising her hand to wipe her tears while shaking her head in a reluctant manner.

Xie Sui’an had already imagined an entire drama. Seeing Nanyi’s resigned appearance, her anger flared up immediately.

Eighty percent of this anger was righteous indignation on Nanyi’s behalf, while the remaining twenty percent was her sense of justice with nowhere to go, urgently needing an outlet.

Xie Sui’an had lived a smooth life. She despised evil like an enemy, harbored great righteousness, and was willing to stand up against injustice and darkness, yet the world’s evils had never befallen her personally. In peacetime, this was humanity’s blessing, but in chaotic times, it became Xie Sui’an’s curse.

The great trees she relied upon were falling one by one with thunderous crashes. She couldn’t change the situation with her own strength, yet couldn’t accept this world of overturned order.

So she placed all her hopes on Nanyi—she firmly believed this woman who came with a mysterious identity would be the key to breaking the deadlock. If she couldn’t be a strategist, then she would be the protective sword, allowing no one to harm her sister-in-law.

…

Xie Sui’an rushed into Huai Xuyuan and without explanation dragged Qiao Yinzhi out.

“Qiao family, today let’s settle this properly—what kind of concubine’s conduct is this?”

Xie Sui’an pulled Qiao Yinzhi toward Chu Yangyuan, where Lu Jinxiu lived. She managed all the household affairs in the rear courtyard and was Xie Sui’an’s birth mother, so arguing with her would be most effective.

Nanyi followed behind Xie Sui’an with lowered head, feeling like a shameless turtle retreating into its shell. She was using Xie Sui’an to help establish herself in the Xie family, but facing such blatant favoritism, she still felt somewhat guilty. Sixth Miss was an upright and good person—she was deceiving a pure and sincere heart.

Guilt was already swelling in Nanyi’s chest.

Even cursing herself a hundred times in her heart, the will to survive still gained the upper hand. Nanyi couldn’t possibly give up this opportunity to establish herself in the Xie family.

Xie Sui’an was still in the corridor, not even having stepped through the door, when she peered through the window screens and saw someone inside. She began shouting boldly: “Mother, no matter what, sister-in-law is elder brother’s legitimately married wife. How can you and Qiao family treat her so harshly?”

Xie Sui’an stepped into the room and suddenly froze. Nanyi had just caught up when she peered inside.

It was actually Xie Queshan sitting in the study, with Lu Jinxiu standing respectfully to one side. She glared at Xie Sui’an with her eyes.

“Making such a racket—what kind of behavior is this? Why don’t you greet your brother?”

Xie Queshan glanced up at Lu Jinxiu. He clearly remembered that not long ago she had distantly called him “Envoy Xie,” refusing to acknowledge him as family. Now without him even saying much, she had switched sides quite quickly.

Lu Jinxiu was a woman skilled at calculating benefits and losses. After hearing that Xie Queshan now headed the family and the family head was confined to the back mountain to worship Buddha, she very wisely and without hesitation cooperated with all of Xie Queshan’s demands. When he wanted to examine the rear courtyard account books, she brought them all out for his review.

She hoped her strong-willed daughter could also be as pragmatic as herself, but clearly Xie Sui’an would never bow her head.

Xie Sui’an pursed her lips and said nothing, pretending not to see Xie Queshan. She wanted to turn and leave, but today’s matter still had no conclusion, so she could only steel herself and stay.

Xie Queshan didn’t care. As if the earlier conflict with Xie Sui’an hadn’t happened, his gaze passed over her to look at the submissively standing Qiao Yinzhi, finally settling on Nanyi.

“How did Qiao family mistreat you?” he asked.

Nanyi lowered her head, rapidly calculating in her mind—he was asking this despite knowing the answer! He had come last night and seen everything clearly, yet insisted on asking her this way. Was he setting a trap for her?

While thinking, Nanyi adopted a pitiful tone: “There was no mistreatment. I just haven’t had time to settle myself properly… Sixth Miss, forget it, let’s go back.”

The soft, gentle voice fell on his ears, and Xie Queshan slightly narrowed his eyes.

She was indeed learning quickly. Even when reaching out to ask for things, she knew to advance by retreating without offending anyone.

Lu Jinxiu quickly picked up the conversation: “It was my oversight. I thought Qiao family would arrange things in Huai Xuyuan properly, so I didn’t give additional instructions, causing Nanyi to suffer.”

Lu Jinxiu also half-heartedly shifted responsibility onto Qiao Yinzhi.

Qiao Yinzhi was an extremely gentle person, but at this moment she didn’t respond to the hint at all. She directly knelt down, prostrating on the ground to answer.

“It was this concubine who failed to make arrangements. The eldest young master was of noble character and deserved a precious jewel of a daughter as wife, not this woman who deceives superiors and conceals truth. She is not worthy to live in Huai Xuyuan.”

—So I only deserve to die?

Nanyi forcibly swallowed back the words that had rushed to her lips.

She felt wronged, and Qiao Yinzhi also felt wronged. Though a concubine, she wholeheartedly wanted to preserve her husband’s posthumous reputation, not allowing anything unclean to stain his life.

Everyone present seemed to be a victim, and even the instigator Xie Hengzai was blameless.

The hall fell momentarily silent.

Even Xie Sui’an couldn’t speak. She hadn’t expected that Qiao family, who usually had no opinions of her own and listened to elder brother in everything, would be so resolute now. What she had thought was simply a matter of where and how to live had been elevated by Qiao family into a major issue.

Xie Queshan chuckled softly, his voice half deep, half lazy: “I promised before all the people of Li Du Mansion that she would properly observe mourning for elder brother. If others knew sister-in-law was mistreated in Wangxue Hollow, it would be a slap to my face. Qiao family, you’ve given me quite a dilemma.”

Qiao Yinzhi knelt on the ground, sobbing quietly, saying nothing.

Lu Jinxiu, fearing Xie Queshan would punish Qiao Yinzhi, quickly tried to smooth things over: “Family head, how can such trivial rear courtyard matters trouble you? The eldest young master’s body is still warm—it’s understandable that Qiao family has grievances. Besides Huai Xuyuan, there are other courtyards in Wangxue Hollow. Why don’t I have the servants clean up Zheyue Pavilion for the young madam to live in?”

Xie Queshan glanced indifferently at Lu Jinxiu: “If you had arranged it this way earlier, today’s scene wouldn’t have been necessary.”

Lu Jinxiu’s heart skipped a beat, sensing danger. How had the fire spread to her?

“I think you shouldn’t manage rear courtyard affairs anymore, Madam Lu. Sort everything out and hand it all over to Nanyi. She’s elder brother’s widow—having the legitimate eldest branch manage the rear courtyard with you assisting her is reasonable and proper. What do you think?”

At these words, all the women in the room widened their eyes.

Lu Jinxiu’s face flushed red. Xie Queshan’s seemingly calm words were indeed slapping her face.

Nanyi was alarmed and quickly knelt to decline: “I’ve just arrived at the Xie family, don’t understand anything, can’t do anything. I cannot bear such great responsibility.”

“Then learn well from Madam Lu. Sister-in-law, did you think widowhood was for enjoying comfort?”

Nanyi was struck speechless.

Qiao Yinzhi raised her head in anger: “How is she worthy to be the Xie family’s mistress?!”

“If she’s not worthy, then you are?” Xie Queshan looked calmly at Qiao Yinzhi.

Qiao Yinzhi’s lips moved, but she couldn’t answer a single word.

“Then it’s decided.”

Xie Queshan’s decision seemed casual yet deliberate. Having just become the Xie family head today, seizing control of rear courtyard affairs wasn’t surprising, but handing it to Nanyi was completely beyond everyone’s expectations.

But today’s commotion from Xie Sui’an wasn’t planned. If she hadn’t happened to encounter him in Lu Jinxiu’s study, what opportunity would he have had to announce this decision?

Could it be that Xie Sui’an and Nanyi’s every move was within his plans? Had he been waiting in Chu Yangyuan precisely for this drama?

What exactly did he want to do?! Looking at the unperturbed Xie Queshan, Nanyi’s heart filled with confusion and unease.

“This is elevation to destruction!” Xie Sui’an judged through gritted teeth.

After leaving Chu Yangyuan, Xie Sui’an led Nanyi to her new residence, Zheyue Pavilion. The two carried lanterns through the covered walkway, avoiding Qi guards and speaking in whispers.

“Elevation to destruction?” Nanyi couldn’t believe it.

“He clearly holds grudges, hating that you made him lose face at elder brother’s funeral. He wants revenge but can’t do it openly, so he elevates you to a position you cannot handle, then lets you make mistakes and fall to pieces—what a vicious move!”

“But to deal with me, why go to such trouble…”

“Xie Queshan is completely mad! To return to the Xie family, he endured so many rod strikes. If he can be ruthless to himself, what wouldn’t he do?”

“Then what should I do?” Nanyi was panicked.

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I absolutely won’t allow him to harm you. Though you’re an unknown secret agent, behind you stands the entire Bingzhu Division.”

Xie Sui’an meant to comfort Nanyi, but this made Nanyi feel guilty. Fearing that more talk about Bingzhu Division would expose her, she quickly changed the subject.

“Thank you, Sixth Miss. My matter is small—the urgent thing is still figuring out how to save third uncle.”

In the corridor, Xie Sui’an clenched her fists: “Xie Queshan won’t harm any member of the Xie family. I’ll fight him to the death.”

Death—was it a resolution to be made so casually?

Nanyi gazed at the determination on Xie Sui’an’s face in confusion, half-understanding. She was grateful to Xie Sui’an but didn’t want to be her fellow traveler. She didn’t want to fight Xie Queshan—she only wanted a place to shelter and live well.