Xie Jingyu and Xie Shi’an both returned to the residence at the same time.

Father and son exchanged a glance and headed straight for Yun Chu’s Sheng Residence.

“Husband has finally returned.” Yun Chu’s expression was indifferent. “I just had people thoroughly reinvestigate the cursing incident, and it was indeed done by Concubine He. What does husband think should be done?”

Xie Shi’an clenched his fingers: “Mother, send Concubine He away.”

As early as two months ago, he had wanted father to send He Shi out of the Xie family, but she insisted on staying, causing so many problems.

If she continued to stay, who knew what else would happen…

“Send her to the estate.” Xie Jingyu spoke. “Let her keep Wei’er company.”

Yun Chu picked up several letters from the table and handed them over: “When searching Bihe Garden, the servants found these things. I wonder if husband has seen them before?”

Xie Jingyu didn’t understand why she suddenly changed the topic. Suspiciously taking the items, he glanced at them and his expression suddenly changed dramatically.

Xie Shi’an looked at them, and his expression froze.

These were correspondence between He Shi and her maternal family from several years ago!

He had long told He Shi to burn these things. Why could they still be found?

“Looking at husband’s and An’er’s expressions, you should have known about Concubine He’s identity all along.” Yun Chu turned around and picked up several embroidered handkerchiefs from the desk. “A while ago, Concubine He embroidered things to sell outside. A merchant bought them in large quantities and even sent people to the Xie residence to inquire about Concubine He’s background. I didn’t understand why at the time, but now that I’ve seen these letters, I understand. So it turns out Concubine He is actually the legitimate granddaughter of Minister He of the Ministry of Finance from the imperial court twenty years ago! Those embroidered handkerchiefs of hers, the needlework techniques all seem to be unique methods exclusive to the He family! If I could investigate these things, can’t others investigate them too?”

Xie Jingyu became somewhat unsteady on his feet.

Someone was actually investigating He Shi’s identity. What did this mean? It meant someone had targeted the Xie family and suspected He Shi was related to the He family from over twenty years ago!

Although the He family incident happened over twenty years ago and the court had not prohibited descendants of the He family from marrying, once associated with descendants of criminal officials and impeached by the Censorate, his official career would definitely be affected.

If he didn’t serve in the Ministry of Finance, it would be fine. Even if others were suspicious, they wouldn’t say anything.

But he was a fifth-rank vice minister in the Ministry of Finance, yet he had taken the granddaughter of the former Minister of Finance as a concubine. Would the court think he was emulating the He family in embezzlement and bribery…

And during this time, to gather Ping’er’s dowry, he had indeed accepted many things he shouldn’t have.

“This dynasty has laws stating that if one forms a marriage alliance with descendants of criminal officials, it must be reported to the throne.” Yun Chu spoke word by word. “Looking at husband’s reaction, you probably didn’t report this to the court.”

Xie Jingyu closed his eyes.

How could he dare report it? Wouldn’t that be asking for trouble himself?

When he met He Shi, he only knew she was called He Lingying. He had no idea she was a descendant of the He family. It wasn’t until Ping’er was born that she revealed her background.

At that time, their feelings were deep, and he hadn’t yet entered the court to serve as an official. He simply didn’t take He Shi’s identity seriously. He secretly arranged for a residence behind Old Madam’s back and kept He Shi like a mistress, immediately having An’er, and then giving birth to Wei’er.

All these years, no one had ever suspected He Shi’s identity. Even he himself had gradually forgotten that He Shi’s original surname was He.

But now, someone was investigating He Shi. He could no longer deceive himself.

He took a deep breath and said: “She’s just a concubine. There’s no need to report to the court. She committed an offense, which is exactly the right opportunity to send her away. We can send her far away to the south or north. As long as the Xie family draws a clear line with her, even if her identity is exposed, it won’t affect the Xie family.”

After speaking, he looked at his eldest son beside him.

Xie Shi’an’s lips were pressed tightly together, his fingers clenched into fists.

After a long while, his face showed resolve: “Then let’s do as father says and send her far away.”

As long as He Shi left, even if someone wanted to investigate her identity, it would be very difficult. And even if they did investigate, by then the Xie family would have no connection to He Shi… He would secretly protect He Shi and ensure she had no worries for the rest of her life.

“Do you think everything will be fine once Concubine He leaves?” Yun Chu lowered her eyes. “Actually, Concubine He is the biological mother of An’er, Wei’er, and Ping’er, isn’t she?”

Xie Jingyu was suddenly stunned.

Not only was He Shi’s identity exposed, but Yun Chu also knew about An’er and his siblings’ true parentage.

She was so calm, obviously having known about this for a long time. Why hadn’t he noticed anything at all?

Xie Shi’an never expected to hear these words. Many thoughts flashed through his mind, finally settling on what he considered heartfelt words: “He Shi only gave me the gift of birth. Mother, you are my true mother.”

Xie Jingyu swallowed air and said: “Madam, it’s not what you think. Although He Shi is the children’s mother, I never intended to have anything more with her. If not for the accident at the banquet last time, she would forever just be a servant of the Xie residence, not Concubine He. Please don’t harbor resentment in your heart, Madam.”

“Saying these things now has no meaning. Husband should think carefully about how to handle the matter of Concubine He.” Yun Chu walked outside. “I’ll go check on Old Madam.”

As soon as she left, Xie Jingyu collapsed into a chair.

Arriving at Anshou Hall, before even entering the room, Yun Chu heard Xie Ping speaking: “Concubine He couldn’t possibly do such a thing. Even if she truly wanted to become the head mistress, she couldn’t possibly curse Old Madam and grandmother. This must be a frame-up. There must be hidden circumstances. Old Madam, please arrange for people to investigate again!”

Old Madam reclined on the couch and only spoke after drinking her medicine: “Ping’er, are you determined to defend He Shi?”

“Old Madam, you don’t know the full story.” Yun Chu entered from the doorway. “Concubine He is Ping’er’s biological mother, so of course she must defend her own mother. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Xie Ping whipped her head around: “Mo… Mother…”

“Chu’er, what nonsense are you talking about?” Old Madam’s fingers stiffened for a moment, then she acted as if nothing was wrong. “Ping’er’s biological mother died long ago. You are her mother now!”

“An’er has already told me that Concubine He is the birth mother of all three siblings.” Yun Chu’s expression was calm. “I just don’t know whether Old Madam knows He Shi’s original identity.”

With a thunderous boom, Xie Ping felt thunder roaring in her ears, her body somewhat losing control and sliding downward.

She hadn’t yet processed the previous statement when the next one left her even more unable to react. She supported herself on the maid’s hand to avoid falling to the ground.

Old Madam’s brow furrowed: “What other identity could He Shi have besides being a concubine of the Xie family?”

She was still pondering the previous statement—her granddaughter-in-law already knew that He Shi was the biological mother of several children. There would probably be a commotion, because initially it was said that An’er’s biological mother had died, which is why the granddaughter-in-law accepted the three children as legitimate… Now the supposedly dead person had become a concubine in the residence. The granddaughter-in-law would definitely feel deceived by the Xie family. If this reached the Yun family, it would be problematic…

As the old lady was thinking various thoughts, she heard Yun Chu say: “He Shi’s grandfather was Minister He Tao of the Ministry of Finance from the imperial court over twenty years ago—the Minister He who was beheaded along with all males over seven years old from three clans due to embezzlement and bribery.”