Xie Erli was utterly shocked.

This was the second time he’d heard Zhu Weixi say such words.

The first time had been before their wedding, when he’d accompanied his father to the Zhu household. His father had business to discuss with Old Master Zhu, while Zhu Yuanmo accompanied him on a tour of the estate.

When they reached the back garden, a refined young lady stood in the corridor.

The young lady lifted her skirt and walked toward him with graceful steps, nodding to Zhu Yuanmo. “Elder Brother, may I walk with him for a bit?”

This was his first meeting with Zhu Weixi—unexpected yet delightful.

First, she was very beautiful, her every movement refined and cultured.

Second, she was the Zhu family’s legitimate eldest daughter.

The Zhu family’s status wasn’t particularly high, but the benefits were very real. Many people wanted connections but had no way in.

Finally, Old Master Zhu doted on her most, granting nearly her every wish.

Of course, Father had also privately told him that Zhu Weixi had once had a sweetheart—her grandmother’s distant cousin, a man named Geng Songsheng.

Because Geng Songsheng had cheated in the spring examinations, the match hadn’t worked out.

Father hadn’t forced him, telling him to consider carefully. Hence this visit to the Zhu household.

After walking some distance, the young lady stopped.

“Master Xie, I have a somewhat inglorious past…”

Xie Erli froze in place.

Any other young lady would want to hide such things for life, never wanting them known.

Yet this Miss Zhu didn’t conceal or obscure anything at all.

“If you mind, this marriage absolutely cannot proceed…”

“I don’t mind.”

The reason was simple—he only needed a well-matched, presentable wife to bear and raise children, manage the household. Nothing else was within his consideration.

Zhu Weixi was the most suitable choice.

Afterward, Father was quite satisfied with his decision, praising his discernment and understanding of priorities.

Father didn’t know he’d chosen her not due to discernment or understanding priorities.

Geng Songsheng had been his Imperial Academy classmate.

Geng Songsheng was a prodigy who learned everything quickly, remembered everything firmly. Passing the examinations would be effortless for him.

Yet he himself was merely average, studying until the third watch every night, nearly to the point of suspending his head from a beam and stabbing his thigh with an awl.

Precisely because of this, the two had no interaction whatsoever. Xie Erli even somewhat disliked him.

Laughably, that year in the spring examinations, Geng Songsheng had actually cheated, while he had passed through honest effort and diligence.

Agreeing to this match gave Xie Erli a secret, indescribable satisfaction—as if he’d trampled Geng Songsheng underfoot once more!

…

Under the pale moonlight, the husband and wife walked slowly, appearing perfectly matched from afar.

After walking some distance, Zhu Weixi stopped and looked up at Xie Erli with an apologetic expression.

“My father’s heart demon involves a person.”

“Who?”

“Geng Songsheng.”

Xie Erli’s pupils darkened. “How is he involved?”

“I can’t explain clearly either, but Miss Yan says there’s something suspicious about his cheating incident back then. It needs thorough investigation.”

At this point, Zhu Weixi’s apologetic expression deepened.

“So these coming days, I need to frequent that household. I hope you’ll permit me to go.”

The matter came too suddenly. Xie Erli’s chest felt blocked by a huge stone—heavy and stifling. His voice involuntarily deepened.

“What can you accomplish by going? You can’t help with anything anyway.”

Hearing this, Zhu Weixi knew the man was displeased. If it were any other matter, she would sensibly close her mouth, but this matter…

“There will always be times when I can help.”

“Then what about this household? Who will you abandon it to?”

Xie Erli’s expression also darkened. “Don’t forget—you’re now the Xie household’s eldest madam, not the Zhu family’s eldest daughter.”

Zhu Weixi’s face paled somewhat, her eyes gradually dimming.

“I’ve already informed the old madam and she agreed. I’ll leave Chuntao behind to assist Steward Xie. The household affairs won’t be neglected.”

Hearing she’d already spoken to the old madam, Xie Erli’s anger couldn’t be suppressed.

“You’ve already arranged everything—what’s the point of telling me?”

“Naturally I must inform you. We are husband and wife.”

“You still know we’re husband and wife?”

Xie Erli’s eyes turned cold as he sneered. “From what I can see, since marrying into this family, your heart and eyes have held only one person—Geng Songsheng.”

“You, what are you saying?” Zhu Weixi looked up in disbelief at the man before her.

“What am I saying? You know in your own heart.”

Xie Erli pointed with his sleeve and strode away.

Zhu Weixi watched his retreating figure in shock and dismay. The tears she’d finally dried welled up again.

Since their marriage, that person had long been sealed away in a trunk, lid closed, covered in dust.

She’d planned to keep him locked away for life. Who knew her father’s heart demon would throw the Zhu household into chaos, forcing her reluctantly to wipe away the dust and lift the lid?

Before coming, she’d repeatedly told herself to stay calm, speak properly. Even if it meant humbling herself and coaxing, even begging—after all, she was in the wrong first.

She never imagined it would end like this—that all her years of dedication and hard work, in his eyes, amounted to nothing more than “body in Cao’s camp, heart with Han.”

“Eldest Madam?”

Chuntao, hidden in the shadows, rushed over and pulled out her handkerchief, heartbroken as she wiped her mistress’s tears.

Zhu Weixi took the handkerchief. “Why did you come back?”

Chuntao replied, “I was worried about you, Madam.”

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

Zhu Weixi sniffed.

“Tomorrow you’ll stay at the residence. Make your own decisions on small matters. For major issues, consult with Steward Xie. If Steward Xie can’t decide, either report to the madam or wait until I return.”

Thinking of the master’s attitude just now, Chuntao hesitated. “Will Eldest Madam still go to the other household?”

“Yes!”

Zhu Weixi forced back the stinging in her eyes. “If this matter isn’t resolved, I’ll never have peace in this life!”

…

Wei Lin watched from afar as his master walked with such forceful strides that his heart rose into his throat.

This master spoke and acted deliberately, never rushing. Even his walking pace was slower than others’, especially when in good spirits—positively leisurely.

To walk so hastily like this clearly indicated trouble.

Wei Lin hurried forward. “Master?”

“Tonight I’m staying in the study.”

After dropping this sentence, Xie Erli headed straight for the study, leaving Wei Lin somewhat at a loss.

Staying in the study?

Then the matter must involve the eldest madam.

A quarrel?

Entering the study, Xie Erli closed the door, his eyes instantly blazing with fire.

He and Zhu Weixi had been married for years. He considered himself to have played the husband’s role if not perfectly, then at least seventy or eighty percent well.

He never interfered with inner household matters;

He always gave her face in front of outsiders;

He had no messy entanglements with chamber maids or concubines.

For the months Old Master Zhu was ill, whenever she returned to her natal home, he’d accompany her when time permitted. He’d never been this filial even to his own father.

Mother had complained about this, but he’d counseled her to be less calculating and more understanding.

Yet what had his tolerance and patience earned him? A cuckold’s green hat.

Xie Erli thought of this, his temples throbbing.

Zhu Weixi, where have I treated you poorly? What haven’t I satisfied? Why do you still pine for that worthless man even now?

What do you take Xie Erli for?

Where do you place the Xie family?

“Master… Master… the hot water is ready…”

Xie Erli yanked open the door, his body encased in thousand-year ice, frightening the maid at the entrance so badly she didn’t dare breathe loudly.

“Shouting and making such a racket—do you have no sense of propriety?”

Xie Erli looked darkly at the maid kneeling on the floor. “Every single one of you—did I give you too much face?”

The maid was so frightened she collapsed to the ground in a heap.