Qin Mingheng lowered his eyes, looking toward Yun Chu who stood only a few steps away from him.

This was the first time he and she had been this close in public. With gentle breathing, he could smell the faint fragrance on her body.

He was momentarily transported back to that night five years ago, the night of her wedding. She had been startlingly beautiful. Five years of time hadn’t left any trace on her face—she was still so captivatingly beautiful.

“That the heir of Marquis Xuanwu was injured in the Xie residence is indeed our Xie family’s fault, but the child’s broken leg can also be considered reaping what was sown…” Yun Chu kept her head lowered. “The Xie family will bear all medical expenses for the heir of Marquis Xuanwu, and this month’s recuperative precious items will also be provided by the Xie family…”

Seeing her so servile, flames rose furiously in Qin Mingheng’s heart.

When he used to see her, she was still the eldest daughter of the Yun residence. She would raise her lovely chin with a proud expression.

How could she have learned to be so servile after five years in the Xie family? For the sake of the Xie family, how could she allow herself to fall into such humble dust!

Qin Mingheng’s fury intensified: “Does my marquis residence lack such small amounts of silver? Madam Xie, do you think this will let this matter be lightly brushed aside?”

“Then what does the marquis believe should be done?”

Lady Lin walked over from the side.

This was a matter between the Xie family and the marquis residence. It was proper for Chu’er to step forward and apologize. She originally hadn’t planned to appear on her daughter’s behalf.

But seeing Marquis Xuanwu venting all his anger on Chu’er’s head, while the entire Xie family—not a single person stood forward.

Old Madam Xie had fainted in seeming escape, Xie Zhongcheng stood with hands behind his back among the others, Lady Yuan lowered her head somewhat fearfully, Xie Jingyu stood to the side with bowed head. As for the others, they were all children, even less capable of standing up.

In such a large Xie residence, it actually required her daughter to stand at the very forefront.

Lady Lin stepped forward, subtly positioning Yun Chu behind her. She raised her head: “The marquis residence’s heir injured one finger and can recover after some rest. The Xie residence’s Second Young Master, however, has lost a leg from this day forward. Is such punishment still insufficient?”

Although the marquis residence held noble rank, it had no real power, whereas the Yun family were powerful ministers holding military command. As the matriarch in charge of the Yun household, she need not bow to the marquis residence.

Yun Chu sighed.

With her mother stepping forward, no matter how much fury Marquis Xuanwu harbored, he could only swallow it. What a bargain for the Xie family.

“Marquis, let this matter end here.” Lady Luo had already had the wet nurse carry the child onto the marquis residence’s carriage. In truth, it was just a superficial injury, almost scabbed over already. It would probably be fine by tomorrow—there really was no need to make such a fuss. In contrast, that Second Young Master of the Xie residence had his kneecap completely crushed and would have difficulty walking in the future…

“Then we’ll do as my wife says.” Qin Mingheng looked toward Yun Chu. “Madam Xie is the legitimate daughter of a military family, yet raised such a child—truly disgracing the illustrious Yun family name. If not properly disciplined, he’ll commit evil deeds in the future and bring shame upon the Yun family.”

Having spoken, he turned and left. Lady Luo curtsied to Lady Lin and Yun Chu, then followed him out.

With the people from Marquis Xuanwu’s residence gone, the other guests exchanged glances and began taking their leave one after another.

Reaching the Xie family’s entrance, everyone couldn’t help discussing animatedly.

“Does the Xie family have some problem with their geomancy? How could two consecutive birthday banquets result in such major incidents?”

“Didn’t you see how terrifying Marquis Xuanwu’s expression was? He looked ready to devour the Xie family. The Xie family and Marquis Xuanwu have formed a grudge.”

“The Xie family’s eldest son merely topped the county examination. It’ll take at least another dozen years before he enters the court. Having offended the marquis residence, the Xie family is finished.”

“Don’t forget the Xie family still has the Yun family as in-law relations. Just now, Madam Yun spoke for the Xie family, which sufficiently demonstrates that the Yun and Xie families haven’t fallen out.”

“Just now, Marquis Xuanwu spared the Xie family largely because the marquis’s wife spoke to persuade him. One can’t help but sigh—the marquis’s wife is truly fortunate to have encountered such an devoted man as Marquis Xuanwu. In such a large marquis residence, there’s not a single concubine or secondary consort.”

“…”

Yun Chu saw the Yun family members to the door, holding Lady Lin’s hand: “This incident, viewed minimally, was children playing and squabbling. Viewed seriously, it was the Xie residence indulging their son in assault. If the marquis residence cannot vent this grievance, they’ll target the Xie family overtly and covertly from now on. So Mother, you absolutely must not get involved in this matter.”

Lady Lin gently touched her hair bun: “Last time, because of those two children’s affair, your eldest brother drank with the Minister of Revenue, originally intending to find an opportunity to create some trouble for Xie Jingyu. Now it seems there’s no need for your eldest brother to act. With Marquis Xuanwu’s fury, he’ll suffer enough hardship. When that time comes, he’ll know that without the Yun family’s protection, the Xie family is nothing.”

Warmth filled Yun Chu’s heart.

Family was like this—even if she said nothing, they would still charge to the forefront for her.

Earlier, Marquis Xuanwu’s cold rebuke toward her had been witnessed by Mother, who would surely find an opportunity to help her vent this grievance.

“Mother, don’t worry about me. Be careful on the road back.” Yun Chu watched the Yun family carriage depart before turning back inside.

Old Madam Xie had gradually regained consciousness. Supporting herself on a matron’s hand, she angrily berated in a voice lacking vigor: “Marquis Xuanwu is simply excessively bullying, excessively bullying! Hui’er’s entire leg is broken, his whole life ruined, yet he still won’t spare our Xie family! What right does he have to file an imperial complaint? If anyone should file a complaint, it should be our Xie family! He’s an eight-foot tall man who stomped and broke the Xie residence’s legitimate son’s leg—His Majesty will surely punish him!”

Xie Zhongcheng closed his eyes: “Marquis Xuanwu’s great-grandfather once had merit in saving the emperor, rendering service to the imperial family. His Majesty will naturally side with Marquis Xuanwu. Furthermore, Marquis Xuanwu has only this one son, naturally more precious than a concubine-born son from an outside chamber in our Xie residence…”

Lady Yuan’s lips trembled: “Is this how it ends? Must our Xie family swallow such a great loss in silence?”

“The matter hasn’t ended.” Yun Chu walked in from the entrance. “Marquis Xuanwu left with anger—this fire could reignite at any moment.”

How could Xie Jingyu not know this? As long as Qin Mingheng still harbored grievance, he could forget about having good days ahead.

The Xie family had worked so hard to reach this point—would it stop here?

“Old Madam, what about Second Young Master…” Lady He weakly spoke from the side. She used all her strength to hold back tears. “Hasn’t a divine physician come to the capital? Please—please have the divine physician come treat Second Young Master. He’s only eight years old, he can’t be crippled like this…”

The old madam nodded: “Yes, yes, yes, quickly have the divine physician come. Right now, Hui’er’s situation is most urgent. After treating his illness, we’ll discuss other matters.”

“Father, should we truly treat Hui’er’s illness?” Xie Shi’an spoke gently. “Precisely because the physician declared Hui’er’s leg broken did Marquis Xuanwu’s fury dissipate somewhat. If we cure Hui’er, Marquis Xuanwu will believe the Xie family paid no proper price. Father should be able to imagine the consequences.”

Lady He, standing to the side, looked up in disbelief.

An’er was Hui’er’s own elder brother—how could he say such heartless words!

Brothers should stand together as one, advancing and retreating together. How could he abandon Hui’er…

Yun Chu mockingly tugged at the corner of her lips. These were words Xie Shi’an could say because this person was originally selfish and cold-hearted to the extreme…

Xie Jingyu looked toward Yun Chu, hazily seeming to see mockery at the corner of her mouth. When he looked carefully, however, he discovered Yun Chu was merely pressing her lips together with worry. He must have seen wrong. He opened his mouth to inquire: “Madam, what is your opinion?”

Yun Chu raised her eyes, about to respond.

From the corner of her eye, she saw outside the window behind Xie Jingyu—there was a wall roughly two meters high with several large trees growing at the corner. In that corner, two small heads suddenly popped out.

Those two faces she recognized—they were actually the young heir and young princess of Prince Pingxi’s residence!