Volume 1, Chapter 25: Father Has Arrived

"My Lord, I... I, your concubine, meant nothing by that..."

The Marquis of Shunqing shook his head, not even sparing her a glance. He said coldly, "You are still recovering from your illness. Go back and rest. When the Xie family arrives later, there is no need for you to come out to greet them."

Madam Yun felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar; she stood frozen in place. The Marquis had only just allowed her to come out yesterday, and now he was locking her away again?

Thinking of the servants in the mansion who had been fawning over the powerful and trampling on the weak these past few days, Madam Yun hurriedly grabbed the Marquis's arm. "My Lord, I spoke without thinking. Please, do not be angry. I only wish to stay peacefully by your side..."

"Enough! When you speak and act, consider the occasion!"

Although the Marquis liked Madam Yun's gentleness, what was the situation now? Madam Luo and the children were all watching!

He shook her off and said coldly, "Someone, escort the mistress back to her courtyard!"

Madam Yun dared not make a sound, and with reddened eyes, she slowly walked away.

Xie Wanqing watched this, her heart growing colder. Just for speaking a word on her behalf, Madam Yun had been treated this way. For ten years, she had toiled and managed the household with bitterness, only to find that this family refused to acknowledge any of her contributions. She dug her nails deep into her palms, desperately trying to suppress the resentment rising within her.

"Wanqing? Are you alright?" Seeing her trembling slightly, Qi Xiuyu, who was supporting her, asked in a hushed, anxious voice. "Father, for the sake of Wanqing’s pregnancy, can you not make an exception just this once? The mansion has not had good news in a long time. Do you truly intend to be this harsh to her?"

The Marquis looked at the son he had raised from childhood, his heart growing cold. "Mingyue, what do you think?"

After a long silence, the Marquis unexpectedly threw the question to Xie Mingyue. Qi Jinshan had not yet returned from court, and the eldest daughter-in-law sat there alone, displaying more composure than the two from the second branch.

Xie Mingyue raised her eyes calmly. "Father, in my opinion, it would be better to summon a physician to the residence to examine my sister-in-law."

Whether she was pregnant or not was not something that could be decided by Xie Wanqing’s words alone. Xie Mingyue had specifically inquired whether anyone in the mansion had summoned a doctor or purchased medicine recently; Xie Wanqing had been perfectly fine, and she had not even left the mansion in days. It had been barely forty days since the third month; unless Xie Wanqing were an immortal, how could she know she was with child? She suspected Xie Wanqing was feigning pregnancy to escape the consequences.

Madam Luo’s gloomy expression brightened at Xie Mingyue’s suggestion. "Exactly. Send for a physician immediately." She dispatched her own trusted servant to ensure that Xie Wanqing could not bribe the doctor.

Xie Wanqing’s lips tightened, and she pulled up her sleeve. "Mother, I have not seen a doctor, but when I was pregnant with Feng’er, I developed a red rash for several months. You know this!"

Madam Luo looked closely and saw the dense, red bumps on Xie Wanqing’s arm—it was exactly the same as when she had carried her firstborn.

"This is..." The pregnancy did not seem to be a fabrication after all.

Qi Xiuyu chimed in, "That’s right, Mother. It’s only been a month; a doctor might not be able to detect the pulse, but Wanqing’s physical symptoms cannot be faked!"

Madam Luo frowned slightly, still wanting to summon a physician, when her trusted servant suddenly returned. "My Lord, Madam, Master Xie has arrived."

Xie Mingyue’s heart tightened. Her father was here!

"Enough. Stand up. Xiuyu, accompany your wife to change her clothes before coming back." The Marquis rubbed his temples. Although he said that, he knew he had to save face for the Xie family; if Xie Changxun saw his daughter in such a state, there would undoubtedly be another argument.

Before the guest arrived, servants entered to reset the tea service. Xie Mingyue could not hold back her excitement and whispered to Wutong, "Go, brew a pot of Lushan Yunwu, the tea Father loves most."

Seeing how much she cared, Wutong felt a pang of sorrow. No matter how the Xie family treated her, the mistress always kept them in her heart. Ten years had passed, and she still remembered exactly what kind of tea her father preferred. The Xie family had truly failed a good daughter.

When Xie Changxun entered the Marquis’s estate, he was full of righteous indignation. When he heard that Xie Wanqing had committed murder and arson at her in-laws', his first reaction was that it was impossible. Such a delicate and lovely daughter, obedient at home and virtuous after marriage—there was no one in the capital who did not praise her. How could she have done such a thing? The Xie family had been a prestigious, refined clan for generations and held great authority among the civil officials; they were not afraid of the Marquis of Shunqing. Xie Changxun was determined to seek justice for his daughter.

However, the moment he saw Xie Mingyue, a flash of astonishment crossed his face.

Xie Mingyue looked at the father who had aged ten years in the morning light, and she could no longer hold back her gaze, her eyes clouding with tears. She had been sharp and perceptive since childhood, and she naturally sensed the deeply hidden disgust in her father’s eyes when he looked at her. In his heart, she was likely nothing more than an imposter born of a wicked servant, one who had stolen the affection that belonged to Xie Wanqing—naturally, she deserved to die.

"Brother-in-law, I am sorry to trouble you with a visit." The Marquis forced a smile and stepped forward to greet him.

Xie Mingyue knew she could not be reckless, so she suppressed the bitterness in her heart and sat back down.

Xie Changxun retracted his gaze, his face cold. "Marquis, let us skip the pleasantries. Where is Wanqing?" Seeing that she was not there, his face darkened. "Do not tell me you have already punished her before we arrived?"

Madam Luo put on a smiling face. "How could that be? Brother-in-law, Wanqing only just told us that she is pregnant again. The morning dew was heavy, so Xiuyu is accompanying her to change her clothes."

She realized that Xie Wanqing’s pregnancy was an undeniable fact, and that today’s discussion would likely be glossed over. It was better to change her attitude now and appease the Xie family to avoid becoming enemies.

Xie Mingyue sat to the side, her eyes downcast, a trace of mockery flashing in her heart. Xie Wanqing had committed such acts, yet her father ignored all principles to favor her. It seemed that as the only daughter in the house, she had enjoyed all the love. All of this had been stolen from her.

"Pregnant?" Xie Changxun raised his eyebrows, his voice growing louder. "Since she is with child, your mansion still treats her like this? In my view, the murder and arson could not have been committed by Wanqing. It was likely some servant of hers who acted maliciously to frame her!"

Just then, Xie Wanqing arrived. Seeing Xie Changxun, the tension in her heart vanished. Her father was here. Her father would always be her sanctuary!

Seeing his precious daughter appear, Xie Changxun hurried forward. "Wanqing, have you been wronged?"

Xie Wanqing’s eyes turned red instantly. "Father, I am unfilial for causing you worry. I have not been wronged."

Yet, her tearful expression made it seem as if she had suffered a monumental grievance. Xie Changxun’s mind buzzed; he felt like punching the Marquis in the face. "Do not fear. Father is here for everything."

He looked at Xie Wanqing kindly, then turned with a cold expression. "Xiuyu, I married my beloved daughter to you, and this is how you treat her? Let me tell you, if any harm comes to Wanqing, I will not spare you!"

Though he was speaking to Qi Xiuyu, the warning was clearly intended for the entire Qi family. With him backing her, no matter what Xie Wanqing had done, he would cover for her. Even if she had killed someone, it would be as if she hadn't!

Xie Mingyue’s heart sank abruptly. Her father had always been a man of reason and principle; why was he now so unable to distinguish right from wrong? Moreover, her father had come alone today without her mother, which was contrary to etiquette, yet everyone around seemed accustomed to it. Where was her mother?