Admitted into the estate

Xie Mingde gave a dry cough. Xie Yuan's earlier outburst was indeed lacking in integrity, and regardless of how Xie Qi had behaved in the past, Xie Miaohan, as a younger generation, certainly should not have spoken so disrespectfully.

If Xie Miaoxuan were to seize upon this topic, it was clear she held the moral high ground.

Subconsciously stroking his fine beard, he deliberated that they had originally intended to use brute force.

They had expected to hold both moral and emotional supremacy.

Yet now, with Xie Miaoxuan's polite yet firm rebuff, it was no longer appropriate to resort directly to force.

Thus, he changed the subject, his tone softening somewhat. "You need not take your eldest uncle's words to heart; he spoke out of anxious concern. As a daughter of the Xie clan, you cannot be left wandering away from home. We have come precisely to bring you back to the ancestral clan. Pack your belongings and return with us; right and wrong, we elders will adjudicate for you."

Having attained the status of an elder, Xie Mingde had not eaten salt in vain all these years. Regardless of whether Xie Miaoxuan was truly as innocent and pitiful as she claimed, the core objective remained that she must be brought back to the clan.

With neither father nor brothers to rely on, Xie Miaoxuan appeared delicate yet possessed a strong spine. Regardless of whose version of the truth was correct—Xie Yuan's or hers—once she was under their supervision, no flaws or secrets could remain hidden over time.

Even if it were later proven that she spoke the truth and Xie Qi had not accumulated vast wealth, this estate was exceptionally vast and located in the capital's suburbs. If it could be absorbed into the clan's assets, it would still be a tremendous gain.

He had no desire to bicker endlessly over this matter.

Yet... he glanced imperceptibly at Xun Cheng.

Since Xun Cheng was willing to bring a thousand imperial guards on this trip, Xie Yuan must have promised him substantial benefits. If there were only this single estate to show for it, it might be difficult to satisfy Xun Cheng.

Xun Cheng would likely refuse to let both parties divide the estate together.

If Xun Cheng were to make exorbitant demands and claim the entire estate for himself, wouldn't their journey have been in vain?

Everyone present was a seasoned schemer; they all saw how Xun Cheng looked at Xie Miaoxuan with special favor. The moment she entered, Xun Cheng's gaze had remained fixed on her without the slightest shift, and even when Xie Yuan attempted to strike her, it was Xun Cheng who had impatiently rushed to stop him.

If Xun Cheng was willing to abandon his designs on the estate, presenting Xie Miaoxuan to him was not entirely out of the question.

As expected, Xun Cheng bypassed the question of the estate's ownership, making no effort to conceal the determination in his eyes as he took over the conversation and shifted its direction. "I draw a salary from the imperial court. If Second Lady Xie's words are true, I have an inescapable duty toward such injustices and naturally ought to intervene."

He paused, wearing a thoughtful expression. "It is entirely reasonable for Second Lady Xie not to trust the clan leader. Since that is the case, I cannot stand idly by regarding her future either. Why not come back with me to the Marquis of Zhaoping's residence? Ji Qiutong happens to be visiting my home; she is two years older than Second Lady Xie, a renowned talented lady in the capital, well-read and courteous. The two of you can keep each other company, and she can teach you the social etiquette of the capital."

At these words, Xie Miaohan's expression shifted drastically, the handkerchief in her hand nearly shredded to pieces, while the elders all grasped the underlying meaning.

Xun Cheng was the heir apparent betrothed to Ji Qiutong by the Marquis of Zhaoping.

What did the Heir Apparent mean by having this prospective wife look after Xie Miaoxuan?

His intention to take Xie Miaoxuan into his inner chambers was blatant and unmasked.

Yet, upon second thought, if he had truly taken a fancy to Xie Miaoxuan, it might not necessarily be a bad thing.

While the Xie family's ancestors had produced grand ministers for four generations, recent years had yielded no descendants of note, leaving them without influential backing at court. If they were to send a previously unvalued young woman to hitch a ride on the surging momentum of the Marquis of Zhaoping's estate and re-enter officialdom, it would be a favorable outcome for him.

As for Xie Miaoxuan denying the existence of the massive wealth—so what? Once she was taken away, the estate could be thoroughly searched, and nothing would remain hidden.

Xun Cheng listened as she refused, yet looking at this face capable of shifting between joy and anger, he found himself unable to muster any genuine fury. His gaze swept toward Xie Mingde and the others.

Although he had heard Xie Yuan mention that Xie Qi had betrothed Xie Miaoxuan to a child-husband before his death, now that he had taken a liking to her, he wouldn't even need to speak—the members of the Xie clan would naturally step forward to maneuver the situation.

Among the imperial guards, aside from Shi Chong, who cared about nothing and held merely a nominal title of Commander, Xun Cheng held absolute sway.

Could the Xie family possibly let slip this opportunity to attach themselves to him?

Xun Cheng knew that Xie Yuan had long wished to curry favor with the Marquis of Zhaoping and latch onto Xun Ming, that useless fool, to gain influence.

Now that such an opportunity was delivered right to their doorstep, and with him, the future head of the Marquis's estate, speaking up, how could they possibly miss this chance?

When his gaze returned to Xie Mingde, even the elder hesitated.

With a rapid dart of his eyes, Xie Mingde reached a decision in a fraction of a second. Frowning, he addressed Xie Miaoxuan with stern authority, "You are the legitimate daughter of the prestigious Xie lineage; how could you possibly marry a servant! Previously, we were unaware and allowed your father to make such a preposterous match. Now that we know, it is not too late. This engagement shall be canceled right here. Since the Heir Apparent is graciously inclined to protect you, it is by no means a bad outcome for you."

He delivered the verdict with absolute arbitrariness.

Xun Cheng nearly laughed aloud, though deep down, she found the shamelessness of these people entirely expected.

If the original owner had fallen into the hands of these wolves and tigers, she would have had no way to fight the entire Xie clan by her own strength; her death truly had not been unjust.

Suddenly losing all desire to continue acting, she dropped her facade, glared at them with cold hostility, and dropped her words heavy and hard: "Xie Yuanju and I were joined by the command of our parents and the words of matchmakers, complete with all three letters and six etiquettes. One woman shall not serve two husbands! The esteemed elders would do well to give up any thoughts of selling me off again."

For the first time, Xie Mingde experienced the frustration of being thwarted just as Xie Yuan had been.

He smiled indifferently, unbothered by her fiery spirit; in fact, he esteemed her a bit more for her refusal—she was young, and a bit of temper was entirely normal.

"As long as you haven't crossed the threshold in an eight-bearer sedan chair to perform the wedding rites with him, the betrothal documents can simply be rescinded."

Every year in the capital, there were several instances of broken engagements; it was hardly a matter of any consequence.

Realistically, ritual propriety had broken down across the court nowadays, and even the remarriage of widows was far from rare.

The Xie family felt a chill in their hearts at the shamelessness of the clan elders. At first, they had managed to put on the benevolent masks of senior relatives, but the moment interests were involved, their attitudes shifted instantly.

These people were truly sanctimonious hypocrites.

With a slight shift of her eyes, she suddenly grasped Xie Yuanju's large hand, speaking with deep affection, "However, my husband and I are deeply devoted to one another. We already performed the wedding ceremony two days ago—I am his person in life and his ghost in death. This is far beyond the simple matter of returning betrothal papers."