The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 109

Xie Yunchu, hearing these words, thought back to how she and her younger brother had grown up depending on each other through hardship and adversity, and she couldn’t help but shed tears.

After a moment, Xie Hui came out, having tidied his robes, and stood on the steps to make a deep bow to Madam Xiao. “I am ashamed to have troubled you, Madam,” he said.

Madam Xiao snorted coldly, “No need for such courtesies, Minister of Rites. Whatever the matter is, speak of it directly. Don’t go around driving people out. You’er is no longer a child. He has his elder sister above her and me, their aunt. If he makes a mistake, there are people to discipline him. There’s no need for you to break things in anger.”

Xie Hui looked thoroughly embarrassed.

Apparently, the commotion had also alarmed the old lady, as Second Madam Li soon arrived, supporting the elderly matriarch who trembled as she walked.

“If you want to take it out on someone, take it out on me first!” Declared the old lady.

Xie Hui, growing increasingly exasperated, threw up his hands and shook his head. “What’s the point of all this?”

After much fuss, the group finally sat down. Everyone began asking what had happened, and Xie Yunyou volunteered the explanation. He pointed at Concubine Lu and said, “This morning, around the Si hour, I was passing the study and saw Xie Yunzhou sneaking off toward the back courtyard. I grew suspicious and decided to follow him, only to catch him quietly going to Concubine Lu’s quarters to deliver food and clothes to his mother. That alone wasn’t much of an issue, but I overheard Concubine Lu telling him, ‘Just focus on studying hard. As long as you pass the examination and outshine Xie Yunyou, we’ll have won. No matter what, you must surpass him and show your father who his most outstanding son is. My hopes rest entirely on you, my child; you must not let me down.'”

Hearing this, Xie Yunchu immediately realized that Xie Yunyou had fallen into Concubine Lu’s trap. She asked her brother, “And then?”

“And then…” Xie Yunyou’s voice caught in his throat.

On the other side, Concubine Lu removed her hand to reveal a horrifying sight—half her face was covered in blood, with a deep crimson scar faintly visible. Everyone gasped in shock.

Xie Yunchu frowned at her brother with a worried expression.

Concubine Lu sobbed as she spoke, “In his rage, the Young Master barged in, knife in hand, intent on slashing me. If not for Zhou’er being present, I fear I would have lost my life today. I admit I am of humble origin and unworthy of the Young Master’s respect, but I bore children for your father. Even when you were young, it was I who personally sewed your clothes. How could the Young Master threaten to kill me so easily?”

Xie Yunyou retorted with his neck stiffened, “Lies!” Pointing at Concubine Lu, he said, “Sister, this shameless woman accused me of improper behavior toward her! This venomous woman will stop at nothing to frame me. It’s true I lost my temper and wanted to teach her a lesson, but I never intended to harm her. She saw the knife at my waist, deliberately grabbed it, and cut her own face to frame me!”

Xie Yunchu held her forehead, momentarily unsure of what to say.

Concubine Lu was indeed a ruthless character, willing to harm herself to set a trap.

Xie Hui’s face darkened as he pointed at Concubine Lu’s disfigured face, berating Xie Yunyou, “You fool! Don’t you realize that if this matter gets out, your future is ruined, and you’ll have disgraced me completely?”

Xie Yunyou smiled smugly. “Father, is this woman my wife? It’s your doing, bringing such a disgraceful woman into the household, and now you’re blaming me?”

Xie Hui was at a loss for words, his face turning bright red. Just as he seemed ready to explode, Xie Yunchu quickly intervened, “Were there no maids present at the scene? Father, I don’t believe Concubine Lu’s words. She is clearly framing my brother.”

“You know my brother’s character—mischievous at times, but he never stoops to lying.”

Second Madam Li chimed in, “At the time of the incident, the maid had been sent away by Concubine Lu to do laundry in the back courtyard. There were no witnesses.”

Xie Yunchu looked at Xie Hui and said, “Father, regardless of whether there are witnesses, Concubine Lu has deceived you before. Do you truly believe her?”

At this moment, Concubine Lu nudged Xie Yunzhou, who trembled, burying his face and speaking hesitantly, “I beg Father to seek justice for my mother…”

Xie Yunchu understood then—Xie Hui was concerned about Xie Yunzhou.

Concubine Lu began sobbing, her long lashes wet with tears that hung precariously, her tear-filled eyes fixated on Xie Hui.

“Master, it’s my fault for causing trouble for Yunzhou. You know how things have been for us in this household lately. Even if I have no merits, I’ve worked hard. Yunzhou is your own flesh and blood, yet he’s been bullied and ostracized, unable to eat or focus on his studies. He’s grown so thin. I can forgo justice for myself, but you must stand up for Yunzhou.”

Xie Yunyou dragged over a small stool, sitting down beside Concubine Lu with an amused expression. “Concubine, don’t beat around the bush. You’re upset about the new mistress coming in, aren’t you? So you want to frame me, kick me out, and get some compensation or an official position for your son, don’t you?”

Concubine Lu’s face changed, and she stared at Xie Yunyou coldly, as if seeing him for the first time.

Xie Yunchu exchanged glances with Madam Xiao, realizing that Xie Yunyou had seen through the concubine’s scheme.

Concubine Lu fell silent, only looking at Xie Hui with grievance, but too afraid to speak.

Xie Yunzhou, upon hearing Xie Yunyou’s words, flushed with anger. He lowered his gaze, desperately holding back tears.

“Father, I don’t want anything… I only ask that you release my mother, considering how she has served you diligently for many years. Please don’t keep her locked anymore,” Xie Yunzhou bowed with both hands and begged for mercy while sobbing.

Seeing her son like this, Concubine Lu cried even more pitifully. She moved forward, trying to cling to Xie Hui’s knees, but Xie Yunyou quickly threw a cushion in her path, blocking her way.

Concubine Lu glared at him, while Xie Hui felt a little embarrassed.

Concubine Lu tried to use the situation to her advantage, saying, “Master, no matter what, the Second Young Master has committed a grave offense by trying to kill his stepmother. You must make a decision. If you don’t support me, I will have Yunzhou go to the authorities and report it.”

She was trying to force Xie Hui into giving her something in exchange for her silence.

Xie Yunchu glanced at Xie Yunzhou, then at her father’s troubled expression, understanding the dilemma. While Concubine Lu was detestable, Xie Yunzhou was gentle, humble, and hardworking in his studies. His father had always held high hopes for him, and thus, out of consideration for his son, Xie Hui had been unwilling to be harsh to her.

Concubine Lu took advantage of that and took a risk to fight for her son.

However, Xie Yunyou remained unmoved, his gaze icy as he glared at the concubine. “Go ahead and report it. Let the coroner from Jingzhao Prefecture come and investigate whether the injury on her face was self-inflicted or caused by someone else.”