Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 157 Nonsense
"Unfilial descendants".

Old Master Xie slammed his hand on the table, his face full of disgust: "I told you long ago, what good things can that kind of vulgar woman give birth to? That unfilial son just wouldn't listen and insisted on bringing her home."

Old Master Xie had long disliked Xie Qi's birth mother, Madam Miao, and now his anger was even greater. This was because he also held Madam Miao responsible for Xie Yuyan's past misdeeds.

Like Xie Yuyan, Miao was a woman who interfered in the buying and selling of goods in the outer courtyard.

The Xie family had long established a rule that no woman in the family was allowed to interfere in business matters; if any woman did, chaos would ensue.

Xie Chongjun, however, took a liking to the Miao family's porcelain-making techniques.

"They're just a few broken kilns, yet he treats them like treasures. Doesn't our Xie family have kilns? We don't need that Miao family; our Xie family's porcelain is just as good as the best in Daming Prefecture."

"Bringing back a Miao woman has caused so much trouble," Old Master Xie sneered. "Even now, some people at the porcelain kiln still believe that it's all thanks to the Miao woman."

"A woman without virtue can bring chaos to her family; this is the reason why."

"A woman actually wants to meddle in these things? The Miao family is also partly responsible for the Xie family's current predicament."

In Old Master Xie's mind, it was unlucky for women to interfere in the affairs of the outer courtyard. When Madam Miao was alive, she went to the porcelain kiln every day, which was always a thorn in his heart.

Zhao was delighted to hear this. The more the old man scolded her, the better. Even though Miao was dead, there would always be people in the family who would mention that woman.

In particular, in previous years, in order to keep the artisans at the porcelain kiln in line, the master pretended to favor Xie Qi.

Therefore, how many people inside and outside the family were laughing at her? She was the legitimate wife that the Xie family had brought back!

The pent-up resentment of the past few days was now being vented by Old Master Xie on the two women, Madam Miao and Xie Yuyan. If it weren't for his children and grandchildren, his insults would have been even more offensive.

A woman's role is to support her husband, raise children, and add to the family's population. She is of no use other than that. If a woman is expected to hold her head high at home, it means the man is useless.

Old Master Xie said, "Since Chongjun is not at home, I will take charge of this matter. After he comes in and finds out the details, we will send him away first thing tomorrow morning."

Zhao asked in a pretentious manner, "Then... what should we say when Master returns?" She was unsure of the situation at the porcelain kiln, and whether punishing Xie Qi like this would disrupt the Xie family's business.

Old Master Xie looked at Zhao Shi: "That unfilial son is lawless because of your poor upbringing. Even now, you still hesitate and look back. It is because of a mother like you that Zhang Ge'er has been imprisoned and his promising future has been ruined."

Zhao's face turned pale instantly. She had come to punish Xie Qi, so how had she been implicated? Old Master Xie had hit her weak spot.

Her Zhang Ge'er... just thinking about how all her years of hard work had gone to waste made her heart ache.

Xie Chonghai said, "Father, don't be angry yet. Ask him carefully later. We still don't know... where Shao-ge'er's money came from."

Only then did Zhao realize that she had completely forgotten about this matter.

Old Master Xie looked at Madam Zhao, who hurriedly said, "No... I didn't withdraw any money from the account." Ever since Xie Qi was punished last time, she had deliberately stopped Xie Qi's monthly allowance, just waiting for Xie Qi to come and beg her.

Madam Zhao knew Xie Qi well; he spent his days indulging in pleasure and would surely suffer more from a lack of money. But with both Zhang Ge'er and the master having their accidents, how could she possibly remember Xie Qi?
However, Zhao was certain that the accountant would never give Xie Qi money without permission.

"Could they have sold off their belongings?" Zhao asked the steward. "Quickly go to Seventh Master's room... and check the other rooms as well."

The only thing Zhao could think of was that Xie Qi had stolen something.

Upon hearing this, Xie Chonghai's wife hurriedly looked at the steward, who gently shook his head, indicating that Seventh Master had not come to the courtyard.

"A menace," Old Master Xie cursed again.

In a short while, the managers returned one after another to report: "Nothing is missing, and all the storerooms are in good condition."

Where did the money come from? This question didn't last long before the steward reported, "Seventh Master has returned."

Old Master Xie immediately said, "Bring that scoundrel here."

With the Xie family in such a state and no one around to support them, Zhao thought Xie Qi would be terrified when he entered. But to her surprise, Xie Qi was still the same as usual, with even a smile on his lips.

Zhao was an eyesore when Old Master Xie couldn't help but scold, "You beast, kneel down!"

Xie Qi's smile froze. He looked at Old Master Xie and asked, "Grandfather, why are you like this? What did I do wrong?"

This time, without the old master needing to speak, Madam Zhao interjected, "Who told you to go to the porcelain kiln to pay the workers? Did you inform your grandfather and second uncle?"

"Where did the money come from?"

As soon as Zhao finished speaking, Old Master Xie said, "If you don't explain yourself clearly today, I'll bring out the Xie family rules and teach you a good lesson, you unfilial descendant."

Xie Chonghai also said with a stern face: "What time is it now? How dare you cause trouble?"

"Guards!" Old Master Xie grew angrier the more he looked at his son. "Tie this unfilial son up and interrogate him."

Four servants immediately entered the room.

Seeing this, Zhao felt much of the pent-up frustration dissipate, and she clutched her handkerchief tightly. She had waited so many years for this moment, raising this little beast to this age…

Zhao looked at Xie Qi, thinking that Xie Qi should be scared this time. Not only that, she also wanted to make Xie Qi understand that all the so-called filial piety and parental love over the years had been fake.

The master didn't like this illegitimate son at all.

Zhao's thoughts suddenly paused here. She saw Xie Qi's calm gaze, and there was not a trace of fear in his eyes.

"Grandfather, you want to interrogate your grandson over such a trivial matter?" Xie Qi said unhurriedly. "Why make such a fuss? I'll tell you what you want to know..."

As Xie Qi finished speaking, the servants beside him stepped forward to press down on his shoulder.

Xie Qi's voice immediately turned cold: "If you really tie me up today, I won't say a single word."

The servants of the Xie family were stunned and looked at Old Master Xie, asking him for advice.

Since the person is in the house anyway, it doesn't matter when you deal with them. Old Master Xie didn't want to waste any more time, so he said, "Then explain clearly where the money came from."

Xie Qi took a deep breath, then laughed, his eyes looking directly at Old Master Xie: "My father gave it to me."

The room was completely quiet.

Zhao stood there, completely stunned.

"What did you say?" Xie Chonghai was the first to recover. "When did your father give it to you?"

“Then it’s not convenient to tell Second Uncle,” Xie Qi said. “This is a matter for our family. We didn’t take any money from the clan for those businesses, so I don’t need to inform the clan how much money we pay our employees.”

"As long as the clay furnace is successfully fired and my father is saved, what does it matter if it costs a little more money?"

“My father will naturally explain these inside stories to my grandfather and second uncle when he gets out of prison.”

Grandpa Xie and Xie Chonghai were in a state of confusion, unable to grasp the crux of the matter.

Zhao was even more unable to accept this. She shouted, "Impossible! Why would the master give you money and ask you to do things? You're talking nonsense!"