Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 158 Chaos
Xie Qi bowed respectfully to Zhao Shi.

This was a look Zhao had never seen before; it was a far cry from her usual wretchedness, and her eyes had become clear.

“Reporting to Mother,” Xie Qiye said, “all of this was arranged by Father. Mother should know how Father has treated me on a daily basis.”

“My father originally wanted to wait until I got married before sorting things out.”

"I haven't dared to say it yet because I was worried that it would upset my mother."

Zhao was indeed unhappy, and now Xie Qi was throwing all of this at her face, making Zhao feel a burning sensation on her face.

"And... the Plum Blossom Pavilion incident was also something Father asked me to take on for my elder brother. My elder brother is going to take the imperial examinations eventually, and he can't have any flaws in his record. I know all this, and Father explained it to me beforehand, so I agreed."

Zhao felt dizzy. Xie Zizhang got into a fight with someone at the Plum Blossom Pavilion over a prostitute. Fortunately, Xie Qi was also there. The master took advantage of Xie Qi's drunkenness and secretly switched the prostitute with Xie Zizhang, allowing Zhang-ge'er to escape.

They said they were framing Xie Qi, but Xie Qi knew all along.

Zhao felt as if her heart was being squeezed, and she couldn't breathe.

Old Master Xie's eyelids twitched, and he immediately remembered that they had paid a hundred strings of cash to settle the matter. It turned out that the culprit was Xie Zizhang, not Xie Zishao.

Tian, ​​standing to the side, had a flicker in her eyes. Although this matter was related to the entire Xie family, she now had a feeling of schadenfreude.

The old master used to say that the future of the Xie family depended on Xie Zizhang, and only Xie Zizhang could change the Xie family's fortunes.

Xie Zizhang usually looks like a scholar, but it turns out he's just this kind of person.

No wonder he was caught committing adultery this time; it turns out this is his true nature.

"You're talking nonsense." Zhao pointed at Xie Qi, making a last-ditch effort.

"Why would I lie to Mother?" Xie Qiye said. "What's the point of me lying? Wouldn't Father know when he comes back? Besides, I gave money to the hired workers so that the clay furnace the Liu family wanted could be fired faster. If it weren't for Father, why would I do this? What benefit would it bring me?"

Xie Qi's words were irrefutable.

Even Old Master Xie remained silent for a long time.

Seventh Master Xie said, "Father must be rescued. The border market can't be without him next year. It's not appropriate for me to go to the north alone. Even if my aunt has some merchants she used to know traveling with me, they can't compare to Father. Our Xie family can't miss this opportunity."

Xie Qi's voice echoed in her ears, and Zhao recalled how Xie Chongjun had treated Aunt Miao back then; his concern and care seemed genuine.

Many times, she couldn't help but cry and make a scene, only to be sternly reprimanded by Xie Chongjun. She finally hoped that Aunt Miao would die, so that this nightmare would finally end.

Thinking back now... if she hadn't been so persistent, and if Xie Chongjun hadn't wanted to take control of those porcelain kilns, Aunt Miao might have survived.

Xie Zishao raised her to this age, living a life of luxury, claiming he stayed for the sake of those porcelain kilns, but it was just an excuse to deceive her.

Zhang Ge'er is studying at home, while Xie Zishao is causing trouble all day long. Why? Who is the legitimate son?
Zhao felt dizzy. She didn't understand the porcelain kiln business and dared not get involved in outside transactions, so Xie Chongjun deceived her and secretly gave Xie Zishao money.

Are you still thinking of giving the porcelain kiln to Xie Zishao?
“Father said that my eldest brother is going to be an official in the future, and the family business will be handed over to me,” Xie Qiye said. “The reason I didn’t tell my grandfather is because he has always disliked my aunt, and I was implicated as well.”

"When I've made some progress in the business in the future, my grandfather will be more likely to accept it."

The room fell silent again.

I had already figured out how to deal with Xie Qi, but that was the Xie Qi from before.

Who could have imagined Xie Qi would turn out like this? No one has ever seen Xie Qi like this before.

Sudden changes are bound to be handled poorly.

Everyone in the room was lost in their own thoughts.

Old Master Xie couldn't help but ask, "What kind of business are you doing outside?"

"Porcelain kiln," said Master Xie, "I don't know anything else, I just want to do this one thing well."

Xie Chonghai tentatively asked, "Did you buy a new kiln?" Seventh Master Xie immediately looked away, "Not really."

No, that is it.

Not only did they buy a new kiln, but they also kept it a secret from everyone in the Xie family. Was this to prepare a way out for themselves in case of future trouble? Xie Chonghai's expression became even more gloomy.

In any case, Xie Qi should not be punished before the matter is clarified. Xie Chonghai thought to himself, then turned to look at Old Master Xie.

Old Master Xie naturally understood his son's meaning, and he softened his tone: "No matter what, you shouldn't have made the decision on your own."

Seventh Master Xie said with a worried expression, "It's my fault, but... we can't let them relax like that. It's so cold, I'm afraid Father won't be able to bear it in prison."

Old Master Xie pretended to be serious and said, "This is not an excuse for your reckless behavior. You will stay in the house for the next two days to reflect on your mistakes and are not allowed to leave the house."

Old Master Xie reached out and dismissed Xie Qi.

After the door was closed again.

Zhao stood up first: "Father, you must stand up for your wife. How can the master be so biased? He secretly gives money to that illegitimate son."

"If this hadn't happened, we would still be completely in the dark."

Xie Chonghai remained silent, realizing that Xie Zishao's seemingly useless demeanor was all an act; they had all been fooled.

How could a child develop such cunning?
It could only have been taught by my older brother.

Otherwise, how could Xie Zishao have immediately given himself away the moment his elder brother entered the county jail?

Xie Chonghai said, "If what Shao-ge'er said is true, then... it is indeed my elder brother who was wrong."

“How could it be fake?” Madam Zhao had no doubt at all. “I’ve always wondered why she protected him so much, and now I understand.” What she did for show was actually her true feelings.

Not only that, but they also want to hand over the Xie family's business to that illegitimate son.

The master plans to wait until Zhang Ge'er obtains an official position before revealing the truth. At that time, for Zhang Ge'er's sake, she won't be able to cause trouble. The master is truly shrewd.

Now that Brother Zhang sees no hope in the imperial examinations, he is being trampled on by the illegitimate son.

Zhao was almost out of breath and wanted to say something, but saw Old Master Xie wave his hand: "Go back and rest first, and we'll talk about it after we figure out the situation."

Old Master Xie was always tough, so Zhao didn't dare to beg anymore and had to let her daughter-in-law Xu help her out.

Hearing the door close behind her, Zhao trembled as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her head. She clenched her teeth; she couldn't bear to watch that wretched man's rebellious son inherit the family business.

Even if it was the master's wish, she wouldn't agree.

She can kill that bitch, and she can kill this unfilial son.

She had to find a way to completely eradicate that evil before the master was released from prison. By the time the master found out, it would be too late.

……

house.

Old Master Xie looked at Xie Chonghai: "When did your elder brother develop such thoughts?"

Xie Chonghai shook his head blankly.

Old Master Xie said coldly, "He actually did all this behind my back."

Before Xie Chonghai could respond, Old Master Xie asked, "I wonder how much money Shao-ge has?"

Xie Chonghai said, "Judging from the way Shao-ge'er is doing it... I'm afraid it won't be a small amount. Moreover, I suspect that my elder brother has secretly made arrangements to control the porcelain kiln in the family."

"If my elder brother can come out quickly, there won't be any problems, but if... sigh, I'm afraid Shao-ge'er will cause trouble."