Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 487 is invalid.

Xia Jingxian's handkerchief was soaked with sweat, but she still kept her back straight, at least to make herself look less disheveled.

But what use is etiquette when the family is in such dire straits? Her life and future depended entirely on her father. Now that her father had fallen, if a husband's family was willing to take her in, she could still live off her husband.

The Xie family's heater and food were not brought over, and no one entered the house anymore.

Xia Jingxian had long anticipated this outcome; Madam Zhou was merely putting on a show for others. As long as the relationship between a woman from a wealthy or powerful family hasn't completely broken down, she must be extremely considerate in every way.

At this moment, Xia Jingxian saw something she had never seen in all those years.

Finally, footsteps were heard, and the steward outside said, "The madam is inside, sir, please go in!"

The door opened, and Xie Chengrang lifted the curtain and walked in.

The two looked at each other, both seeing surprise on each other's faces; clearly, they hadn't expected to meet at this time.

Xie Chengrang's expression changed drastically, and he instinctively turned to leave.

In Xia Jingxian's memory, Xie Chengrang would always secretly look at her whenever he came to the Xia family, and he would try his best to talk to Fifth Brother. If she was nearby, he would show a shy and awkward expression.

Xia Jingxian was captivated by Xie Chengrang's appearance. What woman wouldn't want to see a man infatuated with her? If he were a good match for her in terms of social standing and also possessed some talent, he would be her ideal partner for life. After all, a woman follows her husband after marriage; if her husband adored her, her life in his family wouldn't be so difficult.

Therefore, she preferred to marry Xie Chengrang rather than Xie Chengxin, who was extremely cold to her.

Having this thought, she spoke up for Xie Chengrang in front of Fifth Brother. She could see that Xie Chengrang wanted to associate with Fifth Brother, and she would help make this happen, which was a way of giving Xie Chengrang an opportunity.

If Xie Chengrang still cannot persuade the Xie family, she will not take this step; she must protect her reputation and status.

However, she ultimately married Xie Chengrang because her father was convicted of a crime.

Marrying Xie Chengrang was a last resort for her, and she lost her lofty status.

But she gradually accepted it. Finding a husband who valued her was better than finding a good-for-nothing playboy. Once she married into the Xie family, she would find a way to help Xie Chengrang seize power and surpass all the other Xie family members. As long as his future was good enough and he held a high position in the court, the Xie family would still be handed over to him.

Unfortunately, these are all just wishful thinking.

The Xia family has completely collapsed this time, and in that instant just now, she saw Xie Chengrang clearly.

Caught off guard, Xie Chengrang's eyes revealed only a natural tendency to retreat.

Xia Jingxian wanted to step forward and confront him, taking out the Northern Pearl he had given her that day. If Xie Chengrang refused to marry her, she would tell the Xie family that when she was discussing marriage with Xie Chengxin, this illegitimate son, Xie Chengrang, had secretly given her gifts and engaged in illicit relations with her. She would be sent to the brothel, and Xie Chengrang would never be able to gain a foothold in the Xie family again.

How can someone who lacks moral principles expect to have a career in government?
But the expression on Madam Zhou's face just now flashed through Xia Jingxian's mind. She couldn't afford to break off all pretense of civility until the very last step.

“Erlang,” Xia Jingxian’s eyes reddened, “I…I was waiting for Madam Zhou here…How did you…come here? Something happened at my home, and my father had someone send me to the Xie family. He said I would have to rely on you to take care of me from now on.”

As Xia Jingxian spoke, she didn't rush to approach Xie Chengrang. Instead, she lowered her voice and said, "My two elder brothers... may also be unable to escape. Father and Mother left many things from the Xia family and the Li family to me... Erlang, how will the court judge this case? Will Father and Mother still be able to get out?"

Xia Jingxian implied that she had a lot of money in her hands, and if Xie Chengrang could keep her, she would use it on Xie Chengrang.

She wanted a husband who was obsessed with her, and Xie Chengrang, this illegitimate son, also needed a wife who would put him first in everything and think of him wholeheartedly.

Xie Chengrang glanced outside and said softly, "I was worried about you too... I was just inquiring about Lord Xia's whereabouts, and seeing you here suddenly startled me." Xia Jingxian wept, "I know I shouldn't have come. I was afraid of implicating Erlang, but I..."

Xia Jingxian didn't know what to say. As if she had thought of something, she hurriedly took out a stack of papers from her sleeve and handed them to Xie Chengrang.

“My father said that if the Xie family could help me escape, I would give them this land deed as a reward. These are all fields outside Bianjing, not registered under the Xia or Li families, so the court will not find out.”

At this point, Xia Jingxian took a deep breath: "I'll give it all to Erlang."

Xie Chengrang looked at the things Xia Jingxian handed him and said, "I have no say in the Xie family's affairs, so how can I take these?"

Xia Jingxian said softly, "I know that Erlang can't go against his family's wishes and has to listen to Xie Shumi's arrangements. But it doesn't matter. If I can't stay with the Xie family, these land deeds will be found by the court... The Xia family and the Xie family have been arrested. Apart from Erlang, I have no one else I can trust. If these things can help Erlang in the future, then my efforts will not have been in vain."

Two more tears slid down Xia Jingxian's face. Her pitiful appearance would move anyone who saw her.

"Alright," Xia Jingxian urged, "Erlang, hurry up and go out, it won't be good if people find out."

After speaking, Xia Jingxian turned her back and wiped the corner of her eyes with the handkerchief in her hand.

Xie Chengrang wanted to hand over the land deed, but Xia Jingxian refused to take it back, so he had to give up.

"I'll go see my father first." Xie Chengrang walked out the door.

Xia Jingxian looked at Xie Chengrang's back. If it weren't for Madam Zhou's arrangement, Xie Chengrang would never have come here. One can imagine what kind of situation he was in the Xie family.

Madam Zhou intended to facilitate this marriage, thus completely ruining Xie Chengrang's future as an illegitimate son. Since that was the case, Xia Jingxian had to press her advantage. Not only should she give Xie Chengrang a land deed, but she also needed to let anyone eavesdropping at the door know that the Xia family could still offer a considerable sum of money.

Xia Jingxian sat down in the chair, exhausted. She had done all she could.

Xie Chengrang returned to the house. He did not examine the stack of land deeds closely, but instead pondered the intentions behind Madam Zhou's actions.

Did Madam Zhou make this arrangement on her own initiative, or did her father instruct her to do so privately?
Did his father intend for him to keep Xia Erniang?
Xie Chengrang's heart sank. His father's repeated help to the Xia family was not because of his close relationship with Xia Mengxian, but because someone was speaking up for Xia Mengxian.

Who was that person? Was it the King of Qin, or someone else entirely?

There was a knock on the door.

Xie Chengrang looked up and saw the steward standing at the door.

"Second Master," the steward said, "the Master wants you to speak in the study."

Xie Chengrang immediately stood up and strode towards the study.

This time, he didn't wait and was led directly into the room by the steward. Hearing the door close behind him, Xie Chengrang looked at Xie Yizhi, who was sitting in a chair reading official documents.

Xie Yizhi didn't look up. After finishing the official document in his hand, he said, "Xia Erniang has come looking for us. What are your thoughts on this marriage?"

Xie Chengrang took a deep breath: "Although I am engaged to Xia Erniang, I cannot implicate the Xie family because of this. I should report to the yamen the truth and say that the betrothal gifts have not yet been delivered to the Xia family, so the engagement is invalid."

Xie Yizhi remained silent for a long while before raising her head: "Think about it again."