Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 488 Forbearance
Xie Chengrang looked at Xie Yizhi and saw a resolute expression in her calm eyes.

Xie Chengrang opened his mouth, then lowered his head in a show of weakness: "Father... could I... find another woman? Her family doesn't have to be a scholarly or official family."

"I have just entered officialdom. If I am burdened with such a reputation, I am afraid that my future path will be difficult."

Xie Yizhi's gaze softened slightly: "Your career was given to you by the Xia family. If you don't acknowledge this marriage, you will still be criticized."

Xie Chengrang pursed his lips: "Father, just say that our family hasn't given the betrothal gifts yet..."

Xie Yizhi reached out to stop her: "Our family has some connections with the Xia family. If Xia Mengxian were dead, it would be fine, but he has just been imprisoned. If he implicates us while he is in jail, not only you, but the entire Xie family will not have peace."

After Xie Yizhi finished speaking, she stood up and walked to Xie Chengrang's side, patting Xie Chengrang's shoulder: "You are a member of the Xie family, so you have to think about the Xie family."

Xie Chengrang hurriedly said, "Even if we agree to this marriage, the Xie family will still be suspected."

Xie Yizhi sighed and looked at Xie Chengrang again: "Then it depends on what you do."

Xie Chengrang seemed to freeze in place for a moment, his lips pressed tightly together in unease.

Xie Yizhi said, "Just remember one thing: as long as the Xie family prospers, your career will be smooth sailing. Your father will remember what you do, and your elder brother will remember it too."

Before Xie Chengrang could speak, Xie Yizhi said sternly, "Kneel down."

Xie Chengrang's back trembled. He clenched his fists and then slowly bent his knees.

"Bring the family law!" Xie Yizhi shouted. "At this point, he's still determined to marry Xia Shi. Where does that leave the Xie family?"

The steward hesitated to request the family punishment, and Xie Yizhi's eyes widened as she repeated, "Can't I make the decisions for this family?"

After hearing this, who would dare to disobey?

Xie Chengrang heard the noisy footsteps, and soon he was hit hard on the shoulder, and the next blow struck his cheek, causing a burning pain.

Xie Yizhi wanted outsiders to know that he had used family discipline, but Xie Chengrang was still going against him.

Xie Chengrang gradually straightened his back, his anger seemingly capable of burning him completely, leaving only an empty shell. He could stand up and rebel, walk out of the Xie family, but in doing so, all the suffering he had endured would be in vain.

The stick kept hitting him.

Xie Chengrang gritted his teeth and silently endured it.

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Yizhi finally stopped and uttered a harsh statement: "Go and tell the clan not to hold this beast under Zhou's name for now. My Xie family has no such legitimate son."

"Make him kneel here, and no one is allowed to bring him food or drink."

Xie Yizhi strode out, and the study door closed behind her.

Xie Chengrang's body went limp and he collapsed to the ground.

After this incident, Xie Yizhi could pin the blame for Xia Jingxian's situation entirely on him. Even though everyone knew that Xia Jingxian wouldn't be able to enter the Xie family without Xie Yizhi's approval.

But no one will hold onto this too tightly.

The Xie family paid a price for this marriage, so those voices of doubt should stop.

Xie Chengrang felt the pain emanating from his body. He hadn't suffered for nothing. Because of the Xia family, the Xia family's cronies would also have a good impression of him, and the remaining benefits from the Xia family would all fall into the Xie family's hands.

If any danger arises, Xie Yizhi can simply throw this illegitimate son out, and the Xie family will be safe and sound.

No matter what the future holds, Xie Yizhi will always be invincible.

Xie Chengrang suddenly smiled. He was not as good as Xie Yizhi after all, and he still had to learn slowly.

……

When Madam Zhou heard that Xie Chengrang had been beaten, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhao Mama whispered, "Now Madam doesn't need to worry anymore." A while ago, because Xie Chengrang had taken her under her wing, Madam Zhou was outwardly happy but secretly worried. Who would have thought that things would take such a turn for the better?

Madam Zhou said, "Send some food over quietly, and also have someone bring some medicinal wine and soft cushions."

Zhao's mother said, "Madam is so thoughtful."

These are all insignificant, but in the eyes of others, this is what a loving mother is all about.

"Then have someone take Xia Erniang to rest and tell her the news that Erlang was beaten."

Zhao's mother was taken aback: "Wouldn't that make Xia Erniang truly grateful to Erlang from the bottom of her heart?"

Madam Zhou said, "She's clever and has already figured it out. This matter isn't up to Erlang to decide. She's telling her that Master and I are helping her find a solution. Erlang is really nothing in the Xie family. If she wants to stand firm, she has to listen to me."

Zhao's mother's eyes lit up; she finally understood.

Madam Zhou waved for Zhao Mama to leave. She had two sons who would both marry in the future. How to manage their wives... she would try it out on her illegitimate sons now.

On the other side, Xie Yizhi entered the small study, and his aide immediately came forward: "We found out from the yamen that apart from Xia Erniang coming here, Xia Wulang is not among those who have been imprisoned."

In other words, Xia Mengxian devised a plan to help his son escape.

Xie Yizhi said, "He might actually be able to escape Bianjing. If he goes to sea, the court won't be able to catch him." He had heard that Xia Mengxian had already taken his business to the sea, or that there were wealthy merchants at sea who were secretly dealing with Xia Mengxian.

Xia Mengxian has fallen, but those connections can't be lost. If he can take Xia Mengxian's place and reconnect with that network, the money will be in his hands.

He hopes that both of his sons can get away with it.

……

Xia Ziqiao stared blankly at the water.

Last night, when his father asked him to leave home, he said that if things went smoothly, someone would pick him up and take him home, but if something went wrong... he would have to leave Bianjing.

He waited for most of the day before finally receiving news that something had happened at home.

The servants brought food into the cabin, but Xia Ziqiao had no appetite. He looked over and asked, "When are we leaving?"

The servant shook his head, indicating that he did not know.

Xia Ziqiao paced anxiously in the cabin, sometimes worried about the situation at home, and sometimes afraid that someone would find him here and catch him red-handed.

He finally couldn't resist and bent down to walk out of the cabin.

The small boat remained moored on the Bian River, neither daring to approach the shore nor venturing far, clearly waiting for news.

He wasn't the only one leaving here today.

Xia Ziqiao looked around. If someone hadn't come by small boat to deliver a message earlier, he would have wondered if he had been forgotten here.

Another hour passed before Xia Ziqiao finally saw a boat approaching him.

The servants hurriedly escorted Xia Ziqiao into the cabin, lest the approaching vessel be an imperial ship. As the two ships drew closer, the boatman finally breathed a sigh of relief, recognizing a familiar face on the other ship.

"Young Master Ge." The boatman immediately bowed.

Standing at the bow, Ge Ying nodded, and when the two boats were close together, she jumped onto Xia Ziqiao's boat.

Xia Ziqiao's eyes lit up when he saw Ge Ying, and he immediately came out to greet her: "How did it go? What should we do?"

Ge Ying reassured Xia Ziqiao: "Everything is ready. We'll leave Bianjing by boat a little later."

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