Wasn't he supposed to be beaten to death? Why did this powerful cousin love him so much?

Xie Yihua's expression froze.

Back again?

What does "came back again" mean?

Xie Yihua felt wronged. Apart from the first time she returned home for her parents' wedding, this was only the second time she had come home.

Xie Yao was speechless. Of course he knew that Xie Yihua had gone home twice for Chu Shaoyuan.

But this is also what leaves Xie Yao speechless, because Xie Jue has always doted on her and almost always grants her every request.

How could Xie Jue possibly stand idly by when it comes to Chu Shaoyuan's affairs? It's just that the time isn't right yet, or he has other considerations.

Why did she have to run back again and again like a headless fly, crying and begging for mercy?

The key question is, it's one thing for her to go to Xie Jue, but why is she looking for him now?

What help can he offer?

Xie Changfeng, who couldn't even protect the one he loved, what help could he possibly offer her? Could he possibly rescue someone from the Ministry of Justice prison, or could he possibly plead for Chu Shaoyuan before the Emperor?

This clear understanding, like a dull knife slowly cutting flesh, repeatedly tormented his already dwindling dignity and pride.

The thought of his own incompetence and weakness fueled Xie Yao's resentment and self-loathing, naturally making him even less friendly towards Xie Yihua.

Xie Yao is actually a very easygoing young master. When he's happy, he can put aside his pride to make people happy, but when he's unhappy, he won't give face to even the King of Heaven.

Thinking about the grievances she had suffered recently, Xie Yihua's eyes quickly reddened. She rushed to Xie Yao, tears streaming down her face before she could even speak: "Third Brother, you have no idea how arrogant and domineering that Fu family girl is! Relying on Eldest Brother's power, she simply doesn't put our Xie family in her eyes!"

Xie Yao glanced at Xie Yihua, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly: "What's wrong with her?"

Xie Yihua pressed her handkerchief hard against the corner of her eye, her voice trembling deliberately with resentment, "You don't know, last time I went to her birthday banquet, she thought she was going to be my sister-in-law, and she was so arrogant that she shrugged me off in front of so many people! Her words were harsh and barbed, so I was so angry that I didn't even go in when I got to her Fu family's door."

Xie Yao had indeed heard about this matter.

Xie Yao also heard from Xie Huaizhang that Qi Yun had been bullied by Xie Yujiao and that Fu woman.

Xie Yao naturally knew what kind of temper his fifth younger sister had, and it was quite common for her to bully Qi Yun.

Although Qi Yun is cunning, she is not a troublemaker.

After hearing Xie Yihua's words, it's clear that the woman from the Fu family is indeed not a kind person.

Xie Yao looked at his younger sister, who was crying her eyes out, his gaze deepening. He asked, "So, what do you want me to do?"

Xie Yihua paused in her sobs, raised her tear-filled face, and put on a sorrowful yet sincere expression: "Third Brother, how could I dare ask you to do anything? I just... I just felt sorry for Cousin Sese."

Xie Yihua deliberately emphasized the words "cousin Se Se," and then carefully observed Xie Yao's reaction.

Sure enough, upon hearing Jiang Sese's name, Xie Yao's expression immediately darkened considerably.

Xie Yihua sneered inwardly, but his face showed even more sorrow: "Third Brother, you know that Cousin Sese did it to save me... that's why... I originally thought that since Eldest Brother loves me so much, he would definitely go to Cousin Sese's Water and Land Ritual in my place. Cousin Sese is so kind, so wonderful..."

"I never imagined that my elder brother would be so indifferent to my cousin Sese, yet he would go to the capital to request an imperial decree for that Fu woman! Just thinking about it breaks my heart. What makes that Fu woman so special? What is so good about her?"

Xie Yihua paused deliberately, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated, then whispered, "Third Brother, do you think it's possible that woman from the Fu family used some kind of sorcery to bewitch Eldest Brother?"

"By the way, I've also heard rumors in the capital recently, saying... saying that the floods in Jiangnan are all because of the Fu family woman."

Xie Yao was silent for a moment, then a slightly mocking smile suddenly appeared on his lips.

Xie Yao slowly turned around, his gaze falling on the vibrant lotus pond outside the window. His voice was unreadable: "Yi Hua, as a woman myself, how can you believe such absurd rumors that blame natural disasters and man-made calamities on a weak woman?"

These words were like a needle, causing Xie Yihua's feigned grief and grievance to freeze for a moment, followed by an embarrassed blush.

Xie Yihua quickly covered up, saying, "Of course I don't believe it!"

"But……"

"Third Brother, are you really willing to accept this? Are you really going to just stand by and watch that unknown Fu woman marry into the family in such a grand and glamorous way?"

Outsiders would never understand what Xie Yihua was talking about, who Xie Jue was going to marry, or what Xie Yao had to be unhappy about.

But Xie Yihua was exploiting an information gap.

Xie Yao certainly didn't know that the woman from the Fu family was Jiang Sese. If he really loved Jiang Sese deeply, and if he really harbored resentment towards Xie Jue because of Jiang Sese's death, then he certainly wouldn't have let Xie Jue get his way so easily.

Xie Jue married the person he wanted to marry, but what about the woman he loved?

After Xie Yihua finished speaking, she waited quietly for Xie Yao to speak.

The three siblings all had similar temperaments.

If you want something, you must get it. If you can't get it, your obsession will torment you until you are emaciated and can't find peace day or night.

Xie Yao remained with his back to her, gazing at the lotus pond outside the window, silent for a long time.

Yes, Xie Jue married a woman from the Fu family, but what about Sese?

How should he cope with his trembling?

"Unwilling to accept it?" Xie Yao repeated Xie Yihua's words and slowly said, "Of course I... am unwilling to accept it."

Xie Yihua was overjoyed. It was a success!

"Third Brother..." Xie Yihua took a step forward urgently, wanting to add fuel to the fire.

Xie Yao raised his hand to stop her from speaking.

"The best way to strike at her is to shut the Duke of Dingguo's mansion up completely."

Xie Yihua didn't understand: "Third Brother means...?"

Xie Yao smiled knowingly and said, "Rumors are ultimately baseless. Without concrete evidence, they can't fundamentally harm you. If the Fu family can fabricate a story about fishing by the river, they can fabricate countless miracles to dispel it."

"There is only one thing that the Fu family can never resolve."

"What?" Xie Yihua asked instinctively, holding her breath.

"Dead—person." Xie Yao slowly uttered the two words.

dead?

Xie Yihua was puzzled at first, but then suddenly understood.

Xie Yihua exclaimed excitedly, "That's a great idea! Third Brother really knows how to come up with a solution!"

Xie Yao didn't want to do anything to that Fu woman. With the Duke of Dingguo behind her, she wouldn't die no matter what he did.

He just didn't want Xie Jue to get his way.

And Xie Yihua.

Xie Yao coldly watched Xie Yihua's excited appearance. Once Xie Jue returned to the capital and found out what Xie Yihua had done, no matter how much he loved her, he would probably be disheartened.

Xie Yao had not forgotten who caused Jiang Sese's "death".

He not only resented himself and hated Xie Jue, but also loathed Xie Yihua.

It means they've reached a point where they can't stand anyone.

Xie Yihua got what she wanted, so she no longer cared about Xie Yao's grief-stricken appearance; she let him put on a deadpan face however he wanted.

Xie Yihua smiled and bowed, "Thank you for your guidance, Third Brother. I know what to do now."

Xie Yao remained standing in the same spot, silently gazing at the pond outside the window.