Shuse Jinjia

After leaving the Xie family, Xie Zhaotang went with Xie Shou and Shi Tou to the Imperial Academy to pick up Xie Yan.

The two waited outside for a long time before Xie Yan and three men came out chatting and laughing.

Upon seeing the three men, Xie Shouyi frowned and leaned closer to Xie Zhaotang, whispering something.

"Fourth Miss, the one with the young master, the older one is Luo Jinghe, the eldest grandson of Chief Luo, the younger one is Luo Jingcheng, and the one next to him is Fifth Master Xie Wei."

Upon hearing this, Xie Zhaotang recalled Aunt Xia's words about Luo Jinghe and Xie Wei.

Luo Jinghe and Xie Wei both became bad influences, serving as lackeys of the second master of the Rong Prince's family, helping him bully men and women...

Xie Wei's servant, Xiao Mu, was handsome, but this second master managed to get him into bed...

Xie Zhaotang's heart tightened at the thought. Before, she was only thinking about not being able to marry Luo Jinghe, and she had overlooked the fact that Xie Yan and Xie Wei were both studying at the Imperial Academy and living in the outer courtyard together.

Could it be that Xie Wei and Luo Jinghe have developed ill intentions towards Xie Yan after getting to know him?

Xie Zhaotang pondered, subtly observing the group of people approaching him.

Luo Jinghe, the eldest grandson of Dean Luo, was frail from childhood. Now at sixteen, he is tall and thin, with delicate features and a refined appearance.

The grandson, Luo Jingcheng, is thirteen years old. He is a little taller than Xie Yan and looks more robust than Luo Jinghe. His round face has a healthy rosy glow.

Xie Wei was only about thirteen years old. He probably grew up on the village and grew tall quickly, making him a head taller than Xie Yan.

He bears a resemblance to Xie Jianghuai, especially his eyes, which are long and sharp with slightly drooping corners, half-hidden by the hair hanging down his forehead, giving him a somewhat gloomy look.

"Sister, you've come to pick me up! Fifth Brother, I'll go to Baohua Village with you then. You two can go back on your own!"

Xie Yan saw Xie Zhaotang sitting in the carriage, greeted Xie Wei and the other two, and then ran towards Xie Zhaotang.

When Xie Zhaotang saw Xie Wei looking up at her, she cupped her hands in greeting and said, "Fourth Sister."

This was the first time Xie Zhaotang had met Xie Wei since he transmigrated. Seeing Xie Wei bow to him, Xie Zhaotang smiled and nodded, "Greetings, Brother Wei!"

Xie Wei followed Xie Yan to the carriage and took out two taels of silver from his pocket and handed it over.

"Fourth sister, I heard that Aunt Shen was bitten by a dog. Without Father's permission, I can't ask for leave to visit her. Fourth sister, take this money and use it to buy medicine for Aunt Shen. Consider it my way of showing my respect to Aunt Shen."

Xie Zhaotang didn't take it, and said indifferently, "Wei-ge'er, you've had a hard time too. Keep it for yourself. Mother has already given the money for the medicine. If it's not enough, I'll have Yan-ge'er ask you for it."

Xie Zhaotang became wary of Xie Wei and refused to accept his money.

Seeing that Xie Zhaotang's expression was kind and she didn't seem to mind, Xie Wei said, "Alright, Fourth Sister, just ask whenever you need anything."

He tucked the silver into his pocket and took a few steps back.

"Yan-ge'er, don't worry about taking care of Aunt Shen. I'll help you copy the notes, and I'll catch up on any lessons you've missed when we get back."

Xie Yan said gratefully, "Thank you, Fifth Brother. We'll be going now."

He got into the carriage, Xie Zhaotang waved to Xie Wei, and the carriage started moving.

Xie Wei stood there and watched them leave.

Xie Zhaotang felt that his gaze was very deep, like a bottomless darkness, hiding countless unspeakable secrets and repressions.

Although he was only thirteen years old, he seemed to have already walked through a long and desperate period of time alone, which made him exude a chilling sense of deathly stillness and brokenness.

Xie Zhaotang felt a heavy weight in her heart when she thought about his background.

Xie Jianghuai is unaware of Xie Wei's changes yet. What will become of this young man when he finds out in the future?

"Fourth Sister, is Aunt's injury very serious?"

Seeing Xie Zhaotang remain silent, Xie Yan asked uneasily.

Xie Zhaotang regained her senses and comforted her, "Auntie is alright. Although she was bitten by a dog, luckily it wasn't a rabid dog. As long as the injury heals, there won't be any lasting effects."

Xie Yan said with a straight face, "Fourth Sister came today to the Prefect of the Capital to withdraw the petition, right? Shi Tou found out yesterday, so you don't need to hide it from me."

Upon hearing this, Xie Zhaotang looked at Xie Yan and asked, "Then do you believe Madam Xu's words, that I brought this trouble upon my aunt because of my clinging to Xu Muyuan?"

Xie Yan immediately became anxious and said, "Sister, how could I possibly believe Madam Xu's words! I have seen the changes in you these past few days, and I absolutely do not believe that you would provoke Xu Muyuan."

"I'm just furious that these people are bullying us and don't value our lives!"

Seeing that his face was flushed with anger, Xie Zhaotang raised her hand and rubbed his head, saying softly, "Don't be angry. I did withdraw the petition, but the government couldn't give us justice, so I'll seek justice myself."

Xie Yan pulled her hand down and said patiently, "Sister, don't do anything for now. The most important thing is to find a way to make a living. Otherwise, it will be a loss if you anger Madam Xu."

Xie Zhaotang nodded, and Xie Yan didn't say anything more.

Upon arriving at Baohua Village, Xie Yan went to visit Aunt Shen as soon as he entered. Seeing that Aunt Shen's condition was not as critical as he had imagined, he was relieved.

There were only three rooms in the house. Xie Zhaotang settled Xie Yan and Shi Tou in Xie Tian Tian's room, and then took Xie Tian Tian and Dong Er to stay at Xue Jin Tong's place for two days.

When Xie Zhaotang arrived at the home of Xue Jintong's uncle, Zhou Sui, she explained her purpose, and Zhou Sui immediately instructed the maid to prepare a room for the two of them.

He said gratefully, "Fourth Miss, I've already heard from Jintong that she was able to hold on until I arrived thanks to the medicine you sent. I've prepared a thank-you gift for you, Fourth Miss. Please wait a moment while I go get it."

He went out of the house and came back a moment later with a box.

Xue Jintong gestured to Xie Zhaotang to open it and take a look.

Xie Zhaotang opened it, and inside was a house deed, which clearly showed the courtyard where Aunt Shen was currently living.

Xie Zhaotang was startled and hurriedly declined, "Uncle Zhou, this gift is too valuable, I can't accept it."

Zhou Sui said dismissively, "The houses in the village aren't expensive. I only spent 150 taels to buy this house. I even thought it was stingy. I'm afraid that if I give something too expensive, the Fourth Miss will be even less willing to accept it."

Xue Jintong also took Xie Zhaotang's hand, stuffed the house deed into her hand, and gestured to indicate that compared to Xie Zhaotang's life-saving grace, this was nothing.

Li Qin, standing beside her, added, "Tangtang, you should accept it. Uncle Zhou also gave me a house in Baohua Village as part of my dowry, saying that I can rent it out later if I don't live there."

Upon hearing that Li Qin had accepted it, Xie Zhaotang had no choice but to accept it as well.

She asked Xie Shou to inquire about it. The Zhou family were wealthy merchants in Xuzhou. Their ancestors started by making tofu, and now their bean products were sold all over the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Zhou Sui really didn't care about this amount of money.

She asked, "Uncle Zhou, what are your plans for the future?"

Xue Jintong was brought out by Madam Pei this time, but the Xue family still has control over her marriage. Zhou Sui wants to bring Xue Jintong to Xuzhou, and it is impossible for the Xue family not to agree.

Zhou Sui thought for a moment, then stood up and bowed to Xie Zhaotang.

Xie Zhaotang quickly stood up to return the greeting: "Uncle Zhou, please don't hesitate to ask if you need my help. Don't be shy with me."

Zhou Sui sat down and then said, "Jintong and I have discussed it. Jintong's mother's dowry can be given to the Xue family in exchange for them not interfering with Jintong's marriage in the future. But it's inconvenient for us to discuss this with them. We'll have to ask you to ask Old Madam Pei to intervene again."

Xie Zhaotang glanced at Li Qin. Previously, Madam Pei's idea was that Xue Jintong could cure her voice, so she wanted to marry her to Huo Beiyu.

Since Old Madam Huo has already sent people to take care of things, wouldn't it be better for Old Madam Huo to handle this matter herself?