Chapter 123: A Calculated Fall
Xie An’an’s eyes widened in disbelief.
"What... does Sister-in-law mean?" She took an unsteady step forward, tears already welling within her reddened eyes. "This sister has never done such a thing."
Her voice quivered, "How could this sister possibly seize Sister-in-law’s wrist... or push Sister-in-law into the lotus pond?"
She shook her head repeatedly, tears slipping down her cheeks. "This sister merely wished to explain herself. I never intended for such a misunderstanding to arise."
As she spoke, she slowly approached Wang Gege. Her trembling hand gradually lifted, as though wishing to take Wang Gege’s hand in reconciliation.
"Sister-in-law... If my actions truly caused Sister-in-law to misunderstand... then this sister is willing to apologize."
The hall watched in silence.
Even Old Madam Xie seemed moved by the young girl’s pitiful appearance.
Only Wang Gege remained where she stood.
When Xie An’an’s fingertips were about to reach her... Wang Gege quietly took half a step backward.
Not out of contempt but out of instinct. She no longer wished to be touched.
That single step changed everything.
Xie An’an’s hand grasped nothing but empty air. Her expression froze for the briefest instant.
Then...
"Ah!"
Her embroidered shoe twisted beneath the hem of her skirt. Her delicate body lurched forward, straight toward Wang Gege.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Seeing Xie An’an suddenly falling toward her once more, Wang Gege instinctively stepped aside.
Not because she wished to embarrass Xie An’an or because she intended to avoid helping her.
Rather... Ever since the incident at the lotus pond, her body had unconsciously begun rejecting any sudden approach from the young lady before her.
Her feet moved before her mind could react.
The moment Wang Gege shifted aside, Xie An’an’s body no longer had anything to stop its momentum.
"Young Miss!"
Several servants cried out in alarm.
Xie Rong’s eyes narrowed. Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped in front of Wang Gege.
His only intention was to shield his wife from being struck. Yet the force with which Xie An’an stumbled forward was far greater than anyone expected.
Before Xie Rong could steady himself, her entire body crashed heavily against him.
The sudden impact forced him to stagger backward.
One step, then another.
Unable to regain his footing in time, the back of his legs struck the wooden platform before the Old Madam’s seat.
His balance finally gave way. Xie Rong’s back struck the floor with a heavy thud.
Before he could react, Xie An’an’s body fell with him. She landed squarely upon his chest.
The sudden impact caused both of them to gasp. Her face pitched forward and Xie Rong instinctively turned his head aside.
Their lips stopped less than an inch apart. A single loose strand of Xie An’an’s hair brushed across his cheek.
For one suspended heartbeat, it appeared to every pair of eyes in the hall as though the two were about to kiss.
"Young Master!"
"Young Miss!"
Several maids cried out in horror.
The hall erupted into chaos.
For the briefest moment, Xie Rong remained completely still. It was not because he was stunned by Xie An’an lying atop him... but because he understood, in an instant, what this scene would mean.
His gaze instinctively searched the hall and then it landed upon Wang Gege.
She stood only a few steps away. Her eyes quietly met his.
There was no anger nor was there any accusation. She merely watched him with the same calm expression she had worn throughout the confrontation.
Yet... That very calmness made Xie Rong’s heart sink. He would rather she become furious than look at him with such quiet detachment.
His pupils contracted. Without another thought, both hands immediately pressed against Xie An’an’s shoulders.
"Move." His voice was colder than ever before.
Before Xie An’an could reach, he pushed her away, not forcefully but enough that she was separated from him at once.
Xie Rong rose to his feet almost immediately, as though remaining another heartbeat in that position would only deepen the misunderstanding.
His robes were slightly disheveled. He paid them no attention as his eyes never left Wang Gege.
Only after assuring himself she was unharmed did he finally let out the breath he had unknowingly been holding.
Then, a chilling realization settled within him. He understood the customs of the ancient time better than anyone present.
An unmarried young lady, falling into the embrace of a married man before the eyes of the entire household even if it had been nothing more than an accident, rumors would not care for the truth.
And once those rumors spread... Someone would inevitably suggest that he take responsibility.
The temperature in the hall seemed to plummet.
Meanwhile, Xie An’an remained kneeling where she had fallen, her complexion had turned deathly pale and her trembling fingers slowly touched her lips before hastily withdrawing, as though only now realizing what had just happened.
"N-No..." She shook her head repeatedly. "This... this sister..." Her voice broke. "I..."
She looked around in panic. Her gaze swept across every servant inside the hall, each pair of eyes fixed upon her. The color drained from her face.
"This sister... did not mean to... I only stumbled... I... I accidentally fell onto Elder Brother..."
The more she tried to explain, the quieter the hall became. No one interrupted her.
Because every explanation she uttered only reminded everyone of the very scene they had just witnessed.
Old Madam Xie’s expression grew solemn. After a long silence, she slowly spoke.
"What happened today... shall not leave this hall." Her aged eyes swept across every servant present. "If this old one hears even a single rumor spread outside these doors... do not blame this old one for showing no mercy."
"Yes, Old Madam." The servants immediately bowed.
Yet... Xie An’an suddenly let out a soft sob.
"No..." Her shoulders trembled violently. "What use is there in silencing everyone here..."
She covered her face with both hands as tears slipped endlessly through her fingers.
"This sister’s reputation... has already been ruined. I... How can this sister ever face anyone again?"
Those words struck the hall like a clap of thunder. Several elderly servants quietly lowered their heads. Everyone understood what she meant.
An unmarried noble young lady... Having fallen into a married man’s embrace before so many witnesses. Even if nothing had truly happened... Who would believe it once rumors spread?
The atmosphere inside the hall became unbearably heavy. Only one person remained strangely calm.
Wang Gege quietly watched Xie An’an’s tearful performance.
Her eyes lingered upon the young lady for a brief moment before the corners of her lips slowly curved upward.
A smile, a small feeble one.
There was not the slightest trace of surprise. There was only understanding.
’So... This was your true objective all along.’