Chapter 44: Liu Yuxin
Old Madam Xie quietly watched the departing figures of Xie Rong and Shen Taotao until they disappeared beyond the courtyard gate.
A faint sigh escaped her lips. Ever since Xie Rong had returned from the battlefield a year ago, something about him had changed. She simply could not put her finger on what it was.
He was colder and quieter than before. His emotions seemed buried even deeper beneath that calm exterior, making it almost impossible for anyone to guess what he was thinking.
Even so, he had always remained indifferent toward the affairs of the inner residence. As long as no one crossed his bottom line, he rarely interfered.
But today, he had personally stepped forward. Not only had he questioned her decision, he had even publicly corrected Liu Yuxin and refused to allow Shen Taotao to undergo the purification ritual.
Protecting one’s wife was only natural. However, Xie Rong had protected her in a way that left absolutely no room for compromise. That was unlike the Xie Rong she knew.
Old Madam Xie let out a weary sigh before turning around, allowing her personal maid to support her.
"Let’s return to my courtyard."
However, before she could take more than a few steps, a faint sob quietly reached everyone’s ears.
Old Madam Xie instinctively stopped.
Turning around, she saw Liu Yuxin lowering her head, one hand covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she struggled to suppress the trembling in her breathing. The tears in her eyes never truly fell, merely lingering there, making her appear all the more aggrieved.
"Old Madam..." Her voice was soft and unsteady. "This one apologizes for today’s discourtesy... and for causing Young Master to misunderstand my intentions."
She lowered herself into a respectful bow. "This one truly had no selfish motives. I merely wished to ease the worries weighing upon Old Madam’s heart."
A bitter smile slowly appeared on her face, "If my suggestion has instead driven a wedge between Grandmother and grandson..."
She paused, lowering her head even further. "Then this one is willing to accept any punishment."
The courtyard fell silent once more.
The servants who had witnessed everything could not help but exchange glances. In their eyes, from beginning to end, Liu Yuxin had never once spoken a harsh word toward the Young Madam, nor had she raised her voice at the Young Master. She simply appeared to be someone who had tried to do the right thing, only to be misunderstood in return.
Old Madam Xie remained silent for a long while.
Until she once again let out a weary sigh.
"Send someone to inform the Taoist that the purification ritual will no longer proceed." She paused before adding, "Since he has already made the journey here, serve him a pot of tea before escorting him out of the residence."
"Yes, Old Madam." One of the maids immediately lowered her head and was just about to leave.
"Old Madam..." Liu Yuxin’s trembling voice stopped everyone in their tracks.
She slowly raised her head. Her eyes were already rimmed red, yet she still forced a faint smile onto her face.
"So... This is how Old Madam sees this one as well?"
Old Madam Xie frowned. "What do you mean?"
Liu Yuxin lowered her gaze. "This one understands. After Young Master’s words, even Old Madam has begun to believe that this one arranged the purification ritual out of selfish motives."
She gave a quiet, self-deprecating laugh. "I should have known better. After all... This one has no blood relation to the Xie family. No matter how many years I have remained by Old Madam’s side... I have always wished for the peace of this household..."
She pressed her lips hard, as though she was holding her tears, "When misunderstandings arise... It is only natural that this one would be the first to be doubted."
Old Madam Xie’s expression subtly changed.
Liu Yuxin immediately bowed. "This one has spoken too much. Please pretend you heard nothing."
With those words, she quietly stepped aside, lowering her head once more as though she had no intention of defending herself any further.
It was precisely because she stopped there, that Old Madam Xie found herself unable to ignore her.
Old Madam Xie quietly studied Liu Yuxin for a long while.
A trace of helplessness gradually surfaced in her aged eyes.
"You..." She let out a soft sigh. "When did I ever say such a thing?"
Liu Yuxin lowered her head even further. "This one merely thought..."
Old Madam Xie gently raised a hand, stopping her before she could continue.
"I know your intentions. For all these years, you have remained by my side, helping me manage the household without complaint. Whether it was the accounts, the servants, or the countless affairs within the residence, you have never once sought credit for your efforts."
She paused, her tone becoming gentler. "I have never doubted your loyalty."
Hearing those words, the tears lingering in Liu Yuxin’s eyes finally slipped down her cheeks.
"This one... This one only fears that the Young Master now sees me as someone who harbors ill intentions toward the Young Madam."
Old Madam Xie slowly shook her head, "Rong’er has always been stubborn once he has made up his mind. Do not take his words too much to heart."
She reached out and lightly patted Liu Yuxin’s hand. "I know you did everything for the sake of this family."
Only then did Liu Yuxin seem to calm down slightly, though her eyes remained lowered.
After a long silence, Old Madam Xie slowly withdrew her hand and turned toward the maid who had yet to leave.
"Wait." The maid immediately stopped in her tracks.
Old Madam Xie closed her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again. "There is no need to send the Taoist away just yet."
Her voice was calm, though no longer as decisive as before.
"Invite him to the guest hall first. I will... think about this matter a little longer."
"Yes, Old Madam." The maid received the order.
The moment those words fell, Liu Yuxin lowered her head obediently.
Hidden beneath everyone’s line of sight... A faint smile quietly curved the corners of her lips.