Chapter 136: Shen Family’s Visit
The morning sun had only just begun illuminating the secluded courtyard. Inside the outer hall, the fragrance of freshly brewed tea quietly filled the room.
Xie Rong sat calmly beside the table, leisurely lifting the porcelain teacup to his lips. Although he had already changed into a fresh robe, his gaze would occasionally drift toward the tightly closed door leading to the inner chamber.
Not long afterward, hurried footsteps approached from outside.
Qing’er gently pushed open the door before immediately lowering herself into a respectful bow.
"This servant greets the Young Master."
Without looking away from the teacup in his hand, Xie Rong spoke calmly, "It is still early. My Furen is still resting. Do not wake her."
His tone remained as calm as ever.
"Young Master." A trace of hesitation appeared on Qing’er’s face, "This servant has come to relay a message."
Only then did Xie Rong slowly place the teacup back onto the table.
"What is it?"
"Master has instructed this servant to invite both Young Master and Young Madam to the main hall immediately." Her voice grew noticeably quieter as she continued, "He said... it is an urgent matter."
Xie Rong’s brows gradually drew together. "Did Father mention the reason?"
Qing’er nodded. "The Shen family has arrived."
The atmosphere inside the outer hall instantly changed.
Xie Rong’s fingers paused lightly against the rim of the teacup. "The Shen family?"
"Yes, Young Master." Qing’er lowered her head. "Master Shen, Madam Shen..." She hesitated briefly before finishing, "and Eldest Miss Shen has all come to the residence."
Silence settled over the room.
Xie Rong’s expression remained unreadable, but his mind had already pieced together the purpose of their visit.
The incident at the silk shop yesterday had finally reached the point where it could no longer be ignored.
Just then, a familiar sleepy voice drifted from behind the inner chamber door.
"Husband?"
Both Xie Rong and Qing’er instinctively turned toward the sound.
The day had officially begun.
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By the time they arrived at the main hall, the morning sun had already risen high enough to illuminate the stone courtyard.
Qing’er quietly pushed open the heavy wooden doors.
The moment the couple stepped inside, every conversation came to an abrupt halt.
Dozens of eyes instinctively turned toward the entrance.
Wang Gege walked half a step beside Xie Rong, her pace neither hurried nor slow. She wore a light green hanfu embroidered with delicate white plum blossoms along the cuffs, while a jade hairpin secured her neatly arranged hair. Standing beside her, Xie Rong wore a robe of the same pale green, its sleeves adorned with subtle bamboo embroidery that complemented rather than matched hers exactly.
No one had planned it but standing side by side, they looked remarkably harmonious.
Even Master Xie, who had been frowning only moments earlier, unconsciously glanced at the two of them before slowly looking away.
Across the hall, the three members of the Shen family had already risen to their feet.
Master Shen stood with both hands folded before him, his usually dignified expression carrying an unmistakable trace of uneasiness.
Beside him, Madam Shen lowered her head the moment Wang Gege entered. She did not even dare meet her adopted daughter’s eyes, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the handkerchief she held.
Only Shen Yurou remained standing behind her parents. Her complexion was noticeably pale compared to the previous day.
The moment her gaze landed upon Wang Gege and Xie Rong, who had entered side by side in matching shades of light green, her eyes flickered with a mixture of unwillingness and resentment before she quickly lowered them once more.
No matter how reluctant she felt, she understood that today, they had come to the Xie Residence to apologize.
There was no room for another outburst.
The moment Xie Rong and Wang Gege had finished paying their respects, Master Shen stepped forward and cupped his fists deeply.
"Old Madam Xie... Master Xie... Young Master Xie... Young Madam..." His usually dignified bearing had completely disappeared. "This humble one has come today to apologize for yesterday’s incident."
Before Master Xie could respond, Madam Shen also rose from her seat and bowed.
"It was this humble woman’s failure to discipline my daughter properly. Yesterday’s matter has caused Young Madam to suffer greatly." As she spoke, she reached out and gently tugged at Shen Yurou’s sleeve, "Kneel."
Shen Yurou’s body stiffened. "Mother."
"Kneel." Madam Shen’s voice remained soft, but there was no room for refusal.
After a long moment of silence, Shen Yurou slowly lowered herself onto both knees before everyone present. Her fingernails dug deeply into her palms beneath her sleeves.
"This one..." She bit her lip before forcing herself to continue, "acted impulsively yesterday. I ask Young Master Xie and Second Sister to forgive this daughter’s offense."
The hall remained silent.
Master Shen’s expression grew increasingly anxious.
"Master Xie." He took another step forward. "This humble one has already learned that, beginning this morning, every business partnership between the Xie family and the Shen family has been suspended. Our silk deliveries have been returned. Our tea shipments have been rejected."
He lowered his head once more, "Even the grain merchants who have worked with us for years have begun distancing themselves after learning of the Xie family’s decision. This humble one understands that the Shen family was in the wrong. We are also prepared to compensate the silk shop for every tael they lost yesterday."
He gulped, hesitant briefly, "But... If the Xie family continues withdrawing its support... The Shen family may not be able to endure such losses."
Master Shen cupped his fists once more. "I humbly ask Master Xie... to show mercy."
Master Xie remained seated, his fingers slowly tapping against the armrest of his chair. His gaze swept across the kneeling Shen Yurou before finally resting upon Xie Rong.
Yesterday’s incident, had indeed angered him too when he heard about it. Not merely because Shen Yurou had publicly humiliated the Young Madam of the Xie family.
But because she had laid hands upon his daughter-in-law in broad daylight.
That alone was enough to embarrass the entire Xie family.
The main hall remained deathly silent. Neither Master Xie nor Xie Rong showed the slightest intention of speaking.
Even Old Madam Xie seated nearby merely watched quietly, allowing the Shen family to stew in the suffocating silence.
Madam Shen’s eyes gradually reddened. Seeing that no one was willing to soften their stance, she suddenly stepped forward.
"Taotao..." Her voice trembled slightly. Before anyone could react, she lowered herself onto both knees.
Master Shen’s expression changed drastically, instinctively reaching out to help his wife.
Madam Shen gently pushed his hand away. Instead, she looked directly at Wang Gege, tears already welling in her eyes.
"Taotao... Mother knows... Mother knows we have wronged you."
Her voice became increasingly hoarse. "What Yurou did yesterday was unforgivable. But..."
She pressed her lips together, as though struggling to continue. "The Shen family has raised you for almost nineteen years. For nineteen years... We never allowed you to go hungry. We gave you a home. We watched you grow from an infant into a young woman."
She lowered her head, "If there was ever a time... when Mother treated you well... I beg you..." Her hands slowly clasped together in supplication. "Please speak to Young Master Xie. Ask him... to give the Shen family one more chance."
The hall fell silent once more.
Wang Gege quietly looked at the woman kneeling before her.
After a long while, she finally sighed softly. "Mother..."
The familiar form of address caused Madam Shen’s eyes to brighten ever so slightly. "Taotao..."
"But..." Wang Gege slowly shook her head. "I cannot."
The hope in Madam Shen’s eyes froze.
"This matter... It is no longer something this daughter can decide." She glanced toward Xie Rong before looking back at Madam Shen.
"Yesterday... Elder Sister did not merely strike me. She struck the dignity of the Xie family. How could this daughter ask Husband to pretend nothing happened?"
Madam Shen’s lips trembled. "Taotao..."
"This daughter..." Wang Gege lowered her gaze. "Cannot make such a request."