Chapter 42: The Purification Ritual
Wang Gege could already sense the subtle tension spreading through the courtyard.
Even the servants who had been standing nearby instinctively lowered their heads, hardly daring to breathe.
Xie Rong remained where he was. His face was turned toward Madam Liu, his expression as calm and indifferent as ever.
He did not appear surprised or did he seem displeased by her sudden arrival. It was as though nothing in this world could easily disturb his composure.
Madam Liu maintained the same elegant smile upon her face, "Youth truly is wonderful."
She let out a soft chuckle, "This old woman nearly thought I had interrupted something."
Silence.
After what felt like an eternity, Xie Rong finally spoke. "Miss Liu."
The graceful smile on Liu Yulan’s face froze almost imperceptibly. Not only her but the surrounding servants also stiffened.
For years, everyone within the Xie Residence had respectfully addressed her as Madam Liu. It had gradually become a habit. No one had questioned it or corrected it.
Today, the Young Master had casually stripped away that title with a single form of address.
Xie Rong’s expression remained unchanged, "Perhaps... I have been too lenient." He gently released his hand from Wang Gege and moved a step forward, "So much so... you now believe you may choose when to interrupt me."
The courtyard fell into complete silence.
Liu Yuxin slowly lowered her gaze before offering a graceful curtsy.
"This one would never dare." Her voice remained gentle as always.
Only... The fingers hidden beneath her sleeves had quietly clenched into fists.
"Miss Liu Yuxin," Xie Rong’s calm voice once again broke the silence. "I have no interest in knowing what you intend to do."
He took one unhurried step forward, then another. Until he stood directly before her.
Although his eyes remained hidden beneath the black blindfold, the oppressive aura surrounding him was enough to make even the servants instinctively hold their breath.
"But..." His voice was low and cold, "If your schemes involve my wife..." A brief silence followed, "I will not stand by and watch."
The composure on Liu Yuxin’s face cracked.
Ever since the Young Master had returned to the Xie Residence more than a year ago, he had remained indifferent toward the affairs of the inner residence.
No matter what she did, no matter how much authority she exercised, he had never once questioned her.
Gradually, she began to believe he had acknowledged her, acknowledged her authority and her place within the Xie Residence. Maybe, he had even silently accepted the title everyone addressed her by.
Today, with a single sentence, he shattered every illusion she had carefully built over the years.
Liu Yuxin slowly lowered her head.
"This one..1." She tightened her fingers beneath her sleeves before forcing herself to bow gracefully once more. "This one has overstepped... I ask for Young Master’s forgiveness."
Xie Rong remained silent. The oppressive atmosphere lingered throughout the courtyard.
Just as Liu Yuxin was about to speak again, a dignified yet aged voice echoed from beyond the courtyard entrance.
"I was the one who summoned you and Taotao."
Everyone immediately turned toward the voice. Old Madam Xie slowly approached with the support of her maid.
Although age had bent her back ever so slightly, her presence alone was enough to command the respect of everyone present.
The servants instantly knelt.
"This servant greets the Old Madam."
Wang Gege also lowered herself into a respectful curtsy. "Grandmother."
Only Xie Rong remained standing where he was. He inclined his head slightly. "Grandmother."
Old Madam Xie’s gaze swept across the courtyard before finally settling upon her grandson. A trace of helplessness appeared in her aged eyes.
"If I was the one who asked for both of your presence..." She paused, "Why did you direct your temper at her instead?"
Xie Rong inclined his head slightly, "I presume Grandmother did not summon us merely to share tea." A few seconds passed, "It seems... Someone has already planted a seed in Grandmother’s heart."
Old Madam Xie frowned.
"Rong’er." Her voice carried a trace of displeasure. "Liu Yuxin has served this household faithfully for many years... Everything she has done has been for the stability of the Xie Residence."
She looked at her grandson with a stern expression, "She has never harbored ill intentions and if she has acted on her own initiative, it was only because she feared that a single oversight might disturb the peace of this family."
A brief silence followed. "You know this better than anyone."
Xie Rong remained silent.
Old Madam Xie let out a faint sigh, "I called both of you here today not because I wished to assign blame. I merely hope this family will remain harmonious."
Xie Rong lowered his head. A faint, almost imperceptible chuckle escaped his lips. It was not amusement, it sounded more like disappointment.
"So..." His voice was calm, "The way to preserve harmony... is by inviting a Taoist priest to perform a purification ritual?"
He slowly lifted his head, "Grandmother... Have you ever considered asking both of us first?"
His expression remained as indifferent as ever. But his next sentence carried a weight Old Madam Xie had not heard from him in years.
"This is unlike you."
The words lingered quietly in the air.
Old Madam Xie looked at her grandson in silence. She understood exactly what he was trying to say.
Over the years, she had always prided herself on being fair. No matter the matter at hand, she would first hear every side before reaching a conclusion before making her own judgment. It seemed this time she had failed to do so.
Ever since Xie Rong had returned from the battlefield a year ago, she had never truly recovered from the fear that had once nearly consumed her. Back then, the news of his death had reached the Xie Residence before he did. She had watched the servants weep, prepared herself for the funeral of her only grandson, and spent countless sleepless nights grieving a child she believed she would never see again.
Although Heaven eventually returned Rong’er to her... It had not returned him whole. His eyes had lost their light forever.
From that moment onward, every unusual incident that occurred within the Xie Residence quietly weighed upon her heart. She found herself becoming increasingly anxious, constantly fearing that Heaven might once again try to snatch her grandson away.
It was precisely because of that fear that, when Liu Yuxin suggested inviting a renowned Taoist priest to perform a purification ritual for the sake of the Xie Residence, she had agreed almost without hesitation.
"I still do not believe there is anything wrong with allowing the ritual to proceed." She paused, "The Taoist merely wishes to perform a purification ritual."
Wang Gege, who stood quietly since then, listening to every word exchanged between them.
At first, she did not think much of it.
A purification ritual? She felt like she had heard those words before, but didn’t really remember the exact meaning behind the ritual.
In her modern world, people also visited temples to pray for blessings and good fortune. There did not seem to be anything particularly strange about it.
However, the more she listened, the more something began to feel... off.
Her brows gradually knitted together.
’The Taoist...?’
"Grandmother..." Xie Rong’s calm voice once again drew everyone’s attention. "If Grandmother truly believes this purification ritual is merely a prayer for blessings..."
He paused slightly before continuing, "Then may this grandson ask Grandmother one question..." Xie Rong paused, his calm voice carrying through the silent courtyard. "Why is my wife the only one who needs this purification ritual?"