Chapter 135: The Danger Of Resentment
"Ah... husband... it tickle..."
Wang Gege’s breath caught softly, her happy voice barely escaping into the quiet night.
Behind the tightly drawn bed curtains, the candlelight flickered gently, casting wavering shadows against the embroidered silk.
To the couple inside, the world beyond their chamber had long since faded away.
But for the person silently concealed among the shadows outside the secluded courtyard...
Even that single, breathless sound was enough to shatter the last thread of composure she had been desperately clinging to.
Xie An’an stood rooted beneath the eaves, her entire body trembling ever so slightly.
Her fingers tightened around the wooden pillar beside her until her knuckles gradually turned pale.
"No." She slowly shook her head. "It can’t be..."
The words escaped almost instinctively.
In all the years she had admired Xie Rong from afar, she had never once imagined he would willingly open his heart to another woman.
She had always believed he was simply indifferent by nature.
That no matter who became his wife, he would remain the same distant and untouchable Young Master of the Xie family.
Yet tonight, everything she had believed was collapsing before her eyes.
Another laughter drifted from within the chamber. It sounded intimate and warm.
Xie An’an’s breathing became increasingly uneven.
"Why..." She bit her lower lip until she tasted the faint hint of blood. "Why her...?"
Her gaze remained fixed upon the warmly lit chamber, hatred and unwillingness gradually intertwining within her heart.
For one terrifying moment, she wanted nothing more than to rush forward.
To throw open the doors. To tear apart the happiness hidden behind those embroidered curtains.
Even the thought of setting the entire secluded courtyard ablaze flashed through her mind.
If the flames consumed everything... Would Shen Taotao disappear?
Would Elder Brother return to being the same man who belonged to no one?
The thought lingered only for an instant.
Xie An’an abruptly stepped back, her breathing ragged.
"No." She clenched her fists tightly.
Not now.
If anything happened to the secluded courtyard tonight, every suspicion would inevitably fall upon her.
She could not afford such a reckless mistake.
Not when she had endured this long.
Her eyes slowly narrowed as they rested upon the closed chamber doors.
"Shen Taotao." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "You may have won tonight..." A cold smile gradually appeared on her lips, "but this is far from over."
With one final glance toward the chamber, Xie An’an silently disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the swaying bamboo and the quiet autumn breeze behind.
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The first rays of dawn gradually pierced through the morning mist, bathing the secluded courtyard in a pale golden light.
Inside the chamber, everything remained quiet.
Xie Rong carefully glanced toward the bed.
Wang Gege was still fast asleep, one hand lightly clutching the corner of the blanket, her breathing slow and even.
The corners of his lips unconsciously softened.
He gently tucked the blanket a little higher over her shoulder before quietly rising from the bed.
His movements were so light that not even the floorboards beneath his feet made the slightest sound.
After changing into a fresh robe, he put on his blindfold and stepped out of the chamber, carefully closing the door behind him.
The cool morning air immediately greeted him.
He had barely taken a few steps into the courtyard when a black figure descended silently from the roof.
"Young Master..." Mo Yan knelt on one knee.
Xie Rong’s expression returned to its usual calmness. "What is it?"
"This subordinate has something to report."
Xie Rong gave a slight nod, signaling him to continue.
"Last night..." Mo Yan hesitated briefly. "The adopted young lady of the Xie family came to the secluded courtyard."
Xie Rong’s brows gradually drew together. "Xie An’an?"
"Yes." Mo Yan bobbed his head lightly.
"How long?" Xie Rong lowered his gaze.
"Approximately the time it takes to burn half an incense stick."
Xie Rong remained silent. His gaze unconsciously shifted toward the tightly closed chamber doors behind him. "What was she doing?"
"This subordinate kept a distance to avoid alerting her." Mo Yan lowered his head respectfully. "She remained standing outside the courtyard for several minutes. She neither entered nor spoke to anyone."
He paused before continuing, "Not long afterward... This subordinate heard the sound of something being struck. It appeared she had hit the wooden pillar beside the entrance before turning around and leaving. Judging from her footsteps..."
Mo Yan’s voice became slightly colder, "She was extremely angry."
Silence settled over the courtyard. The gentle breeze stirred the bamboo leaves overhead.
After a long while, Xie Rong finally spoke. "Double the guards around the Young Madam."
Mo Yan immediately cupped his fists. "This subordinate understands."
"And..." Xie Rong’s gaze remained upon the chamber where Wang Gege was still peacefully asleep.
"From today onward... Report to this one anyone who deliberately approaches the Young Madam."
Mo Yan lowered his head even further. "This subordinate will personally see to it."
Silence settled over the courtyard once more.
Xie Rong slowly closed his eyes.
Last night, Xie An’an had merely stood outside the secluded courtyard. She had neither entered nor attempted anything reckless.
Yet Xie Rong knew... That was only because she still possessed enough reason to restrain herself.
Resentment, however, was a different matter.
Once it took root within a person’s heart, it rarely disappeared on its own.
Instead... It quietly grew.
Until one day, it consumed the person entirely.
Xie Rong understood that better than most.
When he had first awakened in this world a year ago, he had already noticed the affection Xie An’an harbored toward the original owner of this body.
Although she had hidden it well before others, it had never escaped his notice.
From that day onward, he had deliberately kept his distance.
He spoke to her no more than necessary.
He never accepted any gesture that might invite misunderstanding.
Whenever they met, he ensured there was always another servant or family member present.
Step by step, he had drawn an unmistakable line between them.
He believed that, given enough time, Xie An’an would eventually abandon those inappropriate feelings.
Instead, his indifference had only caused her obsession to grow deeper.
Xie Rong slowly opened his eyes. A trace of coldness flashed beneath the white silk blindfold.
If she merely resented him, he would not have cared.
But the moment that resentment was directed toward Shen Taotao...
He would no longer tolerate it.