Chapter 120: Advance By Retreating
Xie An’an’s lips trembled uncontrollably before tears welled up in her eyes.
"What... what does Elder Brother mean by asking this sister such a question?" She slowly raised the handkerchief to cover her face as quiet sobs escaped from behind the delicate fabric.
"Is it..." Her voice broke. "...Is it because this sister is merely an adopted daughter of the Xie Family... that Elder Brother may humiliate this sister so openly?"
The soft sound of her crying echoed throughout the silent hall.
Every servant instinctively lowered their heads even further, not daring to make the slightest sound.
"Rong’er!" Old Madam Xie’s voice suddenly rang through the hall.
Her expression darkened considerably as she looked at her grandson. "What is the meaning of this?" She tightened her grip on the prayer beads in her hand.
"Even if you wish to stand by your wife, that does not give you the right to humiliate An’an in such a manner!"
Xie Rong remained standing calmly where he was. His expression was unchanged.
He neither attempted to defend himself nor showed the slightest intention of retracting his question.
Instead, he met Old Madam Xie’s gaze without the slightest hint of hesitation.
"Grandmother..." His voice remained composed. "This grandson has made no accusation. I merely asked a question. If An’an’s conscience is clear, then answering it should not be difficult."
Before Old Madam Xie could respond, Xie An’an suddenly let out a choked sob.
"Enough..." Her shoulders trembled violently beneath her robes.
She slowly lowered herself from kneeling to a full kowtow, her forehead pressed against the cold floor.
"Please... Elder Brother, stop asking." Her voice was hoarse from crying. "This sister truly does not understand what wrong this sister has committed to deserve such humiliation."
Tears dripped one after another onto the polished stone beneath her.
"This sister has lived in the Xie Residence for so many years... Grandmother has loved this sister as though I were her own granddaughter, and Elder Brother has always treated this sister with kindness."
She covered her face once more with the handkerchief, her sobs growing louder.
"This sister has never forgotten that I am merely an adopted daughter. Everything this sister has today was bestowed by the Xie Family."
She shook her head repeatedly, crying so hard that her words became fragmented.
Xie An’an’s shoulders trembled as she slowly lowered the handkerchief from her face. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks as she looked at Xie Rong with eyes filled with hurt.
"This sister... understands." A bitter smile gradually formed on her lips. "Elder Brother is already married. Naturally... Elder Brother would believe Sister-in-law’s words more than this sister’s."
She lowered her gaze, her voice growing softer with every word. "After all... this sister is merely an adopted daughter of the Xie Family. No matter how many years this sister has lived within this residence..." She forced a faint smile through her tears. "I can never compare to the Elder Brother’s lawful wife."
She slowly bowed until her forehead touched the floor.
"If Elder Brother believes this sister is no longer worthy of remaining in the Xie Residence... then this sister is willing to leave." Her voice choked as another tear fell onto the floor. "This sister only asks Grandmother not to blame Elder Brother."
"This sister understands... from this day onward, Elder Brother already has someone he must protect. This sister... will no longer trouble either Elder Brother or Sister-in-law."
"Enough!"
Old Madam Xie abruptly rose to her feet, the prayer beads in her hand striking the table with a loud snap.
"I have tolerated enough of this." Her usually gentle face was clouded with anger as she looked directly at Xie Rong. "Rong’er... What exactly do you think you are doing?"
Her brows knitted tightly together, "An’an has already lowered herself time and again. She has repeatedly declared that she has never harbored such improper thoughts, yet you continue to press her without end."
She glared straight at Xie Rong. "Is this how you intend to defend your wife? Or have you truly forgotten that An’an is your younger sister?"
The hall fell into a suffocating silence.
"Grandmother..." Xie An’an hurried to Old Madam Xie’s side, gently supporting her arm. "Please do not be angry. Mind your health."
She forced a smile through her tears, "This granddaughter understands... Sister-in-law is Elder Brother’s wife. Naturally... Elder Brother would choose to believe her."
She lowered her eyes, her voice growing increasingly soft, "Perhaps... this granddaughter has unknowingly caused Sister-in-law to misunderstand all these years. This granddaughter will reflect upon myself."
She paused before continuing with a bitter smile. "From this day onward, this granddaughter will keep my distance from Elder Brother and Sister-in-law. This granddaughter will remain within my own courtyard unless Grandmother summons me. I shall not appear before them again..."
She bowed her head, "That way... Sister-in-law will no longer have reason to misunderstand, and Elder Brother will no longer be placed in such a difficult position."
Old Madam Xie’s expression darkened further.
"Enough! This old woman will not allow this matter to continue festering!" She turned toward Nanny Zhao. "Go. Bring Taotao here at once. Since both parties are present within the residence, this misunderstanding shall be settled today."
"Yes, Old Madam." Just as Nanny Zhao was about to leave, Xie Rong calmly stepped forward.
"Grandmother." Xie Rong’s voice echoed calmly in that hall.
Nanny Zhao instinctively halted.
Xie Rong bowed slightly. "My Furen has only just regained consciousness after nearly drowning. The physician repeatedly instructed that she should remain in bed and avoid exhausting herself."
His voice remained respectful, "If Grandmother wishes to question her, this grandson asks that it be postponed until tomorrow."
Old Madam Xie’s face instantly sank.
"Postponed?" She stared at him in disbelief. "Rong’er, do you truly intend to shield your wife to this extent?"
"This grandson has no such intention." Xie Rong bowed slightly.
"Then why stop this old woman?" Old Madam Xie’s lips already trembled from the anger she tried to hold on.
Xie Rong remained composed. "Because my Furen’s health is more important than settling today’s dispute."
Old Madam Xie laughed coldly. "Good...Very good."
She slowly tapped Xie An’an’s hand on hers, her eyes fixed upon Xie Rong.
"Then this old woman shall personally go to her courtyard. If she is truly too weak to walk..." Her voice turned icy, "then this old woman will question her beside her bed."
"Grandmother—"
"Enough!" Old Madam Xie cut him off. "Either Taotao comes to this hall immediately..." She paused, every word carrying undeniable authority. "Or this old woman will personally fetch her."