Chapter 74: Gang UP!
The Old Madam Xie’s eyes widened slightly, genuine surprise flashing across her face.
For a brief moment, she simply looked at Shen Taotao without saying a word.
Not only had she not expected such an answer... She had never imagined Shen Taotao would speak in such a manner.
Ever since entering the Xie Residence, the young woman before her had always appeared gentle and obedient. Even the rumors she had heard about Shen Taotao painted her as someone timid, soft-spoken, and incapable of arguing with others.
Yet today, Shen Taotao had calmly returned every single one of Madam Liu’s words without raising her voice once.
Her tone had never been loud, yet every sentence could easily be interpreted as disrespect toward an elder. More importantly, each word struck precisely where it should, leaving Madam Liu with no room to retreat.
Even Madam Liu herself stood frozen for a brief moment, the gentle smile she had maintained from the very beginning finally showing the first trace of stiffness.
The atmosphere within the room grew noticeably heavier.
No one dared to speak.
The maids standing at the side instinctively lowered their heads, while Qing’er secretly stole a glance at Wang Gege before quickly looking away again.
It was only after several moments of silence that the Old Madam slowly folded her hands upon her lap. Her gaze remained fixed on Wang Gege, calm and steady, yet carrying a weight that made everyone in the room unconsciously hold their breath.
The Old Madam slowly folded her hands upon her lap. Her gaze rested on Wang Gege for a long while before she finally spoke.
"Taotao," Her voice remained calm, yet there was a trace of solemnness that had not been there before, "This old woman understands your grievance. If Madam Liu’s words truly caused you to misunderstand, then it is only natural for you to feel displeased."
She paused before continuing, "However... No matter what happened, Madam Liu has served the Xie Residence for many years. She is, after all, your elder."
Old Madam Xie gazed towards Wang Gege, "As the Young Madam of this household, you should know when to speak and when to exercise restraint. Returning her words in such a manner... was discourteous."
The room fell silent once again.
Even Madam Liu lowered her head respectfully, though the corners of her lips almost unmistakably curved upward.
The Old Madam noticed it. She slowly shifted her gaze toward Madam Liu,"As for you..."
Madam Liu immediately stood up and stepped forward. "This old servant is here."
"You have served this family for decades. Surely you understand better than anyone that baseless rumors should be stopped at their source." Old Madam Xie’s tone firm, "If you had no such intention... then you should not have spoken words that could so easily be misunderstood."
Madam Liu’s expression stiffened, "This old servant accepts Old Madam’s teaching."
Just as the Old Madam was about to continue, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the room.
"Grandmother!"
The cheerful voice arrived before its owner did.
The beaded curtain was lifted aside as Xie An’an hurried inside, her breathing slightly uneven as though she had rushed over the moment she learned where the Old Madam was.
The instant she saw everyone gathered inside, she froze. Her bright smile gradually faded, replaced by an expression of surprise.
"Grandmother..." She blinked several times before looking around the room. "I was looking everywhere for you. So you’re here."
The Old Madam’s stern expression softened slightly upon seeing her youngest granddaughter. "What is it?"
Xie An’an obediently walked over before noticing Madam Liu standing nearby and Wang Gege seated opposite the Old Madam.
Her eyes widened slightly. "Did... did I interrupt something?"
"Nothing important." The Old Madam replied calmly. "This old woman was merely asking Taotao about what happened this morning."
Xie An’an’s expression subtly changed. "Ah... this morning’s incident was rather unfortunate."
She lowered her gaze, her face filled with hesitation as though she wanted to say something but was struggling to decide whether she should.
The Old Madam immediately noticed, "An’an. If you have something to say, then say it."
Xie An’an bit her lower lip before softly replying, "Grandmother, this granddaughter... met Young Lady Gu yesterday."
The Old Madam’s brows furrowed ever so slightly. "The Gu family’s young lady?"
Xie An’an nodded. "Yes." She lowered her gaze, "She looked rather downcast."
A trace of helplessness appeared on her face before she looked hopefully at the Old Madam.
"Grandmother... may this granddaughter invite Young Lady Gu to the residence one day? It has been quite some time since she last came."
The Old Madam remained silent for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. "An’an... You should know better. It’s not that this old woman refuses to let her visit."
She paused, her expression growing more solemn. "But ever since what happened a year ago... your father has been unwilling to see anyone from the Gu family."
The Old Madam let out a quiet sigh. "Not to mention the way Young Lady Gu treated your Brother back then." She looked at Xie An’an, "Have you already forgotten?"
Xie An’an immediately lowered her head.
"This granddaughter remembers." Her voice became softer, "It is precisely because this granddaughter remembers that I wish to ask Grandmother."
The Old Madam looked at her without interrupting.
"Yesterday, Young Lady Gu told this granddaughter that she has regretted her actions for a very long time." Xie An’an gently clasped her hands together. "She said she was too young and arrogant back then. Only after returning home did she realize how discourteous her words and actions had been."
She hesitated for a brief moment before continuing, "She also said... if she is ever given the opportunity, she wishes to personally apologize to brother... and to everyone in our family."
Xie An’an carefully observed the Old Madam’s expression before adding in a quiet voice,
"This granddaughter simply thought... Everyone deserves an opportunity to admit their mistakes. Perhaps Young Lady Gu has truly reflected on what happened in the past."
As she finished speaking, Xie An’an slowly turned toward Wang Gege, who had remained silent all this while.
"Isn’t that right, Second Sister-in-law?"
Wang Gege, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, slowly lifted her head and met Xie An’an’s expectant gaze.
Xie An’an smiled gently.
"Second Sister-in-law wouldn’t mind, would you?" She blinked innocently before adding as though it were merely an afterthought, "After all... Young Lady Gu is only Second Brother’s former fiancée now."
Wang Gege continued looking at her without speaking. Outwardly, her expression remained perfectly composed.
Inwardly, ’Seriously... Do you really have to mention that part? And was Madam Liu not enough? Do you guys seriously need to gang up on me? Such a loser trick.’