Chapter Thirty-Five: The First Mystery

Lady Xie glanced briefly at Lady Xue and Xue Fangzhi, about to say that household matters could be discussed later. Yet because Second Madam kept rambling on and Fourteenth Daughter couldn’t convince her mother of her innocence, she vented her anger upon Xue Fangzhi, abruptly interrupting the old lady: “This was all your scheme, wasn’t it? You made my mother doubt my identity, so your entanglement with Prince Shou could be swept aside. Don’t even dream of it! Even if I die, I won’t let you get away with it. We’ll see who wins in the end!”

“Illegitimate child,” Xue Fangzhi replied coldly.

Xie Fourteenth Daughter’s eyes widened in rage. “What did you say? I dare you to repeat that!”

“Illegitimate child,” Xue Fangzhi said again.

In this era, those born out of wedlock faced severe discrimination. They had no share of family property and were doomed to lives of servitude.

Xie Fourteenth Daughter wanted nothing more than to tear Xue Fangzhi apart.

But Xue Fangzhi had more important matters and would not waste time arguing with an illegitimate child. She sneered, “I am a legitimate daughter; how could I stoop to your level?”

She turned to Lady Xue.

Lady Xue cast an approving glance at her granddaughter, then addressed Lady Xie, “Aunt, you must have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my granddaughter and leave. But Second Madam has indulged her daughter in framing mine—this matter requires an explanation. Otherwise, if word spreads, it will seem the Xue family is easy prey, and that would not bode well for the Xie family either!”

Even if Fourteenth Daughter was illegitimate, she was still Second Madam’s child.

Previously, Second Madam had looked down upon the Xue family and stubbornly refused to acknowledge the truth, which infuriated Lady Xue.

If rumors spread, Fourteenth Daughter’s actions would stain the reputation of the Xie family daughters, and the entire clan would be whispered about as a den of vice, abusing their power—not a pleasant reputation.

Lady Xie herself disliked Second Madam’s household. Being reasonable, she would not blame Lady Xue. She nodded slightly, “The Xie family owes Eight Daughter an apology. I will see that she receives a proper explanation.”

Lady Xue felt relieved. She did not necessarily wish to pursue the Xie family, but needed Lady Xie to make a statement. After all, Prince Shou’s fate was still unknown, and with the Xue family’s modest standing, Eight Daughter could easily become a scapegoat. If their connections failed, Xue Fangzhi might be in danger.

Now, with Lady Xie’s promise, Lady Xue led Xue Fangzhi away.

They were about to depart, but Fourteenth Daughter, provoked by Xue Fangzhi’s words, refused to let matters rest. She argued stubbornly with Second Madam, “Mother, it really was Eight Daughter who framed me—how could it be such a coincidence? Why would someone call me illegitimate unless she orchestrated it? This is clearly a scheme to sow discord!”

Indeed, it was too coincidental!

Xue Fangzhi herself had thought so—could someone have deliberately arranged this?

If so, who could it be? Who else, besides herself, knew Fourteenth Daughter was illegitimate?

In her previous life, Fourteenth Daughter’s secret was only revealed after her engagement was arranged. This time, it had come out sooner!

Having left the main rooms with her grandmother, Xue Fangzhi no longer dwelled on Fourteenth Daughter. Her thoughts turned to Xue Jiaoyue—what was her situation now?

Should she intervene, or stay out of it? If she ignored it, would that person tarnish the family’s reputation?

At the entrance to Lady Xie’s courtyard, Xue Fangzhi paused. “Grandmother, what should we do next?”

“We’ll go to the women’s quarters. Sixth Daughter and the others are still there. Whatever happens, we must gather you all and take you home first.”

Sixth Daughter had delivered a message to Lady Xue but could not gain entry to Lady Xie’s rooms. Fourth Daughter and Fifth Daughter were also there, having arrived with Second Madam Cao from the third branch. Given the special circumstances, the family needed to leave together.

Xue Fangzhi nodded.

Before they reached the guest rooms for the womenfolk, they encountered patrols everywhere.

Xue Fangzhi and Lady Xue approached and asked what was happening. The captain, upon learning they were guests, replied politely: Prince Shou was gravely wounded, they were searching for the assassin, the emperor was informed, and the Xie residence was temporarily sealed—no one could leave.

Lady Xue grew anxious, casting uneasy glances at Xue Fangzhi.

It was not that she was inexperienced, but she did not know how serious Prince Shou’s injuries were, nor whether Xue Fangzhi might be implicated.

Xue Fangzhi feared that while she herself might be safe, Jiaoyue could be in trouble. If someone tried to shift blame onto their family, the entire clan would suffer.

She urged Lady Xue to proceed to the women’s quarters. “Grandmother, I’ll go check on Seventh Daughter.”

Lady Xue would not allow her to go alone. “Absolutely not!”

Her tone was resolute: “What if you walk into a trap?”

Though her granddaughter had changed, she was not yet trustworthy enough to be sent on such tasks.

Xue Fangzhi did not know what her grandmother was thinking and tried to persuade her. “Grandmother, only I know the way to the rear courtyard. If I don’t go, no one will find it or learn anything. I’ll be careful and won’t be discovered.”

“Grandmother, if I can escape, I’ll be fine. You should trust me!”

Lady Xue remained uneasy.

Xue Fangzhi lowered her voice. “Grandmother, this concerns the safety and lives of our entire family. How can I rest easy if I don’t check?”

Lady Xue was not one to sit and wait for fate. After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. “Go quickly and return soon. Don’t take any risks. I’ll wait for you with the womenfolk.”

Xue Fangzhi brought two of Lady Xue’s maids and set off to find Xue Jiaoyue.

Truthfully, she dared not approach Prince Shou’s quarters directly, lest she be mistaken for the assassin and detained.

Yet so much time had passed. If the emperor had intended to investigate her, someone would have come for her by now. There had been no movement—perhaps the inquiry had cleared her?

As she pondered, she reached the flower path leading to the rear of the Xie residence. A squad of guards passed by, but only questioned whether she’d seen any suspicious individuals. When she replied she had not, they let her go.

Xue Fangzhi continued forward when suddenly, a familiar voice sounded nearby: “Thank you, Young Master Sun, for escorting me.”

“Seventh Daughter, you’re too polite. There’s chaos ahead—better not go that way. Let me take you home.”

“Thank you, Master, but I cannot ride with you. My upbringing forbids me from being too close to men. I arrived with my grandmother. Please take me to her instead.”

The young man was delighted...

Sweet and coy, clinging and feigning frailty around men—wasn’t this Xue Jiaoyue?

The other, whom Xue Fangzhi also recognized, had an average build and looks, but carried the air of nobility—Young Master Sun.

Yet the two together were a surprising sight.

In her previous life, the wound on Xue Fangzhi’s abdomen had been inflicted by Young Master Sun. At their coming-of-age banquet, he had tried to assassinate Xue Jiaoyue, and Xue Fangzhi had taken the blow for her.

Back then, the family insisted Xue Jiaoyue and Young Master Sun were strangers, and that he acted out of madness.

But now, it was clear they had known each other for quite some time; Xue Jiaoyue was even showing favor.

So what truly happened between them in the previous life? Why did Young Master Sun turn murderous?

How much had her family concealed from her?