Chapter Seventy-Five: Sixth Brother, Are You Going to Be Unfaithful?

Old Madam Xue truly had no fear of the authorities this time, for she believed Second Madam Xie wouldn’t dare lose face herself either.

“Then let’s really call the magistrate, so we can get to the bottom of this!”

Old Madam Xue ordered her servants to report to the officials. Second Madam Xie at first thought Old Madam Xue was only trying to intimidate her, but when she saw that the old lady was not retracting her command, panic seized her. She cried out, “Wait! Why call the authorities over matters between our two families? We both have people present; it’s not as though the issue can’t be resolved!”

She finally relented, and Xue Fanzhi smiled inwardly. As long as Second Madam Xie gave way, the Xie family would fall into a disadvantage, making the next steps easier.

Old Madam Xue maintained her icy expression as she confronted Second Madam Xie: “If we don’t report to the officials, and you still refuse to apologize, what does Second Madam Xie propose? Should we bring in the Prime Minister?”

For Xie Feng to have risen to the position of Prime Minister with such a sterling reputation meant he was upright by nature. Indeed, Xie Feng would never tolerate such sordid affairs. Second Madam Xie knew her father-in-law’s character well; if he hadn’t been so strict, how could the family’s disgraceful member have been beaten to death? If he learned of this, she might truly be divorced.

Thus, the matter must not reach her father-in-law in Jilin. If he found out, both she and her son would suffer severe consequences.

Second Madam Xie’s eyelids twitched. She thought her father-in-law wasn’t so idle as to let the Xue family dictate terms regarding their own kin. This must not be publicized; it was best if the Xue family admitted their error themselves.

“Release my son first. I cannot rely solely on your account; I need to hear from him directly.”

Xue Fanzhi had no wish to let Second Madam Xie lead the discussion. She looked to Old Madam Xue.

The old lady sneered, “We can release him, but Sixth Young Master Xie must apologize. Otherwise, I will have to consult the Prime Minister!”

The constant threat of invoking her father-in-law vexed Second Madam Xie to no end.

She said, “No matter whose fault it is, shouldn’t you let Sixth Young Master explain himself? Even if the Xue family has declined, you still have the old general. Is there no reason left among you?”

From barging in to scold, to compromising and keeping things quiet, to now insisting on clarifying the matter, Second Madam Xie seemed relentless, but in truth, she was gradually conceding, lowering her demands step by step—perhaps without even realizing it herself.

Old Madam Xue saw through Second Madam Xie’s bravado and pressed her advantage: “Clarification is fine, but after everything is clear, Sixth Young Master must apologize to our young lady!”

Second Madam Xie signaled to the wet nurse, who had been enduring for some time. The nurse hurried forward and untied Sixth Young Master Xie’s bonds.

“Are you all right, Young Master? Did they hit you?” the nurse asked anxiously as she released him.

Sixth Young Master Xie, having suffered earlier, feared further harm from the Xue family. He scrambled behind Second Madam Xie, clutching her sleeve and sobbing, “Madam, please save me! Save me! The Xue family wants to kill me!”

Second Madam Xie’s face darkened. She glared at Old Madam Xue and demanded, “Is this how the old lady treats members of the Xie family?”

Old Madam Xue replied, “This is how I treat scoundrels. No matter who they are, anyone who tries to bully my daughter will never succeed!”

Her stance was unwavering—she would protect her child to the end.

Second Madam Xie was fuming.

Now that Sixth Young Master Xie had some support, he shouted, “I didn’t! I’m not a scoundrel. I am a guest of your Xue family! It’s your family that’s been rude!”

Second Madam Xie chimed in, “Exactly. My son is clearly here as a guest, and has stayed for several days. How could he be a scoundrel?”

Old Madam Xue snorted, “That’s precisely what makes it more hateful. My family treated your young master as a distinguished guest, only for him to harbor ill intentions towards our young lady. How is that anything but betrayal?”

“I didn’t! When did I ever try to seduce your young lady?” Sixth Young Master Xie’s voice betrayed his own unease.

Second Madam Xie, unfamiliar with her son’s true nature, missed his uncertainty. Hearing only his denial, she felt justified and pressed her advantage: “Sixth Young Master, explain to them, and to me—how did the Xue family mistreat you? If they were cruel, we’ll take this to court!”

Moments ago, she had feared court would ruin their reputation; now, emboldened by her son’s denial, she was ready to turn the tables.

Old Madam Xue remained unruffled: “If it comes to that, the Xue family won’t be afraid!”

She continued, “Sixth Young Master Xie insists he was merely a guest, and did nothing improper towards our young lady. Then perhaps we should hear from those who caught him—what exactly did he do, and why was he apprehended?”

Surprisingly, though fearful, Sixth Young Master Xie spoke up, his eyes darting nervously: “Let them talk. I have nothing to hide. If I didn’t do it, I didn’t do it, no matter how you say it!”

Old Madam Xue made no effort to argue with him, and summoned those who had captured him. “Tell us—how did you catch Sixth Young Master Xie, and why?”

The ones who came forward were several robust servant women from the third branch—those who had seized Sixth Young Master Xie.

Seeing these stout, middle-aged women approach, Sixth Young Master Xie grew visibly uneasy. It wasn’t merely timidity; these women were simply too formidable—any one of them could easily overpower him. They were terrifying.

Regardless of his fear, they stepped forward.

Old Madam Xue questioned their leader directly.

Though broad and thick-waisted, the woman’s voice was clear, and she recounted the incident fluently and without hesitation.

As it happened, they had not set out to catch anyone. They were simply passing by the residence of the third branch’s Fifth Young Lady when they spotted a young man lurking about, casting furtive glances. They shouted for him to stop.

Instead of obeying, Sixth Young Master Xie panicked and tried to flee, clearly acting guilty and suspicious. The women called for help, and, unusually, everyone rushed out at once.

They pinned him down, gave him a beating, and delivered him to Old Madam Xue.

The third branch’s lady had initially wanted to question him herself, but dared not defy Old Madam Xue, so the servants handed him over to her.

That was the whole story—in summary, Sixth Young Master Xie had climbed over the wall to seek out Fifth Young Lady of the third branch!

Second Madam Xie listened with a strange expression, her brow tightly knit.

What did this mean? He was looking for Xue Fifth Lady? Wasn’t Sixth Young Master Xie infatuated with Xue Sixth Lady? How had this become about the Fifth Lady?

This was serious—her son seemed dangerously fickle.

Second Madam Xie desperately hoped the servants were lying. She turned to Sixth Young Master Xie and asked, “Is it true? Were you attempting to dishonor Fifth Young Lady of the third branch? What really happened?”