Chapter 6: Futile Rage

Emerging from Du Minghui's courtyard, Xie Wu was not surprised to encounter Qin Zhan, who had been waiting outside for some time.

"What did the Consort tell you?" Qin Zhan's expression was indifferent, yet he showed no sign of anger.

They shared some level of acquaintance in Shuzhong, so Qin Zhan was not inclined to vent his frustrations on her regarding Du Minghui's affairs.

Xie Wu strolled over and came to a halt three paces from him. "Since the Prince is so curious, why not go and ask Minghui yourself?"

A flicker of gloom crossed Qin Zhan's eyes as he said coldly, "Regardless of what you two discussed, I advise you to keep your distance from the Du family. Even if you do not consider yourself, think of the Shen family."

"Shen Qingyang is not here right now; if something happens, there will be no one to protect you."

Xie Wu lifted her eyelids slightly to glance at him. "Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness."

Qin Zhan naturally perceived her nonchalance, which provoked a hint of irritation. He sneered, "My Consort is indeed the most beloved legitimate granddaughter of Chancellor Du; even after becoming the Consort, she does not forget to plot for her maiden family. Since you and she are close friends, Miss Xie, you might as well remind her: if the Du family's affairs end up entangling the Prince of Shu's manor, this small manor will not be able to accommodate such a great Buddha."

Xie Wu suppressed the urge to slap him. She sized him up from head to toe before suddenly mimicking his sneer. "It seems the Prince has harbored resentment toward this marriage for a long time. Why didn't you defy the imperial decree and refuse the marriage back then?"

Qin Zhan stared at her coldly.

"If you were unwilling, did you think Minghui was begging to marry you? Qin Zhan, who do you think you are?"

Qin Zhan stared at the woman before him, seeing only anger and contempt in her eyes.

After a long pause, he let out a cold laugh, turned, and swept away.

"Lunatic," Xie Wu muttered softly, watching his retreating figure.

Qiu Ming, who followed behind her with eyes lowered and hands clasped around his sword, was clearly uninterested in such matters.

However, Liuyue could not help but whisper, "Miss, why is the Prince of Shu like that?"

Having followed Xie Wu, Liuyue naturally knew Du Minghui as well, and she couldn't help but feel indignant on behalf of that gentle and elegant Consort.

Xie Wu said, "It is nothing more than impotent rage."

"Men are all no good!" Liuyue said indignantly, thinking of the Prince of Xin who had tarnished her lady's reputation.

Qiu Ming glanced sideways at Liuyue, prompting her to quickly hide behind Xie Wu's other side, pretending she had said nothing.

***

The Duke of Ying's Manor

Xie Yi burst into the Hall of Cishou in a rage. Without even looking at who was present, he shouted, "Grandmother, how do you intend to deal with that woman outside the city? Rumors are spreading everywhere! They say... they say His Highness the Prince of Xin is going to divorce Second Sister to marry that woman! They even say Mother is suppressing everyone to prevent her from being brought back for Second Sister's sake!"

"A-Yi."

Hearing Xie Wan's soft voice, Xie Yi finally noticed the others sitting in the hall.

Seeing the melancholy in Xie Wan's eyes, a flash of regret crossed Xie Yi's face. He stepped forward to pay his respects. "Greetings, His Highness the Prince of Xin." He then turned to Xie Wan, who sat beside the Prince. "Second Sister, I didn't mean to say that. I... I only recognize you as my sister."

Xie Wan possessed a slender figure and beautiful features, bearing a fifty-percent resemblance to Lady Fan, the Duchess of Ying, who sat opposite her. Now that she was a Princess Consort, she possessed a sense of elegance and nobility that surpassed her former fragility in the inner chambers.

"I know you mean well, A-Yi. I have... heard the rumors outside as well," Xie Wan said with a bitter smile.

Ever since her husband had returned to the capital with his retinue a few days ago, the rumors had spread throughout the city the very next day. As his wife, how could she be unaware?

Xie Yi walked to Xie Wan's side. "Don't worry, Second Sister. That woman must be a fake. It has been so many years; if Eldest Sister were coming back, she would have been back long ago." Xie Yi truly believed that his eldest sister had died abroad.

He was only four years old when Xie Wu's incident occurred, so he had no memory of what she looked like. For all these years, Xie Wan had been his only sister, so he was naturally closer to her.

"I know, A-Yi," Xie Wan said softly. "But she carries the token bestowed by the late Emperor. Perhaps she truly is Eldest Sister."

In truth, it was more than that. The Prince had told her that Xie Wu's appearance was eighty percent identical to the late Duke of Ying's first wife, Lady Bian.

Even the cinnabar mole beneath her left eye was exactly the same as the missing Xie Wu's.

Xie Yi snorted. "Who knows where she came from?"

A woman sitting below Lady Fan also spoke up, "Mother, A-Yi is right. Eldest Miss has been missing for so many years; how could she suddenly run into the Prince of Xin and the Prince of Rong? Even if she is real, she hasn't even returned yet, and yet the rumors of her engagement to the Prince of Xin have already filled the capital. Isn't this an attempt to force the Prince of Xin to fulfill the marriage contract? If this continues, what will happen to Wan'er?"

Xie Wan lowered her head gloomily. Qin Mu, sitting beside her, took her hand and gave it two comforting pats.

Lady Fan lowered her head in silence, her eyes red.

Old Madam Xie glanced at everyone and said heavily, "Since Yin'er is also not home, what do you all suggest we do?"

Xie Yi said, "Have someone bring her back! If she's a fake, send her to the Shun Tian Prefecture! This will prevent her from spreading wild rumors outside and making the whole capital mock our family!"

"If we bring her back, wouldn't that be equivalent to acknowledging her identity?" Old Madam Xie was reluctant and, disregarding Qin Mu's presence, added, "The Prince of Rong is also to blame. Why is he meddling in other people's family affairs?"

If not for the Prince of Rong, Qin Hao, being so outspoken, how could this matter have spread throughout the entire capital?

He had even sent messengers to the Duke of Ying, Xie Yin, and the Heir, Xie Huan, who were currently traveling with the Emperor, depriving them of even the chance to handle the matter privately.

Thinking of his nephew, Qin Mu's expression also darkened.

If it weren't for Qin Hao's interference, he had no intention of letting Xie Wu return to the capital alive.

However, thinking of what he had discovered over the past two days, Qin Mu felt that Qin Hao had accidentally hit the mark.

"A-Hao has always loved a spectacle; even Imperial Brother and Mother cannot control him," Qin Mu said calmly. "The most important thing now is how to settle Eldest Miss. We cannot let outsiders watch the drama indefinitely."

Everyone turned to look at Qin Mu. Did the Prince of Xin mean they were acknowledging Xie Wu?

Old Madam Xie said, "In my opinion, we should just send her far away. There is no need for her to return to the manor; she can live outside. Once the storm passes, we can say we found a good family for her to marry in another province." Since there was no one left in the Bian family, there was no fear of them coming to cause trouble.

Qin Mu shook his head. "I'm afraid that won't work. Mother is already aware of this. Mother has always revered Imperial Father as a deity; when I left the palace yesterday, she reminded me that the Emperor's decree cannot be defied and that we must take good care of her. I fear she may be summoned later."

The room fell into a heavy silence. After a long while, Old Madam Xie sighed and said to her two grandsons in the hall, "Fine. Xi'er, Yi'er, go to the outskirts tomorrow and bring her back. We shall see first."

"Yes, Grandmother." The second son of the Xie family, Xie Xi, was only seventeen but already possessed the refined air of a scholar.

Though he was only a year older than Xie Yi, he had already achieved the rank of *juren* and would soon participate in this year's metropolitan examinations. If he could pass with flying colors, he would be considered one of the greatest geniuses in several generations of the Xie family.

"Yes, Grandmother," Xie Yi muttered, responding reluctantly.

Qin Mu glanced at the two of them and said, "The servants from the villa reported this morning that Xie Wu did not stay at the Prince of Xin's villa; she left with her people that very same day."

Naturally, he had not actually received this news only this morning.

Old Madam Xie sneered, "Is she throwing a tantrum because the Prince didn't bring her directly back to the manor?"

Qin Mu lowered his eyes. "It was my lack of foresight. I have already ordered the household to search for her. Now that she has entered the city, she will surely be found soon."

"We shall rely on Your Highness then," Old Madam Xie said coldly. "If she wants to be stubborn, then let her never come back!"