Chapter 8: Hating Him

Chapter 8: Hatred for Him

"Did she really say that?"

"Absolutely true!"

Xie Erli's heart was still pounding. "Young Master, let's act now. This person is undoubtedly a menace."

Xie Erli kept his eyes lowered, not speaking.

The girl had entered the capital through the Southern Gate the previous night, alone. She first went to the Hundred Herbs Hall to get a prescription and then came to the Xie family.

If it were just that, he wouldn't be wary. But the girl had walked through Four Lanes.

Many years ago, a tragic incident had occurred in Four Lanes, resulting in numerous deaths. The area was eerie, and few dared to walk through it, even during the day, let alone at night.

Xie Erli suddenly thought of something. "Has food been sent to that courtyard?"

House Manager Xie replied, "Yes, it has."

Xie Erli: "Has she eaten?"

The Chief Steward Xie snorted coldly, "She ate more than anyone else, not leaving a single grain of rice behind."

So daring, it seems she has some support!

Xie Erli patted the chief steward on the shoulder. "Let's wait for Father to return from court before making a decision. You go and meet him halfway."

"Yes!"

"No need!"

Given the gravity of the matter, Xie Erli couldn't wait. "I'll personally go fetch Father back home."

...

"Miss, our Master requests your presence."

Yan Sanhe stepped out of her room and deliberately paused in front of Chief Steward Xie.

Manager Xie instinctively took a step back and made a respectful gesture of invitation.

Yan Sanhe's dark eyes lit up.

The attitude of the servant reflected that of their master, and with such deference shown...

It seemed that his show of force had been effective.

Excellent!

Pushing open the study door, as Yan Sanhe had anticipated, both father and son were present.

Xie Erli smiled upon seeing her enter and said, "Miss Yan, please have a seat; Old Xie, serve the tea."

As hot tea was served, Manager Xie quietly withdrew, closing the door behind him.

Yan Sanhe picked up the teacup, using the lid to gently stir it before slowly bringing it to her lips with fluid grace.

Unsure of her intentions, Xie Daozhi glanced at his son.

Xie Erli spoke calmly, "My father has returned from court. Miss Yan, if you have any matter to discuss, feel free to speak. The Xie family is not one to disregard propriety; everything can be negotiated."

Yan Sanhe put down her teacup and looked at Xie Daozhi, "Do you acknowledge it?"

Four simple words made both father and son change their expressions.

Xie Erli coughed and asked, "Miss Xie, what exactly does my father need to acknowledge?"

Yan Sanhe's expression was tinged with irony, "That he was once a father to Yan Xing."

This was a question the son could not answer, forcing the father to step forward. Xie Daozhi's face fell.

Acknowledging it was absolutely out of the question;

Denying it left them uncertain about this person's true intentions.

Cornered, Xie Daozhi's patience had reached its limit.

"Miss Yan," he advised sternly, "I suggest you honestly reveal your purpose, or do not blame this official for being less than hospitable."

"Please do!"

Yan Sanhe replied indolently, retrieving the un-delivered marriage proposal from her chest and placing it on the small table before her.

With a twist of her wrist, she picked up the teacup beside her and savored the tea with contentment, nodding slightly as she sipped.

Her expression seemed to say,

Mmm, this tea is excellent!

Her fearless demeanor intimidated the Xie father and son.

Fearlessness was the most terrifying of all.

She was alone, and if she died, she would simply be gone. But the Xie family had over a hundred members, with elders and young ones relying on them; they couldn't afford to take risks!

Xie Daozhi had climbed to his current position through shrewdness, adaptability, and the ability to bend when necessary.

Despite his burning desire to strangle Yan Sanhe at that moment, he remained soft and compliant as planned, discussing this strategy beforehand with his son.

"I admit it."

At last, she admitted it!

Yan Sanhe roared inwardly, his tone chilling as he asked, "Then why did you deny it before?"

Xie Daozhi's face darkened. She hadn't expected that even after her admission, she would still be grilled.

"So!"

Yan Sanhe drawled, "You've been lying all along."

"Why admit it then?"

Xie Daozhi was thoroughly enraged, her expression twisting into a grotesque one. "I hate him. I wish his entire family were dead."

Upon her words, the study fell deathly silent.