Chapter 18: Letting Go

Chapter 18: Letting Go

Xie Daozhi's face was devoid of any expression, even serene.

So serene that it was unsettling.

Losing her father at the tender age of one and a half, being cast out of the Yan family at eight, relying on each other with her widowed mother, to now being surrounded by grandchildren— from having nowhere to call home to residing in an esteemed and prominent family...

How much had she sacrificed? How many hardships had she endured along the way? How much blood of others had stained her hands, and how many lives had she trampled upon...

In his heart, everything was crystal clear, perfectly understood.

And what is the purpose of all this? Is it not for the sake of the Xie family's descendants?

Back in her youth, she had been willing to kneel and kowtow before others for his sake, to yield herself to Yan Xing, and to kneel in the snow for an entire night. Why couldn't he do the same?

You should be capable of it.

Xie Daozhi whispered to himself inwardly.

Look closely,

Your eldest son is truly remarkable, an exact replica of you;

The second, though introverted and less likable, is filial and obedient;

As for the third, having endured so much bitter medicine since childhood, his life hanging by a thread, could you bear to see him suffer more?

And your daughter, your grandchildren...

You couldn't bear to part with any of them!

Xie Daozhi sighed softly: For their sake, you must let go. You can only let go.

"Do you know how the Yan family was brought down?" he asked Xie Erli.

Xie Erli shook his head.

"He was arrogant and conceited, with his eyes always looking down on others. He couldn't see or tolerate anyone else."

Xie Daozhi could never forget the casual glance this person had cast his way, the disdain and contempt in their eyes making the six-year-old feel utterly insignificant, even in spirit.

"Back then, the Yan family entertained several guests. One of them wished to become a minor official in the capital and asked Yan Xing for a letter of recommendation."

"Did Yan Xing refuse?"

"Not only did he refuse, but he actually criticized the guest in front of everyone. The man left in humiliation and promptly aligned himself with Yan Xing's political rival, eventually bringing him down."

Xie Daozhi lifted his head and sneered coldly.

"Therefore, despite starting out so high in life, he ended up like this. It's simply karma coming back to haunt him, not just in his own life, but also in the lives of his descendants."

"Father is right. Leaving room for others means leaving room for ourselves, for our children and grandchildren..."

Xie Erli's words trailed off as he looked at his father, surprise in his eyes. "Father..."

"In this world, most parents are alike. Even if not for the old matriarch, I should think of you siblings."

Xie Daozhi walked to the window and abruptly pushed it open, letting a cold gust of wind in that made Xie Erli shiver.

"Son!"

Xie Daozhi pointed at Yan Sanhe's slender figure outside the window, enunciating each word with emphasis.

"Remember this well, the finest revenge is not about shedding blood or setting fires; it's about always standing at the pinnacle, with your descendants perpetually soaring high."

A surge of warmth welled up in Xie Erli's eyes.

He swept back his robe and knelt, "Father, I've taken your words to heart!"

"Go and tell her that I will let go."

"Yes!"

Xie Erli rose, turning away to surreptitiously wipe away his tears.

...

The candlestick was lit once more.

Xie Erli, reflecting on his father's endurance and looking at Yan Sanhe's cold expression, could not help but say, despite his usual mild demeanor, "After this is over, you must pay your respects to my father with several deep kowtows."

Yan Sanhe replied, "Should I set up an altar for his longevity?"

"No need for that," Xie Erli sneered. "Just make sure you never step foot in the Xie family's residence again!"

"That's easy enough," Yan Sanhe said, passing the incense to Xie Daozhi before stepping aside.

Xie Erli clenched his teeth, concern etched on his face as he looked at Xie Daozhi. "Father?"

"Step back as well!" Xie Daozhi ordered.

"Yes, sir!"

Xie Erli strode swiftly to Yan Sanhe's side, standing with his hands behind his back, and whispered ominously, "You'd better deliver on your word, or else..."

Yan Sanhe lifted her eyes abruptly, her gaze as cold as ice.

Feeling the intensity of her stare, Xie Erli's heart jolted with a sharp pang.