Chapter 209 Stupid Woman

Chapter 209: Foolish Woman

The old lady might not understand the intricacies of one heart or another, but she was clear about the phrase "gone astray."

"Did we go astray, or did they?"

"They went astray."

The old lady was unequivocal, "Then there's nothing to regret."

Xie Daozhi heaved a sigh of relief and picked up the serving chopsticks to serve his mother some food, "I've never met anyone as perceptive as you, Mother."

"Son, it's not that your mother is perceptive; it's that I know my place."

The old lady sighed, "I don't step out of the house much. How can I understand what the outside world is like? You're the one in office and running the household; if I don't listen to you, who else should I listen to?"

"Listening to your son is right."

Xie Daozhi stood up, "Mother, take your time with your meal. I'll have some more at Madam's place."

"Go ahead, go ahead!"

The old lady, still worried, added, "Speak kindly to Madam. She may not be smart, but her heart is good, and these years haven't been easy for her."

"Yes!"

...

What?

Wu shivered. Third son inviting Yan Sanhe to dinner?

Why would he invite her?

Didn't they just have a meal together yesterday?

Wu gripped her handkerchief tightly, her brows furrowed. If Yiyun finds out, how will she handle it!

"The master has arrived."

Wu hurriedly got up to greet him with a smile, "Master, have you eaten yet?"

Xie Daozhi: "Not yet, just finished paying respects to the old lady."

"Has the old lady eaten?"

"She's eating now."

Wu quickly instructed the servants to set the table and personally fetched a damp towel for her husband to wash his hands.

After all the preparations, the couple sat facing each other. Wu served Xie Daozhi food and meticulously removed every bone from the steamed fish.

"Master, eat more; you look a bit thinner."

"Don't worry, eat too."

Xie Daozhi had a few sips of wine and, seeing that Wu had eaten enough, said, "Miss Du from the Du family won't be coming to our residence anymore."

Wu's chopsticks clattered onto the table, "What do you mean by that, Master?"

Xie Daozhi picked up the chopsticks and placed them in Wu's hand, "In the future, we'll find someone better for Third Son."

"Who could be better!"

Wu felt a surge of bitterness.

"The Du family has status, Miss Du has beauty and character. In the Imperial City, who could surpass her?"

Xie Daozhi was speechless.

Wu looked at her husband, "Master, we've been married for many years. Give me an honest answer, why is this happening?"

Xie Daozhi didn't want to elaborate, but seeing the few strands of white hair at Wu's temples, he couldn't help but speak the truth.

"It's not about the children; it's that I and Lord Du have gone astray. We're not on the same page anymore."

"Since entering the officialdom, you've always followed Lord Du. For decades, it's never changed. He's a great scholar, respected by all. You shouldn't do this!"

Wu pleaded earnestly.

"Even if Lord Du has done something wrong, you should overlook it for the sake of past friendship."

"Slap!"

Xie Daozhi put down his chopsticks angrily, "Do I need a foolish woman like you to teach me how to conduct myself?"

Wu was frightened, her face turning pale.

Xie Daozhi coldly said, "I've made my decision. Keep this in mind. I'll take care of Third Son's marriage."

"Master."

Wu cried out forcefully, "To say something harsh, betraying your teacher and abandoning your friend will earn you the scorn of the world."

This struck a nerve in Xie Daozhi.

He couldn't hold back any longer, stood up abruptly, and left without even looking at Wu.

Ignorant, foolish woman!

In the Fangzhou Courtyard.

"Madam, Madam!"

Zhu hurriedly put down the ledger and looked up at Chuntao, who had almost rushed in, saying, "What is it? Why are you so frantic?"

Chuntao held up two fingers, panting, "Madam, there are two things."

"Speak quickly."

"The first one: just now, Third Master sent a servant to relay a message, saying he's taking Miss Yan out for dinner and to see the night view of the Imperial City."

Zhu was stunned for a moment before smiling, "Old Third is standing up against the Second House!"

"That's right!"

Chuntao added, "This morning, Miss Yan was invited out by the Second Master, and now Third Master is also inviting her for dinner. This is clearly slapping the Second Master in the face!"

Zhu frowned, "Strange, Old Third rarely acts so directly."

"That leads to the second thing."

Chuntao lowered her voice, "The news just came from the Old Madam's quarters that the marriage between Miss Du and Third Master is off."

"What?"

Zhu's beautiful eyes met Chuntao's.

The two stared at each other for a while before Zhu burst into laughter, "Oh my, I was right!"

"Indeed, Madam was right!"

Chuntao also laughed, "Madam won't have to coax Du Yiyun anymore, always trying to please her like she's some revered ancestor. Even I felt tired watching it."

Hearing this, Zhu's smile faded, "Something isn't right about this. The Du family and the Xie family..."

"The Master is here!"

The curtain was lifted as Xie Erli walked in, giving Chuntao a glance.

"I need to speak with the Madam. You go outside and guard the door."

"Yes!"

Xie Erli sat down on the edge of the bed without any pleasantries, "As soon as I returned to the mansion, I heard that Father stormed out of Mother's room in anger."

Zhu was startled, "What happened?"

"Most likely it's about the third one and Du Yiyun."

Xie Erli picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of warm tea, taking a sip. "This marriage won't happen, and it has nothing to do with the two young ones."

The Zhu matriarch was somewhat surprised.

If it has nothing to do with the two young ones, then it must have something to do with the heads of the Xie and Du families.

If it involves the two elders, then it must involve the court.

The Zhu matriarch thought for a moment and did not ask further. Instead, she changed the subject. "What should we do about the seasonal and New Year gifts to the Du family in the future?"

"Just follow the old rules."

After Xie Erli said this, he added, "Whether we send them or not is our business; whether they accept them or not is theirs. As long as we can live with our conscience, that's enough."

With these words, the Zhu matriarch understood everything.

The head of the family and Old Du must have had a falling out, but appearances must be maintained to avoid others saying that the head of the family is ungrateful.

"Sir, rest assured. I understand what needs to be done."

Xie Erli looked at his wife with great appreciation, thinking that if his mother were half as smart, she wouldn't be overshadowed by Aunt Liu.

"We need to find an opportunity to persuade Mother."

"Mother is quite satisfied with Miss Du and wants to see the two get together."

The Zhu matriarch paused. "It might be difficult for a while."

"Do you like Miss Du?"

"Me?"

Now that the Zhu matriarch was certain the marriage would not happen, she dared to reveal a bit of her own thoughts. "Miss Du's personality is still too spoiled."

"I think so too, so there's nothing to regret."

Thinking about his father's words from earlier that morning, Xie Erli asked, "What do you think of Yan Sanhe?"

The Zhu matriarch couldn't fathom the true intention behind this question.

"Why are you asking about her, Sir?"