Chapter 435

**Chapter 442: The Knot in the Heart**

"No," said Lady Wen. "The Marquis didn't ask further. He only replied to the elder madam with 'I see.'"

Elevenniang fell silent.

If it were her, returning home to find three pregnant consorts— one lost with her unborn child, one keeping to herself and living quietly, and one sent by her mother-in-law to be cared for by the second wife—while being told by her mother that everything was normal and the death was purely an accident... As a son, a husband, and head of the Yongping household, what else could he say but "I see"?

But would someone as perceptive as Lord Xu really think nothing of it?

Elevenniang doubted it.

Otherwise, why would he say "I'm sorry" to Aunt Tong, who meant nothing special to him?

Leaving Lady Wen’s quarters, the sun beat down mercilessly, tree shadows pooled on the ground, and silence reigned, soothing her spirits.

Elevenniang slowly returned to the elder madam’s residence.

Xu Sizhun was still asleep, and the elder madam, who had been taken by the fifth wife to watch Master Changchun conduct the ceremony, had not yet returned.

Yuban noticed the sweat on Elevenniang’s forehead and her flushed face, and hurriedly brought water for her to wash up. "You're quite flushed!" she exclaimed, not asking where Elevenniang had gone.

"Is it?" Elevenniang smiled as she washed her face and changed into fresh clothes. Soon after, the elder madam and the fifth wife returned.

"...said our Xin Jieer’s fate weighs six jin," the fifth wife cradled Xin Jieer, her expression brimming with joy. "When Master Changchun read my fate back then, it was only four jin and eight liang."

The elder madam chuckled and asked Elevenniang, "Did Zhun'er trouble you?"

"No," Elevenniang replied briefly. She instructed Yuban to fetch water for the elder madam and the fifth wife to wash up, then changed the subject to what was happening in the outer courtyard.

That evening, when she encountered Lord Xu, she told him about Yi Yiniang calling for her.

Lord Xu listened and sneered dismissively. "That sort would say anything to save their skin. Don’t listen to her nonsense."

He added, "If something like this happens again, you have to tell me. What if she’s cornered and lashes out, hurting you or the child?"

Elevenniang, distracted, murmured a soft "Yes."

Thinking of how Lord Xu had protected Qin Yi over the past decade, clearly believing in his heart that Qin Yi had done nothing wrong, she couldn’t help but ask, "My lord, what exactly happened back then?" She hesitated slightly as she spoke.

Lord Xu’s expression grew stern. "What are you trying to say?"

His harsh tone stung her.

Elevenniang smiled. "Nothing. I was just curious." She stood up. "Shall I call the maids to help you wash up? The fifth wife mentioned Master Changchun will conduct another ceremony at home tomorrow. You’ll be busy again, so you should rest early."

When she was upset, she would smile brightly and talk a mile a minute.

Lord Xu took two steps forward and grabbed Elevenniang’s arm as she turned to call the maids. "Elevenniang, have you heard some gossip? Your sister... while headstrong, wasn’t one to..."

Wasn’t one to what?

Elevenniang suddenly realized. She met his gaze squarely.

He was defending Eldest Miss.

Meaning Lord Xu believed Eldest Miss was at fault.

But was Qin Yi really completely innocent?

In her clear, black eyes, his reflection was mirrored.

The clarity of it made him feel somewhat ashamed when reminded of those old days.

No one knew better than he did what kind of person Lady Yuan had become in the end.

Otherwise, how could Lady Shiyi have married him? And how could Lady Shi have become a widow at such a young age?

But the dead are gone, and there is no point in dwelling on the past!

Lord Xu sighed and gently pulled Lady Shiyi into his arms: "Alright, don't be angry anymore. Tomorrow I will send Lady Yi away and have already postponed the ritual." He continued, "Those are all things from the past. I have dealt with everyone who knows the inside story. Even if people gossip, we can ignore them, and it will naturally die down."

Inside story? What inside story? Could there be something he didn't know? Was it because of Lady Qin's witchcraft against Xu Situn that he had preconceived notions?

Lady Shiyi was startled and pushed Lord Xu away. She organized her thoughts about what Lady Wen had told her and succinctly relayed them to Lord Xu: "...In my view, Sister's mistake back then was being too careless, Lady Wen's mistake was being overly cautious, and Lady Qin's mistake was being too rigid and inflexible.

Even the late Lady Tong wasn't without fault—carrying a child is the most important thing, and if she felt unwell, she should have said so. If Sister had known, she would never have let it go unattended. Although each had their faults, as the lady of the house, Sister bore greater responsibility.

But from the tone of your words, it seems you believe this was entirely Sister's fault. What exactly happened?" Lord Xu looked at her righteous face, his expression somewhat melancholy.

If only Lady Yuan could have looked at him so candidly back then...

"I don't believe your sister would do such a thing," his voice was low and slow, like stagnant water, "I just needed one word from her. But she was harsh and severe, either blaming the maids for being lazy or saying Lady Qin hadn't explained things clearly, even criticizing Second Sister-in-law for interfering.

As if matters of the fourth branch were none of her business..." His tone carried an unmistakable disappointment. "She will be the wife of the Yongping Marquis, and this household will rely on us two to uphold it. Even if she was at fault, we are husband and wife. Why couldn't she clearly tell me, so we could find a way through this together! Instead, she blamed one person after another. Regardless of whether Second Sister-in-law was acting on Mother's orders to take care of Lady Qin, or if she overstepped her bounds in managing the fourth branch, considering that Second Brother has passed away and Second Sister-in-law has no children, living alone and depending on us for support, why couldn't she be more understanding?"

Words long buried in his heart, once given an outlet, flowed forth uncontrollably, "Letting Lady Qin live with Second Sister-in-law for over a year with her child, what would others think if they found out? How would they react?

What would the servants do if they knew? Isn't she handing them a knife to stab her at any time? Why couldn't she be more magnanimous, lower her head to apologize to Mother, say a few words of gratitude to Second Sister-in-law, and bring Lady Qin and her child back... Why did it have to come to such an irreconcilable end?"

Lord Xu’s face was as dark as still water.

“I even hoped there might still be room for redemption in this matter,” he said, a hint of shame coloring his tone. “I actually went to question Qin Yi in private, retracing the route she described—from the eastern wing to the main house, then to Madam Tao’s quarters, back and forth several times… Not only did I fail to find any inconsistencies in her account, but I also uncovered…” He hesitated.

“What did you uncover?” Eleven Miss involuntarily clenched her fists.

Lord Xu remained silent for a long moment.

“The night-duty maid in Eldest Miss’s room heard Qin Yi crying outside!”

Night-duty maids typically slept on the steps at the foot of the bed.

Eleven Miss stared at Lord Xu in shock.

He nodded slightly.

Eleven Miss lowered her gaze.

“Do you know what Mother said to me when I returned?” Lord Xu’s voice was heavy. Without waiting for her reply, he continued, “She told me to advise Eldest Miss properly—to stop acting like a child, letting every emotion show on her face. When she’s happy, she showers the concubines with rewards and smiles; when she’s displeased, she scowls and ignores them. Getting angry with those people—that’s no way for a proper mistress to behave. Hearing that, I wanted to sink through the floor. Back then, when Second Sister-in-law first entered the household, Mother personally guided her in everything, treating her like a daughter—so warm and affectionate. But with Eldest Miss… when Mother had something to say to her, she even had me relay the message.”

Lord Xu sat down on the reclining couch, his brow heavy with exhaustion.

Eleven Miss couldn’t help but walk over and took a seat on the embroidered stool beside the couch.

“My lord, back then, my sister was only sixteen or seventeen, wasn’t she?” Her voice was as soft as a morning breeze. “If she didn’t tell you, it must have been because she feared your reproach. Had you made it clear to her then—that even if she was at fault, you would forgive her and help her set things right—she would have done anything for you!”

A look of understanding flashed across Lord Xu’s face.

“In this world, there is no such thing as grievance,” Eleven Miss said softly. “Only whether something is worth it or not.” Lord Xu gazed at her wordlessly, saying nothing for a long while.

The next morning, the little maid who had been on night duty in Lord Xu's quarters quietly told Eleven Miss, "Fourth Madam, the lord didn't sleep all night!"

Eleven Miss smiled and nodded, giving the little maid a handful of sweets.

The little maid left cheerfully.

During breakfast, Eleven Miss observed Lord Xu closely.

His pale complexion was radiant, his eyes bright and alert—there was no sign that he had spent the entire night without sleep. Had Elder Madam taught Lord Xu to keep emotions from showing on his face?

She herself seemed unable to meet this standard.

Distracted by these thoughts, she looked up and saw Elder Madam smiling at her with keen interest.

Eleven Miss was completely baffled.

Elder Madam turned to ask Lord Xu, "Are you sending Yi Yiniang to Shanyang this morning?"

Lord Xu replied, "Yes, we'll leave around 9 a.m., when the city gates won't be too crowded."

Elder Madam nodded, then glanced at Eleven Miss with a smile. "Now that Yi Yiniang is leaving, you two should return to the main residence to rest. Having one of you in my eastern chamber and the other in my heated chamber has my maids running in circles, and I end up with no one to bring me tea at night."

But hadn't she brought her own maids? Though only two, she hadn’t dared to make use of Elder Madam’s personal attendants.

Eleven Miss respectfully answered, "Yes."

She thought to herself that they were all adults now, each with their own habits. Perhaps their staying here made Elder Madam feel somewhat inconvenienced, so she had used this as an excuse to send them back sooner.

"Mother," Lord Xu misunderstood, "Steward Bai is screening new maids these days. Would you like a few more for your quarters? Their wages can come from my personal allowance."

Madam Du, standing nearby, couldn't help but chuckle. Eleven Miss and Lord Xu stared at each other in confusion.

Elder Madam burst into laughter. "What a pair of lovebirds!"