Chapter 12 Letter I’m not crying at all.

Chapter 12: The Letter. "I Wasn't Crying!"

Xie Chi's words gave Zhong Yao a deep lesson in how treacherous people could be.

No wonder her father was unwilling to climb the official ladder.

One wrong step could lead to falling into someone else's trap; it truly was terrifying.

Heart still heavy with worry, Zhong Yao watched the Marquis Household's carriage depart. Surrounded by her maids, she slowly made her way back to her courtyard. She hadn't gone far when she encountered Madam Zhong, who was hurrying to find her.

"Did saying goodbye take that long? Is your wound not hurting?"

Zhong Yao's wound had been meticulously cared for and mostly didn't hurt much anymore, though it often itched, making her want to scratch it.

She linked arms with Madam Zhong, leaning against her in a docile manner, she said evasively: "I was talking with Xue... Fangfang."

Madam Zhong studied her expression, suspicious. "Why did I hear from the servants that Heir Xie came?"

Zhong Yao hesitated, "Uh... He came to pick up Fangfang... The two of them are close as siblings, didn't he come to pick him up last time too?"

Only after saying this did Zhong Yao realize that Xue Fang's existence as the "Marquis Household's adopted daughter" not only effectively covered up their time alone in the hills but could also serve as a bridge for their meetings.

And Xue Fang had appeared before her the very day after Xie Chi learned of her family's troubles.

That meant, from that moment on, Xie Chi had a rough plan in mind and had been laying the groundwork for it ever since.

This indicated he truly did not want to get involved with her.

Perhaps because, despite his poor temperament, his nature wasn't bad, and he was protecting a young lady's reputation.

But Zhong Yao carefully recalled her interactions with Xie Chi and, considering how he avoided contacting Second Miss Chen himself, instead sending her, she felt deep down it was more likely Xie Chi was protecting his own pristine reputation!

She had never seen a man so concerned with propriety, even more petty than a young lady like herself.

Zhong Yao silently criticized him in her heart.

Regardless of the true purpose, Xie Chi's arrangement worked. Madam Zhong remembered that Xie Chi had also come to pick up Xue Fang half a month ago when they returned to the capital, so she didn't grow suspicious of his visit.

She only suspected Zhong Yao might harbor special feelings for Xie Chi and went on, "Heir Xie is a good elder brother indeed. But it's fine if you and Xue Fang become close as sisters; you absolutely must not set your heart on him. Nor can you try to gather information from him..."

Madam Zhong was pleased to see Zhong Yao getting along well with Xue Fang. That way, if the day came when the family's affairs could no longer be concealed, this 'sister' might be able to use her connections to save Zhong Yao's life.

Getting involved with Xie Chi, however, was not acceptable.

"I know you want to help the family resolve this mess, but how could it be so easily solved? What if you're not careful and Heir Xie notices something? That could be fatal..."

As she advised, Madam Zhong remembered Zhong Yao's marriage and added, "You just focus on recuperating properly. After our family's matters are over... if they can be resolved... Mother will find you a match, guaranteed to be better than that heartless and ungrateful one before..."

Zhong Yao nestled against her mother, nodding obediently, thinking to herself that there really was no need to tell her parents about Xie Chi's help. After all, pursuing both avenues increased the chances of solving the problem.

If Xie Chi managed to resolve it, she could confess and take credit with her parents later.

If her parents solved it first, she would comfort Xie Chi, "It's okay, you did your best"—that's how she would comfort him.

With these little calculations in mind, Zhong Yao was escorted back to her room to rest. At dinner, she saw her father.

Because of Xie Chi's intervention, the plan for the palace coup had not been acted upon. But Zhong Huaizhi felt guilty. To avoid raising suspicion these past days, he had attended court as usual every day, showing not a hint of abnormality.

During the meal, Zhong Yao listened as her parents exchanged information. One said Xie Chi had entered the palace today; they didn't know what he discussed with the Emperor, but shortly after, Lord Lian was arrested and imprisoned.

The other said they had inquired with several ladies of other households about news from Minister Chen's residence and Xu Guozhu's residence. They were certain the foolish deeds of their two sons had not yet reached the capital, and the people sent to find the two sons still hadn't returned.

During this, Zhong Yao tried to inquire about which prince had intended the palace coup a few days prior, but her parents, not wanting her involved too deeply, refused to say no matter what.

Each member of the family harbored their own thoughts, spending another day in anxious fear.

Zhong Yao kept Xie Chi's words firmly in mind, knowing that Second Miss Chen's return to the capital would bring news of her eldest brother. She woke up very early the next morning, dressed neatly, and was on high alert.

After waiting most of the day, news finally arrived from the Minister Chen residence.

Second Miss Chen had indeed returned to the capital, coming back together with Censor Zhang, who was responsible for thoroughly investigating the Jiangzhou corruption case. However, what the Minister's residence sent to the Zhong family was not the worrying bad news they feared, but an exquisitely prepared apology gift.

Both Madam Zhong and Zhong Yao were utterly bewildered.

Zhong Huaizhi, who returned later, wasn't much better off, speaking somewhat distractedly.

"They said the Chen siblings returned to their hometown to visit relatives. Passing through Jiangzhou, they encountered our eldest. Young Master Chen was mischievous and pestered our eldest to teach him archery and horsemanship. He accidentally injured his leg, so he's now bedridden in Jiangzhou recuperating and temporarily unable to return to the capital."

"Young Master Chen was filled with remorse and stayed behind to care for our eldest. First Miss Chen, worried about her younger brother, also stayed behind."

"Minister Chen sent gifts as an apology for his son's actions."

Madam Zhong was completely confused. After a long while, she asked a question that, given their current predicament, wasn't the most severe: "Our eldest was sent by imperial decree to investigate the case. If he doesn't return, what happens to the case?"

Zhong Huaizhi said, "He was only assisting. The official in charge of this matter is Censor Zhang. He will naturally report to His Majesty."

Being injured due to personal amusement during an investigation is a grave disrespect. In principle, he should be held accountable. But the culprit was Minister Chen's youngest son, the future brother-in-law of the Crown Prince. When he pesters someone to play, who can refuse to give him face?

So, although this matter was absurd and displeased the Emperor, strictly speaking, Young Master Chen's fault was greater. Therefore, the impact on the Zhong family's eldest brother wasn't too severe.

This statement reminded Madam Zhong, who asked anxiously, "What did Censor Zhang say?"

"I went to ask him..."

Upon first hearing the news, Zhong Huaizhi had sought out Censor Zhang. He was told that by the time they encountered Young Master Chen, the case was nearly concluded. The responsible officials were all appropriately relaxing; no one paid too much attention to the Zhong eldest's movements.

Even the matter of his leg injury requiring recuperation was conveyed by Young Master Chen.

This was very strange.

Based on Zhong Huaizhi and his wife's understanding of their eldest son, he would never spread false rumors to tarnish a young lady's reputation. Since he personally wrote about having an affair with First Miss Chen, it must be true.

The reaction from the Minister Chen residence was truly incomprehensible.

"Could it be that Minister Chen learned of this and, since it's already a settled fact, simply decided to let the two be together?" Madam Zhong speculated, then negated her own thought. "No, even if he wanted to let them be together, he would absolutely never do it so politely."

Otherwise, where would the Minister's residence's dignity be?

And what would that make the Crown Prince?

"Could it be that First Miss Chen, in a fit of anger, killed our eldest, and out of remorse, fabricated this story?" Zhong Huaizhi ventured a bold guess. "Could it be that later on, news will come back saying our eldest died from his injuries?"

This guess nearly frightened Madam Zhong into fainting.

Zhong Huaizhi hurriedly said, "I was just talking nonsense, nonsense. She is the Minister's daughter, yes, but our eldest is a court-appointed official. How could she privately take action against him? Moreover, even if he died, the body would have to be sent back to the capital. A careful examination would reveal the exact cause..."

Though harsh, it made sense. Madam Zhong was temporarily reassured.

But she remained uneasy. Madam Zhong even considered going to Jiangzhou herself to see what was really happening. However, with one mishap after another befalling the family, they truly couldn't withstand more upheaval. In the end, the couple decided to first write a letter and then send a few servants, entrusted to the Minister's residence, to deliver it to their eldest son in Jiangzhou.

Once she received a reply, she would know exactly what was going on over there.

This was a good plan, but sending people and letters back and forth would take another month—way too long.

More importantly, Zhong Yao remembered clearly that Xie Chi had said her eldest brother and the Chen siblings had vanished together!

After carefully reconsidering what Xie Chi had said yesterday, Zhong Yao concluded: Second Miss Chen is a liar!

She didn’t know if her guess was correct and had no one to discuss it with. Too restless to sit still, she sent someone to deliver a note to Yong’an Marquis’s residence requesting Xue Fang’s presence.

An hour later, neither Xue Fang nor Xie Chi came—only a letter signed by Xue Fang arrived.

The letter was brief: She’s lying? Then things are simpler. Can’t you figure that out?

Zhong Yao could almost hear Xie Chi’s impatient tone as he said this.

She didn’t mind and earnestly wrote a reply, begging humbly in the letter.

When the next letter arrived, the handwriting was still bold and unrestrained, with only two sentences.

First sentence: Hold it in.

Second sentence: Lying proves she knows the truth.

Knows the truth?

Zhong Yao carefully thought about the meaning of this sentence. If she knows the truth, doesn’t that mean Second Miss Chen knows where her eldest brother is?

Her confusion and anxiety instantly vanished into thin air, and Zhong Yao broke into a smile through her tears. Even Xie Chi’s handwriting seemed pleasing to her now.

She picked up her brush and wrote again.

The letter was delivered directly to Xie Chi’s study. When it arrived, Xie Chi was tending to military matters. He opened it, glanced over it, frowned, and casually tossed the letter aside.

Coincidentally, a quarter of an hour later, Lady Xie arrived.

Xie Chi had been back in the capital for half a month, either going to the military camp, the palace, or investigating the rebellion case, with many other miscellaneous tasks in between. The grandmother and grandson had barely spoken properly.

Lady Xie didn’t care about anything else; this time she came to ask Xie Chi how he planned to handle the matter of Xue Fang.

Because of Xie Chi’s several attempts to bring Xue Fang back to the residence, the identity of this Marquis’s “adopted daughter” was already common knowledge. Recently, many people had come to Lady Xie to inquire.

Lady Xie had never given a clear answer, nor could she.

—What nonsense, a fine boy parading as a girl!

“Granddaughter,” Xie Chi said nonchalantly. “Xue Fang is your granddaughter. After ‘she’ passes away from illness in a while, I’ll find you a new grandson… If you’re willing, a great-grandson will do too. That should fulfill your wish for descendants.”

Lady Xie, feeling mocked, shot him a glare, turned around in a huff, and left.

The Dowager was spry for her age; as she turned, her clothes stirred a gust of wind, blowing a piece of paper off the desk.

The thin paper drifted lightly to Lady Xie’s feet. She glanced down casually, and upon seeing the content, the look she gave Xie Chi changed in an instant.

“Which young lady are you planning to fulfill my wish with?”

Xie Chi: “?”

He looked up, following Lady Xie’s gaze to the paper on the floor. On it was a line of small, elegant handwriting, clearly from a young lady:

I wasn’t crying at all.

The words had a coy, girlish charm to them.