Xie Chong lowered his head and pondered for a moment.
At present, this was the only way out.
So he said indifferently, "Then do as the fourth brother said."
Hearing this, Xie Jing was filled with resentment. "What if she fails to produce the evidence? Will the silk store have to remain closed forever?"
Although the Xie family had numerous businesses, the silk store ranked among the top five most profitable ones.
If it really remained closed, it would mean a huge loss of silver.
Moreover, the silk store had caused such a big problem. Could they just let it go with a simple closure?
"So what's your idea?" asked the old master Xie coldly.
"Since Cousin girl insists that she didn't leak the craftsmanship blueprint for those fakes, we might as well set a one - month deadline.
Cousin girl not only has to prove her innocence but also clear the name of the silk store.
If she fails, she will have to take full responsibility and leave the Xie Mansion to preserve the reputation of the Xie family's silk store."
Xie Jing spoke with conviction.
Ruan Jiu frowned, looking surprised. "One month? Is Uncle trying to make things difficult for me on purpose?"
Not to mention where those fake brocades came from.
Now in Qinzhou City, there were even more fake brocades than real ones. How could she clear the name of the store in just one month?
"I assume you don't want the Xie family's silk store to be constantly criticized, do you?"
Ruan Jiu gritted her teeth and replied, "Fine, one month it is."
Seeing that she had taken the bait, Xie Jing felt secretly delighted.
He thought she was so smart, but she even dared to accept such conditions. She was just waiting to be kicked out of the Xie family.
It seemed that he had to propose to the old master to break off the engagement quickly. He couldn't let her drag Yan'er down.
Xie Jing was in high spirits and looked smug. "Good. Tomorrow I'll send someone to post a notice. One month later, everyone will see how you preserve the reputation of the Xie family's silk store."
She either had to produce evidence to prove that those inferior brocades were all fakes.
Or admit that she had leaked the craftsmanship blueprint and that it had nothing to do with the Xie family.
"Fine, it's settled then."
The old master Xie made the final decision.
Everyone present had different expressions.
It was already deep in the night. Taking advantage of Xu Qing's inattention, Xie Yanchuan sneaked out of the courtyard of the eldest branch.
He came to Ruan Jiu's door. After hesitating for a while, he finally knocked on the door with his raised hand.
The door opened, and Ruan Jiu saw Xie Yanchuan standing outside.
She asked, "What do you want?"
"Um...um..." Xie Yanchuan stammered.
Ruan Jiu leaned against the door, waiting to see what he wanted to say.
"A Jiu, don't take my father's words to heart today."
Not take them to heart?
He was eager to get rid of her.
Ruan Jiu wanted to mock him, but then she remembered that Xie Yanchuan had spoken up for her in the main hall today.
So she said, "It doesn't matter. The innocent will prove their innocence."
Xie Yanchuan looked guilty and was touched.
He didn't expect A Jiu to be so deeply in love with him. Even though his father had deliberately made things difficult for her, she still chose to forgive for his sake.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but take Ruan Jiu's hand.
Looking at her tenderly, he said, "A Jiu, thank you."
Ruan Jiu was startled by his action. After a moment of stunnedness, she quickly pulled her hand back.
She rolled her eyes and said, "You're crazy."
Then she closed the door tightly.
Xie Yanchuan stood outside the door, unable to contain his smile.
He murmured, "A Jiu can still be shy."
As soon as Xie Yanchuan left, Xie Jingchu came.
Ruan Jiu looked at the open window and then at Xie Jingchu, who was sitting on the chair leisurely.
It was as if it wasn't him who had climbed in through the window just now.
"Fourth Master, why don't you come in through the front door?"
"I didn't want to interrupt your hand - holding."
"Who said I was holding hands with him? It was actually..."
She had only said half of the sentence when she realized why she was explaining to him.
So she swallowed the rest of the words.
"Why stop talking?" Xie Jingchu stared straight at her with a burning look in his eyes.
Ruan Jiu felt inexplicably guilty and turned her head slightly. "It's nothing."
Xie Jingchu stood up, walked up to Ruan Jiu, and gently placed his warm big hand on her chin.
"Stay away from other men."
"Wh...what do you mean?"
"Don't you understand my feelings, A Jiu?"
Ruan Jiu stiffened and met Xie Jingchu's burning gaze with her surprised eyes.
One pair of eyes seemed to have stars twinkling in them.
The other's eyes showed his affection without any concealment.
Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat.
Oh my god! What was he saying?
His feelings? What feelings?
But she didn't dare to ask further.
She held her breath and pretended to be calm.
She lowered her eyes and didn't dare to look at him anymore.
Xie Jingchu thought she looked quite cute in this state.
Afraid that she would suffocate herself, he smiled and let go of his hand.
After all, this wasn't a good time for love.
Seeing Xie Jingchu sit back on the chair, Ruan Jiu let out a long sigh of relief.
"What do you think of today's incident?"
"Hmm?"
Ruan Jiu was startled by Xie Jingchu's sudden question and looked stunned.
This man really changed his mood quickly!
However, she quickly composed herself.
She replied, "Although Uncle was aggressive today, in my opinion, he doesn't seem to be the one behind this."
Xie Jingchu nodded in agreement after hearing this.
"Although Xie Jing is ambitious, he won't ignore the interests of the Xie family."
After years of open and covert struggles with Xie Jing, he knew Xie Jing's temper very well.
The reason why Xie Jing had jumped out was probably just to make things difficult for him.
After all, if something happened to Ruan Jiu, he would be the first one to protect her.
Ruan Jiu bit her lip, looking conflicted.
After a long silence, she finally decided to speak out.
"Fourth Master, I think the third branch might be behind this."
After saying this, her heart was in a turmoil.
After all, the third branch had never fought for anything over the years. It was really hard to believe that they were the ones who had done this.
Actually, Xie Jingchu had also noticed something strange in the main hall today.
So he motioned for Ruan Jiu to continue.
"Madam Third usually stays in her courtyard. How did she know that I locked the craftsmanship blueprint in the cabinet?"
"Moreover, not long ago, she often took Zhou'er to my study. I thought they were just borrowing books, so I didn't pay much attention."
"If the craftsmanship blueprint was really leaked, she is quite a suspect."
Ruan Jiu voiced all her doubts.
After hearing this, a flash of hostility passed through Xie Jingchu's eyes.
It was really a good move.
But at present, they had no evidence to prove that Shen Tang had leaked the craftsmanship blueprint.
But Ruan Jiu couldn't be wronged.
"A Jiu, I'll go and tie her up right now."
After saying that, Xie Jingchu was about to get up and walk out.
Ruan Jiu quickly stopped him. "Wait."
Xie Jingchu stopped in his tracks.
"Even if you tie her up, if she refuses to admit it, are you going to torture her?"
"Why not?"
Since Shen Tang had done such a dirty thing to A Jiu, he wouldn't show any mercy.
His eyes were as cold as stars.
This was the first time Ruan Jiu had seen him lose his composure.
She smiled and put her hand on his shoulder, pressing him back into the chair.
"The third branch has never fought for anything. Who would believe that they framed me?"
Ruan Jiu paused for a moment and then continued, "I always feel that things are not that simple. The departure of Chen Jiaojiao and her mother, as well as Uncle De, couldn't have been done by the third branch alone."
Although Xie Xiu carried the title of the third master of the Xie family, he had no connections or power.
Who was helping him behind the scenes?