Xie Jing's words shocked everyone.
Especially Ruan Jiu.
Immediately afterwards, she looked at Xie Jingchu with a worried expression.
Xie Jingchu still looked calm, but the hand that held the wine cup tightly had fingertips turning pale.
The bobbing of his Adam's apple also showed his complicated emotions.
Then, Ruan Jiu turned her gaze to the third branch of the family.
Although Shen Tang covered her mouth, her eyes wide open, looking utterly shocked.
But Xie Xiu's face was overly calm.
If it were in the past, she would surely have thought it was because Xie Xiu was just the kind of person who didn't strive for anything.
But after learning what Xie Xiu had done before, and thinking about his current reaction.
Maybe this whole scene caused by Xie Jing today had something to do with Xie Xiu.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Lord Xie roared at Xie Jing.
His anger was clearly visible.
"Isn't it true?" Xie Jing paused for a moment, then pointed at Xie Jingchu and continued, "He, Xie Jingchu, is just a bastard! Why should he be in charge of the Xie family's business!"
After hearing this, Lord Xie's anger flared even more.
His sharp eyes, like those of an eagle, stared at Xie Jing.
He roared, "Shut your mouth!"
With that, he smashed the cup in his hand onto the ground.
Instantly, the pieces of the cup scattered all over the floor.
Everyone present was so frightened that they trembled.
But Xie Jing didn't stop there. He went on, "Father, I'm your own son. Even if you don't hand over the salt business to me, you can't give it to an outsider!"
"Who said he's an outsider? He's your own younger brother!" Lord Xie said firmly.
Xie Jing sneered, clearly not believing it.
"Father, in order to protect this bastard, you even try to turn black into white! Well, today I'll let everyone see clearly whether Xie Jingchu is really a member of the Xie family!"
After saying that, Xie Jing clapped his hands.
Then, Nanny Zhou walked in, shrinking her body.
"Nanny Zhou, tell us why you left the Xie Mansion back then!"
Nanny Zhou knelt on the ground with a thud.
She glanced at Xie Jingchu nervously, then buried her head on the ground.
With a trembling voice, she said, "Back then, everyone in the mansion said that the Fourth Young Master's background was unknown, so the master drove out all the maids and nannies around the Fourth Young Master."
"Father, if you have nothing to hide, why did you drive them all away?" Xie Jing said confidently, with a sneering smile on his lips.
After hearing this, Lord Xie frowned tightly, and a chill flashed in his eyes. "What's the use of keeping these servants who slander their masters in the mansion!"
"Fine, Nanny Zhou, you've taken care of Xie Jingchu for so many years. You should know best whether he's a member of the Xie family." Xie Jing raised his head and squinted his eyes.
"The Fourth Young Master... he... he's not a member of the Xie family!" Nanny Zhou replied with a trembling voice.
But her hesitant tone made her seem a bit lacking in confidence.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present had different expressions.
Ruan Jiu clenched her fists, refusing to believe it.
How could this be possible?
She looked at Xie Jingchu with even more worry.
Xie Jingchu frowned tightly and looked at Nanny Zhou in shock. He asked, "Is what you said true?"
Hearing Xie Jingchu's voice, Nanny Zhou raised her head. Meeting his solemn eyes, she looked dazed.
Then, she nervously and helplessly glanced at Xie Jing.
She found that Xie Jing was glaring at her fiercely.
So, she quickly said, "Back then, I once heard the master and the mistress talking. They said that the Fourth Young Master was picked up."
Hearing this, Lord Xie let out a long breath.
The tight string in his heart instantly relaxed.
But his face was still ashen, and he said coldly, "Someone, take this lying servant to the yamen!"
"No!" Xie Jing stopped him.
If it really got to the yamen, after a few blows of the board, Nanny Zhou might tell the truth about how she had been bribed.
Lord Xie snorted coldly. "Such a stubborn servant. I'm sure she won't tell the truth without a few blows of the board!"
"Father, if you insist on doing this, then let's make this matter public and let the people in Qinzhou City judge."
Xie Jing never thought that he could prove that Xie Jingchu's background was doubtful just by bribing a nanny.
Moreover, he had no evidence to prove that Xie Jingchu was not a member of the Xie family.
He just wanted to use this opportunity to prevent Xie Jingchu from sitting on the position of the head of the Xie family justifiably.
He thought that for the sake of the Xie family's reputation, the master would not hand over the salt business to Xie Jingchu at this time.
As long as the salt business was not given to Xie Jingchu, his goal for today would be achieved.
"You! You ungrateful son!" Lord Xie was so angry that he felt a tightness in his chest.
Even the cough that had just gotten better a few days ago flared up again.
He coughed several times in a row and almost couldn't catch his breath.
Ruan Jiu quickly stepped forward, handed Lord Xie a cup of tea, and gently patted his back.
Seeing Xie Jing's confident look, Lord Xie knew that he absolutely couldn't hand over the salt business to Xie Jingchu today.
Otherwise, Xie Jing might cause even more trouble.
This matter couldn't be made public!
Then, Lord Xie pretended to be ill. He closed his eyes and fainted.
Watching the doctors constantly going in and out of Lord Xie's room, everyone was anxiously waiting outside.
Xie Jing was even more anxious like an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth in the yard.
After all, the master had been angered and fallen ill by him.
After a while, the butler beside Lord Xie came out and said, "The master wants the Fourth Young Master to go in and talk to him."
After hearing this, Xie Jingchu nodded solemnly.
He took a few steps, then turned back and glared at Xie Jing. He said, "If anything happens to Father, I'll never forgive you!"
After saying that, he followed the butler in.
Xie Jing was left standing there. His body froze, and he nervously swallowed his saliva.
Lord Xie was half-lying on the bed. When he saw Xie Jingchu come in.
His eyes immediately narrowed into a slit, and he waved at Xie Jingchu.
"Laosi, come here quickly."
Xie Jingchu rushed forward, then took a step back and stood straight in front of Lord Xie's bed.
Seeing this, Lord Xie wasn't angry.
There was still a smile on his face, and he waved at Xie Jingchu again.
Xie Jingchu pursed his lips, then took a step forward and half-squatted beside Lord Xie's bed.
He tightly held Lord Xie's hand and looked up. He asked, "Father, how are you feeling?"
Lord Xie smiled and shook his head. "It's okay. It's just some old ailments."
After saying that, he coughed a few times gently.
Seeing Xie Jingchu bow his head and remain silent.
Lord Xie patted his hand and then said, "You've always been a thoughtful person since you were a child. I'm sure Nanny Zhou's words have upset you."
From Xie Jingchu's reaction when he entered the door just now, Lord Xie could tell that there must be many questions in his heart.
But because of his health, he didn't dare to ask.
"Just ask whatever you want."
After hearing this, Xie Jingchu looked up and met Lord Xie's kind eyes.
Then he quickly lowered his eyelids, with a myriad of thoughts in his heart.
After a long time, he finally managed to say, "Am... am I really... am I really not a member of the Xie family?"