"Hubby, have you heard about what happened at the prefect's mansion?"
Early in the morning, Shen Tang heard the servants whispering about it. She rushed back to the courtyard and told Xie Xiu about it.
Xie Xiu nodded mysteriously.
Prefect Lin had publicly announced that he wanted Xie Jingchu to be his family's son - in - law who would move into the bride's family. This had become common knowledge in Qinzhou City. How could he not know?
Fortunately, Xie Jingchu had publicly defied Prefect Lin's face. Presumably, his days would be even more difficult in the future.
"Aren't you worried? What if Xie Jingchu..."
Xie Xiu waved his hand. "There's no 'what if'."
After all, with Xie Jingchu's character, how could he lower his dignity to be the son - in - law who moved into the bride's family?
However...
Xie Xiu paused and then continued, "That stupid Xie Jing needs someone to give him a hint."
"What do you mean, hubby?" Shen Tang was puzzled.
Xie Xiu narrowed his long and narrow eyes, his eyes full of scheming.
"Let them fight among themselves."
After saying that, Xie Xiu leaned over and whispered instructions in Shen Tang's ear.
Shen Tang's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Hubby, you're so clever!"
Xie Xiu looked proud, enjoying Shen Tang's flattery.
In recent days, there had been countless people who had taken advantage of Xie Jingchu's misfortune and shifted their loyalties.
But Xie Jingchu seemed to be good - tempered.
However, if someone touched the person he loved most, could he still bear it?
Xie Jing, let's see how long you can hold the position of the head of the Xie family.
Since the incident at the prefect's mansion, Xie Jing had been feeling uneasy.
Although Xie Jingchu had publicly defied Prefect Lin's face, the daughter of the Lin family was deeply in love with Xie Jingchu.
It was said that it was easy for a woman to pursue a man. Who knew when Xie Jingchu would become the prefect's son - in - law?
With such a powerful background, wouldn't Xie Jingchu have the ambition to seize power?
Just then, a servant came in to report.
"Master, someone has sent you a letter."
Xie Jing frowned and took the letter. After reading it, his frown relaxed.
"Who sent the letter?" Xie Jing asked eagerly.
The servant shook his head. "The person was well - covered. He left right after delivering the letter."
Xie Jing's eyes darkened.
Regardless of who sent the letter, the content in it had finally solved his pressing problem.
"Quick, go and find Miss Ruan. Tell her I have something important to discuss with her."
Although Ruan Jiu felt that Xie Jing had ill intentions, she still forced a smile and asked respectfully,
"I wonder what important matter you want to discuss with me, Master?"
She still needed to maintain the proper etiquette.
Xie Jing didn't want to chat with Ruan Jiu too much.
Putting on an air of superiority, he stared at Ruan Jiu and said, "I've called you here today to set the wedding date between you and Yan'er. What do you think?"
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu frowned.
Xie Jing had always looked down on her, thinking that she was not good enough for Xie Yanchuan.
He had agreed to the old master's arrangement before because he wanted to use her to seize power.
But now that Xie Jing had become the head of the Xie family, why was he bringing up this marriage again?
"I wonder if you've asked Young Master Yan?" Ruan Jiu asked.
If they were really going to discuss the wedding date, it was impossible to only call her.
Xie Jing ignored her question and said to himself, "I think the third day of next month is a good day. Let's set the wedding date for then."
Today was the twenty - ninth. There were only a few days left until the third.
With Xie Jing's character, now that he had finally become the head of the Xie family, his son's wedding should be a grand celebration.
It was too hasty in just a few days.
It seemed that discussing the wedding date was just a pretext.
Ruan Jiu smiled sweetly and replied, "I'll follow your arrangement, Master."
Hearing Ruan Jiu's answer, Xie Jing felt a bit flustered.
He thought to himself, why did this girl agree so easily? How could he continue to say what he wanted to say next?
Xie Jing shifted his position, his face turning ashen. "You don't object?"
Ruan Jiu curled her lips. Was he getting impatient already?
"Master, now that you're the head of the Xie family, everything in the future will belong to Young Master Yan. I'm sure no one would reject the position of the young mistress of the Xie family."
After hearing this, Xie Jing slapped the table hard and shouted angrily, "You're really coveting the wealth of the Xie family."
Seeing this, Ruan Jiu wasn't intimidated.
Looking directly into Xie Jing's eyes, she said, "Why do you say that, Master? The marriage was arranged by the old master, and the wedding date is decided by you. I'm just following your arrangements. How can you say that I'm coveting the wealth?"
Xie Jing was speechless.
What she said seemed to be right.
But he didn't call Ruan Jiu here to discuss the wedding date today.
So, he took a deep breath and then continued, "You know, with your status, you're not good enough for Yan'er!"
Ruan Jiu smiled. "I know, but the marriage wasn't arranged by me."
Xie Jing was so angry that he roared, "Are you pretending not to understand or are you doing it on purpose?"
"You were the one who was beating around the bush first." Ruan Jiu said calmly.
Xie Jing let out a long breath and tried to suppress his anger. "Then I'll be straight with you. I'll give you two choices. Either marry Yan'er as a concubine and be obedient, or cancel the engagement.
But the silk shop was the old master's dowry for you to marry Yan'er. Since the engagement is null and void, you should return the silk shop to the Xie family."
Ruan Jiu understood immediately. So, this was what Xie Jing was up to.
On the surface, there were two choices.
In fact, the purpose was the same.
That was to make her hand over the silk shop.
But she, Ruan Jiu, was not a soft - hearted person who could be easily manipulated.
If he didn't appreciate the kindness, then tear his mask off.
"Master, I'm afraid you're getting old and your ears and eyes aren't working well. The silk shop was the old master's dowry for me. It means that no matter who I marry, the silk shop belongs to me."
"You!" Xie Jing didn't expect Ruan Jiu to talk to him like this. He shouted angrily, "How dare you! You should recognize your own position!"
Ruan Jiu narrowed her eyes.
She had heard this phrase "recognize your own position" too many times!
Ruan Jiu snorted and said, "I'm stupid, Master. Please make it clear. What's my position?"
Xie Jing looked disdainful. "You should remember that you're just a beggar picked up by Xie Jingchu. You're just a dog of the Xie family! Don't think that just because you've been a distant niece of the Xie family for a few years, you can forget the low - class blood in your veins!"
So, this was what he had been thinking in his heart?
It was really hard for him to hold it in for so many years.
Ruan Jiu straightened her back and looked at Xie Jing without fear.
"Yes, I'm low - class and unworthy. Since I'm so offensive to you, why don't you just kill me? Be quick. Find a rope and strangle me."
"What... What?" Xie Jing couldn't believe his ears. Was she crazy?
A sneer appeared on Ruan Jiu's lips. "Why, are you afraid? Then why are you pretending to be so powerful!
Now that you've become the head of the Xie family, you're talking so boldly? Don't forget, the old master is still alive.
With your stupid brain, how many years can you squander the wealth of the Xie family? Can you sit in the position of the head of the Xie family with a clear conscience?"
Ruan Jiu kept talking in one breath.
These words not only contained personal grudges.
To some extent, they were also for Xie Jingchu's sake.
Who asked him to scheme against Xie Jingchu?