Chapter 91 Learning to Refuse

"That is even more out of the question!" Xue Fanzhi flatly refused. She looked at Old Madam Xue and said, "Grandmother, please don't blame your granddaughter for being outspoken, but you heard it yourself: Great-Aunt says you and Great-Uncle will handle it, but how exactly would you handle it?"

"After all, we are from different branches. Could Great-Uncle and you really tie up Fifth Sister and let a man ruin her just to atone for Sixth Sister's sake? Of course not. At most, she would be locked in the ancestral hall for a few days, and then the matter would be swept under the rug. Otherwise, the Third Branch would never let it go. But if you really did that, would the Fourth Branch agree?"

The Old Madam of the Fourth Branch interjected, "Why should it be as simple as just locking her in the ancestral hall? Fifth Sister Xue must be taught a lesson; it wouldn't be too much to smash her face in!"

Otherwise, hadn't she suffered in vain? Just because she was older, did that mean her suffering had no impact? If they thought she would let Fifth Sister Xue off the hook, they were mistaken.

However, she did not realize that by saying this, she was handing Xue Fanzhi the perfect opening.

Xue Fanzhi nodded with satisfaction. "See? Great-Aunt will not let it go either. But what does this have to do with the First and Second Branches? In the end, neither side will be satisfied with the judgment. Given the tactics of the Third and Fourth Branches, they will inevitably try to extort compensation from you and Great-Uncle. A pittance won't satisfy their appetites. So, why take on this task? It will only end with them shaking hands and making peace, while the First and Second Branches are forced to provide both people and money."

"So why not let the Ninth Prince conduct a public trial? If there is to be a trial, the First and Second Branches have no shortage of ancestors to support; why allow such meddlesome complications to arise? Is it because the First and Second Branches have suddenly found religion? Are we running a charity?"

This was spoken with such directness that it implied the Third and Fourth Branches were nothing but parasites, looking to extort everything from the First and Second Branches.

Old Madam Xue listened silently, studying her granddaughter's small face. A strange emotion welled up within her. This child, who had previously seemed to understand nothing, could now see through problems so thoroughly.

She truly was a fine granddaughter. Ever since she had acknowledged this girl, she seemed to have become much sharper.

If she continued to be this clever, why should she fear the future? Why fear being taken advantage of? She need not fear anything; her granddaughter would handle her affairs decisively. This granddaughter was worth the affection she had shown her.

The Old Madam of the Fourth Branch was waiting for Old Madam Xue to reprimand Xue Fanzhi, but she noticed the old lady remained silent, her eyes even appearing to hold a glimmer of approval. Her heart skipped a beat. Could it be? Had little Eight really caught the eldest sister-in-law's eye? Was she planning to favor her? Why else would she not say a single word to stop her?

The more the Old Madam of the Fourth Branch thought about it, the more it seemed to be the case. It was maddening! That little Eight, who used to be so honest and dull—how did she suddenly encounter an expert guide and learn to see through all these schemes?

She had lost a chance to extort the First and Second Branches. It was truly infuriating.

Old Madam Xue refused to scold her granddaughter, but the Old Madam of the Fourth Branch did not care about that—or rather, she had been wanting to scold someone for a while now.

"How truly unfilial! I am your elder, after all. What kind of nonsense are you spouting? When have I ever refused to let things go just to extort the First and Second Branches?"

The Old Madam of the Fourth Branch looked at Old Madam Xue and added, "Eldest Sister-in-law, little Eight is going to go astray! Aren't you going to discipline her?"

Go astray?

Why did she think the girl was doing perfectly well? She was becoming more and more to her liking.

Old Madam Xue looked sternly at the Old Madam of the Fourth Branch. "I think little Eight is right. This matter should not be settled privately within the family. We should respect the Ninth Prince's arrangements!"

Xue Fanzhi felt secretly proud. She was thinking for the sake of her own household; why would her grandmother scold her? Her grandmother wasn't senile!

As for filial piety, if it were a virtuous elder, she would naturally be filial. But why show filial piety to an unworthy one? She was not lacking for grandmothers!

Seeing that Old Madam Xue would not change her mind, the Old Madam of the Fourth Branch was furious. "Then I won't attend!"

Without her presence, there would be no witness. Let's see how they conduct the trial.

Unexpectedly, Old Madam Xue nodded. "I was thinking the same. Since you are uncomfortable, go back and rest. Once it is handled, I will send someone to tell you!" Even if the Fourth Branch did not pursue it, once Xiao Yi had finished his interrogation and obtained the criminal's confession, the perpetrator could not escape the sanctions of the law.

"That's not what I meant... How can you, Eldest Sister-in-law, really be forcing me? Do you want me to die for you to see?" The Old Madam of the Fourth Branch was desperate. She used death as a threat, not believing the Xue family would dare let her die; it would ruin the family's reputation!

Old Madam Xue’s expression darkened instantly, and she scolded, "What nonsense is a person of your age spouting? If you are truly unwell, then withdraw!" She was genuinely concerned for this sister-in-law, as they were all getting on in years and couldn't handle the turmoil. Otherwise, if she really wanted to die, let her! If a young lady was taken advantage of and committed suicide, the family could obtain a plaque for chastity. If an old woman committed suicide over this, it would only further prove the Xue family's innocence, and they might even receive an imperial commendation. That would be quite good!

"Live well and punish the wicked—that is what you should be doing right now!"

"I..." The Old Madam of the Fourth Branch felt she was losing out if she withdrew like this; she needed to get something back.

"I want to listen!" she said, grinding her teeth. "Fifth Sister Xue has wreaked such havoc on our Fourth Branch, I want to attend and see what becomes of her!"

Wouldn't it have been easier to do that from the start?

Xue Fanzhi gave Old Madam Xue a suggestive look.

Old Madam Xue nodded secretly. Today, it was all thanks to Eighth Sister; otherwise, she would have truly accepted a hot potato.

***

Xue Fanzhi had come to pay her respects to Old Madam Xue, but upon seeing the Old Madam of the Fourth Branch and hearing what she said, she couldn't help but burst in.

However, Xue Fanzhi did not intend to leave. She wanted to stay behind her grandmother and listen—to hear exactly how Xiao Yi would deal with Fifth Sister Xue.

There were quite a few people waiting for news. Xue Fanzhi saw Sixth Sister Xue arrive, looking listless.

Xue Fanzhi beckoned to her, but Sixth Sister Xue had to be mindful of the Old Madam of the Fourth Branch. Since she was her granddaughter, the concept of filial piety was like a mountain that could not be crossed. She walked up to the Old Madam of the Fourth Branch first.

"Grandmother, your granddaughter is here," she said.

The Old Madam of the Fourth Branch found Sixth Sister increasingly displeasing, but seeing that the people of the First Branch held her in high regard, she didn't want to be unreasonable. She merely snorted and turned her head away.

Xue Fanzhi called out to Sixth Sister Xue again, and Sixth Sister sat down beside her, head bowed.

"What exactly happened? Didn't I tell you not to come out no matter what?" Xue Fanzhi whispered in her ear.

Sixth Sister Xue nodded. "It was precisely because I thought that way that I took Grandmother along. Who knew things would go wrong? This is all my fault!"

"Stop crying!" Xue Fanzhi comforted her. "If it had been you, who knows what might have happened to you? It was a blessing in disguise; you should be happy instead!"

Happy that she hadn't come to harm, yet could still see Fifth Sister Xue punished.

Sixth Sister Xue understood the implication in Xue Fanzhi's words. Her emotions were incredibly complex. Unlike Xue Fanzhi, who sought retribution for Fifth Sister, she had grown up with her, and there was some affection there.

Yet, she had to admit that she hated Fifth Sister, too, and did not want to see her go unpunished!