Chapter Twenty-Eight: Detained

Xue Fanzhi thought deeply and couldn't help but realize that the Old Madam Xue’s actions were out of concern for her. Minglan was direct and domineering by nature; if anyone from the third branch casually approached Minglan, it could easily result in offending the Lady of Zhaoyang. The whole Xue family would suffer the consequences, and if Minglan truly became angry, the one who would lose the most was herself.

No wonder the Old Madam would not allow the Third Madam to speak.

Had this been the former Xue Fanzhi, she might have considered her grandmother too petty. But not anymore—how could she trust her parents or sisters, let alone an outsider?

Having understood the situation, Xue Fanzhi no longer paid any mind to the third branch. As soon as the Old Madam finished her instructions, Xue Fanzhi turned and left, not giving the Third Madam a chance to question her.

Once she exited Longevity Hall, Xue Fanzhi hesitated for a moment but ultimately made her way to the outer study of the main branch, where Xue Yang was recuperating. If she wished to see Minglan, she had to first meet with Xue Yang; otherwise, if anyone seized upon this as a pretext, Xue Yang and his circle would have another reason to complain.

But before that, she turned back to whisper a few words to Hongxiao, who followed her.

Hongxiao’s eyes were full of panic. “Do you really think so?”

Xue Fanzhi nodded. “Go on!”

With a hurried reply, Hongxiao dashed away, and only then did Xue Fanzhi enter Xue Yang’s courtyard.

Upon entering the outer drawing room, she found Xue Jiaoyue was there as well. Xue Fanzhi’s heart skipped a beat; she sensed she was once again caught in a precarious situation.

As expected, Xue Jiaoyue called out, “Sister, you’ve only just arrived?”

Ignoring her, Xue Fanzhi instead inquired with Yunluo, Xue Yang’s personal maid. “The master is resting. Eighth Miss, you may go in,” Yunluo replied.

Xue Fanzhi followed her into Xue Yang’s chambers, with Xue Jiaoyue trailing lightly behind.

At that moment, Xue Yang was sitting cross-legged on the couch, meditating. He had always been somewhat of a Daoist, fond of alchemy and seeking longevity. Lady Jin was also present, attending to him with a damp cloth.

Seeing Xue Fanzhi arrive, Lady Jin set down the towel and quietly reminded Xue Yang, “The eighth young lady has come to see you.”

Xue Fanzhi stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Xue Yang opened his eyes, his face instantly clouded with anger. “I thought you’d grown wings and forgotten your father! Your seventh sister, ill as she is, came early to pay her respects, but you waited a day and a night. If your seventh sister hadn’t sent someone to summon you, would you have come at all?”

When had Xue Jiaoyue ever sent someone to summon her?

That wretched woman was always digging traps for her, which explained why, in her previous life, Xue Yang had been so cold toward her. That shameless one must have played such tricks often.

But Xue Fanzhi knew that no one would believe her if she spoke up.

She changed the subject. “How is the master feeling today?”

Xue Yang had been fished out immediately after falling into the water and was never truly hurt. However, with guests in the house, he would have been compelled to entertain them. For a grown man to fall into the water simply walking was humiliating, so he feigned illness to avoid his duties.

“I still cannot be exposed to wind!” Xue Yang replied coldly. “That’s why I need someone to care for me. Your mother is looking after your seventh sister. Since you’re well again, you’ll stay behind and tend to my illness!”

How shameless!

Xue Jiaoyue’s injury was to her face, not her limbs—why would she need someone to tend to her? If anyone required care, it should be her arm!

Moreover, with two elder brothers in the house, why should a grown man require her to nurse him?

Xue Fanzhi glanced sidelong at Xue Jiaoyue, who stood behind her enjoying the spectacle. She immediately understood—this was Xue Jiaoyue’s idea.

It was not hard to guess why. The Third Old Madam had already sought favor with Grandmother for Minglan’s sake. Xue Jiaoyue, knowing her good relations with Minglan, naturally did not want them to be alone together.

Fortunately, Xue Fanzhi was prepared.

She furrowed her brows and looked troubled.

Xue Yang immediately snapped, “You unfilial daughter! I nearly drowned, and you’re still unwilling to attend to me. If I were truly incapacitated one day, would you not even bother to look at me? What’s the use of raising you?”

Xue Fanzhi, looking terrified and aggrieved, replied, “I am not unfilial! I will remain here to care for the master.”

At these words, Xue Yang’s frosty demeanor eased slightly.

After a few moments, seeing Xue Fanzhi still standing there, he barked, “What are you waiting for? Go help Yunluo boil water!”

Xue Fanzhi pouted. “What about Seventh Sister? We’re both daughters; doesn’t she need to tend to you as well?”

“Haven’t you heard me say her injuries haven’t healed?” Xue Yang’s tone was harsh, his gaze icy. “Are you trying to implicate your seventh sister?”

“Of course not—just pitying her for not being well yet,” Xue Fanzhi replied quickly.

Seeing their impatience, she bowed respectfully. “I’ll go downstairs with Yunluo now.”

Her docility finally softened Xue Yang’s expression.

Once Xue Fanzhi had left, Xue Yang turned a cold eye on Lady Jin. “That daughter of yours still tries to compete with Yue, as if she doesn’t know her sister is injured. No sisterly affection at all! What kind of upbringing have you given her?”

Lady Jin cursed Xue Fanzhi inwardly but hastened to admit fault. “I have been remiss in my discipline, Master. Please forgive me!”

Xue Yang snorted. “Don’t get in my way. Go find out what the Lady of Zhaoyang is doing, and arrange for Yue to accompany her. The Lady of Zhaoyang is no ordinary noblewoman—in the Emperor’s eyes, she ranks even above the princesses. If Yue can get close to her, marrying into the imperial family would be easy.”

Thus, Xue Yang had his own reasons for keeping Xue Fanzhi away. They all knew that the Lady of Zhaoyang and Xue Fanzhi were old acquaintances. If Xue Fanzhi had any free time, she might be chosen to accompany the Lady of Zhaoyang, leaving no opportunity for anyone else.

Lady Jin, eager for a bright future for her daughter, readily agreed.

Once Lady Jin had left, Xue Jiaoyue sweetly offered to massage Xue Yang’s legs, but he stopped her and, taking her arm tenderly, looked at her with loving concern. “What a pity! With a face as lovely as yours, how could the Ninth Prince speak so rudely?”

At the mention of Xiao Yi, Xue Jiaoyue felt both love and resentment—she admired his striking appearance, unmatched by any man in her family, but hated how he had mocked her in front of everyone, causing her to lose face.

“Father!” Xue Jiaoyue protested, sounding coy rather than truly displeased.

Xue Yang, however, had already discerned that the Ninth Prince was not easy to deal with, especially given his fondness for urging others to drink. Refusing was not an option, and last time he had nearly drunk himself sick—his initial admiration had faded.

He said coldly, “If not for his rank as the ninth, I refuse to believe my Yue couldn’t do better.”

He added seriously, “Later, when you go to accompany the Lady of Zhaoyang, don’t be willful. Do as she says; as long as you please her, she might introduce you to other princes. Even the Crown Prince himself could be yours with a word from Zhaoyang. You must seize this opportunity!”

Xue Jiaoyue, remembering how the Lady of Zhaoyang called Xue Fanzhi “sister,” felt a surge of jealousy.

If she could become close to the Lady of Zhaoyang, Xue Fanzhi would be out of the picture, and all glory and riches would be hers.

Xue Jiaoyue nodded with even more certainty than Xue Yang. “I will accompany the Lady of Zhaoyang well and won’t let Father down!”

At this, Xue Yang’s icy demeanor melted entirely, replaced by a smile full of gratification. “My Yue is still the most filial. Your father is greatly comforted...”