Chapter Twenty-Six: Reaching an Agreement

Xue Fanzhi was thinking about Xiao Yi. She didn’t know what method Xiao Yi had used to make Xue Yang behave like a completely different person, but she was certain that Xiao Yi must have done something. Was it for her sake, or for that deal? What was it about herself that mattered so much to him, that he would go to such lengths to help her? Or was there something valuable about her that caught his interest, prompting him to scheme so meticulously? The more she pondered, the less she understood. What baffled her even more was that Xiao Yi had just told her to attend the Xie family’s banquet, and the invitation had already arrived.

It was sent to Minglan, who instructed her to collect it from the second branch. There wasn’t just one invitation—there were four! Minglan hadn’t mentioned that Xiao Yi was the sender; she merely said, “The Xie family invited me, but I don’t like such gatherings. If you go, I’ll go.” Xue Fanzhi had no intention of going. The invitation was clearly orchestrated by Xiao Yi—why should she do as he said? If she refused, others could attend in her place.

“Why were so many invitations given? Is Her Highness planning to invite someone else?” Xue Fanzhi asked.

Minglan smiled, “They’re for you—arrange them as you wish.”

Arrange as she wished? Xue Fanzhi formed a plan in her heart. Having been reborn, she couldn’t live as carelessly as in her previous life. Though she was engaged to Qin Jianyu, it didn’t guarantee smooth sailing. Back then, she had always depended on Xiao Yi to survive; this time, shouldn’t she strive for independence? She should live a life unrestrained, even if she had no one to rely on.

First, the Xue family must be established firmly. With Second Grandfather’s support and her elder brother’s talent, had her brother not died young in her previous life, she might not have needed to bow to Xiao Yi. But her brother matured too slowly, and aside from Second Grandfather and Maternal Grandfather’s modest financial aid, the Xue family had little foundation.

There were many daughters in the Xue family—what if they all married well? Xue Fanzhi thought of the sisters from the fourth branch. In large families, all share glory and bear loss together. Though they had divided the household, the clan remained one, and the fourth branch had always depended on the first and second branches. With no capable descendants, if the fourth branch’s daughters married well, the immediate benefit would go to her elder and second brothers.

Was this Xiao Yi’s intent in urging her to attend? Or was he simply going the extra mile, now even wishing to help her stand on her own? She couldn’t figure it out, so she stopped trying.

Xue Fanzhi laughed, “Thank you, Your Highness. Just give them to me then.”

Since Xiao Yi owed her a life, she might as well use it.

Minglan, entrusted by Xiao Yi, had been told to assist Xue Fanzhi well, as Xiao Yi believed his little sister-in-law was somewhat naive and might not think things through. Seeing Xue Fanzhi’s adorable smile, Minglan worried she might keep the invitations for trivial matters—the silk atop them was soft, after all. She hurriedly advised, “You can give them to your sisters. I don’t have sisters myself, but in other families, sisters always play together. Of course, don’t bring Xue Seventh Lady!”

The third branch was out of the question. In her previous life, the third branch, coveting the inheritance, kidnapped Second Uncle when he was ill, trying to have him adopt a grandson. When Second Uncle recovered, he drove the third branch out of Wuyi Alley. Afterwards, the third branch joined other prominent families, always opposing their own kin—a pack of ingrates.

Xue Fanzhi smiled, “Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

Minglan felt relieved—she wasn’t as foolish as Xiao Yi claimed, at least she considered the matter.

Xue Fanzhi intended to distribute the invitations to her other sisters, but her current status made it awkward to do so directly, nor could she rely on Lady Jin. She needed to probe Old Lady Xue’s attitude, so after chatting with Minglan for a while, she took her leave and headed to the main house.

The old matron was sorting flower seedlings with Madam Jiang, talking about the recent insolence of the third branch.

Old Lady Xue didn’t look up, separating the seedlings of autumn chrysanthemums and orchids, her tone cold: “Seventh Lady’s scheming deserves a lesson, but Third Lady, blinded by greed, snatches things. If I ignore it, won’t others think the first branch is easy to bully?”

Though she didn’t care much for Xue Yang, the first branch was still her family.

Madam Jiang agreed—only if the master’s household was strong would the servants not be looked down upon.

“What does Old Lady plan to do about the third branch?” Madam Jiang asked.

Old Lady Xue shook her head, “I haven’t decided. It mustn’t be too severe, as we’re all Xue family, but if too lenient, Third Lady won’t learn her lesson.”

That was tricky—they couldn’t simply have someone beat up Third Lady.

As they discussed, a second-class maid reported, “Old Lady, Eighth Lady has come!”

Both Old Lady Xue and Madam Jiang looked up. Madam Jiang glanced at Old Lady Xue.

Old Lady Xue asked calmly, “Do you think Eighth Lady is trustworthy?”

On the day Xue Fanzhi returned, she had knelt before Old Lady Xue, recounting her experience, seeking to ally herself. But as Xue Yang’s daughter, did she truly lack her father’s coldness and obstinacy?

Yet, having watched her grow up, this granddaughter seemed honest and naïve, unlike Xue Yang.

But honesty and naïveté weren’t enough—she’d been utterly dominated by Seventh Lady. Even if given a mountain of gold, she couldn’t keep it safe; how could one expect her to honor Old Lady Xue or take care of her affairs?

Thus Old Lady Xue had only shown kindness, pitying the child and sending four batches of cloth, but after that, things seemed to change.

Eighth Lady began to use Old Lady Xue to counter Seventh Lady. She learned to resist.

Not only that, she involved Third Lady.

Though Xue Yang was the head of the first branch, nothing in the inner chambers escaped Old Lady Xue’s notice.

Eighth Lady was no longer the simple-minded girl she once was, though Old Lady Xue worried she might revert someday.

Madam Jiang whispered, “Time reveals a person’s heart. This is just the beginning. I believe filial piety matters most.”

Indeed, regardless of loyalty or cunning, one must know to honor elders—otherwise, any assistance is wasted.

Thinking thus, Old Lady Xue was quite willing to see more of this granddaughter. After all, she’d watched her grow up. The child might be slow-witted, but at least she had filial respect.

“Invite Lady in,” she ordered.

The maid soon returned with Xue Fanzhi, who saw Old Lady Xue and Madam Jiang sorting seedlings and smiled, “Grandmother, are you tending the flower garden again?”

Old Lady Xue’s greatest hobby was gardening.

Back home, she had a large flower garden, but after migrating south, half the flowers couldn’t be moved, so she had no intention of coming. Later, Xue Qiu wrote to her, saying there were even more flowers in the south, which persuaded her to relocate. Upon arrival, she found it to be true.

Old Lady Xue’s face softened with a gentle smile, “Yes, I am an old woman; tending flowers is as good a way to spend time as any.”

In her previous life, Xue Fanzhi also tended flowers to cope with sorrow—how else to pass the days heavy with worries?

She had even learned many grafting tricks from palace gardeners. Xue Fanzhi walked to the windowsill where Old Lady Xue was working, picked out the rarest seedlings, and shared some cultivation taboos.

Since they were southern flowers, Old Lady Xue was unfamiliar with them and listened with delight, eager to try, “Can this orchid really bloom? I’ve never seen it flower!”

Xue Fanzhi was skilled at growing orchids. She asked for a pot to tend herself, promising to show Old Lady Xue once it bloomed.

Though Old Lady Xue was reluctant to part with it, seeing Xue Fanzhi’s earnest eyes, she agreed.

After finishing their talk about flowers, Xue Fanzhi recalled her purpose in coming. Before Old Lady Xue could ask, she brought out the five invitations and handed them over respectfully, “Grandmother, I don’t have particularly close companions, so it’s best if you distribute these invitations.”

Old Lady Xue didn’t immediately accept them, but smiled and asked, “Eighth Lady, do you know what you’ve handed to me?”

Xue Fanzhi nodded seriously, “It’s the future of the Xue family.”

Her small face, scarcely larger than a palm, with her hair tied into little tufts, struggled to adopt a solemn expression—a child pretending to be an adult, adorable but not very convincing.

Old Lady Xue wondered if these words were truly her own, or if someone had taught her.

“These invitations came from Her Highness?” Old Lady Xue asked, thinking that if Her Highness was only a little older than Eighth Lady and had taught her this, who had taught Her Highness? And to what purpose? Maybe no one—perhaps it was Xue Fanzhi’s own idea. But a glance at her naive granddaughter made Old Lady Xue abandon that thought; if Eighth Lady could scheme for the family, the Xue clan would have long surpassed the Wang and Xie families—an impossible feat.

Old Lady Xue was eager to know who was behind all this, and their intent, but judging from her granddaughter’s demeanor, she likely didn’t know, and it was probably Minglan’s advice.

Since others had made their move, Old Lady Xue had to respond.

She went to sit at the couch and looked at Xue Fanzhi, who understood and approached.

Old Lady Xue’s expression was inscrutable. “Since you believe this is the Xue family’s future, what if I told you that the Xue family’s future has little to do with me, and I am not concerned with what you say?”

Xue Fanzhi was startled, then quickly understood!

Though she was raised under Old Lady Xue’s name, Xue Yang had always been told that his birth mother was someone else.

Even Xue Fanzhi knew her true grandmother lived on an estate, so evidently, even when she was old enough to remember, the rumor persisted.

Someone was deliberately sowing discord.

She once asked her nursemaid as a child, who hastily covered her mouth and said, “My dear, never mention this again. It’s just the master and mistress playing at rivalry. Now it’s left Third Young Master feeling neither here nor there with the mistress. Their estrangement benefits no one, least of all Third Young Master and us.”

At the time, the master was her grandfather, the mistress was her grandmother, and Xue Yang was the third son.

Grandfather must have said something, causing Xue Yang to distance himself from Old Lady Xue, who, being strong-willed, didn’t bother with her estranged son.

Without concern for her son, would she care for her grandson? Her eldest brother was Xue Yang’s child as well.

With neither son nor grandson to care for, and having reached her sixtieth year, why would she be invested in the Xue family’s future?

Yet Xue Fanzhi sensed that Old Lady Xue was not truly so indifferent—otherwise, she wouldn’t bother with her at all.

Old Lady Xue had spent her life contending with the family patriarch. Even after his passing, she never forgave him. When she died in her previous life, she instructed her maternal nephew to bury her with all eighteen weapons, so she could continue their rivalry in the afterlife. Unfortunately, Xue Yang managed her funeral, omitted the weapons, and even moved her chosen burial spot, relegating it to a concubine’s position, while his own mother occupied Old Lady Xue’s grave.

As for her maternal nephew… Old Lady Xue’s family had fallen into decline, as she well knew.

If she wished to fight after death, she would certainly fight while living.

While the patriarch was alive, the Xue family waned; if it flourished under Old Lady Xue, she would surely be pleased.

“I believe you care, and you do care!” Xue Fanzhi said hastily.

Old Lady Xue waited for her to elaborate, but she said nothing more.

Old Lady Xue: “…”

This child was far too inarticulate, and it was hard to persuade her. She just repeated that Old Lady Xue would care, but never said why.

Yet, her lack of eloquence seemed to signal reliability.

Old Lady Xue thought her life was set—no son, no daughter, a husband neither considerate nor long-lived, leaving her with nowhere to vent her anger.

But if she could elevate the Xue family through her own efforts, how could he defy her even in death?

Of course, these were mere fantasies. What mattered most was having trustworthy people around in old age—otherwise, even her funeral would be out of her control. Xue Yang was stubborn and unreliable; her eldest son and Eighth Lady, whom she had watched grow, seemed promising.

To raise her eldest son was to raise Eighth Lady; and as an old woman, she might also benefit. Besides, the invitations were already arranged and cost her nothing.

Old Lady Xue finally took the invitations, smiling, “You have many sisters. A person stands in the world because their family supports them. So, whenever possible, you must first think of your family.”

She added softly, “Even if you don’t truly believe so, you must never show it. At all times, never leave others with grounds to criticize you.”

Xue Fanzhi thought for a moment, “How could I give others reason to criticize me?”

She was already someone her parents would sell off.

Old Lady Xue saw her fair, gentle face free of resentment, only resignation—clearly a big-hearted child—and smiled helplessly.

Grandmother and granddaughter chatted about flowers for a bit longer, before a second-class maid entered.

She glanced at Xue Fanzhi and reported, “Old Lady, Yunluo from the master’s chambers has jumped into the well and died!”