Chapter 47 The One Who Blocks the Path

In the women's quarters, when Xue Jiaoyue came to find her family, she saw the Old Madam Xue and Xue Fanzhi. She hadn’t known the Old Madam would come until she arrived, so she wasn’t surprised now. But to find Xue Fanzhi here—she’d thought she would be dead by now!

“How are you here?” Xue Jiaoyue asked bluntly.

Xue Fanzhi snorted with laughter. “Seventh Sister, where do you think I should be? Where have you been? Why are you only arriving now?”

Of course, Xue Jiaoyue wanted to ask why the people from Prince Shou’s estate hadn’t caught her.

But with so many people around, asking Xue Fanzhi would be tantamount to admitting she knew where Fanzhi had been—which would raise another question: why did she know?

How could she still be alive? Truly, only the wicked live long; good people never last.

Xue Jiaoyue noticed the curious glances from women nearby and forced a smile. “I went to relieve myself and got lost!”

Xue Fanzhi replied, “What a coincidence! Just now—” Just now there had been assassins, yet she had not been present, claiming she was relieving herself—was there nothing suspicious about that?

But Xue Fanzhi, after all, was family; she would not expose everything and draw a crowd. She was not like Xue Jiaoyue—she still had a conscience.

Still, they had drawn attention. Xue Jiaoyue, feeling guilty under the scrutiny, was so angry she nearly ground her teeth to bits. She quickly turned to the Old Madam and called out, “Grandmother, I heard there were assassins on the way back. I was so frightened!”

Since Xue Fanzhi wanted to lay a trap for her here, she might as well face it head-on; bringing it up herself would keep people from dwelling on it.

The Old Madam nodded, “Yes, it’s good you’re back. I’ve already sent someone to check outside. We should return home as soon as possible.”

These were the Old Madam’s true feelings. No matter how much she disliked Xue Jiaoyue, the fact that she and the children could return safely was a great blessing.

It wasn’t long before the maid who had gone to inquire returned, saying that His Majesty had given permission for the women to leave.

Seeing others already departing, the Old Madam gathered the younger ones, and together they left the courtyard.

At the second gate, they took the same carriage as when they arrived—Xue Fanzhi and the Old Madam together.

Just as Xue Fanzhi was about to board, someone called her from behind.

She turned to see the stern face of a middle-aged woman. Beside her stood Wen Xian. Given all that had happened today, Xue Fanzhi could guess with fair certainty who this woman was.

Still, she feigned ignorance and glanced at the Old Madam.

The Old Madam recognized the newcomer and, not wanting to be drawn into any entanglement, climbed into the carriage, saying, “Just exchange a few words and come in quickly!”

Xue Fanzhi nodded and stepped down. “Madam, what do you need?”

The woman’s expression darkened. “Where have you hidden my daughter?”

Madam Zhang, mother of Ninth Lady Zhang. Xue Fanzhi had only hidden this one person, and she still hadn’t been found. As for others, they had nothing to do with her.

“Madam, may I ask how old your daughter is?” Xue Fanzhi inquired calmly.

Madam Zhang was momentarily taken aback. “Fifteen. Why?”

“Fifteen? I thought you meant five. She’s fifteen—surely she can go where she likes. Why ask me? I don’t even know who you are. Isn’t this absurd?”

After all, she was a relative by marriage to the He family, whom the Xue family revered. Was this woman mad, to dare offend her?

Madam Zhang considered that perhaps, since the two families rarely interacted, the younger generation didn’t recognize each other. Adopting a reproachful elder’s tone, she said, “I’m your mother’s younger sister—surely you know now?”

Her expression clearly demanded, Call me Aunt at once!

Xue Fanzhi wanted to laugh at her self-importance but held back. “My mother has only a younger brother, no sisters. Madam, you must be mistaken. If you won’t speak properly, I’ll leave. It’s dark and my grandmother awaits me at home. Children who don’t return on time are not good children!”

Who here wasn’t speaking properly? And since when was being punctual at home a proper subject? Well, perhaps it was, but not right now! Who didn’t want to go home on time? No, now was not the time to fuss over such things.

Madam Zhang found Xue Fanzhi insufferable—so dense! She forced herself to explain, “Your father’s original wife was my elder sister. Your mother is a second wife. I’m a relative of the He family!”

Xue Fanzhi feigned sudden realization. “So you’re a relative of my father’s first wife? How amusing—she was barren and divorced by my father. She’s no longer part of the Xue family, nor could she have anything to do with my mother. Why would you claim kinship with me? Madam, are you tired of honoring your own family graves, so you’ve come to claim relations with us instead?”

Such words were truly cutting.

Only now did Madam Zhang realize that this girl had never failed to recognize her; she had deliberately led her to reveal her identity just to insult her. Furious, she rebuked, “How dare you speak to me so rudely! Does your father know?”

Xue Yang was now crippled—who was she to fear?

But Xue Fanzhi had no intention of indulging this presumptuous woman. “What kind of elder do you think you are? What relation are you? If you have nothing serious to say, I’m leaving!”

With that, she turned to go.

Madam Zhang was taken aback by her rudeness. Hadn’t everyone said the Eighth Miss of the Xue family was well-behaved? Clearly not!

Wen Xian was equally surprised. Others might not know better, but she had lived with Xue Fanzhi for ten years—this was not the girl she remembered. Had she been possessed?

Yes, ever since their encounter in the mountains, she had changed—perhaps she’d met a mountain spirit.

Wen Xian did not voice such thoughts. Seeing that the two women were getting nowhere, she interjected, “Eighth Miss Xue, please wait. After being with you, Ninth Lady Zhang disappeared. Many people saw you together. Isn’t it improper to just leave?”

Madam Zhang hastily echoed, “Yes, yes, where have you taken our Seventh Lady?”

Such words were hardly polite; they were already accusing Xue Fanzhi outright. Though, truth be told, she did have something to do with it.

Xue Fanzhi was surprised that the girl still hadn’t been found. Where on earth had Wang Yunzhi hidden her? Still, even if Wang Yunzhi came to accuse her, she would never admit to anything.

She replied steadily, “First, I’m very concerned that you’ve lost someone. Second, since you’re so anxious, why not go look for her instead of pestering me?”

With that, she turned toward the carriage. Madam Zhang hurried after her, trying to grab her, but Xue Fanzhi turned and glared coldly. “Madam, have some self-respect. There are many people here. If you behave improperly, don’t blame me for being discourteous!”

Her eyes were deep and dark as still water. Madam Zhang had never encountered such a formidable young girl and was momentarily cowed.

Xue Fanzhi turned and climbed into the carriage.