Xie Lang went to the Xiao Xiang Institute and had Yu Xue transferred over to serve him personally. The people in the mansion, after learning that Wang Shi had especially favored Yu Xue, began to spread rumors, and even false ones would become true. At that time, even if Xie Qi Gong did not issue an order to punish Xie Lang, having the stain of being unfilial during the mourning period would still pose a huge obstacle to his future official career. This life of his wanting to enter the imperial court as an official would depend on whether he had enough luck.

  Xie Wan picked up two pearl flowers from the plate, looked at them against the window, and smiled at Yu Xue: "Since it's a gift for you, just accept it."

  Jade Snow was frightened: "I don't dare want it."

  "If I say I want it, then I can have it." Xie Wan nodded.

  Yu Xue then put the things away. She lowered her head and saw the bangle on her wrist, and hurriedly wanted to take it off and return it. Xie Wan said: "The play hasn't finished yet, why are you in such a hurry to take it back?"

  Her face turned red and she withdrew her hand. But that thing was like a branding iron, scorching her all over, making her feel uncomfortable all over.

  Xie Wan couldn't help but laugh, and Yu Xue's face turned even redder. She nodded her head and rushed out the door: "I'll go make porridge for my sister!"

  At the same time, the atmosphere in Yifang Pavilion was no longer so relaxed.

  Yifang Pavilion was Xie Qigong's study room. Since there were many courtyards in the Xie family compound, an entire courtyard became his private domain.

  "Where did you hear it from?" Xie Qigong stood in front of the bookcase, his face iron-green as he faced Pang Fu.

  Pang Fu slightly bowed his head and said with a serious expression: "Now the news has spread throughout the mansion, Madam has arranged for Lang Shao to have a secret meeting, specially tidying up the secluded Xiangxiang courtyard. She also sent Su Luo personally to deliver a pair of pearl hairpins to Yuxue, the maid in Danxiang courtyard."

  "Nonsense!"

  Xie Qigong burst into rage, "Lang Ge is still in the mourning period, what kind of concubine are you preparing for him?! First, you sent a maid from your own room to flirt with him, and now you're openly promoting another maid, what do you want to do?! Is it to use these scandals to make Lang San unable to stay in the capital?!"

  His face was calm and unruffled, neither pleased nor angry.

  Since Wang dared to make decisions behind the back of the head chef, as a loyal servant, he reported these things that endangered the reputation of Xie's house to his master truthfully, which was indeed nothing wrong.

  "Something's happened at Dan Xiang Yuan!" someone suddenly reported from the entrance.

  "What's going on?" Xie Qigong asked impatiently.

  "There was a young girl named Yuxue who claimed she had been insulted and wanted to throw herself into the well."

  Xie Qigong was shocked. Although there were many lower-ranking people in the mansion, no one had ever gone to the extent of throwing themselves into a well to show their determination!

  "Master, this Yu Xue seems to be the maid that Madam specifically assigned to serve Young Master Lang personally!" Pang Fu suddenly remembered and reminded.

  Xie Qigong held back a belly full of anger and raised his foot, saying: "Go to Danxiangyuan!"

  Yuxue was wailing on the ground beside the well in the flower garden of Danxiangyuan, surrounded by a large crowd of people, including Xie Liang and Xie Yu.

  Xie Qigong arrived, and Wang's wife had also rushed over upon hearing the news. The couple met at the door, and Xie Qigong's face, which was already as dark as a pot bottom, suddenly became even darker, as if water could drip from it.

  Wang's heart sank, and he followed him into the courtyard.

  Xie Wan saw Wang Shi and rushed over to hug her, "Madam! Yu Xue wants to take her own life! I couldn't pull her back no matter how hard I tried!"

  Wang's strong laughter stroked her back: "Gentle sister, don't be afraid, the mistress is here, she dare not die." At the same time, he straightened his waist and asked the crowd: "What's going on? Wasn't everything fine this morning? How did it become like this now?"

  Xie Lang glared at her and snorted, turning his face away.

  If he hadn't been warned by his sister a dozen times not to speak out easily, he would have already exposed all the wrongdoings she had done!

  But he didn't know that the more he was angry and silent, the more it seemed to Xie Qigong that Wang's family was intentionally playing tricks behind his back.

  "What's going on? Isn't this all because of your good deeds?" He pointed at Wang and scolded, "Are you tired of it being too quiet at home or are you tired of Old Three living too comfortably in the capital, that you have to go find some trouble to add to everyone's worries?!"

  Mrs. Wang's face was scalded in front of so many servants, and she couldn't help but feel a fire in her heart. However, she was also a sensible person who knew that the world was originally governed by the husband as the head of the household. Although she was the mistress, being reprimanded by her husband wasn't a big deal that would bring shame to the family. At this time, if she were to talk back to him, it would only make herself lose face even more. So, she immediately apologized and said: "It's natural for something like this to happen due to my own negligence as a wife. But I don't understand why she had to do such a thing?"

  The family next door on Tuesday saw it and hurriedly waved their hands to let all the servants who were watching retreat.

  Xie Qigong glared at Wang Shi and scolded, "How old is Lang Ge now? The mourning period for Eldest Brother's death hasn't even passed, and you're already in a rush to arrange a marriage for him! You may not be educated, but you've been part of the Xie family for over 30 years. If this gets out, whose face will be lost? Qinghe is only 300 miles from the capital, what if it reaches the imperial court? How will Third Brother's official career be affected?! Don't you even understand this much?"

  Wang was rebuked and left with nowhere to hide, but she knew that Xie Qigong was truly angry this time.

  "My wife knows that Rong'er is the old master's favorite, but this matter the old master has wronged me. This Yu Xue was not chosen by my wife as a concubine for Lang'ge. It's just that my wife saw her and said that she used to serve in front of Lang'ge every day, and Lang'ge also trusted her, so he ordered her to follow him to the Xiao Xiang Institute to serve."

  "Madam!" Yu Xue cried as she crawled over: "Madam, I did serve the second young master, but that was when his personal servant wasn't around. It was Madam who ordered me to go and tidy up the study and such things. All of this was done with Madam and Third Miss watching from the side, if I'm lying, may heaven strike me down!"

  "Mother passed away early, who knows what's true or false? Third sister is still young and by her side, but she's just a child! What does she know?"

  But in the face of a poisonous oath, even a false statement would add a few points to its credibility. Wang's expression changed, and he couldn't help but glance at her hand, where the red gold bangle on her wrist sparkled with dazzling light under the sunlight.

  "If you are really innocent with Second Master, how can your hands have such valuable jewelry?"

  Jade Snow's gaze fell on the bangle, and her tears flowed even more fiercely. She took off the bangle and rubbed it against the sandy ground, and in an instant, the dazzling golden light on its surface disappeared, transforming it into an ordinary silver bangle.

  "Look, madam! This is just a silver bangle coated with gold powder, which can be bought for only two taels of silver outside! I was just admiring the other maids who wear gold and silver jewelry, Second Master is very kind-hearted and treats his servants leniently every day. If he wants to give a gift to the concubine, how could he possibly give something like this?"

  Although being pretentious and having a crush on someone is also despicable, compared to having an affair with one's master, it can be considered pure and innocent.

  Wang's face turned quite unsightly.

  Xie Langqi's face turned cold, and he sneered: "Even if Yu Xue were really my concubine, Madam knew I was in mourning, yet she deliberately sent me to live in a remote courtyard, separating me from my sister. Then, she specifically sent Yu Xue to serve me, and also sent Zhu Hua to promote her. Is it intentional to put me in an unfilial position? This Xiao Xiang Courtyard, I will never go to live there! And I won't be separated from my sister!"

  Xie Qigong also cast a dissatisfied glance at Wang. The behavior that disrupted the family's rules, he couldn't tolerate no matter what!

  Wang's forehead had a feeling of sweat, she forced a smile and said: "Lang brother, why do you always talk like a child? You're already thirteen years old, and your sister is eight years old. Although you are siblings, there are many things that are not convenient. I let you move out, it's also in line with etiquette and morality. How can you still be so reckless? Unless in the future, you have classmates or friends come to visit, you will also receive them in Danxiang Hall?"

  Xie Lang hummed in agreement.

  Xie Wan looked up at Xie Qigong and tugged on his sleeve: "Master, didn't my father originally live in Yifengyuan?"

  Xie Qigong didn't think much and blurted out: "Your father is the eldest son, if he doesn't live in Yifengyuan, where does he live?"

  Wang's expression changed, and before he could speak, Xie Lang had already said loudly: "Then we'll also live in the Yifeng Institute! There are front yards and backyards, as well as side rooms and several independent small courtyards. My sister lives in the backyard, and it doesn't matter if outsiders come to one house. Although Father is no longer here, as his children, we should take good care of his legacy."

  "No way!" Wang vetoed subconsciously.

  In fact, Yifengyuan is one of the best courtyards in the mansion, and it has always been inhabited by the eldest son of the mansion. Since Xie Teng was born, he had lived in Yifengyuan until he officially moved out of the Xie Mansion. She hadn't even thought about competing for Xie Hong to live here, let alone figuring out how to bring it up with Xie Qigong, and now they were going to take advantage of her?

  She suddenly felt that when Xie Wan mentioned Yi Feng Tang, it was as if she had been waiting for Xie Qigong to take the bait!

  Wang's gaze fell on Xie Wan, who was standing there looking at her with a hint of wisdom flashing in his eyes, making her feel slightly ashamed.

  No! Soft and honest Xie Teng's daughter, it's impossible for her to have such a deep mind!

  She clenched her handkerchief, considering how to persuade Xie Qigong. However, Xie Liang had already said: "How can it not be? The Xie family's poetry and etiquette have been passed down for generations. Although we haven't produced many high-ranking officials, the words 'loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness' are not to be forgotten! If we can't even protect our father's former residence, what kind of filial piety is that? As the legitimate heir of the second house, if I don't live in the courtyard of the second house, where else should I live?"

  Wang's lips were tightly pursed, and he was so angry that he almost ground his teeth through.

  She didn't know that Xie Liang, who looked indecisive on the surface, would say something so reasonable and logical. How could this be the son of Xie Teng!

  Xie Qigong stroked his beard, seemingly deep in thought.

  Xie Wan's lips moved slightly, and at this time, she gently raised her tone: "I heard my father say that the composition San Shu did for the imperial examination was based on the two characters 'Ren' and 'Xiao', and then he was highly praised by Lord Qi Zhenyuan! San Shu is the pillar of our Xie family, we can't drag him down!"

  Xie Qigong heard the three words "Ji Ge Lao" and his body suddenly shook. He said, "Liang Ge'er is right, what kind of talk is it for the children of the second house to move into the side house? Of course, they should move into their own house. Pang Fu, order someone to clean up the Yi Feng Yuan and let Liang Ge'er's siblings move in."