It was night, Qin Miao had gone to bed very early. She knew that today's events had led her and Xie Yun's path to a fork in the road, to a crossroads, to a situation where even she didn't know how to proceed. She lay in bed with a stuffy head, trying hard not to think about everything that happened during the day, but ultimately couldn't fall asleep until the sky was slightly bright, and then fell into a daze.

  Xie Xuan did not go to the Rainy Frost Pavilion because of Xingxiang's injury, although everyone in the Chouchui Yard suspected that Master Hou was going to take a look. He repeatedly replayed the sorrow and disappointment at the bottom of Qin Miao's eyes before she left, unable to let go for a long time.

  It was really drizzling outside the Tingyu Studio at night, and the raindrops fell on the banana leaves outside the window. Unexpectedly, the dream that had entangled him for many years found him again.

  It was a fog-like room, with only one large bed in the spacious space. The blood-colored canopy connected to the blood-colored quilt, which was both seductive and wild, emitting a desperate bleakness. He walked forward laboriously, step by step, finally lifting up the blood-colored curtain, revealing two white naked bodies entwined together, emitting a nauseating sound. He ran all the way out, vomiting as he ran, until he merged into the endless rainy night, when he finally woke up from his dream.

  Another cold sweat, another heart palpitation. Perhaps the nausea and terror from his dream had not yet dissipated, Xie Xu lay sprawled on the bed, staring blankly upwards. It had been a long time since he last dreamed of that woman, but now she was haunting him again...

  The next day, Xingzhi came in as usual to attend to her master's morning ablutions and found that his eyes were black and blue. After forcing him to eat some breakfast, he went back to the Ministry of War in the dark. Qin Miao slept until noon, fortunately Li Mama was clever and saw that she couldn't get up, so she personally went to Nurturing Harmony Courtyard to inform Old Lady Xie.

  Yesterday's affair at the Morning Dew Courtyard, how could it be covered up? Even if they wanted to cover it up, the people of the Rain Fragrance Pavilion spread it intentionally or unintentionally, and everyone in the mansion knew about it. The Nurturing Harmony Courtyard was naturally not an exception either.

  Mrs. Li had just entered when Old Lady Xie was in a huff.

  "It's really getting out of hand, that despicable brat is indeed true to his words and actions."

  Sun and Liu both sat quietly at the bottom, not daring to speak. Yesterday they heard the people below talking about the matter of Chao Lü Yuan in their own courtyard, and were shocked.

  Although it's said that a noble house like the Hou Manor has many dirty secrets in its rear halls, when they entered the manor, they found that the Weiyuan Hou Manor was much cleaner. Old Lady Xie was strict and severe, and while there were some sly and cunning servants, anything too excessive was not tolerated. But then there's this one called Quan Xiang who, as soon as she entered the house, started causing trouble nonstop, and yesterday even put on a bloody show, bullying the main mistress. Thinking about this, both the second and third wives of the manor couldn't help but sweat for Qin Miao.

  The old lady saw Li Mama come to ask for leave on behalf of Qin Miao and asked anxiously, "Is Anuan all right?"

  "Madam didn't sleep well last night, had a bit of insomnia. Everything else is fine, no need for Old Lady to worry."

  "Alas, what a pitiful sight. Tell her to stop meddling in that sly girl's business. I'll find Brother Yu myself. Let her rest easy." Old Lady Xie said with a scowl.

  For the sake of that prostitute, her own grandson has been arguing with her more than once or twice. What is he thinking, doesn't she know yet? But no matter how crazy he gets, he can't hurt Ah Nuan. Not to mention that Ah Nuan is her own darling who grew up under her care, let alone the precious daughter of her best friend.

  After Li's departure, Old Lady Xie had Xie's mother personally go to the Rain Fragrance Pavilion to take a look at Qingxiang's injuries. After Xie Yun came down from his shift, she would have a good talk with him.

  Xie's nanny arrived at the Rain Fragrance Pavilion just as Qin Xiang was drinking her medicine. Lao Tai Tai's attendant saw that someone had come to see the old lady and quickly helped Qin Xiang down from the bed.

  "Since the young lady is injured, there's no need for excessive courtesy." Xie Mama was an old fox. As a dowry maid who had accompanied the old lady for decades, she naturally had some experience and knew how to handle things. The first time she saw Qingxiang, looking at her slightly furrowed eyebrows, she knew that this person wasn't someone to be easily dismissed. Therefore, she also put aside her original intention of speaking harshly and decided to take a more measured approach.

  It's unexpected that the old lady's confidant would give herself face like this, and she couldn't help but wonder if her revelation of the "truth" yesterday had actually gotten to the usually reclusive old ancestor. Since she was Xie Yan's woman, could it be that they wanted to humor her and take her in as a concubine?

  Just thinking about this possibility, she became even more diligent, although it was hard to get out of bed, after all, she was still "hurt". "Auntie, you're a kind person, busy as you are, and yet you still came to see me, this pitiful person. I'm really grateful to you." She said, wiping away tears.

  Xie's expression remained unchanged, unmoved by her tears. She only softly comforted him: "Doctor, have you taken a look? How is it?"

  Lao Tai-tai and Xi Xiang exchanged a quick glance, then Lao Tai-tai took over: "Yes, the doctor said that Miss's qi and blood are deficient, her body is weak to begin with, and she had a sudden attack of anger which affected her heart. She needs to take good care of herself for some time." As soon as she finished speaking, Xi Xiang gave a few discreet coughs.

  Xie's aunt took another look at the account book, her face indeed didn't look too good, pale and wan, with some dark circles under her eyes. However, she believed five parts of what Liao's aunt said and hid five parts.

  "That young lady should rest well, I won't disturb her anymore."

  Lao Lao politely escorted Xie Lao to the door and exchanged a few words of gratitude with her before returning inside. By this time, the maids in the house had already let Qing out of the room.

  "Miss, is this okay?" Liao's nanny was uncertain in her heart. Just now, although she seemed to have believed it from the expression of Xie's nanny, after all, time had passed and people couldn't be fooled forever.

  Qin Xiang leaned against the pillow, speaking resolutely: "Things have come to this point, we have no other way out. Everyone has already been driven to the door, and we must also take action."

  Liao hesitated to carefully ponder the meaning in Xiang's eyes. The young lady had indeed changed, her thoughts were more complex and ruthless.

  Xie Ayi went back and reported her observations truthfully to Old Lady.

  "It seems we can't drive him out immediately, lest others criticize us for being inhumane. This is indeed a careless person... However, if he wants to play tricks with me, he should weigh his actions carefully; it won't be long before things settle down."

  Xie Xuan was distracted on duty today, and when his colleagues talked to him, it all went in one ear and out the other. With a preoccupied mind, he couldn't muster up the energy to do anything, so he got off duty early and returned home.

  As soon as he returned to the mansion, a gatekeeper came to report that the old lady had summoned him. Xie Yan reluctantly went to the Nurturing Jade Hall. Sure enough, what awaited him was a scolding. Fortunately, he also knew in his heart that he was at fault, after all, it was he who had brought this person in, and now that trouble had arisen, he would have to take responsibility for it.

  The old lady scolded and drove him out, not even inviting him to stay for dinner as usual. So he left the yard and headed towards the back house, unknowingly arriving at the entrance of the Qinglu Courtyard.

  He was hesitating about how to meet Qin Miao later, when he suddenly bumped into a familiar-looking maid who ran towards him. The maid, upon seeing Xie Lin, looked like she had seen a lifesaver and anxiously whispered something to him in a low voice, almost crying.

  Xie Xun hesitated for a moment after hearing this, looked up at the sky and seemed to think it was still early, then followed her towards the back of the Chaoyang Institute.