Xiao Chengyan’s face remained expressionless, like an unyielding block of ice. Yet his eyes were dark, carrying a faint trace of melancholy.
Xie Wanning felt a surge of unease and instinctively stepped back as he approached. Although no one was allowed in the study, Xiao Chengli’s personal attendant and the servants left behind by Granny Li were still outside the door. She did not dare to overstep even the slightest boundary, only hoping he would leave quickly.
She did not understand why he had come in the first place, and his continued presence only deepened her confusion.
Her defensive reaction made Xiao Chengyan stop. His lips pressed into a thin line as he silently watched her.
Xie Wanning was fair-skinned, her small face devoid of any color, pale and filled with vigilance.
She was wary of him.
But what was she afraid of?
The room fell into complete silence—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Xiao Chengyan clenched his fists behind his back. After a moment, he turned away, avoiding her tense expression.
“It is indeed late. I will come again tomorrow.”
Xie Wanning thought she had misheard, but Xiao Chengyan stood there and repeated it clearly, word by word.
She had no reason to doubt him.
After a brief moment of thought, she said, “Second Brother, are you coming tomorrow to visit my husband? Or to help him apply medicine? If it’s for the medicine, you can just give it to me.”
“Father-in-law said you are about to take the imperial examination, so you must have many things to prepare. I can take care of my husband here, so I won’t trouble you, Second Brother.”
He often came to this courtyard, and she was worried she might slip up and reveal something. Besides, he would be leaving in a few days, and she did not want any unnecessary complications during this time.
Xiao Chengyan suddenly turned back, his gaze darkening instantly.
That single look made Xie Wanning’s heart tighten for no reason, and she instinctively held her breath.
“I’ve come to see my elder brother. What are you so worried about, Sister-in-law, that you’re trying to stop me?” His tone was neither light nor heavy, even carrying a hint of amusement. His noble face remained inscrutable, revealing no emotion.
Xie Wanning’s heart skipped a beat.
Indeed, even Granny Li had not stopped him from entering, saying that the Marquis favored him greatly and that although others could not see Xiao Chengli, the Marquis would not object to him coming.
It was strange that she, of all people, was trying to stop him when no one else was.
This matter could be seen as either big or small, but it would not be good if it made her appear petty as a sister-in-law, unable to tolerate harmony between brothers.
Xie Wanning lowered her eyes, her voice soft. “No… I’m not worried about anything. It’s just that Second Brother has his own matters to attend to, and I’m afraid I might interfere with your plans. If there’s any misunderstanding, it would be my fault.”
A self-deprecating smile curved Xiao Chengyan’s lips. “So you really want me to take the exam and leave?”
“No.” Xie Wanning immediately denied it. That was indeed what she hoped for, but she did not dare admit it.
Xiao Chengyan stared at her intently, his throat moving slightly as he swallowed. “Really? You’re not worried that if I stay in the manor, I’ll take Xiao Chengli’s title?”
The moment the words left his mouth, Xiao Chengyan regretted them.
He was practically inviting humiliation. She had already endured Xiao Chengli taking a concubine from her maternal family, neither divorcing nor opposing him; naturally, she would hope Xiao Chengli inherited the marquisate.
What chance did he have in comparison?
Xie Wanning steadied herself and replied in a calm voice, “Such important matters are for Father-in-law to decide. I am only a woman; I need only serve my husband well and manage my own duties.”
Serve her husband well?
Xiao Chengyan’s eyes darkened further. The words were harsh to his ears.
She treated Xiao Chengli as her husband, caring for him attentively, yet she was meeting him at night—truly a virtuous woman.
“Really?” There was an unspeakable bitterness in Xiao Chengyan’s voice, as if he wanted to pull her into his arms and demand an explanation.
“That is correct.” Xie Wanning looked at him calmly. “Father-in-law also said that the prosperity and decline of a family are intertwined. Here, I also wish Second Brother a safe journey to the capital and success in all things.”
After saying this, she added in a low voice before he could respond, “Second Brother, it really is late.”
She repeated her request for him to leave.
Xiao Chengyan forced himself to calm down, then turned and walked away.
His robes fluttered sharply behind him as he left.
Only after he was gone did Xie Wanning finally let out a breath of relief.
So it turned out that one truly should not do anything wrong.
One lie always leads to countless others to cover it up.
…
When Granny Li returned to Huichun Courtyard to report, the Marquis had not yet rested. Hearing her enter, he instructed her to speak.
Granny Li relayed everything truthfully.
The Marquis nodded approvingly. “I specially obtained that medicine for him to carry in case of injury on the battlefield. I did not expect A-Yan to care so much about Li’er.”
Madam Xiao could not bear hearing such praise for Xiao Chengyan, but she still forced herself to agree. “A-Yan is indeed quite good.”
However, in her heart, she believed Xiao Chengyan was merely taking the opportunity to curry favor.
He wanted to deal with Consort Yue, and since he needed to use their influence, he naturally could not act too coldly.
The Marquis then turned his gaze to her. Madam Xiao understood immediately and said, “I have remembered what you said during the day, Marquis. The arrangements have already been made, and the servants are preparing.”
“Good.” The Marquis sat by the bed, studying her with a sharp gaze. “Although A-Yan is a concubine-born son, he is registered under your name. If he achieves success in the future, you, as his legal mother, will also benefit.”
“You should know what kind of person Li’er is. As the head of the household, you must understand the principle of not putting all your hopes in one place.”
Madam Xiao felt a surge of resentment.
Was the Marquis so certain her son was useless?
A concubine-born son being more capable than the legitimate heir—was this not a direct humiliation to her as the mistress of the household?
In the Marquis’s eyes, both were his sons; whoever succeeded would bring him honor.
But Xiao Chengyan was not her own child. Even if he succeeded, who knew whether he would elevate her or make her a laughingstock?
Still, because Xiao Chengli had caused trouble, she could not argue back. The Marquis rarely stayed in her room, and she did not wish to drive him away in anger.
“The Marquis is right. I will remember it,” she said obediently.
Her compliance pleased the Marquis greatly, and he chatted with her for a while before resting.
…
Xie Wanning stayed in the study all night. Xiao Chengli slept on his stomach, while she made do on the couch beside him.
He was injured; if she left him alone on the first night, Madam Xiao would certainly be dissatisfied.
She had to endure at least two days before returning to her own room.
Early the next morning, once the time was about right, Xie Wanning had breakfast prepared and brought over.
Not long after, Chunhuan entered with a food box. Seeing that Xiao Chengli was still asleep, she leaned close to Xie Wanning and whispered, “Miss, Feiyue was taken away by Granny Li just now.”
Xie Wanning had already anticipated this, so her expression remained calm. “What about Liuying?”
“She stayed behind. She was waiting outside the courtyard early this morning, but Granny Li’s people stopped her. Aunt Liu also remained, and Aunt Rou is still under house arrest,” Chunhuan replied softly.
Xie Wanning took the food box, opened it, and glanced inside. “Has the news reached Aunt Rou?”
“Yes. It has,” Chunhuan nodded. “The young master spends money recklessly, and half of it comes from her. Now that Madam is dealing with his concubines, she must be terrified.”
Xie Wanning smiled coldly.
Xie Wanrou would not be frightened to death so easily. After the initial shock, she would only resort to desperate measures.