Third Master Xie and Madam Qu also left Rongfu Ge, heading toward their own courtyard. Third Master Xie and Madam Qu argued, and the two parted on bad terms.
Madam Qu's steps faltered, and she nearly stumbled.
"Madam!"
Mama Qi quickly steadied her. "Madam, you must hold on. Our young master Qing still depends on you!"
Madam Qu murmured blankly,
"Useless, useless…"
Was she simply destined to never have a son? Even a fake son—in the end, he was cast out of the family?
Madam Qu looked up at the pitch-black, deep night sky. Heaven, why are you so cruel to me?
Madam Qu clenched her fists, a dark shadow shrouding her eyes.
"Come, let's go to the ancestral hall!"
Someone was already guarding the Xie ancestral hall. Madam Qu pleaded and cajoled, and after parting with a considerable amount of silver, she was finally allowed inside to speak with Xie Zhaoqing.
"Mother, is there a way to save me? I just thought—we absolutely must make that wretch Shang Mijun go explain things to everyone."
Xie Zhaoqing was overjoyed to see Madam Qu return.
Madam Qu strode over, raised her hand, and slapped her hard across the face.
Xie Zhaoqing touched her burning cheek, incredulous.
"Mother, you hit me?"
Madam Qu's face was full of disappointment—grief at her lack of worth, anger at her failure to rise. She lowered her voice and scolded furiously:
"Are you that desperate for a man? You had to pull this stunt on your wedding night? I told you to keep your identity hidden—did you just let it go in one ear and out the other? How could you let Xiao Jing find out about you!"
"Do you know that old woman has already made the decision to strike you from the Xie Clan Genealogy and send you off to Yizhou?"
Xie Zhaoqing was stunned.
"What? Struck from the genealogy?"
It was wrong to have an affair with Xiao Jing, but everything had been carefully arranged—who could have known something like this would go wrong?
How could Grandmother be so ruthless…
Xie Zhaoqing collapsed to the ground, despair spilling from her eyes. There was clearly a way to save her—just have Shang Mijun explain. Why?
Why did that damned old woman insist on casting her out of the Xie family?!
"Mother! Go beg Father to save me…"
Xie Zhaoqing grabbed Madam Qu's skirt, sobbing.
Madam Qu sneered coldly. "Your father is most afraid of that old woman. Would he dare to beg?"
Xie Zhaoqing felt as if struck by lightning. Father had no way out either?
Madam Qu was utterly disappointed in her.
"You could have had a bright future. Now it's all gone. You've destroyed yourself—and you've destroyed me too!"
Madam Qu's chest heaved violently. She was too furious. The glory and wealth she had schemed for half her life—all gone.
And ended by such an absurd incident?
Not only was her future ruined, but her face was lost as well. And the worst part was, they were like a mute swallowing bitter medicine—unable to speak of their suffering. They knew perfectly well that Xie Zhaoqing was not a cut sleeve, yet they couldn't explain it.
That was what made it even more suffocating.
A taste of blood rose in Xie Zhaoqing's mouth. No, this wouldn't do!
She grabbed Madam Qu's sleeve, a hint of madness creeping into her eyes.
"Then expose the fact that I've been disguised as a man! Go tell that damned old woman—if the whole family wants to live, she has to find a way to cover this up!"
Madam Qu's heart jolted. "Nonsense!"
Her hands clenched and unclenched. She forced herself to stay patient.
"Zhaoqing, this is a crime punishable by execution of nine generations. If even the slightest thing goes wrong, your life is over, do you understand? Never mind you—the whole family won't survive. Absolutely not!"
Madam Qu's eyes filled with tears. Her gaze lingered on Xie Zhaoqing's face, and finally, she hardened her heart and looked away.
"Be obedient. Your mother will make sure everything is arranged for you in Yizhou. I'll guarantee you'll never worry about food or clothing for the rest of your life."
Xie Zhaoqing's expression froze, the light in her eyes gradually fading.
Madam Qu came quietly, and left in a hurry.
The night wind poured in, biting cold to the bone.
Xie Zhaoqing knelt on the cold floor for who knows how long. Suddenly, she let out a bitter laugh.
"Heh…"
Deceiving the emperor was indeed a crime punishable by execution of nine generations. But what if she used it to gamble against that damned old woman?
Xie Zhaoqing raised her hand and wiped away her tears.
"Mother won't let me speak, but I'll speak anyway. Shang Mijun, don't think you'll get off easy either…"
She stared at the ancestral tablets above the hall, her eyes as deep and unfathomable as a cold, dark pool.
…
The next day, Qixia Ge.
Before dawn, Shang Mijun had already woken early, but Huo Chuan was still asleep.
Shang Mijun lay in bed, gazing blankly at the lotus-pink soft satin bed curtains. Her mind was full of thoughts, with no trace of drowsiness.
Rebirth, counterattack, remarriage—all in one smooth stroke.
If she hadn't pinched herself hard to verify, she would have truly suspected this was all a dream.
But this battle was only a preliminary victory—it wasn't over yet.
To successfully swap the marriage today and severely punish Xie Zhaoqing, she would likely have to endure some twists and turns.
If a hard battle must be fought, then so be it. She was someone who had already died once—she feared nothing!
From the first glimmer of light on the horizon to the room brightening fully, Shang Mijun had unknowingly been planning for a long time. But why was Huo Chuan still showing no sign of movement?
Could it be that he had already left her body?
[Huo Chuan? Huo Chuan?] Shang Mijun called out tentatively.
Huo Chuan let out a big yawn. [Calling my soul back or what?]
[I thought you'd left.]
So he was still here.
[What, can't bear to part with me?] Huo Chuan's tone was lazy and casual.
[Go to hell!]
Shang Mijun had no choice but to continue accepting the reality of sharing a body with this strange male ghost. Could it be that rebirth came with a bonus gift?
Shang Mijun rose from the bed and got up. Just then, the door creaked open, and Qingzhi entered with someone.
"Madam, this is Mama Liang, formerly a capable aide by the Old Matriarch's side, specially sent to attend to you."
Shang Mijun sat on the bed, a serene smile on her face as she looked at Mama Liang.
"My mother-in-law is truly thoughtful. I am young, and since you are accustomed to serving by the Old Matriarch's side, if I ever make any mistakes in the future, please do not hesitate to guide me."
Mama Liang smiled. "Madam, you flatter me."
At that moment, a commotion arose from outside.
"Move aside! Let me in! Who do you think you are, daring to block my way?!"
It was Madam Qu's voice.
"Third Madam, you truly cannot enter. Allow this servant to first relay word—Third Madam, please wait…" The maidservant of Qixia Pavilion could hardly hold her back, her face full of panic.
Madam Qu slapped her across the face in return. "Filthy slave, get out of my way!"
Shang Mijun stood beneath the eaves, a faint smile on her lips, though the smile did not reach her eyes.
"Third Sister-in-law, it's so early in the morning. Instead of keeping Young Qing company, how do you find the time to visit me?"
At the same time, she signaled Qingzhi, who stepped forward to help the maidservant who had been struck to her feet.
Hearing Shang Mijun deliberately call her "Third Sister-in-law" again, Madam Qu's expression turned cold and grim. But recalling the purpose of her visit, she forcibly suppressed her anger and squeezed out her words through clenched teeth:
"Mijun, after all, we once shared the fate of nearly becoming family. I wish to speak with you in private."
The corner of Shang Mijun's mouth still held a mocking curve.
"Third Sister-in-law, whatever are you saying? We are still family now. You are my third sister-in-law, and though Young Qing's heart is wicked and his conduct is disgraceful, he is still my nephew after all. If you have something to say, just say it—we are all among our own here."
At these words, Madam Qu trembled with rage, barely able to maintain her composure.
"You!"
Madam Qu's eyes burned with fury. "So you refuse to speak with me?"