After sending Zitang away, Xie Xuchuan returned to the Xie residence in a daze.
The Xie family possessed immense wealth and employed countless servants.
Before he could even enter the gate, an old woman from the elderly lady’s quarters was already waiting at the entrance.
As soon as she saw Xie Xuchuan, she exclaimed loudly, “The eldest young master is back! The elderly lady has been waiting anxiously.”
Xie Xuchuan paused in his steps, and the old woman continued, “Since returning from Huizhou, the eldest young master has been away from home for two days straight. The elderly lady has been searching for you urgently, wanting to see you.”
“I’ll go see Grandmother.”
The old woman said, “The third master just returned and caught several minnows. The elderly lady has ordered the whole family to gather for lunch.”
Minnow meat is tender and delicate, best steamed to preserve its fresh flavor, and it melts in the mouth.
Though not a particularly rare delicacy, since it was caught by the Xie family’s third master himself, it naturally held special significance.
As the saying goes, the youngest son and the eldest grandson are the apple of the elderly lady’s eye.
Xie Jingyuan and Xie Xuchuan were Xie Sanniang’s most cherished treasures, held dear in her heart.
A single day without seeing them filled her with longing and worry.
When Xie Xuchuan entered Yujin Hall, he found the room bustling with activity.
His grandmother, Xie Sanniang, sat in the seat of honor, flanked by his parents, Xie Boyu and Hua Nanzhi.
Sitting opposite his grandmother were his second uncle, Xie Chengzhi, and his second aunt, Zheng Shu.
Zheng Shu held the five-year-old Xie Yingshou in her arms, who was currently tugging at the hair of his older sister, Xie Lurong, refusing to let go.
Xie Lurong had reached her early teens but had been raised by her parents in the second branch to be timid and fearful. Even when hurt, she dared not cry out, only whimpering softly with reddened eyes as she bent over.
Seeing this, Xie Xuchuan frowned slightly and pried Xie Yingshou’s hand open.
“Thank you, eldest brother.”
Xie Lurong murmured softly, cautiously stepping aside.
Upon seeing Xie Xuchuan enter, Xie Sanniang quickly rose to her feet. “Come, let Grandmother take a good look at you.”
Xie Sanniang extended a pair of wrinkled yet well-maintained hands and gently stroked Xie Xuchuan’s cheek. “My dear child, where have you been these past two days? Look at these dark circles under your eyes—you must have suffered greatly in Huizhou.”
“Grandmother.”
Under Xie Sanniang’s tender concern, Xie Xuchuan felt a momentary lump in his throat.
In this world, only his grandmother and mother truly cared for him.
Xie Xuchuan gently held Xie Sanniang’s hand as her aged yet spirited voice echoed in his ears. “Go prepare some nourishing soup for the eldest young master. My Xuchuan has endured such hardship on his journey and has grown so thin…”
“Mother, I must say, you shouldn’t be so biased.”
The Xie family’s second master, Xie Chengzhi, crossed his arms and spoke with a sarcastic smile. “When Xuchuan went to Huizhou, aside from the money for purchasing goods, he took a full thousand taels extra. Even if he sold all the goods from Huizhou, he might not earn enough to cover the cost of the trip.”
Xie Xuchuan’s second aunt, Zheng Shu, chimed in with a smile, “That’s right, a full thousand taels of silver—even if he spent it touring scenic spots along the way, it would have been more than enough. How could he still be so exhausted?”
Her gaze swept over Xie Xuchuan’s face before she bounced Xie Yingshou in her arms. “Yingshou, when you grow up, make sure to please the elderly lady. With her protection, your path forward will always be smooth and prosperous.”
“Sister-in-law, what are you saying…”
Hua Nanzhi smiled gently. “With Mother overseeing the Xie family, which child’s path isn’t smooth and prosperous?
“This was Xuchuan’s first time in Huizhou. Naturally, he needed to build good relationships with the merchants there.
“And if I recall correctly, wasn’t it Second Uncle’s first business trip when an entire cart of Cloud Brocade was ruined? That cart of Cloud Brocade must have been worth many times a thousand taels, yet I don’t see you dwelling on it like this.”
“Eldest sister-in-law, that’s not quite right. The ruined Cloud Brocade wasn’t our second master’s responsibility.”
“Oh, is that so? The Cloud Brocade was ruined, and no one knows where it went—not a single thread remained. Yet after Second Master returned, he spent over half a year lingering in the pleasure quarters…”
“Enough.”
Xie Boyu cut off Hua Nanzhi: “Why bring up the past? Xuchuan, the family funds are not for you to squander on pleasure. Later, give me the accounts from your journey. Any surplus must be returned to the family coffers, and any overspending you must cover yourself.”
Xie Xuchuan lowered his head: “Understood, Father.”
Hua Nanzhi twisted her handkerchief, her eyes downcast to hide the resentment within.
Her husband had never been on her side!
Zheng Shu sneered faintly.
She thought a few words would settle the matter, but unexpectedly, Xie Chengzhi stood up with a thud.
“Sister-in-law, what do you mean by that? Suspecting I embezzled a cartload of Cloud Brocade? Speak clearly! If word gets out, how will others view me, the Second Master of the Xie family?”
“Didn’t you?”
Hua Nanzhi also rose to her feet: “Not to mention the distant past, just two days ago when you were checking the storeroom…”
“I said enough!”
Xie Boyu abruptly pulled Hua Nanzhi aside: “As a sister-in-law, why are you dragging your brother-in-law into this for no reason? Apologize to Chengzhi.”
Hearing this, Hua Nanzhi stared at Xie Boyu in disbelief, and Xie Xuchuan frowned as well.
Zheng Shu pinched Xie Yingshou in her arms, pretending she was about to burst into wails.
For a moment, the room descended into chaos.
Just then, Xie Jingyuan lifted the pearl curtain strung with southern red beads and chuckled softly: “Oh, what a lively scene?”