CHAPTER 356: 353. DISPOSAL

Xie Shao Yuan swung his arm, causing Xie Shao Shan to stagger and reluctantly release his grip.

Xie Shao Yuan frowned, "How have you treated Liangchen? How did you plot to seize the wealth of the main branch? Liangchen moved out of the Xie Family, yet you still conspired with outsiders to sabotage the Chen Family Village. Doing such things, do you even have the face to come here?"

Xie Shao Shan was not willing to relent, and he stepped forward again, "Brother, there must be a misunderstanding here. I was deceived at that time too." He was merely eyeing the gate of the National Guardian General Mansion, trying every possible means to work for the Song Family.

Xie Shao Shan’s eyes were red, "Brother, I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong."

Upon hearing the news, the people of Chen Family Village rushed to the village entrance. Seeing such a formation, Xie Shao Shan couldn’t help but step back, fearing these rustic people might take up sticks to beat him.

Second Madam Xie, Mrs. Qiao, coughed, making Xie Shao Shan halt in his tracks.

Xie Shao Yuan said, "What do you know about being wrong?"

Xie Shao Shan showed a face full of regret, genuinely realizing his mistake, "Brother... I..."

"Let me speak for you," Xie Shao Yuan said, "You regret now because you realize you backed the wrong person. If you had sided with Song Xian at that time, today would be different, am I right?"

Xie Shao Shan’s face immediately turned ugly.

Xie Shao Yuan continued, "In your mind, right or wrong boils down to benefits and gains. If the Chen Family Village were still the same as before, even with my return, you would not seek my forgiveness but find ways to sever ties with me."

"I went out to earn silver coins at fourteen and returned home to buy you pens and ink for your studies to pursue fame. Is this how you repay me?"

Xie Shao Shan felt numerous eyes upon him, stammering, "Elder... elder brother..."

Xie Shao Yuan said, "You were right earlier; neither the Song Family nor I and Liangchen can have relatives like you. Now that the elders are gone, you haven’t left me a place to live at home; both the house and land deed are in your possession."

"You previously behaved dishonorably and were expelled from the Xie Family. Shouldn’t the wealth in your hands stay with the Xie Family? I will write a document to the elders of the clan, requesting them to recover the Xie Family fortune on my behalf. Henceforth, we will have no more dealings, and we need not interact again."

Hearing this, Xie Shao Shan was shocked, opening his mouth wide. In his mind, his elder brother was never like this; as a child, his brother often protected him. How could he now be so heartless?

Xie Shao Shan still wanted to entangle, but Xie Shao Yuan said, "If you do not leave Chen Family Village, I will immediately report to the government office, accusing you of causing trouble without reason, and you’ll surely be caught and whipped at the office."

Xie Shao Shan dared not speak further; Xie Zihuan stepped forward to support his father, "Father, let’s go back. Are you not embarrassed enough?"

At this point, both Xie Shao Shan and Mrs. Qiao utterly lost hope, leaving with their children dejectedly.

Just as Xie Shao Shan had walked a few steps, he heard Xie Shao Yuan’s voice behind him, "Wait..."

Xie Shao Shan felt a surge of joy, thinking his brother had softened, only to hear Xie Shao Yuan sternly say, "In front of so many people, let me make it clear; if you dare to use the Xie Family or Song Family’s name to do things, there will certainly be consequences."

Xie Shao Shan shivered completely.

Returning home, Xie Liangchen hurried to pour hot tea for her father.

Xie Shao Yuan looked at his daughter, his eyes free from anger, "I should have sought him out upon returning, but I’ve been too occupied. Now, with him showing up, it’s good; everything is clear, ensuring he behaves and doesn’t cause trouble for you or the Song Family."

Xie Shao Yuan knew Xie Shao Shan too well; even if not benefiting from this side, he would flaunt his brotherly identity, potentially giving others opportunities to target Liangchen or Song Xian.

That’s why Xie Shao Yuan spoke in front of so many, planning to inform the entire Xie Family clan.

"I’m also leaving them a path to survive," Xie Shao Yuan said, "Your second uncle has bad intentions; even in his current state, he wouldn’t cause any major disaster. But give him any opportunity, and he might end up with ruin and destruction."

Xie Liangchen responded promptly.

As father and daughter were speaking, Chen Zigeng rushed in, saying, "Uncle, Sister, Old Mrs. Song brought some things over for General Brother."

Hearing this, Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but smile. They were about to meet in the capital.

...

Song Xian arrived in the capital and was immediately summoned to the palace for an audience.

The Emperor held a banquet for three consecutive days, rewarding the meritorious officials; Song Xian and Du Zhuo basked in glory for a time.

Yang Wu fell seriously ill, lying weakly on the bed, listening to Chun Shan talk about the news outside.

Chun Shan said, "After General Xu returned to the capital, he was confined, accused by the Imperial Censor of negligence in military supplies of Xingzhou. The Emperor ordered a thorough investigation."

Yang Wu’s face turned even gloomier, "What about the Xie Family? Is there any news of them?"

Chun Shan whispered, "They are close to arriving in the capital; a mansion on East Street is being prepared, said to be granted to Xie Family’s father and daughter."

Yang Wu’s lips were dry, the inner heat causing several blisters that had long failed to heal. Hearing this, she was agitated and opened her mouth to speak, yet pain came before a sound could emerge.

This pain seemed to burrow into her heart.

Chun Shan said, "Several carriages arrived, likely with villagers from Chen Family Village."

Yang Wu’s eyes reddened; she couldn’t believe she was lesser than a farm woman. Did the court acknowledge her identity this way?

Yang Wu questioned, "Has it been said what will become of me?"

Chun Shan displayed reluctance, counseling, "Do not dwell on such thoughts."

Yang Wu smirked, "Speak, I can handle it." After chasing her out of the Princess Manor, the court came again seeking relics of Prince Guangyang from her in recent days. She had given away many; should she seek them back one by one?

Chun Shan whispered, "I heard your matter will be addressed after Xie Family arrives in the capital."

Yang Wu widened her eyes, "Are they handing me over to the Xie Family?"

Chun Shan nodded, "They said you and she belong to the Yang Family of Prince Guangyang, so naturally it should be managed by her."

Had her father’s past humiliation now fallen upon her?

Yang Wu took a long time to muster two words through clenched teeth, "Not a chance."

Chun Shan advised, "Fifth Miss, now is not the time to be stubborn. Not only is Xie Liangchen’s identity established, but the Song and Xie Families are betrothed as well. I heard Song Xian is about to be appointed Military Governor, guarding not just Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou but also the Four States."

Another wave of pain hit Yang Wu’s heart as Chun Shan’s voice seemed to fade away. This should have been hers, but now it had all fallen to the Xie Family.

She was unwilling to accept this.

"Did you bring the scripture paper from the temple?" Yang Wu looked at Chun Shan, "Bring it quickly; I want to transcribe Buddhist scripture to send to the Empress."

The Empress was a Buddhist, fasting on the first and fifteenth of every month; maybe the scripture would move the Empress.

"I brought it," Chun Shan said, "This year, scripture paper from Jianguo Temple was extremely scarce. The old servant went several times without success. These were obtained from other pilgrims, costing fifty taels of silver."

"What?" Yang Wu exclaimed, "The scripture paper from Jianguo Temple sold for such a price?"