Ch 257: Who Ordered You to Do This?
“Is it alright?”
“What’s alright?” Dai Yixian’s eyes were filled with surprise as he looked at Yuan Xueyue, who was drawing nearer. He gulped.
With a beauty in his embrace, it was difficult to restrain himself.
He disregarded any further words and first pushed Yuan Xueyue onto the soft couch. Gently lifting a strand of her hair, he said softly,
“Beloved Consort can do whatever she wishes.”
Yuan Xueyue chuckled, amused by Dai Yixian. She quickly clarified, “No.”
“I simply wanted to ask if you would go to the Zhong Residence tomorrow to ensure justice is served?”
Dai Yixian raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Why do you ask?”
Yuan Xueyue, “Isn’t this seeking your consent!”
Dai Yixian smiled, “Haven’t you already decided?”
This was a notice, not a consultation, leaving Dai Yixian feeling slightly resigned.
He had read too much into it.
Yuan Xueyue said, “This is merely going through the necessary steps, asking for your input.”
“Mm, I consent.”
With those words, Dai Yixian leaned in close and lightly kissed her soft lips, a brief touch that made Yuan Xueyue’s cheeks flush deeply.
“You…” Yuan Xueyue was taken aback, and he leaned in to kiss her several more times.
Realizing things were escalating, Yuan Xueyue gently pushed against his chest and said, “Will the situation at the Zhong Residence cause any repercussions?”
Dai Yixian smiled, “I am the embodiment of the law, and my actions are its execution. In Lucheng, and indeed in this entire court, it is thus.”
“Besides, your friend, First Wife Zhong, has endured so much injustice and humiliation. Someone must stand up for her. Even if I were not an official of the court, as long as my Beloved Consort requests it, I am at your service.”
Yuan Xueyue, “Lord Yuan’s actions were indeed flawed, and many such injustices have occurred.”
Dai Yixian narrowed his eyes and stared intently into hers, saying, “If Beloved Consort does not wish for such a person to remain in power, you can have him removed. If it were anyone else, I would have acted long ago.”
“Were it not for the fact that he is still your biological father.”
Upon hearing these words, Yuan Xueyue’s eyes brightened! She had believed Dai Yixian was being lenient and unwilling to intervene, but he was actually prioritizing her well-being.
Reflecting on the time when she sought revenge for her mother’s death, Yuan Xueyue was nearly consumed by rage. Thankfully, Dai Yixian maintained his composure.
Yuan Xueyue was much calmer now and naturally did not wish to bear the same burden of patricide as the Second Master’s Family of the Guo Family.
“Very well, after tomorrow, I shall trouble the Prince to allow him to retire and return to his hometown.”
Let there be no more torment of these innocent individuals.
He could not safeguard his wife, retain his daughter, or protect his offspring. What purpose did he serve as Prefect?
The sole warmth he bestowed upon Yuan Xueyue was during her childhood, when her mother was still alive, and Yuan Xiao offered her a few extra smiles and embraces.
Subsequently, after the concubine entered the household, Yuan Xiao gradually neglected his wife, Liu.
All that remained for Yuan Xueyue was this Madam Yuan, and the few fleeting years of being a young lady during her childhood.
Thereafter, Yuan Xueyue had to summon her strength and endure countless hardships!
Numerous times, Aunt Fang attempted to end her life. Countless times, her half-sister mocked and bullied her relentlessly. Yet, she persevered.
Subsequently, Yuan Xiao sent her to Guo Liangxian, a man devoid of affection for her. This burdened Yuan Xueyue with the heavy responsibility of being a First Wife for many years. She endured the same ordeal of a concubine entering the household, and she wasn’t even a concubine!
How many times they sullied Yuan Xueyue’s reputation!
Spare his life, allow him to retire, and let him fend for himself.
Henceforth, it will be as though she never had this father.
โโโ
A tear escaped Yuan Xueyue’s eye. Contemplating that from now on, only Dai Yixian would stand by her, along with her own sons, Changxing and Yunxing, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness.
She reached out and embraced Dai Yixian’s waist, causing him to be startled.
Soon, Dai Yixian understood. He turned and extinguished a candle on the bedside table, then drew the light curtains closed. Once they fell, only faint silhouettes swayed in the dimness.
Occasionally, the sounds of intertwined breaths could be heard.
It wasn’t until late into the night that the maidservant guarding the door received instructions to fetch hot water, bringing an end to the intimate encounter.
As dawn arrived, guards and soldiers assembled before the Prince’s Residence, fully prepared for departure.
While passersby hurried to the early market, the inhabitants of the Prince’s Residence had already set forth.
The servants of the Zhong Residence were also gradually awakening. Before they could fully comprehend the situation, the main gate had already been breached! Yesterday and throughout the previous night, the members of the Zhong Residence had searched extensively, yet they failed to locate First Wife’s daughter, Zhong Wulian! The household was entirely dominated by the powerful Second Master’s Family.
First Wife Zhong’s husband was a mere puppet, dazed and on the brink of death. His words were incoherent and slurred.
The Zhong Residence’s downfall, its glory of yesterday transformed into today’s ruin, was truly a cause for lamentation.
“Mother! Mother! Where are you?”
Zhong Wulian, accompanied by the guards of the Prince’s Residence, was finally able to run freely within the Zhong Residence.
She searched frantically for her mother, Madam Xu, but she was no longer confined to the original Dark Room.
Zhong Wulian was overwhelmed with anxiety, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.
Yuan Xueyue and Dai Yixian were situated in the Main Hall, observing Xiaozhao and the others apprehend and interrogate the managers and principal offenders of the Zhong Residence! The tide had turned in favor of Zhong Wulian.
When she couldn’t locate her mother, sheer panic consumed her!
Ju Niuer also conducted several searches, yet discovered nothing of significance, only a few superfluous servants and maids, along with some children of the Zhong Residence, and the wives and concubines from other quarters.
However, she failed to find First Wife Zhong, Madam Xu!
Ju Changsong also joined their search party. Observing Ju Niuer consoling Zhong Wulian, who was crouched on the ground, weeping silently, he approached and said, “Do not despair, we shall find her.”
After a short while, they arrived at the Main Hall. Under the severe duress of Xiaozhao and the others’ forceful methods, the members of the Zhong Residence confessed.
They finally released Madam Xu from the cellar.
When Zhong Wulian laid eyes upon her mother, she erupted in sobs, “Mother! Mother! Why has this happened…”
Yuan Xueyue was also taken aback, finding it hard to fathom!
Had the Zhong Residence truly deteriorated to such a state? There must be spies from the Court!
They had been lying in wait for years, establishing connections with those whom Prince Xian had held in esteem and those with whom Yuan Xueyue had been closely associated!
A wave of fear washed over Yuan Xueyue! She instinctively reached out to Dai Yixian, who clasped her hand reassuringly. Subsequently, she cast a meaningful glance at Xiaozhao! Xiaozhao, comprehending the Prince’s intention, advanced and delivered a forceful kick to the guilty party, the Second Master’s Family, stating icily, “Who ordered you to do this?”
“There was no history of insanity among the Zhong family’s ancestors, the anomaly originates with you. Furthermore, you have manipulated the Master, the Old Madam, and others!”
“I suspect you are not a member of the Zhong family at all!”
These words stunned everyone present.
Even Zhong Wulian was dumbfounded.
Upon careful reflection, it was indeed during her early childhood that the Second Master was a remarkably amiable individual. Now, he had transformed into such a ruthless and callous person, scheming for power, seizing everything from his elder brother, including the inheritance and silver taels belonging to his sisters-in-law, even defying his ancestors! What manner of person was this! Zhong Wulian’s thoughts were also swayed by Xiaozhao’s analysis, and she promptly exclaimed,
“You are not my Second Master! You are not Second Master! Who are you?”
