The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Branching Out of the Clan（Part 2）

“First, Xiao Xian…”

Xiao Jinyu glanced at Xiao Jian and Princess Yunyin, and said unhurriedly, “Second, Tenth Young Lady Xiao, Xiao Ruoling!”

Xiao Ruoling was stunned upon hearing this, and couldn’t help but feel ecstatic in her heart.

“Third…” She paused and said, “My paternal grandmother, Lady Xiao Yuan!”

At this moment, even Xiao Xian raised his head in astonishment.

“No, A’yu, what nonsense are you talking about? We are a family, why branch out? I will give you the money you want, and I can also give you some maids and servants, but don’t mention branching out again!” Xiao Jian refused outright.

Since ancient times, filial piety has been considered the most important virtue. Confucianism emphasizes “cultivating oneself, managing one’s family, and then governing the state and bringing peace to the world.” Unless forced to separate due to war or other calamities, branching out while one’s parents are still alive is considered a shameful act. It would bring no benefit to this branch of the Xiao Clan. Moreover, now that Xiao Xian has recovered, if Xiao Yun truly proves to be incompetent, then Xiao Xian can enter officialdom. With his reputation for talent, he would surely enhance the Xiao Clan’s prestige and restore its former glory!

However, Princess Yunyin did not share Xiao Jian’s considerations. Upon hearing that Xiao Jinyu only wanted these three people, she couldn’t help but feel secretly delighted. In this era where family status was more important than life itself, if Xiao Xian was willing to lower his status and become a member of a collateral branch of the Lanling Xiao Clan, he would no longer pose a threat to her son, Xiao Yun. This was undoubtedly advantageous for her.

Therefore, disregarding Xiao Jian’s concerns, she stood up and said, “Alright! As long as these three are willing to branch out, and Xiao Xian is willing to be demoted to a collateral branch, I have no objections!”

“You—”

Xiao Jian was furious. He glared at Princess Yunyin, then turned to look at Xiao Xian.

“Seventh Young Master, A’yu is just a child, she’s being unreasonable, are you going to join her in this nonsense? And Tenth Young Lady…”

Xiao Xian said, “Father, I am willing to branch out and be demoted to a collateral branch. This is good for both you and me!”

“What are you talking about? What do you mean good for both you and me?”

At this time, Xiao Ruoling also said, “Grandfather, I am also willing to branch out and follow A’yu. Although the status of a direct descendant of the Lanling Xiao Clan brings some honor, Ruoling is not fortunate enough to enjoy it!”

If she could leave the Xiao Clan, even as a member of a collateral branch, it would be better than living under Princess Yunyin’s control, with her fate not in her own hands.

“And Grandmother, Grandfather, ask yourself, have you visited Grandmother in all these years? Do you know what she has become? And my father and uncles, did they really die young from illness?”

Xiao Ruoling’s barrage of questions left Xiao Jian speechless.

This granddaughter had always been weak and frail, as if she could be blown away by the wind. She had always been meek and obedient, but today she actually dared to speak to him, her grandfather, in such a reproachful tone.

“Tenth Young Lady, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Princess Yunyin’s gaze towards Xiao Ruoling was also filled with shock and anger.

“Grandfather’s heart and mind are completely occupied by Princess Yunyin. Ruoling doesn’t expect Grandfather to truly understand, but please grant Seventh Uncle, Grandmother, and me a way out, let us branch out!” At this moment, Xiao Ruoling’s tone was pleading, and she bowed deeply.

“You, you all…”

Xiao Jian looked at Xiao Ruoling, then at Xiao Xian, and finally fixed his gaze on Xiao Jinyu.

“A’yu, must it be this way? If I don’t agree, you won’t agree to treat Yunlang? Even if you wanted half of the Xiao Clan’s property, I would…”

“No!” Princess Yunyin hurriedly interrupted, “Agree to her demands! As long as she agrees to treat Yunlang, her mother’s funeral, the 50,000 strings of cash, and the three people she wants, we will grant her everything!”

Don’t push your luck any further. If you can’t cure Yunlang, I will make sure you all die without a burial place!

Ignoring the fierce glint in Princess Yunyin’s eyes, Xiao Jinyu said, “Then let’s not delay any further. Settle everything today, send the 50,000 strings of cash, and I will go treat Xiao Yun tomorrow!”

“Why tomorrow? How can my son’s injury wait?” Princess Yunyin said with displeasure.

“How do I know if you will go back on your word after I cure Xiao Yun?”

“You—”

Princess Yunyin raised her eyebrows. At this moment, Xiao Jinyu added,

“However, we can go to the Xiao Residence first to pick up my grandmother, and by the way, open the ancestral hall and branch out!”

✿✿✿

No matter how reluctant Xiao Jian was, the branching out was successfully completed under Princess Yunyin’s direction. Xiao Xian was given a separate household registration. Originally, daughters of the Xiao Clan were not included in the genealogy unless they were married through matrilocal marriage. Even if they were, it was just a surname. However, Xiao Xian insisted on writing Xiao Jinyu, Xiao Ruoling, and even Xiao Luan’s names on his household registration.

The Xiao Clan didn’t have many descendants now, but there were some illegitimate sons who, upon seeing Xiao Xian branching out, felt a myriad of emotions. They all stared at Xiao Xian leaving the ancestral hall for a long time.

However, accustomed to being suppressed and controlled by Princess Yunyin, they didn’t dare to bid farewell to Xiao Xian, let alone speak a word to him. There was only one exception: Xiao Lang, the Eleventh Young Master, who was closest to him.

“Seventh Brother, are you really leaving? You’ve finally recovered, are you really going to abandon your status as a direct descendant and leave the Xiao Clan?”

The fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy was still quite simple-minded. Hearing that Xiao Xian was leaving, he was already heartbroken and tears streamed down his face.

✿✿✿

“I’m just branching out, but I’m still a member of the Xiao Clan. Whether I’m a direct descendant or not, I don’t care. A’lang, in this life, it’s easy to live in poverty but difficult to maintain prosperity. I only wish for the well-being of my cherished family. Everything else is unimportant.”

Upon hearing this, Eleventh Young Master felt even more saddened. He murmured, “I know, Seventh Brother. You’ve always felt guilty towards Eldest Sister and for not protecting the other siblings. But, Seventh Brother, it’s not your fault. Perhaps this is the fate of the Xiao Clan.”

“Don’t resign yourself to fate! Look, haven’t I recovered now?” Xiao Xian couldn’t help but stroke Eleventh Young Master’s forehead, comforting him.

The boy’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he said,

“Seventh Brother, why don’t you take me with you? You don’t care about status, and neither do I.”

Xiao Xian shook his head and said, “Not now, A’lang. You should remain as you are, as an illegitimate son. As long as you don’t stand out too much, she won’t target you. However, in private, you must diligently study the lessons I’ve taught you. When the opportunity arises, I will take you out!”

“Really? Seventh Brother, you promise to take me with you, just not now, right?” The boy said with joy.

Xiao Xian nodded.

Seeing someone approaching, Eleventh Young Master Xiao Lang quickly bowed and slipped away into the bushes.

Xiao Jinyu walked out of Xiao Xian’s Linshui Pavilion. Originally, Feng Dong had packed a lot of clothes, jade ornaments, teacups, and other belongings for Xiao Xian, but Xiao Jinyu told him not to take anything.

“Why, Young Lady? Our Young Master’s monthly allowance in the residence is quite meager. These are things he saved up by being frugal. It would be a pity to lose them.” Feng Dong was reluctant, holding a large box of items.

“These external possessions, what use are they? What truly holds value are the classics passed down through generations. This is the foundation for the continuation of a great family. Apart from the books your Young Master usually copies, leave everything else behind!” Xiao Jinyu instructed.

“Oh.” Feng Dong was still reluctant, but seeing Xiao Xian nodding in agreement, he reluctantly put the large box down.

At this moment, Xiao Ruoling also walked over with her maid, You Tan. To Feng Dong’s surprise, Xiao Ruoling only brought a small box, which You Tan was carrying.

“Eh, Tenth Young Lady, weren’t you supposed to pack your belongings? Why is it so little?”

Xiao Ruoling looked at Xiao Jinyu and then at Xiao Xian with some embarrassment, and said, “I… only brought some of the relics left to me by my father and mother. There’s nothing else left.”

Tenth Young Lady’s monthly allowance was probably not much, and the courtyard she lived in was so remote and cold. What was left in the box was probably all the dowry her mother had left her.

“It doesn’t matter. We are a family now. We will share food, clothing, and expenses. We can also create with our own hands. The days ahead will only get better, don’t worry about anything.” Xiao Jinyu said.

Upon hearing this, Feng Dong’s confidence immediately surged, and he was filled with hope for the future.

“Yes! Young Lady, I believe you!” he said.

“We believe you too!” Xiao Ruoling added, her eyes glistening with tears of gratitude and relief. “A’yu, thank you, thank you for rescuing me from this mire of the Xiao Residence. Whether the road ahead is thorny or bumpy, I have no regrets.

How about I call you Eldest Sister from now on?”

Xiao Jinyu smiled and nodded.

“Okay!”

As they were talking, they suddenly heard Fenghuang shout, “Who’s there?”

A figure flashed past the ornamental gate not far away. Fenghuang was about to chase after it when Xiao Ruoling said, “It’s Sixth Young Lady!”

“Who is Sixth Young Lady?”

Upon mentioning Sixth Young Lady, Xiao Ruoling’s gaze turned cold. She replied, “Sixth Young Lady Xiao Qin was born to a maid brought by Grandmother. After her mother died, Grandmother treated her as her own. However, after Princess Yunyin married into the residence, this girl betrayed Grandmother and spent all day currying favor with Princess Yunyin. Even when Grandmother was ill, she didn’t care, never fulfilling her filial duty. She’s simply a heartless and ungrateful creature. And…”

She paused, then looked at Xiao Jinyu, “That day, I saw her coming out of Princess Yunyin’s Yunxiu Pavilion with my own eyes. Eighth Uncle Xiao Yun stopped her and asked what Princess Yunyin had called her for. She actually said something about repeating the same old trick, making her suffer the same fate as her mother… I felt something was wrong at the time. Later, Ninth Miss came to me, saying she wanted to apologize to you and meet you. I understood what was going on. This Sixth Young Lady, she has given Princess Yunyin many bad ideas over the years. She’s truly wicked…”

Hearing this, Xiao Jinyu also understood what was happening. Xiao Xian felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if a knife had been dragged across it. He remembered how gentle and well-behaved Sixth Young Lady used to be, how she used to softly call him Seventh Brother. He didn’t know when she had become so cunning, willing to scheme against her own family.

“Qing Gege, do you want me to teach that Xiao Sixth Miss a lesson?” Fenghuang asked at this moment.