Second Master Xie was unwilling to see Old Mrs. Chen, for she was a coarse countrywoman.
My elder brother was infatuated with my sister-in-law's beauty, so he disregarded everything and brought her home. If our parents had been alive at that time, they surely wouldn't have allowed it.
The in-laws he detested, the Su Family wanted nothing to do with them either. When the Su Family saw the Chen Family, they would definitely abandon any thought of marrying Liangchen.
Second Master Xie withdrew his thoughts: "If that's the case, I'll send someone to meet her. The old lady of the family lives in the village and probably isn't aware that Liangchen has returned."
After saying this, Second Master Xie looked at Xie Liangchen: "Take care and rest well. Second Uncle will visit you later."
Xie Liangchen responded as Second Master Xie turned and exited the room.
Xie Rulan didn't bother to see her father off, but instead grabbed Xie Liangchen's hand, speaking affectionately. The Su Family servants, seeing this, also withdrew.
"Elder sister," Xie Rulan said, "Do you truly remember nothing? Have you suffered any grievances while you were away all these years? Don't worry, no matter what happens, my father will stand by you."
Xie Liangchen seemed to be recalling carefully, then said blankly after a long while: "I don't remember."
Xie Rulan felt a bit disappointed; if anything damaging to Xie Liangchen's reputation had happened, it would serve as leverage in her hands.
Xie Rulan asked, "And how much do you know about your grandmother?"
Xie Liangchen still shook her head.
Xie Rulan said, "Old Mrs. Chen is very fond of elder sister; the elder sister should dutifully be good to her." Best if Old Mrs. Chen could teach the elder sister to be utterly crude.
Xie Liangchen said, "I will make up for the bitterness of separation over these years."
Xie Rulan blinked, feeling indescribable joy at those words.
Once Xie Rulan had left, Xie Liangchen closed her eyes to sleep and rest well.
Mrs. Qiao and the two Su Family housekeepers were conversing in the courtyard.
"The Chen Family is my sister-in-law's family. They live in Chen Family Village in Zhenzhou. Old Master Chen passed away long ago. Old Mrs. Chen raised a son and a daughter into adulthood. The daughter married into the Xie Family; the son, although lacking official title, is quite industrious, having acquired some good farmland for the family."
Nanny Lv from the Su Family listened intently. Second Madam Xie meant that Eldest Master Chen of the Chen Family only relied on physical strength. After years of toil, he merely acquired some land.
Mrs. Qiao continued: "Two years ago, Master Chen died in battle, and his grieving wife succumbed rapidly to illness and passed away, leaving behind a young child. Poor Old Mrs. Chen; she's old and must raise her grandson without support, reportedly selling quite a bit of land because of it."
Second Madam Xie's words hinted further that if discussing bad fortune, it originated with the Chen Family. Old Mrs. Chen's daughter and son died.
Nanny Lv nodded silently; this was also why her madam didn't want the master to marry Xie Liangchen. After she was abducted, her reputation was ruined, and the maternal family's situation was as it was. For this visit to the Xie Family, the big madam instructed her to act wisely, and after returning, she would recount the scene to the Old Master, hopefully dissuading him completely from the thoughts of marriage alliance.
The Su Family did not merely not want Xie Liangchen; they desired no association with the Xie Family at all. Presently, they approached Second Master Xie, aiming to use the Xie Family's branch to get rid of Xie Liangchen. Seeing Second Master Xie's branch exerting such effort, Nanny Lv felt confident she could report back to the big madam after returning.
While the two were speaking, someone came to report: "Old Mrs. Chen and Eldest Master Chen have arrived."
Mrs. Qiao was slightly surprised: "So soon?"
The servant replied: "We hadn't reached Chen Family Village yet when we spotted Old Mrs. Chen. Someone had already informed her, and she hurriedly came to see the first young lady."
"Where is my granddaughter?"
Old Mrs. Chen hadn't entered the inner courtyard yet, yet her voice carried over, robust as that of a rural household, with a single shout seeming to lift the roof.
A moment later, two figures appeared before everyone.
Old Mrs. Chen wore a somewhat worn dress, moved swiftly, leading a boy of six or seven years, who upon seeing Mrs. Qiao headed straight toward her.
Upon seeing Mrs. Qiao, Old Mrs. Chen spoke mercilessly: "How long has my granddaughter been back? Why didn't you inform us? What nefarious schemes is your foul-hearted family plotting now?"
With one sentence, Mrs. Qiao was rendered red-faced: "Old Madam, please don't say such things..."
Old Mrs. Chen was somewhat surprised: "Oh, why not argue with me today?"
Mrs. Qiao clenched a handkerchief, restrained by the presence of the Su Family, she could only swallow this grievance: "Old Madam, please follow me."
Old Mrs. Chen rolled her eyes at Mrs. Qiao, held her grandson's hand tightly, and was about to follow her; after two steps, her grandson tugged her back.
Old Mrs. Chen turned to look at her grandson, Chen Zigeng's dark eyes showed a trace of wariness: "Grandmother, be careful. Huang Daxian smiles at people because it wants to steal chickens."
Last year, Huang Daxian stole the family's only chicken, and Brother Geng cried for several days. Now, the Second Branch of the Xie Family seemed somewhat similar to that yellow fox.
Old Mrs. Chen stroked her grandson's head: "Brother Geng, don't worry; grandmother is here."
Chen Zigeng said: "I'm not afraid. Grandma, protect sister."
Old Mrs. Chen nodded.
Mrs. Qiao had long heard Old Mrs. Chen and her grandson muttering to each other, knowing nothing good would come from them, but once used, the Chen Family wouldn't easily step through the Xie Family's door next time.
The door to Xie Liangchen's room was opened, and Xie Liangchen had just awakened, her eyes blinking open.
A series of footsteps later, Xie Liangchen's gaze settled on Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Zigeng. Her calm eyes suddenly rippled, and her mouth curled into a smile.
Grandmother, Little Brother, it has been so long since I last saw you.
Old Mrs. Chen happened to see Xie Liangchen's smile, with her shallow dimples and bright brows; she momentarily lost herself, dazed, seeing a reflection of her daughter.
Old Mrs. Chen's eyes reddened, unable to resist complaining: "I blame your parents for bringing you into this world so beautifully. Is it not trouble enough?"
She placed her coarse hands on Xie Liangchen's forehead: "Are you feeling better?"
Xie Liangchen nodded: "Grandmother, I am well."
Spotting the red mole hidden within Xie Liangchen's long brows, Old Mrs. Chen swallowed the sob rising in her throat: "You look just like your mother."
Saying this, Old Mrs. Chen added: "You appear to be blessed more than your mother did."
Xie Liangchen gazed at Old Mrs. Chen for a while before turning to look at Chen Zigeng.
Old Mrs. Chen said: "He's your uncle's child, named Zigeng. Zigeng, quickly call Sister."
"Sister." Chen Zigeng's voice was youthful and clear.
In her previous life, upon hearing news of her little brother's death, she wished so dearly that it was merely a nightmare; now, she was finally awake.
"Little Brother." Tears already shimmered in Xie Liangchen's eyes.
Old Mrs. Chen caressed her granddaughter's tender hand: "From now on, grandmother and your little brother will be with you."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Qiao glanced at Old Mrs. Chen's washed-out sleeve hems and the ill-fitting robe on Chen Zigeng, coldly scoffing inwardly. Reduced to such a state, these words are merely empty talk; what can they truly do?
Should Xie Liangchen possess any discernment, she wouldn't entangle with the Chen Family but obediently heed the master and her words, and they would eventually find her a reliable family to marry into as a second wife.
After Old Mrs. Chen finished speaking, she heard Xie Liangchen ask: "Alright, when will we go home?"
Old Mrs. Chen was taken aback: "What did you say?"
Xie Liangchen's gaze was clear: "Grandmother, when will you take me home?"
Now everyone in the room was stunned.
Mrs. Qiao couldn't believe her ears, while the two Su Family housekeepers looked astonished. Xie Rulan was the first to react: "Elder sister, you want to go back to the Chen Family?"
Xie Liangchen nodded.
Xie Rulan's heart soared almost uncontrollably, nearly exposing a delighted grin. She grabbed Mrs. Qiao, eager for her mother to accept at once.
Mrs. Qiao regained herself: "Liangchen, what nonsense are you talking? You're a daughter of the Xie Family; where would you go?" She couldn't easily agree, lest others perceive them as intentionally driving Xie Liangchen away.
"I don't know you," Xie Liangchen didn't look at Mrs. Qiao but at Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Zigeng. "I only remember grandmother; I will go home with grandmother."
In this life, after suffering so much, she no longer wished to juggle with the Xie Family, wasting precious time. She wanted straightforward resolutions.
Xie Rulan shook Mrs. Qiao's hand.
Once Xie Liangchen left the Xie Family, she would no longer be a Miss Xie, and there would be no reason left for the Su Family to marry her. Mrs. Qiao was tempted: "Have you decided? Are you thinking of staying for a few days, or..."
Xie Liangchen shook her head: "I wish to remain with grandmother and little brother always."
Old Mrs. Chen finally snapped back to reality, realizing her granddaughter's intent; this indeed was a den of wolves, staying there brought no benefit.
"Did you hear that?" Old Mrs. Chen raised her voice, "Chen wishes to leave with me; you mustn't hinder us."
Xie Liangchen continued: "Also, my mother's dowry and my father's share of family assets—I want to take them with us."