Chapter 188: Chapter 186: Do You Feel Wronged Following the Eldest Young Master?

The morning mist was thin and slightly cool.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at the tightly closed door of the side room as she washed and asked the maid, "How was Xin Yi last night?"

Last night, she had braved the eldest daughter’s wrath to bring Xin Yi back to settle at the Bright Moon Building.

Xin Yi seemed to have suffered a great blow and was in a daze throughout.

She kept recalling Qin Rong’s words, "It’s not that serious," as well as the similar sentiment hinted at by Mo Huan.

Upon further reflection, indeed, last night’s incident did not seem that serious after all.

Firstly, Tang Ziqian had always treated Xin Yi well and had never offended her;

Secondly, today’s offense was caused by circumstance, not intent;

Thirdly, after being slashed by Xin Yi, Tang Ziqian came to his senses and stopped.

If the first scream was from being startled, then holding a knife to him afterward...

Was it a stress response?

Or... was there some other reason...

"The eldest daughter is here!" The maid’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

Tang Jiaojiao would come every morning to wait for her, to pay respects to their parents together.

But nine times out of ten, she would be stopped outside.

Other than the official sessions on the first and fifteenth, Tang Shigong, much like Tang Ziqian, seldom went to the government office properly, preferring to stay at home and spend time with Gu Ning.

But today, upon reaching the main room, they were ushered in directly.

"Did Father go out so early?" Tang Jiaojiao asked.

Gu Ning, with weariness still lingering in her brows, spoke softly yet coldly, "Last night’s incident must have an explanation for us."

Tang Jiaojiao sneered, "Mother, what will Your Majesty do with Li Huan?"

"I’m not sure what His Majesty plans, but in my view, Li Huan and Yan Third Son make a good match," Gu Ning said lightly.

Tang Jiaojiao was stunned: "Wouldn’t that be a favor to her?"

Tang Xiaobai pondered silently.

Yan Third Son was Yan Jingjing’s elder brother.

Although not the eldest legitimate son, nor outstanding, his father held a Third Rank position, favored by the emperor, and it was well-known that Yan Third Son had long admired Princess Runan.

In her eyes, it indeed seemed like a favor to Princess Runan.

Could it be that her parents also knew Princess Runan liked Wenren Jia, so they sought to punish her with the loss of a loved one?

"Your father has his own ideas and will not favor her," Gu Ning said.

Tang Jiaojiao nodded reluctantly, then suddenly shot Tang Xiaobai a cold look, "And that worthless maid shouldn’t be let off so easily!" Just thinking about it made her angry, "If it weren’t for her not knowing when to shut up and screaming last night, I would’ve taken Li Huan away by now, and now, the whole Capital City knows that Brother was injured by a female slave!"

What’s critical is not just being injured by a female slave, but being rejected and injured by a female slave.

Not only was it physically hurtful, but also humiliating.

A matter of losing face, Tang Xiaobai dared not argue with the eldest daughter, and only said, "Xin Yi belongs to Brother, maybe it’s best to let Brother decide when he’s recovered?"

"Madam, the young master has arrived."

Speaking of Tang Ziqian, he arrived just then.

Tang Xiaobai hurriedly stood alongside her sister to welcome him.

"How’s Brother’s injury?" Tang Xiaobai looked directly at his wound.

Last night, when she returned to the East Garden after sending Qin Rong off, Tang Ziqian had already been treated and was asleep, she hadn’t seen him, only heard the doctor say a night’s rest would suffice.

Now it seemed—

Covered by clothes, nothing was much visible.

But judging from his clear eyes, he should be fine now.

"It’s just a flesh wound." Tang Ziqian smiled.

She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but felt her brother’s eyes seemed somewhat gloomy.

"Since Brother’s here, that worthless maid should be dealt with early!" Tang Jiaojiao said.

Tang Ziqian’s eyes grew darker, but he said nothing.

Gu Ning smiled gently and said, "About last night’s matter, I was just about to discuss it with you girls—"

"Though us girls are born delicate, our hearts cannot be delicate; we should know when to stand firm;"

"You now feel that Xin Yi, being of low birth, is acting out of place by refusing, but if someone of higher status were to insult you, would you not act out of place then?"

"Clap—" Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but applaud.

After receiving a glare from Tang Jiaojiao, she changed to a quiet applause, quietly echoing, "Mother’s right!"

After glaring at her sister, Tang Jiaojiao remained defiant, "But she hurt Brother!"

Tang Ziqian kept his eyes lowered without saying anything, only a coldness exuding from him.

Gu Ning smiled again, her tone still gentle, "Xin Yi, that child, must have been terribly frightened last night, though she hurt Ziqian, fortunately, Ziqian’s alright, and I don’t blame her."

Tang Xiaobai was nearly moved to tears: "Mother is truly kind-hearted..."

"However—"

Tang Xiaobai’s heart immediately tightened.

She dreaded this kind of "however".

"Now that things have come to this, we should give her a proper status," Gu Ning said.

Tang Jiaojiao was taken aback, "But Brother hasn’t married yet—"

Gu Ning smiled, "He publicly spoke those words in front of so many people last night, there should be a beloved concubine, if not Xin Yi, then someone else."

"Uh...should we call Xin Yi over to ask?" Tang Xiaobai suggested weakly.

Tang Jiaojiao’s eyebrows shot up, "She’s just a maid—"

"Let’s ask," Tang Ziqian said calmly.

"Then summon her," Gu Ning smiled gently, "I also have a few other things to ask her."

...

When Xin Yi was brought in, she knelt down just after taking one step through the door.

She kept a bit of distance, as if she feared something.

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but glance at Tang Ziqian.

He merely moved his fingers resting on his knee, his posture unchanged, eyes lowered, expression cold and gloomy.

Gu Ning chuckled softly, "No need to be afraid, I just want to ask you a few questions."

Xin Yi bowed her head low, "Madam, please instruct me." Her voice trembled a little.

Tang Xiaobai felt a bit peculiar inside.

Why so afraid? Was it really necessary?

"The dagger you used to wound the young master last night, where did it come from?" Gu Ning asked warmly.

"It was a protective gift from the young master."

"Since you had a means of protection and knew how to use it, why did you still scream?"

"I...I lost control—"

"After the guests left, when the young master and the two ladies came in, why were you still afraid?"

"I, I..."

"Were you scared?" Gu Ning asked softly.

Xin Yi hesitated but nodded.

"Then what are you afraid of now?"

Xin Yi’s hands pressed to the ground clenched unconsciously.

Gu Ning smiled gently, reassuring, "Don’t be afraid, no one blames you for what happened last night, calling you here now is to tell you good news—"

Xin Yi looked up, eyes filled with confusion.

"Being without status is inappropriate, today we’ll grant you a position, how about that?"

Xin Yi’s face went pale as snow, and she blurted out, "No! I refuse!"

Tang Ziqian looked up at her abruptly, his face dark and grim.

"Slap!" Tang Jiaojiao slammed her hand on the table, furious, "It’s beneath you to be with the young master!"

"Jiaojiao, don’t scare her," Gu Ning gently admonished Tang Jiaojiao, then smiled slightly at Xin Yi, "It’s alright if you don’t wish to, but as a mother, I cannot allow anyone to trample on my son’s reputation to bolster her own valor and defiance—" She motioned with her eyes.

The maid brought over a tray, atop it rested a dagger, set upon red silk.

"This is the dagger you used last night, using it seems to be quite handy, right?" Gu Ning smiled with warmth.