Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 670 - 672: The Truth (5)

Why did he suddenly disappear, and why did he return after ten years?

Is he coming back to seek revenge on Fourth Master Xiao?

A tangled mess, Xiqiu looked at Fourth Master Xiao and asked, "Was there anything at the time that made Third Brother unable to explain, or any reason that forced him to poison the Old Marquis?"

"No!" Fourth Master Xiao replied without hesitation, "Even if there were, it would be unforgivable!"

Yes, regardless of the reason, how can the crime of patricide be forgiven?

She couldn’t help but become curious about Xiao Yancheng, wondering what kind of person he really was, and why there was such a big difference between the descriptions of him and his actions.

Xiqiu sighed, moving beside Fourth Master Xiao. She seemed to be able to empathize with his emotions then, his revered father who existed like a mountain, yet was harmed by his dearly loved elder brother...

The blow must have been unbearable for anyone.

But... there seemed to be something amiss; where was it?

Xiqiu rubbed her forehead but could not think of it.

Which link in the chain had she overlooked?

She felt that things couldn’t be so simple and looked at Fourth Master Xiao. She saw him turned away, his hands behind his back, looking out the window, his figure bleak and desolate, exuding deep sorrow.

Instinctively, Xiqiu felt that Fourth Master Xiao hadn’t revealed everything; he must have hidden some part. Why would he hide it from her? To be sure, she didn’t believe Fourth Master Xiao was deliberately concealing it... if he didn’t speak, he must have his reasons.

She was quietly puzzled in her heart.

"Fourth Master!" Xiqiu walked over and asked Fourth Master Xiao, "What does Fourth Master intend to do?"

A debt must be repaid in money; a life for a life! Should Xiao Yancheng repay with his life? The Xiao family did not report to the authorities initially, and now it’s even less likely, so will Fourth Master Xiao take Xiao Yancheng’s life himself? Just as he said he really wanted to, but the Old Marquis is gone while the Grand Dowager remains; Fourth Master Xiao still considers the Grand Dowager’s feelings. But aside from these, what else can he do?

Fourth Master Xiao turned around, embracing her, with Xiqiu softly saying, "No matter what Fourth Master decides, I will support you."

Hearing this, Fourth Master Xiao’s body stiffened. He released Xiqiu and looked at her with ambiguous emotion. Xiqiu slightly smiled at him, causing Fourth Master Xiao’s eyebrows to furrow before shaking his head with a face of helplessness yet satisfaction.

The Grand Dowager entered the Buddhist Hall alone, kneeling on the cushion with Buddha Beads in hand. With closed eyes, her face was marked by suppressed pain, murmuring, "Marquis, I have failed in what you entrusted to me and could not teach the children well."

"The fourth is stubborn; no matter what I say, he doesn’t listen. I know he doesn’t trust me, his mother, and continues to investigate the Miaojiang matter from years ago." She sighed deeply, "Marquis, what should I do? That child is simply unpersuadable!"

"If it weren’t for me, the Marquis wouldn’t have faced this hardship, nor would there be conflict between the fourth and third. All this is my fault, the sins I’ve committed."

"If not for worries about the second branch, with the second’s marriage failing and Xing’s health being poor, I would’ve wanted to follow you long ago, at least in peace!" The Grand Dowager spoke, a tear dropping onto the Buddha Beads in her hand, "The third is back, and even though he appears as affectionate as before, I can tell he’s different. He used to smile with crescent-shaped eyes that delighted me, but now he merely smiles... Marquis, please ensure the children’s safety from the heavens above; the Xuanning Marquis prestige must not be ruined in my hands!"

The Grand Dowager sat alone with tears, whispering for a while before using a handkerchief to wipe her tears and standing up. As she opened the door, Nanny Wu was waiting outside. Seeing the Grand Dowager emerge, Nanny Wu quickly supported her arm, smiling, "Third Madam has brought the girl."

"Yes." The Grand Dowager nodded, stepping out to see Third Madam standing in the main hall with Lyuzhu. Upon the Grand Dowager’s arrival, Third Madam and her daughter curtsied and said, "Mother, daughter-in-law was disrespectful earlier!"

It seems Xiao Yancheng had already mentioned it, and now they’re here to apologize?

"We’re family, no need for such formalities. Stand up." After speaking, she again touched Lyuzhu’s face. "Besides, Lyuzhu is so likable, a grandmother’s heartache couldn’t come about for such a minor issue."

Lyuzhu’s big eyes sparkled. Hearing the Grand Dowager’s words, she turned to Third Madam, "Mom, I said she wouldn’t be angry. Let’s go, you promised to take me boating."

Third Madam frowned slightly and addressed, "You must call her grandmother; that’s against the rules."

Lyuzhu pouted, waving her arm and turning her head away, "Humph!" She then ran out. Third Madam looked at the Grand Dowager with a face full of embarrassment, "Mother..."

"It’s alright, it’s alright, quickly go and check on her." The Grand Dowager replied with a smile.

Third Madam curtsied to the Grand Dowager and chased after her, catching up to Lyuzhu outside the courtyard. Lyuzhu’s eyes were red as she glared, "Wasn’t it said we’d only stay for a few days? When are we leaving?"

"Be good, Lyuzhu." Third Madam coaxed, "We’re staying for at most half a year; we’ll leave after half a year. Your father’s work isn’t finished yet, but after it’s done, we’ll depart!"

Lyuzhu was displeased, pouting, "People here are so rigid; it’s not fun, I want to go back, I want to go back!" Saying this, she stomped her foot and ran to the other side, "I’ll find Dad and ask when we’re leaving."

Third Madam’s eyebrows furrowed, showing a look of utter helplessness. She whipped out a whip from her waist and swung it. The crisp sound behind Lyuzhu made her body tense and stop, and Third Madam approached her, trying to control her anger, "Didn’t I tell you to behave and not spoil things? You’re treating my words like the wind at your ears, aren’t you!"

Lyuzhu hung her head, mouth trembling as she began to cry. Third Madam’s forehead veins pulsed, "I warn you, within the limits of my tolerance, you’d better dry your tears immediately." Saying this, she shook the whip in her hand.

Lyuzhu shivered in fright, but just then she caught sight of Xiao Yancheng approaching and her eyes brightened as she rushed over to him, "Dad, Mom is bullying me!"

"Silence!" Third Madam scolded sharply. Xiao Yancheng picked up Lyuzhu and looked at Third Madam helplessly, shaking his head, "Your temper, it never changes, still so impulsive." Saying this, he held Lyuzhu in one arm and headed back.

Third Madam protested, "What’s wrong with my temper? She always provokes me." Saying this, she glared at Lyuzhu, "I’ve tolerated you for long enough; this isn’t Miaojiang where you can act recklessly. Let me tell you, from today on you must behave and not act spoiled."

Xiao Yancheng looked at Third Madam in surprise, "Who told you this?"

Third Madam hesitated, not wanting to say, but couldn’t withstand Xiao Yancheng’s seemingly amused but actually cold gaze, and after thinking a bit, she admitted, "It was my fifth sister-in-law, who told me about the strict rules here and to be cautious!" She said a lot more, but didn’t dare tell Xiao Yancheng.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yancheng showed a thoughtful expression.

The three of them returned to their old courtyard. At the door, Xiao Yancheng set down Lyuzhu and told Third Madam, "Stay home for a bit, I’m going out." Third Madam asked, "Where are you going?"

"I’m going to see Fourth Brother." Xiao Yancheng said with a faint smile, then looked at Lyuzhu, "Be good at home, and in a couple of days, Dad will take you to the temple fair, alright?"

Lyuzhu pouted with clear reluctance, while Third Madam showed great enthusiasm, "Take us along, I want to see Fourth Sister-in-law too."

At her words, Xiao Yancheng raised his eyebrows and looked at Third Madam, seeing a playful look in her eyes. Xiao Yancheng’s lips curled, and he said to the mother and daughter, "In that case, we’ll go together!"

Third Madam was delighted, walking back into the courtyard, saying, "I’ll go change into a more beautiful dress." She hurried back into the courtyard, and before long emerged wearing clothing with even more complex patterns than before, still in bright red but even more radiant.

Third Madam touched the whip at her waist and asked with a laugh, "How does it look?"

Xiao Yancheng smiled and nodded, and Third Madam raised her eyebrows proudly, linking arms with Xiao Yancheng and holding onto Lyuzhu as they left.