BOUND IN MARRIAGE - CHAPTER 8

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CHAPTER 8


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Autumn Radiance Courtyard.


Qiao Xing had no idea how the jade pendants ended up there.


Early in the morning, Chu Xinggu's mother's condition had improved significantly, so she personally came over to express her gratitude. Not only did she give her thanks, but she also presented two jade pendants to Madam and gave two embroidered purses to Qiao Xing, thanking her for standing up for her.


At that moment, Qiao Xing waved her hand with a smile, "It's no big deal. Your peace of mind and recovery are what matters."


She accepted the embroidered purses, but the jade pendants were valuable. Qiao Xing knew Madam's standards well and declined, intending to return them.


Unbeknownst to her, after she left the room, the two jade pendants somehow found their way back into her room.


She knelt in the hall, utterly astonished. "I never accepted these jade pendants. Someone is setting me up!"


Chu Xinggu's face turned pale as well. "Old Madam, I didn't mean to bribe anyone. Qiao Xing also didn't accept them. I don't know how..."


Before she could finish, she was interrupted by Tan Youliang’ wife.


The surname of Tan Youliang's wife was Qiu, originating from the Qiu clan of Weiping Prefecture.


At that moment, Madam Qiu sneered. "Everyone saw you going to Qiao Xing. Now your jade pendants are with Qiao Xing. How dare you not admit it?"


Qiao Xing, hearing them biting their lips and refusing to back down, became so infuriated that her eyes bulged. "Fine, whether I admit it or not! But so what? Can't Chu Xinggu thank Madam?"


Chu Xinggu agreed, "Madam Xiang helped my mother and me. Why can't I express my gratitude?"


Madam Qiu immediately burst into laughter, her eyes slanting toward Chu Xinggu, then shifting to Qiao Xing, and finally landing on Xiang Yi, who stood nearby.


"Express gratitude? Who knows whether you're expressing gratitude or bribing her? What's the purpose of an outsider like you, Chu Xinggu, staying in the Tan family's home? Can't you see that everyone is watching?"


Madam Qiu couldn't help but recall her own disobedient son, who had been running to the Benevolent Hall since Chu Xinggu moved in. When Chu Xinggu's mother needed a new prescription, he even rushed to call a doctor for her.


Yesterday, she was extremely angry and threatened to drive Chu Xinggu away. Unexpectedly, he retorted, "The Madam has said that no one is allowed to discuss this matter again. Even Mother cannot speak rashly."


Madam Qiu nearly fainted on the spot.


Interestingly enough, she had gone to observe the commotion at Madam Fu's house and, on her way back, saw Chu Xinggu going to Qiao Xing. That sickly girl was so useless that she dropped the jade pendants she meant to deliver on the ground while walking.


Because of the quarrel between Xiang Yi and Madam Qiu, Madam Qiu had held a grudge against Xiang Yi. She picked up the jade pendants, directly used a small amount of money, found a clueless servant girl, and had her put the jade pendants back in Qiao Xing's room.


Afterward, she stirred up trouble and claimed that Qiao Xing had accepted a bribe, urging Lady Zhao to send someone to search her room.


The search was fruitful.


Now, she was firmly asserting that the Xiang family and Qiao Xing had taken bribes, tearfully pleading with the Old Madam for a decision. "Old Madam, you have to make a judgment!" 


Lady Zhao had a headache. After taking a whiff from her snuff bottle, she finally calmed down a bit and called for Xiang Yi. "What do you have to say?"


From the moment the incident occurred until now, Xiang Yi hadn't spoken in haste. It was only when Lady Zhao inquired that she responded in a measured tone.


"Respected Mother, between Chu Xinggu, Qiao Xing, and me, there has never been any financial exchange. As for keeping Chu Xinggu and her mother at the Benevolent Hall, it was purely a matter of neighborly assistance."


She didn't excessively defend herself, but she also wouldn't willingly accept such a tainted reputation.

Lady Zhao had been Xiang Yi's mother-in-law for three years. Even if others didn't know, she had some understanding. It didn't seem like something Xiang Yi would do. Otherwise, she wouldn't have entrusted the management of the household to her so confidently.


However, Madam Qiu was causing quite a commotion. She kept repeating, "Old Madam, Chu Xinggu and her mother have malicious intentions in staying in the Tan family. They clearly want to seduce the Tan family's young men. We can't let them stay!"


Lady Zhao hesitated. Chu Xinggu's face had turned pale upon hearing those words, and her body swayed as if she might collapse.


Seeing this, Xiang Yi stepped forward. "Mother, until the truth is revealed, if we expel them like this, it will tarnish Chu Xinggu's reputation. Moreover, if something happens to them, a mother and daughter, out in this cold weather, how will outsiders view the Tan family? Please think carefully, Mother. Even commoner families are made up of flesh and blood."


As she spoke, her tone grew a bit more forceful.

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The aristocratic clans controlled the grain fields, salaries, silk fabrics, and social status of this world. The commoner families no longer had any prospects. Could they really push them to such dire straits?


Lady Zhao didn't speak, but she nodded in response to Xiang Yi's words.


Madam Qiu, seeing this, became anxious. She had caused such a ruckus, but the Old madam didn't seem ready to expel Chu Xinggut and her mother. She couldn't help but fret.


"Old Madam, this is a case of bribery and corruption! I've seen Qiao Xing frequently going to the Ji Xiang Seal Shop. She must have taken these things. She doesn't dare pawn them at the silver and jade pawn shops to exchange for money. That's why she secretly found a seal shop. Otherwise, why would she go there?"


Old madam didn't quite grasp the situation. Unexpectedly, she glanced at Qiao Xing.


Qiao Xing wanted to explain but remembered that she didn't want the Tan family to know about Xiang Yi's involvement in selling seals.


Seeing Madam Qiu's smug expression, she was so angry that she stomped her foot. "What's wrong with me going to the seal shop? The shopkeeper is my distant relative, can't that be?"


Earlier, to cover things up, Qiao Xing had coordinated with Shopkeeper Jiang. She wasn't afraid. Raising her hand, she pointed towards Madam Qiu, who stood at the door. "If you have the guts, go ask at the seal shop!"


As Qiao Xing was about to point, the door curtain rustled, and a man wearing black boots walked in from outside.


The atmosphere in the room immediately grew tense. As soon as Tan Ting entered, he noticed Qiao Xing's action, and a chilling expression filled his eyes. He didn't scold Qiao Xing, but his gaze fixed directly on Xiang Yi.


With an intense gaze, the room grew so silent that it seemed almost frozen. Outside, the wind slapped against the hem of the door curtain, creating a sharp and jarring sound in the stillness.


Under the cold gaze, Xiang Yi had no choice but to call out to Qiao Xing, "Qiao Xing, show respect."


Qiao Xing, startled, quickly withdrew her hand.


Tan Ting strode into the room and stood with his hands behind his back at the head of the room, exuding a powerful aura.


Madam Qiu stole a glance at Tan Ting, then looked at Xiang Yi and Qiao Xing. She couldn't help but feel a bit smug.


It wasn't a secret that the family's patriarch didn't hold a favorable view of the Xiang family, known for being corrupt officials. From Tan Ting's reaction, it was clear he wouldn't support the Xiang family.


Unable to hold back, Madam Qiu spoke up, "No matter what, Chu Xinggu's jade pendant was found in Qiao Xing's room, the maid of Lady Xiang. Leaving aside the other details, I just want to know how Lady Xiang intends to explain this?"


Both witnesses and evidence were present. A crooked smile appeared at the corner of Madam Qiu's mouth.


Everyone's gaze shifted to Xiang Yi, including Tan Ting's. He also wanted to know how she would explain this situation.


Xiang Yi remained silent, unable to come up with any explanation.


The incident had unfolded too quickly, and she had only learned about it after arriving at the Autumn Radiance Courtyard. In such a situation, what could she explain?


She pressed her lips together and fell into silence for a moment.


The wind continued to slap against the door curtain.


Seeing her reaction, Tan Ting slowly closed his eyes. Over the years, he hadn't made any overly strict demands on her. If she needed money, she could have asked him for it, and he wouldn't have refused. But resorting to such devious means—didn't that compromise her dignity?


Or was it as some of the family members had discussed, that she was the daughter of Xiang Zhiyuan and had inherited the so-called greed from her bloodline?


Tan Ting shook his head with disappointment. Qiao Xing wanted to say something, at least on behalf of Lady Xiang, but a glance from Xiang Yi stopped her. Without evidence to prove innocence, any explanation would sound like a desperate defense.


Everyone fell silent, except for Madam Qiu, who was secretly delighted. She approached Zhao Shi, trying to please her, "Madam, what do you think?"


Zhao Shi massaged her forehead and forced herself to sit up straight. "In my opinion, let's set this matter aside for now. There are important celebrations in the family that need to be attended to. Celebrations take precedence. As for Qiao Xing, we'll discuss her situation in a few days."


With that, she signaled her maid to take Qiao Xing away.


Qiao Xing's face turned an indignant shade of red and purple, but a meaningful look from Xiang Yi prevented her from saying anything. There was no use arguing without evidence of her innocence.


The room fell quiet, and Madam Qiu asked about Chu Xinggu's situation. This time, Zhao Shi spoke without Xiang Yi's intervention, "Given the cold weather, it's not appropriate for the Tan family to turn anyone away.  Chu Xinggu and her mother can stay in theBenevolent Hall for now, but they shouldn't leave its premises for the time being. Are you agreeable?"


Chu Xinggu's mother was seriously ill and couldn't return home.  Chu Xinggu readily agreed, "I only hope that Madam will see the truth."


Madam Qiu almost couldn't catch her breath. After all the commotion,  Chu Xinggu and her mother were allowed to stay.


However, Zhao Shi had already stood up and returned to the inner room. There was nothing more to say.


Madam Qiu left, and Xiang Yi also took her leave with a bow. The hall of the Autumn Radiance Courtyard was immediately emptied.


Zhao Shi sighed, covering her head with her hands, and then turned to look at Tan Ting. Tan Ting furrowed his brows, glanced in the direction Xiang Yi had left, and after a while, he spoke, "If she truly committed such an act, there's no need for Mother to cover for her."


As the words fell, Tan Ting also bowed and left the Autumn Radiance Courtyard.

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Qiao Xing was confined to her room in the secondary courtyard. The main hall was empty, and Tan Ting hadn't returned. Xiang Yi didn't rush to check on Qiao Xing. Instead, she summoned a maidservant named Chun Sun.


Chun Sun, who was born in the Tan family and is around thirteen or fourteen years old, is clever and resourceful. She had been waiting in the hallway for the arrival of Xiang Yi., "Madam, rest assured, I will keep an eye on this matter for you."


She chuckled softly, "My parents are grateful to Madam for arranging for my older sister to be sent to the estate. My sister successfully gave birth to a chubby girl there. Her wicked mother-in-law wanted to mistreat her, but now she can't lay a finger on her!"


Xiang Yi laughed at that and went into the room to fetch two hairpins. She called Chun Sun in and handed them to her. Chun Sun waved her hands repeatedly, "Madam has already shown immense kindness to my family. I cannot accept Madam's gifts any longer. Rest assured, I will take care of the matter Madam entrusted me with."


After saying that, Chun Sun bowed three times and hurried away.

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As the midnight drums sounded, the lights in the Tan residence gradually dimmed, and Tan Ting returned to the main courtyard in the gentle night breeze.


His wife hadn't turned off the light and was still sewing by the window. When she saw him, she put down her needle and thread and walked over, just as she would on any other day, to help him change his clothes.


Suddenly, Tan Ting spoke, "No need."


He avoided her outstretched hands, leaving them hovering in the air. He efficiently removed his clothes and walked into the inner chamber, lifting the curtain as he did so. A gust of wind followed the lifted curtain, blowing toward Xiang Yi.


Xiang Yi was briefly taken aback by the breeze, then calmly returned to her position beneath the window. However, this time, she didn't rush to resume her sewing. Instead, she retrieved a thick stack of account books from the shelf.


Flipping through them with a calm demeanor, she carefully organized the Tan family's income and expenses over the years. Once done, she neatly returned the account books to the shelf. Perhaps, one day in the future, when he needed to review her accounts, they would come in handy.


By then, she hoped he would thoroughly examine the records and understand everything clearly.

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