Chapter 575: Spectacle
Chapter 575: Chapter 575: Spectacle
Xie Anjun was both shocked and furious, his mind reeling as countless thoughts raced through it.
He instinctively glanced at a nearby servant. The servant’s face went pale in an instant, and he quickly lowered his head.
Xie Anjun cursed inwardly. ’They’re completely useless!’
He’d specifically sent men to keep a close watch, yet something had still gone wrong!
’Who would have thought that Xie Anbai hadn’t even administered that bowl of medicine yet!’
Xiao Jiayi suddenly spoke. "You’re brothers, after all. It wouldn’t do for word of such a scene to get out. An Bai, don’t be so agitated. Your older brother was rash, but his heart was in the right place—he was only thinking of the Marquis. In his haste, he misunderstood you."
She took a step forward.
"Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, let’s all stop arguing. Attending to the Marquis’s funeral arrangements should be our priority."
Xie Anbai narrowed his eyes. "Princess, are you suggesting that my brother can falsely accuse me, nearly branding me a patricide, and we should just let the matter drop?"
"How could it be that serious?" Xiao Jiayi frowned and shook her head in disapproval. "He only reprimanded you in a fit of anger. The Princely Heir shares your blood. How could he possibly have the heart to harm you?"
She seemed weary, letting out a long sigh.
"I know you’re angry, but you must consider the timing, mustn’t you? If you continue to cause a scene, you will only become a laughingstock for outsiders. What good would that do for the Duke Zhongyong Mansion, the Princely Heir, or you?"
Xie Anbai found the whole thing utterly absurd!
These people had just been indiscriminately slinging mud at him, and now they had the nerve to lecture him about ’losing face’?
His gaze turned cold as he looked at Xie Anjun.
"Yes, you’re right, it’s my fault. After I finished discussing... those matters with Father, my mind was wandering, and I was late delivering the medicine. I never imagined that being just a moment late would mean Father would breathe his last. If only I had stayed by his side, perhaps none of this would have happened!"
Xie Anjun’s heart leaped in his chest, and a sudden sense of unease washed over him.
’Those matters?’
’What on earth had Father said to Xie Anbai before he died?’
He hadn’t paid it any mind before, but hearing Xie Anbai’s words now, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a hidden meaning.
’This...’
As his mind raced, Xie Anjun’s expression softened.
"I was wrong earlier. I misjudged you. Since it wasn’t your fault, then of course we are still family."
With that, Xie Anjun turned to the servants on either side and barked in a low voice,
"What are you all crowding around for? An Bai is my younger brother, the second young master of the Xie Family! All of you, leave!"
The servants immediately obeyed and scattered.
Seeing this, Xie Anbai didn’t feel any relief. On the contrary, he felt even more disgusted.
’This Duke Zhongyong Mansion had long ago become a place where only Xie Anjun’s word was law!’
’Father is barely cold in his grave, and he’s already acting like the new master of this place!’
Xie Anjun stepped forward, adopting a conciliatory stance.
"Alright, An Bai. I’ve already apologized. How long are you going to keep this up? With a temper like that, what will you do the next time you run into trouble?"
Xie Anbai retorted sarcastically, "I’m already dealing with trouble from my own family. What else is there to be afraid of?"
"You—!"
Xie Anjun had swallowed his pride for once, but Xie Anbai refused to give him any face. Losing his patience, he said sternly, "I don’t want to argue with you! Father has just passed away, and there are countless matters to attend to both inside and outside the Marquis Mansion. You’ve never concerned yourself with these things, so of course you wouldn’t understand! Do as you wish. I don’t have time to get tangled up with you."
Then, he raised his voice and called out, "Men! Go and prepare for the funeral—"
"One moment."
Ye Chutang spoke again, her expression calm.
"I have no wish to meddle in the affairs between you two, but since I am here, may I go inside to pay my last respects to the Marquis?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Impossible!"
Xie Anjun and Xiao Jiayi spoke at the same time, both rejecting her without a moment’s hesitation.
The two exchanged a glance. Xiao Jiayi, frowning, turned away and said no more.
Xie Anjun turned back to Ye Chutang, his expression sour. "I admit I misunderstood Second Miss Ye earlier. That was my mistake. However, the Marquis Mansion cannot receive guests today. I must ask Second Miss Ye to leave!"
Ye Chutang didn’t move an inch. She only asked, a hint of puzzlement in her voice,
"Why is the Princely Heir so adamant? I merely feel that... I examined the Marquis and wrote him a prescription, yet he passed away less than a day later. It seems my medical skills are lacking, as I failed to see how grave his condition truly was. Had I known sooner, I certainly would not have left right after writing the prescription, nor would things have ended this way. I feel deeply ashamed and only wish to see the Marquis one last time. I hope the Princely Heir will grant my request."
Xie Anjun stared at the woman standing outside the gates, and a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
—This Ye Chutang didn’t just heal people, she could dissect them too!
When the Ministry of Justice had a fire, and all the Southern Hu Blade Men died suddenly in their cells, she was the one who performed autopsies on them in front of everyone!
’She’s the type who fears neither gods nor ghosts!’
’If she gets into that room, who knows what she might do!’
At this thought, Xie Anjun’s expression hardened.
"Second Miss Ye, this is a private matter of my Xie Family. Outsiders have no right to interfere or meddle! I suggest you return home at once. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being discourteous!"
Then, he suddenly raised his voice. "Close the gates and turn away our guest at once!"
Several servants immediately moved to shut the gates.
By the looks of it, if Ye Chutang were to take a single step through the Marquis Mansion’s gates, they would throw her out immediately!
Rage surged in Xie Anbai. "I’d like to see who dares!"
A mocking smile touched the corner of Xie Anjun’s lips.
"An Bai, it’s not your place to be giving orders in this Marquis Mansion. Not yet, anyway."
His expression shifted, and he barked at the servants, "Get a move on!"
CREAK—
The heavy gates began to swing shut, about to close Ye Chutang out.
Just then, a cool, detached voice sounded from behind them.
"What is going on here?"
Ye Chutang’s heart skipped a beat, and she turned to look.
Shen Yanchuan had arrived at some point, his entire bearing aloof, his gaze cool and indifferent.
Simply by standing there, he exuded an inexplicable aura that commanded awe and respect.
When Xie Anjun saw him, his heart dropped.
’Why is even Shen Yanchuan here?!’
He thought it, and then he asked it.
"Shen Yanchuan? What are you doing here?"
Shen Yanchuan replied in a flat tone:
"Marquis Zhongyong has just passed, and the Xie Family is already putting on such a grand spectacle. If I didn’t come, wouldn’t it be a waste?"