Chapter 619: Revenge
Chapter 619: Chapter 619: Revenge
Xiao Jiayi had once been the beloved Eldest Princess, a woman of esteemed status. For Xie Anjun, marrying her was a great leap in social standing.
And so, after they married, he yielded to her at every turn and tolerated her endlessly.
Everyone said they were a match made in heaven, a deeply loving couple, but only he knew that he had long had enough!
Later, when Xiao Chengxuan got into trouble, Xiao Jiayi sensed the danger and finally shed the proud airs she had held for so many years.
Coincidentally, Xie Anjun was also facing trouble at the time. For the future of the entire Xie Family, he painstakingly persuaded Xiao Jiayi to agree to present a facade of discord to the outside world.
The primary goal was to make outsiders believe they were arguing over whether or not to help Xiao Chengxuan. This would make it easier for the Xie Family to cut ties with him and avoid being further implicated.
After all, Xiao Jiayi was Jiang Qingmei’s own daughter and Xiao Chengxuan’s older sister. If those two couldn’t escape punishment, Xiao Jiayi would inevitably be dragged into it.
And then, the entire Xie Family would be implicated along with her.
Xiao Jiayi could disregard the Xie Family, but not her only son, Xie Yulin.
Only if the Xie Family remained unharmed could Xie Yulin continue his life as a happy, carefree young master.
So, Xiao Jiayi agreed.
But she never would have imagined that the moment her mother and brother fell from power, Xie Anjun would drop all pretense with her!
Suddenly, she thought of something, and her lips began to tremble.
"So, that so-called mistress you’ve been keeping on the side..."
Xie Anjun broke into a triumphant smile and said breezily, "Jiaoniang and I are devoted to each other, and she is now with child. I can’t dote on her enough. Unfortunately, the Eldest Princess is prone to jealousy, so for the sake of Jiaoniang and our unborn child, I could only keep them hidden. But who would have thought such a perfect opportunity would arise? It must be fate, wouldn’t you say, Eldest. Princess?"
He drew out the last two words, his tone full of mockery and scorn.
Humiliated and enraged, Xiao Jiayi raised her hand to strike him, but Xie Anjun caught her wrist with ease.
His smile vanished, his expression turning cold.
"Xiao Jiayi, I’m warning you—remember your place! And keep that mouth of yours shut! Otherwise... I’ll personally send you to meet your dear maternal grandfather and dear mother!"
THUD!
He kicked her away, then strode out and slammed the door shut.
The maids waiting outside immediately bowed their heads.
Xie Anjun’s expression returned to normal. He glanced to the side and commanded, "The madam has suffered a terrible blow and is now bedridden with illness. Starting today, all of you will watch over her diligently. If I find any of you neglecting your duties... you will be punished without exception!"
"We obey the Marquis’s command. We will guard the madam here and not leave her side for a moment."
Xie Anjun nodded, satisfied.
In truth, he hadn’t expected Xiao Chengxuan to be exiled so suddenly, or for Jiang Qingmei and the entire Jiang family to be wiped out.
But that wasn’t important.
What mattered was that he was now the Marquis of the Duke Zhongyong Mansion. Xie Anbai had left the Capital City in a rage, Xiao Jiayi had lost her support, and there was no one left to keep him in check!
Xie Anjun felt a rush of triumph.
He walked a few steps, then remembered something and raised his voice to call a servant.
"Go and bring Jiaoniang into the mansion. Also, assign some matrons and maids to take good care of her. She’s in her later months of pregnancy now, so we must be careful..."
"Yes."
...
Xiao Jiayi heard every single thing that happened outside.
She lay collapsed on the cold floor, unable to rise for a long time.
She couldn’t believe that the husband she had trusted and loved for so many years could be this cruel, this black-hearted!
’So it was all fake... It was all just a trap he had laid!’
Xiao Jiayi covered her face and finally burst into uncontrollable sobs.
Outside, no one paid her any mind.
After a long while, her sobs slowly gave way to laughter!
Her laughter grew louder and louder, her body trembling almost uncontrollably.
"Haha... HAHAHA!"
’Ridiculous!’
’All these years, I’ve been nothing but a joke!’
Eventually, her laughter subsided as well.
She remained sitting there for who knows how long, until the tear tracks on her face had dried and her body felt as cold as ice.
Yet deep in her heart, a fire raged.
’I will never give in like this! I won’t let that heartless monster, Xie Anjun, live a happy life!’
’Did he think I would just give up and eke out a miserable existence under his control?’
’Dream on!’
Xiao Jiayi closed her eyes and began to carefully recall scenes from the past.
’I want revenge. I’m definitely not strong enough on my own. I have to find an ally...’
Suddenly, the face of a graceful and gentle young woman surfaced in her mind.
Xiao Jiayi’s eyes flew open!
’That person... She can definitely help me!’
...
The Jiang family’s downfall caused a huge stir, becoming the talk of the Capital City.
The court announced a long list of charges, so many that the average person couldn’t remember them all.
Ye Chutang had little interest in the matter, but with everyone in the tavern discussing it, both upstairs and down, it was impossible not to overhear.
"This month’s new Ice Plum Drink is selling exceptionally well—we can’t keep it in stock. I’ve been telling customers we only make a set amount each month, so if they want some, they’ll have to preorder for next month. Even Lord Tang Zhongli came by yesterday and left disappointed."
In the private room, Xue Ran handed over the account books as usual, an unconcealable smile in his eyes.
Ye Chutang passed them directly to Xiao Wu, who had been waiting eagerly at the side, and a slight smile touched her own lips.
"It’s a winter limited edition. Its scarcity is precisely what makes it so desirable."
Xue Ran nodded in complete agreement.
He had asked her about it before. Given the scale of their operation, they could have produced much more, but Ye Chutang chose not to.
She had said that scarcity creates value, and mentioned something about... "scarcity marketing" to earn more?
Xue Ran didn’t understand at first, but after looking through the accounts, he realized it was true.
Besides the tavern’s most famous offerings, these new, periodically released drinks were expensive yet always managed to effortlessly start a new trend.
In short, business at the tavern was never slow.
"As for Lord Tang’s share, I’ll deliver it to him personally later."
She could afford to neglect others, but not Tang Zhongli.
Xue Ran replied respectfully.
Ye Chutang thought of something. "With so much happening these past few days, has there been any movement at Fan Chengzhuo’s residence?"