This was within Wu Caiwei's expectations. From the original owner's memories, it was clear that Father Xu and Mother Xu doted on their granddaughter and she had never heard of any woman who, after being divorced or having a consensual separation, was allowed to take her child away.
She said with a hint of dejection, "You're reluctant to part with the child, and so am I. I think I won't leave after all."
Mother Xu became anxious upon hearing this. Thinking of her soft and adorable granddaughter, she was extremely reluctant and found herself in a dilemma.
As expected, the next morning, Mother Xu informed her that she was going back to her maiden home and would return in the afternoon. Without waiting for a reply, she rushed out.
When she returned in the evening, she specifically sought out Wu Caiwei and said earnestly, "As a woman, being alone makes it easier to find another husband. No man can tolerate you bringing a child with you. You say you want to stay in the Xu family so she won't be wronged, but have you considered that if you take her to your husband's home, she will be an outsider there and might be wronged even more?"
Wu Caiwei looked at her with a half-smile, confirming, "Mother, you've already received your instructions. It seems Xu Yijie doesn't want me to take Shuqin away. Tell him for me, if you don't want it known, don't do it. If he doesn't let me have my way, I'll make it public."
Hearing her words, Mother Xu shot up, a flicker of panic crossing her face, which she quickly masked. "What do you mean? I don't understand. My son has been dead for four years, everyone knows that."
Wu Caiwei couldn't be bothered to engage with her. As she walked towards her room, she said, "I'll give you three days. Give me a reply in three days. If I'm not satisfied, I'll go to the prefectural city and bang the drums to let the magistrate settle this."
Seeing that she had closed the door, Mother Xu was in a terrible panic. How could she have gotten wind of such a secret matter?
That night, Mother Xu tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Seeing her husband sleeping soundly, she was filled with indignation and wanted to kick him off the bed.
She felt that although their Xu family's life wasn't very prosperous, they had enough to eat and wear. There was no need to climb high social ladders. But her son, for some reason, had clung to someone and refused to let go.
Yes, her son was not dead. She had received news of this a year ago. She couldn't imagine the heartbreak she and her husband felt when they learned of his supposed death, nor could she imagine how they had endured those three years, often weeping until dawn, and that without immense willpower, they would have collapsed long ago.
Knowing her son was alive, she had accidentally bumped into him on the street in the prefectural city a year ago. At first, they didn't dare to recognize him, as his appearance and demeanor were vastly different from their son's. However, they called out to him on a whim.
Xu Yijie, seeing only his parents, brought them to his current residence. Upon entering, Father and Mother Xu were stunned. Pavilions, carved buildings, rockeries, and flowing water – these were sights they had never imagined in their lives.
Father Xu asked in surprise, "How did you get such a house? With our family's background, we could never afford this in a lifetime."
Xu Yijie said with a hint of melancholy, "Yes, if we lived honestly, we could never afford such a mansion. Go back and find a way to make Leng Shui Xiang leave, preferably marry her off."
Mother Xu was puzzled. "You're alive, why should she get married? Besides, she's quite good, I like her very much."
Xu Yijie said with disdain, "She's just a village girl, what's so good about her? I might as well tell you, I have someone I like. I haven't been home these past few years because of her. Even this mansion was given to me by her. She knows Leng Shui Xiang exists. If you don't get rid of her soon, she'll likely meet a terrible end. In the eyes of those wealthy families, people like us are no different from ants; they can make you disappear with a flick of their finger."
Mother Xu was terrified. Grabbing his hand, she pleaded, "My son, we don't understand the intricate dealings of those wealthy families. I only know we should live honestly and virtuously. This mansion, however grand, feels unsettling. Besides, Shuqin is still at home. Don't you like her very much? She's always looking for her father. Come back, and you can live a good life as a family."
Seeing his mother on the verge of tears, Xu Yijie showed a moment of tenderness, but quickly regained his composure and said firmly, "If one doesn't look out for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them. If you don't want to lose me, do as I say. Otherwise, I can disappear for three years, or I can disappear for decades more and move to a place you'll never find."
Father and Mother Xu left the place in a daze. They couldn't understand how their son, whom they had watched grow up, had become this way. However, no matter what, their son's place in their hearts was always the most important. Knowing he was alive and well was better than anything else.
So, Mother Xu began to subtly persuade Wu Caiwei to find another match and leave the Xu family quickly. But every time she looked at her gentle face and determined expression, she felt that the Xu family had wronged her. If she hadn't married into their family, her life would surely have been peaceful and happy.
She couldn't bear to push her too hard, but not long ago, she couldn't help herself and went to the city to see her son. Xu Yijie had given her an ultimatum: if he didn't get rid of Leng Shui Xiang, someone would make her disappear forever.
Upon hearing this, Mother Xu's heart trembled. Looking at the servants coming and going in her son's courtyard, she didn't doubt the truth of his words. That's why she had been so anxious lately. Even if her daughter-in-law resisted, she had to find a way to marry her off.
She hadn't expected that her daughter-in-law already knew about this and was using it as leverage today to take her granddaughter away. All of this was beyond her expectations.
She lay awake until dawn, not even eating breakfast. Mother Xu hurried to ask someone to take her to the prefectural city. The doorkeeper, knowing she was the master's mother, let her in directly.
Mother Xu hurried inside, but halfway there, a woman approached her. She was dressed in opulence, with an undisguised pride and arrogance on her face. She glanced dismissively at Mother Xu and walked past her without a word.
Even more shocking to Mother Xu was that her son, from beginning to end, followed the woman fawningly, holding her in high regard. It was unbearable to watch.
A while later, Xu Yijie returned, saying somewhat irritably, "You only came yesterday, why are you back today?"
Mother Xu looked at him deeply, feeling an urge to cry. She choked out, "Is she the reason you haven't come back?"
Xu Yijie nodded uncomfortably. Seeing his mother's immediate expression of sadness and disappointment, the resentment that had been suppressed in his heart for so many years surged into his mind. He said recklessly, "You are disappointed in me, aren't you? But do you know how much effort I put into becoming a Xiucai? Becoming a Juren is just a formality. It's impossible in this lifetime. How will I live after I go back? Will I inherit the family's fifty mu of land, or will I open a private school and be a poor Xiucai my whole life?"