Chapter 194 - 142:
Even though Chen Xixi was born of a concubine, she was still a proper young lady of the Chen Family. How could she fear becoming a household courtesan to entertain guests?
Is it really possible for a father not only to send his biological daughter to be someone’s concubine but also arrange for her to become a bed-serving prostitute?
The Xie Family lineage is originally from Xiangzhou, a prestigious family of great antiquity, known for its righteous traditions and virtuous members. Xie Wanqing’s father and brothers are all gentlemen of noble character.
Yet the noble families in the Capital maintain a pristine façade, regardless of the filth beneath. Such disgraceful acts are always disdainful.
Thus, this was the first time Xie Wanqing heard of such an absurdity, a high-ranking official letting his daughter be a concubine to entertain guests.
Even if the world is in chaos, and the constraints of propriety, righteousness, and shame are less effective, with women’s status declining, this is still outrageous.
"People like this are rare, don’t dwell on it,"
Lu Ziyuan approached, intending to pat her shoulder, but halted his hand mid-air, saying, "Chen Wen is guilty of corruption and heinous crimes, and the entire Chen Family will not escape. By the latest, next spring, the Chen Family will no longer exist in Qingzhou."
Kneeling on the ground, Chen Xixi suddenly raised her head at these words, her eyes bright with hope, "Mr. Lu, are you serious?"
Hearing about the Chen Family’s impending doom, she felt no worry, only excitement.
Lu Ziyuan ignored her words, merely lowering his gaze to look at Xie Wanqing, "Wanwan, do you want to save her?"
He considered that with this girl’s soft heart, she might develop sympathy for this incidental cousin.
Xie Wanqing did not speak. She recalled that Mrs. Zheng had mentioned this concubine-born sister who had married far away to Qingzhou.
As the eldest legitimate daughter in her family, Mrs. Zheng naturally had a different upbringing from her concubine-born sisters, rarely seeing them.
Yet, she remembered that concubine-born sister.
Because compared to her legitimate sister, this concubine-born sister resembled her more closely.
It was precisely for this reason that the Old Lady of Marquis Qu particularly disliked this lowborn concubine-born daughter, fearing her influence on the reputation of her daughter in the Capital, hastily marrying her off after she came of age.
She ended up sent into a tiger’s den, tormented to death, and her daughter was set to endure a new wave of torment.
And her daughter bore an uncanny resemblance to herself...
She remained silent for a long time, and Lu Ziyuan spoke again, "The Chen Family’s case implicates many; you cannot shelter the daughter of a criminal by your side, nor can the Xie Family harbor her."
"I dare not hope for protection, just to be let go,"
Chen Xixi interjected urgently, bowing hurriedly to the ground, "I will stay far from the Capital, far from Qingzhou, change my identity, treat the past like a dream, and start anew henceforth."
Xie Wanqing walked over, helping her up, looking at her charming face, "The world is very chaotic; where can a weak woman like you go?"
"I can do it!" Chen Xixi forced a fleeting smile, "Better an anonymous nomad than returning to the Chen Family."
Back at the Chen Family, only death awaited her, or a fate worse than death. Rather than that, she preferred to live for herself once.
She never wanted to live life as a gift passed around ever again.
Hope sparkled in her eyes, and Xie Wanqing was momentarily dazzled by the look in her eyes, turning to look at Lu Ziyuan.
Lu Ziyuan said, "As long as she doesn’t stay by your side, I don’t necessarily have to send her back to Qingzhou."
This implied willingness to let her go.
Chen Xixi was overjoyed and attempted to kneel but was prevented by Xie Wanqing from doing so.
She reached into her pouch, finding only a handful of gold coins, and handed both the pouch and its contents to Chen Xixi.
"I only have these silver taels with me; I can’t help much."
Although it was their first meeting, they were indeed related as cousins, and bearing such a resemblance, Xie Wanqing only hoped this unfortunate cousin might find peace and harmony in the future.
Chen Xixi looked down at the pouch in her hands, remaining silent for a long time.
When she raised her head again, her eyes were red, but she did not attempt to kneel again. Instead, she looked deeply at Xie Wanqing and gradually smiled.
Chen Xixi was led out by Mingjian.
As the door closed again, Xie Wanqing, suddenly realizing they were alone once more, shivered in fright, recalling Liu Manrou, who had been tortured beyond recognition, and moved several steps back, eyes filled with panic.
She truly feared being alone with this person now.
Lu Ziyuan, witnessing this, nearly felt heartbroken. He halted his steps two paces away, helplessly saying, "I meant to let you vent your anger, not to make you fear me."