Chapter 17: That’s Your Cousin

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

It was definitely not that Xiao Baoxin was trying to project her doubts on someone, but that ever since Xiao Baoxin suddenly had the ability to listen to the hearts of others, she had never met many gentlemen, let alone someone who delivered himself to her door.

“Assistant Minister Xiao is also asking Xian for advice,” Xie Xian said slowly.

Madam Xie was stunned. “You’ve already met Eldest Young Master? How did you reply to him?”

Xie Xian, “Retreat for advancement.”

Was he asking Xiao Baoshan to resign?

Xiao Baoxin took a deep breath. No matter who it was, this was not a decision that could be easily made. The ambiguous thing was that this idea was proposed by Xie Xian, who was sent by the Emperor to investigate matters.

Did this mean that this was actually the Emperor’s will?

“Retreat for advancement? How else are we going to retreat? We’re all holed up in our residences and don’t dare to go out anymore. Even Eldest Young Master has claimed to be ill and has been staying at home.” Madam Xie said awkwardly, “Good nephew, tell me more details. Aunt doesn’t understand the twists and turns in the royal court. And your uncle is out on the battlefield and isn’t in Jiankang.”

Xie Xian smiled faintly and said, “The Cai Family is in control of this matter, and they have joined forces with the other aristocratic families to pressure the emperor. They are currently in the limelight, so it would be better for Assistant Minister Xiao to resign first to see the effect of—”

“Resign?!” Madam Xie was shocked. This was practically retreating to a small coal pit in the eighteenth level of hell, right?

She didn’t care whether Xiao Baoshan resigned or not, but it sounded too scary.

“Eldest Young Master… wouldn’t possibly agree.”

When he had always reprimanded Xiao Baoshu as an elder brother, he had always straightened his back and raised his head to the sky. He had a high and mighty tone and he was proud of his status as a yellow gatekeeper. Even a bit of dust on his official uniform would drive him crazy, and he wished he could worship it every day—

If he were to resign, wouldn’t that be akin to cutting out his heart?

“Assistant Minister Xiao asked me and I am merely giving my honest advice, that’s all.” Whether or not he heeded advice had nothing to do with him.

Xie Xian smiled and said, “I know that Aunt is in a difficult position. On one hand, you have to worry about your children’s marriage. On the other hand, Assistant Minister Xiao’s matters are tied to the royal court, so you won’t be able to be greatly involved.”

“However, there is one piece of advice that Aunt can consider.”

“Uncle is the emperor’s trusted aide and is currently out fighting for the country. As long as Uncle returns, do you think Assistant Minister Xiao won’t be able to recover?”

That’s right, Mrs Xie thought. She nodded her head like a chick pecking at grain. What Nephew Xie said makes sense.

You’re good-looking. Everything you say is right.

“I understand now.”

Actually, as long as she could suppress this matter and not affect her daughter and son’s marriage, Madam Xie could do anything. Not to mention asking Xiao Baoshan to resign, even if Xiao Yun came back and turned against her, she would accept it.

She was not afraid of anyone since it concerned her daughter and son!

Xie Xian finished his tea. Seeing that the rain had lessened, he got up and left.

Madam Xie hurriedly stood up to send her off. “Thank you for coming to clear my doubts today, dear nephew. Otherwise… I haven’t seen much of the world. I was really frightened this time. Fortunately, I have you.”

“Aunt is too kind.” Xie Xian hurriedly bowed. “I don’t dare to trouble Aunt to send me off. Aunt, please stay.”

The way he addressed her as ‘aunt’ was as respectful as it could be. Seeing that he didn’t even care about what Xiao Baoshan had done, Madam Xie couldn’t help but smile.

As long as her Xiao Baoshu was 70 percent like him, she would wake up crying even in her dreams!

Tears of joy!

“Is your cloak thick enough? Can your carriage block the wind? Don’t end up catching a cold. It’s cold on a rainy day, so don’t get caught in the rain.” Madam Xie hurriedly instructed Granny Liu to personally bring out an umbrella. Although Xie Xian didn’t know what it meant for Granny Liu to be by her side, Xiao Baoxin knew that she hadn’t even asked Granny Liu to send anything to her husband.

Xie Xian hesitated.

Madam Xie’s eyes were sharp. “Good nephew, feel free to speak your mind.”

Xiao Baoxin: She had even addressed him as ‘good nephew’. Can her mother have some shame? She’s trying to please him too much!

If the resignation was the Emperor’s will, Xie Xian would be a good shot!

“Actually, I shouldn’t be saying this but it’s just that Aunt is an upright person and doesn’t seem like she has any tricks up her sleeves. If I had not been truthful, I would have been hiding something.”

“Yes, go ahead.” Madam Xie listened attentively.

Xiao Baoxin had no doubt that even if Xie Xian asked her mother to directly submit a petition to resign on Xiao Baoshan’s behalf, her mother would agree. If the Emperor dared to accept it, she would dare to write it.

“For the Cai Family to be so insistent on blaming the Xiao Family, it seems like they’re indeed abusing their powers. Assistant Minister Xiao was wrong in this matter. If they were standing up for Madam Cai, they wouldn’t have left and neglected her in the Xiao Residence. If Aunt wants to quell the rumors in Jiankang City, Assistant Minister Xiao and his wife have to step in. If they reconcile, the rumors will naturally collapse on their own, and the Cai Family will no longer have any reason to use them to control the Emperor’s will and manipulate the public’s opinion.”

Madam Xie was enlightened. This was the best way to fight back against public opinion and cleanse the dirt!

“Good nephew, you’ve indeed given aunt a good idea. Indeed, working under the emperor made you really intelligent.”

Xie Xian smiled and bowed before leaving.

Madam Xie was elated. All her worries were gone.

Xiao Baoxin lifted the curtain and came out of the room. She saw her own mother’s face smiling like a flower, looking really silly and sweet.

He had only come up with an idea, and no one knew how effective it would be when it was actually implemented. However, she had gotten ahead of herself, as if Xie Xian had swept away all the rumors about the Xiao Clan.

“He’s handsome, smart, and polite. If he and my daughter… Forget it, his body was too weak.”

Xiao Baoxin: …

Did you think too much?

“My daughter.” Without waiting for Xiao Baoxin to speak, Madam Xie stepped forward and held her daughter’s hand.

After that, Xiao Baoxin did not hear clearly what Madam Xie had said. Instead, her ears were filled with the deafening sound of her inner voice. She was praising Xie Xian’s scheme, his looks, and demeanor. She was also filled with excitement that her daughter’s marriage was saved and would not be implicated because of Xiao Baoshan…

“Damn you Cai family! When my husband comes back, he’ll teach you a lesson!”

“Xiao Baoshan is not a good person either! Let his father beat him up! Without him, the Xiao family’s reputation would not be so bad!”

‘As expected of someone from an aristocratic family. Xie Xian is really good-looking! He’s too good-looking! My son, forget it. My son is also good-looking, but he’s not as smart as him!’

“Baoxin, Baoxin?” Madam Xie pushed her. “What are you thinking about? Mother is asking you a question.”

What was she thinking about?

Her mother’s earth-shattering voice in her heart was so loud that even the deaf could hear it. Her ears were ringing. She had to have some time to think.

“I was thinking about what Xie Xian said just now—”

“What Xie Xian? That’s your cousin!”

Xiao Baoxin was speechless. Can we talk nicely?

Since when were related as cousins?