Chapter 28: A Battle of Wits

  Xue Shi soon found out about this matter.

  Under the bright candlelight, Xue's face sank, his complexion extremely unpleasant as he glared fiercely at the delicate young girl standing before him: "What did you say? Say it again!"

  Facing Xue's anger, Ye Qinglan was very calm: "Mother, please calm down..."

  "Can you calm down?" Xue Shi coldly interrupted Ye Qinglan: "How can I calm down? Are you doing this to let everyone know that I, the legitimate mother, mistreat you and intentionally leave you alone in the capital with no one to take care of you?" If this gets out, who knows how many rumors and gossip it will stir up.

  "My daughter didn't mean it." Ye Qinglan's voice was still soft: "Please mother listen to your daughter's explanation."

  Xue's heavy cold hum: "Good, I'd like to hear what you have to say." The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, his face growing increasingly gloomy.

  Yeh Ching-lan said quietly, "I want to stay behind, there is an unavoidable reason. If mother calms down and thinks carefully, she will understand her daughter's sincerity."

  These two sentences are nonsense, if someone else heard them, they would definitely be confused.

  Xue's eyes widened in surprise, the anger in her eyes slowly fading away. Her gaze locked onto Ye Qinglan's face as she slowly opened her mouth to say, "What is it that you want to say?"

  Ye Qinglan looked up and met Xie's gaze: "Although my daughter is young, she also understands some principles. Some things must be prevented before they happen, and it's better to be more careful. Mother is wise and discerning, and there are some things that don't need to be said directly, but are still clear. Fortunately, this matter has not been exposed yet, and even Father is unaware of it. However, paper can't wrap up fire, and over time, some clues will inevitably appear. When the time comes, it will bring unnecessary suspicion and trouble, which would be bad. It will also affect Big Brother's reputation and future prospects. My daughter has thought about it repeatedly, but can only come up with this clumsy plan. It's really a helpless move that can't be avoided. I hope Mother will understand my good intentions!"

  The room was silent.

  Xue's face was expressionless, and no one knew what she was thinking.

  Ye Qinglan was ninety-nine percent sure that Xue would nod in agreement.

  Ye Yuanzhou had unusual feelings for her, Xue Shi fundamentally knew it in her heart, but pretended to be unaware. Probably also because of this thorny matter, she didn't know how to deal with it properly. Now that she has clarified the facts, Xue Shi can no longer ignore it.

  Moreover, the solution she proposed would bring far more benefits than drawbacks to Xue's family. With Xue's shrewdness, he would naturally make the best choice.

  The only son and the daughter born out of wedlock, which one is lighter and which one is heavier, need I ask?

  After a while, Xue said faintly: "All these years, I've actually been underestimating you."

  Thoughtful and thorough, words sharp as a knife, reactions swift and keen, yet not a hint of it is revealed in daily life. Such a formidable mind and skillful tactics have even deceived oneself for several years...

  Yè Qīnglán replied respectfully: "Mother says so, daughter is really afraid."

  Xue's eyes gleamed with cold amusement. They dared to use Ye Yuanshou's reputation and future to threaten him, yet they still had the nerve to say "fear"?

  The room fell silent again.

  This time the silence lasted a bit longer, and Xue's eyes flashed repeatedly before she finally spoke up: "Even if I agreed to it, your father might not necessarily consent."

  "This mother doesn't have to worry. The daughter has already spoken with her father this morning, and he has agreed." Ye Qinglan lied without batting an eye.

  Xue's expression changed, and he asked in a low voice: "What did you say to your father?"

  Ye Qinglan clearly knew what Xue's concerns were, and smiled lightly: "Don't worry, Mother, I haven't said anything for the time being." She intentionally or unintentionally emphasized the two words "for the time being".

  Temporarily not saying means that if you don't agree to me staying, I'll say everything.

  Xue Shi couldn't help but hear the implicit threat, a surge of anger rose up, but was forcibly suppressed. His tone was somewhat stiff: "Then what reason do you have to stay?"

  The truth is mutually understood in each other's hearts, but there must be a grand and majestic reason to let everyone not have any suspicions.

  Yeh Ching-lan smiled slightly: "My daughter was ill a few days ago, and the illness has left its mark. She can't stand the fatigue of traveling, so she needs to rest quietly."

  This excuse may be old-fashioned, but it works well.

  Xue saw that she was answering fluently, obviously having thought deeply about it beforehand. In her heart, she was even more angry and resentful. On the surface, however, she calmed down: "This reason is also acceptable, but since you're not feeling well, someone should take care of you."

  "Grandfather and grandmother will not ignore me, and my eldest aunt and sixth sister will also take care of me, so mother doesn't have to worry." Ye Qinglan said it lightly, but Xue heard it and was shocked again.

  Good fellow Ye Qinglan! In just two short days, he has already gotten entangled with the troublesome Zheng family and Ye Qingning!

  Xue's clenched teeth secretly hated, in the past too careless, did not notice that this daughter of a concubine was so cunning. She was forced to nod her head in agreement with this matter.

  Although it's a good thing to get rid of this annoying illegitimate daughter, being played by someone is really frustrating, no matter how I think about it, it's just not pleasant!

  Xue continued to grit his teeth and clench his fists, his face naturally looked terrible.

  Ye Qinglan stood calmly on the side and waited.

  Xue finally spoke up, "You've thought this through so thoroughly, I don't seem to have any reason not to agree." The dense sarcasm in his words was clear.

  Ye Qinglan pretended not to hear and smiled lightly: "Thank you, Mother."

  "But to leave you alone like this, I really can't be at ease." Xue Shi said with a fake smile: "Your body isn't well, and having only three people serving you is indeed a bit too few. I'll leave a few more people to serve you."

  Obviously, they wanted to plant their people and informants around her.

  "The daughter thanks her mother."

  It's really holding back one's breath! Xue Shi's eyes became even colder, and she said lightly: "It's getting late, you still have to get up early tomorrow, go back and rest first!"

  Ye Qinglan respectfully responded with a "yes" and then retreated.

  Xue sat in the chair, getting angrier by the minute. He suddenly slammed his hand on the table and accidentally knocked over a teacup with his sleeve. The teacup fell straight to the ground and shattered into pieces.

  Tea splashed everywhere, with a small amount landing on her skirt hem.

  The maids heard an unusual noise and hurriedly entered the house to tidy up.

  Xue's face was gloomy, obviously in a very bad mood. No one dared to make a sound, and everyone deliberately lightened their footsteps. As a result, although there were many people in the room, there was hardly any noise.

  Just then, Ye Chengli walked in.

  Ye Chengli glanced at it briefly and couldn't help but furrow his brow: "What's going on here?"

  Xue's expression changed in an instant, and she stood up with a smile, explaining nonchalantly: "I accidentally broke a cup just now."

  Ye Chengli nodded and glanced at Xue Shi: "Right, I have something to discuss with you."

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