Chapter 528: Entering the Grand Courtyard, Bound by Fate, Through Three Trials!

Follow Lu Ya and several maids from the Second Courtyard.

On both sides, emerald bamboo lined the path; the ground was covered in green moss, with a narrow stone-paved trail winding through.

Until the very innermost part, past the shadow wall.

Everyone halted; you looked up.

Above stood five small annex rooms, all with freshly carved floral lattice screens.

Above them hung a plaque.

Three large characters inscribed: "Hongjing Courtyard."

You had seen these three characters from afar on the lake boat, and now recalled the three characters in the water.

These three characters possessed only form, not spirit—the spirit lay within the lake water.

Everyone halted again, waiting silently as the steward announced your arrival.

At that moment, you suddenly felt a cold gaze strike from beside you, and involuntarily turned your head.

Not far away stood a pavilion, its eaves soaring; several figures stood within, staring at you, expressions unreadable.

They were the very people you had seen on the lake—the pavilion's location matched where the water ghost had vanished, and among them was a familiar face—Shi Lan, Xie Renfeng's chief maid.

A slender young master in brocade robes leisurely tossed fish food into the lake, his hand flicking lightly, a cold sneer on his face directed straight at you.

Beside him stood an old man wearing a fur cap, his face grotesque, eyes brimming with hatred as he stared at you.

You glanced around and saw several maids from the main courtyard, all heads bowed, expressions blank.

Most peculiar was Lu Ya—normally lively and spirited—now silent, head down, as if under some unseen force.

The steward who had gone ahead to announce you now stepped back out from the main hall's entrance.

Faced with this situation… you decide.

1. Abandon entering Xie Hong's Courtyard. (Hint: May incur punishment, possibly endangering your life, halting your studies, and implicating Wu Tong.)

2. Enter Xie Hong Courtyard. (Hint: May avert danger, gain admission.)

3. Participate personally. (0/3)

The characters atop the great tripod slowly stabilized.

Yu Ke stared at the three options, lowering his head in thought.

Could this announcement to enter the courtyard not be from Grandmother Xie? How could such a situation arise?

Turmoil never ceased within this grand courtyard—even this banquet carried threats to life.

And yet, this situation could not be avoided.

Yu Ke did not hesitate.

Choose directly!

2. Enter Xie Hong Courtyard. (Hint: May avert danger, gain admission.)

You shook off your thoughts; the steward regarded you with a measuring gaze.

"Young Master Guan, Grandmother Xie requests your entry."

Hearing this, you turned to glance at the figures in the pavilion, gave a quiet reply, then walked calmly inside.

…

…

"Xie Guan will surely face severe punishment; if he speaks out of turn, executing a bastard son isn't unheard of."

Zhao Yang watched Xie Guan's retreating figure, a smile spreading across his face.

"Yet it's strange—why let him enter the main hall? Today, the main hall holds noble guests from all clans, and with Second Master Xie returned home, I expected him to be taken directly to the ancestral hall for punishment."

At that moment!

The old man in the fur cap, Shen Kuan, gave a slight flick of his banner.

Dark, ghostly shadows silently rose from the ground beside Lu Ya and the other maids, swirling like morning mist, then vanished instantly—completely silent.

No one noticed.

Lu Ya and the others clutched their foreheads, dazed, as if awakening from a long dream, exchanging confused glances, utterly unaware of what had just occurred.

Zhao Yang exclaimed in awe.

"Master Shen, your Listening Ghost technique is truly a marvel of the mortal world."

Shen Kuan shook his head, reluctantly retracting his banner, his expression pained.

"This is but a petty trick—useful only against weak women. Against cultivators who refine their primordial spirit or ranked warriors, it's like a breeze brushing stone—useless."

"Even scholars steeped in classical texts, whose moral spirit is vast, are immune to it."

Shen Kuan drank a sip of wine, his face darkening as he recalled the spirit-child he had painstakingly raised—now gone.

That spirit-child had cost him immense effort, countless spirit stones, and daily nourishment with his own heart's blood. He never expected it to vanish inexplicably in the lake, leaving him shaken, nearly falling into qi deviation.

He resented Zhao Yang for stirring up trouble, yet knew he still needed this young master's aid for future soul cultivation, so he held his tongue.

After all, many of Zhao's maids, after being abused by Zhao Yang, had drowned in the lake—whose souls Shen Kuan had collected.

Shen Kuan dared not openly kill and steal souls; Jingcheng still had academies, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, Divine Captains, and righteous figures like Su Xiang.

Evil cultivators would never be tolerated.

Yet within the great clans, certain "bloody" matters, once shut behind closed doors, were treated as family affairs—no one cared.

Thinking of this, Shen Kuan blamed all his hatred on Xie Guan.

He silently vowed to teach Xie Guan a lesson—to avenge his spirit-child.

He forgot that the spirit-child had been forged by tearing a nine-month-pregnant woman's womb open and abandoning the infant in a graveyard.

The infant's resentment had been refined into this spirit-child.

"What a pity!"

Shen Kuan lamented, yet his hatred deepened.

And that sword intent in the lake—just now it had startled him. Clearly, these great clans held hidden depths; he must be more cautious henceforth.

So he ceased direct action against Xie Guan, instead diverting the calamity eastward.

Using these maids' hands, he controlled them with his soul banner, guiding them into Xie Hong Courtyard's main hall to earn the charge of "gross disrespect."

A helpless bastard with no one to speak for him—enough to ruin him; perhaps even strip him of his studies and future.

"If Master Xie Guan dies, his maid should be mine, right?"

Zhao Yang noticed Shen Kuan's anger, but as his bodyguard, he could not neglect him, so he soothed:

"Master Shen, calm down. I'll have Wu Tong make proper amends to you later."

Shi Lan kept her head down, silent, eyes filled with sorrow.

These two had sought to seize another's maid first—now they were scheming to destroy Xie Guan.

As if Xie Guan owed them something.

Shen Kuan's face darkened further; he downed the entire wine flask in one gulp.

He rose and struck hard against Shi Lan's fullest curve.

A sharp "slap" echoed.

He gripped and squeezed hard, feeling warmth and clinging flesh.

Shen Kuan sneered: "Damn it!"

He stopped there—after all, Shi Lan was Xie Renfeng's chief maid; she might become his concubine. Her status was not to be trifled with.

Shi Lan's eyes reddened, tears silently tracing her cheeks, lips clenched tight to stifle any sob.

Once inside this deep mansion, servants were no longer masters of their own fates.

…

…

Inside Hongjing Courtyard's main hall, the atmosphere was heavy.

The steward had just announced below: "Young Master Guan of the main courtyard requests an audience!"

Before his words faded!

Grandmother Xie, rarely so furious, thundered with undeniable authority.

Lady Yuan's face turned ashen, her brow furrowed with clear displeasure—she found the matter repulsive and wished to end it swiftly.

"Let Xie Guan go to the ancestral hall to plead guilty. What occasion is this? How dare he disrespect his elders!"

Disrespecting elders was a grave offense in the clan—worse even than illicit relations.

Once convicted!

Not only would his imperial examination path vanish, but even his chance to study and learn would be erased.

The other clan members present merely watched in silence.

The ladies of the Xie household, however, looked astonished—this charge was no small matter.

Wu Tong's face paled; she was frantic, nearly rushing out to plead for her young master.

If her young master faced clan punishment, his future would be destroyed.

Yet as she took one step forward, Xie Yuan seized her sleeve.

Wu Tong tugged hard, trying to break free.

But Xie Yuan's voice came coldly: "If you want to doom your young master, go ahead."

"Look at your own station—a maid daring to interfere with a lady's affairs? All these great clan members are watching. If you want to cause chaos, then go!"

Xie Yuan's words struck Wu Tong like a hammer.

She calmed, realizing her impulsiveness might bring even greater disaster upon her young master.

She bit her lips tightly, tears swirling in her eyes, yet she held them back from falling.

What should we do now!

"Rest assured, I, Xie Yuan, would never let Brother Guan suffer unjust punishment."

He was about to rise when a sudden sound interrupted him.

"Madam Yuan, is this punishment somewhat too harsh?"

The voice was deep and steady; all turned to look and saw Sima Ting slowly walking into the hall.

As the Military Governor of one province, his status was illustrious, and as Madam Yuan's future son-in-law, his intervention carried undeniable weight.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yuan's brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of displeasure stirring in her heart.

When did the affairs of the Xie household become the business of an outsider? But seeing it was Sima Ting, his rank and position could not be ignored.

Grandmater Xie sat upright on the main seat, silent, yet restored the dignity and bearing of the household's matriarch.

Xie Ying also rose and gently tugged Sima Ting's sleeve, saying softly, "Ting-ge, Mother has always governed the household with firmness and fairness—rest assured."

Hearing Xie Ying's words, Madam Yuan's frown gradually eased.

Her tone softened further as she continued: "Xie Guan's mother was always disrespectful to elders; a son reflects his mother. The memorials accusing your father included many scandals stirred up by his mother."

Bringing up old grievances, Madam Yuan's face grew even colder as she said sternly:

"Years ago, that scandal stirred up how many powerful figures? Even Su Xiang, a man of such high rank and authority, rebuked your father."

"In this latest memorial, the charges of moral corruption and poor parenting stem entirely from the misdeeds of Xie Guan's mother—ultimately causing your father to lose his Marquis title, and all the efforts of two generations to be wasted."

How did this matter even begin?

Madam Zhuge, seated among them, knew full well—it was merely the court's nobles exploiting Master Xie Ling's defeat to crush the Xie family.

Xie Guan's mother's act of holding her child and seeking fame had become their weapon and leverage.

This was precisely why Xie Guan was so disfavored, especially by Grandmater Xie.

Grandmater Xie snorted coldly: "A true curse upon this household."

Madam Yuan changed tack: "Still, since General Sima has pleaded on his behalf, let us reduce his punishment."

"Go to the clan and receive the punishment: 'Ignorant of propriety.'"

Xie Ying opened her mouth to speak again, but Madam Yuan waved her silent.

"Ying-er, I know you had ties to his mother, but this is Xie family law."

Madam Yuan turned to the steward and ordered:

"Go, quickly."

The steward hurriedly replied: "Yes!"

"Wait!"

As Xie Yuan was about to rise again, another gentle voice spoke:

"Madam Yuan, I've often heard Brother Yuan speak of this man. Over the past year, he has studied diligently and been deeply influenced by Xie Guan—he hardly seems like someone who disregards propriety."

Zhu Ge Jian stepped into the hall, smiling:

"The Confucians say: cultivate oneself in solitude. Though Xie Guan is a bastard son, he has influenced others—surely he cannot be an unlearned, ill-mannered scholar."

Madam Yuan grew even more astonished.

Xie Guan—a penniless bastard son—today had Sima Ting defending him, and now Zhu Ge Jian speaking up for him.

Why?

Seeing her brother speak, Madam Zhu Ge smiled:

"Sister, why not waive Xie Guan's punishment entirely? Years ago, he and Yu-ge were about the same age—I recall they were born on the same day and month."

"Though his mother was guilty, Xie Guan was likely still a child then."

Xie Yu stood elegantly behind his mother, yet in memory, he had never recalled such a brother.

Madam Yuan surveyed the hall: Sima Ting, Zhu Ge Jian, and others—all pivotal figures today—each speaking for Xie Guan. She found herself unable to decide.

"Yet Xie Guan did illegally enter the Grand View Garden, violating the rule: no outsiders may enter without permission, as Grandmater Xie decreed."

"But since the offense may be forgiven, and my sister and Master Jinghu have both pleaded on his behalf…"

"Then let the clan deduct two months' stipend from him as punishment."

Wu Tong heard this and finally relaxed, wiping the tears from her eyes.

It seemed the Young Master was unharmed—just two months' stipend lost; life would be a little tighter.

Zhu Ge Jian bowed: "Madam Yuan truly governs the household with wisdom!"

The matter was now settled.

"Auntie, I was the one who let Xie Guan into the Grand View Garden—it's not his fault."

"Punish me instead."

Madam Yuan had already returned to her seat.

Turning to find the voice, they saw it was Xie Qiyue, standing behind Xie Hong.

Xie Qiyue's expression was serious; she felt she had promised Yu Zhi-jie she'd handle this—if Xie Guan was still punished, she'd fail her word.

Better to take the blame herself than lose face.

Madam Yuan was now torn, staring at Xie Qiyue's bowed head, accepting fault.

Why was punishing a bastard son so complicated?

Today, she clearly could not punish Xie Qiyue of the Second Courtyard—Grandmater Xie would never allow it.

After all, Xie Hong had just returned home; punishing his favorite daughter so soon would be inappropriate.

Xie Hong's expression remained calm, as if he didn't care.

Lu Hua, hidden beneath a white gauze hat, found the scene rather amusing.

Madam Yuan turned to Grandmater Xie: "Grandmater, what do you suggest?"

Grandmater Xie paused, then said: "Enough arguing. Bring Xie Guan in—let him meet Ling-er's son."

"Yes, Grandmater."

The servants bowed and withdrew to fetch him.

Everyone then sat down.

Not long after!

A composed young man walked in through the door.

He crossed the threshold, his steps unhurried, entering the hall—dressed only in plain robes, yet his scholarly grace and handsome bearing could not be hidden.

(End of Chapter)