CHAPTER 313: CHAPTER 313: YOU DECIDE FOR YOURSELF

The whereabouts of Zhou Kangping and her daughter were quickly delivered to Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing was very surprised that his niece chose to return to the Xu Family.

Indeed, the Xu Family’s selfish blood runs in her bones.

Although Xu Zeqing hasn’t made much progress, he can be considered the only sincere person in the Xu Family. As for the others...

Emperor Jing shook his head, better not to mention them.

"Keep an eye on the Xu Family for me."

Emperor Jing instructed Shuangxi.

——

Xu Shuhui took advantage of the quiet time and knocked on the back door of the Xu Mansion.

A maid opened the door, saw her, and let her in, but did not take her directly to the main courtyard, instead temporarily settling her in a small remote yard.

As servants, they have no right to make decisions on behalf of the masters.

Although it is the Xin Yang Lord’s mansion, it is not the Lord who is in charge.

The maid’s reaction was completely different from what Xu Shuhui expected, so she felt a bit flustered.

The parents of the Xin Yang Lord quickly received a report from the servants.

The couple exchanged a glance but did not make an immediate decision, instead sending someone to call the Xin Yang Lord and his wife.

Indeed, Lin Zeqing has remarried, and he married the person he longed for back then.

Both had previously experienced unfortunate marriages, so now they cherish each other greatly.

They live in harmony.

Now they have a ten-year-old son.

Even with the Xin Yang Lord’s mansion being relatively isolated from news, they had still heard bits and pieces about Zhou Kangping’s situation.

The parents of the Xin Yang Lord were thankful they were not related to Zhou Kangping; otherwise, they would have surely been implicated this time.

The Xin Yang Lord and his wife came quickly.

"Zeqing, Shuhui is already at our house, what do you think we should do?" Xu Zeqing’s mother was the first to speak.

Xu Zeqing looked instinctively at his wife, seeing that she was calm, he then cautiously spoke, "No matter what, Shuhui is still my daughter. Despite following her mother Zhou Kangping back then, she never changed her surname..."

"So, you mean we should keep her?" Madam Xu interrupted Xu Zeqing.

"Yes, we should probably keep her." Xu Zeqing hesitated.

"Though I’ve never had any regard for Zhou Kangping, I can’t deny that Zhou Kangping was very good to her daughter. Now that Zhou Kangping has just had trouble, and this girl is eager to return to our family, she’s ungrateful," Madam Xu said.

She could be so ruthless to the mother who raised her, she certainly has no affection for the Xu Family that didn’t raise her.

It goes without saying that if anything were to happen to the Xu Family in the future, she would probably be the first to wash her hands of it.

Therefore, Lady Xu didn’t wish for Xu Shuhui to return.

"She’s a young girl, of course, she would be scared when something happens." Xu Zeqing said. "Shuhui has always been a kind and gentle girl."

At least, to him as her father, she’s always been respectful.

Whenever he looked for her, she was always obedient and sensible, never humiliated him like Zhou Kangping.

Moreover, now that Zhou Kangping is in trouble and Shuhui sought him out, it shows that in her heart, she considers him a father she can rely on.

"Zeqing’s wife, what do you think?" Madam Xu asked Xu Zeqing’s wife, Madam Bai.

From the bottom of her heart, Madam Bai did not want Xu Shuhui to return to the Xu Mansion.

If she came back, she would be a constant reminder of how much suffering she had endured because of Zhou Kangping before.

However, she could not say this outright.

Because Xu Zeqing was hoping for Xu Shuhui’s return.

"Mother, I will follow my husband’s decision." Madam Bai said.

Although, in this mansion, pleasing the mother-in-law would ensure a more peaceful life. But Madam Bai always knew who her husband was. In these recent years, her mother-in-law manages the household, but as she ages, only her husband would be the head of the family.

So, Madam Bai always put Xu Zeqing first.

Madam Xu’s face darkened, "The daughter raised by Zhou Kangping, do you think her nature could be good? If she returns, will there still be any peace in the house?"

"Mother, Zhou Kangping is Zhou Kangping, Shuhui is Shuhui, she is our Xu Family’s bloodline after all." Xu Zeqing defended.

"If she comes back, don’t expect this old lady to support her. If you want her back, then you take care of her yourself." Madam Xu said.

The financial authority of the Xu Family has always been held by Madam Xu.

Although Xu Zeqing has a salary, it is not much.

Fortunately, the daily expenses of the family of three are covered by the family account.

Xu Zeqing’s salary is mostly used to buy trinkets for Madam Bai and their son.

"Mother, what about us?" Xu Zeqing asked nervously.

"You will remain as you always were." Madam Xu said.

It’s not that she is kind-hearted, but she knows if she squeezes too hard, there will be resistance.

By letting go a little, the son listens more.

Xu Shuhui, raised by Zhou Kangping, is used to spending money lavishly, an insignificant Xu Lord’s salary is not enough to support her.

By that time, without her needing to do anything, the relationship between father and daughter would naturally drift apart.

When that happens, without her saying a word, the son will have to drive her out.

"Since that’s the case, you can make the decision." Madam Xu said.

"There is a quiet small courtyard near our own courtyard. Tingxue, please help clean it up, Shuhui appreciates elegance, and your taste is always good, please help to arrange it." Xu Zeqing said happily.

From today, he was truly a father with both son and daughter.

Madam Bai agreed softly, "Father, Mother, Husband, I’ll go back now then."

While nodding, Xu Zeqing asked Madam Xu, "Where is Shuhui now? I’ll go bring her to pay respects to Father and Mother."

"Not today, your father and I are a bit tired and would like to rest." Madam Xu said.

Xu Zeqing hesitated. Although he was not very accomplished, it did not mean he was a fool.

The reaction of his parents clearly showed they were not fond of Shuhui and wanted to give her a hard time.

"There will be plenty of opportunities to pay respects in the future, no need to rush." Madam Xu comforted Xu Zeqing with this. "Shuhui must be frightened after what happened, the most urgent thing is to get her settled quickly."

Xu Zeqing nodded eagerly, "Mother, you are always thoughtful."

Xu Shuhui waited for a long time without anyone attending to her, feeling increasingly uneasy.

Upon seeing Xu Zeqing, she was choked with words, her eyes were red, she sobbed and spoke, "Father—"

The words were full of emotion, tender and melancholic.

Xu Zeqing, having never seen her like this, felt heartbroken. He clumsily wiped her tears with a handkerchief, anxiously asking, "What happened? What’s wrong? Who has wronged you? Tell me slowly, your father will stand up for you!"

"I’m so scared..." As Xu Shuhui blinked, large tears rolled down.

They fell to the ground but seemed to land on Xu Zeqing’s heart, making him more distressed.

"Shuhui, don’t be afraid, you’re home now, and your father will protect you in the future." Xu Zeqing said, "Your Aunt Bai is preparing your courtyard, let’s go, your father will take you to see it."

"Father, am I troubling you?" Xu Shuhui asked cautiously.

Her cautious appearance made Xu Zeqing feel even more pity.

Yes