Putting on airs with me?

Since Xu Zhengyang had asked that, it meant Father had not revealed the inside story.

After all, Father had already made it clear: matters like these were to be decided by Xie An and Daoist Master Yusu.

Although Osmanthus and A Shan were both locked up in the West Courtyard of the Xie Residence, Zhou Yun's corpse was still at the Zhou Residence. Someone would certainly report it to the authorities afterward, and Xu Zhengyang, as the Registrar, had naturally visited the scene.

It was hardly strange that he had come specially today to ask about it.

Xie An had long wanted to dig out the person behind A Shan.

Xu Registrar's visit today had come at just the right time!

Xie An deliberately let a flustered look flash through his eyes. "When I went to the Zhou Residence that day, I only saw Zhou Yun. I did not see his wife, A Shan."

Xu Zhengyang caught the flicker of panic in Xie An's eyes and knew Xie An was concealing something. But with Xie Zhengtang present, he could not press too hard. Still, his brows remained tightly furrowed.

Mai Wenshan chuckled. "Perhaps she fled in fear of punishment. Lord Xu can simply send people to search for her. If you are short on manpower, my Canal Gang can lend a hand."

Xu Zhengyang came back to himself and said sternly, "Though Zhou Yun was the one responsible for this matter, my adopted daughter A Shan was, after all, Zhou Yun's wife. If I do not investigate it thoroughly, my conscience will not rest easy, nor will I be able to account to Brother Xie."

Xie Zhengtang smiled faintly. "Lord Xu overstates it. A Shan is merely a woman, but she surely knows right from wrong. Zhou Yun has already been executed, so why pursue the matter further?"

"Brother Xie is generous, but I cannot remain muddle-headed. If this matter involves A Shan, I will absolutely not let her off lightly." Xu Zhengyang made his declaration with righteous solemnity.

Everyone exchanged one perfunctory remark after another, all official pleasantries. Xie An found it rather dull, so after greeting them, he went to Father's study to read.

Mai Wenshan shot several looks at Mai Qiuyun. Only then did she rise unwillingly and catch up with Xie An. "Young Master Mingxi, please wait."

Xie An turned and looked over the cool, graceful woman. "Qiuyun, did you need something?"

Mai Qiuyun's manner was chilly and aloof, with a trace of self-importance. "On the way here, I ran into Xu Wenjie. He said that in two days, Miss Su Hongxiu of Red Sleeve House would be holding a poetry gathering and had invited the county's outstanding young men. Chen Bin, the young master of Yongsheng Martial Arts Hall, and Zhang Yunfan, an outer disciple of Returning Dragon Abbey, will also attend. Are you going?"

Xie An nodded. "Yes. I am."

A flash of disappointment immediately appeared in Mai Qiuyun's eyes. She gave him a grave reminder. "Su Hongxiu is a courtesan. Previously, Young Master Mingxi did not hesitate to scatter ten thousand taels of silver just to win a beauty's smile. If you go again this time, are you not afraid of tarnishing your own reputation?"

Xie An understood.

Mai Qiuyun had come to stop him from attending the poetry gathering.

If she had simply spoken properly, that would have been one thing.

But she insisted on putting on an aloof front, looking at others with scrutiny, and even brought up Xie An's embarrassing incident of throwing money around in a brothel... Wasn't she just being sarcastic?

More importantly, the two of them had not even discussed marriage yet, but Mai Qiuyun had already begun pointing fingers at his private life, disliking this and despising that.

What man could stand that?

Xie An had originally intended to exchange a few polite words, but all interest in conversation vanished at once. "As everyone knows, I, Xie Mingxi, have always been a frequent guest at brothels. If I do not visit Red Sleeve House for a few days, even Madam Jin sends someone with a message. Since Miss Hongxiu is hosting the poetry gathering, of course I will go. If Miss Qiuyun is interested, we can attend together."

Mai Qiuyun's eyes revealed undisguised disgust and loathing. She even took a step back, her voice several degrees colder than before. "I will not attend such a filthy poetry gathering. Young Master Mingxi, enjoy yourself."

With that, Mai Qiuyun left in small, quick steps, walking faster and faster, as though she wished to keep a hundred thousand miles between herself and Xie An.

Putting on airs with me?

Xie An swept aside his distracting thoughts, turned, and entered Father's study. Sitting beside the long desk, he casually opened a volume of classics and histories.

Before long, the conversation outside ended, and Xie Zhengtang entered, dressed in a wealthy gentleman's robes.

Xie An rose to offer his seat and proactively poured Xie Zhengtang some tea. "Father, what did Mai Wenshan come to see you about?"

After taking his seat, Xie Zhengtang rubbed his temples. "Recently, we have a batch of coarse salt that needs to be transported by water to neighboring Red River County. Mai Wenshan came to take on the shipping arrangement."

Xie An was not surprised in the least. "Is the shipping price still the same as before?"

Xie Zhengtang frowned. "Perhaps knowing that the Xie Household has suffered a string of misfortunes lately, Mai Wenshan raised the freight price by three percent this time."

The Xie Household had only encountered a small problem, yet Mai Wenshan already dared to raise his prices!

Xie An deliberately mentioned, "Don't we have our own fleet?"

Xie Zhengtang had never spoken to his son about business before, yet today he answered naturally. "But the waterways are controlled by Mai Wenshan's Canal Gang. Without his approval, our fleet cannot get through."

Xie An took a seat at the side, accepting the tea bowl Cai Xia brought him. "Having our lifeline in someone else's grip is not a long-term solution. If we ever fall out with them in the future, they will have us by the throat."

Xie Zhengtang raised his brows, regarding this son more highly. "Twenty percent of our annual salt business profits fall into the Canal Gang's hands. That is precisely why Mai Wenshan has been so eager to arrange your marriage with Qiuyun. By the way, how did your conversation with Qiuyun go just now?"

Xie An did not answer directly, instead asking, "Father, do you think Mai Qiuyun would make a good daughter-in-law?"

Xie Zhengtang snorted. "You are the one getting married, not me. Why are you asking me instead? Your feelings matter most."

Xie An lifted the lid of his tea bowl and lightly swept it over the tea leaves. "She puts on airs and has a strong desire to control others... I do not like her. But... if the family business urgently needs this marriage alliance, I am willing to follow Father's arrangements."

Xie Zhengtang suddenly smiled.

Before, Xie An had shamelessly rushed to fawn over Su Hongxiu, the top courtesan, shouting that he had to marry her and that he would not go on living if the family refused... He had nearly angered Xie Zhengtang to death.

Now, he knew to put the Lineage's interests first in all things... He truly had grown up.

The more Xie Zhengtang looked at this son, the more pleasing he found him. "Since you do not like her, do not force yourself.

Previously, you were immature and without ambition, so Qiuyun could not be considered beneath you. But now... your talent is astonishing, and you harbor great ambitions. Compared to yours, Qiuyun's aspirations fall far short. My son deserves a better girl."

Father truly knew his son best... Xie An cupped his hands. "Thank you for understanding, Father."

After chatting for a moment, Xie An asked about Xu Zhengyang.

Xie Zhengtang said, "On the surface, Lord Xu came to inquire about Zhou Yun's death. In truth, he was probing for the whereabouts of his adopted daughter A Shan. I answered earlier that I knew nothing. As for you, what are you planning to do next?"

Xie An said, "I deliberately pretended to panic earlier so Xu Zhengyang would see that something was amiss. Now that the fish has taken the bait, I only need to draw in the net. Father already has enough to worry about with the business. Let your son take care of these trivial matters for you."

Xie Zhengtang smiled and waved a hand. "Ask Uncle Shui and Daoist Master Yusu more often about everything."

Xie An nodded in agreement. He then rose to leave, but after taking two steps, he stopped. "Father, what is your relationship with Daoist Master Yusu?"

Xie Zhengtang froze, then said sternly, "Do not ask what you should not ask. In any case, Daoist Master Yusu is someone you can absolutely entrust things to. Trust her as you would trust your father."

"I understand."

Xie An turned and left.

After exiting the central courtyard, he found Li Dao already waiting outside.

"Li Dao, go clear out Cloudwater Residence near Red Sleeve House. In a while, take Chen Mo and secretly transfer A Shan to Cloudwater Residence for imprisonment. Then guard Cloudwater Residence and wait for me to come find you."