Chapter Seventeen: The Gates of Hell Opened, She Was Led Inside

Although Chu Xi harbored doubts about Lady Liu’s behavior, she could only lower her head silently and allow her to lead the way forward.

At last, they arrived at the main hall of the Prime Minister’s residence.

Cai Ping and Lady Liu’s maid were stopped at the entrance, which greatly distressed the already anxious Cai Ping. Yet, for now, she could only stand there, silently praying for Chu Xi, who was about to enter.

Lady Liu halted and took a deep breath, then glanced at Chu Xi beside her before saying, “Go in.”

Seeing the expression on Lady Liu’s face, Chu Xi’s heart grew cautious. After all, as the mistress of the Marquis’s household, if even Lady Liu showed signs of nervousness, there must be a reason.

The mother and daughter stepped inside, where the Prime Minister’s wife—also the emperor’s maternal aunt—sat upright.

Her smile was faint and unreadable, her demeanor dignified, and her gaze cold and sharp as it swept over Lady Liu and Chu Xi.

Lady Liu hurried forward with a smile, bowing slightly. “Greetings, Madam.” Under normal circumstances, given the precarious situation of the Marquis’s household and their need for assistance, Lady Liu would not have humbled herself before someone of equal rank such as the Prime Minister’s wife.

But now, with their fate hanging in the balance, she had no choice but to lower her head.

She then gently pushed Chu Xi forward with a smile. “Madam, this is my eldest daughter, Chu Xi.”

Chu Xi immediately bowed in return. “Greetings, Madam.” Her eyes lowered cautiously, her posture restrained.

The Prime Minister’s wife spoke coldly, “Come, have a seat.” She kept her chin raised, exuding an air of haughty superiority.

Yet, after Lady Liu and Chu Xi sat down, her gaze remained fixed on Chu Xi’s face.

Though she never raised her eyes directly, Chu Xi could feel the intensity of that piercing stare from the corner of her vision.

Unease stirred within her, and in an instant, a foreboding shadow enveloped her entire being.

Fidgeting with her handkerchief, Chu Xi finally glanced up at the Prime Minister’s wife.

Their eyes met briefly, and Chu Xi felt as if her soul was frozen by the sharp glint in those eyes. She shivered involuntarily and hastily lowered her head again.

Her heart pounded wildly.

Lady Liu’s hands also twisted the handkerchief nervously. “The Marquis and I read Madam’s reply yesterday and found it agreeable. This way, both the Marquis’s and Prime Minister’s households will benefit, a perfect arrangement that pleases all.”

“So today, I brought Xi’er early to this meeting to show both the Prime Minister and Madam our sincere intentions. The Marquis and I are both very willing.”

At last, the Prime Minister’s wife revealed a semblance of a genuine smile. She raised an eyebrow and said with deliberate gravity, “Then Madam Chu must consider carefully. Once this matter is decided, there can be no turning back.”

Lady Liu hastened to reassure her, “We have thought it through, all of it. Rest assured, Madam, neither the Marquis nor I will go back on our word.”

Listening to Lady Liu’s words, a wave of doubt swept through Chu Xi’s heart. What was this matter they had agreed upon? Could it be related to her?

Clearly, this arrangement involved her, and it must have been planned long before she was brought back to the Marquis’s residence.

Yet she had been kept in the dark until now, only realizing that a deal had been struck behind her back, with each side claiming their gains.

What was this secret agreement? Was it about me?

The thought knitted her brows tightly, and her inner turmoil deepened.

She did not know what awaited her, but recalling the warmth of Lady Liu’s hand holding hers on the way here, the tenderness in her eyes, she hoped she would not be pushed into the fire as she had been three years ago.

“If that is so, then let us finalize this matter for now.”

Lady Liu quickly agreed, “That’s excellent. We will follow all the arrangements made by the Prime Minister and Madam.”

What exactly were they deciding?

Uneasily, Chu Xi looked up at Lady Liu, whose smiling eyes concealed fear and anxiety.

In that glance, Chu Xi instantly understood—this time, she was likely doomed once again.

The warmth she had felt from Lady Liu’s fingertips now could no longer thaw the chill that gripped her heart.

At that moment, a young servant entered and bowed, saying, “Madam, everything is ready.”

The Prime Minister’s wife nodded, then turned to Lady Liu. “Madam Chu, are you ready as well?”

Lady Liu swallowed hard, her earlier joy at the mutual agreement vanished, replaced by a stark contrast of anxiety.

“Mm.” It took great effort for her to utter the single word.

The Prime Minister’s wife smiled, “Very well. Then please have the young lady of the Chu family go to the side hall in the rear courtyard to wait.” She signaled the servant with a wave.

Chu Xi’s heart sank, and she clenched the handkerchief tightly.

Lady Liu turned to her. “It’s nothing. You go wait in the rear courtyard for a while. I will come shortly.”

That promise—half a reassurance, half a deception—offered no choice to Chu Xi.

She rose slowly, bowed, and then followed the servant out of the main hall.

Unlike when they first entered the Prime Minister’s residence, when Lady Liu’s maternal instinct sought to protect Chu Xi from harm, now she watched her daughter walk into the lion’s den with conflicted anguish.

But thinking that their only son might return safely to the capital, Lady Liu turned her face away coldly, letting Chu Xi fend for herself. After all, this was not the first time.

“Miss,” Cai Ping called out as Chu Xi emerged.

Before Chu Xi could turn, Cai Ping was stopped again.

Chu Xi looked at Cai Ping’s outstretched hands from behind the barrier and forced a calm smile. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

As soon as she spoke, tears slipped down her cheeks.

She did not know what awaited her this time, or if she would ever see Cai Ping and Wang Mu again.

Her heart could not withstand the pain of this farewell, and tears fell freely.