Chapter 287: Chapter 287: Settlement (Thank you all for the recommendations and additional updates)
Upon hearing Xie Pan’Er mention the courtyard that originally belonged to the fifth family, Old Lady Xie choked. She was just about to say something when she felt Ji Youze’s expressionless gaze on her.
"Your elder brother is living in that courtyard! What do you want? Do you want him to move out so you can move in?"
At this time, Xie Pan’Er, having been removed from the clan and having regained their rightful properties, truly didn’t want to see the Xie Family members every day. Even though Lin Family was in jail, weren’t Xie Yinghui and Xie Yingying still part of the Xie Family?
"That won’t be necessary. If your family’s eldest young master is living there, let him continue. Since we’ve left the clan, it’s no longer appropriate for us to live together. Old Lady, why don’t you consider paying us its value instead?"
On hearing this, Old Lady Xie almost vomited blood. Although Wuliuxiang wasn’t in the most prosperous district of Capital City, it was still in the capital! Property prices there were exorbitant; to compensate her for it, how much silver would that cost?
Seeing Old Lady Xie silent for a long time, Xie Pan’Er added, "Alternatively, I could borrow some silver from Third Mistress Ji and buy all the houses in the Xie Mansion! Then you could move out with everyone who isn’t related to our fifth family?"
"You... you disrespectful thing! I am, after all, your Grandma! How dare you humiliate me like this?"
Xie Pan’Er wore a look of feigned panic, but inwardly she was sneering. So now you admit you’re my Grandma? Where were you before? When my mother was tormented by Lin Family, why didn’t you show the slightest awareness of your role as a Grandma then?
"Old Lady, what are you implying? I was merely discussing the settlement of properties with you. You can’t just make unfounded accusations against me! The Eighth Young Master is here as a witness! Whatever I say, take, or relinquish, he will record it."
"You..."
Old Lady Xie’s body was trembling. Ji Youze was simply dumbfounded; he had long known this young girl was unyielding, appearing gentle and weak on the surface, but...
"Old Lady, since it’s on the inventory, this courtyard must be returned," Ji Youze reminded her at the opportune moment.
Old Lady Xie felt as if she had swallowed a fly; she was incredibly upset. That courtyard was where her eldest grandson lived. He was a promising martial artist, and His Majesty currently intended to give more important roles to military officials. If there were a war, her eldest grandson would surely achieve great merits. How could she aggrieve her eldest grandson by making him move out at this time, to be blatantly humiliated by this little wretch, Xie Pan’Er?
Gritting her teeth, she ordered someone to fetch three thousand taels of silver and gave them to Xie Pan’Er.
"From this day forward, you have no connection whatsoever with our Xie Family of Wuliuxiang! I give you one day! Get out of the Xie Family immediately! I don’t want to see your face ever again!"
Having made such a painful concession, Old Lady Xie couldn’t even be bothered to feign civility any longer, saying this to Xie Pan’Er right in front of Ji Youze.
Xie Pan’Er said nothing. Since she had made them pay dearly, what did enduring a few harsh words matter?
So, she returned and began to pack her things.
Ji Youze’s task was considered complete. He handed the written agreements and other documents to Xie Pan’Er, then took his leave and returned home.
Xie Pan’Er had finished packing by nightfall. She hired a carriage, helped Luo Family up, and then had her brother, in his capacity as the eldest son of their line, go to the Xie Ancestral Hall to retrieve the Ancestors’ spirit tablets. They didn’t even pick an auspicious day. Better to act now than wait, she thought; she was truly afraid that delays would bring complications.
The spirit tablets were all individually wrapped. The family of four went to the largest inn in Capital City, the Fortune Inn, to stay temporarily.
"Brother, this is the silver from selling our properties and the house. I’m entrusting it all to you. Please take good care of Father and Mother here. Tomorrow, find a Doctor to examine them. After that, go find a property agent and buy a Mansion for you all to move into first. Finally, go and reclaim all the properties listed on the inventory, one by one."
Hearing his sister’s words, Xie Si suddenly sensed something was amiss and quickly asked, "Why does it sound like you expect me to do all of this by myself? What about you? Do you have some other plans?"