Chapter 44: If You Don't Seek Death, You Won't Die

"You really can't stay quiet for even a single day, and you actually dare to make a joke out of my grandson!" Madam Xia was furious. Having survived decades of power struggles in the upper crust, how could she fail to see that Tan Li was merely putting on an act to frame Xiasheng? Precisely because of that, she was all the more enraged!

"Mom, listen to me, Xiasheng really did push me!" Even now, Tan Li refused to admit she was playing tricks. She understood the implication behind Madam Xia's words, but she believed that as long as she stuck to her story, no matter how certain the old lady was, a shred of doubt would inevitably take root.

Unfortunately, Madam Xia valued her grandson above all else. Tan Li's stunt today had undoubtedly crossed her bottom line. Her icy gaze fell upon Tan Li, and her cold tone carried suppressed fury.

"Since you cannot keep the peace, pack your things and return to your maiden family today to recuperate. I will assign two nannies and bodyguards to accompany you. You may return after the child is born. Weren't you afraid that Xiasheng would harm you? This way, she won't be able to touch you at all! Liu Ma, go pack the Madam's things right now!"

Hearing this, Tan Li turned as pale as a sheet of paper. Sending her back to her maiden family—wasn't that equivalent to banishment?

"Mom, I don't want to go back. I admit I was wrong. I shouldn't have used the child to frame Xiasheng. Mom, please don't drive me away..." Tears streamed down Tan Li's face in an instant. No longer daring to spin falsehoods, she rushed to confess out of sheer terror. Her humble, begging posture looked utterly wretched, yet even so, it failed to move Madam Xia's stony heart.

Tricks like "framing" only work on those who are already inclined to believe you. Numerous psychological examples had proven this point. Because of the news and the diary, Tan Li had just lost the trust of Xia Rui and his mother. Thus, it wasn't that her petty trick was poorly executed, but rather that the timing was wrong, and her luck had run out.

"Take this time while recuperating at your maiden family to weather the storm. If you are a smart woman, you should know that protecting the child means protecting everything you currently possess. Losing face is unavoidable, but if you keep making a scene like this, be careful of losing your very foundation as well. You've done so many wrong things; it's time to properly reflect on yourself!"

Madam Xia's intentions were deeply considered. With public opinion raging outside, Tan Li's reputation was already ruined beyond redemption. Rather than letting her go out and make a public spectacle of herself, it was better to use this period to avoid the spotlight and spare the household from endless turmoil. By the time she gave birth, everyone's interest in these scandals would have faded.

Stung by Madam Xia's words, Tan Li felt as though she had been struck over the head, finally seeing the light.

Indeed! As long as she protected the flesh and blood in her belly, what did it matter how many gossiping tongues wagged outside? With a son to rely on, even as a former mistress she could securely hold the position of Madam Xia. Since her daughter had already turned out that way, she had to hold onto this son firmly. That way, at least everything belonging to the Xia family would eventually be hers!

What use would it be to expose Xiasheng now? Xia Rui and Madam Xia would never believe a word she said!

Besides, what was the point of fighting with a daughter who was about to be married off?

***

After her madness subsided, Tan Li plunged into extreme rationality. She slowly and calmly glanced at Xia Xiasheng, then said, "Mom, I know I was wrong. I will go back to my maiden family to recuperate properly and no longer cause you distress. However, during the days I am away, Xiaoyu—"

"Xiaoyu is my granddaughter of the Xia family; naturally, I will look after her."

With that, Madam Xia walked downstairs. Tan Li followed closely behind, supported by a nanny, looking more cautious than ever.

Xia Xiasheng scrambled up from the floor, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. The moment Tan Li let out that scream earlier, she knew Tan Li harbored malicious intentions. So when Tan Li fell backward, she already understood that another fabricated charge was about to be pinned on her. Fortunately, due to being overly cautious and heavy with child, Tan Li had deliberately slowed down her backward fall, which gave Xia Xiasheng the opening she needed.

However, in her haste to avoid being framed, she had bumped into the corner of the table, and the pain was now very real...

"Quickly, let Chen Ma take a look. Where are you hurt?" Chen Ma had witnessed everything unfold and knew how perilous the moment had been. If Xiasheng had been even a fraction of a second slower, the one being scolded and driven out of the house by Madam Xia would have been Xiasheng herself.

"It's fine. These two mother-and-daughter pairs are increasingly unimaginative. Have they been reading too many web novels? Ouch—" Xia Xiasheng claimed she was fine, but as she stood up, she realized the impact had been quite painful.

"Chen Ma will go get some medicine for you."

"Don't bother, this little injury is nothing." Xia Xiasheng stopped Chen Ma, then picked up the invitation card and walked to the doorway, looking down from the second floor.

Tan Li had been too focused on dealing with her earlier to notice the invitation card she had deliberately left lying there. Now, she needed to find the right opportunity to let Tan Li know. Wasn't Tan Li planning to keep a low profile? Well, she simply wouldn't let her!

Half an hour later, Tan Li's belongings had all been packed, and the nanny and bodyguards were waiting downstairs. Seeing both Tan Li and Madam Xia emerge, Xia Xiasheng seized the opportunity and ran down as well.

"Grandma, Dad dropped this in my room. Please give it to him when he gets back."

"What is this?" True to her expectations, Madam Xia took the bait and asked.

"There's a banquet next Saturday, and Dad said he's taking me this time. This is the invitation."

Tan Li stood nearby without interrupting, but she keenly caught a detail—one that Xia Xiasheng had deliberately leaked to her: neither Xiaoyu nor she, Tan Li, was invited to the banquet!

Madam Xia opened the invitation to inspect it. Without a sound, Tan Li strained her eyes to peer at the card. After taking in the contents, she withdrew her gaze ahead of Madam Xia, pretending she had seen nothing.

With her objective achieved, Xia Xiasheng returned to her room. After helping carry down Tan Li's luggage, Chen Ma hurried up to Xia Xiasheng's room with a beaming face, exhaling a long sigh of relief. "Xiasheng, you are truly brilliant! Just like that, you managed to ship away that vixen. The Xia family can finally have some peace and quiet for a few days."

"Peace?" Xia Xiasheng smiled dismissively.

She had no intention of letting the Xia family find peace!

***

Six days later, Xia Xiasheng obtained conclusive evidence from Lin Yichen of Xia Rui and Tan Xue's illicit affair—photos of them standing, walking, inside cars, and in bed were all included. She selected a few and edited them. An hour before heading to the banquet, she sent out the photographs, with the woman's face blurred out by a mosaic.

Recipient: Tan Li!

Since Tan Li had decided to lie low, she refused to believe that Tan Li could stay calm after seeing these pictures!

Tan Li already knew where Xia Rui would be heading. If she didn't rush over there today, she wouldn't be Tan Li anymore. The only question was whether she would storm in as Madam Xia to attend the banquet or charge in with accusations to throw a massive scene.

Either way, her humiliation today was absolute!