Chapter 52: Taking the Initiative to Invite

"Of course. Yichen brought people to provide personal testimony, so how could it be false? Besides, Yichen was there that day. He saw Xiaoyu step on Xiaxia's dress. It didn't happen sooner or later, but right when Xiaxia was about to make her entrance, causing such an accident. If Xiaxia hadn't prepared a spare gown just in case, she wouldn't have been able to go on stage at all. At that time, it wouldn't just be our Xia family losing face; even the Lin family would have been embarrassed along with us."

The more Xia Rui spoke, the angrier he became. Xiaoyu was so frightened she didn't even dare to sob, looking pleadingly at Tan Li.

Tan Li was about to speak when Tan Xue instinctively pulled her sleeve, signaling her not to blindly plead for mercy. At this moment, letting Xiaoyu face some punishment was the only way to appease Xia Rui and Old Madame Xia. The more anyone pleaded for her, the more counterproductive it would be, and Tan Xue certainly didn't want to be implicated for no reason.

"I haven't settled accounts with you for the mess Shen Rou and the others caused last time, and now you've added another offense to your list! These matters can never just be swept under the rug. Xiaoyu, hurry up and apologize to your sister right now!" Old Madame Xia rare stood on the side of justice for her own interests, immediately demanding that Xiaoyu apologize to Xia Rusheng in front of the entire family.

"She ended up fine anyway, and she even stole the spotlight! I won't apologize!" Xiaoyu knew she was in the wrong, but she simply refused to bow her head to Xiaxia. Although she was the one who played dirty, Xiaxia hadn't suffered any harm at all. On the contrary, ever since then, she herself had been the one suffering one misfortune after another. She had already suffered enough grievances!

"Bang!" Old Madame Xia slammed her hand on the table and roared, "Take the second miss to her room! No food is to be given to her. She is not to be released until she admits her mistake and apologizes to the eldest miss!"

With that, the servants swarmed forward, and Nanny Chen was the first to pull Xiaoyu to her feet.

How could Tan Li possibly sit still after this? She burst into tears, wailing as she pleaded, "Mom, Xiaoyu just discharged from the hospital, how can she not be allowed to eat? Punish her in some other way instead. Besides, Xiaoyu's reputation is already ruined, and she almost had her face disfigured for no reason. She has already received the punishment she deserved, so please spare her this time. I will definitely teach her well from now on. Mom, I'm begging you!"

Old Madame Xia suddenly let out a cold laugh, as if she had just heard something utterly ridiculous. "You teach her? This is the result of a dozen years of your teaching! What are you all standing there for? Take the second miss to the study right now!"

Xiaoyu was an obstinate person as well. Especially when she saw Xia Rusheng standing there with a look waiting for her apology, her reluctance to bow her head grew even stronger.

Lock her up, then! She didn't believe for a second that her grandmother would actually let her starve to death!

"Miss Tan, since you've come to our Xia family, just focus on taking good care of your sister. Do not meddle in other matters." Old Madame Xia deliberately dropped a warning, fearing that Tan Xue might secretly smuggle food to Xiaoyu.

"Rest assured, Old Madame. I know what should be done and what shouldn't be done," Tan Xue replied with extreme apprehension. She had no intention of borrowing trouble when she had nothing better to do.

"At least there is still one sensible person in the Tan family. Very well, I have no appetite and won't eat anymore. You all enjoy your meal." With that, Old Madame Xia left the dining table and returned to her room.

Tan Li looked around helplessly. The old madame had made up her mind this time, and Xia Rui was definitely out of the question. She silently swallowed her fury, casting a venomous glare at Xia Rusheng, who was still eating at a leisurely pace.

How could Xia Rusheng not feel Tan Li's gaze? After finishing her meal, she slowly raised her head, smiled at Tan Li, and said, "Auntie, stop looking at me like you want to devour me. Eating me won't fill your stomach, besides, you're eating for two now anyway."

Hearing this, Xia Rui looked over at Tan Li and indeed caught the vicious gleam in her eyes. He immediately roared, "What? Do you want to end up like Xiaoyu too?!"

Tan Li was so furious that the blood rushed to her head, but she didn't dare to talk back to Xia Rui. Filled with grievance, she stood up and walked away. Xia Rui had no desire to pay attention to her and simply let her go.

After dinner, Xia Rui went out temporarily due to some urgent matter. Xia Rusheng and Tan Xue walked slowly back to the third floor. Before entering her room, Tan Xue suddenly called out to her, saying softly, "Eldest Miss, how about we help each other out?"

She finally understood the situation today. Although Tan Li was still Madam Xia, her status in the hearts of Old Madame Xia and Xia Rui was vastly diminished compared to before. If not for the child in her belly, it would be hard to say whether she would even still be Madam Xia.

As for Xiaxia—a girl who seemed unloved by her uncle and uncared for by her grandmother—she actually enjoyed Xia Rui's staunch protection. Especially now that she was the prospective granddaughter-in-law of the Lin family, the old madame also had misgivings about her identity. Coupled with her cleverness and cunning, standing on a unified front with her was the wisest choice.

Xia Rusheng looked at Tan Xue with a trace of amusement and asked, "Then tell me, what kind of mutual benefit do you have in mind?"

"You create opportunities for me, and I will present you with an unexpected surprise. This surprise will be enough to make Xia Rui treasure you as his most precious possession, and it will also make Xia Rui completely give up on my sister. Because I know a secret that you aren't aware of—a secret Xia Rui doesn't know either, and one my sister has always tried to cover up."

Hearing this, Xia Rusheng guessed it must be related to the past involving Xia Rui, Tan Li, and Xiaxia's mother. Regarding that past, she also had many doubts. Moreover, she had a hunch that it was precisely because of certain events in the past that Xia Rui held such a contradictory attitude toward Xiaxia. She was very eager to find out the truth as well.

"Very well, I will play it by ear."

With that, Xia Rusheng returned to her room. After taking a shower, her phone suddenly chimed, indicating an incoming text message from an unfamiliar number.

"Miss Xia, I am Su Xi. Can I invite you to meet up?"

Su Xi wanted to meet her?

"I wonder what Su Xi wants to see me about?" Xia Rusheng replied with a hint of surprise.

"I'm hosting a fashion show next Sunday. Would Miss Xia be willing to honor me with your presence?" Su Xi craftily sidestepped her real purpose and asked directly.

"Fine. Send the location to my phone."

After tapping out these words, Xia Rusheng ignored Su Xi and turned her attention to the shopping bag she had brought home today.

Su Xi certainly wouldn't invite her to a fashion show for no reason. Besides, Lu Siyang had been far too attentive to her today, so Su Xi must already harbor resentment toward her. She could more or less guess that Su Xi intended to use this meeting to fish for information. All the more reason for her to go, so she could see what Su Xi was really up to.

Furthermore, not only was she going, but she would also bring that set of green diamond jewelry along with her.

She had only thought of borrowing the jewelry today to rile up Su Xi, but she hadn't expected to put it into action so soon. Wearing this jewelry might seem a bit beneath her if word reached Lu Siyang's ears, but she couldn't care about that anymore.

"On the 23rd floor of the Pearl International Building. Let's have dinner together after the show."

Seeing the message, Xia Rusheng couldn't help smiling again. "Su Xi, oh Su Xi, you really couldn't hold back anymore, could you? Since you've chosen to make the first move, don't blame me for not holding back!"