Chapter 8: MY WIFE CAN WHAT? Night had completely fallen by the time the carriage finally returned to the Xi Manor.
The large estate was quiet now.
The loud music, laughter, and celebration from the wedding earlier had already disappeared, leaving behind only silence and the soft glow of lanterns hanging along the stone paths. Their warm light stretched across the cold walls of the manor, making the entire place feel strangely heavy.
The carriage doors opened slowly.
Grand Duke Xi Jianyu stepped down first.
Right behind him was his eldest son, Xi Wenzhe.
Neither of them spoke.
Their expressions were calm, but the pressure around them was so heavy that the servants nearby immediately lowered their heads and moved aside without daring to breathe too loudly.
The old steward hurried over at once and bowed deeply.
"Duke! Young Master! You’ve returned!"
Xi Jianyu continued walking without stopping.
"Where is everyone?"
The steward quickly answered,
"The family is gathered in the dining hall, Duke... except for Young Madam. She has not arrived yet."
Xi Wenzhe’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"Not arrived?"
The steward nodded carefully.
"She was escorted back to her courtyard earlier, but later the Duchess ordered everyone to gather first."
Xi Jianyu said nothing more.
But somehow, the air around him became even colder.
The two men continued walking toward the main hall in silence.
Behind them, the servants did not dare lift their heads.
—
Inside the dining hall, the atmosphere was tense.
Bright lanterns lit up the large room, shining over the long tables filled with expensive dishes that had already gone cold. Not a single person had touched the food.
The servants stood quietly in the corners with lowered heads, too nervous to make a sound.
Everyone seated inside looked uneasy.
Old Madam Zhao Rui sat at the head seat with her cane resting beside her. Her face looked calm as always, but her sharp eyes revealed her irritation.
Lin Meiyun sat quietly nearby, her posture elegant and graceful like usual, yet her sleeves remained carefully pulled down as if she was hiding something.
Xi Lanyin and Xi Qianqian sat together unusually silent.
Xi Yunhao stood near the side with his arms crossed tightly over his chest.
Xi Yunchen leaned lazily against a pillar, but for once, there was no playful smile on his face.
Even Xi Ronghua and Gu Zhen were quieter than normal.
The younger children sat obediently beside the adults, sensing something was wrong even if they did not fully understand it.
Then footsteps echoed from outside the hall.
Everyone immediately turned toward the entrance.
The doors opened.
Xi Jianyu walked in first, his dark robe carrying traces of dust from the journey. Behind him, Xi Wenzhe entered calmly, his cold gaze sweeping across the room like a sharp blade.
The moment they entered, everyone stood up.
"Father!"
"Duke!"
"Elder Brother!"
Xi Jianyu lifted one hand slightly.
"Sit."
Everyone immediately sat back down.
Silence filled the hall once more.
But this was not peaceful silence.
It was the kind of silence that felt like something dangerous was about to happen.
Xi Wenzhe slowly looked around the room.
Then he spoke calmly.