Chapter 246: 246 Asking for Mercy at the Door_1
It must be said that Wen Jiang’s counterattack was indeed a thing of beauty. Not everyone was capable of what Wen Jiang had done—generously ceding interests to others with the assurance that the payback would put her mind at ease. The military, having accepted cooperation with Wen Jiang, naturally wouldn’t allow the Jimo Family to suffer any impact on their business ventures. The smear campaign against Wen Jiang, which lasted less than a week, was ultimately foiled by a boomerang effect. Now that the military was firmly on Wen Jiang’s side, other Nobility might afford to disregard her, but with the military involved, it became more than just a matter of saving face. The previous petty schemes dared not continue, and although the card project was delayed by a week, it still proceeded smoothly.
Wen Jiang took the time over these few days to create the Empress Card Set. This set corresponded to the Founding Emperor Card Set, though there was some controversy; for example, Wu Zetian was considered an emperor and thus had no empress. However, that wasn’t too important. The Empress Card Set boasted an exquisite design, which Wen Jiang executed beautifully. Combined with the fact that other Card Makers couldn’t create historical Card Spirits, Wen Jiang’s work delivered a heavy blow to the other associations. As long as Mount Flower didn’t cause any major disruptions in the future, these two card sets alone could sustain it for a very long time.
Wen Jiang’s nuisance level to the Nobility shot up dramatically. Coupled with the previous incidents, relations had effectively been torn open. Now, it was difficult for them to approach the Jimo Family, even over trivial matters.
But someone Wen Jiang hadn’t expected came to find her: Xie Lingyan’s wife, who arrived with her son and daughter in tow. This woman, whom Wen Jiang had only met briefly twice before, had shed her previous lifelessness. Dressed in a light purple gown, she looked vibrant and eye-catching, as if she’d come back to life. Anyone could see that Xie Lingyan’s death was a blessing in disguise for her. Though she appeared somewhat weary, a sparkle now graced her eyes. Her children, despite looking sullen and resentful, dared not utter a sound in Wen Jiang’s presence.
Her purpose amused Wen Jiang. "They want to emigrate? Am I holding you back?"
Although the Jimo Family currently had the capacity to strike back, the Xie Siblings had completely lost their footing within Imperial City’s social elite. Everyone was targeting the Jimo Family and, by extension, the two of them. This was why Xing Mengyu, Xie Lingyan’s wife, had sought out Wen Jiang.
"Before he passed, he left behind some assets and shares," Xing Mengyu said, her voice gentle and soft. She knew Xie Lingyan had wronged the Jimo Family and that if Wen Jiang was unwilling, whatever she held that depended on the Jimo Family’s support wouldn’t last. "Before I leave with the children, I wanted to settle this matter once and for all. These things originally belonged to the Jimo Family; we have no right to take them away."
Behind her, the Xie Siblings’ expressions nearly contorted with anger. What belonged to the Jimo Family? Wasn’t it all theirs after their father’s death? Why should they return anything to the Jimo Family? But their mother had cautioned them thoroughly before coming. Added to that, Wen Jiang hadn’t even attended Xie Lingyan’s funeral from start to finish. Thus, the two siblings didn’t dare utter a word of dissent in front of Wen Jiang. They were being forced to emigrate precisely because of their entanglement with the Jimo Family. They already felt so stifled; why should they be so humble and servile?
Their expressions didn’t escape Wen Jiang’s notice. She scoffed, "It looks like your children are rather reluctant."
This statement clearly indicated she had no intention of allowing Xing Mengyu to take the assets.
Xing Mengyu, however, showed no reaction and nodded naturally. "This has nothing to do with them. What belongs to the Jimo Family is theirs, and no one has any right to meddle. I’m just here to settle his affairs. The Xie Family owes the Jimo Family a profound apology."
"That apology shouldn’t come from you. Isn’t there still one of them alive?" Wen Jiang interrupted Xing Mengyu. "I have no particular opinion of you. But you must understand one thing: I fully support your decision to go abroad, but consider carefully—I will not intervene in unnecessary matters." Her words carried a hint of coldness and cruelty.
Xing Mengyu instantly understood her meaning. Although Wen Jiang disliked the Xie Family, they were at least still in Yunxia, under the Jimo Family’s watch. Wen Jiang might not care, but Hua Zhuo would likely offer some minimal oversight. Once abroad, if any future trouble befell this family that threatened the Jimo Family, Wen Jiang would certainly show no mercy. She had no emotional attachment to the Xie Family to begin with; considering their past actions, not kicking them when they were down was already an act of politeness.
Xing Mengyu was silent for a moment before slowly nodding. "I understand."
Even in Yunxia, being ostracized by upper society, the twins basically couldn’t continue living there. Better to change the environment. Going to Frost Moon, she could at least seek a lifeline from her maternal family.
Wen Jiang found herself somewhat appreciating Xing Mengyu and had no reason to refuse the assets Xing Mengyu planned to return. Softening her tone, she smiled and said, "Auntie, have a smooth journey."
Xing Mengyu was startled for a moment, then a trace of a smile appeared. "Thank you."
She was thankful she had made the right move. If she handled everything well, Wen Jiang would at least allow their family to leave properly. The issue with Xie Lingyan would then vanish like smoke and clouds. She knew that the recent disturbances in the Jimo Family were all related to Xie Lingyan’s death. His affairs had embroiled many people, and those who were hostile to Wen Jiang had been prompted to take such actions. Wen Jiang had not made the twins endure all this, which was enough to make her grateful.
However, while she could accept this, it was uncertain if her children could.
As they were leaving, Xie Yi couldn’t help but ask, "Mom, why should we return those properties? They were clearly Dad’s..."
"Nothing belongs to the Xie Family!" Xing Mengyu sharply interrupted him. "She’s already been merciful enough. Otherwise, after what your father did, do you think I could have safely taken you abroad?"
She was certain that even if Xie Lingyan had committed suicide, Wen Jiang had absolutely no intention of sparing the Xie Family. It was her own gamble on a single move that had paid off.
His sister, Jie Shu, tugged at Xie Yi, signaling him to stop asking, and whispered, "Mom is right."
Even if she harbored resentment in her heart, she knew it was laughable to expect mercy from someone like Wen Jiang—a person who wouldn’t even attend her own maternal uncle’s funeral, who never spared a glance for her own maternal grandmother, and who seemed devoid of any familial affection. What’s more, Mom said they were the ones in the wrong. Lately, after all these incidents, she had endured the scorn of former friends, other hidden taunts and ridicule, and some had even pointed at her nose and cursed her. "If it weren’t for the Jimo Family, do you think your Xie Family would be anything at all, worthy of associating with the Nobility?" At that moment, she finally understood what they, the Xie Family, really represented in the hearts of the true Nobility. Now, being entirely ostracized, she couldn’t stay in the country either; going abroad was their best choice. It was only her brother, who had grown up spoiled and never faced any adversity—it would likely be hard for him to come around.