Now Old Master Yuan did not think that his grandson was being accused.
"How shameless are you? No matter how unlovable Xie Niushan is in the imperial court, how could you ask his direct eldest daughter to be your concubine!? Do you think you're worthy of her!?" barked Old Master Yuan.
Yuan Bin was no longer young. He should be marrying a wife, yet he was still fooling around!
Great, asking someone else's direct eldest daughter to be his concubine aside, it was difficult for him to find a wife who could match his status!
Yuan Bin and his father prostrated on the ground. They felt terribly wronged.
"Do as you promised. Muting, prepare an expensive gift, and go to the Xie Residence to apologize tomorrow. Bin'er, you'll go to the academy to kowtow," Old Master Yuan said after making up his mind.
There was nothing else that they could do..
His grandson's reputation had hit rock bottom.
They could only give up by apologizing and presenting a gift—that could turn their family's reputation around a little bit.
"This is a chaotic situation, and the Emperor will punish you for failing to teach your son. I suppose you'll be fired. Just stay home from now on. Meanwhile, Bin'er will be forbidden to step out of the house for three years. Study hard at home. All of your concubines will be asked to leave!"
Yuan Bin thought his life was over.
Three years? Studying at home? Not only that but all of his darlings would be chased away!?
"Grandpa!" Yuan Bin yelled immediately.
"It's fine if you don't want that. We'll divide the family property. With that, you guys will live outside. I'll pretend that I have a son and grandson less," added Old Master Yuan.
They were dumbstruck upon hearing that.
What would they get if they were to divide the family property now?
Many people were watching, so the old man definitely would not give them much. He would even be stricter with them.
The matter was decided within a blink of an eye.
On the next morning, just when Xie Qiao had left for the academy, the steward sent the gift to her home.
Xie Niushan and Xie Pinggang had just left too, leaving Ms. Lu at home.
Old Master Yuan had been an official for tens of years. He was wealthy, so the gift he sent was naturally presentable.
Ms. Lu was rather stunned when she saw the expensive gift. She was staring in a daze.
"Our Old Master said that Young Master misbehaved and antagonized Young Lady Xie and Second Young Master. He apologizes and hopes the two of them can forgive him. Don't take what our Young Master said to their hearts."
Ms. Lu had no idea what had happened at all.
Nevertheless, the gift had been sent. It would be ridiculous if she rejected it. She said immediately while smiling and nodding, "Don't worry about it. It's normal that kids fight. It's nothing, it's nothing…"
The Yuan Residence's steward glanced at Ms. Lu and said nothing more.
He knew that Xie Niushan had a bad reputation. No woman had wanted to marry him back then, so he had married a businessman's daughter who had been married before.
"I heard that Young Lady Xie is beautiful. I thought most ladies love bright colors, so I brought the moon-patterned brocade. It came for the south storeroom this year. Young Lady Xie can use it to make clothes." The steward smiled.
His Young Master had made a bet with Young Lady Xie, so the gift was mainly focused on Xie Qiao.
Ms. Lu glanced at the moon-patterned brocade. She thought it was shining as bright as the moon, and a faint glow was sparkling under the sun. The entire brocade was not white, making it seem more colorful. It was beautiful.
Young ladies aside, even a woman like her loved it too.
"Say thanks to your master and mistress," Ms. Lu said while smiling.
The steward left after sending the gift. Ms. Lu got someone to bring the items to her house.
There were a couple of brocades, two decorative items, and a set of Four Treasures of the Study.
Ms. Lu looked at the gift and said to someone out there, "How's Steward Yuan? Is he feeling better now?"