That afternoon, Mrs. Xie returned from a gathering with Jie Jingshan. She learned from the butler what had happened that day, including how she had been set up by her own father. Mrs. Xie was furious, not because her father had used her, but because Qin Mei had used herself as bait.
'To deal with a German merchant by sacrificing my daughter-in-law's reputation… it's just not worth it. As for my own reputation, just like they said, I couldn't care less. After what I've been through, my reputation is worthless.'
"Ma'am, please don't blame the old master," the butler advised.
"Uncle Qiao, don't you know me by now? That whole reputation thing—I really don't care about it," Mrs. Xie said nonchalantly.
The butler wanted to say more, but seeing that Mrs. Xie's expression wasn't the least bit feigned—she truly didn't care—he breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't disturb her further and went out to attend to his duties.
Mrs. Xie sat in the living room, lost in thought.
