Xie Qingran knew she couldn’t escape this. After all, she had been punished by the Noble Consort and sent to a country estate for over a decade for just a small mistake back then. All these years, Xie Qingran had lived an incredibly difficult life. Now, seeing the Noble Consort, waves of ferocity surged in her heart.
But no matter what she felt inside, on the surface, she appeared utterly gentle and obedient.
She lowered her gaze before the Noble Consort, her curtsy executed with perfect form.
“We haven’t seen each other in over ten years, and Eldest Miss Xie has grown so much. I wonder, how have your lessons in etiquette been all these years?”
The Noble Consort looked at Xie Qingran, her face full of curiosity.
The incident back then, when Xie Qingran had offended the Noble Consort in the palace, had caused such a stir that almost everyone in Jing City knew about it. So now that it was brought up, everyone’s expressions turned a little strange.
In an instant, nearly all eyes were fixed on Xie Qingran.
Xie Qingran smiled faintly, then performed another deep curtsy to the Noble Consort. “Thanks to Noble Consort’s grace, you sent a governess to teach me with great care all these years. This subject has come to know her mistake and will never dare to repeat it.”
The Noble Consort was about to say more, but the Emperor had already noticed something was amiss. He squeezed the Noble Consort’s palm, then smiled at Xie Qingran. “It was merely a youthful indiscretion. Why dwell on it so? The Noble Consort asks out of concern for you; you mustn’t misunderstand her intentions.”
“Yes, this subject wouldn’t dare.”
“This subject knows that the Noble Consort is kind and benevolent and will certainly not hold it against me.”
Xie Qingran neither refuted nor acted aggrieved. She simply followed the Emperor’s lead, smoothing over the situation.
So sensible, so aware of the bigger picture, and able to swallow her grievances and endure humiliation—she was truly a rare find. One would be hard-pressed to find another young lady like her in all of Jing City.
The more the Emperor looked at Xie Qingran, the more pleased he became. He even felt that she and Xiao Jue were truly a perfect match.
“Excellent.”
“Rise, quickly.”
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction, smiling at Xie Qingran.
“The Noble Consort has choreographed a new dance. Since everyone is here today, it’s a perfect time for some lively entertainment.”
The Emperor took the Noble Consort’s hand and smiled gently, his eyes filled with affection.
It was obvious that the Emperor’s relationship with the Empress was one of mutual benefit, but with the Noble Consort, he was genuinely happy.
Xie Qingran, however, was truly curious. If the Emperor knew what the Noble Consort had truly done, would he still dote on her and love her as he did now?
As this thought crossed her mind, Xie Qingran subconsciously glanced toward Xie Hanyue.
Sure enough, the Noble Consort immediately beckoned to Xie Hanyue. “Second Miss, come here quickly. Let this palace have a look at you.”
Xie Hanyue was not only the apple of the Xie Family’s eye but also favored by the Noble Consort. Almost every time she entered the palace, the Noble Consort would call her to her side for a chat.
“Yes.”
Xie Hanyue rose and answered softly. She then glanced at Xie Qingran, her eyes brimming with flaunting and provocation.
So what if Xie Qingran had just been in the limelight?
She was still the best and most respectable young lady in Jing City!
Seeing Xie Hanyue’s expression, Xie Qingran found it laughable.
She sat beside Wang Shi and said in a small, soft voice, “Younger Sister’s eyes and brows truly resemble the Noble Consort’s.”
At these words, Wang Shi also looked up and indeed saw Xie Hanyue sitting beside the Noble Consort. Their two faces were practically cast from the same mold.
Before, when Xie Hanyue was younger and her features hadn’t fully developed, it wasn’t so obvious. But now that Xie Hanyue was getting older, the resemblance between the two was becoming more and more striking.
Wang Shi quickly averted her gaze and shot Xie Qingran a fierce glare, snapping, “What nonsense are you spouting?”
“Yes, it was your daughter’s foolish talk.” Xie Qingran smiled faintly, lowered her head, and continued to toy with the pastries on her plate.
Soon, the banquet ended, and the Empress summoned Xie Qingran to Chunqiu Palace alone.
This time, it wasn’t just the Empress in the palace, but the Emperor and Xiao Jue as well.
The three of them sat there. When Xie Qingran walked in, six eyes stared at her alone, creating an immense sense of pressure.
Xie Qingran, however, remained expressionless. Even as she curtsied, she didn’t waver in the slightest.
“This subject pays her respects to the Emperor and the Empress, and greets Heir Xiao.”
“You know me?”
Xiao Jue was somewhat surprised, raising an eyebrow at Xie Qingran.
Unfortunately, he wore a mask, so no one could see his expression. They could only see his eyes and hear his hoarse, deep voice.
“When we were young, this subject once saw the Heir from a distance.”
As Xie Qingran said this, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at Xiao Jue again.
However, Xiao Jue suddenly let out a soft chuckle. “When we were young? For the Eldest Miss to still recognize me now is truly not easy.”
His words were self-deprecating and helpless, but they were also a warning to Xie Qingran.
The Emperor definitely supported the marriage, and Xiao Jue couldn’t easily object. The best method now was to make Xie Qingran back down on her own.
The Empress coughed, glancing at Xiao Jue with some reproach. “You child, how can you be so tactless?” she said in annoyance.
“Qingran, you mustn’t take him seriously. This brat has been like this since he was a child, he doesn’t know how to talk!” the Empress said, looking at Xie Qingran reassuringly.
Xie Qingran knew in her heart that Xiao Jue’s mother and the Empress had been sworn sisters. With their decades-long friendship, the Empress had watched Xiao Jue grow up, and he was no different from her own son.
Sure enough, as soon as the Empress spoke, Xiao Jue’s confrontational air immediately dissipated. He touched his mask and said nothing more.
“Although it was but a glimpse from afar back then, this subject has never forgotten the Heir’s graceful bearing.”
“The Heir’s current state is a result of defending our home and country. There is no shame in it.”
Xie Qingran smiled gently, doing her best to radiate goodwill.
She didn’t want Xiao Jue to reject her. Although she knew that as long as the Emperor was willing to make this match, it wouldn’t matter even if Xiao Jue was unwilling—she would definitely become the daughter-in-law of the Zhen Guo Duke Manor.
But after all, once the doors were closed, it would be the two of them living their lives together. If Xiao Jue detested her, then that life would likely be very difficult.
Xiao Jue glanced at Xie Qingran but did not speak.
Xie Qingran bit her lip and knelt directly on the floor. “Your Majesty, Your Highness, that one glimpse from afar outside the city back then was enough for this subject to lose her heart to the Heir. Now, this subject only asks to marry the Heir and accompany him for a lifetime. I beg the Emperor and Empress to grant my wish!”
The Emperor had been wondering how to broach this subject, but he never expected Xie Qingran to be so direct.
Xie Qingran’s directness and boldness had instantly solved the difficult problem of the Emperor and Empress having to bring it up themselves.