Xiao Yu’s expression shifted. “Brother… this Miss Xie is really… special.”
“But I think Sister Xie is amazing. She could even tame such a big horse. In the future, she definitely won’t let others bully us!” Xiao Yanran said, looking at Xiao Yu very seriously.
However, Xiao Yu was older, after all. His brows knitted tightly as he looked at his younger sister and said, “Aren’t you afraid she’ll deal with you, then?”
“I’m not afraid. Once she marries over, she’ll be our sister-in-law, one of the family. Family members should trust and protect each other!”
“Big Brother, don’t you agree?”
Xiao Yanran was young, so she spoke with great innocence. She was also looking forward to having a sister-in-law in the family, unable to bear seeing her brother always alone.
The two children chattered back and forth, but Xiao Jue remained silent.
He had previously thought she was just a simple, sheltered young lady, but now it was clear the situation was not that simple.
His brows knitted tightly as he truly began to ponder Xie Qingran’s words, wondering if he should strike a deal with her with clearly stated terms.
“Let’s head back first.”
Xiao Jue came back to his senses, gently stroking Xiao Yanran’s head as a soft smile touched the corners of his lips.
Xie Family.
The first thing Xie Qingran did upon returning home was go to the main hall, as she knew very well that someone would be waiting for her there.
Sure enough, as soon as she entered, she saw Xie Yankang, Wang Shi, and the rest of the Xie Family all present.
“Sister, you’re finally back. Father and Mother have been waiting for you for a long time. Why did you take so long to return?”
Xie Hanyue was the first to rush forward. She gently took Xie Qingran’s arm, her face full of concern. Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought they shared a deep sisterly bond.
“It’s this late, and you still know to come back? Where have you been!”
“You think you’re so great just because you went to the palace, is that it?”
Xie Zhaoye strode forward, looking at Xie Qingran with displeasure.
“Did Mother not tell you when she returned that I was summoned alone by Her Majesty, the Empress?”
“Her Majesty wanted to speak with me and then had me escort Heir Xiao back. What? Was I supposed to refuse?”
Xie Qingran’s expression was impassive as she coolly stated the facts.
Even so, in Wang Shi’s eyes, this was Xie Qingran talking back to her!
In Wang Shi’s heart, a good girl should be like Xie Hanyue—gentle, obedient, sensible, and considerate of her parents.
But Xie Qingran simply didn’t understand any of this. She wore a stern face all day long without a hint of a smile. What young lady was like this?
Xie Yankang didn’t care whether this daughter was pleasant or not; he only wanted to know how much value she held.
He quickly grasped the key point. “You mean to say, you met Heir Xiao in Chunqiu Palace?”
“Yes. Her Majesty, the Empress, meant for us to get a good look at each other. She also said she would give us three months, after which the marriage will be decreed.”
“Of course, if Heir Xiao is adamant about not wanting it, then Her Majesty will not force the matter.”
Xie Qingran spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, laying out the matter so her family would know what was going on.
To Xie Yankang’s ears, this matter was basically settled. He was instantly thrilled.
“Sister, I heard that Heir Xiao’s legs are crippled, his face is ruined, and he looks just like a vicious ghost. Did you really see him?” Xie Hanyue leaned in, staring at Xie Qingran with a face full of curiosity, but in truth, she could barely hide the schadenfreude in her eyes.
Faced with such a low-level provocation, Xie Qingran naturally paid it no mind.
She looked directly at Xie Yankang and sighed with a hint of helplessness. “Father, the conduct in this household really needs to be properly disciplined. If words like these were to reach the ears of the Emperor and the Empress, I’m afraid all our previous efforts will have been in vain!”
“Hanyue, no more nonsense!” Xie Yankang’s expression changed immediately. He frowned at Xie Hanyue, displeased. “Heir Xiao became this way for the sake of our Great Jin. If you ever say such things again, don’t blame Father!”
Ever since she was little, Xie Hanyue had been treated like the apple of their eye, cradled in the palms of their hands. When had she ever been reprimanded like this?
Her eyes immediately reddened. She lowered her head and choked out, “Yes, Father. I know I was wrong. I won’t dare to speak such nonsense again.”
“Alright, alright, Little Sister was just saying it at home. What could possibly happen?”
“Xie Qingran, I think you’re deliberately targeting Yue’er. Are you dissatisfied with everything Yue’er says and does?”
Seeing his beloved little sister being wronged, Xie Zhaoye’s expression changed instantly. He took a step forward, shielding Xie Hanyue.
What a loyal guard dog.
Xie Qingran didn’t even spare Xie Zhaoye a glance, merely curtsying to Xie Yankang and Wang Shi. “I am truly exhausted today. I will take my leave now.”
After speaking, she ignored the emotions of everyone in the room, turned, and left.
The only reason she wanted this marriage was to live a peaceful life. As for the fates of the other members of the Xie Family, Xie Qingran couldn’t care less. It wasn’t as if they cared about her, their daughter, anyway!
“Father, look at her arrogant attitude!”
“I just don’t get it. It’s just a marriage. What’s so amazing about it? Is marrying a cripple something to be so proud of?”
Seeing Xie Qingran’s cold demeanor, Xie Zhaoye seethed with anger, his words completely unfiltered.
It was useless even though Wang Shi kept trying to signal him with her eyes.
“Shut your mouth! What nonsense are you spouting!”
“If Qingran can truly marry into the Zhen Guo Duke Manor, it will be a tremendous blessing for our Xie Family. Your future, and the future of the Xie Family, all rest on this marriage!”
“From now on, speak to your sister properly. You should act like an older brother.”
Xie Yankang looked at his son, feeling a sense of disappointment. He wasn’t against Xie Zhaoye being good to Xie Hanyue, but he needed to know who his actual sister was. More importantly, he couldn’t be so obviously biased. He had to at least keep up appearances.
Even though Xie Yankang had made himself so clear, Xie Zhaoye still paid it no mind. However, he was terrified of his father and didn’t dare to talk back, so he could only rub his nose in dissatisfaction to express his frustration.
“Father, are you really willing to marry Sister to Xiao Jue?” Xie Hanyue looked at Xie Yankang with some worry. “But with Sister’s personality, will Heir Xiao really like her? Can the two of them live well together?”
Xie Yankang cared about none of this. Even if Xie Qingran were to die in the Zhen Guo Duke Manor in the future, it would be worth it.