Wang Shi was about to fall asleep, but she never expected Xie Yankang to suddenly bring this up.
Her brows knitted tightly together. She sat up and looked at Xie Yankang. “My lord, you’ve seen Qingran’s attitude toward us. Even if she really marries into that family, she won’t help our Xie Family, will she?”
“The Xiao family is no blessed land. Without our Xie Family to back her, I’m afraid she’ll be eaten alive by the elders of those collateral branches.”
“Don’t worry. We’re all in the same boat. Qingran is a girl who understands the bigger picture.”
The women of the inner residence and the men of the imperial court saw things from completely different perspectives.
Xie Yankang, in particular, was a seasoned veteran of the court. He saw the stakes involved more clearly than anyone. This move was an absolute stroke of genius!
Seeing Xie Yankang’s persistence, Wang Shi’s mouth moved, but in the end, she didn’t say a single word.
What mother didn’t want her daughter to live a better life?
But this marriage was beneficial to both the Xie Family and Xie Zhaoye. After thinking it over, Wang Shi felt she shouldn’t stand in its way.
As for Xie Qingran…
Thinking of that cold face, Wang Shi sighed helplessly. Even if she was her biological daughter, perhaps some bonds were just not meant to be.
The next day, at dawn.
Before Xie Qingran had even risen, Liu Gugu had already walked in. “Eldest Miss, the sun is already high in the sky. It is time for you to get up.”
“Is something the matter?” Xie Qingran merely opened her eyes lazily, looking at her with displeasure.
Liu Gugu walked to Xie Qingran’s bedside and spoke with a cold, expressionless face, “Madam said that since you have been living in the countryside, you have not met the family elders and do not understand the rules. Therefore, she wants this servant to instruct you properly. After all, you may marry into the Zhen Guo Duke Manor in the future and cannot bring shame to your maternal family.”
Learning the rules again.
It was the same in her past life. They claimed they wanted her to learn the rules, but in reality, it was just another way to torment her.
Xie Qingran’s expression didn’t change as she said coolly, “I spent over a decade on the estate constantly learning the rules. I was taught by a governess who served the Noble Consort. What, is Mother dissatisfied?”
This statement dragged the Imperial Concubine into the matter. If Wang Shi insisted on leaving Liu Gugu here, it would be tantamount to challenging the Noble Consort.
Having been by Wang Shi’s side for many years, Liu Gugu naturally understood the meaning behind Xie Qingran’s words.
“A governess from the Noble Consort’s side is naturally excellent, but I’m afraid she never taught you how to be a proper wife, did she?” Liu Gugu frowned, staring intently at Xie Qingran.
She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but she felt as if Xie Qingran had suddenly become a different person recently.
She always gave off a feeling of keeping others at a distance, and often, she even carried a hard-to-fathom depth.
This was not the cunning a teenage girl should possess.
“My marriage isn’t even settled yet. What’s the rush?”
“Get out. I want to sleep.”
Xie Qingran lay down expressionlessly and pulled the covers up, clearly having no intention of continuing the conversation with Liu Gugu.
Liu Gugu now knew how formidable Xie Qingran could be, so she didn’t confront her directly. Instead, after returning to the main courtyard, she recounted what had happened, word for word.
“This is outrageous! That wretched girl simply has no respect for me, her mother!”
“Liu Gugu, gather more people. We’re going to pay a visit to this Eldest Miss Xie!”
Wang Shi was clearly incensed. She slammed her hand on the table and flew into a rage, immediately leading a dozen people in a grand procession toward Ying Xing Pavilion.
However, Xie Qingran was no fool. How could she possibly lie in bed and wait for these people to come looking for trouble?
The moment Liu Gugu left, Xie Qingran had already gotten up and slipped out through the back door. She hadn’t had a chance to go out for a proper walk since her rebirth.
“Miss, is it really alright for us to go out like this?” Baozhu followed beside Xie Qingran, feeling somewhat anxious.
“What’s not alright about it?” Xie Qingran smiled, then said lightly, “The customs of our Da Jin are quite open-minded. Women are allowed to go out freely. What are you afraid of?”
“This servant is not afraid of that. I’m afraid that Madam will be angry when she finds out,” Baozhu said, looking at Xie Qingran pitifully.
Xie Qingran huffed and said nothing more.
No matter what she said or did, Wang Shi would get angry anyway. Since that was the case, she might as well do as she pleased.
Baozhu also felt that Xie Qingran was a little different now, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. In any case, she preferred this version of Xie Qingran.
Having finally gotten a day of leisure, Xie Qingran took Baozhu directly to Jin Yue Lou, the largest teahouse in Jing City.
She had originally intended to come for a relaxing cup of tea, but she never expected to run into Xie Hanyue and Lu Jinzhi right as she entered.
The two of them must have arranged to meet long ago. Standing side by side now, they truly looked like a talented man and a beautiful woman.
It was just a pity that the only thing worth looking at on Lu Jinzhi was his face; everything else about him was utterly foul.
“Elder Sister, are you here for tea as well?”
Xie Hanyue stood beside Lu Jinzhi, tilting her head as she looked at Xie Qingran with a face full of curiosity.
Xie Qingran didn’t reply, merely giving a cold nod before starting to head upstairs.
As for Lu Jinzhi, who stood to the side, Xie Qingran paid him no mind at all, as if he didn’t exist.
Seeing this, Xie Hanyue also found it strange. Xie Qingran had clearly been very fond of Lu Jinzhi before, so why was she acting like this now?
“What day is it today that my Jin Yue Lou is graced by so many distinguished guests? It truly brightens up my humble establishment.”
A hearty male voice rang out, and a young man dressed in moon-white Shu Brocade was seen descending the stairs.
The young man’s eyes seemed to hold the charm of spring, and his figure was tall and slender. His clothes were of no small value, and even the seemingly simple white jade hairpin in his hair was a rare treasure. The jade thumb ring on his hand was worth a fortune.
Yet, this person’s aura was not one of common vulgar wealth; it carried an air of indescribable nobility.
Xie Qingran stared at the man’s face, her eyes still icy. This was Shen Wen Yuan, the legitimate second son of the imperial merchant Shen family. The Shen family’s wealth could rival a nation’s, but the one truly in charge was the eldest son, Shen Zhui. As for this second son, Shen Wen Yuan, he was a bona fide profligate.
He was clueless about everything except spending money.
“Eldest Miss Xie is here too? What a rare sight. I heard you’ve been living on an estate?” Shen Wen Yuan walked over, folded his arms, and looked Xie Qingran up and down.
There was no interest in Xie Qingran in his eyes, only a calculation of what her entire ensemble was worth.