Xiao Yanran sat on a small stool, dangling her feet, and looked at Xiao Jue while chewing on her sugar-coated haws on a stick.
“Big Brother, I really think this Sister Xie is amazing. She can tame horses, she buys me delicious things, and she even made me these beautiful little clothes!”
“Look, there’s also a pair of shoes. Aren’t they pretty? And this, Baozhu said this is a hair ribbon to be worn in my hair. It will flutter when the wind blows, it’s sure to be beautiful. Can I have Sister Hongyu put it on for me tomorrow?”
Xiao Yanran showed off the items one by one. These were all brought over by Xie Qingran, which showed that Xie Qingran truly had taken the two children to heart.
After a moment, Xiao Jue noticed something was amiss.
“Nothing for me?”
Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow, looking at Xiao Yanran and Xiao Yu.
Xiao Yu searched carefully and then found a small box, handing it to Xiao Jue. “This should be for you.”
Opening it, he saw a very exquisite jade pendant lying quietly inside.
According to the customs of Da Jin, an unmarried couple should exchange jade pendants.
However, their engagement had not yet been finalized. Wasn’t sending this over now a little too hasty?
Xiao Jue stared at the jade pendant, thought for a moment, and then handed it to Luhua behind him. “Put it away.”
“Yes.”
Luhua was a bit surprised when she took the jade pendant. She had originally thought Xiao Jue would refuse, but unexpectedly, he had accepted it?
Could it be that he was tacitly agreeing to this marriage?
“Heir Xiao, you mean to say?”
Luhua looked at Xiao Jue, somewhat puzzled.
“You agree?”
Xiao Jue glanced at Luhua and gave a self-deprecating smile, then said flatly, “Luhua, we should have understood from the very beginning. Whether I agree or not, they will make this marriage happen. Once this woman enters our doors, the imperial family’s guilt will be considered paid in full.”
A great kindness can be as burdensome as a great enmity. The imperial family, bearing this weight, was naturally at the end of its patience.
Xiao Jue also knew that pushing too hard would do him no good, especially with the Zhen Guo Duke Manor in its current state. They absolutely could not afford to draw more of the Emperor’s attention.
Thinking of this, Xiao Jue suddenly felt that Xie Qingran’s previous proposal was also quite good.
He glanced at Xiao Yanran. “Do you really like this Sister Xie?”
“I do.” Xiao Yanran nodded very seriously.
Xiao Yu’s expression changed, and he snorted, “Aren’t you afraid she’ll hit you? She’s so fierce, you wouldn’t even be able to cry if she hit you!”
“She wouldn’t hit me, would she?” Xiao Yanran was still young, after all. She looked at Xiao Yu with wide, teary eyes and said, “Will she really? Big Brother, will she?”
Seeing her like this, Xiao Jue shot Xiao Yu a glare and said irritably, “Shut up. You’re not allowed to scare your sister!”
After speaking, he turned and walked toward the inner rooms.
Upon entering the study, the gloomy expression on Xiao Jue’s face shifted. “Have you found out?”
“This subordinate has already investigated thoroughly. There are no major issues with this Miss Xie. She was always at the manor, mistreated by a matron. After being brought back by the Xie Family, she has been constantly looking for a match. She was interested in Lu Jinzhi before, but Lu Jinzhi seemed unwilling.”
“However, this Miss Xie will be twenty in two months. If she cannot marry within two months, I’m afraid it will be very troublesome.”
Luhua had meticulously inquired about the dozen or so years Xie Qingran had spent at the manor, so it was rather complicated to recount now.
“It’s just as she said.”
“This young lady is very unusual.”
“I wonder whose person she is.”
Xiao Jue’s expression changed, and he let out a cold snort.
“Then, shall this subordinate investigate further?”
“Mm.”
Xie Family, Ying Xing Pavilion.
Just as Xie Qingran entered, Xie Zhaoye walked over. “Where did you go? A young lady of a good family running around everywhere, what a disgrace!”
“What’s it to you?”
Xie Qingran retorted expressionlessly.
Just seeing this person now made her blood boil.
“Insolence! I am your elder brother. I’m asking you, why did you humiliate Hanyue today!”
“It’s bad enough that you make things difficult for Yue’er at home, but to ruin her reputation outside as well is simply too much!”
Xie Zhaoye clenched his fists, staring daggers at Xie Qingran.
Xie Qingran remained impassive. “Did she tell you that I was pushed off the upper floor by Lu Jinzhi?”
Hearing this, Xie Zhaoye’s brows knitted together tightly. A trace of concern flickered in his eyes, but it was quickly masked by annoyance.
He snorted coldly and said irritably, “So you take it out on Yue’er? Don’t you know that we are family!”
Then there was nothing more to say.
Xie Qingran stood there and spread her hands. “Are you going to hit me or scold me?”
“I!”
Xie Zhaoye had come to demand an explanation, but he had never expected Xie Qingran’s attitude to be like this.
He snorted, “Xie Qingran, you don’t think I’d dare, do you!”
“Then be quick about it!” Xie Qingran’s expression changed as she tilted her head up. “If you’re going to hit or scold me, hurry up. I have other things to do!”
Before her words had faded, Xie Yankang walked in, chuckling. “Qingran, you’re finally back. Look, the Zhen Guo Duke Manor sent you some things!”
Soon, Xie Yankang noticed the tense atmosphere in the courtyard. His brows furrowed as he looked at Xie Zhaoye. “What are you doing here!”
Xie Zhaoye was very afraid of Xie Yankang. His expression immediately changed, and he said with a cheerful smile, “Nothing, I just came to see my younger sister.”
“You can leave first.” Xie Yankang snorted in displeasure, then turned his head to look at Xie Qingran with a beaming smile.
Following that, the family’s young servants walked in, carrying more than a dozen large chests.
Seeing this, Xie Qingran’s expression changed. She looked at Xie Yankang, puzzled. “Father? What is this?”
“These are all from the Zhen Guo Duke Manor, sent by Heir Xiao for you. He said it’s to thank you.”
“Qingran, what did you do? Why would he want to thank you?”
Xie Yankang looked at his daughter with some confusion, not understanding how she had managed it.
Xie Qingran smiled and recounted the matter of her giving gifts to the two children from beginning to end.
“You played this move very well. Those two children are Heir Xiao’s weak spot. Don’t worry, Father will definitely help you!”
Xie Yankang immediately nodded in satisfaction.
Hearing this, Xie Qingran smiled and then said, “But I’m afraid this alone is not enough. The Heir has not yet nodded his agreement. Father, we should still think of some other ways.”
Xie Yankang naturally thought so too. He looked at Xie Qingran. “What do you think?”
“My elder brother and younger sister have both reached the right age. It’s time to properly look for matches for them. It’s only right for the family to host a few more banquets. Isn’t that so, Father?”