Xie Yankang’s sharp roar was like a clap of thunder exploding in the small courtyard of Ying Xing Pavilion.
The punishment rod, about to fall, stopped abruptly in mid-air.
Everyone followed the sound and saw Xie Yankang striding over.
Behind him followed a pale, beardless eunuch in eunuch attire, staring in astonishment at the farce in the courtyard.
“Aiyo, this one has arrived… at a truly inopportune time.” His voice was high-pitched and thin, with a hint of effeminacy.
Wang Shi, however, was instantly flustered.
Xie Zhaoye was also stunned. He had not expected his father to return at this hour, and with Bao Gonggong from the palace, no less!
This was a great favorite of the current emperor!
Why would such an esteemed personage visit the Xie Family?!
Xie Qingran breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
She hadn’t miscalculated the time…
Xie Yankang had returned just in time.
“Father…” Taking advantage of the matron’s loosened grip, she suddenly flipped over, tumbled clumsily from the long bench to the ground, and then struggled to her feet, stumbling and collapsing to her knees at Xie Yankang’s feet.
“Father… don’t blame Mother. It was your daughter who did wrong, provoking Mother and Elder Brother’s anger…”
The young lady’s voice, as faint as a gossamer thread, was choked with sobs.
As she spoke, she tugged at Xie Yankang’s official robes, her slender shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
Xie Yankang hurriedly helped Xie Qingran up. Glancing at the inscrutable Bao Gonggong beside him, a surge of fury shot to his head. He berated Wang Shi, “Fool! Ran’er was raised in the countryside by a matron sent by the Noble Consort herself. She was taught to be so well-mannered. What mistake could she possibly have made to warrant such a severe punishment? Are you trying to beat her to death?!”
Being reprimanded by her husband in public, especially in front of an outsider, made Wang Shi’s face flush red and then turn pale. She opened her mouth but could not utter a single word.
Xie Qingran opportunely raised her head, her gaze turning timidly toward Bao Gonggong. With a measure of uncertainty and awe, she said, “Father, is this… Bao Gonggong?”
The moment Bao Gonggong entered the courtyard, he had scanned everyone present.
His first glance fell on Xie Hanyue.
Rumor in the capital had it that the Xie Family’s adopted daughter was devastatingly beautiful and gracefully alluring. Seeing her today, it was indeed true; she was like a peony, the nation’s most treasured flower.
But when his second glance fell upon Xie Qingran, his expression suddenly changed.
The young lady’s face was clean and unadorned, her raven hair completely loose. She wore only a white undergarment, without even a single hairpin in her tresses.
Yet, this stark white outshone the peony’s color!
It inspired not the slightest thought of profanity or idle admiration.
Even Bao Gonggong, who had seen his fill of the capital’s dazzling beauties, was momentarily dazed. But he showed no sign of it on his face, merely raising an eyebrow and smiling in surprise. “Oh? The Eldest Miss Xie recognizes this one?”
Xie Qingran managed to stand straight and properly performed a half-curtsy. Her breathing was still unsteady, but her speech was soft and clear. “When Qingran was young, I had the honor of attending a palace banquet with my parents and was fortunate enough to see you from a distance, Gonggong. I was young then and only heard that you were the most capable person in the palace, most favored by His Majesty, so I couldn’t help but look at you a few more times. Seeing you today, your grace is even greater than in the past.”
Her tone was sincere, unlike the usual fawning flattery.
Everyone in the capital knew that Xie Qingran had only just returned to the Xie Family from the countryside. She had barely seen her own parents over the years, so how could she have ever seen Bao Gonggong?
Furthermore, the emperor rarely sent Bao Gonggong out of the palace on errands anymore. Today was entirely on a whim, so it was impossible for the Xie Family to have informed Xie Qingran in advance.
Therefore, other than her claim of having seen him as a child, it was difficult to explain how she recognized Bao Gonggong at a glance.
Bao Gonggong waved his hand, his high-pitched voice softening somewhat, revealing a genuine smile. “Eldest Miss Xie, you overpraise me. This one merely runs errands for His Majesty. But you, Eldest Miss, to be so courteous even after being wronged—that is truly rare.”
Seeing this, Xie Yankang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly ordered the maidservants who were frozen in shock, “What are you still standing there for! Quickly help the Eldest Miss back to her room to rest! And go fetch a physician!”
The maidservants and matrons finally snapped out of their daze. They scrambled forward to carefully support Xie Qingran.
Xie Qingran obediently allowed herself to be helped. As she passed by Bao Gonggong, she lowered her head again as a sign of respect before returning to her room with unsteady steps.
From beginning to end, she did not spare Wang Shi or Xie Zhaoye a single glance.
A glint of shrewdness flashed through Bao Gonggong’s eyes.
The Xie Family claimed their daughter had volunteered for the marriage…
He hadn’t believed it at first, but now he seemed to have discerned something.
“I have made a fool of myself in front of you, Gonggong. These family matters… are truly…” Seeing that Bao Gonggong was still staring in Xie Qingran’s direction, Xie Yankang hurriedly apologized.
Bao Gonggong chuckled, his tone ambiguous. “Lord Xie’s strict household management is admirable. Since your esteemed manor has matters to attend to, this one will take his leave. His Majesty is still waiting for my report.”
“Please see yourself out, Gonggong. I will escort you.” Xie Yankang hastily followed. Just as Bao Gonggong was about to leave the manor, he secretly slipped the pre-prepared bank notes into his hand, his tone utterly sycophantic. “Gonggong, regarding today’s events, I must ask you to speak favorably on my behalf before His Majesty.”
Bao Gonggong returned the bank notes without a trace of movement.
Xie Yankang was momentarily flustered, unsure of Bao Gonggong’s meaning.
He knew full well that the emperor had sent Bao Gonggong to ascertain whether Xie Qingran had a flawed appearance or physical defects…
“Lord Xie, please rest assured.” Bao Gonggong was an old fox, impeccable in his words and deeds. “Eldest Miss Xie was personally trained by people sent from the Noble Consort. She is certainly an excellent young lady, and His Majesty will naturally extend his favor to her. It’s just… you also know that His Majesty holds the Marquis of Zhenguo in high regard. We still need to get past that side.”
“Yes, what Bao Gonggong says is right.”
Xie Yankang forced a smile. After watching Bao Gonggong’s carriage depart, his expression instantly turned grim.
Wang Shi had already led Xie Zhaoye back to the main house. The mother and son waited anxiously for a while. The moment they heard Xie Yankang’s heavy, hurried footsteps, Wang Shi immediately rose to greet him.
She saw Xie Yankang walk straight toward Xie Zhaoye.
“My lord!”
Smack!
Wang Shi’s cry was accompanied by a loud slap that resounded through the main hall.
“Unfilial son! Kneel for me!” Xie Yankang was incandescent with rage, raining curses down on Xie Zhaoye.
“Father! You… you hit me?! Do you have any idea that Xie Qingran almost drowned me! And you’re still protecting her?!” Xie Zhaoye’s eyes widened as he stared at his father in disbelief, his voice filled with grievance and fury.
“Shut up!” Xie Yankang’s chest heaved violently. “Do you have any idea who Qingran is about to marry? It’s the Marquis of Zhenguo! I just had an audience with His Majesty in the palace. Although he did not issue the decree immediately, he was greatly pleased and full of praise for our Xie Family’s initiative. The matter of inheriting the title is finally in sight! Are you trying to ruin your sister and destroy the hope of the entire Xie Family right now?!”
“What?” Xie Zhaoye was stunned, thinking he had misheard. “Zhen Guo Duke Manor? That Xiao Jue… isn’t he already a cripple?! Xie Qingran is going to marry a cripple…”
“Silence!”
Xie Yankang cut him off sharply, his tone carrying an unprecedented severity. “The entire Zhen Guo Duke Manor is full of loyal martyrs. How dare you slander them so recklessly! Qingran is obedient and sensible, with a deep understanding of righteousness. For her to be willing to marry into that family at this time is a great service to both the country and our family!”
The main house fell into a deathly silence, leaving only Xie Zhaoye’s heavy, resentful panting.
“Yes, your son understands.”
“It’s good that you understand.” Xie Yankang barely managed to calm his anger and instructed in a tone that brooked no argument, “Before the imperial decree is issued, do not spread this matter and let outsiders know. Qingran suffered a fright today; I will go see her. And you, as her mother, should also think more about your daughter!”
“Yes,” Wang Shi answered meekly.
Ying Xing Pavilion.
Xie Qingran lay on the couch. After a while, she heard approaching footsteps.
Xie Yankang pushed the door open and entered, his face now wearing a gentle and concerned expression. He walked to the side of the couch and quickly stopped Xie Qingran, who was about to rise and bow. “Ran’er, you have been wronged today. Rest well. Your father has already summoned the best physician in the city, who will be here to see you shortly. What happened today will definitely not happen again.”
Xie Qingran lowered her lashes and replied obediently, “Yes, your daughter understands. Thank you, Father.”
Xie Yankang nodded in satisfaction and added a few more words of concern. “Then your father will not disturb your rest.”
“Your daughter respectfully sees Father off.” Xie Qingran propped herself up with some effort and watched Xie Yankang leave.
A moment later, the head matron led several maidservants in, filing into the room.
A stream of rewards was delivered to the usually deserted Ying Xing Pavilion.
Piping hot tranquility soup, precious blood swallow supplements, brand-new silks and satins, and a few pieces of jewelry that looked priceless at a glance…
The maidservants carefully arranged the items, their attitude so respectful it was as if they were completely different people from before.
Xie Qingran lay quietly on the couch. Her fingertips casually picked up a jade hairpin, toyed with it in her palm, then tossed it back. “Put them in the vault,” she said faintly.
Her value was not limited to just this.
“Yes.”