“It is not my place to interfere in Lord Xie’s family affairs. However, if this matter were to cause a scene before His Majesty, it would reflect poorly on everyone.”
As he spoke, Bao Gonggong waved his hand casually, and the young eunuchs behind him came forward carrying two large chests.
“These are the clothes and jewelry Her Majesty the Empress has bestowed upon the Xie Family’s eldest young miss. I trust Lord Xie will handle things appropriately!”
Ordinarily, that last half of the sentence would have been unnecessary. But seeing the current state of the Xie Family, Bao Gonggong worried that the Empress’s gifts would end up being worn by Xie Hanyue. If that happened when she entered the palace, it would truly become a laughingstock.
“Yes, rest assured, Bao Gonggong. I will certainly have Qingran dress herself well. She will absolutely not bring shame upon His Majesty or the Xie Family.”
Xie Yankang politely saw the man out, even trying to stuff a thick stack of silver banknotes into his hands. Unfortunately, just like before, there was no response; Bao Gonggong simply would not accept his money.
“Lord Xie, there are some things this one should not say, but at this point, they must be said.”
“His Majesty holds the Zhen Guo Duke Manor in high regard, and he values this marriage alliance even more. Lord Xie, you would do well to remember that.”
Bao Gonggong’s voice was high and sharp, carrying an indescribable note of warning. Only after Xie Yankang’s repeated assurances did he finally turn, board his carriage, and depart with a gentle sway.
Ying Xing Pavilion.
Xie Qingran’s expression was neutral. She simply had her maid, Baozhu, open the chests before her. They were stuffed to the brim with gold, silver, and jewels. From this, it was clear they weren’t just for the upcoming banquet. It was likely a gesture of appeasement from the palace regarding the marriage between the two families.
It was meant to make Xie Qingran willing, and also to send a signal to the Xie Family.
“Wow, Her Majesty the Empress is so good to you, Elder Sister! I’ve never seen a pearl this big.”
“Mother, look quickly, it’s so beautiful!”
Xie Hanyue put on an innocent and artless act, but in truth, the jealousy in her eyes was nearly impossible to suppress.
Wang Shi hadn’t expected the palace to be so concerned with this matter, nor had she thought the Empress would send so many things. For a moment, she too felt that they were in a difficult position with this marriage, unable to easily back out.
“Qingran, since these are gifts from Her Majesty the Empress, you should keep them. It’s just that this pearl is so lovely, and your younger sister likes it. Why don’t you give it to her?”
Wang Shi walked over, took the fist-sized Night-Shining Pearl in her hand, and stuffed it directly into Xie Hanyue’s.
Although she had verbally asked Xie Qingran, it was obvious that whether Xie Qingran agreed or not was not part of her consideration.
“Put it down!”
Xie Yankang returned to see this exact scene, and he felt a surge of fury.
He strode forward and gave Wang Shi a vicious slap across the face. He used his full strength, sending Wang Shi sprawling to the ground.
“Father, don’t hit Mother! It’s my fault, I was the one who wanted it. Mother was only doing it for me!”
Xie Hanyue scrambled forward to shield Wang Shi, kneeling on the ground and clutching tightly to Xie Yankang’s arm.
On any other day, Xie Yankang would have immediately comforted Xie Hanyue. But now, he just flung her hand away, pointed a finger at Wang Shi’s nose, and began to berate her.
“I told you to prepare properly for this palace banquet! What are you doing!”
“Fighting over a mere piece of fabric! How can you all be so shortsighted? A bunch of disgraceful embarrassments! Get out of my sight, now!”
The more Xie Yankang spoke, the angrier he became.
The Xie Family was large and prosperous; what could they possibly lack?
It was just some fabric, yet they had caused such an ugly scene.
Bao Gonggong had barely left, and they were already coveting the gifts from the palace. It was utterly outrageous!
It took Wang Shi a long moment to recover. She struggled up from the floor, frowning at Xie Yankang. “My lord, what are you saying? It’s just a small trinket. If Yue’er likes it, what’s the harm in giving it to her?”
“So you just treat my words like farts, is that it?”
“Fine, I’ll make myself clearer. From now on, whatever Qingran likes, Xie Hanyue is not to touch a single bit of it. Get out!”
Xie Yankang exploded with rage again, looking as if he was about to strike her once more.
Xie Hanyue’s eyes widened in disbelief, and then tears streamed down her face. She tugged on Wang Shi’s sleeve and choked out, “Yes, Father is right. I will never compete with Elder Sister again. From now on, if Elder Sister so much as glances at something, I will not look at it a second time!”
“My lord! How can you treat Hanyue like this? Yue’er is the apple of our eye!” Wang Shi’s eyes reddened, and her gaze fell upon Xie Qingran.
Xie Qingran just stood quietly to the side, watching the farce before her with a blank expression.
She found it laughable. They had completely failed to see the true nature of the situation. For the sake of the Xie Family, for the sake of their future, they could even abandon their own biological daughter. How could they possibly care about the feelings of an adopted one?
Xie Hanyue seemed to be showered with endless affection, but in reality, she was nothing more than a little plaything the Xie Family kept around for amusement.
The atmosphere in the room was tense and awkward. Everyone felt wronged, but Xie Yankang’s grievance was fury, while Xie Qingran’s was cold indifference.
“Xie Qingran, are you just going to stand there and watch your mother and sister suffer?”
“How could I have a daughter like you? You don’t have a shred of humanity!”
The moment Wang Shi saw Xie Qingran, it was as if she had found an outlet for her anger. Her brows knitted together tightly, her face terrifyingly grim.
“Out!”
Xie Yankang could finally bear it no longer and roared at Wang Shi. Xie Hanyue also keenly sensed that something was wrong and quickly grabbed Wang Shi’s arm, afraid she would escalate the conflict further.
“Mother, let’s just go. Elder Sister doesn’t want to see us. We should leave quickly and not delay her from choosing her clothes.”
“Oh, right, Mother, the pastries the kitchen sent over today are especially delicious. Let’s go eat them together, shall we?”
Xie Hanyue swayed Wang Shi’s arm coquettishly, easing the awkward, stiff atmosphere and giving Wang Shi a way to back down gracefully.
“You’re still the sensible one.”
Wang Shi shot Xie Qingran a venomous glare, took Xie Hanyue’s hand, and the mother-daughter pair turned and left intimately.
Watching their retreating backs, Xie Qingran understood that this was Wang Shi and Xie Hanyue working together, deliberately putting on a show for her and grating on her nerves.
In her past life, Xie Qingran had cared most about the relationships and affection within her family. She had always yearned for the love of her parents and brother. But the Xie Qingran of now only felt that none of it mattered. Living well and leaving the Xie Family—that was what was most important.
After everyone had left, Ying Xing Pavilion was finally quiet again.
Xie Yankang seemed exhausted, rubbing the bridge of his nose in resignation. “No matter what, we are all family. Let’s not make things too ugly.”