In the front hall of the Houfu, sandalwood incense drifted through the air.
Smoke rose slowly from the gilded incense burner, curling around the ceiling before dispersing.
The Yongchang Houye, Xie Hongyi, sat upright in a grandmaster chair. A stern majesty brought back from the imperial court settled between his brows, while a hint of irrepressible fatigue was hidden within the fine lines at the corners of his eyes.
His usually steady face was covered with a layer of frost. "I have a question for you. Why was Xie Mianmian blocked at the main gate when she returned to the manor today?"
Xie Hongyi's voice was as deep as a cold pool in midwinter, his words laced with ice. "When the court session ended today, that Minister Li actually ridiculed me in public in the corridor! He said my Xie family's conduct is corrupt, that ten years of searching for my daughter was nothing but a sham to gain fame, and that now that my legitimate daughter has returned, I allowed her to be humiliated at the front gate! The civil and military officials were all present—where am I supposed to put this face of mine?"
Sitting to one side, the Marquess's Wife’s body went limp. she hurriedly reached out to steady herself against the edge of the table. Her knuckles turned white from gripping the agarwood prayer beads in her hand, and her voice carried an imperceptible tremor. "I… I truly did not know Mianmian would return today. There has been no news and not a single clue for all these years. Who could have expected her to return so suddenly…"
"Is ignorance an excuse?"
Xie Hongyi slammed his hand on the table, letting out a dull, heavy thud. "Is the gatekeeper dead? Seeing that the girl's features resemble those of the Xie family, even without instructions, he should have first invited her into the side hall to serve tea! Now look what has happened—you allowed her to be made a laughingstock on the street in front of my colleagues' families. The dignity of our Yongchang Houfu has been entirely squandered by you!"
The Marquess's Wife's shoulders slumped slightly. She finally lowered her eyes, her voice growing even more faint. "It was my poor management of the household that caused the Marquess to suffer shame. I ask the Marquess to appease his anger."
"Mother, do not blame yourself." A gentle voice, like the warble of an oriole, rang out at the right moment, interrupting the Marquess's Wife.
Xie Siyu had changed into a fresh, tender pink silk dress embroidered with magnolias. She said to the Marquess with a coquettish air, "Father, this matter was originally an accident. The news of Sister's return was too abrupt, and no one in the manor was prepared. The gatekeeper followed the rules by questioning her origins; that was simply his duty, not an intentional slight."
Xie Hongyi’s brow smoothed slightly. His gaze fell upon Xie Siyu, and his tone softened a little. "You needn't speak for your mother. Her arrangements for this matter were indeed improper."
"Father, it wasn't that the gatekeeper was rude, but rather that there was a reason for it."
Xie Siyu looked up, her gaze like shimmering autumn water, pitiable and moving. "The maidservant following Sister has a very violent temperament. The gatekeeper only asked a few routine questions, yet she scaled the wall to enter. She even knocked many family servants to the ground and opened the main gate from the inside out. Such behavior actually startled the passing neighbors. Mother has always been benevolent. If she had known it was Sister returning, she would never have let her suffer the slightest grievance."
Hearing this, a surge of warmth rose in the Marquess's Wife's heart, like drinking a cup of hot tea in the dead of winter.
Because her spirits had been low these past few years, she had handed over more than half of the household's administrative affairs to Xie Siyu.
This child not only managed everything in the manor in an orderly fashion, but her personality was also considerate and thoughtful.
Every word she spoke today protected her; it truly spoke to her heart.
"Siyu is exactly right."
The Marquess's Wife hurriedly followed the lead, her voice becoming steadier. "That maidservant likely grew up in the countryside and knows nothing of hierarchy or etiquette. Mianmian has perhaps suffered out there all these years, which is why she keeps such a coarse person by her side. It is inevitable that she would be led astray and lose her sense of propriety. I have already had people make preparations; I will certainly compensate her well."
Xie Hongyi’s tightly knit brows relaxed a bit more, and his expression softened. "In that case, let it be."
The anger in his tone had mostly dissipated. "She has drifted outside for ten years; her temperament is likely different from when she was a child. You must take extra care to look after her. Do not let anything else go wrong and give people cause for gossip."
The Marquess's Wife hurriedly complied respectfully. The gaze she directed at Xie Siyu became increasingly soft and close, full of praise.
For a moment, no one spoke further.
Xie Hongyi’s fingertips unconsciously stroked the deeply carved auspicious cloud patterns on the arms of his chair, his heavy gaze fixed on the hall entrance.
The Marquess's Wife fiddled with the agarwood prayer beads, the rounded beads rolling repeatedly against her fingertips, making a faint "clack-clack" sound.
Her eyelashes trembled as she looked down, yet she frequently raised her eyes toward the door, looking toward the outside with some unease.
Xie Siyu sat gracefully in the seat beside the Marquess's Wife, offering silent comfort.
Before long, light footsteps were heard outside.
Xie Rujin and Xie Mianmian entered to pay their respects to the Marquess and the Marquess's Wife. "Children greet Father and Mother."
A flash of contempt flickered quickly through the depths of Xie Siyu’s eyes, but it was immediately replaced by a submissive and gentle smile.
When Xie Rujue entered, her smile grew even wider as she pointed to the seat beside her.
Xie Rujue took one look at the fierce-looking Xie Mianmian and decided to stay far away. He hurriedly sat down next to Xie Siyu and finally let out a long sigh of relief.
As soon as they were settled, they heard Marquess Xie Hongyi speak, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority.
His gaze fell directly on Xie Mianmian. "Since you have returned to the manor, you are the Young Miss of the Houfu. There is no need to mention past events again. However, the Houfu has the Houfu’s rules—"
"You have been wandering outside for ten years; I fear you have long forgotten the etiquette of Chenhun Dingsheng and the proper way to conduct oneself in the Houfu. Starting tomorrow, follow the governess every day to learn rules, poise, arts, and needlework. Do not be as willful as you were outside."
Before Xie Mianmian could speak, Xie Siyu took the lead and stood up.
Her eyes turned slightly red, her tone carrying a hint of grievance. "Father, please do not be so harsh with Sister. Sister was outside for ten years, exposed to the elements, enduring hardships to make a living. How could she have had time to worry about rules? I believe Sister did not lose her manners on purpose. Once she learns slowly, she will surely be as dignified as she was before."
Every word of this was a plea for mercy, yet every sentence emphasized Xie Mianmian's lack of discipline.
It was as if she wanted to firmly weld the impression of Xie Mianmian’s miserable ten years, her savageness, ignorance, and poor etiquette into everyone's hearts.
Xie Hongyi’s gaze landed on Xie Mianmian’s martial attire, and his tone darkened further. "The urgent priority is to learn the rules well and become a dignified and proper noble lady. Do not be like you were when drifting outside—savage, crude, and undisciplined."
Xie Mianmian’s voice was calm and flat, faintly carrying an indescribable air of perfunctoriness. "I have noted Father’s teachings."
"It is good that you have noted them." Xie Hongyi’s gaze swept over Xie Mianmian’s martial outfit, and he frowned. "You have been back for a day already; why are you still wearing these old clothes? If outsiders see this, wouldn't they mock the Houfu for mistreating its legitimate daughter, unable to even provide a decent set of clothes?"
The Marquess's Wife hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Houye, please appease your anger. It is truly because Mianmian’s return was too hurried; the embroidery room has not yet had time to rush out new clothes for her. I intended to have the seamstresses come today to take Mianmian’s measurements and finish several sets of new dresses as quickly as possible."
Xie Siyu wore a clever and submissive smile, her tone as soft as if it were dipped in honey. "Sister, I have several newly made silk dresses in my room. The fabrics are all fine Yunjin. There are pinkish-purple ones, moon-white ones, and even a pomegranate-red one that complements one's complexion best."
"Mother also bestowed several sets of pure gold jewelry upon me a few days ago. There are pure gold bracelets inlaid with rubies, as well as Diancui hairpins and earrings—all of which are the most fashionable styles among the noble ladies of the capital. If Sister does not find them distasteful, please take them to wear. Between us sisters, there is no need to be formal."
Facing this distinctive display of showing off, Xie Mianmian refused directly. "I find them distasteful."
She was disgusted by this "fake" young miss's so-called kindness, and also a bit disgusted by everyone in this Houfu.
"…" The smile on Xie Siyu’s face froze instantly. Tears quickly welled up in her eyes, and her voice carried a hint of a sob, as if she had suffered a great grievance. "Is it that Sister finds these clothes and jewelry not good enough? Or do you feel that my things are not worthy of you? I know I am only an adopted daughter and cannot compare to Sister, who is the true golden daughter of this Houfu, but I truly want to get along well with Sister…"
Seeing this, the Marquess's Wife grabbed Xie Siyu’s hand, patting the back of it heart-wrenchingly. She said to Xie Mianmian, "Mianmian, Siyu has good intentions. How can you be so coldly dismissive? She is doing this for your own good, fearing you will be mocked for wearing old clothes. How can you not appreciate her kindness? Instead, you make her suffer grievance."
Seeing Xie Siyu’s red eyes and her appearance of being on the verge of tears, Xie Hongyi then looked at Xie Mianmian’s cold and distant expression. His heart felt a bit more pity for Xie Siyu. He said in a heavy voice, "Look at Siyu—sensible, considerate, well-educated, and always thinking of others. This is how a daughter of a great family should look. You should learn more from her, get rid of your bad habits from outside, and do not lose the gentleness of a woman."
A trace of imperceptible smugness flashed in Xie Siyu’s eyes, yet she continued to act aggrieved. She said softly to Xie Mianmian, "Sister, do not blame Father and Mother. Their painstaking efforts are all for the good of us children. In the future, I will also properly teach Sister some of the rules a cloistered lady should know to help you adapt to life in the Houfu as soon as possible and become a dignified noble lady."
Her words caused Xie Hongyi to nod repeatedly in great satisfaction.
Xie Mianmian gave a cold laugh, not paying her the slightest bit of attention.
Seeing this, the Marquess's Wife felt heartache for Xie Siyu’s unrequited kindness and anger at Xie Mianmian’s lack of gratitude. Unconsciously, her voice deepened. "Mianmian, the noble ladies of the great families all value etiquette and talent. Since you have no talents to your name, then first work hard to learn the rules of etiquette."
"Siyu is quite famous among the noble ladies of this royal city. Invitations to various flower-viewing parties and excursions are constant. If you do not work hard and your reputation for being savage and rude spreads, no one will even invite you to daily banquets. Then you will truly have no face at all."
A perfect set of comparative and motivational words, accurately interpreting the pride the Marquess's Wife felt when looking at Xie Siyu and the dissatisfaction she felt when looking at Xie Mianmian.
To prove her words were not false, the Marquess's Wife turned to look at Xie Rujin, who had not spoken from beginning to end. "Jin'er, what do you say?"
Xie Rujin, who had just been "taught etiquette" by Xie Mianmian, still felt his wrists and ankles aching. Hearing the Marquess's Wife’s question, his gaze shifted involuntarily toward Xie Mianmian.
Under Xie Siyu’s expectant gaze, he gave a smile that was not without embarrassment and said two words: "Ah, yes."
Xie Siyu could not hide the surprise in her eyes. What was wrong with Eldest Brother?
Shouldn't he be arguing on her behalf to defend her and then belittling Xie Mianmian?
She cast a quiet glance at Xie Mianmian. Seeing nothing unusual, Xie Siyu began to calculate in her heart.
Could it be that blood is truly thicker than water, and Eldest Brother has also started to favor this biological sister, Xie Mianmian, who just returned?
She would never allow it!
Furthermore, given Xie Mianmian’s savage, uneducated, and undisciplined appearance, she believed she would surely win a total victory!
The position of the young miss who represented the Houfu at various social gatherings and banquets could only belong to her, Xie Siyu!
…
Just then, the steward walked hurriedly into the hall holding a gilded purple sandalwood box.
He bowed and spoke in a respectful tone, "Houye, Madam, an invitation has arrived from the Zhang Gongzhu Fu. It says they are inviting the Eldest Young Miss of the manor to attend a flower-viewing banquet at the Grand Princess's residence."
Xie Siyu was startled. The Zhang Gongzhu Fu was inviting her?
She had never met the Grand Princess; when had she caught the Grand Princess's eye?
Without time for deep thought, she simply looked at Xie Mianmian and could not help but feel overjoyed.
Heaven was truly helping her!
She hadn't expected the opportunity to surpass Xie Mianmian, the true legitimate daughter, to come so quickly!