“Jingyuan is here?”
Upon seeing Xie Jingyuan, Xie Sanniang beamed with joy, the wrinkles on her face seeming to fade by three parts.
“Mother.”
Xie Jingyuan strode into the Yujin Hall, dressed in a moon-white straight robe.
Xie Sanniang held Xie Xuchuan with one hand and Xie Jingyuan with the other, her eyes brimming with delight.
Xie Boyu wore a faint smile, while Xie Chengzhi and his wife looked disdainful.
Xie Chengzhi, still resentful, wanted to stir up more trouble, but before he could speak, Xie Sanniang glared him into silence.
“Keep your mouth shut. If Huizhou were such a good assignment, would you have pushed it onto Xuchuan?”
Xie Sanniang snorted coldly. “You’re lazy and arrogant. What’s given to you, you refuse, yet you’re always eyeing what’s in others’ bowls, stirring up trouble in the household every day.”
“Second Brother also has the family’s interests at heart.”
Xie Jingyuan patted his mother’s hand. “Don’t get angry before the meal, or you won’t get to taste the fresh fish I caught myself.”
Xie Jingyuan had just reached the age of twenty. He stood tall and was naturally handsome.
Even in a simple, elegant straight robe, he appeared dashing and spirited, exuding an air of ease.
Moreover, his every movement carried a touch of the carefree, untamed spirit of a wanderer, making him stand out in a crowd, impossible to ignore.
With just a few words, he had Xie Sanniang overjoyed, laughing heartily. “How could I not? No delicacy in the world could compare to the fish Jingyuan caught himself.”
Seeing the sour expressions on the faces of the second branch couple, Xie Jingyuan said, “A friend of mine gifted me an imported mercury mirror. Since I’m not yet married, I have no use for such delicate feminine items. I’ll have someone send it to Second Sister-in-law’s room later.”
Imported goods were always precious, and Xie Chengzhi and Zheng Shu were fond of petty gains. Hearing this, their expressions softened, and smiles appeared on their faces.
Xie Boyu helped Xie Sanniang sit down and, standing behind her, secretly cast an approving glance at Xie Jingyuan.
Xie Jingyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, hinting that Hua Nanzhi looked displeased.
Xie Boyu hesitated, but Xie Jingyuan couldn’t help but wink at him.
This was a secret signal the two brothers had used since childhood. Xie Boyu understood that he meant he had also brought a gift for Hua Nanzhi, which he would give to Xie Boyu later to appease his wife.
Xie Boyu smiled, clasped his hands in gratitude, and shook them playfully toward his dear third brother.
Though the two exchanged many subtle gestures, no one else paid them any mind.
With Xie Jingyuan and Xie Xuchuan present, Xie Sanniang’s smile never left her lips.
With the matriarch of the Xie family in good spirits, the room was filled with harmony.
The earlier discord dissipated like dust, replaced by the joy of a reunited family.
Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the room. Even the usually timid and timid Xie Lurong pursed her lips, smiling softly as she chatted with the maid beside her.
Until Xie Qi entered the room.
Suddenly, the entire room fell silent.
Xie Sanniang’s smile faded. The second branch couple exchanged glances, their expressions odd.
Hua Nanzhi turned her face away lightly upon seeing Xie Qi, while Xie Boyu looked uncharacteristically awkward.
“Grandson greets Grandmother.”
Xie Qi walked up to Xie Sanniang and bowed to her.
Xie Sanniang said, “Is the minnow fish ready? If so, let’s begin the meal.”
With that, she led the maids beside her to the nearby rosewood table.
Hua Nanzhi rose and followed, with the second branch of the Xie family close behind, leaving Xie Qi standing alone.
Though Xie Qi and Xie Xuchuan were twin brothers, they did not look alike, nor were their builds as indistinguishable as those of typical twins.
He was much taller than Xie Xuchuan and lacked the youthful frailty that characterized Xie Xuchuan.
Xie Qi’s brows and eyes bore a striking resemblance to Xie Jingyuan, yet unlike Jingyuan’s refined and gentle elegance, his eyelids were thin and sharp, lending his exceptionally handsome face an air of aggression.
Moreover, Xie Qi had a narrow waist, broad shoulders, and long, powerful legs. Though they were twins, it seemed as if he alone had matured fully, leaving Xie Xuchuan behind as if forgotten.
Seeing everyone ignore him and walk away, Xie Qi lowered his gaze, slowly concealing all his subtle thoughts, appearing quite gloomy and desolate.