Chapter 32

“Madam, this is all for Yuanxiu’s sake!”

Xia Jinxing was deeply worried about his future. If he couldn’t complete even this minor task assigned by his father-in-law, how could he ever win his favor? If his father-in-law failed to secure trust with the influential figure, the Yan family would suffer, and the Xia family would inevitably be dragged down with them! Truly, their fates were intertwined—one’s rise would lift all, and one’s fall would drag everyone down.

“Ah! You said it yourself—it was just a dream! You’ve already done right by them. You didn’t let Qingqing wander the streets and even brought her back to the mansion to raise her. Now she’s living well, isn’t she?

Has your mind been muddled by all sorts of nonsense? How about I invite a Taoist priest tomorrow to perform a ritual here in the house to ward off evil spirits?”

Yan Meili scoffed at Xia Jinxing’s actions. Ever since that wretched Xia Qingqing had fallen into the water, she had become a completely different person! Most likely, she had been possessed by some unclean spirit!

“What are you saying, Madam? It’s not about nonsense or spirits! This is truly for our son’s future, for the good of this family! Think about it—if we just register Qingqing under your name and let her be a legitimate daughter, what harm would it do?

She’ll still live in that courtyard in the back. She can do as she pleases, and we won’t need to interfere. You won’t lose anything, will you? But this way, we’ll fulfill our obligation to her grandfather. Yuanxiu’s career will progress smoothly—what could be better?”

Xia Jinxing shot to his feet. This was a matter concerning his political career, and he wouldn’t allow Yan Meili to act recklessly.

“Xia Jinxing, you’ve grown bold! You dare shout at me now? Are you trying to rebel?”

Yan Meili was not one to back down. She immediately stood up, placing her hands on her hips, and glared at Xia Jinxing with her neck stretched out.

Their heated argument caused Xia Jinlan and Xia Tinglan, who were eavesdropping outside, to exchange uneasy glances.

“Elder sister, Father has been acting so strangely lately! He’s always speaking up for Xia Qingqing, completely ignoring Mother’s feelings!” Xia Tinglan muttered.

“Hmph! That wretch is just like her dead mother—both are disgraceful lowlifes! Tomorrow, Big Brother will return. We’ll go to him and come up with a plan to deal with that wretch. If we can’t kill her this time, we’ll cripple her!”

Xia Jinlan’s eyes gleamed with malice as she clenched her fists tightly.

“Madam, I’m doing this for our family’s sake! Have you forgotten what happened ten years ago when Consort Mei performed that exorcism in the palace? She invited a Taoist to conduct a ritual, and the Empress Dowager caught her practicing witchcraft to harm the princes.

The Emperor was enraged, executed Consort Mei, and sent her son to the Zongren Mansion to endure endless suffering until his death! Are you really going to invite a Taoist to our house for a ritual? Do you want your husband’s official rank stripped or your father’s career ruined?”

Xia Jinxing stood firm this time, refusing to yield even an inch.

Hearing this, Yan Meili immediately deflated. She sat back down in her chair, dejected.

“You’re right. I had almost forgotten about that incident! Back then, the Emperor decreed that anyone, whether in the palace or among the common folk, caught engaging in witchcraft would be executed if they were palace staff, dismissed permanently if officials, and flogged if ordinary citizens!”

Xia Jinxing crouched down in front of Yan Meili, gently holding her soft hands as he patiently coaxed her:

“Madam, we’re doing a good deed here, accumulating virtue for our children. Don’t you think so?”

Yan Meili let out a soft sigh.

“Fine. I’m just so tired. There’s not a single person in this household who doesn’t make me worry!”

“Madam, I’m the one who makes you worry the least! Hehe!”

Xia Jinxing chuckled, leaning close to her waist with a grin, rubbing his head affectionately against her chest.

“Get lost! You’re the one who worries me the most in this house!”

Yan Meili kicked him hard, sending him sprawling to the floor.

“Madam!”

“Hmph! I want to sleep alone tonight. Go sleep wherever you want, but don’t bother me!”

Yan Meili stormed off, tossing her handkerchief aside, and returned to her room.

Outside, Xia Jinlan and Xia Tinglan quickly lifted their skirts and scurried away.

In the back courtyard, at Bamboo Grove Pavilion—a name Xia Qingqing had chosen herself because of the bamboo that encircled the area—

“Miss, did anything interesting happen at the banquet tonight? Tell me all about it!”

Xiao Suo, who had never been to a palace banquet, was brimming with curiosity. She imagined palace banquets must be far grander than the ones in the Xia household, with nobles from the palace and the capital in attendance, surely something extraordinary.

“Ugh!”

Xia Qingqing sighed, sitting on a stool in the kitchen while peeling chestnuts.

“I didn’t get to attend the palace banquet. Instead, I spent half the day playing with a fool and his crickets. Tell me, what’s so fun about that?”

“Huh? Aren’t the people in the palace supposed to be smart, beautiful, and highly capable? How could there be a fool?” Xiao Suo asked in shock.

“There are fools everywhere! Don’t romanticize the palace. That fool is actually a prince! He’s a patient of mine. When I first met him, I thought he was quite unique, and sure enough!

He’s good-looking, but his brain is ill! He’s nearly thirty, yet he calls me ‘big sister’ and insists I call him by his nickname. Isn’t that silly? But don’t tell anyone about this!”

Xia Qingqing leaned in and reminded Xiao Suo in a hushed tone.

“Don’t worry, Miss! I’ll keep my lips sealed. After all, it’s been so hard to find peace under your care. I’ll stick to you like glue!”

Xiao Suo nodded fervently. She had suffered greatly in the Xia household, and now that she saw hope in Xia Qingqing’s care, she cherished her newfound happiness even more.

“Good. Once we finish these chestnuts, let’s get back to making medicine. Tomorrow, I need to sell them at the apothecary.”

Xia Qingqing picked up another chestnut, peeling its shell. The roasted chestnuts were sweet and soft, perfect for warming one’s spirits on a cold day.

The next morning, Xia Qingqing was still asleep when Xiao Suo shook her awake.

“Miss, Madam Lin has brought maids and servants to invite you to the front hall.”

“Huh? What tricks are they playing this time?”

Xia Qingqing rubbed her eyes and stretched.

“Miss, they’ve brought many beautiful clothes and a lot of jewelry! Madam Lin was so polite she seemed ready to kneel before you!”

Xiao Suo whispered into Xia Qingqing’s ear.

Xia Qingqing smacked her forehead as she suddenly recalled. Last night, the Emperor had said her scoundrel of a father would officially acknowledge her as his legitimate daughter. She hadn’t expected him to act so swiftly!

“Miss, what’s going on? Good things keep happening lately—I’m completely bewildered!”

Xiao Suo’s face was full of confusion.

“Heh! Didn’t I tell you? Good days are earned through one’s own efforts! As long as you’re not afraid to take risks, go all in, and have no fear, those who bully you will start fearing you! If you also have a skill to rely on, you’ll have a good life!”

Xia Qingqing got out of bed and patted Xiao Suo’s head.

“Miss, may this old servant come in to assist you with your attire?”

Madam Lin’s cautious voice came from outside the door.