Chapter 5: The Bride Serves Tea   

Yi’an Courtyard

The Old Madam couldn’t sleep. Concern for her eldest grandson’s future weighed heavily on her mind. Unable to settle, she sent her trusted wet nurse to inquire about the situation at Danhuai Courtyard and confirm whether Xu Qingyi had fulfilled her promise. 

She knew Xu Qingyi’s decision to marry the Eldest Young Master was born out of spite—her inability to swallow the humiliation of Xie Huaian’s affair with Du Jinyun. This desperate choice was her way of fighting back. 

But the Old Madam didn’t care. As long as Xu Qingyi truly worked to provide an heir for the Eldest Young Master, she was willing to honor their agreement. 

The wet nurse quickly made her way to Danhuai Courtyard. Her visit was not subtle, and Xu Qingyi understood its purpose immediately. She instructed Su Ye to hand over the bloodstained cloth as proof. 

The sharp-eyed nurse didn’t need much to verify the truth. A glance around the Eldest Young Master’s room was enough to confirm the consummation of the marriage. She respectfully addressed Xu Qingyi, “Madam, thank you for your efforts. I will report to the Old Madam immediately.” 

Xu Qingyi gave a faint nod, her expression weary and understated. 

When the wet nurse returned with the evidence, her face beaming with joy, the Old Madam finally let out a long sigh of relief. The weight on her heart eased at last. 

The Eldest Young Master was the Old Madam’s most beloved grandson. Now that he had a wife, and with the prospect of an heir on the horizon, she felt as though she could die without regret. 

As for Xu Qingyi, the Old Madam truly appreciated her sacrifices for the Eldest Young Master. 

“Go back to Danhuai Courtyard and pass along a message to one of the maids—there’s no need to disturb Qingyi,” the Old Madam instructed. “Tell her that tomorrow’s tea ceremony can be delayed. She doesn’t need to wake up too early.” 

“Yes,” the wet nurse replied with a smile. 

It seemed that from now on, the young mistress’ status in the Marquis’ household would steadily rise. 

In the meantime, Xu Qingyi’s body ached all over. Like most women in ancient times who didn’t engage in physical activity, she wasn’t used to such exertion. Now she simply lounged in the bathtub, too tired to move. 

During her first bath, her mind had been consumed with nervous thoughts about the consummation. But now, with some downtime, she finally had the space to consider other matters. 

The novel “The Charming Concubine’s Rise” painted Xie Huaian, the male lead, as a “growth-oriented” character. While his elder brother, Xie Yunzhi, was still alive, Xie Huaian was little more than a spoiled, frivolous playboy. It wasn’t until Xie Yunzhi’s death and the subsequent downfall of the Marquis’ household—when they sided with the wrong faction, resulting in confiscation of their assets and exile—that Xie Huaian began to mature. 

Eventually, he and the future Emperor joined forces in rebellion, and Xie Huaian rose to become a peerless founding general of the new dynasty. 

The female lead, Du Jinyun, shone brilliantly in her own right. With her intelligence, boldness, and extraordinary luck, she became an influential figure. Ultimately, the new Emperor recognized her as an adopted sister and bestowed upon her the title of princess. 

Xie Yunzhi’s three adopted sons had been granted amnesty during the chaos of the Marquis’ household’s downfall. The newly crowned Emperor, remembering Xie Yunzhi’s contributions, spared them from exile alongside the rest of the family. However, they were stripped of their noble titles and returned to the status of commoners. 

– The eldest son, Xie Lin, was a studious and talented scholar with exceptional intellect. 

  A few years later, he passed the imperial examinations as the top scholar and became a trusted minister in the new Emperor’s court, rising to great prominence. 

– The second son, Xie Zhen, was a fearless and skilled warrior who followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the military, eventually becoming a formidable general. 

– The youngest son, Xie Heng, ventured overseas, traveling across lands and seas. He ultimately became a ruthless and cunning pirate leader, feared far and wide. 

Despite their individual successes, they were ultimately secondary characters in the story. Eventually, they would clash with the male lead, Xie Huaian, serving as stepping stones in his rise to greatness. 

Xu Qingyi, now inhabiting the body of a cannon-fodder character in this tale, had no desire to directly oppose the protagonists. After all, they had the unbeatable protection of the “main character halo.” 

Still, she had to take responsibility for her own life. 

With that in mind, Xu Qingyi began mapping out her plan. 

– The Eldest Young Master must not die.

– The Marquis’ household must not side with the wrong faction. 

– The three talented adopted sons must survive.

These would be her armor in navigating this feudal society as a weak woman with limited power. 

As she counted her goals on her fingers, Su Ye approached and said, “Madam, the Old Madam’s wet nurse came earlier to deliver a message. She said you can take your time with tomorrow’s tea ceremony.” 

A maid suddenly announced through the curtain. 

“Understood,” Xu Qingyi replied weakly, a faint sense of triumph in her tone. It seemed her first battle had been won. 

If she were still Xie Huaian’s wife, she wouldn’t be enjoying this level of treatment. 

That night, Xu Qingyi slept in a separate side room that the maids and older attendants had prepared for her. 

This arrangement allowed her to rest undisturbed while ensuring the Eldest Young Master’s attendants could properly care for him. 

Xu Qingyi found herself quite enjoying this peculiar lifestyle—having a husband but also not really having one. It wasn’t bad at all. 

—

The next day was the tea ceremony. Even though her husband wouldn’t be present, the formalities still had to be observed. 

The entire Xie family had gathered early at the Old Madam’s courtyard. The Old Madam had made it clear that Xu Qingyi was to be treated with respect from now on. Anyone daring to slight her would face severe consequences. 

Xie Huaian was also in attendance. However, his concubine Du Jinyun, who lacked official recognition, was not qualified to join the event. Her presence would have been seen as an insult to Xu Qingyi. 

Seeing the Old Madam’s attitude, Xie Huaian quickly deduced that Xu Qingyi must have consummated her marriage with his elder brother. 

Xie Huaian didn’t like Xu Qingyi, that much was certain. But now, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his elder brother had stolen “his” woman, leaving him with the same bitter resentment the Marchioness felt. 

Xie Huaian had always lived in the shadow of his elder brother, Xie Yunzhi. Now, even the fiancée he had been engaged to since childhood would rather marry his incapacitated brother than marry him. The thought filled him with frustration. 

But now that Xu Qingyi was officially his sister-in-law, and with so many eyes watching, Xie Huaian had no choice but to show her the respect due to her being his eldest sister-in-law. 

“Mother, it’s getting late. Should we send someone to hurry her along?” Madam Qin, the Marchioness, glanced at the sky and couldn’t help but voice her thoughts. 

The moment the words left her mouth, she noticed both the Marquis and the Old Madam’s faces darken. 

Realizing her misstep, Madam Qin quickly clamped her mouth shut. 

Still, she was simmering with resentment. When she had entered the household as a second wife, the late Dowager Lady had still been alive. Coming from a noble and prestigious family, the Dowager Lady had been strict with tradition, and Madam Qin had endured no small amount of hardship. 

She had thought that once she became the head of the household, she would finally be able to wield some authority. But now? Instead of gaining an obedient daughter-in-law, it felt like they had welcomed a revered ancestor into the family. 

Even she had to tread carefully. 

“Eldest Young Madam has arrived,” a maid announced with a bright smile as she entered the room. 

Everyone turned their gaze toward the entrance, where Xu Qingyi appeared, surrounded by her maids and attendants. Her movements were unhurried, her demeanor calm and collected. She was dressed impeccably, her expression radiant and serene, exuding a composed elegance. 

There wasn’t a hint of dissatisfaction about the marriage on her face. 

The Old Madam, who had spent the entire night awake, worrying that Xu Qingyi might regret her decision after a single night, finally felt reassured. 

Xu Qingyi stepped forward, curtsied gracefully, and addressed the elders. “Qingyi greets Grandmother, Father, and Mother.” 

Then, with a polite smile, she added, “I apologize for arriving late and keeping everyone waiting.” 

“It’s no matter. You were startled yesterday,” the Old Madam said with a faint smile. “How do you find living in Yunzhi’s courtyard? Is it comfortable?” 

Xu Qingyi replied with a warm smile, “It feels no different from being at my family home.” 

Her words drew laughter from everyone present. 

Since Xu Qingyi’s arrival, Xie Huaian had been subtly observing her, his gaze filled with indifference and disdain. 

Yet, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something about her had changed. 

The woman who used to be reserved and timid now seemed different. While her outward appearance remained as delicate as a lotus and her demeanor as elegant as ever, she carried an air of vitality and confidence that hadn’t been there before. 

There was also a newfound femininity about her—subtle but undeniable. 

Thinking of that newfound hint of femininity, Xie Huaian couldn’t help but feel it might have been bestowed by his elder brother. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth, and his mood grew even darker. 

After some polite small talk, the Old Madam said, “Let’s proceed with the tea ceremony.” 

A maid brought over a tea tray, with the cups at the perfect temperature—a testament to the attention to detail. 

Xu Qingyi took the tea and respectfully served it, first to the Old Madam, then to the Marquis and Marchioness. In return, she received gifts from the three elders, all generous in value. 

In turn, she presented her own gifts—specifically, embroidery pieces crafted by the original Xu Qingyi. 

The intricate stitching, vibrant colors, and impeccable craftsmanship were a testament to her skill in needlework, deserving of the title “a model of feminine artistry.” 

The tea ceremony went off without a hitch, even with Madam Qin, who harbored some resentment. She dared not make things difficult, given the Old Madam’s clear stance. 

Next came the other elders. The Marquis, being the eldest son, had two younger brothers—Second Master and Third Master—who still lived within the estate, as the family hadn’t yet divided their holdings. 

Xu Qingyi greeted the Second and Third Masters and their wives one by one, exchanging formalities and meeting gifts. 

Finally, it was time to greet those of her generation and the younger ones. 

The Second Master had one legitimate son and one legitimate daughter, with no children born of concubines. The Third Master had two daughters and one son, also all legitimate. It was clear that the Marquis of Pingyang’s household upheld commendable family values, known for producing devoted men. 

Xie Huaian, however, was the sole exception among the Xie family’s sons, having taken a concubine. Still, it wasn’t fair to call him unfaithful—his devotion simply happened to be directed toward his concubine. 

As Xu Qingyi approached him, Xie Huaian greeted her nonchalantly, “Eldest Sister-in-law.” 

Xu Qingyi maintained her composure, offering a faint smile. “Second Brother.” 

After exchanging the customary meeting gifts, Xie Huaian gave a shallow bow and said, “Eldest Sister-in-law, I was reckless and irresponsible before. I treated you poorly, and for that, I apologize.” 

Xu Qingyi looked at the top of his bowed head, silent. 

It wasn’t her who deserved this apology but the real Xu Qingyi. Xie Huaian and Du Jinyun had the right to pursue their love, but the original Xu Qingyi had done nothing wrong either. Even if there was no love, she didn’t deserve such humiliation. 

When his apology went unanswered, Xie Huaian didn’t seem to mind and continued, “Jinyun was your maid…” 

“Huaian,” the Old Madam interjected, her tone stern as her brows knitted together. “This is a joyous occasion. Can whatever you have to say not wait? Must you bring it up now?” 

Xie Huaian realized he had been too hasty. Swallowing his words, he forced himself to say, “Apologies, Grandmother.” 

Xie Huaian’s true intention was to retrieve Du Jinyun’s indenture contract. Du Jinyun, a distant niece from the maternal family of the Yong’an Marquis’ Old Madam, had initially entered the household to serve the Old Madam. 

Later, she fell for Xie Huaian and volunteered to become Xu Qingyi’s personal maid by signing a contract of servitude. Only then was Xu Qingyi willing to take her on as part of her dowry. 

Without this arrangement, it would have been impossible for Du Jinyun to rise to the position of Xie Huaian’s concubine. A mistress carried far less status than a concubine, and her child’s reputation would have suffered as a result. 

When Xie Huaian had apologized to Xu Qingyi earlier, the Old Madam had thought he had finally reflected on his mistakes. 

But it turned out he had only apologized to smooth the way for Du Jinyun, and this realization made the Old Madam even angrier. 

Still, he was her grandson, so she suppressed her frustration and said sternly, “Even though Qingyi has married your elder brother, that doesn’t mean your mistakes can simply be overlooked. Go to the ancestral hall and kneel. Reflect properly on what you’ve done wrong.” 

Hearing this, Xie Huaian frowned in displeasure. “Grandmother—” 

The Marquis cut him off with a cold snort. “Say one more word, and I’ll have that maid kneel outside the ancestral hall with you.” 

Unlike the Old Madam and Madam Qin, who felt some pity for the unborn child in Du Jinyun’s belly, the Marquis had no such compassion. 

“The behavior of the master reflects on the servant,” he said sharply. “What kind of good seed could come from a servant who betrayed her mistress?” 

Faced with his father’s wrath, Xie Huaian relented. “Please calm down, Father. I will go kneel immediately,” he said, finally subdued. 

His genuine affection for Du Jinyun was apparent—he was afraid of what the others might do to her if he continued to resist.