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The next morning, Xu Qingyi called the carpenter over again and handed him the wheelchair design she had worked on overnight. “Take a look at this. If you don’t understand anything, just ask me.”
At first, the carpenter found the design strange. Installing wheels on a chair?
But the more he looked, the more his eyes lit up. He immediately understood—this chair was clearly meant for the Eldest Young Master.
“Young Madam, this is a brilliant idea,” the carpenter said, his voice filled with excitement.
While wheelchairs had existed in ancient times, they weren’t called by that name.
The ancient versions were very bulky, some weighing as much as a hundred pounds.
The design Xu Qingyi had made was clearly much lighter and more convenient.
“If you can make it, that’s all that matters,” Xu Qingyi said. “And there will be a generous reward once it’s done.”
The carpenter couldn’t resist such an offer.
He immediately patted his chest and assured her, “Young Madam, don’t worry. I can make it!”
The carpenter happily took the design and left.
Before long, the palace sent a decree.
Xu Qingyi dressed properly and went out to receive it.
The Emperor, using the divinations of the renowned astrologer from the Bureau of Astronomy, had decided that Xu Qingyi and the comatose Eldest Young Master were fated to be married, and thus granted their union.
In ancient times, when problems couldn’t be solved, people often turned to supernatural forces, believing that would resolve everything!
“Thank you for the great grace, Your Majesty.” Xu Qingyi knelt to receive the decree.
At the same time, in an effort to make up for Xie Huaian losing his wife to the Eldest Young Master, the Emperor had another message.
The eunuch smiled and said, “If Second Young Master Xie finds a suitable match with any young lady, His Majesty will also issue a decree to grant him marriage.”
Xu Qingyi almost couldn’t hold back her laughter. This was excellent! With the Emperor’s decree for a legitimate wife, how would Xie Huaian and Du Jinyun continue to bully her?
Hearing that her own son could also receive a marriage decree, the Marchioness was overjoyed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
With the Emperor’s blessing, her son would be able to find an even better match.
Finally, after a long day, Xie Huaian was released by the Marquis, his knees covered in bruises.
Du Jinyun was heartbroken, her eyes red from crying. “Second Young Master, you’ve suffered so much. It’s all my fault for causing you trouble.”
“Jinyun, it’s not your fault,” Xie Huaian said, seeing his beloved woman cry. He quickly wiped away her tears. “Don’t cry, it’s not good for the child in your belly.”
Du Jinyun nodded and was about to smile when the Marchioness entered, her cold gaze fixed on her.
The palpable disgust in her eyes made Du Jinyun shiver.
“Greetings, Madam.” Du Jinyun quickly retreated to the side, her face filled with humiliation.
If only she were a lady of the Marquis’s household…
Wasn’t it because of her lower status that the Xie family treated her this way, thinking she was not as worthy as Xu Qingyi?
The Marchioness gave her a cold glare. “I’m speaking with Huaian. You may leave.”
“Mother…” Xie Huaian wanted to speak up for Du Jinyun, but when the Marchioness’s sharp gaze landed on him, he swallowed his words.
It was better to keep quiet for now; patience would bring peace.
“Yes.” Seeing that her Second Young Master didn’t speak, Du Jinyun left, her heart heavy with disappointment.
She reminded herself to trust the Second Young Master, to endure for now, as this was a special time.
Once that woman who had delayed her son was gone, the Marchioness finally spoke. “The palace has sent an imperial decree, granting your elder brother and Xu Qingyi a marriage.”
“Mm.” Xie Huaian showed little reaction.
He didn’t have any fondness for Xu Qingyi.
If she wanted to marry a cripple, then let her do as she wished.
“Your marriage can’t be delayed either,” the Marchioness continued. “The Emperor said that once you find a woman you’re fond of, he will grant you a marriage as well.”
At this point, the Marchioness finally showed a hint of a smile. “I’ll go out these few days to find you a good wife.”
Xie Huaian frowned. He didn’t want to marry a legitimate wife so soon. He had planned to wait until Du Jinyun gave birth before marrying, to avoid stirring up trouble.
“No need to rush. The house has just gone through such an incident.”
The Marchioness immediately darkened her expression, snorting and piercing through Xie Huaian’s thoughts. “You’re already twenty-one and still dragging things out? Don’t think I don’t know—you’re stalling for that woman.”
“Mother, don’t speak of Jinyun like that.” Xie Huaian’s expression darkened, his displeasure evident. “She is the woman I love. What’s wrong with waiting for her to give birth before marrying her?”
“You…” The more he said, the more the Marchioness despised Du Jinyun, and inwardly, she cursed her as a vixen.
“I’m not refusing to marry,” Xie Huaian felt that agreeing to marry a legitimate wife was already a significant concession on his part.
“No.” The Marchioness remained uncompromising. “I will go find someone for you right now. As soon as I find the right woman, the marriage will be granted. If you want to protect her, you’d better listen to me. I won’t let a woman confuse you and lead you to commit the mistake of favoring a concubine over your wife!”
In noble families like theirs, this was a serious matter.
Fortunately, the events of that night hadn’t leaked out; otherwise, the entire Pingyang Marquis household would have become a laughingstock.
And Xie Huaian’s future would be ruined.
This was also why the Marchioness held some caution toward Xu Qingyi, as she had caught Xie Huaian in a vulnerable position.
“Huaian, you need to wake up and see what you’re doing.” The Marchioness scolded. “If anything happens to your elder brother, the Marquisate will fall to you. Don’t ruin your future for a woman.”
Hearing these words from his mother, Xie Huaian knew all too well what she meant. He struggled to reply, “Mother, I understand.”
It was all Xu Qingyi’s fault.
Why had she suddenly become so uncontrollable?
If Xu Qingyi had obediently accepted her role as his legitimate wife, he and Du Jinyun wouldn’t be facing such a predicament now.
Du Jinyun entered, carefully observing Xie Huaian’s expression, and softly asked, “Second Young Master, what did the Madam say?”
In response to Du Jinyun’s question, Xie Huaian softened his expression and informed her, “Mother wants to find me a suitable wife… Jinyun, this was inevitable, but don’t worry.”
He gently placed his hand on Du Jinyun’s shoulder and reassured her, “No matter who my legitimate wife is, I only love you.”
Yes, it was inevitable that he would marry a legitimate wife. If not Xu Qingyi, it would be someone else.
Du Jinyun felt a mix of sorrow and sweetness as she softly leaned into Xie Huaian’s embrace. “Mm, I believe you truly care for me.”
*
After a busy day, Xu Qingyi hadn’t gone to visit the Eldest Young Master.
Instead, she picked up the ever-present Heng and said, “Heng, would you stay here and keep your father company for a while?”
Heng happily agreed, “Okay!”
Xie Yunzhi was also glad. Lying in bed all day had been too lonely, and now he was looking forward to someone coming to talk with him.
The servants took care of him all day but were oblivious to what was happening outside.
Thankfully, he had many children; if one didn’t come, another would.
Mo Yan quickly brought some delicious food and drinks to entertain the Young Master.
The maid, Su Ye, stayed behind to look after Heng.
Xu Qingyi thought that the servants had enough to do already taking care of the Eldest Young Master. She didn’t want to add to their workload.
After finishing the treats, Heng felt he had spent enough time with his father.
And he missed his mother.
Leaning over to whisper in Xie Yunzhi’s ear, Heng said, “Father, I miss Mother. I’ll come back to see you next time.”
Xie Yunzhi: “…”
This unfilial child!
However, he was also curious—what was Xu Qingyi busy with?
The room fell silent again. Mo Yan muttered to himself, “The Young Madam is going back to her family tomorrow, so she’s rushing today. Once things settle down in a couple of days, she’ll be able to visit the Eldest Young Master more often.”
Now it made sense.
Xie Yunzhi had actually forgotten about this.
After all, the three-day return visit was supposed to be something he, as her husband, would accompany her for.
But, alas, things were out of his control. Here he was, lying in bed, reduced to a useless state.
Xu Qingyi would return to her family on her own tomorrow—perhaps she would receive cold treatment from her family?
Even with the imperial decree.
But everyone knew exactly what that decree really was.
No matter how nicely they put it, the truth was it was all just a way to try and bring joy during an unfortunate time.
Would the Marquis’s household truly support Xu Qingyi in using herself to bring joy for him?
That evening, Xie Yunzhi lay in bed, his mind full of thoughts.
*
It was time for dinner again, and Xie Huaian still wasn’t present.
The Marquis frowned. “Where is Huaian?”
The Marchioness quickly covered for him, saying, “Huaian… he’s feeling unwell.”
“He came back from the ancestral hall last night, and after resting for a whole day, he’s still unwell?” The Marquis looked at her skeptically.
Of course, that wasn’t the real reason. Xie Huaian had simply stayed behind to have a meal with Du Jinyun.
At that moment, the two of them were likely in the courtyard, being affectionate with each other.
The Marchioness probably knew the truth, and her face turned sour. She almost wanted to storm in and tear Du Jinyun’s face off right then and there.
But as the Marchioness, she couldn’t bring herself to stoop to the level of a mere concubine.
Fortunately, the Marquis didn’t press the issue. He changed the subject, “Tomorrow, Qingyi will return to her family. Have you prepared a gift for her return?”
The Marchioness’s expression froze. Since it wasn’t her own son marrying, she had honestly forgotten about this detail.
The Old Madam cast a cold glance at Madam Qin and spoke, “Prepare the return gifts according to the highest standards. It’s not too late to handle it now.”
Then, she turned to Xu Qingyi with a smile, “Qingyi, I’ll have Yulan take you to the warehouse soon. Choose whatever you like, don’t be shy. This is an extra compensation for you.”
With something to take, Xu Qingyi naturally didn’t hesitate. She sweetly smiled, “Thank you, Grandmother.”
“Since you’re returning to your family tomorrow, how about Qingyi takes Heng with her?” The Marquis suggested.
Xie Yunzhi couldn’t go, but the Marquis couldn’t let the Pingyang Marquis’s family be empty-handed.
However, the Marquis, worried that Xu Qingyi might find it awkward, added, “After tomorrow, I’ll personally bring Huaian that scoundrel to apologize to your family. As for whether you take Heng tomorrow, it’s up to you, my daughter-in-law.”
Hearing his name mentioned, Heng quickly leaned toward Xu Qingyi.
In his sweet little voice, he said, “Heng wants to go with Mother, but it’s okay if Mother doesn’t take me, Heng won’t cry.”
“Hahaha…” The adults at the table all laughed at Heng’s innocent words.
Xu Qingyi facepalmed.
No wonder people say that you can tell a child’s future at the age of three.
Heng’s cunning, business-minded nature seemed to be innate. Even at such a young age, he was already oozing charm.
“Alright, I’ll take you, I’ll take you,” Xu Qingyi said, wiping his little greasy mouth with a handkerchief. “Now, eat your meal. If you finish a bowl of rice today, I’ll take you to your maternal grandparents’ house tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Heng, motivated, nodded eagerly and started eating with his bowl in hand.
On the side, Zhen had been happily eating his meat.
But when he heard that his younger brother would get to go to their maternal grandparents’ house with Mother, the meat in his bowl suddenly lost its flavor.
He didn’t want to go to school; he also wanted to go out with his mother.
Since Zhen entered the Marquis’s household, he hadn’t been out to play. He longed for the world beyond the estate.
“Useless.” Lin, observing his second brother’s distracted mind, felt a pang of frustration. He couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
Zhen’s face turned red with embarrassment.
At that moment, Xu Qingyi looked at him and said, “Zhen, you’ll go to school tomorrow as you should. When the academy is on break, I’ll take you to your maternal grandparents’ house to play.”
Zhen, realizing that he hadn’t been ignored, immediately became happy again. “Okay, thank you, Mother.”
He smiled, but then his joy turned into a bit of guilt. He glanced furtively at his strict older brother.
However, he saw that Lin couldn’t be bothered to look at him.
“…” Zhen huffed inwardly.
He knew that his elder brother thought he was stupid.
Lin had tried teaching him how to write before, but since he could never get it right, his brother had simply stopped helping him.
But his mother was different. She would never give up on him.
“Zhen, your brother and I are going to the warehouse. You go back and practice your characters.”
After dinner, Xu Qingyi gave the instruction.
Zhen’s eyebrows drooped again, and he mumbled sullenly, “Oh.”
As he watched his mother and younger brother leave, he suddenly realized something: his mother didn’t seem to pay much attention to his older brother?
Well, it made sense. His older brother had been cold and distant first, so it was no wonder his mother didn’t show much affection for him.
Zhen, feeling a bit gleeful but also concerned, couldn’t help but jump and skip as he caught up to his older brother.
“Big Brother, don’t you like Mother?” he asked.
Lin, too lazy to respond to his clueless younger brother, thought to himself, ‘You think I’m like you, being controlled so easily after just a few days?’
He remained silent, but Zhen, knowing his older brother’s aloof nature, continued talking, “I think Mother is really good. She’s different from others. If she’s willing to be good to me, I’ll gladly be her son.”
What Zhen meant was that Lin should give Xu Qingyi a chance.
Instead of shutting her out from the start, who could handle that kind of coldness?
Knowing that his older brother wasn’t interested in listening, he said his piece and left.
Lin glanced sideways, seemingly surprised that his usually carefree younger brother could say something like that.
But there were no “what ifs.” Since he was young, he’d always known that no one could be relied on but himself.
The idea of depending on others was a sign of weakness, and he hated feeling powerless.
He never wanted to return to that place of helplessness again.