Font Size:
Fortunately, Xu Qingyi was not the original Xu Qingyi, and she felt no particular emotion. “That’s great, just so happens that I’ve brought Heng with me. He’s Yunzhi’s youngest son.”
With that, she picked up Heng and walked toward Xu Tingjun. “Heng, be good, and greet your aunt.”
“Aunt, hello,” Heng said.
He smiled, but his dark eyes lacked warmth. He didn’t like this aunt.
Just as this aunt didn’t particularly like his mother.
Xu Tingjun, not expecting Xu Qingyi’s warmth, smiled faintly. “Heng is really well-behaved.”
According to custom, when meeting for the first time, a gift should be given.
Xu Tingjun, with some reluctance, took out a valuable jade pendant from her possession. “Here, take it. This is a greeting gift from your aunt.”
After all, Heng was the adopted son of Xie Yunzhi. Regardless of the relationship between sisters, she couldn’t afford to let anyone criticize her.
Heng first glanced at Xu Qingyi, and receiving a nod of approval from her, he took the pendant. “Thank you, Aunt.”
Most children would be happy to receive a gift, but Heng was indifferent.
Seeing this, Xu Tingjun felt a slight pang of sadness.
In truth, the person Xu Tingjun had once most wanted to marry was none other than the renowned young general, Xie Yunzhi.
He was a man of noble lineage, valiant and handsome, like a piece of jade—what woman could not fall in love with such a man?
Yet, to her surprise, it was Xu Qingyi who ended up marrying him.
Coming back to her senses, Xu Tingjun said, “Heng and Second Sister seem to be quite compatible.”
“Of course,” Xu Qingyi replied, genuinely unaware of Xu Tingjun’s youthful infatuation.
But even if she knew, it wouldn’t be surprising.
Before Xie Yunzhi’s accident, he had been the dream of countless young ladies in the capital, with unparalleled fame and admiration.
“Heng is my own son,” Xu Qingyi said, smiling as she affectionately rubbed Heng’s cheek.
To be honest, she didn’t feel much for Xie Yunzhi—cough, it was fine, but nothing special.
But she did find his sons rather endearing.
“Own son?”
Heng, feeling shy and unsure of what to do, handed the jade pendant back to his mother.
“He’s not Xie Yunzhi’s biological child,” Xu Tingjun thought to herself, and her gaze toward Xu Qingyi now carried a touch of sympathy.
At the same time, she felt relieved that she hadn’t married Xie Yunzhi. If she had, she would be the one left as a widow and stepmother now.
“Let’s go inside. Father and Mother are waiting,” Xu Tingjun said as she turned and led the way.
Xu Qingyi felt a strange mix of emotions, sensing that she was being pitied.
If she remembered correctly, the heir of the Duke of Yongguo had quite the reputation for being a flirt. He seemed to have many illegitimate children and concubines.
Eldest Sister appeared to have a winning life, but in reality, her inner courtyard was a chaotic mess.
So, life was rarely perfect—everyone got what they asked for.
When the Marquis and his wife saw Xu Qingyi now, radiant and refreshed, they were rather surprised. She was very different from what they had imagined.
“Father, Mother, I’ve returned. This is Yunzhi’s youngest son, Heng,” Xu Qingyi introduced.
Xu Qingyi took Heng over to introduce him. “Heng, greet grandfather and grandmother.”
Heng, stepping down from his mother’s arms, performed a formal bow and called out, “Heng pays respects to grandfather and grandmother.”
“Ah, Heng, you’re so well-behaved!”
The Marquis and his wife had so much they wanted to say to their second daughter, but they hadn’t expected her to bring a child along. It made them have to greet him first.
“Good boy, your grandmother will get you some treats,” Madam Qi said, patting his little hand.
“Thank you, grandmother,” Heng answered sweetly.
The Marquis of Yong’an even picked up Heng, weighing him in his arms. “Is Heng two years old, or three?”
“Four,” Xu Qingyi replied, reaching out to help Heng adjust his clothes. “Heng was weak when he was younger, and he was smaller than children his age. I heard that when Yunzhi found him, he was barely heavier than a cat. Fortunately, his health has improved, and he’s stronger now. In a few more years, he’ll catch up in size.”
When the name of Xie Yunzhi was mentioned, the Marquis of Yong’an couldn’t help but feel emotional. “Yunzhi has served the country and the people. He’s a truly outstanding man. Since you’ve married him, take good care of the household for him.”
Madam Qi ordered the servants to prepare some snacks for the child and then came over to give Heng a hug.
Her eyes, however, kept glancing at Xu Qingyi as she gave a cold snort. “You really have some big ideas. What exactly happened back then?”
Xu Qingyi felt wronged. “Mother, it really wasn’t my fault.”
She hugged Heng, who had reached out for her, and then began to recount the events of that day.
The Marquis and his two sons were stunned as they listened. That wretched maid, Du Jinyun, had actually betrayed them! How outrageous!
And Xie Huaian…
“Preposterous! This is too much!” The Marquis finally understood why the Marquis of Pingyang had brought Xie Huaian to apologize.
It turned out it was because of such a disgraceful act!
They were clearly feeling guilty!
“So,” Xu Qingyi said, looking innocent, “What good fortune could I expect from marrying Second Young Master Xie? Instead of watching my husband be useless and always consorting with concubines, I might as well have married Xie Yunzhi.”
Xu Tingjun, who was listening to her younger sister’s words, felt that they were quite jarring.
Xu Tingjun couldn’t help but wonder if her younger sister was deliberately making a subtle jab at her.
Her husband, the heir of the Duke of Yongguo, was notorious for his loose behavior, and the entire capital knew about it.
But so what?
It was still better than being married to a cripple!
“Second sister, you’re thinking too simply,” Xu Tingjun said, her voice tinged with concern. “Even if Second Young Master Xie is incapable, he will still be the master of the Marquis’s household one day. When that time comes, you’ll be left as a widow with nothing…”
She looked at Xu Qingyi with a worried gaze. “Eldest sister truly worries for you.”
This remark hit a chord with Madam Qi, who immediately launched into a scolding. “Exactly! All those things your eldest sister taught you, you’ve clearly forgotten them! No matter how much he favors his concubines, Second Young Master Xie will only have a few illegitimate sons and daughters. Can they possibly hold any status compared to a legitimate son born from your own womb?”
In Madam Qi’s eyes, as long as Xu Qingyi could bear a legitimate son, she would become the mistress of the household.
She would live her life in honor, so why degrade herself by fighting with concubines and mistresses for attention?
That would be foolish.
Xu Qingyi, unwilling to back down, countered, “Mother doesn’t know, but the Xie family is full of romantic types. Second Young Master Xie and Du Jinyun share a bond stronger than gold, so if I married him, I’m afraid I wouldn’t even get the chance to bear a legitimate son.”
To make sure Madam Qi believed her, Xu Qingyi exaggerated a bit, “If you don’t believe me, just wait until tomorrow. Second Young Master Xie’s sincere feelings for Du Jinyun are all written on his face. He wouldn’t even agree to the condition of letting the legitimate mother raise his eldest son. What use is there for me to marry him?”
The others frowned, doubtful.
Was there really such a bold and open act of favoring a concubine over a wife among the noble heirs these days?
It seemed like he had lost his mind—he was seriously ill.
The Marquis of Yong’an said, “Alright, it’s already done. His Majesty has issued the decree, so let it be.”
The Marquis took it all in stride. After all, this daughter had always been mediocre, and he never expected her to achieve anything remarkable.
This arrangement was probably for the best. She could live a quiet life in the inner courtyard, as long as she didn’t cause them trouble.
Since the Marquis had spoken, Madam Qi stopped scolding. Instead, she started to inquire, “What’s the situation with Yunzhi now?”
She had also heard that someone in Xie Yunzhi’s condition could still have descendants.
If Xu Qingyi could give birth to Xie Yunzhi’s heir, that would actually be a good thing.
Xu Qingyi thought for a moment and then spoke the truth, “The Eldest Young Master is fine, aside from being unconscious. Everything else is normal.”
Madam Qi hesitated for a moment, lowering her voice. “I’ve heard that even in Yunzhi’s condition, it’s still possible for a husband and wife to… perform their marital duties…”
The others looked at each other, surprised. Is that true?
But how could that be? Xie Yunzhi was unconscious…
How could they still engage in marital relations?
Only Xu Qingyi maintained a calm expression, seemingly unfazed.
“Think about it yourself. If it’s possible, it’s better to have your own child,” Madam Qi said earnestly, her tone filled with concern.
Although she was biased toward her other children, she was still thinking of her own daughter.
Xu Qingyi couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed. To discuss this so openly in front of everyone…
Wasn’t the old tradition of modesty supposed to apply here?
She was glad she wasn’t a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl; otherwise, she’d be humiliated.
“Understood,” she replied vaguely.