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The atmosphere suddenly became very peculiar.
After a few seconds, the nursemaid hurried over to clean up the shattered remains of the teacup.
“Xining, how could you be so careless?”
Imperial Concubine Xue cast a faint glance at Princess Xining, her concern tinged with a sense of satisfaction.
Her daughter was too deeply infatuated; she needed a strong remedy to cure her.
And Xu Qingyi consummating her marriage with Xie Yunzhi was that remedy.
Princess Xining’s face turned pale as she bit down hard on her lip.
It seemed she was in so much pain she could faint.
Clearly, Imperial Concubine Xue’s objective had been achieved.
“Good, good, good. You’re such a good girl; do make sure to give Yunzhi some heirs soon,” Imperial Concubine Xue said, her smile growing even more joyful.
She casually removed a pair of high-quality jade bracelets from her wrist and had the nursemaid give them to Xu Qingyi. “Keep them.”
“Thank you for the generous gift, Imperial Concubine,” Xu Qingyi rose and bowed.
“We’re family; there’s no need for such formality,” Imperial Concubine Xue said, though she was actually quite pleased with Xu Qingyi’s understanding.
Ultimately, she didn’t consider Xu Qingyi to be Xie Yunzhi’s proper wife.
She was merely a last resort.
Xu Qingyi smiled without responding.
“Yunzhi’s children—are you taking care of them now?” Imperial Concubine Xue suddenly changed the subject, remembering Xie Yunzhi’s adopted sons.
This was to remind Princess Xining that Xie Yunzhi not only had a wife but also several adopted sons.
“I am taking care of them,” Xu Qingyi said, smiling happily at the mention of the three boys, her joy infectious. “All three are very sensible and clever.”
“It seems you get along well. You’re quite compatible,” Imperial Concubine Xue nodded, not necessarily caring much but merely making polite conversation.
“You’re right,” Xu Qingyi smiled.
She naturally understood that the other woman was just being polite, so she didn’t say anything more.
“How is the old lady’s health? Is she still strong?” Imperial Concubine Xue asked.
“She’s doing alright,” Xu Qingyi replied softly. “Grandmother has been suffering a bit from the summer heat, but otherwise, she’s fine.”
Imperial Concubine Xue responded with an “okay” and chatted casually for a few more moments before dismissing Xu Qingyi.
“Now, should you give up?”
After Xu Qingyi left, Imperial Concubine Xue looked at her daughter, seeing her lost and dejected, and felt a surge of frustration.
She scolded, frowning, “He’s just a man! Why are you so obsessed?”
Princess Xining said with great resentment, “Why can she have him, but I can’t?”
“Because you’re a royal princess,” Imperial Concubine Xue said coldly. “The Emperor has already been exceptionally kind to you. You better not do anything reckless!”
For example, causing trouble for Xie Yunzhi’s wife.
Consumed by jealousy, Princess Xining had indeed thought of doing just that—making that woman look foolish and embarrassed!
Her mother’s words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing her malicious thoughts.
To strike Xu Qingyi’s face was to strike Xie Yunzhi’s face.
If the Marquis residence pursued the matter, the Emperor wouldn’t even need to intervene; the public’s scorn alone would be enough to drown her, a princess.
No wonder Xu Qingyi was so fearless; she knew she had a protective talisman.
Of course, she did.
Xu Qingyi understood that by holding the title of Xie Yunzhi’s wife, she stood on the moral high ground.
She was a widow with no family support, but if she ever suffered any grievances and cried on the city walls, whoever touched her would be doomed.
Outside, Madam Qin was nowhere to be seen; she had likely gone to socialize.
“Second Sister, have you met the Imperial Concubine?” Xu Tingjun stood outside, her shrewd eyes appraising Xu Qingyi before settling on the pair of high-quality jade bracelets. “Those are…?”
“A gift from the Imperial Concubine,” Xu Qingyi smiled.
She had actually received a gift?
Xu Tingjun was stunned. Princess Xining was so infatuated with Xie Yunzhi; she hadn’t made things difficult for Xu Qingyi?
“You didn’t see the Princess?” she asked again.
“I did,” Xu Qingyi replied naturally.
“…” Xu Tingjun seemed a little disappointed.
Xu Qingyi could see it and felt speechless. What was her sister disappointed about?
Could she be disappointed that Xu Qingyi hadn’t been slapped?
“Elder Sister looks tired. Have you encountered any difficulties recently?”
Following the principle of “If you don’t wish me well, I’ll relentlessly expose your weaknesses,” Xu Qingyi asked softly.
“…” Xu Tingjun choked, thinking of the troublesome women in her own household; her eyes immediately filled with irritation.
But she quickly suppressed it, forcing a smile. “Nothing serious. It’s just that the children have been very restless lately, and I haven’t been able to rest well.”
Xu Qingyi responded with an “oh,” feeling satisfied and choosing not to speak further.
Xu Tingjun felt something was amiss. She suspected her sister was deliberately reminding her, but she couldn’t find any evidence.
She could only confirm that her sister had changed a lot.
It seemed that after marrying Xie Yunzhi, the little pitiful girl had straightened her spine overnight.
“Second Sister, is Madam Qin choosing a wife for your younger brother?” Xu Tingjun put away her ambiguous expression and got down to business.
Hearing this, Xu Qingyi looked towards Madam Qin, who was chatting and laughing with others in the distance, and nodded. “That’s right. Mother-in-law said she wants to find a suitable match for my second brother as soon as possible.”
“I see,” Xu Tingjun hesitated. “I wonder what Madam Qin’s requirements are?”
“I don’t know,” Xu Qingyi replied.
She prayed that Xu Tingjun wouldn’t ask her to play matchmaker. After all, Xie Huaian was a terrible person; helping him find a wife would be a bad deed.
Unfortunately, what she feared came to pass.
“I have a younger cousin. Would you help me ask?” Xu Tingjun leaned closer. “If it works out, the entire Duke’s residence will be grateful to you for being the matchmaker.”
“Is a young lady from the Duke’s residence worried about not getting married?” Xu Qingyi was surprised.
Xu Tingjun looked embarrassed. “She’s a daughter born of a concubine, but she’s been raised by the legitimate wife since she was young, so she’s been well-loved and treated no differently from the legitimate daughters.”
No wonder she was asking me. This elder sister is too sly.
Madam Qin is proud and arrogant; would she introduce a concubine’s daughter as a main wife for her son?
Wouldn’t that create an enemy?
“Elder Sister, don’t try to trick me. There’s a huge difference,” Xu Qingyi said coldly. “I wouldn’t dare to mention this to Mother-in-law. If you dare to go, then go yourself.”
She wouldn’t be such a fool.
Xu Tingjun was speechless, staring at her younger sister with wide eyes. When did her younger sister become so shrewd?
“Second Sister, don’t misunderstand. I just thought that since Madam Qin values you highly, she might give you some face.”
She tried flattery.
“What if she doesn’t?” Xu Qingyi asked. “What if Mother-in-law dislikes me because of this? What should I do then, Elder Sister?”
Xu Tingjun was speechless and could only say awkwardly, “I didn’t think this through.”
Xu Qingyi thought to herself, you’ve thought this through too well—wanting to take credit without offending anyone.
How beautiful a dream.
“Then Elder Sister should think it over again. My mother-in-law has very high standards,” she said.
“Okay…”
As they were talking, Xu Qingyi suddenly saw something flying towards her. She quickly dodged to the side.
It was a woven ball that landed behind her.
“Sorry, we were playing cuju (a traditional Chinese ball game), and we accidentally kicked it over here,”
Immediately, a spirited woman in riding attire approached, looking provocatively at Xu Qingyi. “Did it hit anyone?”
Xu Qingyi: …
Sigh, is this the consequence of marrying a national heartthrob?
“You scared me. I thought it was aimed at me, but it was just an accident,”
Xu Qingyi patted her chest.
The woman in riding attire raised her eyebrows, offering no explanation.
She had indeed aimed it at Xu Qingyi, but unfortunately, she had missed.
Otherwise, with her ten years of martial arts training, she would have definitely sent this delicate Madam Xie sprawling.