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On the other side, after careful consideration, the Marquis decided to refuse the marriage proposal.
There was nothing wrong with seeking fortune through risk, but he didn’t want to take this particular gamble.
However, before he could decline the offer from the Prince family, Xie Huaian rushed in to tell him, “Father, I have already agreed to Princess Zhenyang’s proposal. The Prince will soon go to the Emperor to request the decree.”
The Marquis was taken aback, then furious. “Xie Huaian, you brat! Who told you to agree?!”
Xie Huaian was puzzled; why was his father so angry?
“Didn’t you want me to marry the Princess?” he said, “The Crown Prince is weak, and the likelihood of His Highness, Prince Su ascending the throne is very high. No matter what, marrying the Princess is a good thing.”
The Marquis replied, “Your mother wants you to marry the Princess. She has a narrow view; do you also have such a limited perspective that you can’t see what the Princess is truly after?”
Xie Huaian sneered inwardly; he didn’t care: “I’ve already promised the Princess, and it’s too late to go back on that now.”
His father simply couldn’t stand to see him do well; he even wanted to take this opportunity away from him.
The Marquis had figured it out; his second son prioritized wealth and status above all else.
“You’re risking the fate of the entire family!”
Xie Huaian said, “Father, you’re overthinking; it’s not that serious.”
“Humph!” The Marquis said, “If something goes wrong in the future, can you take full responsibility?”
…Xie Huaian thought to himself, if he became the Emperor’s son-in-law in the future, wouldn’t the Marquis family benefit?
But right now, if he didn’t speak like this, his father would be even more angry.
And speaking would only make him angrier!
Upon returning, Xu Qingyi learned that Xie Huaian had been punished to kneel in the ancestral hall by the Marquis; the reason was that he had secretly agreed to marry Princess Zhenyang.
The Marquis, forced to become Prince Su’s relative, was furious.
So the Marquis didn’t want to become Prince Su’s relative? That was right, but unfortunately, he was betrayed by his son.
Meanwhile, Madam Qin finally got her wish and became the mother-in-law of a Princess and was very happy.
Prince Su’s residence acted swiftly; the next day, an imperial emissary arrived to announce the decree, setting the wedding date for two months later—unusually rushed.
Xie Huaian emerged from the ancestral hall to receive the decree, and after receiving it, he returned to kneel once more.
In stark contrast to Madam Qin’s joy, Du Jinyun was shrouded in gloom.
This was because Madam Qin intended to clear out Xie Huaian’s courtyard, forbidding her from continuing to stay there as a concubine.
“What kind of behavior is this? The Princess hasn’t even entered the household yet, and you’re currently just a concubine, with no right to stay in Huaian’s courtyard.” Madam Qin said, “I didn’t chase you away before, and you really thought you could just move in? Which so-called noble lady was raised to be so shameless?”
Du Jinyun’s face immediately flushed with embarrassment: “…”
Madam Qin certainly knew how to humiliate her!
But was it wrong for her to want to be with the man she loved?
“Concubines should follow the rules of concubines; don’t make me find an opportunity to deal with you.” Madam Qin coldly tossed out this remark, instructing the servants to pack up Du Jinyun and move her to the courtyard designated for concubines.
What nonsense about being a noble lady.
This woman’s existence was simply lowering her son’s status.
Being driven from the main courtyard to the side courtyard, Du Jinyun felt utterly humiliated.
So even with Xie Huaian’s favor, being a concubine was such a painful experience?
Seeing her mistress’s despondency, Xi cautiously said, “Madam Du, you should try to please Madam Qin. She’s the one who holds sway in this inner courtyard; why would you want to upset her?”
Du Jinyun bit her lip; how could she not know that she should please Madam Qin?
But Madam Qin was too difficult to please.
Du Jinyun shook her head, “You don’t understand. Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have always been enemies. As long as Second Young Master loves me, Madam Qin will inevitably dislike me.”
Xi hesitated.
She had been with her mistress for some time now, and she felt that it wasn’t a matter of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law being enemies; it was clearly that her mistress didn’t know how to please people.
To put it bluntly, her mistress was relying on Second Young Master’s affection and hadn’t realized her own status.
A concubine should set her own rules and actively please the mistress of the household, not cling to the man every chance she got.
It was no wonder that she was being manipulated.
“What? Do you think I’m wrong?” Du Jinyun was irritated and didn’t have a good expression towards her maid.
Xi quickly said, “I wouldn’t dare; you’re right.”
To avoid upsetting her mistress, the maid decided to keep quiet.
At Danhuai Courtyard, Xu Qingyi had eaten street food and felt the taste wasn’t as good as modern versions.
So she plunged into the kitchen to discuss with the cooks and see if they could develop barbecue.
It wasn’t difficult; they had charcoal and tools readily available, and the cooks immediately understood the desired outcome.
Soon, oily and fragrant skewers were freshly made.
Xu Qingyi was always generous to the servants in the courtyard; such delicacies were naturally shared with everyone.
It happened to be a full moon night, so everyone enjoyed the cool air in the courtyard while eating and drinking to relax.
However, someone had to stay behind in the Eldest Young Master’s room.
Zi Xiao, who was left behind, anxiously awaited, “Why hasn’t Ming Yu returned yet?”
Suddenly hearing a noise, Zi Xiao brightened up, “Ming…”
But he saw that the figure stepping around the screen was Lin, quickly putting away his playful demeanor, “Young Master Lin.”
“Go ahead; I’ll keep watch.” Lin said.
It had been a long time since he had spoken privately with his father, and since no one was around tonight, he wanted to chat a bit.
“Yes, thank you, Young Master Lin.” Zi Xiao smiled.
With the eldest son present, and having sent everyone away, Xie Yunzhi couldn’t help but recall the time when the boy had come to complain about every little thing.
Could it be that he had been wronged again and wanted to speak ill of Lady Xu?
Lin wasn’t there to speak poorly of Xu Qingyi, although he had discovered her secret.
But he didn’t plan to tell his father.
“Father.” Lin approached his father’s bedside, his tone relaxed. “Tonight is a full moon, and everyone is out in the courtyard eating and drinking, enjoying themselves. I came to see you and share some of that joy with you.”
Enjoying drinks and conversation? Xie Yunzhi could imagine it.
It sounded very relaxed; he recalled his time in the military camp with his soldiers, where he was also unrestrained.
Lin paused, remembering the grilled mushrooms he had just eaten, which Xu Qingyi had presented to him proudly, saying they were grilled especially for him.
“Mother cares a great deal about the three of us; she’s busy, and if she hasn’t been able to look after you, please don’t be unhappy,” he said.
Xie Yunzhi was both surprised and relieved; it seemed Lin had finally let down his guard and gotten along with Lady Xu.
This was his biggest concern.
As long as it was resolved, that was all that mattered.
As for Lady Xu not caring about him, Xie Yunzhi didn’t think so. Besides, even if she truly didn’t care, it didn’t matter.
Taking care of the three children was sufficient.
He was an invalid; expecting affection would be sinful.
“Father.” Lin was silent for a moment, then said uncomfortably, “She’s done many things; I said she meddled too much, but actually, she didn’t…”
Xie Yunzhi had been a bit lost in thought.
At Lin’s words, he snapped back to reality and heard his eldest son quietly say, “I’ve properly buried my mother’s remains; I truly feel much lighter now. It was something I wanted to do when I was seven but never accomplished. I always felt I owed her, but now that the debt is settled, I neither hate nor love her anymore.”
It was the first time Lin had referred to the madwoman as “Mother,” and it would be the last.
Xie Yunzhi felt a warm tear fall onto the back of his hand.
Had Lin been crying?
“Lin, do you want more grilled mushrooms? I just made two more skewers.” Suddenly, Xu Qingyi’s voice came from outside the screen.
“Mm.” Lin replied, “I’m just talking with Father; I’ll be out in a moment.”
“Alright.” Xu Qingyi turned to leave.
She had come to check on her eldest son, fearing he might secretly speak ill of her.
In the end, she almost ended up in tears herself.