Chapter 34 : Miss Xue’s Personal Belongings

The King of Wei truly had an affection for Xue Qingyin.

Just after seeing her once, he couldn’t forget her.

When Concubine Wan obstructed him, his rebellious heart grew stronger, and he became determined to get his hands on Xue Qingyin.

To calm her down, he sent the head steward of the Wang family, known as Steward Jiang, to visit her.

This display of attention shows how much the King of Wei valued the young lady from the Xue family.

The numerous gifts only added to the significance…

Even a eunuch would be moved by such lavishness.

However, this thought halted abruptly when Steward Jiang was led into the front hall.

He glanced to the left: “Isn’t this Granny Cui from the Princess’s residence?”

Then to the right: “And is that Steward Zhao from the Duke of Zhao’s house?”

Most servants from the Duke’s family take their master’s surname, and this steward was no different.

Granny Cui responded coolly.

Steward Zhao smiled lightly, appearing quite polite.

Steward Jiang couldn’t help but mutter to himself: What kind of person is Miss Xue?

While he was pondering, Madam Xue entered the hall, leading Xue Qingyin with graceful steps.

Madam Xue was usually stern and unapproachable, but today she was wearing a deep purple gown with a gentle smile. Her appearance surprised Steward Jiang.

What a beautiful woman.

Then, he noticed Xue Qingyin beside her—slim waist, long legs, and a graceful figure. She wore a water-green dress with a ribbon tied delicately around her waist, making her look like a blooming flower.

She was the perfect image of Madam Xue’s beauty.

Though young, she already had a mature charm.

Steward Jiang, who had seen the King’s many concubines, couldn’t help but be moved.

“Madam, Miss Xue,” Steward Jiang gestured aside, “These are gifts from His Highness.”

Madam Xue was taken aback.

Why would the King send things for Qingyin?

Even for a formal marriage proposal to the Xu family’s eldest son, it wouldn’t be the King himself sending gifts!

Xue Qingyin seemed uninterested and turned to Granny Cui, asking, “Did you come to deliver something?”

“Yes, a letter and a set of jewelry. The Princess specially picked it out for Miss Xue, saying it would be perfect for her,” Granny Cui smiled and handed over a box.

Inside was a set of silver jewelry, including a comb, hairpins, earrings, and a sachet. Each piece was embedded with crystal, which reflected a soft pink light, beautifully crafted.

This set of jewelry seemed quite valuable, far surpassing any modern jewelry Qingyin had seen.

Steward Jiang, trying to keep his composure, sighed, “How coincidental—His Highness also prepared a set of jade jewelry for Miss Xue.”

Granny Cui responded flatly, “If it’s not color jade, then it can’t compare to the crystal.”

Steward Jiang stayed silent.

Xue Qingyin was slightly confused.

Why were they comparing?

Just then, Steward Zhao stroked his beard and laughed, “Our house doesn’t have much jewelry, but we have more silver ingots than anything else.”

He then took a box from a servant and opened it in front of Xue Qingyin. Inside were neatly arranged silver ingots, four rows in total.

Who wouldn’t like that?

Xue Qingyin’s eyes lit up immediately.

Madam Xue froze.

What was going on here?

They were lining up to give her daughter gifts? She had never seen such a scene in the capital.

Madam Xue felt confused.

“Miss Xue seems to like it,” Steward Zhao grinned, “Our Duke is quite fond of her.”

Steward Jiang suddenly turned to look.

Madam Xue’s face froze.

“Unfortunately, our young master isn’t so fortunate.”

That statement made everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

“At this point, the Duke may never have a granddaughter as well-behaved and lovable as Miss Xue,” Steward Zhao added.

Madam Xue relaxed a little. So, they were talking about her being treated like a granddaughter.

“The Duke is thinking, if Miss Xue agrees to be our young master’s goddaughter, wouldn’t that be a happy ending for all?” Steward Zhao finally explained his purpose.

Steward Jiang thought to himself, Could you not take so long to say everything? You’ve got me on edge!

“This…” Madam Xue was still a bit confused.

Why suddenly make a godparent arrangement with the Duke’s house? How did they end up here?

She remembered the day the Duke’s people visited, and she had worried that Qingyin might be mistreated.

Xue Qingyin was also quite surprised.

She thought for a moment and said, “You should ask my father whether he agrees.”

Her father wasn’t much of a figure, so she didn’t mind adding a few more fathers.

But she was worried her real father would mind.

Steward Zhao smiled, “The Duke will discuss it with your father, Miss Xue. If you agree, everything will be settled.”

Xue Qingyin responded decisively, “Okay!”

Madam Xue couldn’t help but twitch her mouth.

This girl… Didn’t she always say she liked her real father the most? How could she so easily accept another one?

Steward Zhao didn’t care about the others’ thoughts. Since Xue Qingyin agreed, he left the silver ingots and happily left.

Granny Cui took the letter and jewelry and left first.

Only Steward Jiang remained.

Madam Xue declined the King of Wei’s gifts.

Steward Jiang couldn’t hide his displeasure: “Why be so unreasonable, Madam? If I had come alone today, that would be one thing, but with three of us, I’m the only one who’s been rejected.”

Madam Xue remained firm, “It’s because the gifts are too precious. I can’t accept them. Qingyin is not yet married, and I don’t want people to gossip.”

Steward Jiang sneered, his arrogance barely concealed: “Let me tell you plainly, Madam, His Highness has his eye on your eldest daughter and wants to marry her.”

Madam Xue guessed as much, but hearing it out loud still sent a shock through her.

She was glad her daughter was liked, but she also felt anxious.

There were so many women in the King’s harem.

How could she bear to let Qingyin suffer?

She replied, “The King’s marriage isn’t something we can decide on. It will depend on the Emperor’s will.”

Steward Jiang responded, “It’s no problem; His Highness has already spoken to the Emperor about it.”

Madam Xue insisted, “Then we’ll wait for the decision from our parents and the matchmaker.”

Seeing that she wouldn’t yield, Steward Jiang reluctantly suppressed his anger and left.

Madam Xue couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.

Had she angered the King of Wei?

But thinking about it, Qingyin probably wouldn’t have left such a strong impression on him, right?

Meanwhile, Steward Jiang didn’t leave immediately but stayed outside the house for a while.

Soon, someone came out and handed him something.

He quickly pocketed it and turned to leave.

Back at the King’s residence, the first thing the King asked was about Xue Qingyin.

“Miss Xue seemed to be in good spirits, standing there as graceful as ever,” Steward Jiang said. “It’s a shame that Madam Xue is so stubborn. If it weren’t for His Highness’s persistence, her daughter might have lost all the wealth and status that was coming her way!”

“Jealous women, I suppose. She probably doesn’t have a pleasant personality. Did she refuse Miss Xue’s gifts?” the King asked.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The King was dissatisfied but didn’t voice his displeasure.

“But I brought something for you,” Steward Jiang said.

“What is it?” The King asked, uninterested.

Could it be that Xue Qingyin had been delivered to him?

Steward Jiang smiled mysteriously and handed over a paper-wrapped package, “The servants from the Xue family are easy to bribe. This is Miss Xue’s personal item. You can open it privately.”

The King casually tore it open, only to immediately close it again.

He sat up straight, staring at Steward Jiang, unable to suppress a smile. “Well, well… you are quite clever!”

Steward Jiang sighed in relief.

This would offset his previous failure.

The King set aside his book and stood up, heading toward his chambers.

Inside the paper wrap was a sachet, small and palm-sized, with the tassels already unevenly cut. The embroidered characters were in disarray, with only two threads forming the character “heart.”

If Xue Qingyin were present, she would recognize this as the sachet she had planned to give to He Songning.

The opening of the sachet revealed a piece of fabric. It was silk, as thin as a cicada’s wing, barely larger than a fist when folded.

Perhaps it had been cut from an undergarment.

Or perhaps even more intimate clothing.

The King lowered his head and sniffed it.

A faint fragrance.

He tightly grasped the fabric, his mind racing as though his hands were touching Xue Qingyin’s smooth skin…

On the other side, Xue Chengdong returned to the mansion.

Everyone had dinner together, and during the meal, he talked about the Duke of Zhao wanting Zhao Xufeng to recognize Xue Qingyin as his goddaughter.

“Zhao Xufeng has been stupid for many years.” Xue Chengdong frowned, “Today, someone came to the Duke of Zhao’s mansion. How did the lady refuse?”

Xue Qingyin said, “Mother didn’t say anything.”

Xue Chengdong: “Then…”

Xue Qingyin: “I told him that it would be good to have another father.”

Xue Chengdong: “…” This man who always looked solemn, as if he would not change his face even if a mountain collapsed in front of him, and who seemed to be uninterested in family affairs, the expression on his face just cracked little by little.

It was the first time that Xue Chengdong wanted to lose his temper, but thinking of Duke Zhao, he endured it.

Xue Qingyin patted her butt and left after causing trouble, and quickly slipped back to her own courtyard.

Oh, we have to go on a boat ride tomorrow, so we have to get some sleep.

The maid was shocked by her bravery, and her hands were shaking slightly when she got water for her.

Xue Qingyin didn’t feel anything, but just wondered: “Hey, where is my foot cloth? Why is it gone?”