Chapter 13: Each with Their Own Agenda

Lin finished writing his characters and washed his hands in the water basin.

The maid, Dong Qing, happily entered to report, “Young Master Lin, the Young Madam is here with Young Master Zhen and Young Master Heng. They’ve come to find you and want to have dinner together!”

Compared to Dong Qing’s cheerful excitement, Lin’s expression remained indifferent.

He had no particular feelings for the people of the Marquis’s household, and his relationship with his two younger brothers was one of mere responsibility. 

This was simply because Xie Yunzhi had asked him, before the incident, to look after his younger brothers. 

He would do what he could, but don’t expect him to have much emotional attachment.

When Lin emerged, the two younger brothers immediately called out, “Big Brother.”

As the eldest, he was like a father figure to them, and the two younger ones held him in great respect.

Lin nodded, then coolly called out to Xu Qingyi, “Mother.”

“Ah,” Xu Qingyi smiled. Not only did she not mind his casual tone, but she was also somewhat flattered. “Let’s go, Lin. Let’s have dinner together.”

Tonight, Xie Huaian was still not home, likely still kneeling in the ancestral hall.

However, the Marquis had returned and announced some news to everyone.

“Emperor’s decree for Yunzhi and Qingyi has come down. The palace should send an official announcement tomorrow.”

“That’s good. The Emperor still cares for Yunzhi,” the Old Madam said with relief. With the imperial marriage decree, there would be no more rumors or gossip.

“Yes.” With the eldest son’s marriage settled, the Marquis’s expression lightened.

“Qingyi has been unfilial, causing father to worry,” Xu Qingyi said.

The Marquis didn’t blame her and smiled kindly. “As long as you and Yunzhi are well, that’s all that matters.”

Thinking of the troublesome second son, the Marquis turned to the Marchioness and said, “You should start looking into Huaian’s marriage.”

Xie Yunzhi had received the Emperor’s decree for marriage, which was an honor. But the Marchioness felt a bit unsettled, as that should have been her daughter-in-law.

She said, “I fear Huaian already has someone in mind, and we may not find any suitable young ladies.”

A slightly higher-status family would hesitate to marry into a family with a legitimate son, especially since Huaian was a second son. Who would be willing to marry into such a situation?

It made sense.

The Old Madam snorted coldly, “Isn’t that all his own doing?”

The others at the table remained silent, unsure of how to respond.

Why would the main character’s ability to find a wife concern them?

Xu Qingyi lowered her head and focused on her meal.

Garlic ribs, braised fish, Dongpo pork…

She piled food into her own bowl, then added some to Zhen’s and Heng’s bowls as well.

Zhen was so moved, he almost cried!

His mother was truly wonderful. From now on, he would be her loyal little follower!

Lin: “…”

He felt like he was growing sick of the food in his mouth.

A fulfilling day had finally come to an end.

Xu Qingyi didn’t want to bring the children with her that evening, so she entrusted Heng to the care of Mama Cai.

Having just consummated the marriage the previous night, she planned to rest tonight.

However, she still felt it was her duty as a wife to show some care. After bathing, she intended to visit the Eldest Young Master’s room for a brief moment, to show her concern.

“Young Madam… please wait! Don’t come in just yet!” A panicked voice from Zi Xiao came from inside.

What happened?

Xu Qingyi stopped in her tracks and asked, “What’s going on?”

Well… nothing much, just that the Eldest Young Master had a relapse.

Ming Yu was helping him change his undergarments.

Xie Yunzhi was mortified and furious. After spending the entire day in such a helpless state, he realized the situation was far worse than he had imagined.

He couldn’t move a muscle, yet he still had to eat, drink, and go to the bathroom.

But none of these things he could control.

He had to rely on others to take care of him.

The personal servant by his side was one thing—after all, they weren’t outsiders, and Xie Yunzhi didn’t feel much shame in front of them. 

But Xu Qingyi… She was supposed to be his wife, but the truth was, she hadn’t married him out of love for a man who was now a shell of himself.

Even if she had truly married him with a full heart, seeing such a situation day after day would surely lead to disgust over time.

Xie Yunzhi really didn’t want her to come. Why had he let things come to this?

Unfortunately, he couldn’t speak, and thus couldn’t ask Zi Xiao to escort her away, leaving him with a bit of dignity.

All he could do was listen as Zi Xiao spoke politely, “Young Madam, there’s nothing serious. It’s just that the Young Master … got his clothes soiled. We’re changing him right now. Please wait a moment, it’ll be quick…”

Xu Qingyi immediately understood and casually said, “What’s the big deal? There’s no need to be so flustered. I’m not unaware of the Eldest Young Master’s condition.”

She said it so casually, but Zi Xiao and Ming Yu still hoped to maintain some image for the Eldest Young Master, so that the wife wouldn’t grow disgusted.

“Taking care of the Eldest Young Master is my duty as his wife. I’m coming in,” Xu Qingyi said.

She wasn’t a young girl of seventeen or eighteen. For a man paralyzed in bed, she didn’t harbor any unrealistic expectations.

Paralysis was paralysis, and certain uncomfortable realities were inescapable.

“Young Madam!” Zi Xiao and Ming Yu tried to stop her, but Xu Qingyi had already entered.

She glanced at the bed and saw that it was just a matter of soiling the pants. “Why are you so nervous? This is my husband.”

“…”

The two of them fell silent, forced smiles on their faces. It wasn’t that they doubted the sincerity of the Young Madam.

Only those who had taken care of the Eldest Young Master could truly understand how tormenting this was.

But Xu Qingyi didn’t pay them any mind. She rolled up her sleeves and wrung out a towel from the basin to wipe the Eldest Young Master down.

Seeing this, the two of them quickly tried to stop her. “Young Madam, let us do it.”

“Why are you two so fussy? Aren’t you men?” Xu Qingyi snapped. “Stop talking and go get clean bedding to replace this.”

At that moment, Xie Yunzhi realized that the person wiping him wasn’t a servant.

His face instantly flushed, but it wasn’t out of embarrassment—it was pure discomfort.

To be honest, the two of them were neither family nor close friends, and there had been no prior connection. Xie Yunzhi couldn’t bring himself to believe that Xu Qingyi was truly taking care of him out of genuine affection.

He suspected that Xu Qingyi was just fulfilling her duty.

There was no need for it; it felt like an insult to him.

Having loyal servants around was enough—Xie Yunzhi didn’t need such insincere gestures.

Xu Qingyi continued to clean with focus, treating it more like a task than anything else, without the slightest sign of embarrassment or hesitation.

But if someone were to accuse her of degrading him, it was hard to make that case!

She was clearly treating the Eldest Young Master with the respect one would give to a superior. Was it possible for an employee to degrade their boss?

Of course not.

The three of them worked together quickly, replacing the bedding and getting the Eldest Young Master into fresh undergarments.

Xu Qingyi watched as they lifted the Eldest Young Master, noting how soft his body was, and asked, “Does the Eldest Young Master just lie here all the time?”

Hadn’t anyone thought of letting him sit up?

“Uh…” Zi Xiao and Ming Yu were both confused by the Young Madam’s question.

Xu Qingyi said, “Do you have something like a wheelchair? We could push the Eldest Young Master outside for a walk, let him get some sunlight. Lying down all the time will make him ‘moldy’.” 

“Wheelchair?” The two servants looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion. 

It seemed that they didn’t have such a thing, or maybe it wasn’t called by that name. 

Xu Qingyi remembered the carpenter from earlier and had an idea. “Wait a few days, I’ll have the carpenter make a wheelchair. Then we can take the Eldest Young Master outside for some sun.” 

“But…” Ming Yu and Zi Xiao still hesitated, their faces filled with concern. “The physician said the Eldest Young Master needs to rest.” 

Xu Qingyi replied, “The physician didn’t say he can’t go outside for some sun. Trust me, getting some sunlight will be good for the Eldest Young Master’s health.” 

Unlike the nervous servants, Xie Yunzhi felt a flicker of excitement. Whether or not sunlight was beneficial, he wasn’t sure, but he was certainly tired of lying in bed.

He longed to leave this room.

Seeing that they still hesitated, Xu Qingyi added, “Tomorrow, I’ll ask the Old Madam for permission. That should be fine, right?”

Ming Yu and Zi Xiao nodded. “Yes, Young Madam.”

Mentioning the Old Madam, Xie Yunzhi felt a deep sense of longing, which made him feel a bit downhearted.

The entire day passed, and aside from the children and Xu Qingyi, no one else had come by. 

It wasn’t that Xie Yunzhi resented them; he just felt a sense of longing. Deep down, he couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.

“Your Excellency, Father has been busy all day, finally obtaining the imperial decree for our marriage. The palace will announce it tomorrow,” Xu Qingyi’s voice came.

Xie Yunzhi was momentarily stunned. So, that was it?

It made sense. Lately, things had been busy with many troubles, and everyone was occupied. That thought made him feel a bit better.

Xu Qingyi inwardly thought, ‘Why have I become so chatty?’

It must be because of Zhen and the others.

But talking a little wasn’t so bad. It was better than just sitting here doing nothing.

It felt like giving a work report to a boss—once it was done, she could clock out and rest.

With this thought in mind, Xu Qingyi continued to chatter, “The Old Madam was quite upset. She’s been very tired these past few days, and now she has to manage your second brother’s marriage. It’s not going to be easy.”

Xie Yunzhi thought to himself, ‘That scoundrel, my second brother, hasn’t even gotten married yet, and there’s already a pregnant concubine in his house. It’s no surprise things are tough for him.’

Seeing the situation, Zi Xiao quickly went out and brought in a cup of tea, along with some snacks, melon seeds, and candy, as if preparing for a casual tea gathering.

Xu Qingyi: “…”

This “meeting” treatment was quite nice!

She casually grabbed a handful of melon seeds and began cracking them, continuing as she did, “Heng is four now, and it’s about time to start his education. I was thinking of finding him a good teacher.”

What?

After a moment of surprise, Xie Yunzhi’s expression darkened. Heng still hadn’t started his studies?

He knew that Madam Qin hadn’t been very attentive, but he didn’t realize just how negligent she had been.

But then again, Heng wasn’t the responsibility of anyone else in the Marquis’s household. Ultimately, it was his own failure as a father.

He felt an immense sense of guilt.

“As for Lin, there’s no need to worry about his studies. Once he passes the scholar exams, I’ll find him an even better teacher.”

Xu Qingyi had already thought of a suitable teacher in her mind.

After a pause, she said, “It’s just that Zhen doesn’t like studying. In the future, he might be better suited for a military path.”

This, Xie Yunzhi agreed with.

Zhen was sturdy, active, and quick on his feet—a natural for martial arts training.

However, out of personal concern, he hadn’t wanted his son to pursue martial arts before.

How many have returned from war throughout history?

He was the perfect example of a father who had seen the risks firsthand.

Xu Qingyi had the urge for something sweet, perhaps a candied fruit, but then gave up on the idea for the night. She sighed softly, “Martial arts can strengthen the body. Even if he doesn’t pursue the military later, it would help him keep fit.”

Xie Yunzhi: “…”

Zhen should indeed pay attention to his figure.

No, he couldn’t keep lingering over these snacks. Xu Qingyi clapped her hands, took a sip of tea, and said her goodbyes, “Your Excellency, it’s getting late. I’ll go think about how to make a wheelchair. You should rest early tonight.”

Hearing that she was leaving, Xie Yunzhi was caught off guard, feeling like they had only just started talking.

The others in the room shared a similar sentiment.

Once Xu Qingyi left, the entire room fell silent.

Xie Yunzhi spent his days lying down, needing very little sleep, so he wasn’t feeling drowsy.

He found himself somewhat looking forward to the wheelchair Xu Qingyi had mentioned, which only made the night feel even longer.