Chapter 45: Many Female Admirers

Is she really not taking it to heart?

For a moment, Madam Qin couldn’t tell whether Xu Qingyi was genuinely unfazed or just too dull to notice the unfriendly gazes directed at her.

After some thought, she reminded Xu Qingyi, “Qingyi, you know that there are many admirers of Yunzhi in the capital.”

“Those young ladies are crazily in love with Yunzhi. There was even an incident where they fought in public over a flower just to win his favor.”

Madam Qin looked at Xu Qingyi with a gleam of delight in her eyes. “If someone gives you a hard time later, don’t take it to heart. It’s not your fault; they just love Yunzhi too much.”

Xu Qingyi responded with an “oh” and maintained a gentle smile on her face, though inwardly she was rolling her eyes and thinking: If you were truly sincere in your warning, you would tell me to come to you for support if I got bullied, and you’d stand up for me.

Instead, it felt more like you were eagerly anticipating a good show.

As Xu Qingyi walked in, the number of gazes on her surged.

Some were secretly sizing her up, remaining silent.

Others were openly discussing her with those around them.

“This Lady Xu is truly unremarkable.”

“Her looks are passable, but her figure is rather underwhelming.”

“She’s just so-so. I can’t believe she was chosen.”

“Perhaps she used some underhanded methods?”

“We should ask Tingjun. She must know something about her younger sister’s affairs.”

So Xu Tingjun was also here?

These people were gossiping so loudly that Xu Qingyi could hear them.

It just goes to show that jealousy can make people lose all objectivity.

How else could these people lie so blatantly?

Her figure was far from underwhelming; she was curvy and well-proportioned.

It was simply that she was wearing looser clothing today to appear more demure and proper.

As for her face, Xu Qingyi felt that she was quite beautiful; there was no way she was merely “passable.”

However, there was one thing they got right: the circumstances surrounding this marriage were indeed unsavory.

Xu Qingyi subtly glanced at Madam Qin, noticing that her smile had vanished.

She began to worry: Had Xu Qingyi’s elder sister heard about Xie Huaian’s affair with the maid?

In short, the truth of this matter must never be revealed.

Xu Qingyi would just have to endure the situation.

“Qingyi, don’t listen to their nonsense. They’re just jealous!” Madam Qin immediately smiled, her smile much more genuine than before.  “You and Yunzhi are a perfect match, and your three sons love you. There’s no more suitable couple than you two.  Those delusional admirers are nothing!”

Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for some people to hear, causing them to stomp their feet in anger.

What if they were admirers? Being an admirer of Xie Yunzhi wasn’t shameful.

In fact, they could even get along well with each other, as none of them could have Xie Yunzhi, so they weren’t rivals.

However, the sudden appearance of someone had disrupted this balance, and Xie Yunzhi’s many admirers couldn’t stand it.

Xu Qingyi nodded.  “Mother-in-law, don’t worry. What they said isn’t true, so I won’t be upset.”

This was a subtle reminder to Madam Qin that she held the truth in her hands, prompting her to consider whether she should protect her more, now that they were out in public.

Madam Qin understood.  Outside the house, Xu Qingyi’s reputation was tied to the Marquis residence’s reputation. Their fortunes were intertwined.

She then dismissed her delight and used her sharp gaze to warn those around her: If they wanted to marry Xie Yunzhi, they should go ahead and try, but they shouldn’t be so bitter.

“Listen to this! The Marchioness is actually protecting her?”

Everyone was surprised.

They had assumed that since Xie Yunzhi married the fiancée of Marchioness’s biological son, there would inevitably be friction between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

“Perhaps the Marchioness herself doesn’t like Lady Xu, so she passed her off to her stepson?” a noble lady who admired Xie Yunzhi suggested, indulging in a conspiracy theory.

Everyone glanced at her, somewhat speechless.

While love might cloud one’s judgment, they didn’t need to be so biased.

Xie Huaian was just an incompetent wastrel; Lady Xu was more than good enough for him.

As long as Madam Qin wasn’t foolish, she would hold onto this daughter-in-law tightly.

So what exactly happened?

Everyone was extremely curious about Xu Qingyi and went to find Xu Tingjun.

“Tingjun, Madam Xie is your own sister, but we haven’t met her yet.  Could you ask her to come over and chat with us?”

Xu Tingjun smiled and refused politely.  “She’s a guest of the Imperial Concubine today.  I’m afraid I can’t ask her to leave.”

She knew the inside story of her younger sister’s marriage to Xie Yunzhi, but she had never revealed it, as it would not benefit her.

If it were known that she had leaked the information, the Pingyang Marquis residence would not let her go easily.

“Please, please, go! We beg you!” the noble ladies pleaded, giving Xu Tingjun plenty of face.

Xu Tingjun enjoyed this feeling.  After feigning reluctance, she reluctantly agreed.  “Then I’ll give it a try.”

After all, Imperial Concubine Xue hadn’t yet come out to greet the guests. Xu Tingjun quickly caught up with Xu Qingyi and Madam Qin, smiling.  “Second Sister, Marchioness of Pingyang, it’s been a while.”

Madam Qin turned around and, seeing Xu Tingjun, smiled.  “It’s Qingyi’s elder sister! You’re here too?”

This address, which had never been used before, caused Xu Tingjun to pause momentarily before smiling. “Yes, the Princess invited me.”

“Elder Sister, it’s been a while,” Xu Qingyi turned to greet her, noting that her sister was still as radiant as ever, like a peony in full bloom, but there was a hint of weariness in her brow.

Were the concubines at home causing trouble again?

It seemed that being the Lady of a wealthy family was very hard.  Xu Qingyi thought to herself with relief, being the wife of a Young Master has its own advantages.

Xu Tingjun had no idea what her sister was thinking.  She smiled and said, “You don’t go out much, so the ladies in the capital are unfamiliar with you. They want to meet you.  Sister, shall I take you to chat with them?”

Madam Qin immediately grew wary, fearing that those gossipy women would pry something out of Xu Qingyi.  She smiled and politely declined.  “But Yunzhi’s aunt is waiting to meet Qingyi.  Perhaps another time?”

Xu Tingjun said, “The Imperial Concubine isn’t here yet.  Madam Qin, don’t worry. It’s my own sister; I wouldn’t let her suffer any harm.”

With that, she pulled Xu Qingyi’s hand and walked away.

It seemed she couldn’t avoid meeting Xie Yunzhi’s global fan club.

So Xu Qingyi also relaxed, put on a smile, and assumed the air of a dignified wife.

She would go and see those disgruntled women.

“My younger sister is here,” Xu Tingjun warmly pulled Xu Qingyi forward and said cheerfully to everyone.  “I know you’re all curious about her, but you’ve promised to be gentle with your questions and not scare her, right?”

“Greetings, Madam Xie,” the women offered insincere smiles and greetings.

“Hello, everyone,” Xu Qingyi smiled and nodded.

“Madam Xie, I heard that you’re shy?” A noble lady examined her from head to toe and said jokingly, “But I think you’re quite brave to marry the Eldest Young Master of Pingyang Marquisate.”

It was a double entendre, with a condescending tone.

“Is marrying the Young Master considered brave? I think it’s alright. The Young Master isn’t scary,” Xu Qingyi laughed lightly, deflecting the attack.

The noble lady was taken aback.

She didn’t believe Xu Qingyi didn’t understand what she was saying!

Yes, Xu Qingyi knew.

But so what? She dared, and she would use it to her advantage.

“By the way, how is the Young Master doing now?” someone asked eagerly.  They were more interested in Xie Yunzhi’s condition than in attacking Xu Qingyi.

This information was confidential.  If the people of the Pingyang Marquis residence didn’t speak, they wouldn’t know the current state of their beloved.

Since Xie Yunzhi’s wife was sitting right here, they forced themselves to suppress their jealousy and ask for clarification.

“The Young Master is doing well,” Xu Qingyi smiled sweetly.  “Except for being unconscious, everything else is normal.”

However, the others didn’t believe her.

Someone probed, “The Young Master has been unconscious for more than half a year. Surely… there have been significant changes to his body?”

They had heard that the Young Master was still capable of fathering children, which is why the Pingyang Marquis residence had arranged for him to marry.

The women gritted their teeth.  Wasn’t Xu Qingyi getting a great deal?

Knowing what they wanted to ask, Xu Qingyi answered frankly and thoroughly.  “He’s fine. The Young Master has only lost a little weight.  He eats well and sleeps well; he still looks handsome and elegant.”

And his energy levels are also excellent.