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Did Xu Qingyi need to describe how handsome Xie Yunzhi was?
Everyone present knew perfectly well!
He was an unattainable man, someone they could only admire silently in their hearts.
Unlike Xu Qingyi, that lucky woman who could see the Young Master every day!
“Do you personally attend to the Young Master’s daily needs?” a noble lady asked, her lips pressed together.
That was a rather intrusive question.
But Xu Qingyi remained generous and good-tempered. “Yes, I am the Young Master’s wife. Taking care of him is my duty, and I will certainly do it myself.”
The faces of the others immediately darkened with intense jealousy.
They wanted to call Xu Qingyi shameless and accuse her of taking advantage of the situation.
If the Young Master were awake, he certainly wouldn’t choose her.
But the current reality was that Xu Qingyi did hold the title of the Young Master’s wife. Even if she wasn’t his personal choice, the Pingyang Marquis residence had agreed to the match.
Furthermore, it was an imperial marriage; no one could deny this union.
Even Princess Xining, the most ardent admirer of Xie Yunzhi and a princess of high status, could only accept this fact.
“I heard that the Young Master is still capable of fathering children?”
Seeing that Xu Qingyi answered every question and had a gentle temperament, the women grew bolder with their questions.
They even started asking about intimate matters.
“Children…” Xu Qingyi smiled. “It’s all up to fate. The Young Master already has three sons. If we could have a daughter, I would be content.”
How hypocritical!
The women thought, if she could conceive, she would definitely want a son!
Then they realized—this meant the Young Master was truly capable of intimacy?
…
Xu Qingyi seemed to hear some gasps and the sound of handkerchiefs being ripped.
It was they who had asked the questions; Xu Qingyi didn’t feel responsible.
“Which one of you is the Young Master Xie’s wife?” A palace nursemaid approached and asked.
“I am,” Xu Qingyi replied.
“Greetings, Madam. The Imperial Concubine requests your presence,” the nursemaid bowed.
“Thank you. Please lead the way,” Xu Qingyi calmly followed the nursemaid, leaving under the complex gazes of the noble ladies.
After meeting up with Madam Qin, she asked softly, “They didn’t give you a hard time, did they?”
This was specifically said for the nursemaid to hear, so that Imperial Concubine Xue would support the Hou residence.
“No, they just asked some questions about the Eldest Young Master,” Xu Qingyi shook her head.
Madam Qin frowned. “What right do they have to inquire about our Pingyang Marquis residence’s private affairs? In the future, stay away from them. They only approached you because of the Young Master; don’t be so naive as to get close to them.”
“Yes, Mother-in-law, I understand,” Xu Qingyi smiled, happy to give Madam Qin face in front of the nursemaid.
The nursemaid thought to herself, this Young Master’s wife truly has a gentle and quiet temperament, just as the rumors described.
“Marchioness, please wait here,” the nursemaid said politely as they reached the outer room. “The Imperial Concubine wishes to see the Young Master’s wife alone. Please rest here for a while.”
Madam Qin wasn’t surprised; Imperial Concubine Xue had never been particularly friendly towards her.
Besides, she hadn’t come to see Imperial Concubine Xue this time. She was here to find a suitable wife for Xie Huaian.
So she smiled. “Very well.”
Xu Qingyi continued to follow the nursemaid inside, arriving at the place where Imperial Concubine Xue received guests.
Suddenly, she felt a hateful gaze fixed on her.
She looked up and saw a noble and imposing young woman in her twenties.
“That’s the Imperial Concubine and Princess Xining,” the nursemaid whispered.
Xu Qingyi quickly bowed. “Qingyi greets the Imperial Concubine and Princess Xining. May the Imperial Concubine enjoy good fortune, and may Princess Xining enjoy good fortune.”
“No need for formalities. Look up and let me have a good look at you,” Imperial Concubine Xue said with a slight smile.
Upon hearing this, Xu Qingyi looked up and saw that Imperial Concubine Xue was a striking beauty, a stunning woman who bore a striking resemblance to the Eldest Young Master.
Princess Xining, on the other hand, didn’t seem to have inherited all of her mother’s beauty; she likely took after her father’s side of the family more.
While Xu Qingyi was secretly observing the Imperial Concubine, the Imperial Concubine was also assessing her newly-appeared niece-in-law.
She looked passable, her family background was acceptable, and her temperament was reportedly good enough. So, she was just barely adequate.
After scrutinizing her sufficiently, Imperial Concubine Xue smiled. “Have a seat. Nursemaid, bring some tea.”
“Thank you, Imperial Concubine,” Xu Qingyi bowed again and sat down properly.
“No need to be so formal. You’re Yunzhi’s wife. Just call me aunt in private.”
Imperial Concubine Xue thought to herself, she seems gentle and sensible, but I still don’t like her.
It wasn’t directed at Xu Qingyi specifically. Xie Yunzhi was simply too outstanding, and her daughter’s unrequited love for her cousin…
Even knowing that Xu Qingyi was innocent, she still couldn’t bring herself to like her.
“Yes,” Xu Qingyi responded with a pleasant smile.
But she wouldn’t call her that because she sensed that Imperial Concubine Xue didn’t like her either.
It was just that she didn’t show it as obviously as Princess Xining.
But why didn’t Princess Xining like her? She wondered. It couldn’t be that every woman in the world liked Xie Yunzhi, could it?
She must have really done something wrong.
“What exactly happened with your marriage to Yunzhi?” Imperial Concubine Xue asked in a seemingly gentle tone. “Weren’t you your younger brother-in-law’s fiancée? How did you suddenly get betrothed to Yunzhi by the Emperor?”
She had also asked the Emperor about this; he said it was the Pingyang Marquis’s decision.
“My birth chart was compatible with the Young Master’s, and it was said that I could bring him good fortune, so father decided to have me marry the Eldest Young Master,” Xu Qingyi explained.
“Is that so?” Imperial Concubine Xue stared at Xu Qingyi with sharp eyes, unconvinced.
But Xu Qingyi showed no flaws.
It was clearly her first time meeting such high-ranking individuals, yet she was obedient and respectful, without showing any fear or nervousness, which made it hard to be certain.
“Yes,” Xu Qingyi said with a candid smile.
“So you’re very happy to marry my cousin to bring him good fortune?” Princess Xining glared fiercely at Xu Qingyi, her words laced with hostility.
Her assessment of Xu Qingyi was the same as those noble ladies outside.
She was just an ordinary woman, not worthy of even carrying Xie Yunzhi’s shoes.
“Why does Your Highness ask such a question?” Xu Qingyi remained unfazed. “It’s a marriage arranged by my parents and matchmaker. No matter who I marry, I will always respect my husband, abide by my duties, and do what a wife should do.”
Princess Xining said angrily, “You have a sharp tongue!”
Xu Qingyi immediately moved away from the chair and bowed. “Qingyi is frightened. Please, Princess, calm your anger.”
“Alright, Xining,” Imperial Concubine Xue glanced at her daughter and smiled at Xu Qingyi. “Qingyi, there’s no need to be so formal. Xining is simply straightforward and worried about her cousin. She means no harm. Please sit down.”
“Yes,” Xu Qingyi replied softly and sat back down, still maintaining her gentle demeanor.
Princess Xining’s eyes were filled with hatred; her fingernails, digging into the armrest, were almost breaking.
The man she had loved for five whole years had married another woman!
“How is Yunzhi doing lately?” Imperial Concubine Xue asked, taking a sip of tea.
“Reporting to the Imperial Concubine, the Young Master is doing well.”
Xu Qingyi relaxed and repeated what she had said outside.
“That’s good. Since you’ve become Yunzhi’s wife, you must take good care of him,” Imperial Concubine Xue instructed.
Although she didn’t particularly like Xu Qingyi, she didn’t dislike her either.
After all, in her opinion, whoever married Xie Yunzhi was marrying up.
Then, she changed the subject. “Have you and Yunzhi consummated your marriage?”
As her maternal aunt, Imperial Concubine Xue was also concerned about Xie Yunzhi’s offspring.
She also wanted to help her daughter give up on Xie Yunzhi so she could find a good husband and live her own life.
Xu Qingyi felt the air thicken.
Princess Xining’s hateful glares intensified.
However, she remained unaffected and replied softly, “Yes, we have.”
The teacup in Princess Xining’s hand suddenly fell to the ground with a loud crash.
It shattered into pieces.