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“In reply to Your Highness, the elders of the Marquis family haven’t made a decision yet, but it seems they are inclined to facilitate this marriage.” Xu Qingyi said with a smile.
“You’re still laughing? Once Zhenyang enters the Marquis Residence, your good days will be over.” Princess Xining scoffed.
“What do you mean, Princess?” Xu Qingyi feigned ignorance.
Although she knew that Princess Zhenyang coveted Xie Yunzhi, it wasn’t her place to say so.
“That wretched girl doesn’t want to marry Xie Huaian; she wants to marry your husband, understand?” Princess Xining stated directly, seeing through her act.
“This…” Xu Qingyi widened her eyes in disbelief.
Heng looked up at his mother, finding her expression exaggerated, as if she were acting.
“If you allow that wretched Zhenyang to marry into the Marquis family, don’t even dream of bearing your husband’s children. She will not only harm you, but she will also steal your husband.” Princess Xining said.
To bear the child of her beloved cousin under the guise of being Huaian’s wife—absurd, dissolute, and shameless.
But Zhenyang is a Princess; she can do as she pleases.
The Pingyang Marquis family would only help cover up the scandal.
Perhaps Zhenyang’s child would even inherit the Marquis Residence.
Her calculations were quite audacious.
“Princess Zhenyang actually harbors such thoughts? What should we do?” Xu Qingyi’s worry was genuine, not an act.
Princess Xining looked at her anxiously, “What else can you do? She wants to steal your husband; you must stand firm and prevent her from succeeding.”
“Yes.” Xu Qingyi thought to herself, so Princess Zhenyang’s greatest enemy wasn’t the Du Yunjin, but Princess Xining.
Indeed, it was one thing for her, the wife, to covet Xie Yunzhi, but what was Zhenyang’s audacity?
“But she is a Princess after all. If she uses her status to suppress me, even as her elder sister-in-law, I would find it hard to resist,” Xu Qingyi probed, testing whether Princess Xining genuinely wanted to form an alliance.
Princess Xining scoffed, saying disdainfully, “So what if she’s a Princess? Does being a Princess allow her to disregard propriety and morality?”
A true royal Princess scolding a royal Princess in title—well said.
Xu Qingyi, a commoner, wouldn’t interfere; she simply smiled.
“If she dares to do something shameless, feel free to slap her; I’ll take the blame if anything happens.” Princess Xining said bluntly.
Xu Qingyi looked surprised, then smiled, “Alright, with Your Highness’s words, Qingyi can rest assured.”
“Mm,” Princess Xining looked at Xu Qingyi, unsure whether this gentle cousin-in-law could be ruthless, so she added, “Don’t hold back; don’t be timid.”
“Yes, Princess.” Xu Qingyi replied.
“Don’t worry, she’s just a younger generation. Just act like the elder sister-in-law. And if that fails, you still have mother, your imperial aunt-in-law. Can she really turn the world upside down?” Princess Xining reassured her again, wishing she could take Lady Xu’s place and thoroughly deal with Zhenyang at the Marquis Residence.
Xu Qingyi smiled softly, gratefully saying, “Thank you, Princess, for your support.”
“…” It was all for her cousin’s sake. Princess Xining felt conflicted, hesitantly asking, “Is my cousin’s situation really as good as you say?”
Knowing that Princess Xining loved her husband, Xu Qingyi didn’t mind and said with a smile, “Yes, a carpenter recently made a wheelchair, and the Eldest Young Master goes out for walks every day.”
Princess Xining became lost in thought.
Perhaps remembering the past, a tender expression appeared in her eyes.
Xu Qingyi sighed; true love existed throughout history. An idea struck her, and she began to describe the Eldest Young Master’s daily life.
“Are you pitying me?” Princess Xining, realizing that Lady Xu had deliberately spoken to her, glared fiercely and said proudly, “I don’t need your pity.”
“I wouldn’t dare. It’s just that there aren’t many people who truly care about the Young Master, and I couldn’t help but talk too much. I hope Your Highness will forgive me.” Xu Qingyi quickly apologized.
Princess Xining’s expression softened slightly.
Even though she knew Lady Xu was trying to comfort her, it was pleasant to hear.
Her smooth-talking was a virtue; she was a refined woman.
The Princess’s Residence hosted Xu Qingyi and her son to a lavish midday banquet, filled with delicacies.
When they left, they received a generous gift.
This time, Xu Qingyi dared to accept the gifts.
After all, she and Princess Xining were now strategic partners.
She reflected that today’s trip to the Princess’s Residence was unexpected. She had thought it would be a trap, but instead, they had formed an alliance.
The afternoon was free time; mother and son went for a stroll, enjoying food and drinks until the afternoon, then they went to the academy to pick up the eldest son from school.
This was probably the first time Lin had been picked up by his parents.
Xu Qingyi and Heng, while eating fried meatballs, saw Xie Lin, they called out, “Lin/Big Brother!”
…The future powerful minister’s expression was hard to describe, somewhere between embarrassment and anger.
After hesitating for a moment between pretending not to know them and approaching, Lin finally walked over with a stiff face.
Xu Qingyi immediately stuffed a string of fried lotus root into his hand, smiling, “Here, you don’t like meat; eat lotus root.”
…Lin hesitated; eating at the academy gates was extremely improper.
But he suppressed the urge to scold his elders and didn’t say anything.
“It’s delicious; eat quickly,” Xu Qingyi said.
Heng nodded, “Big Brother, eat quickly, while it’s hot.”
So, the three of them sat in the carriage, with the door open, eating fried snacks.
“Oops, we finished them all without realizing it,” Xu Qingyi wiped her hands with a handkerchief, saying, “Don’t tell Zhen; he’ll make a fuss.”
“Mm-mm.” Heng lifted his head, pouting, wanting his mother to wipe his face.
“Look at you, a little messy face.” Xu Qingyi said with a laugh.
Then she wiped his face clean with a handkerchief.
Seeing how happy they were, Lin could tell they hadn’t been bullied, so he didn’t bother asking about their time at the Princess’s Residence.
Xu Qingyi, however, remembered and proactively told the eldest son, “The Princess didn’t make things difficult for us; she’s willing to help us deal with Princess Zhenyang…”
Pausing, her tone suddenly became excited, “By the way, do you know who Princess Zhenyang is? She’s also an admirer of your father; let me tell you…”
Lin looked sideways: …
Normally, a wife faced with such a situation would be angry, wouldn’t she?
Not only was Xu Qingyi not angry, but her reaction was full of interest; he felt something was wrong.
It seemed like she didn’t care much about his father.
Therefore, Lin’s gaze towards Xu Qingyi contained more doubt and scrutiny.
It wasn’t that he was suspicious; it was mainly that Xu Qingyi showed her affection openly and without reservation.
If the family of four had to be ranked in order of importance, Lin felt that he held more weight in Xu Qingyi’s heart than his father.
Whatever, Father wouldn’t know anyway.
Lin bit into a piece of fried lotus root, thinking that since Xu Qingyi cared so much about them, she wasn’t going anywhere.
At the same time, in a quiet private room of an inn.
Princess Zhenyang had met with Xie Huaian to further her audacious plan.
“Second Young Master Xie?” Upon meeting, she sized him up, then her eyes showed disappointment.
They weren’t full siblings after all; Xie Huaian’s appearance wasn’t even one-tenth as good as Xie Yunzhi’s.
Xie Huaian noticed Princess Zhenyang’s disappointment and froze, his face turning ugly. He had long known that Princess Zhenyang was after his elder brother and naturally understood the meaning of her disappointment.
…He was furious; this woman was utterly insulting.
However, due to her status as a Princess, he could only endure it.
Princess Zhenyang didn’t bother with pleasantries with Xie Huaian, nor did she care about his self-esteem. She got straight to the point, “Marry me, and I will help you rise to prominence.”
Xie Huaian, thinking of the possibility of Prince Su ascending the throne, felt his heart pounding but pretended to be calm, “Your Highness clearly dislikes me; why are you so insistent on marrying me?”
“That’s none of your concern. Just say yes or no.” Princess Zhenyang said, “I indeed dislike you, so after we marry, I won’t interfere with your inner household; you can dote on whomever you wish.”
Then she added, “And vice versa; you cannot interfere with me; I can do as I please.”
As a Princess of Prince Su’s Residence, she didn’t consider Xie Huaian at all.
This advance notice was already considered a gesture of respect.
…Xie Huaian understood that this was a good deal, so after a moment’s consideration, he agreed, “I hope Your Highness will keep your word.”
“Of course.” Princess Zhenyang said.
Xie Huaian probed, “Your Highness likes my elder brother?”
Princess Zhenyang looked at him sharply, her eyes piercing.
“I have no other intentions; if that’s true, I can still help you.” Xie Huaian said.
He had said he would take revenge on Xu Qingyi.
Xu Qingyi wanted to bear Xie Yunzhi’s child to solidify her position, didn’t she?
He wouldn’t let her succeed!
He would make Xu Qingyi realize that her choice had been wrong.
Impressed by Xie Huaian’s cooperation, Princess Zhenyang felt pleased, “If you really want to help, finalize the marriage quickly and allow me to enter the family soon.”