Chapter 61: The First Encounter

Princess Zhenyang, though somewhat restrained, dutifully offered tea and exchanged gifts with the leading figures of the Marquisate.

She had heard that Xu Qingyi and Xie Yunzhi’s adopted children got along well.

This, of course, was not a situation she wished to see, and she intended to stir things up.

Therefore, she deliberately presented them with rather expensive gifts.

However, the three children reacted with indifference, and then, without hesitation, handed the precious gifts to Xu Qingyi.

“Mother, please keep these,” Heng was the first to do so.

With him leading the way, the other two quickly followed suit, fearing their mother would favor the youngest who was skilled at ingratiating himself.

“…” Princess Zhenyang felt a surge of anger, her heart burning with frustration as she saw the gifts fall into Xu Qingyi’s hands.

But it was alright. This was just the beginning. There was plenty of time to play the long game.

“Now that everyone’s met, when can I go see General Xie?” Princess Zhenyang, without a shred of hesitation, blurted out, “My father greatly admires General Xie.  He specifically instructed me before I left yesterday to make sure I visited General Xie at the Marquisate.”

This was a perfectly reasonable excuse, even invoking the authority of Prince Su. Logically, the Marquisate shouldn’t refuse.

However, the expressions on everyone’s faces were subtly strained, their eyes unanimously turning to Xu Qingyi.

They seemed to be acting according to Xu Qingyi’s unspoken instructions.

After all, matters concerning the Eldest Young Master were virtually under Xu Qingyi’s complete control.

Even the Old Madam and the Marquis only served as figureheads, echoing her decisions.

This wasn’t due to any personal feelings, but simply because Xu Qingyi managed things so well.  The capable take charge, and their obedience was only natural.

Princess Zhenyang noticed this exchange, her expression immediately darkening.

What?

Did her ability to see Xie Yunzhi depend on Xu Qingyi’s approval?

“Qingyi, do you think it’s convenient?” the Old Madam asked gently.

Princess Zhenyang’ eyes widened in disbelief.  Did it really depend on Xu Qingyi’s permission?

She glared intensely at Xu Qingyi, seemingly issuing a silent threat with her eyes; if Xu Qingyi dared to say no, she would make her regret it.

“Why is the Princess staring at your elder sister-in-law so menacingly?” Xu Qingyi said with a smile, “You’re making me too scared to say no.”

Princess Zhenyang slightly softened her demeanor, thinking, ‘You better not dare’.

“Elder sister-in-law, you’ve misunderstood. I was simply filled with anticipation, afraid you wouldn’t agree,” she said with a faint smile, though her eyes betrayed no amusement.

Xu Qingyi felt the palpable hostility emanating from Princess Zhenyang, but so what?

One should still maintain a sense of decency.

How could a mistress threaten a wife? The heavens would surely punish such audacity.

“Elder sister-in-law is eager to grant your request, but unfortunately, it’s terribly inconvenient,” Xu Qingyi said with an apologetic smile. “The Eldest Young Master is currently undergoing special treatment. The physician explicitly stated that he mustn’t be disturbed, as it would affect the treatment’s effectiveness. None of us can bear that responsibility.”

That was a blatant lie.

However, the masters of the household remained silent, allowing Xu Qingyi to fabricate her excuse.

As the Eldest Young Master’s legitimate wife, Xu Qingyi’s refusal to allow the scheming Princess Zhenyang to see the Eldest Young Master was perfectly justified; no one had the right to overrule her.

“What kind of treatment is this?” Princess Zhenyang didn’t believe a word of it.

Her eyes blazed with anger.

Xu Qingyi was deliberately preventing her from seeing Xie Yunzhi.

She said, “Incompetent physicians!  It would be better to invite imperial physicians from the palace.”

Then, she turned to the Marquis, “I can arrange for an imperial physician to reside here permanently.  What do you think, Marquis?”

The Marquis, usually a man of his word, skillfully avoided a direct answer, evasively saying,  “Well, Qingyi has always been in charge of my eldest son’s daily life. I haven’t interfered for a long time and it’s inappropriate for me to do so now.”

Princess Zhenyang was astonished.  In just a few short months, Xu Qingyi had firmly established her position in the Marquisate.

Excellent.  Truly impressive tactics.

“I came to visit General Xie on my father’s orders, yet my elder sister-in-law repeatedly obstructs me.  It seems she doesn’t hold my father in any regard,” Princess Zhenyang said coldly, clearly furious.

By invoking her father’s authority, she expected Xu Qingyi to be intimidated.

“How dare I? Prince Su’s visit to the Young Master is certainly well-intentioned, aiming for his swift recovery.  If he knew the Young Master was undergoing special treatment and should not be disturbed, he wouldn’t insist,” Xu Qingyi replied, her smile gone. “Unless Prince Su has other intentions, and doesn’t actually wish for the Young Master’s recovery.”

“You’re audacious!” Princess Zhenyang trembled with rage, pointing at Xu Qingyi.  How dare this woman slander a prince?  Did she not value her life?!

The others in the Marquisate were also startled.

Goodness, that’s Prince Su.

The Pingyang Marquisate couldn’t afford to offend him.

“Princess, please don’t misunderstand. Your elder sister-in-law certainly didn’t mean it that way,” Madam Qin glared subtly at Xu Qingyi before quickly mediating.  “She’s merely anxious about Yunzhi. After all, the entire nation awaits Yunzhi’s awakening. Any slight change in his condition would be known throughout the land.”

Xu Qingyi chuckled inwardly.  Seeing that Madam Qin had reprimanded Princess Zhenyang, she softened her stance, smiling, “Mother-in-law is right. That’s precisely what I meant. The whole nation is waiting, how dare I make even the slightest mistake?”

“…”  No matter how much she said, this woman was simply obstructing her.  Princess Zhenyang was furious, but couldn’t think of an effective way to counter her.

Suddenly, she looked at Xie Huaian, who had remained silent: “Husband, what do you think?”

Xie Huaian flinched.

Then, he sulked.  What right did he have to speak here?

“Elder sister-in-law, how long will Brother’s treatment last?”  However, he couldn’t remain silent, so he uttered some irrelevant nonsense.  “Prince Su’s kind intentions cannot be ignored.  At least give a definite timeframe.”

A definite timeframe? Xu Qingyi had maintained a semblance of politeness towards Princess Zhenyang, but Xie Huaian shouldn’t expect any such courtesy from her. “I’m not a god. How would I know when your elder brother will wake up?”

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhenyang’ face changed.  She gritted her teeth and pressed, “Do you mean that I can’t see him until General Xie wakes up?”

“Yes,” Xu Qingyi said matter-of-factly.  “As long as the Young Master doesn’t wake up, the treatment will continue. We won’t give up on him.”

“Pfft.” Zhen couldn’t help but laugh, quickly covering his mouth.

Lin couldn’t help but smirk, although he usually preferred to keep his laughter subdued. He slowly lifted his teacup to mask his amusement.

“You!” Princess Zhenyang pointed furiously at Xu Qingyi, her expression frightening, as if she were ready to devour her.

“Don’t point at my mother!” Heng jumped down from his chair, spreading his arms to shield Xu Qingyi.

The determination on his small face matched that of Princess Zhenyang.

His gaze was particularly resolute.

Seeing this scene made Xu Qingyi’s heart melt. She quickly scooped Heng into her arms, saying, “Mother is fine, don’t be afraid.” Then she turned to Princess Zhenyang, “The child is still young and doesn’t understand. Please don’t hold it against her, Princess.”

Princess Zhenyang noticed that everyone was looking at her and suddenly regained her composure, suppressing her anger as she reluctantly said, “It’s nothing. I was too agitated.”

She took a deep breath, reminding herself not to rush.

The last time they met, Xu Qingyi had left her with the impression of being weak and easy to bully, leading her to let her guard down.

Now, it seemed that this woman was not easily intimidated and was far tougher than she had initially perceived.

But that didn’t make sense.  Even a strong personality needed the resources to back it up.

Xu Qingyi came from humble beginnings; where did she get her power?

Was she relying on her status as Xie Yunzhi’s wife to make others fear her?

That was partly true.

But not entirely.

Xu Qingyi had weighed things carefully. Since Prince Su was a man of great ambition, he wouldn’t indulge the antics of his daughter who was trying to steal another woman’s husband.

Arranging his daughter’s marriage into this family was probably the limit of what Prince Su, the old father, was willing to do.

Therefore, why should Xu Qingyi fear an improper and unprincipled Princess Zhenyang?

By noon, the tea ceremony finally concluded.

At Danhuai Courtyard, everyone had been on edge, fearing Princess Zhenyang might suddenly barge in.  They anxiously waited for Xu Qingyi’s return, hearts pounding.

Xie Yunzhi too was worried, anxious that Xu Qingyi and her sons might be bullied by Princess Zhenyang.

Although Xu Qingyi had told him that Princess Xining had reached an understanding with her, and they would work together against Princess Zhenyang…

Speaking of which, he didn’t understand how Xu Qingyi had become so close to Princess Xining.

Wasn’t Xu Qingyi uncomfortable with it?

It was said that a few days ago, Princess Xining had invited Xu Qingyi to a pleasure boat on the Liquid Lake.

Xu Qingyi had actually gone, without fear of any consequences.

Xie Yunzhi was convinced that this was Princess Xining’s way of lulling Xu Qingyi into a false sense of security, the next step being a full-scale attack.

He suspected as much, lying at home, consumed with worry.

However, Xu Qingyi seemed completely unguarded, frustratingly naive.