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Three days later, Xu Qingyi, under the guise of praying for a child, made a high-profile trip to the temple to burn incense.
She knew exactly how to provoke Princess Zhenyang. When Princess Zhenyang first heard the news, she was so angry that she threw several things around her room!
She even regretted not setting an ambush that day.
Yes, Xu Qingyi had guessed correctly. This time, Princess Zhenyang was only testing Lin.
She had taken Princess Consort Su’s advice to heart: if she couldn’t be certain of a decisive victory, she would remain inactive.
Therefore, Xu Qingyi’s trip went smoothly.
At the temple, Abai, in disguise and wearing a veil, went in on her behalf to burn incense.
Even though Abai knew this trip might be dangerous, he prayed with utmost sincerity before the Buddha.
Afterward, he hurriedly asked, “Young Madam, I burned incense to the Goddess of Childbirth in your name and added an offering of incense money. Should that be effective?”
This matter, governed by the gods, was something Xu Qingyi didn’t know anything about.
But not wanting to disappoint Abai, she nodded. “It should be effective.”
The entire household knew that the Young Madam had gone to worship the Goddess of Childbirth today.
Only a few knew that Abai had gone in her place.
Back at the residence, the maids and nursemaids serving Xu Qingyi prepared hot water as soon as it got dark, urging their mistress to bathe.
“So early?” Xu Qingyi looked sideways.
“It’s better sooner than later,” the nursemaid glanced at her mistress, earnestly persuading her. “You went to worship the Goddess of Childbirth today. You can’t waste the auspicious time. Perhaps tonight is your chance?”
Xu Qingyi: “…”
This was difficult to explain. She went to the temple fairly often anyway, so she simply nodded. “Alright, let’s seize this chance.”
The nursemaid finally smiled in satisfaction.
After worshipping the Goddess of Childbirth, it seemed to be a universally accepted custom for a woman to share a bed with her husband that night.
So that night, Princess Zhenyang went completely mad.
“Bitch! That bitch Xu Qingyi!” she cursed repeatedly, suspecting that the other woman was deliberately trying to annoy her.
So shameless!
Since she hadn’t taken action during the day, Lin knew his mother had been right; the other party had indeed been testing him.
After this, the next move would likely be for real.
He patiently waited, but he didn’t expect it to come so soon.
The next day, Princess Zhenyang, having stayed up all night, impatiently found Lin and asked him to arrange another meeting with Xu Qingyi.
“Yesterday, I didn’t make adequate arrangements, wasting your efforts,” Princess Zhenyang said.
“It’s nothing, Second Aunt. What are you planning to do this time?” Lin asked calmly.
He now understood that his mother’s decision to “worship the Goddess of Childbirth” had been incredibly clever, forcing Princess Zhenyang to lose her composure.
This would make it easier to expose her flaws.
“In a few days, I’ll have my mother host a banquet. Persuade her to go with you,” Princess Zhenyang instructed, her eyes filled with malice.
“Just that?” Lin asked, feigning confusion.
“For now, just that,” Princess Zhenyang glanced at Lin. “If I have further instructions, I will have someone find you at the banquet.”
“Yes, I understand,” Lin didn’t ask any more questions.
Sure enough, invitations from Prince Su’s residence soon arrived at the Pingyang Marquis’s residence. Almost everyone received one, except for Du Jinyun, who hadn’t yet been raised to the status of a true concubine.
Moreover, Du Jinyun was pregnant and unsuitable to attend a banquet.
“Your Second Aunt actually invited so many people. What is she planning to do at the banquet?” Xu Qingyi muttered casually. Regardless, it’s best to be cautious. Don’t eat or drink anything you shouldn’t.
Lin shook his head, sharing Xu Qingyi’s concerns. Cautiously, he said, “Remember that someone is trying to harm you. Be vigilant and observant.”
Xu Qingyi: “…” It seemed her eldest son considered her all-knowing. If she had that kind of ability, she would have discreetly dealt with Princess Zhenyang long ago.
“No, I’m uneasy. Let’s find some outside help to provide backup,” Xu Qingyi decided after some thought, patting her chest.
Lin looked at his mother, curiously asking, “What kind of backup?”
He couldn’t think of any other help they could get. They couldn’t possibly bring his father along.
“Princess Xining, your father’s cousin,” Xu Qingyi said. Without delay, she sent someone to the Princess’ residence to explain the situation.
Princess Xining hadn’t received an invitation from Princess Zhenyang.
The other party probably knew she was not someone to be trifled with and had excluded her.
But it didn’t matter. Princess Xining told Xu Qingyi’s messenger, “This Princess will go. Tell your mistress to rest assured.”
If Imperial Concubine Xue knew, she would surely roar: You wretch! I told you to let him go and find a husband, and you’re going to support his woman instead!
Xu Qingyi, receiving the Princess’ reply, felt a little reassured. She smiled and comforted her eldest son, “Alright, with your father’s cousin there, things shouldn’t get too out of hand.”
“…” Lin was speechless. Did Father know about this?
Oh, Father didn’t know.
On the day of the banquet, the mother and son, dressed appropriately, set out together.
The entire Marquis household went together.
The men were in one carriage, and the women in another.
Princess Zhenyang, of course, had her own carriage, while Xu Qingyi and the Marquis’ wife shared one.
Since gaining the high-status daughter-in-law, the Marquis’ wife had become less inclined to interact with Xu Qingyi.
Even when they did speak, she would subtly boast about how filial Princess Zhenyang was, detailing the many expensive gifts she had received.
Both were daughters-in-law, but Xu Qingyi was a miser, never giving the Marquis’ wife any gifts, let alone lavish ones.
Madam Qin grew increasingly resentful, glancing at Xu Qingyi’s flat stomach. “You’ve been here for some time now. You really should worship the Goddess of Childbirth, so you don’t keep the Old Madam waiting.”
Xu Qingyi was unhurried. She smiled, “Mother is right. Now that my sister-in-law has also entered the family, let’s see who gets pregnant first, me or my sister-in-law.”
Everyone knew that Xie Huaian and Princess Zhenyang were a sham couple. The Princess had no intention of bearing Xie Huaian children.
Madam Qin failed to belittle Xu Qingyi, instead becoming livid with anger and silently shutting herself up.
At Prince Su’s residence, the courtyard was bustling with people.
Just as the Pingyang Marquis’s family’s carriages arrived, those from the Princess’ residence also arrived.
“Princess Xining has arrived!” the eunuch announced in a high-pitched voice.
Princess Zhenyang’ face was filled with surprise, as she remembered that they hadn’t invited Princess Xining.
Suddenly, she shifted her gaze to Xu Qingyi, who was dismounting, suspecting that Xu Qingyi had summoned Princess Xining.
But so what?
Calling for reinforcements wouldn’t help!
Xu Qingyi also heard that Princess Xining had arrived and quickly went with Lin to greet her.
She reasoned that this was a true princess. Even if Prince Gong ascended the throne in the future, it wouldn’t affect the princess’s noble status.
If Lin caught Princess Xining’s eye, he would likely resist Princess Zhenyang’ influence.
That was a path of no return.
She hoped her dear son would see clearly.
“Greetings to Princess Xining. May Your Highness be blessed with good fortune,” Xu Qingyi said with a smile, performing a graceful bow.
Princess Xining nodded in acknowledgement.
Xu Qingyi immediately moved Lin to the front, saying, “Lin, quickly greet your father’s cousin.”
Turning to Princess Xining, she enthusiastically introduced him, “Princess, this is Yunzhi’s eldest son, Lin. He’s quite talented and will be taking the academy examinations at the end of the month.”
Lin felt like his mother was trying to sell him off. Perhaps it was just his imagination?
Confused internally, he outwardly performed a proper bow with composure. “Xie Lin greets imperial aunt. May my imperial aunt be blessed with good fortune.”
“Mm,” Princess Xining looked at Lin, finding his appearance and demeanor pleasing. He was worthy of being Xie Yunzhi’s adopted son. She gave a rare smile. “This Princess has heard your father mention you; you love reading.”
“Yes, it’s remarkable that Your Highness remembers. Lin truly has a gift for reading,” Xu Qingyi said, beaming. She didn’t show any awareness that she was talking to one of her husband’s admirers.
This scene made Lin look at his mother repeatedly in surprise.
That feeling that his mother didn’t really care about his father returned.