Chapter 30 – Just a Servant

Ever since Xie Yixing was born, he had never once left the marquis manor.
He had also never met his paternal grandparents.

Though he knew of their existence, in his mind, they held no significance.

Even the courtyard he arranged for them to stay in had been long unused.

When Madam Wei learned of this arrangement, she secretly rejoiced for two days.

If it had been her making the arrangements, those two elders would have cursed her behind her back.
But since it was their own grandson doing it, things were different.
If they dared to raise objections to their precious grandson, they’d only end up making fools of themselves.

Although Madam Wei knew that scheming against her in-laws like this wasn’t ideal, the anger she had suffered during her confinement years ago still weighed heavily on her heart.

Outside the courtyard, the Marquis of Chengming stood anxiously, waiting for his son’s response.
As soon as he heard Xie Yixing say, “I’m not going,” he immediately turned and left.

Not going was fine. Given Yixing’s temperament, if just a few words from the elders irritated him, the whole family would suffer.

“What could a child like Yixing possibly be so busy with?”

“Is there anything more important than greeting his own grandparents?”

The old madam wasn’t just displeased with Madam Wei anymore—she was now also dissatisfied with the child she had raised.

Clearly, Madam Wei must’ve been poisoning the boy’s mind behind the scenes, driving a wedge between him and the rest of the Xie family.

What a sin! This family was truly unlucky to have married such a wicked, venomous daughter-in-law.

Although the old madam ordered someone to summon Xie Yixing, the servants of the marquis manor didn’t dare step past the threshold of Rui Court.

After all, that was the little heir’s domain. If they offended him, the consequences wouldn’t be any better than what happened to Xinghua a few days ago.

Fortunately, Nanny Wu, who had gone to the kitchen to fetch pastries, ran into the messenger on her way back. Learning that the Xie elders had arrived, she turned around and hurried back with her basket.

“Young master, your grandfather and grandmother have arrived. Are you really not going to the front courtyard to see them?” she asked.

Xie Yixing didn’t even look up. “No.”

The crowded front courtyard alone was enough to irritate him just thinking about it.

Though Nanny Wu had never seen the old madam of the Xie family herself, she had heard the elders of the household talk—this woman was no easy character.

If the little heir didn’t go greet them, the lady of the house would undoubtedly suffer a scolding.

But no one could change the young master’s mind once he made a decision.
If he was determined not to go, there was nothing she could do.

Nanny Wu had just given up the idea when Yao Yao suddenly walked over to her.
“Nanny, will Sister Caiwei be coming today?”

Meeting her hopeful gaze, Nanny Wu couldn’t bear to lie. She shook her head.
“Caiwei is still sick. She’s worried about passing the illness to you. We’ll have to wait a few more days.”

“Oh…”

Yao Yao sat back on her little stool, resting her cheek in her palm and sighing like a tiny grown-up.
“With Sister Caiwei not around, there’s no one to play shuttlecock with me anymore.”

“Young master could,” Nanny Wu suggested boldly.

The moment she finished speaking, she felt a chilling glare sweep across her face from the side.

Her eyelid twitched, and she immediately picked up her basket and made a swift escape.

Yao Yao had been stuck in Rui Court for several days, endlessly copying her writing practice. She was running out of patience, so she pestered Xie Yixing to go visit Madam Wei with her.

Xie Yixing couldn’t focus on his accounting anymore with her whining, so he finally put down his ledger with a mix of helplessness and fondness.
“Why do you insist on going?”

Yao Yao blinked. “We don’t have to… but then you’ll have to play shuttlecock with me instead!”

Xie Yixing: “…”

So she really took Nanny Wu’s joke seriously.

Naturally, Xie Yixing refused. Without hesitation, he chose the lesser of two evils.

Hiding behind a pillar nearby, Nanny Wu peeked out and saw the little heir get up and walk over to wash his hands. The corners of her mouth curved up slightly.

She knew it—her young master would always listen to Miss Yao Yao. Whatever she asked, he’d do.

That meant things wouldn’t be too difficult for the marquis and madam after all.

After washing his hands, Xie Yixing dried them with a clean cloth, carefully wiping between each finger before taking hold of Yao Yao’s chubby little hand.

At that very moment, Madam Wei was being bombarded with questions from both her in-laws, who were demanding to know why they hadn’t yet seen their grandson.

Just then, a servant rushed in to announce, “The young heir has arrived, and he’s brought Miss Yao Yao with him.”

Madam Wei hadn’t expected her son to actually leave Rui Court. Joy flooded her heart—followed swiftly by a new worry.

Because he had brought Yao Yao with him.

She hadn’t had the chance to mention Yao Yao to her mother-in-law yet, but knowing her well, she was sure trouble was coming.

After all, Yao Yao wasn’t their family’s child and had no official status.

While Madam Wei was still wondering how to shut her mother-in-law’s mouth, Xie Yixing had already entered, with Yao Yao in tow.

Dressed in a dark green brocade robe, the little heir was followed by a plump, round-faced little girl, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

Xie Yixing was strikingly handsome, while the little girl beside him was lively and adorable.

Especially Yao Yao—today she wore a light pink padded jacket embroidered with two palm-sized red plum blossoms on either side. Matching ribbons tied up her twin buns.

Her little face was clean and soft like a glutinous rice cake doll.

Second Master Xie’s son, Yaowen, and Third Master Xie’s son, Yaowu, were instantly captivated. They crowded around her in amazement.

Yao Yao was startled by the sudden appearance of the two little boys. Her big, round, black grape-like eyes stared at them without saying a word.

But in her heart, she was secretly thinking:
So these are Brother Persimmon’s relatives? How come none of them look as good as he does?

Although Yaowen and Yaowu both had younger sisters, their sisters were still small, skinny, dark, and monkey-like—nothing like Yao Yao’s adorable plumpness.

Especially Yao Yao’s round, chubby cheeks—they looked like they’d be so satisfying to pinch!

Unable to resist, Yaowen reached out to pinch her face—
—but a cold gleam instantly cut through the air and stopped him dead.

Realizing their intent to touch her, Xie Yixing immediately pulled Yao Yao behind him.

He stood in front of her, his expression cold and severe, staring down the two boys who were about the same age as him. His dark eyes narrowed, flashing like unsheathed blades.

An aura of cold nobility radiated from Xie Yixing’s entire being, utterly distinct from those two boys. His frosty, proud gaze carried a clear warning.

Peeking from behind Xie Yixing, Yao Yao cautiously observed the people in the room.

The old madam’s eyes lit up when she saw how refined and proper her grandson looked.

“Oh my, didn’t I always say the Xie family’s blood runs strong? Look at Yixing’s nose and brows—he looks just like his father!”

Hearing this, Yao Yao turned to study Xie Yixing’s profile carefully.
Those peach-blossom eyes, that straight nose, and rosy lips—he actually looked much more like Aunt Wei!

The old madam continued excitedly, “That physique—just like his father’s! It won’t be long before he’s on the battlefield, bringing glory and honor to the Xie family!”

Madam Wei immediately felt upset.

This was her only son—how could she possibly bear to send him to war, to risk his life on the edge of a blade?

Besides, times were finally peaceful. Even her eldest son had been recalled to the capital. Where would there even be a war to fight?

She hadn’t even had the chance to enjoy being a grandmother yet, and now they expected her son to dedicate himself to the Xie family?
Why not send Yaowen and Yaowu to war instead?

Before Madam Wei could speak her mind, Xie Yixing turned to face his grandmother directly.

His cold, sharp brows arched slightly, exuding even greater arrogance. His dark pupils were like a bottomless frozen lake—chilling to the bone.

That single glance sent a shiver down the old madam’s spine. She opened her mouth but couldn’t get a word out.

Just then, a gust of wind blew into Yaowu’s nose. He was chewing a crisp winter jujube when he suddenly coughed hard—
—and the jujube pit shot straight onto Yao Yao’s forehead.

She immediately clutched her forehead and inhaled sharply in pain, glaring at Yaowu.

But instead of apologizing, Yaowu smugly made a face at her and sneered,
“You’re just a servant. What right do you have to glare at me?”