Chapter 625 You are evenly matched

"We just entered the city, and the roads were a bit crowded, so the horse-drawn carriages were moving slowly. We got off and decided to browse the market." He gently patted his daughter's head. "You're out browsing the market too?"

The young woman's gaze fell on Song Chunxue's face. "I brought the child out for some fresh air, and I saw you two chatting and laughing from afar. Dad, who is this person?"

“I am Lord Xie’s bodyguard,” Song Chunxue interrupted, bowing to Xie Zheng’s daughter and saying, “I am Song Chunxue, greetings to Miss Xie.”

The Xie family's daughter didn't say anything, but she looked at Xie Zheng meaningfully, with a hint of mockery in her eyes.

Xie Zheng pursed his lips and looked away; he hadn't said it was a guard.

"You seem a bit younger than my father, so why don't I call you auntie?" The young woman in front of her smiled and bowed respectfully. "My name is Xie Lingyun. May I ask how you should address me, auntie?"

Song Chunxue glanced at Song Chunxue, who had a half-smile, a hint of threat in her eyes.

"My name is Song Chunxue."

Looking at the woman who resembled Xie Zheng quite a bit, and seeing her dignified and generous demeanor, Song Chunxue thought to herself, "This is what a woman from a scholarly family looks like—gentle, virtuous, and pleasing to the eye."

Unfortunately, Xie Zheng only had this one biological child.

If he had had more children when he was young, he wouldn't be so few in number now. With his abilities, he could have raised his sons to be pillars of society.

"Father, really, you brought people here and instead of coming home, you're just wandering around outside. At least come home and have a drink of water first," Xie Lingyun scolded. "I'm going back to my parents' home today to welcome you back and give you a proper welcome."

Xie Zheng smiled and said, "Okay."

Song Chunxue wanted to walk behind them, but Xie Zheng waited for her leisurely, glancing back at her every now and then.

Song Chunxue had no choice but to walk alongside him, with a space between them that could fit one person.

Father and daughter chatted and laughed as they made their way through the crowded streets to the entrance of the Xie residence.

Looking at the gilded plaque hanging above the tall gate, Song Chunxue thought to herself that it was even more impressive than she had imagined.

It seems that Xie Zheng held a high official position when he was young.

Before the carriage had even come to a complete stop, another magnificent carriage appeared in the alley.

A man dressed in ornate embroidery stepped down from the carriage, holding a whisk, and strode over.

"This humble servant greets Lord Xie. You've finally returned. There's no time to change your clothes. Please come with me to the palace. The Emperor has been waiting for you."

Xie Zheng turned around and glanced at Xie Lingyun and Song Chunxue.

"Father, go quickly, I'll take care of things."

Xie Zheng then hurriedly boarded the carriage and headed towards the palace.

Song Chunxue stood there, wondering if the man she had just seen was the legendary eunuch.

"Auntie, please."

Song Chunxue snapped out of her daze. "Please, young lady."

She is now Lord Xie's bodyguard, so she can't let his daughter invite her into the house.

Let's keep it a secret if we can, otherwise Miss Xie will be very disappointed.

After entering the house, Xie Lingyun asked Song Chunxue to wash her hands, and then said, "Auntie, sit down and have dinner with us."

"Thank you for your kindness, young lady, but I..."

“Auntie, I can tell. You’re not my father’s bodyguard. He almost never has female subordinates, let alone bodyguards. He never chats and laughs with strange women, and he never stares at a woman for a long time.”

"..." Song Chunxue paused, Good heavens, how embarrassing.

She almost froze on the spot. What was she pretending for? How embarrassing.

"Auntie, please sit down. Don't be shy. Let's eat and chat." Xie Lingyun pulled Song Chunxue down to sit and handed her chopsticks. "It's almost noon, but my father took you out for a stroll in the street, not caring whether you're hungry or not."

Song Chunxue felt embarrassed, but her expression remained unchanged.

"Actually, I wanted to go shopping, it's my fault."

Xie Lingyun smiled and put some meat and vegetables on her plate. "No wonder. My father rarely goes to crowded places, but I can tell he's in a great mood today. I've never seen him smile so contentedly."

"..." Song Chunxue thought to herself, could it be that Miss Xie meant it because of her?

"You're from Zhuanglang County, right? My father mentioned you in a letter before, so I know roughly about your family's situation. Your son passed the imperial examination this year, a remarkable achievement for someone from a poor family."

"..." He even knows this? Xie Zheng actually mentioned her in a letter to his daughter?

Seeing Song Chunxue's surprise, Xie Lingyun poured her another cup of tea and dismissed the maids and servants standing beside her.

"I didn't expect you to know. I'm sorry you had to laugh at me. I just wanted to keep it a secret because I was afraid that if you knew, it would cause you trouble. After all, our statuses are very different."

Xie Lingyun shook her head slightly, her expression serious.

“I knew about Auntie’s matter a few years ago. Father rarely admires anyone, but Xie always mentions you in his letters. He says that you started reading and writing in middle age, and you also practiced meditation, drew talismans, learned medicine and herbs, and even learned swordsmanship within two years. You were able to travel the world with a Taoist priest. You are a rare strong-willed woman. I respect you very much.”

"..." Song Chunxue facepalmed. What's wrong with Xie Zheng? So all these years he's been using her and his senior brother to pad out the word count in his family letters?

Damn it, when she thought she had disguised herself so well and said she was Xie Zheng's bodyguard, she wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

“He even mentioned this. I didn’t expect Lord Xie to write such things in his family letters. I guess he had nothing else to write.” Song Chunxue picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of chicken to cover up her embarrassment.

Xie Lingyun picked up her bowl and chopsticks. "Auntie, you don't know, my father said three years ago that he had found someone he liked and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. I'm so happy for him to see him bring you back this time."

Song Chunxue's chopsticks froze, her mind reeling.

He and his daughter could talk about anything, but he never mentioned a word to her.

He said something like that three years ago?

However, if Xie Lingyun knew that their relationship wouldn't last, she would probably feel sorry for her father.

A wave of bittersweet emotions welled up inside her. She nodded and said to Xie Lingyun, "I understand. Since you don't mind, I won't hide anything from you anymore. Thank you for being so kind to me, girl."

Xie Lingyun's eyes welled up with tears. "This is what I should do. I've always wanted someone who understands and cherishes a proud man like my father, and to spend the rest of his life with him."

"His career has been very bumpy, with many setbacks and hardships, which shows how picky he is. So you don't need to feel that there is a huge difference in your status. In my eyes, you are evenly matched."

These words stirred up a flood of emotions in Song Chunxue, and her eyes welled up with tears.

It turns out that in Xie Zheng's eyes, it really wasn't a coincidence. He had always affirmed and appreciated her, and his initial feelings had remained unchanged over the years. Even after she clearly rejected him, he still became her fellow disciple...

She had always underestimated that person's persistence and the depth of his affection.

If she hadn't known these things, she could have lived these five years in a state of ease and contentment.

But now, she feels that this is extremely unfair to Xie Zheng.

She put down her chopsticks and turned to look at Xie Lingyun.

“I’m so glad you can say these things. You’re truly his daughter.” Song Chunxu filled a glass with wine. “Come on, let’s have a drink… No, your blood and energy aren’t very good, so you can’t drink alcohol. You should have some tea.”

"My aunt noticed that I had just finished my postpartum confinement period."

What, postpartum confinement?