Chapter 17 Worth It

Xiao Yu's expression changed: "Brother... this Miss Xie is quite special."

“But I think Sister Xie is amazing. She can tame such a big horse. She will definitely not let anyone bully us in the future!” Xiao Yanran looked at Xiao Yu very seriously.

However, Xiao Yu was older after all, and with his eyebrows furrowed tightly as he looked at his younger sister, he said, "Aren't you afraid she'll punish you?"

"Don't worry, after she marries into the family, she will be our sister-in-law, we'll be family. Family members should trust and protect each other!"

"Big brother, aren't you right?"

Xiao Yanran is young, so she speaks very innocently. She also looks forward to having a sister-in-law in the family and can't bear to see her brother always alone.

The two children chattered amongst themselves, while Xiao Jue remained silent.

I initially thought she was just a simple young lady from a wealthy family, but now it seems the situation is clearly not that simple.

His eyebrows furrowed tightly as he began to seriously consider what Xie Qingran had said, wondering if he should make a deal with her with a clear price tag.

"Let's go back first."

Xiao Jue realized what was happening, gently patted Xiao Yanran's head, and gave a tender smile.

The Xie family.

After Xie Qingran returned home, she went straight to the main hall, because she knew very well that someone would be waiting for her there.

Sure enough, as soon as I entered, I saw Xie Yankang, Wang Shi, and the rest of the Xie family there.

"Sister, you're finally back! Father and Mother have been waiting for you for so long. Why did it take you so long to come back?"

Xie Hanyue immediately stepped forward, gently taking Xie Qingran's arm and looking at her with concern. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were very close sisters.

"At a time like this, you finally know to come back? What have you been doing!"

"You think you're something special just because you went to the palace once?"

Xie Zhaoye strode forward, looking at Xie Qingran with displeasure.

"Didn't Mother tell you when she returned that I was summoned away by the Empress alone?"

"Her Majesty wants to speak with me, yet she also wants me to escort the young master back. What? Am I supposed to refuse?"

Xie Qingran stated the facts indifferently, without any expression.

Even so, in Wang's eyes, Xie Qingran was still defying her!

In Wang's mind, a good girl should be like Xie Hanyue, gentle, obedient, sensible and considerate of her parents.

But Xie Qingran just doesn't understand any of this. She always has a stern face and never smiles. What kind of girl is like that?

Xie Yankang didn't care whether the girl was clever or not; he just wanted to know how much value this daughter really had.

He quickly grasped the key point: "You mean you met Prince Xiao at the Spring and Autumn Palace?"

"Yes, Her Majesty the Empress means that we should get to know each other better, and she said she would give us three months. After three months, she will bestow a marriage upon us."

"Of course, if the Crown Prince insists on not doing so, then Your Highness will not force him."

Xie Qingran spoke calmly and respectfully about the matter, so that her family would know what had really happened.

Xie Yankang was instantly excited, as the matter was basically settled.

"Sister, I heard that Prince Xiao has crippled his legs and disfigured his face, looking like a demon. Did you really see him?" Xie Hanyue leaned closer, staring at Xie Qingran with curiosity, but in fact, she could hardly hide the schadenfreude in her eyes.

Xie Qingran certainly wouldn't take such a low-level provocation seriously.

She immediately looked at Xie Yankang and sighed helplessly, "Father, we still need to restrain the atmosphere in this family. If such words reach the ears of the Emperor and the Empress, all our previous efforts will probably be in vain!"

"Han Yue, don't talk nonsense!" Xie Yankang's expression immediately changed, and he frowned and looked at Xie Han Yue unhappily: "Young Master Xiao has become like this all for the sake of our Great Jin. If you continue to say such things in the future, don't blame your father!"

Xie Hanyue has always been treated like a precious darling by them since she was a child. When has she ever been scolded like this?

Her eyes immediately welled up with tears. She lowered her head and choked out, "Yes, Father, I know I was wrong. I will never dare to talk nonsense again."

"Alright, alright, my sister was just talking at home, what could possibly be wrong?"

"Xie Qingran, I think you're deliberately targeting Yue'er. Is it that you're never satisfied with anything Yue'er says or does?"

Seeing his dearest little sister being wronged, Xie Zhaoye's expression immediately changed, and he stepped forward to protect Xie Hanyue.

What a loyal and protective dog!

Xie Qingran didn't even glance at Xie Zhaoye, but bowed to Xie Yankang and Madam Wang, saying, "I'm really tired today, so I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he ignored the emotions of everyone in the room and turned to leave.

The reason she wanted this marriage was so that she could live a peaceful life. As for the life and death of the rest of the Xie family, Xie Qingran didn't care at all. Anyway, they didn't care about her as their daughter!

"Father, look at how arrogant she is!"

"I just don't understand. It's just a marriage, what's so great about it? Is marrying a cripple something to be proud of?"

Seeing Xie Qingran's cold demeanor, Xie Zhaoye became even more furious, and his words became even more unrestrained.

Even though Wang kept giving Xie Zhaoye meaningful glances, it was no use.

"Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting!"

"If Qingran can really marry into the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, it will be a great thing for our Xie family. Your future and the future of the Xie family will all depend on this marriage!"

“You should speak to your sister properly from now on; you should act like a proper older brother.”

Xie Yankang looked at his son with a hint of disappointment. He didn't object to Xie Zhaoye being nice to Xie Hanyue, but he should know who his real sister was, and especially not show too much favoritism. He had to maintain appearances in these matters.

Even though Xie Yankang had made himself so clear, Xie Zhaoye still didn't take it to heart at all. However, he was extremely afraid of Xie Yankang and didn't dare to talk back. He could only rub his nose in dissatisfaction to express his frustration.

"Father, are you really willing to marry my sister to Xiao Jue?" Xie Hanyue looked at Xie Yankang with some worry: "But with my sister's personality, will Prince Xiao really like her? Can the two of them live happily together?"

Xie Yankang didn't care about any of this. Even if Xie Qingran died in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion in the future, it would still be worth it.