Chapter 19 Net Worth

Wang was about to go to sleep, but she never expected Xie Yankang to suddenly say this.

Her eyebrows furrowed tightly as she sat up and looked at Xie Yankang: "Master, you've seen Qingran's attitude towards us. Even if she really marries into the family, she won't help the Xie family, will she?"

“The Xiao family is not some blessed land. If it weren’t for our Xie family backing her up, she would probably have been eaten alive by those elders from the collateral branches.”

"Don't worry, we're all in the same boat. Qingran is a sensible girl."

Women in the inner quarters and men in the court have completely different perspectives on issues.

Especially since Xie Yankang was a seasoned veteran in the imperial court, he understood the stakes involved better than anyone else. This move was absolutely brilliant!

Seeing Xie Yankang's persistent expression, Wang's mouth moved, but in the end, she didn't say a word.

What mother wouldn't want her daughter to have a better life?

However, this marriage was a good thing for both the Xie family and Xie Zhaoye. After thinking it over, Wang Shi still felt that she should not stop it.

As for Xie Qingran...

Thinking of that cold, indifferent face, Madam Wang sighed helplessly. Even if they were her own children, perhaps sometimes they just weren't meant to be.

The next day, early morning.

Before Xie Qingran could get up, Aunt Liu had already come in: "Miss, the sun is already high in the sky, you should get up."

"What is it?" Xie Qingran lazily opened her eyes and looked at her with displeasure.

Aunt Liu walked to Xie Qingran's bedside and said coldly with a blank expression, "Madam said that Miss has been living in the countryside and has never met her elders or learned etiquette. Therefore, she asked me to teach Miss properly, since Miss may marry into the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion in the future and cannot disgrace her family."

It's time to learn the rules again.

It was the same in her previous life. He kept saying he wanted her to learn manners, but in reality, he was just torturing her in different ways.

Xie Qingran remained expressionless, only coldly saying, "I've spent over ten years on the estate learning etiquette. It was taught by the nanny who served the Imperial Concubine. What, Mother, are you not satisfied?"

These words dragged the Imperial Concubine into the mess. If Lady Wang really wanted to keep Aunt Liu, then she would be going against the Imperial Concubine.

Having served Wang Shi for many years, Aunt Liu naturally understood what Xie Qingran meant by those words.

"The nanny by the side of the Imperial Concubine is certainly good, but I'm afraid she hasn't taught you how to be a lady, has she?" Aunt Liu frowned and stared at Xie Qingran.

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but I feel like Xie Qingran has suddenly become a different person lately.

They always give people a feeling of keeping them at arm's length, and often even have a somewhat elusive and profound air about them.

This is not the kind of cunning a teenage girl should have.

"My marriage isn't even settled yet, what's the rush?"

"Get out, I want to sleep."

Xie Qingran lay down expressionlessly, pulling the blanket up high, clearly indicating that she did not intend to continue communicating with Aunt Liu.

Aunt Liu also realized how formidable Xie Qingran was, so she didn't confront her directly. Instead, after returning to the main courtyard, she recounted the events of the day word for word.

"This brat has gone too far! She doesn't respect me, her mother, at all!"

"Aunt Liu, call a few more people, let's go and take a good look at this Miss Xie!"

Wang was clearly furious. She slammed her hand on the table and then stormed off with more than a dozen people toward Yingxing Pavilion.

However, Xie Qingran wasn't stupid. How could she lie in bed and silently wait for these people to come and cause her trouble?

When Aunt Liu left, Xie Qingran had already gotten up and slipped out through the back door. She hadn't gone out for a proper walk since she was reborn.

"Miss, is it really okay for us to go out like this?" Baozhu followed Xie Qingran, feeling somewhat uneasy.

"Why not?" Xie Qingran smiled, then said calmly, "Our Great Jin Dynasty has a relatively open social atmosphere, and women can go out freely. What? What are you afraid of?"

"It's not that I'm afraid of that, it's that I'm afraid Madam will be angry if she finds out." Baozhu looked at Xie Qingran with a pitiful expression.

Xie Qingran snorted and didn't say anything more.

Anyway, no matter what she says or does, Wang will get angry. Since that's the case, she might as well do whatever she wants.

Baozhu also felt that Xie Qingran was a little different now, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. In short, she preferred this version of Xie Qingran.

Xie Qingran finally had a day of leisure, so she took Baozhu directly to Jinyuelou, the largest teahouse in the capital.

Originally, I thought I would come here to relax and have some tea, but I never expected that I would run into Xie Hanyue and Lu Jinzhi as soon as I entered.

The two must have made plans beforehand, and now standing side by side, they really do look like a perfect match.

Unfortunately, Lu Jinzhi only has one decent face; the rest of him is simply repulsive.

"Sister, are you here for tea too?"

Xie Hanyue stood beside Lu Jinzhi, tilting her head and looking at Xie Qingran with a face full of curiosity.

Xie Qingran didn't reply, but simply nodded indifferently and headed upstairs.

As for Lu Jinzhi standing to the side, Xie Qingran didn't pay any attention to him at all, as if he didn't exist.

Seeing this, Xie Hanyue also felt a little strange. Xie Qingran used to like Lu Jinzhi a lot, so why is she like this now?

"What a day it is today! So many distinguished guests have come to my Jin Yue Lou. It is truly an honor to have such a place here."

A cheerful male voice rang out, followed by a young man dressed in moon-white Shu brocade walking down from upstairs.

The young man had bright, spring-like eyes and a tall, slender figure. His clothes were of considerable value, and even the seemingly simple white jade hairpin in his hair was a rare and precious item. The jade thumb ring on his hand was priceless.

However, this person's demeanor was not that of someone who was merely materialistic; he also possessed an indescribable air of wealth and nobility.

Xie Qingran stared at the man's face, her eyes still cold. This was Shen Wenyuan, the second son of the Shen family, a wealthy merchant family. The Shen family was incredibly rich, but the one who truly managed things was the eldest son, Shen Zhui. As for this second son, Shen Wenyuan, he was a real spendthrift.

Aside from spending money, he knows absolutely nothing.

"Miss Xie is here too? That's quite rare. I heard you've been staying at the estate the whole time?" Shen Wenyuan walked over, arms crossed, and looked Xie Qingran up and down.

He showed no interest in Xie Qingran whatsoever; he was simply assessing the value of her outfit.