Chapter 25 Shameful

“Actually, I also think it’s not very interesting for a girl to stay in the inner quarters every day. Why don’t you come to my Jin Yue Lou sometime, Miss? We recently got a new storyteller, and he’s really amazing!” Shen Wenyuan looked at Xie Qingran with a smile, clearly trying to get closer to her.

He had seen so many young girls in the capital, but this was the first time he had seen someone like Xie Qingran, so naturally he liked her very much and was extremely interested in her.

The more aloof someone is, the more you want to climb up to them; the more mysterious someone is, the more you want to explore them. This is the inherent weakness of men.

Xie Qingran naturally knew that Shen Wenyuan had no genuine feelings for her at all; he was just toying with her.

but……

Xie Qingran looked at Shen Wenyuan and smiled: "Young Master Shen, I wonder if you are interested in doing business?"

"I'm not really interested, but if Miss wants, then I might be." Shen Wenyuan leaned back in his chair, looking rather nonchalant.

Seeing his expression, Xie Qingran nodded: "Then I'll go to Jinyue Tower tomorrow and see if the storyteller you mentioned is the best."

"Young Master Xiao has arrived!"

The gatekeeper announced his arrival, and the once lively courtyard suddenly fell silent as everyone's gaze turned toward the entrance almost simultaneously.

Since his injury, Xiao Jue has rarely attended banquets. He would definitely not go unless it was an unavoidable occasion in the palace.

But today, Xiao Jue actually came to the Xie family? What does this mean?

Originally, Xie Qingran and Xiao Jue's marriage was kept secret, so no one could guess what was going on for a while.

"The presence of Young Master Xiao is an honor to our entire Xie family."

"Quickly, please come in!"

Xie Yankang immediately stepped forward and became polite to Xiao Jue.

Xiao Jue was still wearing a gold-threaded mask, so his face was completely hidden; only his eyes were exposed.

He nodded slightly: "Thank you, sir. You're very kind."

Xie Qingran stood up, bowed to Xiao Jue, and had a faint smile on her lips.

Xiao Jue subconsciously touched the jade pendant at his waist and nodded slightly in Xie Qingran's direction.

Looking at the jade pendant, Xie Qingran understood Xiao Jue's meaning. Her eyebrows curved, her eyes lowered, and she looked shy and bashful. This was a unique reaction of a young woman when she saw her beloved, and Xie Qingran interpreted it very well.

If Xiao Jue hadn't known that she didn't like him at all, he probably would have been fooled by her appearance.

Such a pretentious and charming young girl is quite interesting.

Xie Yankang's eyes darted back and forth between the two perceptions, and he quickly noticed the subtle interaction between them. He felt that the marriage was very likely to succeed, and he was overjoyed.

Wang knew she should bring the two together, so she simply arranged for them to sit together so they could talk whenever they wanted.

"Thank you, Sister Xie. I really liked the food you gave me last time."

"I also like the little clothes, but they feel a bit awkward to wear."

Xiao Yanran looked at Xie Qingran expectantly and said something in a low voice.

Xie Qingran looked around warily, then subconsciously made a shushing gesture: "Shh, you can't say it. This is a woman's most private matter. You can't talk about it outside, understand?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jue's eyebrows furrowed, and his face, hidden beneath the gold-threaded mask, instantly turned bright red.

These were all girls' whispers, and he, a grown man, was too embarrassed to listen. But his hearing was so good that he could hear every single word clearly.

Xie Qingran took out two purses and handed one to each of the two children.

"Here, these are gifts your sister prepared for you. See if you like them?"

Xiao Yu strode forward, shielding his sister, and glared at Xie Qingran with a snarling expression.

"Don't think you can buy us off with these small favors. We don't care!"

As he spoke, Xiao Yu took off the purse from his waist and threw it at Xie Qingran.

"This money is enough to buy all the things you gave us!"

Children don't intentionally suppress their emotions. Xiao Yu's voice was very loud, attracting the attention of everyone around.

Everyone in the capital knows about the situation of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and everyone knows that Xiao Jue's personality has become very strange since he was injured, as have his younger siblings. Seeing him today, it is indeed true that he lives up to his reputation.

Xie Qingran remained expressionless despite being stared at by everyone. She simply looked at Xiao Yu calmly and said, "If you don't like it, then forget it."

As she spoke, she bent down, picked up the purse from the ground, and gently tied it around his waist.

"Those things are gifts from me; they don't cost any money."

"If you don't like it, I won't send it to you again."

After Xie Qingran finished speaking, she sat up straight, took a bite of a pastry on the table, and acted as if nothing had happened.

Xiao Jue's gaze was cold and sharp, so naturally no one dared to look at him anymore.

Xiao Yu was even more surprised that Xie Qingran didn't get angry even though he had been acting so recklessly.

In fact, Xie Qingran knew very well that the boy was deliberately testing her limits and trying to see how much she could tolerate. After all, they were just kids, and it would be uncomfortable for them to suddenly have another person in the house.

Xie Hanyue, holding a wine glass, came over to offer a toast: "Sister, we're happy today, shall we have a drink?"

"Um."

Xie Qingran responded lightly, raised her wine glass, and clinked glasses with Xie Hanyue. At that moment, the wine glass in Xie Hanyue's hand suddenly fell and smashed directly onto Xie Qingran's skirt, spilling wine all over the hem, making her look disheveled.

"Oh, sister, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to! I really didn't mean to!"

"Sister, shall I go with you to change your clothes?"

Xie Hanyue was flustered and used the handkerchief in her hand to wipe Xie Qingran's skirt.

"It's alright, it's just a dress."

Xie Qingran remained expressionless, simply getting up and walking towards the side room.

Xie Hanyue followed behind her like a child who had done something wrong, tears streaming down her face. Even though Xie Qingran hadn't said anything, she still looked as aggrieved as if she were about to suffocate.

"Big brother, this sister is so strange. Sister Xie didn't blame her at all, so why is she crying?" Xiao Yanran tugged at Xiao Jue's sleeve and asked in confusion.

Her voice wasn't loud, and it even sounded a little timid, but it was enough for Xie Yankang to hear.

Xie Yankang's expression was rather unpleasant. How could someone have the nerve to use such a despicable method? Especially in front of so many people! It was utterly shameful!