Chapter 21 Misunderstanding the Truth

Hearing this, Nanny Xia felt a chill in her heart. She didn't even know how she walked out of the main hall. She just got into the carriage with the gifts in a daze, thinking about how to talk to Madam Qingwu.

As soon as she got off the carriage, Nanny Xia saw the debris of firecrackers scattered all over the ground in front of the Song family's gate, and she could still smell the residual smell of gunpowder in the air. It was obvious that the officials had come to report the good news.

Stepping on the red confetti on the ground, Nanny Xia felt more and more uncomfortable. It was such a big happy event, but the lady had such an attitude. She hesitated for a few breaths with the gift in her hand before being welcomed by Yuzhu into the small main hall of the Song family.

Before she even stepped through the threshold, Qing Wu came out from inside to greet her. Seeing that it was Nanny Xia, she couldn't help but smile and called out, "It's Nanny, please come in and have some tea."

If it was someone else, Qingwu would naturally not be so polite, but since the person coming was Nanny Xia, it was different.

Qingwu remembered the winter she'd just returned to the Xi family. She'd argued with her mother again, and was punished by being made to kneel for a day. It was snowing heavily that day, and the chill was biting. Cold and hungry, Qingwu was already slouching, but Nanny Xia suddenly entered, startling her so much she straightened her knees.

She had originally thought that Nanny Xia had been sent by her mother to supervise her, but as soon as she arrived, she pulled her up from the ground and said with concern, "Madam Qingwu, why are you doing this? Hurry up and get up! It's snowing heavily, and Madam will definitely not come to see you in person. Why are you still kneeling here? Don't freeze yourself."

There were many things that happened later, and Nanny Xia took care of them secretly, so every time Qingwu saw Nanny Xia, he would think of his grandmother and naturally respected her a lot.

Looking at Qingwu, who had a rosy complexion and a friendly attitude in front of her, Nanny Xia sighed in her heart. Who would want to hurt such a beautiful lady?

Seeing Qingwu personally pouring wedding tea for her and asking her mother with a smile if she had anything to say, Nanny Xia found it increasingly difficult to say what Madam Zheng had said.

Seeing that Nanny Xia was a little stunned, Qing Wu couldn't help but ask with concern, "What's wrong, Nanny?"

"Oh, oh, this old slave is just too happy... My dear, you have suffered so much for so many years, and now you are finally going to have your happy ending. This old slave is so happy for you..."

The nanny avoided Qingwu's clear and beautiful eyes and pointed at the gifts on the table and said, "Madam is also very happy. She asked this old servant to come and congratulate you and brought a lot of gifts..."

She stood up and opened the gifts one by one to show Qingwu. They were all fine things she had picked out personally from Madam Zheng's storehouse. There was no need to say much about the common items such as the four treasures of the study. Among them, the jade Wenchang Tower was the most eye-catching. The jade was of excellent quality and full of water. It was truly a fine product.

Seeing Qing Wu's gaze on it, Nanny Xia twisted her fingers clasped in her sleeves gently, the smile on her face not changing at all, she explained:

"This Wenchang Pagoda symbolizes the protection of the home and the prosperity of literary fortune, as well as the success of one's official career. It was also personally blessed by the abbot of the Dabaoguo Temple and has been enshrined in the temple. My wife originally intended it for her eldest son, but now that my son-in-law has won the third place in the imperial examination, she has urged me to bring it to him, saying that it will bless him to rise to prominence and that she will make my wife a consort."

Hearing what Nanny Xia said, Qing Wu felt a surge of warmth in his heart, even though there were many conflicts before. He quickly declined, saying, "How can I ask for my elder brother's things? He is still studying hard in the academy, but Yun He has already passed the high school entrance examination. I should focus on my elder brother. Nanny, you should take it back."

My mother has put a lot of thought into my brother's career. She has made decisions on everything from food, clothing, housing and transportation to what college he should go to and what studies he should study. She often prays to gods and Buddhas. It is really rare for her to be given such a good Wenchang Pagoda. Qingwu couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

Seeing Qingwu's moved expression, Nanny Xia thought she would be happy, but she felt more and more uncomfortable and guilty in her heart. She couldn't help but wonder, was it really right for her to do this?

But since she had lied, she had no choice but to tell the truth. The nanny quickly refused, "That won't do. If I take it back, I'll be punished by Madam. Madam, please keep it. Look at this material. This Shu brocade is bright in color. Madam specially asked for it to be brought here to make you some new clothes..."

Shu brocade is worth a fortune, and even the powerful and wealthy in the capital can hardly afford a few pieces.

When Qingwu first returned to the Xi family, she saw the twin sisters wearing Shu brocade dresses, which were extremely beautiful and dazzling. At that time, she was young and loved beauty, and she didn't know how much they cost, so she asked her mother if she wanted one, but of course she was rejected in the end.

Her mother had been quite tactful in her words, saying, "You've just returned to the Xi family, and you haven't learned the proper etiquette yet. If you wear this Shu brocade dress and don't walk with the grace of a noble lady, people will laugh at you for suddenly becoming rich. When you've learned the proper etiquette, I'll have someone make it for you."

Qingwu thought about his own graceful walking posture, then thought about the pace of his twin sisters, and agreed.

But later, Qingwu learned the rules and practiced the "light lotus steps", but Mrs. Zheng seemed to have forgotten and never mentioned it again.

Now there are two of them.

Qingwu stroked the cloth, and emotions surged in his heart, including a sense of touching and a sense of self-mockery.

Seeing Qingwu's emotions becoming more and more moved, Nanny Xia suppressed her guilt and changed the subject, "It's just that the Madam also asked this old servant to tell you something."

She looked at the clueless Qingwu, and those harsh words turned over and over in her stomach. When she spoke out, they were already -

"Madam said that a happy event like your son-in-law winning the third place in the imperial examination should be celebrated with a banquet, inviting relatives and friends to the feast. These pieces of fabric are also suitable for you to make clothes to wear at the banquet, which would be very decent. However, Madam also knows that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince fell from a horse and is now seriously injured. Our family is also considered the Crown Prince's in-laws, so it is not appropriate to hold a grand wedding now..."

Although this may not be completely tenable upon closer examination, it is generally a legitimate reason. After saying these words, Nanny Xia felt guilty but also relieved. At least it was justifiable and would not hurt the relationship between mother and daughter.

Because these were all lies, Nanny Xia felt guilty and did not dare to look Qingwu in the eye when she spoke. When she finished speaking and raised her eyelids, she saw that the girl in front of her looked stunned and obviously quite touched.

Qingwu was indeed quite touched. She just thought that these were all what Madam Zheng said and did. As her eyes swept over the gifts in front of her, they gradually became misty.

Although I don't know if my mother is willing to treat her this way because Song Yunhe graduated from high school, but from what the nanny said, everything is done for her own good and there are some real good things.

A gentleman judges by deeds rather than by the heart, and no one is perfect by the heart.

I think in this world, even if a mother and daughter have different personalities and there is a gap between them, they always wish the best for each other.

＊

In the East Palace

Xi Qingtong came to the door of the prince's bedroom again. Although she had been rejected twice and was extremely angry, as a concubine, she had to come even for show.

In her heart, she was actually not very willing to do such a serving job, but Xi Qingtong also understood the principle of helping others in times of need. If she could take good care of the prince and ask about his well-being during his low period, she would surely benefit from it in the future.

So she showed up every day as if she was on duty, hoping that she wouldn't reveal her mistakes when the prince asked about them in the future. However, she didn't expect to be called in this time.

"Liang Di, His Highness invites you in."

Xi Qingtong was delighted and quickly pulled up her skirt to go inside. She stepped over the screen in the inner hall and saw the prince sitting on the bed.

At this time, the prince was also looking at her. Not much emotion could be seen in his tired and pale face. He just stared at her straight. The look in his eyes was too obvious, making Xi Qingtong feel shy and happy at the same time.

His Highness is finally willing to take a serious look at her!

Xiao Ji was indeed looking at Xi Qingtong. He remained silent, scanning the face in front of him inch by inch with his indifferent and cold peach blossom eyes, while at the same time he thought of another girl.