Mrs. Xie's words were rough but her point was sound. Yuan Zhao could tell that she came here today to have a good talk with him.
So she put down the teacup in her hand, and the cup collided with the saucer, making a crisp "ding" sound.
She said slowly, "Madam Xie, I naturally understand the value of the Xie family."
Yuan Musheng became Dou Chengzhong's apprentice, not only for his own benefit and for his future prospects, but also for the benefit of Yuan Cheng.
What Mrs. Xie meant was that if Dou Chengzhong didn't work out, there was still the Xie family.
The Xie and Huo families have existed since the founding of Dacheng, with complex connections that have lasted for hundreds of years.
Since the decline of the Huo family, the Xie family has become the top family.
If Yuan Musheng marries Xie Wanqing, the marriage relationship will be more reliable than anything else, and the Xie family will definitely stand behind Yuan Cheng.
It is precisely because of this that Mrs. Xie does not understand why Yuan Zhao has been reluctant to express his opinion.
This marriage will only bring benefits and no disadvantages to Yuancheng and Yuanzhao, brother and sister, and to the Xie family.
Yuan Zhao noticed the troubled look on Madam Xie's face. "I've met Miss Xie. She's a very good girl, and there's no one else like her in the whole capital."
"But..." She changed the subject and looked at Madam Xie with a gentle and calm gaze, "Madam Xie, have you ever thought about this? We all think this marriage is good, but are the two children willing?"
Yuan Zhao's words froze Madam Xie. She stared blankly, then said, "What's the point of being willing or unwilling? Wasn't our marriage arranged by our parents and the matchmaker?"
Yuan Zhao just smiled.
Madam Xie continued, "Even you, Your Highness, were not married off by His Majesty?"
"Yes." Yuan Zhao lowered her eyes. When she thought about what happened in the past, she felt like she was in a dream.
After a while, she raised her eyes and looked at Madam Xie, "Madam Xie, it is precisely because of my previous marriage that I don't want my children to follow in my footsteps."
She had exposed her own scars, so she spoke sincerely, "Miss Xie is Madam's only daughter. I'm sure Madam loves her very much."
"Your daughter is so outstanding, she deserves the best man in the world. If she marries someone she shouldn't marry and doesn't love her, and wastes the rest of her life like this, wouldn't Madam Xie feel bad?"
Mrs. Xie was silent after hearing her words. She really had never thought about Xie Wanqing's wishes.
"But..." she murmured, "I'm just choosing the best man for her..."
Yuan Zhao smiled and said, "That's just what Madam Xie thinks of a good man, not what Miss Xie herself thinks of him."
…
Outside the flower hall, Yuan Musheng and Xie Wanqing stood outside, listening to the conversation of the people inside.
After a long while, Xie Wanqing curved his lips into a beautiful smile and said to Yuan Musheng,
"Mr. Mu Sheng, you have a good mother."
…
Qiao said she went to visit Yuan Xuan and Yuan Nan'an, and did nothing else.
Follow Gan Tang and follow him back.
When they came back, Yuan Zhao and Mrs. Xie had almost finished their conversation, so they left together again.
Yuan Zhao took a special look at Qiao and saw that her face was calm and there was nothing unusual about her.
After seeing off the two families, she specifically asked Gan Tang, who had accompanied Qiao, if there was anything unusual.
"No, Mrs. Huo is a quiet person. She only went to see the emperor's grandson and the second young lady, said a few words, and then left."
Yuan Zhao was not sure whether Qiao had discovered anything.
As for Qiao, she kept the same expression from the moment she left the royal garden and boarded the Huo family's carriage until she returned to the Huo family.
After returning to the Huo family, she went to the study first, looked at Huo Zhengze's homework, and then instructed the kitchen to carefully prepare a light and delicious dinner for Huo Zhengze.
Even the maid who served her closely didn't notice anything unusual.
The Second Madam has been like this all these years, always indifferent, as if nothing can stir up any emotion in her heart.
Even walking is disrespectful.
It was as if her entire body had been drained away, leaving only an empty shell floating in this huge mansion.
Coming out of the study, Qiao instructed the maid beside her,
"I'm going to the ancestral hall to chant sutras. You all should leave."
The maid didn't find it strange either.
This has been the second lady's habit over the years. She recites scriptures every evening until late at night and does not allow anyone to disturb her.
The ancestral hall houses tablets for the Huo family, and it is quiet and solemn.
Mrs. Qiao came in alone, and she did not kneel on the mat as usual.
She walked to a memorial tablet and stood quietly. The draft blew through the hall, making her frail body sway.
She stared at the tablet for a long time before picking it up.
The words engraved on it have become a little blurred after being touched day after day for more than ten years.
But I can vaguely see what the words are.
Mrs. Qiao's face was as pale as a piece of paper. She was beautiful when she was young, but now her temples are covered with white frost.
She gently stroked the name, tears falling.
"Pingchang..." she called out.
There was no response, only the sound of wind hitting the windows of the ancestral hall.
…
The day before yesterday, Madam Xie came to visit and chatted with her. She mentioned that she saw a young man from Northern Qiang at the Spring Banquet who looked quite similar to Zhengze.
Thinking of Yuan Zhao's invitation to her, and hearing that something happened at Chunyan, Qiao decided to go and visit with Madam Xie.
By the way, is there really such a resemblance between two people in this world? It's incredible to think about it.
The royal gardens are beautiful in spring. The princess's maid leads the way and introduces the scenery.
"This is the martial arts training ground. Right now, the Second Young Master Helian of Beiqiang is playing with guns with our Third Young Master."
When Qiao looked over and saw the second son of the Helian family, she suddenly understood why Yuan Zhao had suddenly come to visit her.
It really looks alike.
Qiao heard the conversation between the Second Master Helian and the Young Master:
"Xiaoyu, just watch! I'm going to show you something special!"
"This move was created by my father. It's called 'Flying Stars Stepping on the Moon'. How is it? Isn't it amazing?"
…
"Why?" Qiao muttered to herself, looking down at the three characters "Huo Pingchang" on the tablet. "Pingchang, this is all a coincidence? Right?"
With a "bang", the tablet was thrown heavily to the ground.
Mrs. Qiao stared at the tablet that had always been carefully wiped and suddenly cracked. She slid to her knees with powerlessness all over her body.
"It's all fake..." She covered her face and cried, "It's all fake, right..."
My vision is getting blurry, but my memories are becoming clearer.
"Ma'am, do you think I'm good with a gun? Even my eldest brother can't beat me!"
"Especially this move. I named it 'Flying Stars Stepping on the Moon'. It's my original creation. What do you think?"
"Madam, come here! Your husband will teach you! This shooting technique is the only one for me, and for you, too!"
"When we have a child, I will teach him."
…
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