Chapter 181 Lobbying
Qi Yuxuan curled her lips into a smile and took only two steps forward.
"It is truly impolite of me to come dressed in riding attire. I hope Princess Runing will not take offense."
"How could that be? A girl your age looks good in anything! Riding clothes make you look more energetic and spirited! And you know what, your appearance is exactly like your parents."
Qi Yuxuan remained silent, so Princess Runing smiled and said, "I've come at an inopportune time. Are you about to go out?"
Qi Yuxuan nodded: "Yes, I have an appointment to go horse racing, but there's no rush."
She strode to the seat next to her, and the maidservant immediately stepped forward to pour tea. She held the teacup in her hand and slowly turned it.
"What important matter brings the Princess Consort of Runing here? Mother has gone to Huaicheng; I'm afraid she won't be back so soon."
Princess Consort of Runing looked hesitant, as if she was struggling with whether or not to speak.
"Is there some unspeakable reason behind this?"
As Qi Yuxuan spoke, she raised her hand and beckoned. The maids serving in the room quickly lowered their heads and walked out, leaving only the old woman and the young girl in the hall for a moment.
"Does Princess Runing still have any concerns this time?"
The young girl's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and she was calm and composed, which inexplicably gave Princess Runing the feeling of the eldest princess in her youth.
She then realized that she had indeed come to the wrong place. The young girl was now a royal princess, with the eldest princess guiding her. Her mind and temperament were far broader than when she was a girl in the Xiao family. Naturally, her vision was also much higher.
She was also unsure whether she could forgive Hui'er.
“I’m here today for no particular reason… I don’t know if you’ve heard your mother mention it, but your maternal grandmother and I had a good relationship when we were young, and your mother is also my goddaughter…”
Princess Consort of Runing had barely begun to speak when Qi Yuxuan shook her head.
Her voice was slow and gentle, as if she were talking about someone else's affairs:
“I know, but it wasn’t Mrs. Xiao who told me. In other words, Mrs. Xiao has never told me anything about the Lin family.”
"Most of the stories were told to me by my uncle."
Princess Runing opened her mouth in astonishment, but found herself unable to utter any explanation.
Yu Xuan calls Hui'er Madam Xiao, but Lin Kuangzheng is still her uncle. Doesn't that explain the problem?
How could she explain this to Hui'er? She had no way to defend herself.
Yu Xuan had been back in the Xiao family for several months, and there were countless opportunities to talk to her about her maternal grandfather's Lin family, and countless opportunities to mend their relationship and have a heart-to-heart talk as mother and daughter, but...
The young girl's expression remained calm and composed as she continued:
“If Princess Runing has come here to make peace, then you don’t need to waste your breath.”
"I respect you as an elder and am willing to stay here and talk with you. I'm sorry that I can't do anything more for you."
These words were both polite and impolite. Princess Runing's face stiffened, and she clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly.
She tentatively continued:
"Yu Xuan, may I call you that?"
"After your maternal grandmother found out about this, she hurriedly sent me a message, wanting me to take care of you and your mother and prevent you from being misled and becoming estranged. After all, she is your biological mother. Even if you don't consider the hardships of carrying a child for ten months and giving birth, please give your mother another chance, considering your maternal grandmother's deep love for you..."
"What you're doing is causing pain to your loved ones and joy to your enemies!"
Qi Yuxuan's expression remained calm and composed, the corners of her lips not twitching at all. She seemed completely oblivious to the extreme cruelty of these words, continuing to look at the Princess of Runing with clear eyes and an air of serene composure.
“Princess Runing is joking. I am deeply grateful to Lady Xiao for giving birth to me. If there is anything I can do to help in the future, I will do my best without hesitation. But my mother is only the Eldest Princess.”
Princess Consort of Runing turned pale instantly, "You..."
"You're complaining about your mother to this extent?!"
Qi Yuxuan quickly replied, her tone unhurried:
“If Xiao Yuyao were not actually Minister Xiao’s illegitimate daughter, Princess Runing would not have needed to make this trip today.”
"..."
"Enough, enough. It's their fault for owing you. It's normal for you to feel resentful."
“Princess Consort of Runing is mistaken.” Qi Yuxuan lowered her long, thick eyelashes. “Not only do I not resent it, but I am also very grateful. Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise, and a blessing may be a misfortune in disguise. It is precisely because of Minister Xiao and Madam Xiao that I was able to gain the favor of the Princess and be adopted as her goddaughter.”
"Please ask Princess Runing to convey this truthfully: if Madam Xiao wants to make amends to me in any way, there is no need."
"But...they are your biological parents after all!"
Princess Runing wanted to say something more, but seeing Qi Yuxuan's dejected and heartbroken appearance, she felt a pang of regret.
"It's pitiful that you're so young, and you've been wandering for fourteen years, and..."
"Alas...this is all a tragedy. You were such a good family, how did things turn out like this!"
"Human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Princess Runing is getting old and doesn't need to worry about us younger generations. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. You should enjoy your retirement."
Qi Yuxuan did not detect any dissatisfaction from the Princess of Runing's tone, so her tone softened slightly again.
She knew that the Princess Consort of Runing only wanted to try to persuade her and did not have any prejudice against her. Otherwise, the Runing Prince's Mansion would not be such a well-known blessed family in the capital.
“You’re right, I should really enjoy my retirement… It’s one thing to leave your parents, but since you still call Kuangzheng your uncle, you can’t deny your maternal grandmother. She mentioned you in her letter to me, saying that she’ll invite you to Longxi for a while next spring when it gets warmer…”
Princess Consort of Runing has been insightful and open-minded for most of her life. She knows what she should and shouldn't concern herself with. Since she can't make peace now, she simply started talking about Old Madam Lin.
"Yes, my uncle also said that when I come of age, I will go to Longxi to stay for a while, so that I can spend some time with my maternal grandmother."
"Alright, that's how it should be. I won't say anything else. You're all grown up now and have your own ideas. We old folks don't have any other thoughts. As long as you can live a smooth and happy life, that's the best thing."
The old man and the young man talked on and on.
Qi Yuxuan raised her eyes, her gaze falling on the Western clock not far away, and suddenly paused:
"Princess Consort of Runing, I have an appointment to keep, so please excuse me for not being able to accompany you!"
Princess Consort of Runing was also taken aback, but then she noticed the riding attire the woman was wearing, and suddenly clapped her hands in realization:
"Yes, yes, hurry up and go, I got so engrossed in our conversation that I forgot the time."
Royal Horse Ranch.
Qi Jun, dressed in black riding attire, stood tall and straight, his long black hair tied up high and flowing behind his head, dancing with his movements, exuding an innate noble and majestic aura.
He gripped the reins tightly with one hand, while the other hand hung naturally at his side, his fingers long and strong.
The tall, strong horse beneath me had its four hooves firmly planted on the ground. Perhaps because it had been waiting for a long time, the horse listlessly swayed its head from side to side before continuing to gaze calmly toward the entrance of the racecourse.
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