Chapter 18
The next day was a bright and sunny day. Xie Qinghong stood in the covered walkway watching the lotus leaves in the pond unfurl their tips, their edges curling into rounded arcs, which were quite lovely. However, she was interrupted not long afterward. It was her cousin's maid who invited her to her home, saying that Xie Qingsi wanted to see her about something.
Without a doubt, the one in trouble is definitely not Xie Qingsi. It's probably her aunt who's going to act as a mediator, and perhaps her uncle will be there too, putting on a tearful performance when the time is right.
Liang Yu wouldn't let her go. The Xie brothers had already argued about what happened yesterday. Xie Zhen was unhappy that his younger brother had disobeyed him and given up the Duke's position that was within the Xie family's grasp. Xie Wen was furious and said that he would sever all ties with him.
"Mother, don't worry, it's not us who are anxious right now." Xie Qinghong chuckled. "I want to go and hear my uncle's thoughts on national righteousness."
When she arrived at her uncle's house, she found that the two ladies of the Qin family were also there. They were chatting happily with her aunt. When they saw her, they stopped talking and paused for a moment before her aunt adopted a kind and elderly attitude to greet her: "Qinghong, come and sit down. Your sister is naughty and just had to leave. Wait for her here for a while. Your aunt has something to tell you first."
Xie Qinghong bowed and sat down at the lower end of the table, naturally starting the conversation: "May I ask what brings you here, Aunt?"
Aunt's words were clearly carefully chosen, unlike her usual bluntness: "Your uncle told me everything that happened yesterday. You know how he's treated you since you were little. He wasn't being malicious; it's just that, as the head of the Xie clan, he has his own unavoidable difficulties. It's his fault for being clumsy with words, and it's also because your two older cousins are married, and Qingsi is too young. Otherwise, how could he bear to let you marry far away and suffer? It's all for the sake of the court..."
Suddenly, Madam Qin, standing nearby, sighed, rubbing her handkerchief, "Qinghong is so sensible, unlike my wretched daughter. She's really putting our family in a precarious position. I don't know what the future holds..."
Madam Qin quickly comforted her, "Our Emperor is benevolent and virtuous in governing the country, and has always been compassionate. Qinghong is still here, so don't frighten the little girl."
Xie Qinghong chuckled lightly, then gracefully rose to stand in the hall and said, "As a daughter of the Xie family, I naturally follow my father's arrangements regarding marriage. It's inappropriate for my aunt to speak of this to me. I didn't expect that the Xie family's affairs would trouble Aunt Qin. However, if Qin Yu hadn't said 'discarded like worn-out shoes,' I wouldn't have known that the Qin family viewed the Southern Prince's Mansion as a monstrous threat. The Southern Prince has been stationed in the south for many years, fighting desperately against foreign enemies. If he knew this, I wonder how heartbroken he would be."
Her smile grew even more adorable: "It really is a sin."
The two ladies of the Qin family changed their expressions at the same time. They had heard Qin Zheng mention this matter before, only to find that Qin Yu had spoken recklessly in front of the Prince of Nan, but who knew that others had overheard it!
Madam Qin's face darkened, her previous melancholy vanishing, and she said, "Qinghong, you can't just say things like that."
Xie Qinghong was not afraid at all: "Auntie said something right just now. I wonder what the future holds." She deliberately stopped and watched as the three wives of officials in high positions were furious but maintained their composure because of their status, and they could not even raise their hands easily.
"I have heard what Auntie said. I will definitely tell Father when I get back and ask him to make a decision." Xie Qinghong gracefully bowed and said, "It seems that my cousin has something important to do. I will take my leave now and visit again another day."
She left the front hall without looking back, and didn't hear the Second Madam of the Qin family whisper, "Her temperament really comes from her mother, so willful and capricious! Fortunately, I didn't decide to marry her off to my son back then, otherwise I would have found a troublemaker."
Madam Qin snorted coldly: "Does she think the will of the imperial family is so easy to defy? She's just a young girl, only good at talking. When she gets to the south, she'll talk about protecting the country. Let's see what she does in the future."
Auntie was angry that Xie Qinghong didn't give her, an elder, face in front of outsiders, but she couldn't bring herself to scold her, since her family was indeed in the wrong. In her heart, she cursed Xie Zhen. If he hadn't asked her to step in and persuade him, she wouldn't have opened her mouth today.
As Xie Qinghong left the Marquis's residence, she unexpectedly ran into Qin Heng, the dutiful son, who had come to personally escort his two elders back to the Duke of Qin's mansion. Upon seeing him, she immediately recalled the book from her dream; everything about her future came from his narration and memories. He was clearly cold-hearted and indifferent, yet claimed to be her "cinnabar mole"—his nonsense was truly masterful.
She looked away, pretending not to see him, and went straight down the steps to her family's carriage that was waiting outside.
Qin Heng stepped forward and stopped her: "Qinghong, I have a few words I want to say to you."
Xie Qinghong didn't consider himself very familiar with him. He could still politely call him Brother Qin when they met before, but now he was just impatient: "Just say what you want to say."
Qin Heng, standing a step away, said in a low voice, "Rumors have already spread in the palace. How can such a matter of national importance be left to a young woman like you? If you are unwilling to marry into the southern lands, I have a way to persuade His Majesty to rescind his decree."
Xie Qinghong had originally intended to leave after listening, but upon hearing this, he became genuinely interested: "Why is it said to be a marriage alliance with the southern lands?"
Qin Heng sighed but did not answer directly: "You'll find out later. It's a pit of fire there. You've also heard of the reputation of the Prince of the South. He's really not a good match. The South is a remote and mountainous region, full of unruly people."
"But if His Majesty issues the decree, how can I disobey?" Xie Qinghong feigned a probing question.
Qin Heng then said, “I have acquired an estate in the suburbs of the capital, and no one else knows about it. The servants there are all trustworthy. If you wish, you can stay there for a few days. However, you must not tell your family, lest they force you to marry. After this period, you can return to the capital. His Majesty will naturally not betroth you to the Prince of the South's heir. This is the only way to protect you. What do you think?”
That's quite a clever plan!
Xie Qinghong felt disgusted, but she didn't want to argue with him in public, so she just smiled faintly and said, "That's not necessary. Why would someone go to the manor without a name or reason?"
An unmarried girl living on the private estate of a man with whom she has no relation—what else could she be but a mistress? Qin Heng may appear handsome and refined, but he is truly a vile and corrupt man.
Qin Heng sighed, looking at her as if he felt she was unaware of the wickedness of people's hearts and that it would be best for her to use his experience to guide her on how to act: "Qinghong, reputation is just an external thing. Zhao Xing'er is very decisive. If you marry into the South, you will only suffer for the rest of your life!"
For a fleeting moment, Xie Qinghong even thought he was right, after all, he had been reborn and could choose the right path for every step he took in the future. But she quickly came to her senses; rebirth was their stroke of luck, not hers.
All she can do is try to take full control of the situation herself, rather than placing her hopes on others.
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