Chapter 213 Adopted Daughter
Outside, the sounds of stringed instruments and wind instruments were endless, but inside the side room, the noise and the clamor were totally out of tune with the outside world. The atmosphere was so oppressive that it seemed as if water could condense out of it.
Qin Xiu didn't wait for her answer, but he lost his patience to sit opposite her. At this moment, Qin Xiu stood by the window with his hands behind his back, looking at the river of lights flowing outside the window. His back was straight but cold and hard.
Behind him, Li Youwei sat uncomfortably, twisting the handkerchief nervously with her fingers, feeling that every breath was extremely difficult.
But she understood Qin Xiu's thoughts very well.
Rumors have been rampant in the capital recently, all saying that Li Youwei is deeply in love with Qin Xiu, the prince of Duke Qin. Even when he was leading his troops away to war, she went to the Duke Qin's mansion every day as his future daughter-in-law, taking good care of the seriously ill Duke Qin and accompanying the worried wife of Duke Qin. Her virtuous behavior is commendable.
Naturally, these words were heard word for word by Qin Xiu, who had just returned from the expedition and was upset about Jiang Qingning's affairs.
So, there was Qin Xiu's almost interrogation-like invitation on this flower boat today.
Li Youwei knew that this day would come sooner or later, but she didn't expect it to come so soon.
Qin Xiu came to question her the next day.
"Princess," Qin Xiu finally turned around. His voice was devoid of emotion, yet it carried an invisible pressure that made one breathless. "I'm sure you've heard the recent rumors in the capital. I'm very curious. Why do you keep coming in and out of our mansion so frequently, even taking on the responsibilities of a son and daughter-in-law? What are you trying to do?"
"The princess just said that you understood everything, but you still did it and caused everyone to misunderstand you, didn't you?"
Fine beads of cold sweat oozed out of Li Youwei's forehead.
What could she say? Should she tell the truth, saying that she had been chasing Qin Xiu for all these years, and that as she chased him, she had developed a genuine affection for his family?
Do you think the Duke of Qin is majestic and kind, and the Duke of Qin's wife is gentle and nagging, just like her mother?
If this were to be made public, not only would Qin Xiu not believe it, but everyone in the capital would probably think that Li Youwei was crazy, or that she was making up any outrageous excuse just to curry favor with the now powerful Qin family.
But if she doesn't explain it clearly... Looking at Qin Xiu's eyes that seemed to be able to see through people's hearts and were now filled with a hint of anger, Li Youwei felt terrified, as if the other party would open his bloody mouth and eat her alive in the next second.
She took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, raised her head, and looked at Qin Xiu with a sincere and even somewhat anxious look:
"Prince Qin, please don't misunderstand me. I...I admit that I have followed you to many places over the years and caused you a lot of trouble."
"But precisely because of this, I went to the Duke's Mansion more often and spent more time with the Duke and his wife... I truly regarded them as my elders and my own family."
Her tone was sincere, with a barely perceptible sob in her voice, "The Duke was seriously ill, so I was naturally worried and concerned. I went to visit and serve him out of filial piety, and had no other intentions!"
"Madam...she's always worried about your safety outside, and she has no one to confide in. That's why she used to often call me over to her house. Now, I treat Madam the same way."
"Qin Xiu, I, Li Youwei, swear to heaven that those rumors in the capital were not my intention, nor were they deliberately instigated by me. I... I know you don't like me..."
When she said this, her voice lowered, and a complex blush appeared on her face, but she still said firmly: "I know that the person the prince admires in his heart is Qingning. Sister Qingning is my best sister. Even though...even though she is now engaged to Prince He, I can see that she also has the prince in her heart."
"Although I, Li Youwei, am not a remarkable figure, I understand the bond between friends and sisters. I would never, and have never, considered taking advantage of someone's misfortune to intervene between you. Please trust me, Prince!"
These words were spoken frankly and sincerely, almost opening one's heart to show others.
Qin Xiu was stunned after listening to these words quietly.
He anticipated that Li Youwei might quibble, cry, or even use the rumors to threaten him, but he never expected to hear such a silly yet sincere confession.
Was it because she... considered her parents her family? And... she saw the affection between him and Qingning?
"Do you think Qingning... also has feelings for me?" Qin Xiu said this with his eyelashes trembling slightly.
"Of course!" Li Youwei noticed the change in his tone and immediately stood up, swearing firmly, "I naturally see Qingning's friendship for you. You know, I'm her only good friend in the capital, and I think I know her very well."
At this moment, there was a very slight sound behind the screen in the elegant room of the painted boat.
Lady Qin covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes filled with shock and guilt. Beside her, Lady Xiao and Jiang Qingxi, who had also come to "catch the adulterer", looked at each other with burning faces.
They had originally heard the rumors, and then saw Qin Xiu meeting with Li Youwei alone, and listened to Mrs. Qin's gossip, so they agreed to follow quietly for fear of something bad ending up happening, but they didn't expect to hear such words.
The three of them exchanged glances, and all saw the shame of "judging others by one's own mean heart" in each other's eyes. They retreated quietly, leaving the space to the two people inside.
Madam Xiao and Jiang Qingxi walked aside, looking at the bewildered Madam Qin. She looked at her daughter with a warning in her eyes: "You haven't told mother this, but Prince Qin likes your sister?"
Jiang Qingxi felt guilty: "Didn't mother say that? My sister and Prince He are getting married, so naturally there can't be any other rumors. Otherwise, my sister's reputation will be bad. That's why I didn't bring it up."
Madam Xiao sneered: "Then you really are good at hiding things. I'll deal with you when I get back!"
Now, after hearing the gossip about both sides' children, Madam Xiao and her good sister Madam Qin felt that Madam Qin was more embarrassed than themselves.
She quickly let go of her daughter's hand and stepped forward to comfort her: "Madam, don't think too much. It's unexpected that there is no love between Prince Qin and Princess Shanyang. But the fate of children is clever, and it will happen sooner or later."
Madam Qin smiled secretly, but her face was indeed filled with shame and embarrassment. She smiled bitterly and said, "Sister, there's no need to comfort me. I didn't know this rebellious son actually had feelings for... for Qingning. But now Qingning and He Shizi are engaged. Don't worry, sister. I will naturally keep a good eye on this rebellious son and make sure he doesn't disturb the relationship between Qingning and He Shizi."
Madam Xiao was stunned for a moment. She didn't mean that, so she quickly said, "No, Madam, don't worry, I don't mean that."
Madam Qin shook her head and said, "I know that my sister is a kind person. She even raised Qingning and Qingxi to be good children. Although I have never met Qinghuai, I also know that he is a young talent. I have wanted to find a match for him, but now that this rebellious son's thoughts have been exposed, I don't have the face to face my sister."
"No, ma'am, there's no need to do this." Mrs. Xiao said hurriedly.
"Sister, you don't have to comfort me. My son is feeling unwell right now, so I'm going back home first. Sister, you and Qingxi should go for a good stroll. You haven't been out for a while."
Madam Qin looked extremely ashamed, covering her face with her hands. She ignored Madam Xiao's dissuasion and got into the carriage with a mixture of guilt and grievance.
Madam Xiao stood there and said with emotion, "The people in Duke Qin's Mansion are truly kind."
Jiang Qingxi's mouth twitched a few times, "Whatever mother says, that's it."
Inside the flower boat.
Qin Xiu was silent for a moment. When he spoke again, the coldness and doubt in his voice had completely dissipated, replaced by a barely perceptible apology and relaxation: "I see. Now it seems that Qin was narrow-minded and misunderstood the princess's sincerity. I hope the princess will forgive me if my words offended me."
Seeing that he believed her, Li Youwei breathed a sigh of relief and waved her hand quickly, "It's okay, it's okay. As long as I've explained it clearly, I'll be fine. As long as the prince doesn't blame me for causing you trouble, that's all. As for those rumors in the capital... Don't worry, prince, I will find a way to resolve them. I will never let these nonsense bother you again!"
Qin Xiu looked at her relieved expression, and even her eagerness to take on the responsibility and solve the problem. The remaining doubts in his heart completely disappeared. Instead, he felt that this girl was so honest that she was somewhat cute. If he had a biological sister, she would probably be like this too.
He shook his head and said, "Don't worry about the rumors, my lady. I have my own way to stop them from talking about it."
Li Youwei seemed to understand, but seeing Qin Xiu's determined expression, she nodded obediently: "That...that's good."
That night, at the Duke of Qin’s Mansion.
Qin Xiu told his parents everything about his conversation with Li Youwei.
Mrs. Qin had overheard almost everything just now, and after returning home she told Duke Qin everything. The couple was filled with emotion at this moment.
Madam Qin wiped her eyes and said, "So that's how it is... This child is actually so loyal and righteous... It's us who were mean and wronged her sincerity."
Duke Qin also stroked his beard and sighed, "Youwei is a bit erratic, but she has a kind heart. It's been really hard for her these past few years."
Seeing this, Qin Xiu took the opportunity to bring up his thoughts: "Father, Mother, since the princess treats you two elders as family, and you two elders also pity her, and the rumors in the capital are all due to her frequent visits to the mansion, why don't you... Father and Mother acknowledge her as your daughter?"
"Adopt her as your daughter?" Duke Qin and his wife were stunned.
"That's right." Qin Xiu nodded. "Formally acknowledge the princess as your adopted daughter and announce it to the capital. This way, it will be natural for a younger sister to care for her brother and parents and serve the sick elder. No one can make up any excuse for her not doing so."
"The princess has gained status, and she will have more support in the capital in the future. And my son..." He paused, his voice lowered a little, "will be able to pursue his heart's desire with a clear conscience and without any worries."
The last sentence touched the wife of Duke Qin.
She and her husband looked at each other and saw approval in each other's eyes.
"Alright!" Duke Qin slammed the table. "Let's do as Xiu'er says! Adopt Youwei as our goddaughter! My Qin family is in need of a daughter to love!"
The next day, the news that Duke Qin's Mansion wanted to adopt Princess Shanyang Li Youwei as their adopted daughter spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys of the capital.
The people were in an uproar again, but this time the discussion had completely changed direction.
"So that's how it is. I was saying it, Princess Shanyang is truly kind and treats Duke Qin and his wife like their own parents!"
"Tsk tsk, that's all! We've become godparents, and everything is legal! Let's see who dares to gossip about us!"
"Princess Shanyang has truly turned a disaster into a blessing! With Duke Qin and Concubine Qin as her backers, whoever marries her in the future...will be treated like a treasure."
"That's right, the Duke Qin's Mansion and the Princess' Mansion are now completely tied together, a powerful alliance!"
The rumors were self-defeating and turned into praise and envy for Li Youwei.
A few days later.
The recognition ceremony was not grand but very solemn.
Witnessed by many relatives and friends, Li Youwei, dressed in formal attire, performed the standard tea-serving ceremony to the seated Duke Qin and his wife, and then changed her address to call them adoptive father and adoptive mother.
Duke Qin and his wife took the tea with a smile and gave Li Youwei a generous gift, a jade pendant that symbolized the Qin family's status, which was worn around her waist on the spot.
Concubine Qin and Emperor Lu Bin in the palace were also quite pleased to hear about this. Lu Bin mainly felt that winning over the royal family and the Qin family would be beneficial to stabilizing the court, so the two of them specially bestowed a lot of palace treasures as gifts, under the pretext of adding to the dowry for their sister-in-law.
In this way, all the families can be proud and live in harmony.
A romantic rumor that could have caused a stir suddenly turned into a beautiful story that demonstrated friendship and consolidated power.
Half a month later.
The news naturally reached Jiang Qingning's ears.
Jiang Qingning was checking the map in the tent. When he heard Ye Xiao's report, his hand holding the pen paused slightly, and then a very faint arc appeared at the corner of his lips, as if he found it interesting, and seemed to be... relieved.
She naturally knew that Li Youwei had no romantic feelings for Qin Xiu, so everyone was happy with the situation now.
"The princess is a clear-headed and straightforward person." She commented lightly, and then said no more, continuing to look down at the map, as if this was just an insignificant episode.
However, Jiang Qinghuai, who was sitting opposite her, keenly caught his sister's pause just now and the almost imperceptible smile at the corner of her lips.
He blinked, moved closer, lowered his voice and asked with a smile: "Ning'er, Qin Xiu is now 'innocent', right? When do you plan to..."
"Brother." Jiang Qingning said calmly, without even looking up, "It seems that you've finished reading the battle reports and training the troops. It seems that you've just been too idle."
"Ning'er, if you behave like this, be careful that no one will like you in the future." He complained in a low voice.
"I am who I am. Why do I need my husband's favor?" Jiang Qingning replied in a cold voice.
Jiang Qinghuai immediately retracted his neck and dared not tease Jiang Qingning anymore, but he muttered to himself: It seems that Ning'er is not completely indifferent to Qin Xiu.
As his uncle, I'm afraid that if he returns to the capital, he will be fought over and fought over by everyone.
The sun was shining brightly outside, shining into the tent, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
"Report!!!" Soldiers rushed in, breaking the tranquility and peace.
"What's the matter?" Jiang Qinghuai put away his relaxed look and looked over in a deep voice.
"Your Excellency, Young General..."
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