Chapter 100 Bloodline
Xie Xuchuan's gaze could not be ignored; not only Xie Jingyuan noticed it, but Xie Qi felt as if he had a thorn in his side.
He hated Xie Xuchuan for coveting everything about him, no matter who or what.
In particular, Xie Xuchuan had always been able to easily snatch away everything that he had worked so hard to obtain.
The panic, disgust, and helplessness surged into Xie Qi's heart once again, and he couldn't help but take Chen Yuanzhu's hand into his palm.
Shen Yuanzhu also felt the burning gaze. She turned her head to look at Xie Qi and understood.
If you think of Xie Qi as a big yellow dog, then she is the meat bone that was once placed in Xie Xuchuan's bowl.
Although the opportunity was now right in front of Xie Qi, he was always afraid that someone would take it back...
Although she was reluctant to use this analogy, based on her understanding of Xie Qi over the past few days, she suspected that he was mentally ill and that this was probably how he thought.
Chen Yuanzhu was a bit annoyed.
Xie Qi's unfounded suspicions and her occasional wariness that she might rekindle her relationship with Xie Xuchuan were like an inked ledger. Although it didn't interfere with important matters, looking at it would still cause some annoyance.
Finding herself unable to break free from Xie Qi's grasp, Shen Yuanzhu turned and gave him a sweet smile.
"Still hot?"
Shen Yuanzhu nodded, and Xie Qi loosened his grip on her hand and gently waved his fan again.
Although Xie Qi occasionally annoyed her, he was at least obedient and not unbearable.
Shen Yuanzhu thought for a moment, then beckoned to her maid to bring Xie Qi a bowl of soup to cool him down.
"It's hot, my husband, have a bowl of cooling soup to cool down."
Osmanthus blossoms and mung beans floated in a pristine white porcelain bowl. The mung beans, simmered for a long time, had turned into a fine bean paste. Xie Qi looked down at it, and even before taking a sip, he felt a refreshing coolness seep into his heart and soul, instantly dispelling most of his worries and irritability.
He lowered his eyes, turned around, and secretly rubbed his ear.
Seeing that he had finally calmed down and was quietly sipping the cooling soup, Shen Yuanzhu sighed softly.
Although it's a bit annoying, she's easy to coax, so she won't really lose patience and become annoyed.
Shen Yuanzhu raised her head, her gaze meeting Xie Xuchuan's complex expression.
Seeing her meet Xie Xuchuan's gaze, Jiang Wansu hurriedly placed her hand on Xie Xuchuan's arm. Just as Xie Xuchuan was about to push it away, Jiang Wansu said, "Grandmother and Mother are here."
Behind the screen, Hua Nanzhi helped Xie San Niang out.
"Let's serve the food. We're all family, so let's skip the formalities."
Xie San Niang waved her hand, glanced at Xie Qi, and then slowly sat down.
Xie Qi ignored her and was busy helping Shen Yuanzhu serve the food.
He had never been so attentive at Qianxiang Courtyard, but seeing Xie Xuchuan glancing at him one moment and then looking at Chen Yuanzhu the next, Xie Qi felt a fire burning inside him, making his stomach churn.
"My husband."
"What's wrong?"
Shen Yuanzhu pointed to the pan-fried river crucian carp in front of her and said with a smile, "It has bones."
Seeing Xie Qi obediently bring the small dish to her and carefully pick out the fish bones, Shen Yuanzhu nodded in satisfaction.
It seems she has found a way to trigger Xie Qi's illness.
To express her feelings, Shen Yuanzhu scooped a spoonful of lotus seed tofu and placed it on the small plate in front of him.
The end of the white porcelain spoon still carried the warmth of his body. Xie Qi held it, and inexplicably felt a surge of joy.
“Yuanzhu…” Xie Qi said, “It’s delicious.”
He never knew that lotus seed pod tofu could be so fresh and sweet.
If you like it, eat more.
Seeing that Xie Qi had calmed down and stopped bustling around, Shen Yuanzhu began to eat in peace.
Before she got married, although there was a skilled cook in the courtyard, she had never eaten so many dishes.
Ye Yunyi prided herself on being frugal and often skimped on food for everyone in the Shen family. Only when Shen Yanhuai was home would he go to great lengths to have the main kitchen prepare something better, much to the dismay of her love of food.
The Xie family was not unaware of the undercurrents among the four younger members, but no one dared to speak out about it.
After everyone had finished eating, Xie Sanniang said, "Xie Qi, you, your father, and Xu Chuan will go to Eunuch Yuan's private banquet."
Xie Qi picked up a soft towel placed to the side, carefully wiped his fingers clean, and then slowly said, "Okay."
Seemingly surprised that he agreed so readily, Xie San Niang frowned, and Hua Nan Zhi also looked at him.
"Why are you all looking at me? Does Grandmother think that I don't want to bring Father and Brother along?"
Xie Qi smiled faintly: "Grandmother is overthinking it. I am very much looking forward to traveling with my father and brothers."
Forced to swallow her reproaches, Xie San Niang's face darkened: "That's good then."
Upon hearing this, Xie Qi's face revealed a subtle hint of mockery and amusement.
Seeing this, Xie Jingyuan secretly shook his head.
"Mother, I feel this is inappropriate."
Xie Boyu asked, "What's wrong with it?"
Xie Jingyuan said, "I know you are anxious, but it is in a hurry that you are most likely to make mistakes."
Standing up, Xie Jingyuan patted Xie Qi on the shoulder in a comforting manner. He walked to Xie Sanniang's side and said with a smile, "Mother, since Eunuch Yuan did not send an invitation to the Xie family, he must have his reasons."
"I know that Mother is afraid that if she does not attend this appointment, the members of the Chamber of Commerce will change their tune and ostracize the Xie family."
"But it's better to be ridiculed by everyone than to offend Eunuch Yuan."
Yuan Xu clearly didn't want to see the Xie family. Whatever the reason, there was no need to risk offending them.
Xie Jingyuan hesitated for a moment, but still walked to Xie San Niang's side and whispered to comfort her: "I know that Mother does not like Xie Qi, but in the eyes of outsiders, he will always represent the Xie family."
"Since someone from the Xie family is attending, it doesn't matter who it is."
Over the years, my mother has done quite a few outrageous things because she dislikes Xie Qi, but this time is different.
The newly appointed Admiral of the Textile Bureau will certainly personally promote several people close to him to positions of power in order to balance the interests of the major players in the Chamber of Commerce.
Therefore, even if it is Xie Qi who is supported, it is much better than giving this opportunity away.
If the mother hadn't gotten sick, she would have been able to understand this.
But now...
Looking at Xie San Niang's sallow complexion, Xie Jingyuan felt a pang of sorrow.
His eldest brother's abilities were insufficient to support the family. As for his second brother, it was already a miracle that the Xie family hadn't squandered everything.
Originally, his mother favored Xie Xuchuan, but he lost the Shen family's dyeing genealogy and support, and even married a Jiang family girl who no longer had Jiang You as her backer...
It was mostly because her mother feared that her days were numbered, so she hurriedly arranged everything, wanting the eldest branch of the Xie family to show their face to Yuanxu as soon as possible, so that they could bring glory to the family in the future.
It's just a pity...
The one who caught Yuan Xu's eye was Xie Qi, whom she disliked the most.
Xie Jingyuan didn't understand why his mother hated Xie Qi so much.
After thinking for a moment, Xie Jingyuan said, "Mother, no matter what, Xie Qi is still a member of the Xie family..."
Before he said that, Xie San Niang's complexion was still relatively good. But after he said that, all the color drained from Xie San Niang's face, and even Hua Nan Zhi frowned, looking at Xie Jing Yuan with a strange expression.
Only Xie Chengzhi winked at Zheng Shu, acting as if it were none of his business and he was just watching the show.
The room instantly turned cold. Xie Jingyuan touched his nose, momentarily wondering what he had said wrong.
The only one unaffected was Xie Qi. After observing everyone's expressions, he lazily said, "Third Uncle is right. Since Father and Brother are not available, how about Mother comes with me?"
Upon hearing this, the Xie family was all taken aback.
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