Is he settling in well?
Empress Dowager Ashina's words were veiled in barbs: "Although they belong to different families, they are still blood-related siblings."
“You are the eldest sister, and since both your parents have passed away, you are like a mother to your younger brother and it is only right that you take care of him.”
Empress Dowager Ashina, much like a caring mother-in-law, spoke softly and gently, "Now that you've returned to the capital, have you brought your younger brother back with you?"
As she spoke, she pretended to look around, "Where is everyone? Why aren't they coming to greet us?"
"I've prepared a gift for the children, so if the young master of the Xie family doesn't come, he'll be missing out!"
She said this in a joking tone, as if they were a family, chatting and laughing.
But it just gives people a feeling of discomfort.
Empress Dowager Ashina practically pointed her finger at Xie Yuan, accusing her of being a "brother-supporting demon" who used her husband's family's money to subsidize her own family.
Of course, Empress Dowager Ashina was the most honored woman in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and it was impossible for her to be so petty and calculating.
To be honest, Empress Dowager Ashina was not short of money, nor would she care about such trivial matters.
Her intention in saying this was not to mock Xie Yuan as a "brother-supporting demon".
She dug a pit, hoping Xie Yuan would fall into it.
Xie Yuan suppressed his displeasure, sat up straight, and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My younger brother did not accompany me into the palace."
"Although I am the eldest sister, it is my duty to take care of my younger brother."
"However, besides being a daughter of the Xie family, I am also the mistress of the Helian clan."
"Xie Zhen is already seven years old this year. Seven-year-olds are not allowed to sit together, and he is also an outsider. Without the Emperor's decree, he cannot easily enter the palace."
This is the royal palace!
It's not the Prince of Yue's residence!
Of course, Helian Jue wouldn't hold Xie Zhen accountable.
To Helian Jue, Xie Zhen was not only his brother-in-law, but also the chubby boy who followed them into exile in Lingnan.
Before the four little ones were born, Xie Zhen was like Helian Jue and Xie Yuan's "child".
Helian Jue once taught Xie Zhen to write by hand and also carried him on his shoulders to play.
Sometimes, when handling government affairs in the outer study, Helian Jue would hold Xie Zhen on his lap, allowing him to learn by osmosis.
In Helian Jue's heart, Xie Zhen was almost the same as his son.
Yesterday, Helian Jue secretly slipped out of the capital and came to see Xie Yuan. He even played around with Xie Zhen and made a promise to give him a foal after returning to the palace.
In Helian Jue's subconscious, Xie Zhen was his little fat boy, his family.
Perhaps they are not as close as the four little ones, but they are still family members second only to the four little ones.
To put it bluntly, Helian Jue probably valued Xie Zhen even more than Empress Dowager Ashina!
Now that the whole family has returned to the capital and entered the palace, Xie Zhen, that little fat boy, can't be left behind!
This is the feeling.
However, this does not comply with the rules.
Xie Yuan was perfectly lucid.
Helian Jue could disregard etiquette and palace rules, and continue to raise his brother-in-law as his own son.
Xie Yuan couldn't help but care!
When a couple's love is strong, everything is wonderful.
However, if the couple falls out in the future, this matter will become a ready-made handle against them.
Therefore, Xie Yuan was well prepared when he entered the palace.
She just didn't expect that her preparations would not take effect for several or even more than a decade; they would have a tremendous impact in less than a day.
She raised her head and looked at Empress Dowager Ashina with a serious expression, "Although the Xie family has lost its parents and elders, it still needs some private property!"
"I am the eldest sister, and I have been managing things on her behalf for the past few years!"
“Now that I have entered the palace, Xie Zhen is no longer a three-year-old child. He should naturally return to the Xie family.”
Empress Dowager Ashina's smile froze.
She never expected Xie Yuan to give such a reply.
Did this woman think of this in advance and make arrangements beforehand, or was it just a fluke?
If it's the former, then the Xie family is truly terrifying.
When people are successful, they tend to get carried away and make mistakes.
Xie Yuanke was in charge of the Yue Prince's Mansion for three or four years, and even rose to become the Empress.
Accustomed to being in charge, she suddenly found herself holding the reins of power in the palace, yet she showed no signs of slackening.
Seven years old and cannot sit together!
No man is allowed to enter the palace!
The Empress Dowager Ashina was astonished by the meticulousness of his plan.
Even Empress Dowager Xiao couldn't help but raise her head and stare intently at Xie Yuan.
Knowing Xie Yuan's prowess, it's truly remarkable that he could remain rational and clear-headed in the face of such a significant change in his life!
"Helian Jue has few family ties, but he is quite fortunate in terms of marriage."
Empress Dowager Xiao sighed inwardly.
As the saying goes, it's not bad people that's scary, it's stupid people.
Xie Yuan was clear-headed and intelligent enough, and with Helian Jue's high regard for her, she was able to remain invincible in the harem.
"...That's enough! The Ashina clan is no match for the Xie clan!"
Empress Dowager Xiao lowered her head again and continued to fiddle with the prayer beads.
"Pfft!"
Princess Yongchang, kneeling on the other side, was amused by the Empress Dowager Ashina's stiff smile.
She was always arrogant and spoiled, and she never restrained herself in front of her younger brother and sister-in-law, Empress Dowager Ashina.
Moreover, Princess Yongchang had her own agenda. Instead of currying favor with Helian Jue, she tried to curry favor with Xie Yuan.
Before Xie Yuan even arrived in the capital, Yongchang had his daughter Nanling send a message to Xie Yuan through Helian Chen.
In the letter, Yongchang had already provided a detailed account of the character, temperament, and lifestyle of Empress Dowager Ashina and Empress Dowager Xiao.
Yongchang also reminded Xie Yuan that Empress Dowager Ashina had never given up on the idea of having Helian Jue marry a Turkic princess.
No matter how charitable she pretended to be on the surface, she harbored the greatest malice towards Xie Yuan and his mother.
At this moment, seeing that Empress Dowager Ashina had just met Xie Yuan and was trying to set a trap for her, attempting to find fault with her for breaking the rules, but instead being rendered speechless by Xie Yuan, Yongchang could no longer hold back and burst out laughing.
Yongchang wasn't just laughing at Empress Dowager Ashina; he was also "forming a side."
She wanted to tell Xie Yuan: Empress, you and I are in cahoots.
Xie Yuan: ...
There is no such thing as goodwill without a reason.
I fear that this renowned Grand Princess may also have other plans.
But it doesn't matter!
As the saying goes: When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it!
"Your Majesty, are you unhappy because you couldn't send your greeting gift?"
Yongchang continued to pressure Empress Dowager Ashina.
Empress Dowager Ashina clenched her fist tightly; she knew her sister-in-law Yongchang all too well.
He was arrogant and had a bad temper; he even dared to throw a tantrum in front of the late emperor.
Moreover, she was the eldest sister, and with the powerful Empress Dowager behind her, even the Empress Dowager Ashina dared not argue with her too much.
She chuckled awkwardly twice. "Yes! I've even prepared a gift for our first meeting. Your Majesty, you're being too formal. We're all family; why bother with these empty formalities?"
Empress Dowager Ashina casually complained a couple of times, thus glossing over the topic.
Then, to ease her embarrassment, she quickly ordered, "It's getting late, serve the meal."
When she mentioned "serving the meal," a dark glint flashed in her eyes.
Xie Yuan: ...Again?
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