Chapter 201 Beauty and Power
Although it was indeed as Xie Wanniang said, this was something that had nothing to do with them, Haitang still didn't want it to upset her.
She pointed to the box containing the beautiful jewelry and fabrics, subtly changing the subject, "When we get back, Miss, why don't you make yourself some pretty dresses? With the jewelry the Lady Hou gave you, you'll definitely look even more beautiful than you do now."
Xie Wanniang smiled and said, "Let's wait until the New Year. I'll make two new outfits for you, me, A Yuan, and Xiao Yang during the New Year."
As for the others, once the materials are distributed to them, they will naturally take the initiative to make new clothes.
Haitang was a little embarrassed. "How about I ask Xiaomei to help me?"
Xie Wanniang smiled and shook her head. "I've been making clothes for you for so many years, what are you going to do now that you're embarrassed?"
Haitang thought about it and realized it made sense, so she became even more embarrassed.
Xie Wanniang patted her head and said, "You have your strengths too. For me, your martial arts skills are better than your needlework skills."
Thinking of Xie Wan Niang's biological father and his family, Hai Tang's eyes widened instantly. She clenched her fists and said, "Don't worry, Miss. This time, even if I have to risk my life, I will never let anyone have the chance to hurt you again."
Xie Wanniang shook her head, "No, you can't risk your life. You have to live, to live the rest of your life protecting me and staying with me."
She wouldn't do a deal where a bunch of scoundrels would seduce her Xiao Haitang; it would be a losing proposition.
Haitang was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and nodded vigorously, "Okay, I will spend my whole life accompanying and protecting you, Miss."
While the young woman, who had already made up her mind to marry the older man as his second wife, sat alone by the window, gazing blankly into the distance.
Unlike Xie Wanniang, she didn't dislike her future marriage partner.
In fact, she only told Xie Wanniang the name of the man she had decided to marry, without mentioning that he was much older than her and had several concubines and a large number of children.
However, the man she married was far too famous. As soon as Xie Wanniang saw the name and the address the girl had left her, she immediately realized that this playboy who had come out to play under the guise of an imperial inspector and who had even tried to take advantage of a young woman was none other than the famous emperor's uncle she knew.
Strictly speaking, this person was actually quite distantly related to the emperor by blood.
How far away?
Even back when he was the emperor's uncle, his son was already beyond the fifth degree of kinship with the emperor.
However, this person received far more imperial favor than many others who were more closely related to the emperor by blood.
Why? Because he had saved the emperor, empress, and crown prince from danger on several occasions.
He was born into a noble family, though only a collateral branch. However, he was highly regarded by his elders because of his exceptional talent in martial arts and his passion for it since childhood. He had been diligently practicing for more than ten years.
But when he was sixteen, he began his rebellious life.
The once obedient and exemplary student left a letter and departed gracefully on the day of his eighteenth birthday.
In the past, there were young members of the Yuan clan who did this, but when they left letters and went to the border, nine out of ten of them went there. The few exceptions were mostly there to resist marriages arranged by their elders.
Unlike this one, who actually left a note saying he was going to venture out into the world.
Is it reasonable for a noble son to become a wandering knight-errant?
The elders in the family were furious and wished they could drag him back immediately and give him a beating from his grandfather, uncles, parents and other relatives. However, the timing of his departure was perfect. Not long after he left home, the world descended into complete chaos.
His family stopped looking for him, but he returned on his own a few years later.
They initially thought he was a group of elders who had returned home seeking refuge because they couldn't make a living. However, upon meeting him, they belatedly realized that he hadn't returned alone. He had also brought back a large and well-equipped righteous army for the late emperor, who was now the current emperor and had been posthumously honored as king, and whose father had died in battle.
From then on, he became a beloved general under the late emperor and fought alongside the emperor and crown prince for many years. As a result, he had many opportunities to risk his life to protect the emperor, empress, and crown prince when they were in danger.
His wife died in childbirth while he was away fighting, and he did not have time to see her one last time.
Therefore, he not only observed three years of mourning for his first wife, but also repeatedly prevented his elders from remarrying in order to ensure the family status and personal safety of his legitimate children.
As for his mother, his first wife, and the several concubines he had taken in over the years, as well as their illegitimate children, he didn't particularly favor them, but he never mistreated them either.
In his own words, his only requirement for them was to behave themselves and not covet what did not belong to them.
Of course, he didn't shortchange them on anything they were entitled to.
He therefore considered himself a good husband and a good father, unaware of how many women secretly spit on him because of his shamelessness.
Of course, this is not the fundamental reason for his fame.
This man is famous both in and out of the government because he always comes up with sudden whims and does some outrageous things.
For example, because he did not want to take up a fief, he resolutely refused to be granted the title of Prince of the Commandery, preferring instead to be demoted to the rank of Duke of the State.
For example, because he didn't want to continue training soldiers and fighting, he pretended to be sick at home without really putting in the effort, until the emperor took away all his real power, allowing him to get what he wanted: just a salary and no longer be treated like a beast of burden, so he could sleep in until he naturally woke up every day.
For example, recently he suddenly felt that there was nothing good about staying in the capital, so he obtained an imperial edict and left the capital under the title of an inspector.
Well, that's not really a big deal. What's really significant is that this person left the capital in the freezing cold, not heading to the warmer Jiangnan region, but instead braving the wind and snow to come to a northern border town known for its harsh climate.
It's really a fascinating thought process.
This is the kind of thing he has been doing since he was helping the late emperor conquer the world, which is why he is famous in all the places where he has been active.
Not only court officials, but even some ordinary people who had dealings with him could tell him some outrageous stories about him.
Now, he's actually acting like an old man, taking a fancy to a pretty 15 or 16-year-old girl. Xie Wanniang thinks that his outrageous legends will probably be added to the list soon.
Of course, Xie Wanniang felt sorry and disdainful, but she wouldn't suspect that he had used his power to coerce the young girl just because he was an old man dating a young woman.
Although this person has an exceptionally peculiar way of thinking, he has always maintained a very upright character. Whether he was a nobleman's son in the past or a member of the royal family now, he has never done anything out of line because of his status and power.
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