That's right, Dongqin was a Baiyue person. He was intelligent from a young age, could remember what he read, and was knowledgeable in both ancient and modern times. If his parents hadn't died early, he could have easily become the top scholar in the imperial examination.
Unfortunately, his parents died early, and even without outsiders to bully him, his own clansmen, like wolves, seized all his family's wealth. First, they sold his sister, and then they imprisoned him.
He seized an opportunity and escaped.
Having no other choice, they sought refuge with bandits.
Until he met Consort Xi, who gave him a clear path.
During the peony festival, Xie Zhaozhao and her grandmother went to visit Consort Xi, where Consort Xi mentioned Dongqin.
He patted her hand and said, "Zhaozhao, this person is very smart and loyal. Think about how to use him."
Xie Zhaozhao tested his abilities, and his wisdom and cunning were just like those of a commoner, Grand Secretary Gu.
She must give important positions to anyone who can manipulate Gu Shaoyu and escape unscathed.
She wanted to give him more than just money; she also wanted to help him take back his home.
"I'll give you Yunhe. Use the Xie family's visiting card to pay respects to the governor of Baiyue and get everything you want done. Yuanyuan will contact you after a while."
She had given him no less than ten thousand taels of silver during this period. Yunhe was one of the top experts in the Xie family, which was enough to help him take back his home.
After arranging for Dong Qin to leave the capital, Ying'er came to find her: "Miss, the old lady of the Marquis's mansion has arrived. She wants you to come over."
When Xie Zhaozhao arrived at Wutong Garden, she saw that Old Madam Hou, Madam Hou, Madam Xu, and Xie Xiangxiang were all there.
She greeted everyone and stood obediently to one side.
Grandmother's face darkened, and she said indifferently, "The Marquis's mansion wants to move the wedding date to June 26th. Have you prepared your wedding dresses yet?"
Originally, the betrothal ceremony was scheduled for two months later, on the ninth day of the seventh lunar month, to symbolize a long and lasting relationship.
Now they've brought it up almost ten days earlier. What are they trying to do?
Xie Xiangxiang was happy but also a little shy. She replied, "Grandmother, I have everything ready."
Madam Xu didn't speak. As her stepmother, she had to treat everyone equally. In fact, she hadn't inquired about the preparations for Xie Zhaozhao's wedding dress.
Xie Zhaozhao replied obediently, "Granddaughter is almost ready."
This answer is very skillful. It means that the person is preparing seriously, but is not desperate to get married or eager to leave the house.
Madam Xie was very satisfied, but she was somewhat unhappy that the Hou family was in such a hurry to complete the marriage. She said to Madam Hou, "We originally agreed on two months when we were exchanging betrothal gifts, which was already very urgent. If we bring it forward, it won't sound good to others."
It's not like Xie's daughters can't get married. If it weren't for repaying a debt of gratitude, she wouldn't be willing to marry her granddaughter to the Marquis of Pingyang's family.
She had already married down, yet the Marquis's mansion still caused trouble time and time again.
Madam Hou said helplessly, "My dear in-laws, I'm so sorry, my health is deteriorating day by day. I'm afraid something might happen to me, and then both of our children will have to observe mourning. If we wait a few more years, I'm afraid it will delay their lives."
Xie Zhaozhao looked at the old lady and realized that she was indeed completely different from the woman she had been on the day of the marriage proposal.
Not only was his hair whiter, but his face also bore the marks of hardship and death.
Tu's expression was indescribable. In her previous life, she was well-nourished and beautiful, thanks to Xie Zhaozhao's dowry.
Now, she has high cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and a fawning, eager look in her eyes.
Xie Zhaozhao looked away and stood silently without saying anything.
The old lady of the Marquis's mansion came from a family of scholars who had passed the imperial examinations. The old Marquis was just a peasant from the countryside. Later, he joined the army, fought very bravely, and made many outstanding achievements in the army. He was later promoted to general and ennobled. He married the old lady and had three sons. The couple lived a harmonious life together.
Tu came from a better family, a family of scholars who had passed the imperial examinations, but she was sent to a poor county in Ouyang. Compared with the ladies of high society in the capital, her knowledge always seemed petty.
In her previous life, Madam Tu was fully aware of Guan Yingying's existence. Perhaps out of inferiority, she harbored a strange resentment towards the Xie family.
While enjoying the Xie family's food and resources, she also harbored deep resentment towards the Xie family and, together with Gu Jiaojiao, suppressed Xie Zhaozhao, seeking a pitiful sense of existence.
The old lady must have known about Guan Yingying's existence, but instead of punishing her, she and Madam Tu adopted both children to Xie Zhaozhao.
At that time, Xie Zhaozhao thought that the two women were being particularly kind to the two children because they felt sorry for her.
Little did they know that the other party already knew that the child was a direct descendant of the Marquis's family!
The two matriarchs of the Marquis's mansion joined forces to devour every last bit of her.
If she had any compassion in this life, she would have truly lived in vain.
You look unwell; perhaps the compensation from the ice shop has taken a toll on you?
Serves you right!
Thinking of this, she pretended to be a quail, saying nothing and obediently listening with her head down.
Xie Xiangxiang was very excited and obediently said, "It doesn't matter if it's a day earlier or later, I will follow the elder's advice."
Madam Xie glanced at her twice, then looked away.
The old lady of the Marquis's mansion knows that Miss Xie the Second agrees, but Miss Xie the Eldest is probably not so willing.
“Miss, once you marry into the family, live a harmonious and happy life with the third son. I am old and will not interfere with you young people. You don’t need to do the morning and evening greetings every day. I will call you if you need anything.”
He even promised his grandmother that he would waking up at dawn and dusk, which shows he was really in a hurry.
Madam Xie was in a dilemma. If she disagreed, she was afraid that her granddaughter would suffer and be mistreated if she went there. If she agreed, she felt that there must be something going on behind the scenes with such a rush.
So she politely said, "Please wait a couple of days, my son and daughter-in-law and I will discuss it further. If we want to move it forward, we will definitely inform the Imperial Concubine."
Madam Hou paused for a moment. "Yes, the Xie family still has a Noble Consort in the palace. We need to discuss this."
After the old lady of the Marquis's mansion and Madam Tu left, Old Madam Xie frowned and said, "What exactly does this mean? The ninth day of the seventh month and the twenty-sixth day of the sixth month are only about ten days apart. How can she be so sure that she is going? Why is she in such a hurry?"
Xie Xiangxiang said understandingly, "I think the old lady does not look well, and even the Lady Hou's face looks very haggard. I'm afraid she is tired from taking care of the sick."
"Wouldn't that mean you'd be forced to marry her off to bring her good luck? And then you'd have to take care of her when she's sick? Why would my perfectly healthy granddaughter end up taking care of someone else's illness as soon as she gets there?"
Madam Xu also felt that it was too hasty and said, "Let's ask the master later?"
Madam Xie told them to go back first, leaving Xie Zhaozhao alone.
Grandmother frowned and asked, "Zhaozhao, you are the most intelligent. What do you think they want to do so so eagerly?"
Xie Zhaozhao naturally couldn't say that it was because Gu Chengyan had been badly wronged by her, and the Marquis's mansion was in turmoil, fearing that the Xie family would break off the engagement.
It's possible that Madam Tu was even thinking of using their dowries to cover up the Hou family's financial difficulties.
"I don't know the exact reason, but looking at the old lady and the lady of the Marquis's house, although they look haggard, they don't seem to be sick, but rather anxious. I guess something big must have happened in the Marquis's mansion!"
Madam Xie was startled. Did the Marquis's mansion intend to tie up her granddaughter and make the Xie family clean up their mess?
Xie Zhaozhao cleverly suggested, "Let's call Grand Secretary Gu over and ask him for my opinion!"
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