Xie Jin is twelve years old now. After following Madam Xie for half a year, he has become much more mature than before. When he saw Xie Zhaozhao, he respectfully bowed and said, "Happy New Year, elder sister."
Xie Zhaozhao smiled and nodded: "I heard that you have made progress in your studies. I have acquired a set of travelogues, which is a collection of travelogues of emperors since the Zhou Dynasty. I will give them to you later."
This is a newly printed and published set of books. As soon as it was released on the market, it was snapped up immediately and became a best-selling book.
Upon hearing this, Xie Jin said excitedly, "Thank you, elder sister."
Seeing him skip and hop out, Madam Xie sneered and said, "Does Madam Xu think that Xie Tingting can control the Xie family just because she became the Crown Prince's concubine?"
Xie Zhaozhao smiled faintly and said, "Grandmother, His Majesty told me a few days ago that the Imperial City Guard discovered that the relationship between my stepmother and the Empress is quite unusual."
Madam Xie's expression changed instantly, and her hand holding the prayer beads paused: "Does His Majesty really say that?"
Xie Zhaozhao nodded earnestly: "His Majesty said that although it was not many times, he had summoned her alone several times over the years."
Madam Xie was no ordinary old lady; she naturally understood the weight of those words.
"Zhaozhao, why is His Majesty telling you such a thing?"
“When I went to visit my aunt, the Empress summoned me to speak with her, saying that she had a very close relationship with my mother. That’s when His Majesty said those words.”
Madam Xie held her Buddhist prayer beads and said, "His Majesty is right. Your mother (Xu Zhiyan) and the Empress are not close."
Xie Zhaozhao lowered her eyelashes and said nothing more.
She knew that with just one sentence, her stepmother, Madam Xu, would become an outcast in the Xie family.
The mistress of the Xie family was actually Empress Wei's confidante. How could the Xie family possibly tolerate her any longer?
In her past life, her stepmother was able to steal that letter and give it to Gu Chengyan. In this life, even though she has already told her brother, it is hard to guarantee that her stepmother will do something else.
The best solution is for this person to disappear from the Xie residence.
Either die or be expelled from the manor.
Madam Xie said, "Their affairs are not worth worrying about, but there is something else I want to tell you."
Madam Xie was referring to the marriage alliance with Prince Jing's mansion.
“Yesterday was the first day of the Lunar New Year. Princess Kang came to the manor to pay her respects. She said that Princess Changping is turning seventeen this year, and the princess has taken a liking to your brother. She mentioned it to me, saying that the two are four years apart and their zodiac signs are very compatible. Princess Changping is known for her competence, and her age is also suitable. What do you think?”
Xie Zhaozhao said happily, "Grandmother, to tell you the truth, I had this idea when I went to Huguo Temple to offer incense before the New Year. However, I was thinking of Miss Liu Si at the time, after all, Grand Secretary Liu is a man of integrity and his family has a good tradition. But I changed my mind that day. For a mansion like ours, a capable mistress is more likely to bring prosperity to the family."
Madam Xie said that she shared the same opinion and had discussed it with Xie Anfeng. They felt that it was excellent that the Prince Jing's Mansion had taken the initiative to propose a marriage alliance.
"But when I brought it up with your aunt, she wasn't very agreeable."
Madam Xie said with some regret, "Consort Xi said that our marriage alliance with Prince Jing's family would arouse suspicion from above."
For the sake of stability, the Xie family has been careful in choosing marriage partners for Xie Yu and Xie Zhaozhao over the years. If the match is too good, they fear that the higher-ups will be wary; if the match is too bad, they feel that it would be unfair to the children.
“Grandmother, if Liu Yiyi or Zhang Yanyan were to marry my brother, it would indeed arouse His Majesty’s suspicion. But Princess Changping is a member of the royal family, and her grandfather, Prince Jing, is His Majesty’s uncle and is most loyal to His Majesty.”
Xie Zhaozhao whispered, "Grandmother, as long as the Wei family gains power and the Crown Prince ascends the throne, it doesn't matter who we marry, the consequences will be the same..."
In her previous life, Xu stole the letter and gave it to Xie Xiangxiang. Xie Xiangxiang then gave the letter to Gu Chengyan, who in turn gave it to the Crown Prince (Emperor Xiao). The first family to be exterminated was none other than the Prince Jing's family, followed by the Xie family and the Liu family.
Xie Xiangxiang, that short-lived woman who fought fiercely with her concubine, simply didn't witness any of this.
Madam Xie dismissed everyone around her and exchanged opinions with Xie Zhaozhao in a low voice.
Xie Zhaozhao came to the mansion as a guest today. In addition to preparing the best feast, the Xie family also invited all the brothers from the clan to drink with her, according to custom.
Uncle Xie was a slippery fellow, how could he be absent from such an occasion?
He could take down the whole group of young men carrying the gift boxes from the Gu family all by himself.
The luncheon was in full swing when Ying'er suddenly came to report: "Madam, Aunt Jingge, who serves the Empress, has arrived."
Madam Xie calmly took the hot towel and wiped her hands, saying, "I'll go take a look."
She told Xie Zhaozhao to continue eating, and that she would be right back.
Madam Xie sneered. Some people are just asking for trouble; there's no stopping them.
She warmly greeted Xie Zhaozhao, saying, "Miss, please eat it while it's hot. It will upset your stomach if you eat it cold."
The old lady went to the outer courtyard and invited Jingge to the flower hall, asking her to sit down. Madam Xu and Xie Tingting also followed her in.
"Aunt Jingge, what imperial decree does Her Majesty the Empress have?"
"Madam, there is no imperial decree," Jin Ge said politely. "Her Majesty the Empress heard that Miss Xie the Second was not allowed to enter, and Miss Xie the Third was saddened, so she specially sent me to come and see. Young people always make mistakes. Please forgive Miss Xie the Second for the sake of the Second, Madam!"
"It's a small matter in the manor, and I'm sorry to have troubled Your Majesty. I feel uneasy about it." Old Madam Xie sighed and said, "There has never been any discrimination in the manor. Not to mention suppressing the legitimate sons and daughters, there has never been any suppression of the illegitimate sons and daughters. Although the fingers are not all the same length, they are all connected to the heart. Which one doesn't feel pain? Which one doesn't love?"
"Yes, they are all her own granddaughters. Madam, you see, if the second young lady is not allowed to enter the house on the day of the wedding, how will she face the Pingyang Marquis's residence? Madam is compassionate. Even if there were some disagreements in the past, how can mother and daughter hold grudges overnight?"
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