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As soon as Xie Sili finished speaking, he was embraced by Xie Jingyan and Xie Jingche.
The two of them remained buried in Xie Sili's arms for a long time without getting up.
Seeing this, Xie Sili raised her hand and stroked their heads gently, asking softly, "What's wrong?"
“Although we have never met our mother, to us, Aunt is our mother.” Xie Jingche looked up at her, his eyes full of sincere emotion.
“We grew up under our aunt’s care since we were little. Our aunt is like a mother to us.” Xie Jingyan said, hugging her arm and rubbing against her.
“Although we can’t protect Auntie right now, I believe we will be able to one day,” Xie Jingche said, taking her wrist in his hand.
"Auntie, we're still young, so can you wait for us?" Xie Jingyan looked up at her, staring at her without blinking.
Xie Sili listened to their words and raised her hand to stroke their heads.
Suddenly, she recalled the image of her sister-in-law giving birth to her child and learning of her husband's death.
She gritted her teeth and gave birth to the twins with red eyes, but ultimately died from postpartum hemorrhage.
On her deathbed, entrusting her children to her sister-in-law, she held her hand and gave her countless instructions, hoping only that the two children would grow up well and live peacefully.
Thinking of this, she closed her eyes and patted the two children's heads again.
Luo Mei looked at Xie Jingyan and Xie Jingche in Xie Sili's arms.
The two looked up at Xie Sili, who was resting with her eyes closed, placed a kiss on her face, and then followed Luo Mei out of the room.
Xie Sili watched them leave hand in hand, her smile deepening.
"Is the young lady planning to settle down in the Prime Minister's residence?"
Hearing the voice coming from inside, Xie Sili squinted. "Si Garden is not yet fully renovated. If I don't stay in the Prime Minister's residence, where else can I go?"
"How is the academy?" the voice rang out again.
"The affairs of the Prime Minister's residence are not yet settled, there's no rush." Xie Sili casually flipped through the "Guiguzi" that he had not yet finished reading.
"The appearance of the young master and young lady angered Xie Zhun and Madam Huang. Even with His Highness Prince Yan's guarantee, who knows if they will use other means to deal with the young lady."
"It's alright." Xie Sili glanced at the figure hidden in the shadows. "Whether it's the Prime Minister or Madam Huang, since we're here, let's make the best of it."
The quiet sound of turning pages inside the room contrasted sharply with the cheerful laughter outside.
"Young master and young lady came to Chang'an this time to accompany you, miss," Luo Mei said, a smile appearing on her face as she looked at the two of them.
"Sister Luomei, how is Auntie?" Xie Jingyan tugged at Luomei's sleeve.
"I see that Auntie's health has deteriorated a lot compared to before." Xie Jingche's voice was filled with worry. "Sister Luomei, Auntie..."
“The girl is in good health, you don’t need to worry.” Luo Mei patted their heads reassuringly. “She has always been like this.”
"Oh, right, Mr. Zhuge asked me to bring a letter of recommendation, saying that he wants me to enroll in the academy in Chang'an." Xie Jingche said, taking out the letter of recommendation from his wide sleeve. "Mr. Zhuge said that my sister and I can both enroll."
Luo Mei looked at the things in Xie Jingche's hands and told him to put them back, "Wait a moment, you can give them directly to the young lady."
Xie Jingche nodded, then asked uncertainly, "Sister Luomei, will Aunt really marry His Highness Prince Yan?"
Luo Mei listened to his words, looked out the window, and reached out to rub his head.
On the other side, Huang and Xie learned from Doctor Du that Xie Sili was nearing the end of his life.
The best course of action now is to let her live one day at a time, otherwise we might not even know when she will pass away, so as to avoid regretting it for the rest of her life.
Sadness and grief were impossible for Xie Chun and Huang Shi. Their initial purpose in bringing Xie Sili back to the mansion was to marry her off to Jun Qiyu.
What makes them happy now is that Jun Qiyu cares about Xie Sili, but what makes them sad is that they don't know if Xie Sili will be able to wait until the day she is married by Jun Qiyu.
"Master, what should we do?" Madam Huang looked at Xie Zhun with worry in her eyes. "Are we just supposed to watch Yao'er marry Prince Yan?"
As she spoke, her eyes reddened. "Master, how can our daughter marry such a man?" Her voice was hoarse as she looked at Xie Zhun with tears streaming down her face.
"Madam, don't be anxious." Xie Zhun said, embracing Madam Huang. "Since His Highness is so fond of the Third Prince, then let him marry her." He said with certainty, "His Highness is not determined to marry anyone but her."
Huang looked up at Xie Zhun, biting her lip, without saying a word.
“Madam, since His Highness has already confirmed this news, why don’t we make it even more intense?” Xie Zhun looked at Huang Shi’s calculating eyes. “In my opinion, His Highness’s feelings for the Third Prince are not just a whim.”
"Li Jie'er is truly a beauty of unparalleled grace. If she had been raised in Chang'an since childhood, there would have been no chance for Yao Jie'er." Madam Huang sighed softly. "It is her good fortune to be favored by His Highness. Otherwise, if Li Jie'er really had two children, she would never be able to marry again."
Huang deliberately brought up the matter of the two children, causing Xie Zhun to frown.
“Master, please don’t be angry. I think those children shouldn’t be Li’er’s children.” Madam Huang looked at Xie Chun and said softly, “Li’er is only twenty years old now, but those two children look over ten years old. Ten years ago, Li’er was only ten years old. How could she have children with someone else?” As she spoke, she patted Xie Chun’s back. “In my opinion, it should be the widower that Father found for her.”
The word "widower" reminded Xie Zhun of something Xie Sili had said before.
She was married off to bring good luck, and the widower later died.
In other words, apart from the problem of her impending death, Xie Sili is perfectly capable of marrying Jun Qiyu.
"According to Madam's words, what should we do now?" Xie Zhun asked Madam Huang in a low voice.
“Now that Sister Li knows our thoughts, let’s not hide them anymore. Let His Highness and Sister Li develop their relationship more…” Madam Huang said to Xie Chun.
Xie Zhun felt that Huang's words made sense, and after discussing some other matters with her, he left Qinse Residence with a satisfied expression.
After washing up, Madam Huang sat in front of the dressing mirror, looking at her indistinct reflection in the bronze mirror, and then turned her gaze to Bai Zhi. "Bai Zhi, what do you think of how the Second Young Master treats me?"
“The Second Young Master treats Madam like a mother, and he is deeply grateful to Madam for the previous incident of ‘cutting flesh to save his son.’ Even if Madam asked the Second Young Master to kill and set fires now, I think he would be willing.” Bai Zhi stepped forward with a respectful expression.
"Although Xie Sili is no longer a threat, wouldn't it be better if the brother and sister turned against each other?" Huang said with a smile in her eyes, but her words were sinister and vicious.
"The Second Young Master has been raised under my care all these years, and I have indeed achieved the desired results." Madam Huang's smile deepened. "It's just a pity that I haven't been able to kill him. For the sake of my son, I had to ruin his future."
"Madam, it's strange. You've given orders several times, but why is the Second Young Master still alive and well?" Bai Zhi whispered. "Could it be that the Second Young Master is truly blessed?"
“Fools are lucky.” Huang said with a sneer, “As long as he obediently serves me, it’s not a bad thing to keep him alive. I’ll just treat him as a dog I’ve raised.”
“What you say is true, Madam.” Bai Zhi picked up the comb beside her and began to comb Huang’s hair and apply makeup.
She looked at Madam Huang in the bronze mirror and raised her hand to draw her eyebrows. "Madam, I think that if you want the two siblings to turn against each other, now is the perfect opportunity."
Huang looked up at her and heard her voice.
"Madam, what do you think?" Bai Zhi asked cautiously.
After a long while, Huang's voice rang out, "Bai Wei, go and find the Second Young Master. Tell him I have some private things to say to him."
With the help of Bai Zhi, Huang Shi, looking haggard and with red eyes, leaned against the bed.
Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Madam Huang saw Xie Sinan arrive. Looking at his appearance, Madam Huang revealed a mocking smile where he couldn't see her.
How can someone who is obsessed with beautiful women and enjoys cockfighting and horse racing shoulder the responsibility for the future of the Prime Minister's residence?
Even if he was the legitimate son of the first wife, Madam Lu, so what? He was still trampled underfoot by her son and foolishly allowed to be manipulated by her.
What happened to Mother?
Looking at Xie Sinan's appearance, Madam Huang said in a very low voice, "Nan-ge'er, you know that Li-jie'er did not grow up under my care, and I did not know about her marriage. What do you think should be done if Yao-jie'er marries His Highness?"
"Does Mother mean that Xie Sili has a child?" Xie Sinan looked at Huang Shi with shock. "Marriage is a major event, and it is the parents' decision and the matchmaker's words. How could she do such a thing!" Without thinking too much, he stood on the same side as Huang Shi.
“Nan-ge’er, Yao-jie’er is my only daughter, and also your sister. As parents, we don’t want our daughters to marry such a playboy. You’ve watched Yao-jie’er grow up since she was little, so you must not want that either…” Huang Shi said, her eyes reddening, her voice choked with sobs, unable to speak.
"Mother, rest assured, I will definitely arrange for Xie Sili to marry His Highness the Prince of Yan. No one in the Prime Minister's residence is suitable to marry His Highness the Prince of Yan except for her." Xie Sinan looked at Madam Huang and said confidently, "Mother, leave this matter to me."
Before Huang could speak, Xie Sinan had already left, seemingly intending to die together with Xie Sili.
"After all, he was raised under Madam's care since childhood," Bai Zhi flattered. "With just a word from Madam, the Second Young Master understands what Madam is thinking."
Huang glanced at Bai Zhi and smiled without saying a word.
Her daughter could not possibly marry the Prince of Yan. Even though he was the only prince at the time, so what? To put it bluntly, he was someone abandoned by the current emperor, someone who frequented brothels and indulged in beauty. How could he possibly stir up any trouble?
"As long as Xie Sili can marry His Highness Prince Yan, no one will be able to stop my son's bright future." Madam Huang said, her eyes crinkling with laughter. "Yao'er will be blessed with wealth and honor, and Yu'er will become the sole heir of the Prime Minister's mansion. At that time, he will be able to trample the Lu family's children under his feet." Madam Huang then burst into laughter.
“What you say is true, Madam,” Bai Zhi flattered. “I heard that Madam Lu’s background is unknown. She was fortunate enough to be chosen by the master as his principal wife, but unfortunately, she was short-lived and had no fortune to enjoy the master’s successful career.”
Bai Zhi's flattery brought a satisfied smile to Huang's face.
Just as Madam Huang was about to speak, she heard Bai Wei's voice, "Madam, the Sixth Miss has arrived."
Bai Wei had barely finished speaking when Xie Siyao pushed open the door and walked in. With a hint of worry in her eyes, she sat down next to Madam Huang. "Mother, what's wrong?"
"Mother is alright." Madam Huang looked at Xie Siyao and raised her hand to stroke her cheek. "Who is it that is gossiping in front of you again? Watch her carefully."
“I met my second brother on my way here. He said you weren’t feeling well,” Xie Siyao said, nestling into Huang’s arms.
"It's all because of that wretched girl Xie Sili." Madam Huang's words were tinged with malice. "Two children suddenly appeared out of nowhere, causing His Highness Prince Yan to be displeased."
"Third sister's child?" Xie Siyao covered her mouth in surprise. "Third sister is only twenty years old, how could she have a child? Could it be that third sister is pregnant out of wedlock..." Xie Siyao didn't say the rest of the words, only her eyes showed a hint of surprise.
“Mother, Third Sister has lived in Yuzhou City with Grandparents since she was little. Maybe it was arranged by Grandfather.” Xie Siyao thought of this and then looked at Madam Huang. “Third Sister is so frail and weak…”
“You’re just too kind-hearted,” Madam Huang said, tapping Xie Siyao on the head. “Do you want to marry the Prince of Yan?” she asked Xie Siyao.
"Who in the world doesn't know that His Highness the Prince of Yan is a wastrel? Even though he holds the title of the only prince, everyone from high-ranking officials to commoners knows that he is an incompetent fool. Even the other three princes don't take him seriously. What kind of future do you think such a person will have?"
Madam Huang took Xie Siyao's hand and patted it, saying, "Yao'er, you are my heart and soul, how could I ever harm you?" As she spoke, she pulled Xie Siyao into her arms.
“Mother, I just feel that with my sister so ill, will His Highness the Prince of Yan really marry her?” Xie Siyao voiced her concerns. “Although His Highness the Prince of Yan is fond of my sister, but…” She didn’t finish her sentence, only looking at Madam Huang.
"Don't worry, with your second brother's help, Xie Sili will definitely marry His Highness the Prince of Yan." Madam Huang raised her hand and patted her head. "Don't be afraid, what belongs to you, no one can take away."
Xie Siyao gave Huang a bright smile.
Huang lowered her head, a dark glint flashing in her eyes.
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