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Xie Lin's voice choked and trembled: "You...!!!"
Qin Sang: "As you know, this matter is of great importance. Although your mother is only a concubine, she is still connected to the Prime Minister's mansion. If your maternal grandfather is truly guilty, the Prime Minister will definitely be implicated. Let me remind you, we all depend on the Prime Minister for our livelihood. If we discover any clues early, the adults can make preparations. Being stubborn now is nothing."
Xie Lin scoffed dismissively: "You don't need to ask about this. My mother probably doesn't care about my maternal grandfather's affairs and knows nothing about them. Besides, my maternal grandfather..."
Xie Lin choked up and couldn't continue.
Qin Sang pressed, "Him what?"
Xie Lin retorted, "I have nothing to say to you. You're just an outsider. You think you can benefit from the Xie family's reputation? You're not worthy!"
Qin Sang smiled.
Xie Lin strode away, bumping her hard on the shoulder as he walked past her: "You jinx, if you had any self-awareness, you should have gotten out of the Xie family mansion sooner, and our family's crisis would naturally be resolved!"
Lingding's expression changed, and she was about to speak when Qin Sang raised her hand to stop her: "Let her be."
The two turned around and walked back. After taking a few steps, they passed a clump of bushes and ran into Master Xie Si, Xie Xiao, who was feeding the fish by the fishpond.
A delicate little dish was filled with fish food. He leaned leisurely against the railing, his clean, slender fingers picking up a few fish food pellets and scattering them down. The fish swarmed around him, vying for the food.
"Everyone has some, everyone has some, don't fight over them, you won't starve," he chuckled.
It's always like this; some people will always starve, while pets will always have plenty to eat and drink. Qin Sang approached, fanning herself: "Fourth Uncle, you're in such high spirits, feeding the fish in this blazing sun."
Xie Xiao ignored her, focusing on teasing the fish, and said with a half-smile, "You're in quite a mood, coming to provoke people in this blazing sun. What does it have to do with you?"
Qin Sang knew that he had heard everything just now, so she said very sincerely, "After all, it was the Prime Minister who gave me a place to stay. I would be uneasy if something happened to the Prime Minister's residence."
"That's good. You know how to repay kindness. No wonder Sui'an likes you."
"..." Qin Sang felt for a moment that there was a misunderstanding, but she quickly became modest, "Not at all, it's just that the Second Young Master took pity on me."
Xie Xiao raised his eyelids and looked over. The two were standing about ten steps apart, one on the other side of the corner and the other on the other side.
"He likes you, not because he pities you, but probably because you are too beautiful."
Qin Sang: "..." Embarrassed.
“He’s always liked playing with pretty girls since he was little, and he has a lot of older and younger sisters around him. You need to be careful.”
Qin Sang: "Thank you for your guidance, Fourth Uncle."
Xie Xiao lowered his eyes and continued feeding the fish: "I heard you went out to help with disaster relief and got injured. Are you feeling better?"
Qin Sang breathed a slight sigh of relief: "Much better."
Xie Xiao sneered: "Did Tan Bi's men do it?"
"Um."
"That's a bad guy, stay away from him."
I'd like to keep my distance from him, but reality won't allow it. Qin Sang smiled and said, "I've heard that Commander Tan is young and promising, and also handsome and dashing. Why would Fourth Uncle say that?"
Xie Xiao didn't answer immediately, but after a moment he said, "Are you asking about him?"
Qin Sang thought to herself that this person was too amazing. He didn't seem like a spoiled young master who spent his days feeding fish in the mansion.
She didn't speak, and Xie Xiao looked up at her again: "Have you taken a liking to him, or has your father made arrangements for your marriage?" He straightened up a bit, seemingly a little surprised, "Him?"
Qin Sang didn't know how to answer, but she took the opportunity to ask a question, and someone guessed most of what she wanted to say.
Xie Xiao smiled, but the meaning behind the smile was unreadable, and Qin Sang couldn't quite figure him out.
Just then, a woman hurried over from the veranda. It was the head maidservant who served Wang Huiwen. She approached Qin Sang and said in a gentle tone and with a respectful attitude, "Miss, the Madam requests your presence."
Qin Sang glanced at Xie Xiao, only to see that he had already buried his head in feeding the fish again.
"Please lead the way, Granny."
Qin Sang didn't ask any questions and followed along.
***
Xie Zhongxu wanted to bring her under the name of Xie Tiao, the eldest son of the Xie family, and that's what Wang Huiwen talked to her about.
She was required to fast and bathe for three days before entering the ancestral temple to worship her ancestors and receive her name.
“My father mentioned long ago that he wanted you to become my adopted daughter. After the formal ceremony, you will be a member of the Xie family and my daughter.” Wang Huiwen smiled warmly and took Qin Sang’s hand. “I did not give birth to you, nor did I have the opportunity to raise you. But in the days since you came here, I have seen that you are gentle, well-mannered, and a very good child. It is fate that we have this opportunity.”
Since Qin Sang came to the Prime Minister's residence, she has hardly behaved herself. She's either rushing off to Wuyou Island or fighting with the headmistress. No one can tell that she has a gentle nature.
Hearing her insincere praise, Qin Sang was unconvinced, but still flattered her: "Madam is gentle and virtuous, with an elegant temperament and kind nature. It is my blessing to be Madam's daughter."
Wang Huiwen patted her hand with a smile: "Very good, very good. In a few days, you will call me Mother, just like Wu'er."
"yes."
Qin Sang found it very meaningless to be someone's daughter and mother for no reason.
Having served as the daughter of the Qin family's matriarch for many years, and now being sent to serve as the daughter of another woman, Qin Sang felt this mission was a waste. She wanted to finish it quickly and get out of there; if she stayed any longer, her compassionate heart would rot away...
***
Midsummer in Kyoto is hot, and the cicadas chirp from morning till night, making you feel lazy and annoyed.
That evening, there was not a breath of wind in the courtyard, but the grapevines were full of green grapes. Qin Sang was having her maid set up a ladder to pick the grapes, intending to chill them and eat them after dinner.
She herself sat in the study learning flower arranging, meticulously and patiently cutting each flower branch and studying how to arrange them to make them look beautiful.
Unfortunately, Granny Liang looked at the vase in her hand and hesitated several times before speaking.
How could someone be so cruel as to destroy a flower when the girl is so beautiful...?
Qin Sang sensed it, but didn't look up: "What, doesn't it look good?" She thought it looked quite good.
Granny Liang had a good temper and just smiled gently: "Let's talk after you've finished inserting the needle, young lady."
Qin Sang looked up, about to speak, when she saw a figure standing quietly outside the window. At first glance, she was startled.
He wanted to tease him a bit, but seeing Xie Sui'an's expression, the words stuck in his throat.
What's wrong with this person? It's only been two days, why do they look thinner? And more haggard?
Neither of them spoke, and for a moment, they were both stunned.
What happened to Xie Sui'an? He had naturally heard about the First Madam's plan to adopt a goddaughter, something his grandfather had lied to him about.
He was diligently studying and writing in his study when he overheard a servant mentioning that the eldest son's family was already preparing gifts for the family reunion. He was so shocked that the ink in his hand smudged.
He stared at the misty ink and suddenly felt a surge of panic.
Something was about to be ripped out of his body.
In an instant, many possibilities flashed through his mind: either take her away and go back to where they came from, or find another place. Or he could argue and make a scene with his grandfather, declaring that he would marry no one but her. Or he could intimidate Tan Bi and force him to back down.
My biggest regret is that I didn't stop her from going to Beijing back then.
Why didn't you stop it back then?
He thought that his grandfather's doting affection for him would make his request granted. But now it seems that was just wishful thinking.
I regret it so much that my heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs ache.
She should have stayed in Lixian, and I should have gone too. Why go back to that damn Kyoto!
"Young Master Sui'an? Why didn't you say anything when you arrived? Come in and sit down, it's terribly hot outside." Granny Liang followed Qin Sang's gaze and saw Xie Sui'an, and greeted him warmly.
Qin Sang then realized what was happening, lowered her eyes and continued fiddling with the flowers, saying loudly, "Young Master Sui'an, it's an honor to have you grace my humble courtyard with your presence. You've come at the perfect time; I've just arranged a new vase of flowers, you can take it home and enjoy it for a couple of days..."
Before they could finish speaking, Xie Sui'an had already left.
Granny Liang: "Hey, why did you leave?"
Qin Sang: "..."
The cicadas continued to chirp outside, and there wasn't a breath of wind, as if he had never been there.
"Why is she throwing such a childish tantrum?" Qin Sang thought to herself.
***
As evening fell, the heat inside and outside the house was unbearable. The Prime Minister's residence was quiet after the lights were turned off, but Qin Sang couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned, feeling inexplicably uneasy, as if something was about to happen.
It was around the afternoon when Xie Sui'an came by unexpectedly, and she felt uncomfortable all over, with a burning sensation in her body and her hands and feet.
Even the cicadas were chirping more loudly than usual.
He simply sat up, went to the couch by the window, sat cross-legged, and fanned himself.
The maids were all asleep, and she didn't disturb any of them. She just sat quietly, opened the window, and saw that the moon was only a thin crescent, the night as thick as inky black. A dim palace lantern still burned in the courtyard, illuminating the area.
The cicadas have stopped chirping, but the frogs are still croaking and the summer insects are still chirping, so if you listen carefully to such a night, you will find it surprisingly lively.
Just then, a fruit fell from somewhere and landed on the open window with a muffled thud.
Qin Sang paused, holding her fan, and listened intently. Suddenly, a figure flashed before her eyes, startling her so much that her hand trembled.
It was the same familiar figure standing outside the window, dressed in black, almost blending into the night.
Because he was taller than the window sash, Qin Sang could only see his chin.
But he recognized the person just by looking at that chin.
Just as Qin Sang was about to speak, the man said in a hoarse voice, "Don't be afraid, it's me."
Knowing full well it was you, Qin Sang fanned herself again, the wind ruffling a few strands of her hair: "Why are you here again? It's so late, aren't you sleeping?" Her voice was soft, like a drop of dew carefully falling into the dark soil, fleeting and ephemeral.
Xie Sui'an said earnestly, word by word, "I love you and want to marry you. If you agree, I will argue with my grandfather. I can handle whatever you want to do and whatever he wants to do."
The fan in his hand paused for a moment.
Well, she knew his feelings, and she wasn't a heartless person, but she hadn't come to the mortal realm for romance, so she couldn't put these petty love affairs first.
Even though she admits that Xie Sui'an is a good kid, the current situation is beyond her control.
Moreover, things are not as simple as he makes them out to be. He was blinded by love and plunged headlong into this quagmire. If he feels bitter and tired in the future, won't he blame himself?
Never mind, I can't agree to his request.
"What I want to do, what the Prime Minister wants to do, do you know what it is?" she asked softly, afraid that her tone would be too harsh or forceful and ruin his devoted heart.
She still cherishes this friendship.
Xie Sui paused for a moment and said, "The Su family was raided back then because they were innocently implicated in the struggle for the throne. You want revenge, and your grandfather wants to clear the names of loyal officials."
Qin Sang: "Do you know who was the mastermind behind the struggle for the throne back then? I want revenge, but who should I seek revenge against?"
The person outside the window paused again, then slowly said, "The current Crown Prince."
Qin Sang paused again, her hand still holding the fan.
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