Chapter 057 Chapter 57
Xu Duanyi didn't take this matter to heart.
What she thought more about was the affairs of those four families.
She always felt that this was too much of a coincidence.
A coincidence in time.
It so happened that on Li Wengao's first day in office, Xie Qingya went to cause trouble... In this incident, Xie Qingya's image was that of a reckless, dissolute man who did not care about the consequences.
Just like he usually behaves.
It’s not that Xu Duanyi has too subjective and beautiful thoughts about him.
She just felt that if Xie Qingya was really such a reckless person, he should have gone and caused trouble the day after the incident.
Instead of delaying for so many days.
This is strange.
"Master, what are you thinking about?"
I heard Bixi's questioning voice.
Xu Duanyi came back to his senses after hearing the voice: "Nothing."
She did not show the doubts in her heart.
Whether it was a coincidence or intentional, the incident has passed.
Xu Duanyi actually breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as it doesn't involve Xie Qingya, it's fine.
Just don't get involved with him.
As for whether Xie Qingya was really reckless or had other plans and plots, what does it matter?
…
And at this time.
On the other side, the master and servant.
Lingji was a little nervous and looked to the side from time to time.
But the curtain blocked it. This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team for you. He also couldn't see the real face of the prince at this moment.
If it were in the past, he would not have been so worried, but now... he already understood the prince's intentions.
Who would have thought that the wife of the Crown Prince from the Duke's Mansion would actually instigate their Princess like this.
It is said that it is better to demolish a temple than to ruin a marriage.
This prince's wife is really not a good person!
"My Lord..."
Not knowing what the prince’s mood was at the moment, Lingji called him carefully, fearing that he was in a bad mood.
Xie Qingya glanced at him through the curtains, not waiting for Lingji to ask anything, but he spoke first: "Shut up."
You don't have to guess.
Why is this kid hesitating?
That day.
He had not yet concealed the truth about Mei Xuezheng.
Naturally, he never thought about hiding the secret from his two personal bodyguards.
The purpose is the same.
He didn't want them to hurt Xu Duanyi in the future.
He was not angry at what Ming said.
Given the way he treated Xu Duanyi, it would be strange for them to like him. It was normal for them to encourage her to break up with him and find another good husband.
even.
He was actually somewhat relieved that they were thinking of Xu Duanyi in this way.
He always hoped that more people in this world would love her.
But what would Xu Duanyi think? Would she also want to break up with him?
Xie Qingya actually had no idea what was going on.
Xu Duanyi didn't say anything before.
But, perhaps, even he himself felt that it was actually best for Xu Duanyi to break up with him.
She should have married a man who was obsessed with her and treated her like a treasure.
Not like him.
I couldn't even tell her that I liked her, nor could I make any promises to her.
Even its existence could harm her.
Maybe it's best for them to separate.
That way, he wouldn't have to worry about her being caught between them and getting hurt in the future.
But we know clearly that this result is actually the best.
But Xie Qingya's heart was still a little heavy.
It was so stuffy as if all the windows were closed, and I felt so depressed that I couldn't breathe.
How could Xie Qingya show these emotions? He said nothing, but continued to purse his lips and rode towards the city gate.
*
This night.
Changning and Ping'an had their meal in Linfeng Pavilion as usual.
From that day on, the three siblings of the Xie family really came to Xu Duanyi's house for dinner.
Ping An and Chang Ning have become regular visitors.
Xie Qingya didn't come every day, but whenever he came back to the mansion at mealtime, he would come to Xu Duanyi's place. Even if he had something to do and couldn't come, he would send someone to pass the news back in advance so that they wouldn't have to wait for him.
tonight.
As usual, Xie Qingya sent someone to bring back a message, saying that he had something else to do and would be back later, so they didn't have to wait for him for dinner.
Changning felt a little disappointed when he heard this.
She lowered her head and said sadly, "Second brother, what's the matter? Is there something wrong again?"
Xie Pingan sat there without saying anything.
But Xu Duanyi has always been sensitive, so she could naturally sense the unhappiness that he revealed at that moment.
In fact, I have been living with Ping An for a long time.
Xu Duanyi gradually began to realize that Ping An was not as disgusted with Xie Qingya as he appeared to be.
Although the two brothers never spoke to each other when Xie Qingya was around.
Even Ping An always has a sullen face.
But every time when it was time for dinner, not only Changning was looking forward to Xie Qingya's arrival, but Ping An was also looking forward to it.
It's just that he is too introverted and most people can't notice it.
Only Xu Duanyi spent most of his time on them, and as an outsider, he naturally saw things more clearly.
She didn't show it.
Instead, he withdrew his gaze, which had been silently fixed on Ping An.
Turning her head, she first comforted Chang Ning in a soft voice: "Brother is an adult now, it's normal for him to have things to do. Let's eat first."
After she finished speaking, she asked Bixi to call someone to serve the meal.
Although Changning was disappointed, he was not one of those unhappy, noisy and noisy kids.
What's more, what she was more worried about was that her sister-in-law would be unhappy. Seeing that her sister-in-law looked fine, she naturally breathed a sigh of relief.
This time she was obedient and agreed.
soon.
Bixi led people over to serve the dishes.
at the table.
Xu Duanyi asked about Changning and how she was doing in the girls' school recently.
Xie Changning always told his two brothers good news but not bad news, for fear that they would worry.
But perhaps, the feeling Xu Duanyi gave her was simply too comfortable, and made her trust him enough to feel safe and capable of doing anything.
Therefore, when Chang Ning talked to her, they talked about everything.
She nodded and slowly replied, "All right."
This time it's not just about reporting good news and not sorrow.
Facing the gazes of his sister-in-law and third brother, Xie Changning did not hide anything and told them bit by bit: "The teachers, they, they, they all, they took good care of me. Also, the students, they, they no longer bullied me. I, I even made a few friends in the past few days."
"Those people who bullied me have stopped coming to school recently. I heard from them that Zhuang, Zhuang Shun, will not come to the Qu family to study in the future."
This "they" naturally refers to the four people except Qu Shang.
I don’t know whether it was the Qu family’s idea or the idea of those four families.
Regarding this point, Xie Changning has no problem with this book being compiled exclusively for you by the LK team.
Even though they had bullied her, she really didn't like them.
But the girls' school is not a place where she lives alone, and even if they really come back, she won't say anything.
Same reason.
If they don't come back, she won't say anything.
In fact, she had heard about it.
The second brother went to those families to plead for her, and happened to meet an official from his yamen. Now these families have been impeached.
It is possible that they did not come because of this reason.
Xie Changning didn’t know, and she didn’t want to know. She only knew that the people she loved loved her, and that was enough.
Xie Changning's smiling eyes were like two crescent moons, hanging on that beautiful and bright face.
She has a good temper.
She is the type that is easy to like and people are willing to make friends with.
It was because Qu Shang, as the young mistress of the Qu family, had the final say in the girls' school. She was the leader in bullying Xie Changning, and it was rare for those people not to go along with her, so they naturally didn't dare to say anything.
Now that Qu Shang and others have been punished one after another, they naturally don't have to worry about causing unhappiness by getting along with Xie Changning.
Ping An was in a serious mood. After listening to her, he said in a cold voice: "Don't be foolish and let yourself be fooled again."
He has never had a close relationship with anyone since he was betrayed in the past.
I am afraid of experiencing it again.
"No, I won't." Xie Changning would not be angry with her third brother. She knew that her third brother also cared about her.
She is not so naive as to think that people who date her really like her.
In fact, she can see other people's kindness and malice more clearly than anyone else.
"I know that they contacted me, in large part, because of my sister-in-law."
Hear her say that.
Not only Ping An, even Xu Duanyi was a little surprised.
She was picking up food for someone, but when she heard this, she stopped and looked at the person.
"Changning..."
She called out softly.
For a moment I didn’t know how to tell others.
"Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, I'm fine." Xie Changning smiled at her, looking bright and cheerful.
"I don't think this is a good idea."
"It's normal to have selfish desires," Xie Changning said word by word. "But as long as they don't lie to me, don't bully me, and we are happy and sincere when we are together, that's enough."
Xu Duanyi looked at Xie Changning.
Looking at her innocent smiling face, Xu Duanyi was speechless.
She thought she was sober and rational enough, but she was often troubled by things and didn't know how to deal with them.
I never thought Changning could be so insightful at such a young age.
Instead, it made her feel a little inferior.
Perhaps only people with pure enough minds can have such a clear understanding.
Under Changning's gaze, her expression gradually softened. She handed the lotus root clip to Changning again and said in a gentle voice, "Let's eat."
"Um!"
Xie Changning smiled and nodded.
She didn't eat it immediately, but gave Xu Duanyi and Xie Pingan a piece of food, which were their favorite dishes.
"Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, eat."
"Third, Third Brother, eat too."
Xu Duanyi agreed with a smile, while Xie Pingan stared at his little sister who was smiling and enjoying herself beside him, and was silent for a long time.
...Little sister, you have really changed a lot.
他知道這一切的原因，是因為誰。
謝平安低頭吃飯，沒再說話。
等吃完晚膳。
謝平安第一次，沒有直接跟謝長寧離開。
“你先回去，我有幾道題，要問嫂嫂。”相處多了，平時謝平安有什麽課業上的問題，也會問徐端宜。
謝長寧自是沒有懷疑。
她乖乖應好，跟徐端宜告辭後，便跟着芙蕖先行離開了。
徐端宜卻知曉。
平安留下，不可能是真的，是因為課業上的問題。
若是課業上的問題，他不會讓長寧直接離開。
她讓碧溪等人出去守着。
“怎麽了？”
等人退下之後，徐端宜便問對面的謝平安。
謝平安未等徐端宜反應過來，便直接站起身，朝她格外鄭重躬身作揖一番。
“你這是做什麽？”
徐端宜忙蹙眉起身，讓人起來。
謝平安卻還是，等徹底給人行完一個大禮之後，方才起身與徐端宜說道：“多謝嫂嫂。”
這并不是，謝平安第一次跟徐端宜道謝，但還是第一次，這樣的鄭重其事。
燈火通明的室內，少年站在桌子對面，隔着一張桌子，他神情認真地看着徐端宜，未曾掩飾一點自己內心的感激之情。
“我知長寧能變成這樣，全仰仗嫂嫂。”
“那也無需行這樣的大禮。”徐端宜面露無奈，“我與你說過，我們是一家人，家人之間，是不必這樣道謝的。”
男女有別。
這會又沒旁人。
徐端宜便沒過去攙扶，只讓人重新坐下。
謝平安猶豫一番之後，倒也沒堅持，重新坐了回去。
有些話。
他從未與旁人說過，就連長寧也沒有。
但此時，謝平安雙手放在茶盞上，垂着眼簾，過了好一會，他忽然遲疑着開口：“我一直以為，我這些年做得已經很好了，但看長寧一日日變得越來越小心翼翼，我才知道，我做的，其實一點都不好。”
“我跟謝清崖一樣，都沒把她照顧好。”
少年話語之間，是掩飾不住的自責，他低着頭，第一次在徐端宜的面前，流露出無措的樣子。
徐端宜坐在他對面。
她能看到少年英眉緊蹙，面露痛苦。
心裏嘆了口氣。
“平安。”
徐端宜輕聲喊他。
她看到少年遲疑着，一點點擡起眼簾，朝她這邊看了過來。
看着他茫然彷徨的眼睛，徐端宜溫聲與人說道：“你已經在你能力範圍內，做到最好了。”
“沒有人責怪你，長寧很感激你。”
未等謝平安說什麽，徐端宜便又看着人說道：“你今年也才十三，和長寧一樣的年紀，可你把她保護得很好，她如今的善良，就是最好的證明。”
“這都是你的功勞。”
謝平安聽到這話，鼻子驀地一酸。
他那夜，說謝清崖說得解氣，但其實，他這些年，又做了什麽呢？
他近日一直都很自責。
覺得，是因為他的緣故，才會把長寧，養成這樣一個小心翼翼的性子，才會讓她有事都不敢跟他們說。
每每看到長寧如今明媚的樣子，他就更加痛恨起自己。
他甚至第一次，産生了一種名為迷茫的情緒。
他本來是為了他的小妹，為了南安王府的門楣，才這樣拼命努力，但看着小妹這樣，他不得不懷疑自己，這樣努力的意義，究竟是什麽？
有用嗎？
他所謂的保護，并沒有讓小妹變好。
反而讓她變得越來越膽小不安了。
如果不是嫂嫂，他都不知道，長寧以後究竟會變成什麽樣。
所以他自責、懊悔。
即便沒有人怪他，他也無法不痛恨自己。
他覺得自己沒有臉，去見阿爹阿娘，還有大兄。
可此刻——
謝平安看着對面笑容溫柔的女人，看着她眼中的安慰，謝平安看着看着，忽然鼻子一酸，很想哭。
他已經很久很久，沒哭過了。
眼淚是懦夫才擁有的東西，他不是懦夫，他也不要做懦夫。
可他也是這個時候才想起，他今年也才十三。
和小妹一樣的年紀。
他都忘了。
眼淚忍不住在眼睛裏打轉。
謝平安不願把自己這份懦弱的情緒表現出來，他沉默低頭，任由眼淚往下掉，眼睜睜看着它在自己的衣服上面，一點點洇出一小團痕跡。
但也不過持續了幾個呼吸的功夫，謝平安便又漸漸恢複如常了。
“……讓嫂嫂看笑話了。”
他啞着嗓子跟徐端宜說，低着頭，的确有些不好意思。
徐端宜自是不會覺得這是笑話，她仍是用溫和的語氣，與人說道：“人有七情六欲，想笑想哭，都正常。”
過了一會，徐端宜又繼續與人說道：“平安，你還小，有時候，其實不必太壓抑自己的感情。”
“人的感情是相互的，情緒也一樣，只有你越來越好，長寧才會變得越來越好。”
“這點，是我沒辦法代替的。”
謝平安畢竟聰慧。
他很快就反應過來，嫂嫂的這番話。
謝平安遲疑着，過了一會，才點了點頭，啞聲應道：“……我知道了，謝謝嫂嫂。”
該說的說了。
該謝的，也都謝了。
謝平安比徐端宜還要注重禮教規矩，畢竟不是真的小孩了，男女七歲不同席，何況他們還是叔嫂。
謝平安也不敢多待。
雖然這裏都是嫂嫂的人，但他還是怕壞了人的清譽。
“我先回去了。”謝平安說着站起身，又跟徐端宜拱手一禮。
徐端宜與之颔首，一道占站了起來：“我送你出去。”
謝平安正要拒絕，便聽對面嫂嫂又說：“我也有話，要與你說。”
謝平安一聽這話，方才作罷。
叔嫂倆往外走。
中間隔着一段距離，謝平安還特意落後了半步，以示尊敬。
“你兄長，前幾日去那幾戶人家，給長寧讨要說法了。”
謝平安一直安安靜靜跟着，直到聽到這番話，他還是難掩譏嘲地跟了一句：“嫂嫂就別替他擡價了。”
“什麽讨要說法，不過是過去鬧事。”
“他也就這點本事。”
他這幾日一直派人觀察着那幾戶人家，自然知道謝清崖的所作所為。
下意識的譏嘲，是他真的打心裏，看不起謝清崖的做法。
謝清崖在他這邊倒是說得挺好，什麽他會處理，讓他別沾惹。
沒想到他所謂的辦法，就是這樣？
那與他又有何不同？
只是餘光瞥見前面的嫂嫂，謝平安又沉默了下來。
不想在她面前說太多謝清崖的不好，倒不是為了謝清崖的臉面，而是怕嫂嫂聽多了，便也不要謝清崖，不要他們了。
這樣想着，謝平安忽然又變了臉色，緊攥起拳頭。
他不想看到這樣的結果。
遲疑着，還想說幾句的時候，謝平安便見原本走在他前面的嫂嫂，忽然停下了腳步，朝他看來。
不知嫂嫂要做什麽。
但謝平安還是跟着停下了步子。
“平安，不管他的做法好不好，但他的确去給長寧讨了說法。”
謝平安沉默了。
的确。
比起原本醉生夢死，不知今夕幾何的樣子，這次，謝清崖的确是做了事的。
只是他總拿他跟以前比，方才會如此看不上如今的他。
他低着頭，沒說話。
“有些話，我作為外人，其實沒這個資格說。”
謝平安聽到這外人二字，下意識皺了眉，要反駁，但還未出聲，謝平安便又聽她說道：“但平安，你是真的恨他嗎？”
原本還未說出的話，忽然就卡在了喉嚨裏。
謝平安看着徐端宜，遲遲沒有說話。
過了片刻，他在嫂嫂的注視下，忽然難堪地撇開臉，正要嘴硬說幾句不中聽的話，便又聽嫂嫂與他說道：“你若真的恨他，又豈會日日期待他過來吃飯？”
“我沒有！”
謝平安臉色微變，本能反駁。
就像是為了給自己證明什麽似的，他看着徐端宜說完，又緊跟着一句：“我才沒有期待他過來！”
他沒注意，自己此刻的聲音，要比平時響亮很多。
以至于外頭的碧溪等人，也都聽見了。
這會便在外頭問道：“主子，怎麽了？”
謝平安這才回過神。
他為自己的做法而皺眉，想說什麽，嘴唇張開又合攏，最後還是什麽都沒說，只是往旁邊撇開了臉。
“沒什麽。”
徐端宜回了一聲。
外頭便又沒有聲音了。
看着身前別扭又難堪的少年，徐端宜也沒非要人承認。
她只是跟人說：“平安，人生在世，誰也不知道能活多少年，我們也不知道，疾病和意外，究竟哪個會先到。”
暖橘色的燭火下。
徐端宜能看到少年漸漸失怔的神情。
徐端宜點到為止，未再多言。
“回去吧，我聽鄧姑姑說，你夜裏經常看書到子時，卯初就起床，用功是好事，但身體更重要，注意歇息。”
謝平安看着徐端宜點了點頭。
他往外走。
這次徐端宜留在原地，沒有送他。
只目送他離開。
可原本向前走着的少年，卻忽然回過頭。
“嫂嫂。”
謝平安看着徐端宜喊道。
“嗯？”
徐端宜看着他，好脾氣地問：“怎麽了？”
謝平安沒有立刻開口。
He looked at Xu Duanyi, as if hesitating. After a long while, Xu Duanyi finally heard his voice: "Will you be with him forever?"
Xu Duanyi never expected to hear such a question.
Even she was stunned for a while.
Until he saw the boy's expression getting more and more nervous, and his voice gradually became anxious, he asked her again: "Will it be?"
Xu Duanyi suddenly laughed out loud.
"Can."
"I'll always be with him."
unless……
Xie Qingya doesn't want her anymore.
Xu Duanyi didn't say this.
Of course she couldn't say it.
Xie Ping'an was unaware of what she had not yet said.
He just breathed a sigh of relief.
The anxious boy suddenly let go of his tension and uneasiness. For the first time, he showed a childlike innocent smile in front of Xu Duanyi, just like Changning.
"Then sister-in-law, I'll go back first."
After saying that, he looked at Xu Duanyi and added: "Sister-in-law, Changning and I will always stand by your side!"
Probably feeling embarrassed, after Xie Pingan finished speaking, he turned around and walked out before Xu Duanyi could open his mouth.
Xu Duanyi stayed where he was and watched him leave.
She shook her head and smiled, ignored the boy, turned around and walked back.
…
"My Lord, it's Sanlang."
Xie Qingya and his servant, who had just returned home, saw the young man walking towards them from a distance.
Lingji lowered his voice and reported to Xie Qingya.
Xie Qingya naturally saw it as well.
Seeing his younger brother walking towards him from a distance, Xie Qingya was somewhat surprised.
From the direction he came from, we could tell that he had just come out of Linfeng Pavilion.
But today, Chang Ning is not by his side.
This is strange.
Usually these two are always together.
Even if he was not there sometimes, Changning would stay in Linfeng Pavilion and talk to people.
Count the time.
It's past dinner time.
Besides, he had asked the housekeeper before and found out that Changning had already returned to his room.
However, Xie Qingya did not intend to ask.
Looking at the expression on Ping An's face, he didn't seem unhappy. He knew very well that his younger brother didn't like him, so he wouldn't go over to cause trouble.
Instead, he stopped where he was, so as not to ruin his mood again.
Xie Qingya planned to wait until he left before going there himself.
He saw that the boy in the distance also saw him. He also saw the boy suddenly stop and his face turned cold again.
Everything is the same as before.
Xie Qingya was not surprised.
He just stood there, his expression the same as before, except that his hands were clenched tightly behind his back.
He thought Xie Pingan would just leave as usual, but unexpectedly, he saw Xie Pingan walking towards him.
This has never happened before.
Lingji was also very surprised and said in a low voice: "What happened to Sanlang?"
Although he was surprised, when he saw Xie Ping'an coming over, Lingji immediately bowed and greeted him: "Sanlang."
Xie Pingan ignored him.
He just looked at Xie Qingya with a frown on his face.
The brothers are eight years apart in age. Even though Xie Pingan is considered taller than his peers, he is still far behind Xie Qingya.
He didn't get too close to the person, but stood a few steps away, looking at the person with his brows furrowed and his face slightly raised.
"Where have you been?"
He asked Xie Qingya in a deep voice.
Seeing the young man raised his eyebrows in surprise, he seemed surprised that he would ask this.
Xie Pingan was stared at by him, and inexplicably a surge of anger rose in his heart: "Don't always fail to do what you promised!"
"Sanlang, the prince really has something to do today. He didn't mean to miss the event." Lingji beside him spoke carefully for him.
Xie Pingan still had a sullen look on his face.
"I don't care if you really have something important to do or if you're just fooling around again! Xie Qingya, I'm warning you, if you keep getting entangled with those girls of yours, get out of this house!" This book is exclusively compiled for you by the LK team. He suddenly said a bunch of harsh words.
Xie Qingya didn't know what happened.
But seeing the young man's face that looked particularly ugly due to anger, Xie Qingya didn't want to see another Chang Ning anymore, so his heart softened, and he didn't respond to him with tacit approval as he did before.
"knew."
He whispered to Xie Pingan.
Xie Ping'an was somewhat surprised to see that he actually spoke this time, and the anger in his heart also subsided a little.
But he was being honest and it was hard for him to put on a good face towards Xie Qingya.
No matter what Xie Qingya's attitude is.
He just glanced at Xie Qingya and was ready to turn around and leave, but he stopped and turned his head halfway to look at Xie Qingya behind him, and said again: "Sister-in-law said that she will be with you forever."
"If you want our family, be nice to others!"
"If one day you really make your sister-in-law angry and leave, you won't have any hope of living in our family anymore!"
It's rare to talk so much with someone.
Xie Pingan himself could hardly bear it, and after he finished speaking, he immediately frowned and walked away.
Xie Qingya watched him leave.
His eyes, illuminated by the candles on both sides, sparkled like stars in the sky.
"Your Majesty, what Sanlang meant just now was..." Lingji's voice came from his ears, interrupting Xie Qingya's thoughts.
Xie Qingya said nothing and continued to walk back to the house.
Seeing him like this, Lingji didn't dare to say anything and hurriedly followed him.
But this night.
No one knew that Xie Qingya had quietly gone to Linfeng Pavilion again, stood beside Babu's bed, and looked at Xu Duanyi for a long time before leaving.
Only when Bixi got up in the middle of the night did she feel very strange. Why was the master's quilt so obedient today?