Chapter 38 A Foothold
Xie Hanyue kept crying and shaking her head, but she couldn't catch her breath and fainted.
"Moon!"
Xie Zhaoye's body moved faster than his mind, and he rushed forward, caught Xie Hanyue, picked her up horizontally, and looked coldly at Xie Qingran: "After all this trouble, are you satisfied? Enough is enough!"
"Father, no matter what, let's find a doctor for Yue'er first?" Xie Zhaoye looked at Xie Yankang with a worried expression.
Xie Yankang really wanted to slap this unfilial son to death, but in front of so many people, he certainly couldn't escalate the situation further, so he could only nod and say, "Take your sister back first."
"Sister? Judging from Young Master Xie's anxious manner, he doesn't seem like an older brother, but rather a lover."
"The two people weren't related by blood, but they grew up together and spent every day together. It's normal for them to develop feelings for each other, right?"
"Then this younger sister becoming the wife, isn't that a bit inappropriate? How can one act so recklessly with their adopted sister?"
The women around were all seasoned veterans who could immediately see through the deception.
Xie Qingran knelt alone on the ground, shivering in the cold wind, and finally collapsed onto the deck.
"Oh no, Miss Xie has fainted!"
"Doctor, quick, get a doctor!"
"This is a banquet at the Prime Minister's residence. What kind of behavior is this, turning it into such a mess?"
The entire deck stirred again, and soon the doctor rushed over. After taking his pulse, he looked somewhat troubled and sighed.
"Lord Xie, the young lady has been suffering from malnutrition and depression for a long time. Now, she has suffered such a great shock, which is why she fainted."
"Miss is in poor health and should take good care of herself."
Malnutrition and depression.
Every word felt like an invisible slap across Xie Yankang's face.
Xie Yankang subconsciously turned around to look for Wang Shi's figure, only to find that Wang Shi had already left with Xie Hanyue, and that Xie Hanyue was the only person in her heart and mind.
Now, Xie Qingran's pitiful and helpless situation is fully exposed to everyone in Kyoto. The Xie family's fig leaf has been torn off, revealing only their shameful state.
"What are you all standing there for! Take the young lady back!"
Xie Yankang gritted his teeth and gave an order to his men.
"Since the incident occurred at a banquet in my Prime Minister's residence, send him back to my residence. Don't worry, the physicians in the Prime Minister's residence are the best."
The Prime Minister's wife finally stepped out from the crowd and made the final decision. The servants behind her stepped forward and carefully lifted Xie Qingran up, placing her in the Prime Minister's carriage.
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but my daughter is fine, so please don't trouble yourself." Xie Yankang quickly stepped forward, bowed to the Prime Minister's wife, and wanted to take the child back himself.
However, the Prime Minister's wife just smiled and said, "Lord Xie, you should go back quickly. Be careful that the second young lady at home doesn't start causing trouble again, or there will be no peace."
After saying this, the Prime Minister's wife's smile vanished instantly. She then turned and left, and the pleasure boat trip came to a complete end. Everyone had had their fill of the Xie family's drama and returned home in high spirits. In just an hour, the whole neighborhood was buzzing with talk about it, with all sorts of opinions, but not a single kind word.
The Xie family is quite famous now.
The Prime Minister's Residence.
When Xie Qingran woke up, she had changed her clothes and looked refreshed and neat.
She opened her eyes and saw the two ladies sitting beside her. She immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Madam Prime Minister, greetings, Madam Qin."
"You know me?" Madam Qin looked at Xie Qingran with some surprise, as the two of them had never met before.
Xie Qingran blushed and said in a low voice, "My father showed me the genealogy of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, so I naturally recognize you, Madam."
"Your father is truly thoughtful." Madam Qin snorted coldly, her tone laced with unspoken sarcasm.
Seeing this, Xie Qingran simply lowered her head, remained silent, and did not refute.
Her bowed head and silence made Qin Shi seem somewhat unreasonable.
The Prime Minister's wife gave Qin a helpless look, then smiled and said, "Your father truly loves you. Before a daughter from a noble family gets married, he always carefully checks the family genealogy, just in case the bride doesn't recognize her husband after marriage."
"Yes, Madam is right." Xie Qingran nodded obediently, then coughed violently.
The Prime Minister's wife quickly stepped forward and hurriedly took Xie Qingran's hand, urging her to sit down: "Please sit down quickly. The doctor said you choked on water and need to rest properly. You also have a fever. It's really pitiful."
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam. But now that Qingran has woken up, it's time to go home." Xie Qingran stood up again and bowed, "Thank you for your care, Madam."
“Go home? You have a fever, you should be resting in bed.” The Prime Minister’s wife firmly grabbed Xie Qingran’s hand and made her sit down: “Don’t worry, your family won’t make things difficult for you because of this.”
Xie Qingran was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook her head: "No, no, they didn't make things difficult for me. My parents and brother are all very good to me."
Originally, Xie Qingran's words wouldn't have been a big deal, but now everyone can see the Xie family's attitude towards Xie Qingran, and hearing her say these words again, all that's left in their hearts is pity for this girl.
The Prime Minister's wife shook her head helplessly, sighed, and pulled Qin Shi out.
Once they reached a secluded spot, the Prime Minister's wife composed herself and said calmly, "This marriage is perfect. I advise you to handle it properly and not to disgrace the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
"Aunt, are you telling the truth?" Madam Qin asked with some surprise. "I think this little girl is very shrewd and ruthless. Look how capable she is!"
"It's precisely because she's so capable that she's the best. Do you really think the mistress of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is some innocent, naive girl? Otherwise, wouldn't your entire mansion be devoured by outsiders?"
"Only someone with this kind of temperament can uphold the honor of your Duke Zhenguo's mansion and ensure that you can raise your child safely. For someone like you, your only hope now is your child!"
The Prime Minister's wife looked at Qin Shi with a hint of disappointment.
“At first, we asked you to remarry, but you refused. Now, you can only think more about the children.”
Qin lowered her eyes and then said softly, "Aunt, I understand what you're saying, but she's so powerful. If she really enters the family, I'm afraid... I'm afraid there won't be a place for me in the entire Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
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