Chapter 4 The Rebellious Son Kneels
Xie Yankang's stern shout resounded like thunder in the courtyard of Yingxing Pavilion.
The baton, which was about to fall, stopped abruptly in mid-air.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Xie Yankang walking briskly towards them.
Behind him followed a pale-faced, beardless eunuch dressed in the robes of an imperial attendant, watching the farce unfolding in the courtyard with astonishment.
"Oh dear, what a bad time it is for us to come." His voice was high-pitched and had a hint of femininity.
Wang panicked instantly.
Xie Zhaoye was also stunned, completely unexpected that his father would return at this hour, and with Eunuch Bao from the palace with him!
This is a very popular person in the Emperor's inner circle!
What brings you to the Xie family?!
Xie Qingran breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn't miscalculate the time...
Xie Yankang's return was quite timely.
"Father..." Taking advantage of the moment when the old woman holding her was off guard, she suddenly turned over, stumbled and rolled off the bench to the ground, then struggled to get up and staggered to kneel down at Xie Yankang's feet.
"Father...don't blame Mother, it was your daughter who did something wrong and angered Mother and Brother..."
The girl's voice was weak and choked with sobs.
As she spoke, she tugged at Xie Yankang's official robe, her thin shoulders trembling.
Xie Yankang hurriedly helped Xie Qingran up, glanced at the inscrutable Eunuch Bao beside him, and a surge of anger rushed to his head. He shouted at Wang Shi, "Foolish! Ran'er was raised so well in the countryside by the nanny sent by the Imperial Concubine. What mistake could she have made that warrants such severe punishment? Do you want to beat her to death?!"
Wang was scolded by her husband in public, especially in front of outsiders. Her face turned red and white in turns. She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.
Xie Qingran looked up at the opportune moment, turning her gaze timidly to Eunuch Bao, and asked with a hint of uncertainty and awe, "Father, is this... Eunuch Bao?"
As soon as Bao Gonggong entered the courtyard, he scanned everyone present.
The first person I saw was Xie Hanyue.
Rumors in the capital say that the Xie family's adopted daughter has grown into a beauty that could topple kingdoms, with a graceful and charming figure. Seeing her today, it is indeed true; she is as beautiful as a peony.
But when his gaze fell on Xie Qingran a second time, his expression suddenly changed.
The girl had a clean and simple appearance, her raven-black hair was completely disheveled, and she wore a white undergarment without even a hairpin or ornament in her hair.
The white frost has cruelly killed off the peony's color!
It inspires no desire to desecrate or appreciate it.
Even the usually composed eunuch Bao, who had seen countless beautiful women in the capital, was momentarily stunned, but he showed no sign of displeasure. He raised an eyebrow and asked with a surprised smile, "Oh? Miss Xie recognizes us?"
Xie Qingran forced herself to stand up straight and gave a proper half-bow. Her breathing was still unsteady, but her words were soft and clear: "When I was young, I accompanied my parents to a banquet in the palace and was fortunate enough to see you from afar, Eunuch. At that time, I was young and only heard that you were one of the most capable people in the palace and the most favored by the Emperor, so I couldn't help but take a few more glances at you. Today, I see you even more dignified than before."
Her tone was sincere, unlike her usual eager flattery.
Everyone in the capital knew that Xie Qingran had just returned to the Xie family from the countryside. In recent years, she had rarely even seen her parents, let alone Eunuch Bao.
In addition, the emperor rarely sends Eunuch Bao out of the palace for important matters anymore. Today's incident was entirely on the emperor's whim, and the Xie family could not have informed Xie Qingran in advance.
So apart from her claim of meeting him when she was young, it's hard to explain why she recognized Grandpa Bao at a glance.
Eunuch Bao waved his hand, his high-pitched voice softening slightly, revealing a genuine smile: "Miss Xie, you flatter me. I'm just running errands for His Majesty. It's you, Miss, who is so polite even after being wronged. That's truly rare."
Seeing this, Xie Yankang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly instructed the terrified maid beside him: "What are you all standing there for! Quickly help the young lady back to her room to rest! And go fetch a doctor!"
The maids and servants then seemed to wake from a dream and rushed forward to carefully help Xie Qingran up.
Xie Qingran was obediently helped up. When she passed by Eunuch Bao, she bowed her head to show respect before returning to the house with unsteady steps.
He didn't even glance at Wang Shi and Xie Zhaoye from beginning to end.
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Bao Gonggong's eyes.
The Xie family said their daughter had asked to marry him on her own initiative...
He hadn't believed it at first, but now he'd noticed something.
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Father-in-law. It's just a family matter..." Xie Yankang quickly apologized to Eunuch Bao when he saw that Eunuch Bao was still staring in Xie Qingran's direction.
Eunuch Bao chuckled, his meaning ambiguous, and said, "Lord Xie is very strict in managing his household, which I admire. Since your household has matters to attend to, I will take my leave now. His Majesty is waiting for a reply."
"Please take care, sir. Let me see you off." Xie Yankang hurriedly followed, and as Eunuch Bao was about to leave the mansion, he secretly slipped him a silver note he had prepared beforehand, his tone extremely obsequious: "Sir, please put in a good word for me with His Majesty regarding today's matter."
Eunuch Bao returned the silver note without leaving a trace.
Xie Yankang was momentarily flustered, not knowing what Eunuch Bao meant.
He knew perfectly well that the Emperor had sent Eunuch Bao to examine whether Xie Qingran met the criteria of having a flawed appearance or a physical defect...
"Don't worry, Lord Xie." Eunuch Bao was a cunning old fox, and he was meticulous in his words and actions. "Miss Xie was personally trained by the Imperial Concubine, so she must be an excellent young lady. His Majesty will also favor her because of her. However... as you know, His Majesty values Prince Xiao, so we still have to get past that side."
"Yes, what Eunuch Bao says is true."
Xie Yankang smiled obsequiously, but after watching Eunuch Bao's carriage leave, his face immediately darkened.
Madam Wang had already brought Xie Zhaoye back to the main house. The mother and son waited anxiously for a while. As soon as they heard Xie Yankang's heavy and hurried footsteps, Madam Wang immediately got up to greet him.
Xie Yankang walked straight toward Xie Zhaoye.
"master!"
"Smack!"
Wang's cry was accompanied by a loud slap in the face, which fell in the main hall.
"You unfilial son! Kneel down!" Xie Yankang was furious and berated Xie Zhaoye.
"Father! You...you hit me?! Do you know that Xie Qingran almost drowned me?! And you're still protecting her?!" Xie Zhaoye stared wide-eyed at his father in disbelief, his voice filled with grievance and anger.
"Shut up!" Xie Yankang's chest heaved violently. "Do you even know who Qingran is about to marry? The heir of the Duke of Zhenguo! Just now, when I went to the palace to meet the Emperor, although he didn't issue a decree immediately, he was overjoyed and praised the Xie family for volunteering. The matter of her inheriting the title is now within reach! Are you trying to ruin your sister and destroy all the hopes of the Xie family?!"
"What?" Xie Zhaoye was stunned, thinking he had misheard: "The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion? That Xiao Jue... isn't he already crippled?! Xie Qingran is going to marry a cripple..."
"shut up!"
Xie Yankang interrupted him sharply, his tone more severe than ever before, "The Duke of Zhenguo's family is full of loyal martyrs, how dare you slander them! Qingran is obedient, sensible, and understands the greater good. Her willingness to marry into the family at this time is a great contribution to both the country and the family!"
The main house fell into a deathly silence, with only Xie Zhaoye's heavy, unwilling breathing remaining.
"Yes, son understands."
"Good to know." Xie Yankang barely managed to suppress his anger, and instructed without room for argument, "Before the imperial decree is issued, this matter must not be publicized or known to outsiders. Qingran was frightened today, I'm going to see her. Also, you, as her mother, should think more about your daughter!"
"Yes," Wang replied nodding.
Yingxing Pavilion.
Xie Qingran lay on the couch, and after a while, she heard approaching footsteps.
Xie Yankang pushed open the door and entered, his face now displaying a gentle and concerned expression. He walked to the bedside and quickly pressed down Xie Qingran, who was about to get up to pay her respects, saying, "Ran'er, I'm sorry you suffered today. You should rest well. I have already invited the best doctor in the city, and he will come to see you in a little while. This will definitely not happen again."
Xie Qingran lowered her eyelashes and obediently replied, "Yes, daughter understands, thank you, father."
Xie Yankang nodded in satisfaction and asked a few more questions, "Then I won't disturb your rest any longer."
"Your daughter respectfully sees you off, Father." Xie Qingran struggled to sit up and watched Xie Yankang leave.
A moment later, the head maid entered in single file, accompanied by several other maids.
A stream of gifts was delivered to the usually quiet Yingxing Pavilion.
Steaming hot calming soup, precious bird's nest tonic, brand-new silks and satins, and several pieces of jewelry that looked extremely valuable...
The maids carefully arranged the items, their attitude completely different from usual.
Xie Qingran lay quietly on the couch, casually picking up a jade hairpin with her fingertips. After playing with it in her palm, she tossed it back and said indifferently, "Put it in the storeroom."
Her value lies in more than just that.
"yes."
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