Chapter 71 No, Don't
Xie Qingran didn't ask any questions, but simply took Xiao Yanran's hand and walked out together.
She was immediately confronted by a middle-aged woman in her forties, dressed in fine silks and satins, adorned with valuable jewelry on her head and hands. If Xie Qingran hadn't already known that there was no lady of that age in her household, she would probably have mistaken her for the mistress of some courtyard.
"Third Miss, what are you doing here? I've been looking for you everywhere. Hurry up and come here. Look at the clothes you just put on this morning, they're already dirty."
When the woman saw Xiao Yanran, a hint of impatience flashed in her eyes.
Sure enough, Xiao Yanran held Xie Qingran's hand tightly and refused to let go, but when she saw the woman's eyes change color, she was so frightened that she trembled and could only reluctantly walk towards the woman.
"Third Miss, there's a banquet at home today with many strangers. You mustn't come out, or you might get kidnapped!"
"Hurry up and come back with me."
The woman gripped Xiao Yanran's wrist tightly, didn't even glance at Xie Qingran, and turned to leave in a hurry.
Xiao Yanran kept turning her head to look at Xie Qingran, but she still didn't say a word.
She dared not speak, nor was she certain of the consequences. She didn't know if Xie Qingran could help her, and if she did, speaking out would only lead to another disaster.
Xie Qingran naturally understood what Xiao Yanran, at her age, feared most.
She thought about it for a moment and felt that she couldn't ignore this matter. Regardless of whether she was going to be Xiao Jue's wife or not, she would not allow such a thing to happen. The child was innocent. Back then, Xie Qingran couldn't save her when she was little, but now, she was no longer a child.
Xie Qingran turned around and walked towards the front yard. As soon as she sat down, Baozhu looked at her with some concern: "Miss, are you alright?"
"It's nothing." Xie Qingran smiled slightly, then raised her wine glass: "Madam Qin, we are so grateful for your hospitality today, which is why we were able to enjoy such delicious food. I would like to propose a toast to you!"
Qin quickly raised her wine glass and drank with Xie Qingran.
After drinking three or five cups in a row, Xie Qingran's cheeks were a little red.
Xiao Jue simply sat there, and judging from Xie Qingran's wicked actions, he knew she was deliberately drinking. His eyebrows furrowed, and he was slightly puzzled, wondering what this woman was up to.
The banquet went relatively smoothly. When it was time to leave, Xie Qingran stood up, swaying unsteadily, and accidentally fell back onto her chair.
Seeing this, Wang felt utterly humiliated and gritted her teeth as she glared at Xie Qingran: "Get up now! Aren't you ashamed? What kind of behavior is this?"
"It's alright, young ladies are bound to have a bit of a drink."
"How about letting Miss Xie rest at my Zhenguo Duke's Mansion for a while, and I'll personally escort her back later?"
Qin stepped forward, smiling as she tried to smooth things over.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Madam."
Fearing that Wang might say something shocking, Xie Yankang hurriedly agreed.
In the past, Madam Wang would never have allowed such a thing to happen, but now that Aunt Lian has a child, Madam Wang feels a sense of crisis. Her only hope is her son, so she must arrange this marriage to pave the way for Xie Zhaoye.
Thinking of all this, Wang Shi glanced at Xie Qingran and said, "Then you should rest well, and go home when you're rested."
"Yes, thank you, Father and Mother, thank you, Sister-in-law Qin." Xie Qingran stood up unsteadily, bowed, and gave Qin a silly smile.
She was usually cold and aloof, and rarely showed such a charming and innocent side, which surprised Xiao Jue.
Soon, Baozhu helped Xie Qingran to the neighboring courtyard, with Xiao Jue following closely behind. As soon as they entered, Xie Qingran returned to normal.
Qin was also somewhat surprised. Looking at Xie Qingran's appearance, she frowned slightly: "Miss Xie, you... you haven't had too much to drink?"
"Yes, I deliberately made up an excuse to stay."
"I saw needle marks on Yanran's body today. I suspect that the nanny next to her is abusing her!"
Xie Qingran got straight to the point. She knew very well that there was no need for her to hide anything when talking to Xiao Jue and the others.
"How could that be? The people serving Yanran are all veterans of our household. Are you mistaken?"
"It's normal for kids to get hurt because they're naughty."
Madam Qin immediately shook her head, feeling that such a thing could not possibly happen in her family.
Xiao Jue stared at Xie Qingran: "Are you sure?"
"I can confirm that the old woman was dressed very richly and spoke very rudely. Yanran was afraid of her and would tremble when she saw her."
"Your Highness can call these two people over and let my sister-in-law and I examine Yanran. That way, we can see for ourselves."
This kind of thing is easy to verify, so there's absolutely no need to lie.
Xiao Jue immediately understood, glanced at Hong Shan, and said calmly, "Go and call them over, but don't alert them."
"yes."
Hongshan gave Xie Qingran a deep look, then turned and walked outside.
Before long, Granny Feng brought Xiao Yanran in. She had changed her clothes and looked no different from the other old servants, but Xiao Yanran still looked listless and aged.
Xiao Yanran entered the room and glanced at Xiao Jue somewhat timidly: "Greetings, big brother."
"Your sister Xie brought you a new outfit. Come in and change. See if you like it." Xiao Jue smiled gently, her voice filled with tenderness.
Xiao Jue was always gentle and patient with his younger siblings, but also felt an indescribable sense of guilt.
Xie Qingran also knew that Xiao Jue truly loved these two children.
"Children are always moving around, so why don't I go instead?"
Granny Feng's expression immediately changed, and she gave Xie Qingran a wary look.
I had seen this girl in the courtyard before, and I thought she was just a guest. I never expected that she would stay and even give me a gift.
Most importantly, the Crown Prince kept her gift?
"You stay here. I have other questions for you."
Xiao Jue's face turned cold, and he gave Granny Feng a chilling look.
Granny Feng dared not refute, and could only nod silently, giving Xiao Yanran a warning look: "Third Miss, you must listen to this older sister and change your clothes properly."
The meaning of "there is an inner garment under the outer garment" was clear to Xiao Yanran, and even clearer to Xie Qingran.
At this moment, Qin finally realized that something was wrong. She frowned slightly and pulled Xiao Yanran into the inner room.
Upon entering, Qin immediately stripped Xiao Yanran of her clothes. When her hand touched Xiao Yanran's undergarments, Xiao Yanran immediately stepped back, shaking her head and trembling, "No, don't."
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