Chapter 15 Accompanying Each Other for a Lifetime
Xie Qingran knew she couldn't escape it. After all, she had only made a small mistake back then, and the Imperial Concubine had punished her by sending her to the estate for more than ten years. During those years, Xie Qingran's life had been extremely difficult. Now, seeing the Imperial Concubine, Xie Qingran felt even more determined.
But no matter what she felt inside, she always appeared very gentle and obedient on the surface.
She bowed respectfully to the Imperial Concubine, and her manner of greeting was impeccable.
"It's been over ten years since I last saw you. Miss Xie has grown so much. I wonder how well you've learned your manners over the years?"
The imperial concubine looked at Xie Qingran with a face full of curiosity.
Back then, Xie Qingran's offense against the Imperial Concubine in the palace caused quite a stir, and almost everyone in the capital knew about it, so when it's mentioned now, everyone's expressions are somewhat strange.
Almost instantly, everyone's eyes were fixed on Xie Qingran.
Xie Qingran smiled slightly, then bowed deeply to the Imperial Concubine once more: "Thank you for your kindness, Imperial Concubine, in sending nannies to carefully instruct me over the years. I know I have made a mistake, and I will never dare to do it again."
The Imperial Concubine was about to say something more, but the Emperor had already sensed something was wrong. He squeezed the Imperial Concubine's palm, then smiled at Xie Qingran: "It was just that you were young and ignorant. Why hold a grudge? The Imperial Concubine is asking you because she cares about you. Don't misunderstand."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I dare not."
"I know that Her Highness the Noble Consort is kind-hearted and will certainly not hold it against me."
Xie Qingran neither refuted nor felt aggrieved; she simply went along with the emperor's words to smooth things over.
Such understanding, sensible, and able to swallow grievances and endure humiliation is truly rare. You probably couldn't find many young ladies like her in the capital.
The emperor was increasingly pleased with Xie Qingran, even feeling that she and Xiao Jue were actually a perfect match.
"That's excellent."
"Get up quickly."
The emperor nodded in satisfaction and smiled at Xie Qingran.
"The Imperial Concubine has choreographed a new dance. Since everyone is here today, let's all have a good time to celebrate."
The emperor held the imperial concubine's hand, smiled gently, and his eyes were full of love.
It's obvious that the emperor and empress were only after his own interests, but he was genuinely happy with the imperial concubine.
Xie Qingran was genuinely curious: if the emperor knew what the Consort had done, would he still dote on her and love her as much as he did now?
Thinking of this, Xie Qingran subconsciously glanced in Xie Hanyue's direction.
Sure enough, the Imperial Concubine immediately beckoned to Xie Hanyue: "Second Miss, come here quickly, let me see you."
Xie Hanyue was not only the apple of the eye of the Xie family, but also favored by the Imperial Concubine. Almost every time she entered the palace, the Imperial Concubine would call her to her side to talk.
"yes."
Xie Hanyue stood up and responded softly. Then she glanced at Xie Qingran, her eyes full of smugness and provocation.
So what if Xie Qingran just made a splash?
She is the best and most respectable young lady in the capital!
Seeing Xie Hanyue like this, Xie Qingran only found it ridiculous.
She sat down next to Madam Wang, her voice soft and gentle: "My sister's eyes and eyebrows are really similar to those of the Imperial Concubine."
Upon hearing this, Lady Wang looked up and indeed saw Xie Hanyue sitting next to the Imperial Concubine; the two faces were almost identical.
Previously, Xie Hanyue was too young to fully develop, so it wasn't too obvious. But now that Xie Hanyue is getting older, the two people are starting to look more and more alike.
Wang quickly averted her gaze, glared fiercely at Xie Qingran, and said irritably, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Yes, my daughter was talking nonsense." Xie Qingran smiled slightly, lowered her head, and continued to fiddle with the pastries on the plate.
Soon, the banquet ended, and the Empress summoned Xie Qingran to the Spring and Autumn Palace alone.
This time, the palace was not only filled with the Empress, but also with the Emperor and Xiao Jue.
The three people sat there, and when Xie Qingran walked in, six eyes stared at her alone, creating a very oppressive atmosphere.
Xie Qingran, however, showed no expression, and even when she bowed, she did not sway at all.
"This humble woman greets Your Majesty, the Empress, and Prince Xiao."
"You know me?"
Xiao Jue was somewhat surprised and raised an eyebrow at Xie Qingran.
Unfortunately, he wore a mask, so others couldn't see his expression, only his eyes and could hear his hoarse, deep voice.
“When I was young, I saw the Crown Prince from afar.”
Xie Qingran blushed slightly as she spoke, lowering her head and not daring to look at Xiao Jue again.
However, Xiao Jue suddenly chuckled and said, "It's really not easy for that young lady to still recognize me now, considering how I was young."
His words were a mix of self-deprecation, helplessness, and a warning to Xie Qingran.
The emperor would definitely support the marriage, and Xiao Jue wouldn't be able to object. The best solution now would be for Xie Qingran to back down on her own.
The Empress coughed, gave Xiao Jue a reproachful look, and said irritably, "You child, how can you be so tactless?"
"Qingran, please don't take it to heart. This brat has always been like this since he was little, he doesn't know how to speak properly!" The Empress looked at Xie Qingran reassuringly.
Xie Qingran knew that Xiao Jue's mother and the Empress were very close friends, having been together for decades. Xiao Jue was someone the Empress had watched grow up, and he was practically her own son.
Sure enough, as soon as the Empress spoke, Xiao Jue's arrogance immediately subsided. He touched his mask but remained silent.
"Although I only saw him from afar back then, I will always remember the Crown Prince's handsome appearance."
"The Crown Prince is doing this to protect his country and his home, and there is nothing shameful about it."
Xie Qingran smiled gently, trying her best to radiate kindness.
She didn't want Xiao Jue to reject her, even though she knew that as long as the emperor was willing to facilitate the marriage, it wouldn't matter if Xiao Jue was unwilling; she would definitely become the daughter-in-law of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
But after all, once the door is closed, it's still just the two of them living together. If Xiao Jue loathes her to the extreme, then life will probably be very difficult.
Xiao Jue glanced at Xie Qingran but did not speak.
Xie Qingran gritted her teeth and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, when I saw you from afar outside the city years ago, I fell in love with you. Now, I only ask to marry you and spend my life with you. I beg Your Majesty and Your Majesty to grant my wish!"
The emperor was initially unsure how to broach the subject, but he never expected Xie Qingran to be so direct.
Xie Qingran's directness and boldness solved the problem of the emperor and empress finding it difficult to speak up.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com