Chapter 167 Worthless
Liu Xiangxiang was already furious, and now she didn't even care about her mother's attempts to stop her. She just went crazy and wanted to fight Xie Qingran to the death.
Xie Qingran knew that this was her first banquet, so she didn't continue to argue with Liu Xiangxiang. She just smiled and said, "Baozhu, bring Miss Liu a cup of chrysanthemum tea to help her cool down. By the way, the Southern Opera troupe has arrived. Let's start the performance quickly."
With that, Xie Qingran bowed respectfully to Madam Liu: "Please, Madam, take your young lady to the table."
Originally, Madam Liu thought that Xie Qingran would seize this opportunity and keep going, but she never expected it to turn out like this.
She was stunned for a moment, then realized that Xie Qingran wasn't magnanimous, but rather that she wouldn't ruin her own reputation. In comparison, it made Liu Xiangxiang seem ill-mannered, and even the entire Liu family would lose face because of her.
After considering all the implications, Madam Liu's gaze towards Xie Qingran changed. She never imagined that a little girl raised on a farm would possess such methods; she was truly remarkable!
Just as the Southern Opera began, Aunt Yinshuang, who was by the side of the Imperial Concubine, walked in with three beautiful young ladies.
When Xie Qingran saw the three girls, she knew that this matter was definitely not simple. Her eyebrows were tightly furrowed and her expression was not good, but she still went up to them and smiled at Yinshuang: "Aunt Yinshuang, what brings you here?"
"Her Highness the Imperial Concubine knows that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is hosting a banquet for noble ladies in the capital today, so she specially sent this servant to add to the festive atmosphere."
"Her Majesty said that the Crown Princess has been married for so long but has no children. She must be too busy to take care of them. So she gave them to these three maids. Their cooking and embroidery skills are all first-rate, and they can also help the Crown Princess."
Yinshuang stood there neither humble nor arrogant, but the malice in her eyes was almost overflowing.
This was deliberately done at this moment, in front of everyone, to embarrass Xie Qingran!
The two have been married for less than three months. How can they openly force a child onto them under the pretext of not being able to produce such a vicious child?
Xie Qingran's expression remained unchanged; she simply smiled faintly and said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness!"
“Actually, I’ve been discussing this with the Crown Prince all this time. Three years ago, many young and strong generals were injured to varying degrees in that battle. Now, although the Crown Prince has married, those generals who are missing limbs are still not married.”
"Since Your Highness is so kind, then let's send these girls over there to serve those generals well. That would be a way of serving the country."
Xie Qingran's expression remained calm, but her words caused the three girls' expressions to change drastically!
They were originally delicate young girls who dreamed of becoming concubines of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, with a noble and respectable status after leaving. However, they never expected that Xie Qingran would just send them away to those disabled soldiers.
This...this is like comparing heaven and earth!
Yin Shuang was also completely taken aback when Xie Qingran said such a thing in public. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she looked at Xie Qingran with displeasure: "What do you mean by this? Do you not think much of the person given by the Imperial Concubine?"
"It's not that the Crown Princess doesn't like it, it's that I, the Crown Prince, don't like it."
"They're stuffing all sorts of weird and awful things into my room, isn't that disgusting?"
"Guards, take them all away and confine them in the stable. Have someone come and pick them out. If they're not to your liking, bury them and use them as fertilizer!"
Xiao Jue's voice suddenly came, showing no mercy and not even treating these girls as human beings.
He was always this kind of sinister, strange, and sharp-tongued nature, especially after he was injured, he became even more reckless in the capital. Although he didn't usually take action, as long as he opened his mouth, his opponents would definitely be either dead or seriously injured.
Originally, Madam Wang was worried that her daughter would be wronged, but she never expected Xiao Jue to protect Xie Qingran so much.
She initially felt that this marriage was unfair to Xie Qingran, but now, seeing Xiao Jue like this, she understood that Xie Qingran's choice was probably not wrong.
"Your Highness, this is someone bestowed upon you by the Imperial Concubine!"
Yinshuang never expected that Xiao Jue would humiliate her like this in front of everyone.
"Since the Imperial Concubine bestowed this person upon me, then he is mine, and I can do whatever I want with him."
"I'm just putting them in the stables, not the Imperial Concubine. What's the rush?"
Xiao Jue crossed his arms, raised an eyebrow and sneered, staring at Yin Shuang. His murderous aura erupted in an instant, causing Yin Shuang to retreat step by step.
"How dare you, Xiao Jue! Watch your mouth!"
"Do you think you can slander the Imperial Concubine so easily?"
Zhou Huai'an stepped forward, pointed at Xiao Jue's nose, and scolded him.
Seeing his fierce and angry expression, Xiao Jue sneered: "What kind of thing are you to dare talk to me like that? Bah!"
It's just some bastard of unknown origin, yet it dares to speak loudly in front of him. How ridiculous!
"Redwood, hurry up and make arrangements for these girls."
"Since Aunt Yinshuang is here, why don't you sit down and have a drink with us? Otherwise, Her Majesty will blame our Zhenguo Duke's Mansion for not being hospitable enough."
Xie Qingran acted as if nothing had happened, walked forward, and affectionately took Yinshuang's arm.
Yinshuang was so angry that she couldn't vent it, so how could she possibly sit down to eat?
Her eyebrows furrowed tightly before she abruptly shook off Xie Qingran's arm: "The banquet at your Zhenguo Duke's Mansion is far too expensive; I can't afford it!"
"Then, Auntie, take care."
"Respectfully seeing off Aunt."
Xie Qingran took a step back and gave a slight bow.
Since some people are being ungrateful, then it's better not to offer them any more favors. After all, Xie Qingran wasn't really trying to get them to stay for dinner.
Seeing this, Yinshuang was speechless for a long time. Finally, she gave Xie Qingran a fierce look and strode outside.
Zhou Huai'an was also quite angry. He shouted angrily, turned around, and strode away.
Xie Qingran remained calm and silently began to observe how many people had quietly slipped away because of this incident, thus revealing the distribution of the Consort's power in the court.
"Qingran, are you alright?"
Wang walked over and looked at Xie Qingran with some concern.
"Don't worry, Mother will never let the Imperial Concubine bully you!"
Wang had been humiliated by the Imperial Concubine before, which was why she sent Xie Qingran to the estate. Now, she would absolutely not allow that to happen again.
Xie Qingran could sense Wang's genuine protection, but she no longer cared.
Concern that comes too late is worthless.
"Don't worry, Mother, I'm fine."
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