Chapter 75: An Pinghou's Thoughts, Visitors from the Palace
"Madam Hou, please stay. Sister Nianxi, please stay."
Xie Zhi came to Jiang Nianxi with two scrolls in his arms.
She changed into the dress that had made her kneel down in the hall and made her look awkward. The corners of her eyes were slightly red, as if she had just cried.
"Sister Nianxi, I know you like calligraphy and painting. This is my collection of Liu Daozi's landscape paintings and pine and crane paintings. Thank you for your care today."
Her voice choked with sobs: "I've disturbed the Hou Furen and your pleasure today. It's all Zhizhi's fault."
Jiang Nianxi accepted the calligraphy and painting, thinking that she didn't like calligraphy and painting that much, but she liked valuable things.
She smiled and said, "This is none of Sister Zhi's business. If it weren't for Sister Zhi, my sister and I would have found it difficult to see the true face of your cousin."
The wife of Marquis Anping had no good feelings towards this concubine's daughter. She frowned slightly and ignored Xie Zhi.
Instead, when she saw Xie Yao, she responded with a gentle smile: "Sister Xie, if you have some free time someday, come with me to Zhixianfang to pick out some clothes. I will pay and you can choose whatever you want. Only the clothes there are worthy of Sister Xie's beauty."
Xie Yao said politely, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam."
"lady!"
A soft and clear call came.
The curtain of the car was opened and Marquis Anping jumped down nimbly.
He was very young, dressed in brocade clothes and a jade crown, with a handsome and childish face, but there was a faint dark circle under his eyes, and his eyebrows and eyes revealed a bit of arrogance and romanticism.
The Marquis of Anping's wife immediately stepped forward and asked, "It's freezing cold, why did the Marquis come in person?"
She blamed him with her mouth, but a smile appeared on her face. She looked around and was secretly happy in her heart.
Mrs. He, who loves to join in the fun and gossip, was there. If this scene were to be spread, people would say that she was good at controlling her husband and that she and the Marquis of Anping lived in harmony.
Jiang Nianxi also said: "Look, sister, your brother-in-law came to pick you up so soon. You two have such a good relationship."
When Marquis Anping heard this, he paused and smiled at her with raised eyebrows.
"Auntie is so sweet. It's snowing so hard and Madam's carriage broke down. It's only natural for me to come and pick her up, but—"
His tone was a little frivolous, and he drew out his words, his eyes sweeping over Jiang Nianxi.
"I have to come pick up my aunt as well. I heard the Xie family held a lively winter solstice banquet. I want to see my aunt's future husband."
Jiang Nianxi blushed and sighed, "Brother-in-law, stop teasing me. I'm afraid the Xie family's affairs will spread everywhere tomorrow. Our Jiang family is not lucky enough to bear the consequences."
Hearing this, the smile on Lady Anping's face faded.
The Marquis of Anping’s surname is Li and his name is Yu. He is the youngest of the seven princes of the late emperor and the empress dowager. He is only eighteen years old now, four years younger than her.
She has been married to the Marquis's Mansion for four years, so it is not an exaggeration to say that she has watched the Marquis grow up.
The Marquis has a bad temper but is sweet-spoken, and is the Queen Mother's favorite. The only thing is that he has become increasingly greedy for beautiful women in the past two years, and the Marquis's Mansion already has seven or eight concubines.
With the word "Aunt", she knew that her husband had dirty thoughts again, but she, the half-sister, was too stupid to know it at all.
Marquis Anping teased Jiang Nianxi for a few words, and his eyes inadvertently swept over Xie Yao, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
Xie Yao was dressed in red, standing in the dim light and shadow of the corridor. Her phoenix eyes were bright and clear, and her brilliance was restrained, yet captivating.
Marquis Anping had seen many beauties, but when he saw her, he was shocked and seemed to be in love for the first time.
His Adam's apple rolled and his steps involuntarily leaned towards her: "This girl is——"
However, Xie Yao just glanced at him indifferently, her eyes cold: "Madam, now that the carriage has arrived, I will return home."
In his previous life, Lu Shenyan was injured while blocking an arrow for Marquis Anping. Afterwards, this person came to the Lu family in person to visit her.
When Marquis Anping saw her, he had the same look in his eyes.
While Lu Shenyan was away, he said: Madam Lu, I feel a sense of sympathy for you from the first sight. If you are willing, I am willing to help you divorce Lu Shenyan and remarry me.
Xie Yao said coldly: My Lord, please respect yourself.
Although Anping Hou looked unwilling, Lu Shenyan was his savior after all. He finally just shook his head and left with regret.
"Second Miss, take care."
Seeing Xie Yao's cold attitude, Lady Anping Hou heaved a sigh of relief and felt even more favorable towards her.
She knows when to advance and when to retreat, and knows her limits. She is a hundred times better than that restless concubine of the Xie family.
"My Lord, this is Miss Xie, the daughter of the Earl of Wenchang, who is about to marry the Prince of Jingbei."
The wife of the Marquis of Anping said, emphasizing the word "waiting to get married" to make her husband give up.
In her opinion, no matter how romantic and lustful the Marquis was, he was still the empress dowager's son and the emperor's brother, and his every word and action had to take into account the dignity and reputation of the royal family.
Moreover, she knew Li Yu. He would not have any bad intentions towards a married woman, and would not provoke King Jingbei.
Prince Jingbei and the Emperor are not brothers, but they are better than brothers.
Although the Marquis and the Emperor are brothers, the Emperor killed his five brothers.
Marquis Anping stared at Xie Yao's back and was stunned for a moment: "She is the Second Miss Xie who is going to marry Xiao Yizi?"
"Exactly."
The clear eyes of Marquis Anping became deep and cold.
When he first saw Xie Yao, he just had a good impression of her, but after knowing that she was the princess Xiao Yizi was going to marry, he clenched his fists tightly.
What his wife didn't know was that from childhood to adulthood, whether it was the late emperor, his mother, or his subordinates, they all liked to compare Xiao Yizi with the other princes.
And that man killed his four brothers five years ago!
His brother, Prince Rui, who loved him the most, was also beheaded by Xiao Yizi himself!
Now, Xiao Yizi can marry a stunning beauty like Xie Yao, and he is really unwilling to accept it.
"Sister Nianxi, Madam Hou, since the painting has been delivered, Zhizhi will take her leave first." Xie Zhi spoke at the right time, bringing Marquis Anping back to his senses.
Her peripheral vision kept glued to herself.
Anping Hou was holding back some anger, and when Xie Zhi's shy and timid gaze caught his eye, he immediately found an outlet to vent his anger.
Jiang Nianxi casually introduced: "Brother-in-law, this is Wenchang Bo's eldest daughter Xie Zhi, Sister Zhi."
"I have long heard of Miss Zhi's great name. I heard that Miss Zhi is a great painter and is the most talented woman in the capital. I really want to see your calligraphy." said Marquis Anping.
Although the eldest daughter of the Xie family is not as stunning as Xie Yao, she is also pretty and charming. She seems to have suffered some injustice and has a charming look that makes people feel pity for her.
His eyes swept over Xie Zhi unscrupulously, moving up from her slender waist, and finally meeting her watery eyes.
Anping Hou raised a playful smile and looked back at Xie Zhi without hesitation.
"Your Excellency is too kind. This is just a way for a girl in the boudoir to pass the time. It can't be called a masterpiece of calligraphy."
Xie Zhi was secretly delighted, lowered her head slightly, and looked even more shy.
The wife of Marquis Anping saw all of this and her eyes instantly turned cold.
This illegitimate bitch, who is not presentable and has a bad reputation, dares to seduce her husband in front of her. She is so bold!
"My Lord, it's getting late."
The Marquis's wife spoke calmly, interrupting the exchange of glances between the two.
Only then did Marquis Anping retract his gaze and responded.
Before getting on the carriage, he glanced at Xie Zhi again, his eyes meaningful and with obvious hints.
Xie Zhi's heart was pounding, but he still bowed respectfully: "Farewell, Lord Marquis, and Madam Marquis."
Secretly, a servant in the marquis's mansion had already seen through his master's thoughts and stayed.
The wife of Marquis Anping got on the carriage and looked at the young and handsome profile of her husband beside her, her chest heaving.
What a shameless concubine of the Xie family! She will remember this!
With her around, marrying into a marquisate is just a dream!
Outside the car, Xie Zhi looked at the carriage of the Marquis' Mansion going away, and a smug smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
So what if Xie Yao married the disabled Prince Jingbei, and so what if the emperor did not choose her to enter the palace.
The interested look of Anping Hou was enough to prove that Xie Zhi could still marry into a wealthy family!
As expected, a servant came to her side and said, "Thank you, Miss. I am the eunuch serving the Marquis. Tomorrow afternoon, the Marquis is going to go ice fishing in the Bian River."
He only said this, but Xie Zhi understood.
On the other side, Xie Yao returned to Wanxiangyuan.
Just after sitting down for a cup of tea, someone from the palace's clothing department came and said that they wanted to make a formal dress for Princess Jingbei.
Also arriving was the Empress Dowager Dao's imperial decree.
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