"Hmm." Xie Yushu nodded, clearly agreeing. After thinking for a moment, he added, "Young Master went to Elder Dong's place to learn medicine today, but when he returned in the evening, he looked unwell. It seems he didn't get anything good from Elder Dong."
"Ignore him. He needs some training. If he doesn't improve, he'll have lived in vain."
Hearing this, Xie Yushu glanced at the old lady's courtyard before speaking softly, "Young Master's temperament did become a bit eccentric when he was with Second Madam, but now... he should be able to get better."
"Yes, if you're too stupid, you won't be able to practice properly, and you won't be able to learn anything."
Xie Lingqin showed absolutely no mercy to Xie Danling.
Xie Yushu couldn't help but twitch his lips.
Miss, you're being too direct. Luckily, Xie Danling isn't here, otherwise, we might have started arguing again.
"Oh, is Sister also going to the front hall to receive the imperial decree?" Just as the two were about to walk out of the archway in front, Xie Lingyu, accompanied by her maid, walked over from a side path with a very cheerful expression.
Xie Lingqin immediately understood why Xie Lingyu was so happy, but she still asked with a light smile, "A messenger from the palace has come to deliver an imperial decree. Sister, you seem very happy."
"Of course, this is an act of imperial grace."
"Then, when Second Aunt was murdered and her body was discovered, Second Sister, weren't you heartbroken for Mother? Given your personality, shouldn't you be crying your heart out, your eyes red and swollen, so emotional that you can't eat?"
Upon hearing Xie Lingqin's words, Xie Lingyu's smile immediately froze, and her eyes shone with a faint light. After a moment, she looked at Xie Lingqin and raised her chin, saying, "Regarding Mother's matter, I believe that the Prefect of the Capital will give an explanation. Moreover, I believe that Mother, in heaven, would want me to be well. Since that's the case, how can I cry and make Father sad?"
"Second Aunt was kicked out, so why should Father be sad? Besides, I suddenly remembered that Zhimiao died at the gate of the mansion. Sister, do you think... it could be that the person who injured your face that day?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingyu's expression changed. "Xie Lingqin, what nonsense are you talking about?"
"Oh." Compared to Xie Lingyu's slight trembling, Xie Lingqin remained calm. "It's nothing, I was just concerned about you."
"You..." Xie Lingyu realized she had lost her composure and quickly winked at the maid beside her.
The maid behind Xie Lingyu immediately stepped forward, "Miss, our young lady heard about the Second Madam's news yesterday and cried for a long time. It was only after we servants did our best to persuade her that she finally smiled, as we didn't want to affect your mood."
"Oh? Is that so?" Xie Lingqin's clear gaze fell on the maid who had spoken, and then looked at Xie Lingyu's delicate and beautiful face. "Your complexion is so good, you really don't look like you've been crying for a long time."
"Xie Lingqin, what do you mean?" Xie Lingyu retorted angrily, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes, her face contorting in rage.
In any case, Xie Yushu was clearly on Xie Lingqin's side, so she didn't need to put on an act in front of him.
only……
Xie Lingqin looked at Xie Lingyu with a calm expression, then suddenly pointed her delicate chin behind Xie Lingyu, "Look, Xie Danling is here."
"Wh...what?" Xie Lingyu immediately put away her fierce expression, turned around with a gentle and tender look on her face.
However, behind him, the wind rustled through the flowers, and the eaves were bathed in sunlight; there was no trace of Xie Danling.
"Xie Lingqin, you, you lied to me."
Xie Lingyu's face looked even worse than before.
"Yeah, life's been a bit boring. Watching you change your expression is quite amusing," Xie Lingqin said, then turned and left.
Xie Yushu cupped his hands in greeting to Xie Lingyu and immediately followed.
His expression seemed unpredictable.
"I never expected that the Second Miss, who is so obedient in public, would be like this in private..." Xie Yushu sighed softly.
Xie Lingqin remained noncommittal.
When she arrived at the front hall, General Xie was still exchanging pleasantries with Eunuch Ni. Xie Lingqin greeted him politely and then sat down. Even though she sensed that Eunuch Ni was secretly observing her from above, her expression remained unchanged.
Then Xie Lingyu arrived, her face no longer showing the angry and twisted expression she had just displayed; instead, she exuded a more refined and composed demeanor than Xie Lingqin.
"General, now that the eldest and second young ladies have arrived, let me announce the decree."
Grandpa Ni was extremely thin, yet his eyes were sharp and bright, and his hoarse voice was full of energy.
The general immediately stood up with a smile, "Good, good, good."
Xie Lingqin and Xie Lingyu straightened their sleeves, then stood up and knelt down to receive the imperial decree.
However, instead of producing an imperial decree, Eunuch Ni stood there and spoke loudly, "This is an oral decree. His Majesty says that he has invited the two young ladies to the palace for a chat tomorrow morning. Normally, an oral decree would suffice, but the reason he has gone to such lengths to send us is because the two young ladies are exceptionally talented, and the General's Mansion has always been a pillar of Bei Rong." After speaking, Eunuch Ni bowed to General Xie, "His Majesty has specially summoned the two young ladies to the palace. I'm afraid the good fortune they will receive in the future will be something they can't even pretend to have. Congratulations, General Xie."
General Xie was naturally pleased. Although it wasn't the imperial decree he had expected—a marriage decree bestowed upon Xie Lingyu—it was still a good thing that Xie Lingyu and Xie Lingqin could enter the palace together.
I fear this is a prelude to an arranged marriage.
General Xie gestured to Xie Yushu, who stepped forward, took out a bag of silver from his sleeve, and presented it to Eunuch Ni.
"Thank you for your trouble, sir." General Xie smiled as bright as the moon.
Eunuch Ni accepted the silver with a smile before taking his leave with his men.
Xie Lingqin and Xie Lingyu got up from the ground and both looked at General Xie.
"You've all heard that you're going to the palace tomorrow. Go to bed early tonight, and dress up nicely tomorrow, understand?"
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