Xie Lingqin's heart stirred. Such a heartwarming question, with a smile full of concern, didn't mention the current situation of the Zong government, but instead asked her first why she shouldn't have come, and if she had come, whether she had been mistreated.
The reason the original owner rarely visited such a maternal grandparent's home was not only for his own survival, but also because he had a desire to protect it.
"I am your granddaughter, of course I dare to come." Composing herself, Xie Lingqin stepped forward and supported Zong Zhengxiong, looking quite distressed. "Grandpa, how come you... have aged so quickly?"
These were Xie Lingqin's heartfelt words.
According to the original owner's memories, Zong Zhengxiong was a sprightly old man just a year or two ago. How long has it been? He has aged so much.
"Silly girl, you're getting old, that's just how it is." Zong Zhengxiong laughed heartily, pulling Xie Lingqin into the house.
Zihe consciously stayed outside the door.
Inside the house.
Upon entering the room, Zong Zhengxiong's smile faded somewhat as he looked at Xie Lingqin and asked, "I haven't seen this maid before. Did you find her recently?"
Xie Lingqin said that her grandfather was indeed wise despite his old age.
However, after thinking about it, to avoid worrying him, she nodded, "Yes, when my second aunt found me a maid, she took the opportunity to replace the maid in Qing Shui Ge. This maid is good, Grandpa, don't worry."
Xie Lingqin spoke with composure, her expression calm, and her demeanor serene.
Zong Zhengxiong looked at Xie Lingqin meaningfully, and after a moment, sighed with relief, "I've heard about what happened at the General's Mansion. You've really changed a lot, girl."
Xie Lingqin's pupils contracted slightly. Just as she was thinking of finding an excuse to make her grandfather more accepting, she heard Zong Zhengxiong say, "After all these years, it's time for you to change. Always enduring and surviving is really unlike your mother." He said this with a hint of relief, something he couldn't have wanted.
“My granddaughter has practically died once, so naturally she needs to change. If we continue to tolerate her, I’m afraid she’ll really be reduced to nothing.”
Zong Zhengxiong nodded, then sighed again, "If Xu'er could think as clearly as you, things wouldn't be like this today."
"Grandfather, may I go see my cousin first?"
Upon hearing this, Zong Zhengxiong quickly waved his hand in objection, "Just look at me and go back early. These are turbulent times, and the Zong government is destined to decline. Don't get yourself into trouble."
“Grandpa.” Xie Lingqin’s voice suddenly rose, her eyes fixed on the kind old man. “How can you say such a thing? Do you expect me to just watch my cousin die, watch the Zong government decline, until… the whole family is wiped out?”
These words seemed to resonate with Zong Zhengxiong, but a glimmer of affection flashed in his old eyes, and he finally sighed softly, "Qin girl." Zong Zhengxi waved his hand, "The other party is a princess, and above the princess is the emperor."
Xie Lingqin did not back down. "Grandpa, I will not let the Zong government fall." With that, she patted Zong Zhengxiong on the shoulder, then opened the door and walked out.
The butler was about to step forward to ask when he heard Zong Zhengxiong's voice from inside, "Let her go. Her stubbornness is just like her mother's."
Uncle Qin bowed slightly. "Yes, sir."
Zihe naturally followed in Xie Lingqin's footsteps.
Xie Lingqin's face was as white as snow. She was determined to keep Zong Zhengxu alive no matter what. However, when she actually saw her kind and elderly grandfather, Zong Zhengxiong, a feeling of sadness welled up in her heart for some reason. She thought that she must protect the entire Zong government.
From afar, they could see Zongzheng Xu practicing his swordplay in the courtyard. The man was dressed in white and was exceptionally handsome. Upon seeing Xie Lingqin arrive, he was clearly shocked. He immediately sheathed his sword, took a few steps over, and said with a hint of reproach, "Who sent you?"
"Seeing my cousin like this, I know he would never do something like womanizing or impulsively hitting someone," Xie Lingqin said.
Zongzheng Xu truly lived up to his name, a gentleman of modesty and gentleness, as warm as a spring breeze. Upon hearing this, he seemed rather dejected. "Ha, the princess and I have been married for several years and have always treated each other with respect. How could I possibly be seeking pleasure with other women?"
"Then, is the princess seeking pleasure with prostitutes?" Xie Lingqin asked, her tone of questioning but with an air of certainty.
Upon hearing this, Zongzheng Zhao was clearly taken aback.
Not only her, but Zihe was also taken aback upon hearing these words, and then lowered her head.
"You?" Zong Zhengxu looked at Xie Lingqin as if he had never met her before, his gaze complex and dark.
“I almost died a few days ago. After escaping death, I finally understand that I can no longer be bullied, and I can no longer sit and wait to die,” Xie Lingqin explained to Zong Zhengxu.
Zong Zhengxu's expression relaxed, seemingly agreeing, but then he added, "However, I don't want you to be trying to step forward at this time."
"We are all in this together, whether we prosper or suffer. Cousin, if the Zong government is implicated because of this, I will not fare well either." Xie Lingqin said each word clearly, "You know best what my days in the General's Mansion were like."
Zongzheng Xu closed his eyes briefly, his brows furrowing slightly. "I've heard quite a bit about what's happened at the General's Mansion these days. I guess you've really come to your senses and improved, so I'm much more at ease."
“But we just want to live, yet some people keep making things difficult for us. We’ve watched as Auntie and Xie Lingyu have lost their hearts in the mansion. But yesterday, Second Auntie’s family produced the second-highest scorer in the imperial examination. Father is now in a position to curry favor with them. And with this incident at the Imperial Clan Court, do you think I can have an easy time?”
Zong Zhengxu's eyes narrowed, but he did not offer any strong rebuttal. He then closed his eyes and turned to walk into the house.
Xie Lingqin told Zihe to wait for her there, and then followed her.
“Cousin, although she is a princess, if she does something to betray her husband, even the Emperor will not forgive her.”
Zongzheng Xu looked at his younger sister and sighed. After a long while, he smiled bitterly and said, "But, compared to her, whose face do you think the Emperor would care about?"
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