Compared to outsiders, General Xie's deep, questioning gaze was the first to fall on Xie Lingqin.
“Sister, now that things have happened, don’t embarrass yourself any further. Father isn’t blaming you.”
Xie Lingqin sighed, but she was more magnanimous and mindful of the bigger picture than anyone else.
With just one sentence, Xie Lingyu was shut down from any further words she might say.
She truly and subtly demonstrated what it means to be a legitimate daughter.
General Xie breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but glance at Xie Lingqin again. This daughter of his was not too impolite.
The second concubine nearly bit her tongue in shock upon seeing this. She believed her daughter wouldn't speak without reason, but right now...
"Lingyu, are you frightened?" The second concubine could only swallow her anger and signal to Xie Lingyu not to cause any unnecessary trouble. This was the Marquis of Anping's residence, not the General's mansion.
Xie Lingyu was so frustrated that her fingernails almost broke her palms. Under the complicated gazes of the crowd, she could only sway slightly and reply, "Yes, that's right."
Taking this opportunity, Lady Anping comforted her second concubine, saying, "Don't take it to heart."
"What are you saying, Madam? This lowly concubine wouldn't dare." Before the Lady of Anping Marquis, even if the Second Concubine was favored in the General's Mansion, she was still just a... concubine.
This also made her realize the difference in their social status.
Lady Anping appeared approachable, but with just this one gesture, she already held the upper hand.
In the crowd, Xie Lingqin couldn't help but take another look at this Lady Anping. Indeed, she was quite capable.
I'm afraid that although Second Aunt is outwardly fine, she's starting to doubt the meaning of life.
An Shangyu, being young and naive, snorted coldly as the Lady of Anping Marquis pulled her past her second aunt and Xie Lingqin, unwilling to accept defeat.
Marquis Anping, General Xie, and the other officials who had come along waved their hands and smiled helplessly, treating it as a little farce between young girls.
The crowd gradually dispersed.
"Sister, your face..." Xie Lingqin suddenly seemed to notice something, stepped forward, and was extremely surprised.
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingyu was about to speak angrily when she noticed something amiss on her face. She immediately touched her face, and her complexion turned pale. She quickly pulled her second aunt away.
"What's wrong with my sister..." Xie Lingqin asked from behind, feigning confusion.
"Xie Lingqin, don't pretend to be kind." Xie Lingyu said this and hurriedly left with her second aunt.
Xie Lingqin straightened her sleeves, a cold smile appearing on her face.
Was it a loss of composure? Was it an injustice? Perhaps, this wasn't even the worst thing that happened to Xie Lingyu today...
"Miss, did you already know?" Behind her, Zihe looked at the somewhat flustered figures of her second aunt and Xie Lingyu and asked softly.
Xie Lingqin simply smiled faintly, "Of course."
"However, I have been in the capital for many years and know a lot about the news of various families and households, but I have never heard that the Ninth Miss of the Marquis's Mansion has such a fondness for butterflies."
Xie Lingqin remained silent, her expression aloof.
Speaking of which, it was during a visit to the Marquis of Anping's residence that I happened to see An Shangyu scolding a maid, saying that the maid had insisted on embroidering such beautiful butterflies on her shoes and doing so in such a ostentatious way.
The original owner wouldn't have paid attention at the time, but when she arrived, she naturally noticed this detail.
However, Xie Lingyu must have said something unpleasant just now. An Shangyu is arrogant but not vicious.
besides……
Xie Lingqin looked in the direction where Marquis Anping had just left, her gaze slightly narrowed.
"Did you notice that the Marquis of Anping was acting strangely just now?" Xie Lingqin asked softly.
Zihe was slightly taken aback. "What do you mean by something strange, Miss?"
“Unlike my father, who is selfish and concerned with his reputation, Marquis Anping is kind, generous, and considerate. He rarely gets angry.” At least, in all her experience, he had never been angry, let alone in front of her beloved daughter. However, just now, when she first yelled at Shang Yu, she was angry. But at that moment, the anger seemed to be directed not at An Shang Yu, nor at Xie Lingyu, nor at General Xie.
The emotion that flashed through her mind was too complex for her to grasp.
But something still felt off.
...
Meanwhile, in a secluded pavilion, a guard landed lightly and bowed to the elegant and refined man before him. "Your Highness, we've found out. The one who spread the news was Miss Xie's maid."
Yuwen Xian was gazing at the calm surface of the pool when he heard this. His brow twitched slightly, and he lightly twirled his fingers. "So it's Xie Lingyu? To gain my approval? Ha!"
Behind him, the guards were also quite dissatisfied, "This Miss Xie is so ignorant. In the current situation, the Emperor already harbors resentment towards the General's Mansion. If he finds out that although the Prince has broken off his engagement with the Eldest Miss, he is secretly with the Second Miss, wouldn't that be very displeasing to the Prince..."
Yuwen Xian suddenly raised his hand to interrupt the guard, turned to look at him, his face showing a deep look, yet also a hint of joy, "At least, it shows that Xie Lingyu still has some brains."
"Your Highness..."
“However…” Yuwen Xian’s tone turned cold again, “I do not like women who scheme against me.”
"Also, there was a dispute between Miss Xie and the Ninth Miss of the Marquis of Anping's mansion just now..."
Yuwen Xian smiled faintly and remained silent. "Ninth Miss Anping, ha..." After a cold sneer, Yuwen Xian looked at the guards. "Can the news about me and Xie Lingyu still be covered up?"
Upon hearing this, Qingyi shook his head, "Your Highness, with so many people talking, it will be difficult to explain to the Emperor."
"As long as the Crown Prince doesn't cause trouble at this time, I can handle it." Yuwen Xian touched the corner of his lips, and suddenly thought of Xie Lingyu's delicate and soft body just now.
Her physique is quite good...
Strange, why did I suddenly think of Xie Lingqin?!
...
Xie Lingqin was walking with An Shangning at this moment, and was naturally quite pleased with what Xie Lingyu had just said.
"Fourth Miss, my young master invites you to come over; he has something to discuss with you."
At this moment, a man who looked like a pageboy came out from the path and greeted An Shangning.
An Shangning clearly recognized the pageboy in front of her; her ears turned noticeably redder, and she asked in a cheerful voice, "Did your young master say what it was about?"
"The young master didn't say anything, but he sent me to invite the fourth young lady."
An Shangning immediately tugged at Xie Lingqin's hand, "Sister Lingqin, it's the eldest son of the Minister of War who's looking for me. I'll be right back."
oh!
The son of the Minister of War, I had heard An Shangning mention him before.
Xie Lingqin watched An Shangning and the page walk away, her clear and innocent eyes slowly narrowing. "Let's go and take a look."
"Miss, it's a matter of mutual affection..."
"Ha!" Xie Lingqin sneered, "It's probably not as simple as mutual affection."
She felt that something was off about today, but she couldn't find the crucial thought.
in case.
---Aside---
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