Chapter 358: Enduring Love
Xiao Yechen didn't dare to say that he had no distracting thoughts.
His love for the eldest lady had taken root long ago, and after years of rapid growth, it had become a towering tree that could not be shaken.
He loved the eldest lady very much, but he didn't dare to say it out loud.
He was afraid that if he was rejected, he would not even have the chance to get close to the young lady.
Xiao Yechen kept a stern face and didn't answer. Xie Zhang curled his lips and revealed a knowing smile: "Cousin He'er is alone now, so everyone can try their best. I am willing to compete fairly with Brother Yechen."
Xie Zhang spoke in a calm, gentlemanly tone, but Xiao Yechen frowned. "He'er's lifelong affairs should be decided by her own heart, not by you and me secretly competing to see who's better. Besides, you already have a child."
It is said that being a stepmother is difficult, and Xiao Yechen does not think that Xie Zhang is qualified to pursue Xiao Qinghe.
Hearing the disdain in Xiao Yechen's words, Xie Zhang remained calm: "Not only do I have a child, I've also been married once. Judging from the current situation, my chances of winning are far worse than Brother Yechen's. What else do you have to worry about, Brother Yechen?"
Xie Zhang was very patient. Xiao Yechen pursed his lips and clenched his fists.
He was not afraid of losing to Xie Zhang, he was afraid of annoying the eldest lady.
Xiao Qinghe was unaware of the conversation between Xiao Yechen and Xie Zhang. Upon learning that Yu Zhao was going to hold a birthday banquet, Princess Hengyang found a female medical officer from the palace to disguise herself as a maid and follow Xie Zhang's classmate into Yu's house to meet Yu Niang.
Yu Niang was indeed deeply poisoned, and because of three miscarriages, her foundation was damaged and she was bedridden.
On the day of the birthday banquet, the front hall was packed with guests and very noisy, but she was imprisoned in the small courtyard, where she could only listen to the sound of firecrackers and suffer from illness. The servants in the mansion were also very disrespectful to her, the lady, and the food they sent was all moldy and rotten.
After confirming Yu Niang's condition, the female medical officer asked Yu Niang to find a way to go to Yunshan Temple.
Ten days later, before daybreak, Yu Niang left the house in a low-key manner. Chun Xi and Xiao Qing He also went to Yunshan Temple under the escort of Xiao Yechen.
Princess Hengyang was originally going to go with them, but the child accidentally caught a cold last night and clung to her very closely, so she had to stay at home.
When they arrived at Yunshan Temple, Chunxi and Xiao Qinghe went to worship Buddha first.
As Mrs. Xiao grows older, Chunxi and Xiao Qinghe both hope that she can suffer less from illness and enjoy more years of family happiness.
Just after they finished worshipping Buddha, Quezhi came in and hinted to them that Yu Niang had gone to the Zen room. Chunxi and Xiao Qinghe then got up and went to the Zen room, but on the way they saw a little girl crying.
The little girl was about three or four years old. She had double buns on her hair. She was white and chubby and very cute. Her clothes were also very delicate. Somehow her palm was scratched, but she didn't cry loudly, but shed tears silently.
When she saw someone coming, the little girl immediately moved behind the pillar next to her, looking very pitiful.
Xiao Qinghe stopped, and Quezhi immediately stepped forward, squatting in front of the little girl and asking softly, "Whose family are you from? Why are you here alone? Are you being bullied?"
Quezhi's tone was gentle and her smile was very amiable. The little girl hesitated for a moment and then spoke softly, "I wasn't bullied. I fell accidentally. I don't want to make my father worry. I'll go to Changming Palace to find him later."
The little girl has a nice voice, very sweet and childish, and she sounds very sensible.
Quezhi wiped her tears and asked, "What's your father's name? Where is your mother?"
"My father's name is Xie Zhang, my name is Xie Huaiyin, my mother... my mother..."
The little girl couldn't continue speaking. She pouted and tears as big as beans rolled down her cheeks.
When Xiao Qinghe heard Xie Zhang's name, his heart tightened. Seeing the little girl crying sadly, he quickly hugged her in his arms to comfort her.
Quezhi explained the little girl's identity to Chunxi, and Chunxi immediately said, "Yu Niang won't be able to stay in the temple for long. He'er, you take care of the child. I'll go see Yu Niang and come back to you later."
In the past two years, Chunxi's status in front of the ladies of the noble families in Beijing has continued to rise. She often comes to Yunshan Temple with Princess Hengyang. Everyone in the temple knows her, and Xiao Yechen is secretly bringing people to protect her, so nothing can happen to her.
Xiao Qinghe nodded in agreement.
Not long after Chunxi left, Xie Zhang sent a nanny to look for his daughter.
The little girl stopped crying and lay quietly in Xiao Qinghe's arms, unwilling to let go.
Xiao Qinghe carried her to the Changming Palace, and Xie Zhang came to meet them from a distance.
"Huaiyin, where have you been? Do you know how worried Daddy is when he can't find you?"
Xie Zhang's face was full of anxiety, but he controlled his emotions and didn't get too angry.
Seeing Xie Zhang, the little girl finally let go of Xiao Qinghe. She walked up to Xie Zhang, stretched out her little hand and tugged at the hem of Xie Zhang's clothes, whispering, "I'm sorry, Daddy. I ran away because I was too playful. I won't do that again in the future."
The little girl was so sensible that Xiao Qinghe couldn't help but say, "I thought Huaiyin was cute, so I played with her for a while longer. I hope my cousin won't blame her."
Xie Zhang picked up the little girl and said softly, "I don't mean to blame Huaiyin. It's my fault. I was offering an ever-burning lamp to Huaiyin's mother in the Changming Palace, and just now I remembered many past events. I was too engrossed and didn't pay attention to her. If anything happened to her because of my carelessness, I will never forgive myself in this life."
Today, Xie Zhang came to commemorate his deceased wife. He was wearing an old blue-gray suit, and the sadness between his brows showed how deep his feelings for his deceased wife were.
Xiao Qinghe had seen too many heartless people in the past two years, and seeing Xie Zhang's deep affection for his deceased wife, she was inevitably moved. She comforted him softly, "My cousin has taken good care of Huaiyin. I believe my cousin-in-law will be pleased in heaven."
Xiao Qinghe was still thinking about Yu Niang, so he chatted with Xie Zhang for a few more words before leaving.
After Xiao Qinghe left, Xie Zhang carried the little girl back to Changming Palace.
There are thousands of lanterns in the hall, each of which expresses the remembrance of the deceased.
Xie Zhang held the little girl in his arms, looked at one of the lights, and asked, "Huaiyin, do you like that auntie just now?"
The little girl blinked her eyes and nodded seriously: "I like it. Auntie smells very good and speaks very gently, just like the mother in my dreams."
Xie Zhang kissed her forehead, then turned his head towards the ever-burning lamp and said, "Yin'er, don't worry. I won't let Huaiyin suffer any injustice. I will do my best to help her get what she likes."
After Xie Zhang finished speaking, the little girl also said seriously: "Mother, don't worry, Huaiyin will always remember you. Even if that aunt becomes Huaiyin's stepmother, Huaiyin will come here to see you every year with Daddy."
The father and daughter stayed in the hall for a long time before coming out. When they left, the little girl took out a pea green silk handkerchief and said, "That aunt's handkerchief just now fell here with me. Daddy, I want to return it to my aunt."
Xie Zhang curved his eyes and smiled lovingly. He rubbed the little girl's head and said softly, "Okay, Daddy will go with you."
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