Chapter 180 Invite Her In
Seeing Qingwu's surprise, Xi Zhong, who grew up in the Xi family, couldn't help but sigh, "Third Lady and you may not be born from the same mother, but we are also blood relatives. We are aristocratic families, and we rise and fall together. Third Lady knows this, so she's naturally thinking of you."
This is indeed true. There are cases of jealousy between half-sisters in large families, but those are not serious matters. When something important happens, they still have to protect each other. This is something that all families will remind their children.
Of course, even so, there are trade-offs. Who is most important, who is less important, and who will take the blame for whom... It all depends on the favor of the head of the family, the queen and the queen...
Qingwu finally remembered the letter in her hand. After noting her sister Qingmian's kindness, she opened the envelope conveniently. Her sister's action gave her a little more courage, even though the words in the letter did not meet her expectations...
The next moment, Qing Wu, who had just unfolded the letter, opened his eyes wide, and his eyes, which were still filled with tears, quickly filled with moisture again. He saw that the letter paper clearly read:
"This is a personal letter from my daughter Qingwu. I feel as though I've met you. Father has read what Sanniang has written. Your grievances are like a needle piercing your heart. Rest assured, my daughter. Even if this matter involves your mother and sisters, Father will not tolerate it!"
Xi Jianan didn't waste any words and stated his position at the beginning, which made Qingwu completely relieved.
Her father is on her side!
Qingwu's tears finally burst out, dripping onto the letter paper, making a mess. She hurriedly wiped them with her sleeve, fearing that she would blur her father's handwriting.
"Princess, don't worry." Seeing this, Xi Zhong whispered to comfort her, "When the master finds out, he will be furious and will definitely seek justice for you."
Qingwu took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Even though her father had made a promise at the beginning, she didn't think the matter would be easily resolved. She continued reading, and sure enough, after comforting her, her father changed the subject.
[I know my son has many grievances. I know it will be difficult to appease them, and I have no intention of doing so. However, this matter involves the crime of deceiving the emperor. One wrong step could destroy the Xi family's century-old foundation. We must proceed with caution. I hope my son will be patient and not make a big fuss about this matter. Please hold off for now, and we will discuss and decide the matter after I arrive in Beijing at the end of the year. I beg you... As for your mother, sisters, and even Song Yunhe, I have misjudged them. I will give you an explanation when I return to Beijing... Your eldest brother has also tolerated this matter. I am extremely disappointed and unable to shoulder the responsibility of the family...]
When Qing Wu read her father's plea, the tears she had just wiped away welled up again. She couldn't help but say angrily, "How could I not know the priorities? It's their business if they wronged me. How could I harm the Xi family? Father doesn't believe me anymore..."
Although the Xi family has Madam Zheng and Xi Qingtong, they also have their father, Qingmian, Baozhu, Yuzhu, Nanny Xia, and Aunt Liu... Even Uncle Xi Zhong in front of her has never treated her badly. How could she make a big fuss about this and leave them with nowhere to go?
Xi Zhong heaved a sigh of relief after hearing Qingwu's words. He kept these words in mind, took out a white jade pendant from his arms, and presented it to Qingwu with both hands.
"This is the master's jade pendant. The master asked this old servant to give it to you. This jade pendant belongs to the elders of the Xi family, the master's confidants, and close friends. If you have any important matters, you can ask them for help."
Obviously, Xi Jianan was also afraid that Madam Zheng and Xi Qingtong would make a bigger mistake. Giving this jade pendant to Qingwu was both to reassure her and to let her interfere in family affairs. If Madam Zheng and the others made trouble again, Qingwu could use this jade pendant to do things conveniently.
Qingwu's eyes were red again. Her father was handing over part of the power of the Xi family to her. After taking it, she couldn't help but hold it tightly. The warm touch of the jade pendant on her fingertips reminded her of her father holding her hand when she just returned to the Xi family.
"Uncle Zhong," Qing Wu said, clutching the jade pendant tightly in her palm, her voice slightly hoarse, "Please tell father that your daughter understands your intentions and will not use this jade pendant unless it is an emergency."
Xi Zhong nodded and took note of it. Qingwu held the jade pendant, wiped her tears and continued reading. The letter was extremely long and had lost its usual order. Most of the words were comforting to her, repeated over and over again, which made her soften.
At the end of the letter, Xi Jianan finally couldn't help asking: [How are you and Xiao Liulang getting along? Are you and him...]
The old father obviously found it difficult to speak of this part, so he erased the last few words and finally asked: "Are you willing to stay with her forever? What do you think, my son? Feel free to write to me and let me know."
Xi Jianan also knew that after such a long period of time, the matter was probably settled, and how to deal with it would depend on his daughters' opinions. Of course, he would only consider the opinions of one daughter, and he would never indulge the other one.
These thoughtful and considerate words warmed Qingwu's heart. She carefully folded the letter, put it back into the envelope, and looked up at Xi Zhong and said:
"Father asked me to write back, and I'll do it soon. However, writing is not as good as hearing it with your own eyes. I'd like to ask Uncle Zhong to go back and tell Father that the prince saw through my true identity early on and, in appreciation of my companionship, has forgiven past grudges and treated me very well. Please don't worry."
Hearing that Prince Zhao had already figured out Qing Wu's identity, Xi Zhong shuddered and quickly stood up and asked, "The prince figured it out? How did he figure it out? What did he say?"
This is a big deal. The most important thing in the matter of sisters exchanging husbands is Prince Zhao's attitude. Although Qingwu has already told him the result, Xi Zhong is also anxious because he doesn't know the inside story.
"Uncle Zhong, don't be impatient. Let me tell you slowly. You can go back and tell your father."
Qingwu briefly recounted the important events after the exchange. Hearing that the two were in love with each other, and considering the current results, Xi Zhong completely put his heart at ease. His tense heart relaxed for a moment, and he actually burst into tears.
As long as the prince is not angry, the Xi family will most likely not fall.
"That's good, that's good..." Xi Zhong looked at the Xi family lady who had lived in exile for the first half of her life, wiped his tears, and couldn't help but sigh: "Princess, you have also suffered a lot and finally achieved happiness. All this is what you deserve."
Xi Zhong lifted his coat and knelt, bowing solemnly to Qing Wu. "This old servant pays his respects to the princess once again. I wish the princess all the best and all her wishes come true."
Even if the princess didn't explicitly state her decision, Xi Zhong could see that the two sisters could not be exchanged. The couple had shared hardships and were deeply in love, and they were inseparable. Even if there was no such relationship, who would give up the opportunity to become the Princess of Pin?
With the change of status, people's mentality also changed. Qingwu saw his intention and accepted his greeting before asking him to stand up. However, Xi Zhong still knelt on the ground, bowing low.
"This old servant has something to say..." Xi Zhong whispered, "Madam and Madam Tong are, after all, the wife and daughter of the master..."
When they came, Xi Jianan and Xi Zhong were only afraid that Madam Zheng and Xi Qingtong would make trouble for Qingwu again. Who would have thought that after returning to Beijing, they would find that the attack and defense were different?
Now we should worry about Prince Zhao and the Princess taking revenge on Madam and Lady Tong.
Xi Zhong grew up with Xi Jianan and understood him. Although he could distinguish right from wrong, he also had human emotions. After all, they were his wife and biological daughter.
However, Xi Zhong couldn't help blushing when pleading for someone like that, and he looked up and explained:
"I also know that the princess has suffered a great injustice. I am not asking you to forgive them, but I am just trying to endure it for now and wait for the master to return before making a decision..."
Seeing that Qingwu's expression hadn't changed, he lowered his voice, "If the prince insists... I beg you to show some mercy."
The princess has blood ties on her side, but Prince Zhao has none. What man could endure such humiliation? The princess is easy to persuade, but the prince is hard to appease.
Looking at Xi Zhong's pleading face, she seemed to see her father with a pleading face. Qing Wu was silent for a moment, her fingertips gently stroking the jade pendant given by her father, and finally spoke.
"Uncle Zhong," she said in a calm but firm voice, "I won't act rashly, but you should also understand that there are some things that are beyond my control as to the prince's side."
She didn't want to reveal that Xiao Ji was completely obedient to her, nor did she want to guarantee that he would never retaliate against anyone. Revealing all her cards would only make them push her further.
But this sentence was enough for Xi Zhong.
"I understand." Xi Zhong bowed deeply. "Princess, just do your best."
Qing Wu nodded and clenched the jade pendant, "Uncle Zhong must have been tired on the journey. Come and rest for a while in the mansion..."
Before he could finish his words, he saw Feihong, who was waiting at the door, walking towards him, and Qingwu stopped talking in time.
Xi Zhong, who had stood up, also turned around and saw this scene. Before Yuzhu came in to report, Qingwu had already raised his voice to let Feihong come in.
"What's up?"
"Your Highness, your twin sister, Madam Song, is here to visit."
Hearing this, Qing Wu paused and suddenly laughed out loud. How dare she come here at this time?
But it’s good that he came. Let Uncle Zhong see Xi Qingtong’s true face for my father. When he comes back at the end of the year, he must not be soft-hearted.
"Please ask her to come in."
Then Qing Wu looked at Xi Zhong and said, "Uncle Zhong, would you please rest behind the screen for a while?"
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