Chapter 222 Father Xi returns home!
Finally, this day had arrived. Xiao Ji naturally could no longer hold back. He also didn't want others to think that his princess was called "Xi Qingtong".
Qing Wu nodded heavily, with anticipation in her eyes. She had been looking forward to this day for a long time, hoping to get back what belonged to her, and of course, she was even more looking forward to seeing the expressions of certain people.
Mrs. Zheng was completely surprised that Xi Jianan had returned home. As she looked at the dusty Xi Jianan, the smile on her face almost disappeared.
"Master...Master, why did you come back so suddenly?"
Her first thought was that Xi Jianan knew about the sister swap and came back to settle the score.
This was also the first time Xi Jianan had seen his wife look so guilty. The initial anger he had felt when he heard the news had now completely turned into disappointment. He stood in front of Madam Zheng, stared into her eyes, smiled, and said, "Of course she came back for something important."
Mrs. Zheng's heart skipped a beat, and her hands hidden in her sleeves began to tremble. It was clearly a smile, but she felt creepy.
But Xi Jianan said nothing more and went straight home. "Prepare some water. I need to take a shower and change clothes."
Seeing this, Mrs. Zheng immediately went to take care of it and did not dare to stay here any longer. She hoped that Xi Jianan had other important matters to return to Beijing.
But when Xi Jianan finished bathing and sat down in the main hall, his silent appearance while holding the tea made Mrs. Zheng panic again.
"Lord..."
"Ma'am, don't you have anything you want to tell me?"
Facing her husband's deep eyes, Madam Zheng, who had been in charge of the Xi Mansion for many years, couldn't help swallowing. She always had a bad premonition in her heart, but she didn't want to admit it, at least not actively.
Yes, she had her reasons, and it was understandable that she was like that. What was wrong with her being partial to the daughter she had raised?
Madam Zheng thought about how she had been married into the Xi family for over twenty years and had borne Xi Jianan children. She straightened her back and smiled slightly, saying, "My Lord, there is indeed something... I heard that Concubine Liu is pregnant again. Why didn't she come back with you this time? Counting the days, it's been over three months, right?"
Hearing this, Xi Jianan's expression remained unchanged. He simply took a sip of tea and looked at Madam Zheng and said, "I've been rushing back for important matters, traveling day and night. How can I bring a pregnant woman with me?"
He mentioned "important matters" several times. What exactly is this important matter?
Madam Zheng's heart was hanging in the air. When she met Xi Jianan's eyes again, her lips moved several times, but she couldn't help asking, "Why did the master come back?"
Seeing that she didn't admit it, Xi Jianan couldn't help but feel even more disappointed. He really didn't realize that the wife he married was such a person over the years.
He sighed and was about to confront Madam Zheng directly when Xi Zhong came in to report, "My Lord, Prince Zhao, the Princess, and the clan leader have all arrived."
Hearing these three people, Madam Zheng's forced calm expression finally cracked. She looked at Xi Zhong, "Master..."
Xi Jianan's expression finally turned cold, but he no longer looked at Madam Zheng. He stood up and walked out, saying, "Let's go."
Madam Zheng felt her legs weaken, and she could barely stand. She clutched her sleeves tightly, her nails digging into her palms, but she felt no pain. He knew...
When she stumbled and followed Xi Jianan into the hall, the scene before her made her feel like she was falling into an icy cave.
Xi Jianan bowed deeply to Xiao Ji and Qing Wu and said, "I pay my respects to the prince and princess."
Then he looked at his daughter, who had been coerced and bribed by her, his eyes filled with pity: "Daughter... I'm sorry for making you suffer."
With a loud bang, Madam Zheng felt dizzy. She clung to the doorframe, unable to move. What else could she say? Her husband's attitude was so obvious...
Qingwu hurriedly stepped forward and helped Xi Jianan up. Looking at her father's guilty expression, her eyes couldn't help but pass through his shoulder and fell on Mrs. Zheng, who was pale at the door. For a moment, her heart was filled with mixed feelings.
How long had she been waiting for this moment? Unspeakable grievances surged in her heart, making her eyes sore. She looked away and lowered her eyes to say a few words to Xi Jianan, but tears fell first.
Seeing his own daughter crying in front of him, Xi Jianan couldn't help but have tears in his eyes. He held Qingwu's hand and touched that tender hand. A soft feeling naturally emerged in his heart, and thousands of words were choked in his throat.
"It's all my fault..."
It was all because of him that he had chosen the wrong person and married Qingwu to the treacherous Song Yunhe. It was all because of him that he had pushed his daughter to... His eyes swept across Prince Zhao, who was staring at his daughter with gentle eyes. Xi Jianan paused in his thoughts, and finally let go of Qingwu's hand and bowed to Xiao Ji.
"Thank you for your tolerance, Your Highness."
At this moment, he didn't know whether to blame fate or thank fate. His daughter was betrayed by Song Yunhe but was loved by Xiao Ji. Moreover, if it weren't for Xiao Ji's tolerance, the Xi family would have suffered a devastating disaster long ago.
Xiao Ji dodged sideways again and said quickly, "Father-in-law, you are so polite. Meeting Qing Wu is the blessing of my life."
These words were like a slap in the face, slapping Madam Zheng hard. The daughter she had discarded like a piece of trash was now truly respected so highly by His Royal Highness... No, that's not right, he was calling her "Qingwu"?!
Prince Zhao knew?
Madam Zheng shuddered, looking at Xiao Ji in disbelief. She saw the young prince gazing at Qing Wu tenderly, his eyes filled with cherishment and love. However, upon noticing her gaze, his gaze instantly turned to disgust and coldness.
Mrs. Zheng's face turned paler and paler. At this moment, Xi Jianan turned back and looked at her. The depth in his eyes had completely turned into disappointment and heartache.
They knew... they knew it all!
Xi Jianan turned around and looked at Madam Zheng coldly: "Madam, do you understand now? What is the 'important matter' I need to take care of?"
Madam Zheng opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She subconsciously looked at Qing Wu, the source of all this, and asked in shock and anger, "Did you write to your father?"
Qingwu's tears, which had just been brought on by her father, froze at Madam Zheng's words. She met Madam Zheng's gaze and chuckled softly.
"Not me."
Although there was no need to explain and she wouldn't believe it, Qingwu still wanted to tell her.
Mrs. Zheng really didn't believe it. Seeing the increasingly reproachful look in her husband's eyes and the coldness in the prince's eyes, she tried every way to excuse herself.
"You were willing at the beginning. If you didn't want to, how could I, as your mother, force you to do this? I've already given you the betrothal gifts and the dowry. I haven't wronged you. Why did you ask your father to come back?!"
Upon hearing this, the last trace of warmth in Qing Wu's eyes completely vanished. She straightened her back and said in a voice as cold as ice, "Mother is right. I did this of my own accord."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
