Extra 5: Xi Family Visits Relatives
Two days later, Qingwu was finally able to get around and go out on his own. His first stop was naturally the Xi family.
Xiao Ji was busy discussing Western affairs with His Majesty and was unable to accompany him in person. Qing Wu did not feel disappointed but instead thought it was a good thing.
The third sister, who had just married Yang Sanlang last year, also sent a letter and went back with her on the same day. She did not visit the Eastern Palace a few days ago because she caught a cold and only recovered in the past two days.
In the early winter, people were catching colds everywhere, so Qingwu paid extra attention and ordered people to keep an eye on the little princess and not let any outsiders get close to her.
Due to various reasons, Qingwu kept a very low profile on this trip and did not act like the Crown Prince's Consort, but the Xi family did not dare to be negligent and had already greeted her at the gate.
When Qingwu was helped down from the carriage, he saw a large family standing in front of the Xi family's door. Xi Jianan was in front, Xi Qingfeng was on the side, holding a little boy of four or five years old by the hand, and Xi Qingmian and his wife were standing next to them, and then there was Xi Qingbai's family.
After not seeing each other for a few years, there were a few unfamiliar faces in the house. After a little thought, Qingwu remembered their identities. The little boy of four or five years old was her younger brother Xi Qingyu, and the other one, one big and one small, was the wife his eldest brother Xi Qingbai married three years ago, and their daughter.
Xi Qingbai finally passed the imperial examination in the autumn of the first year of Kaiyao. He realized that he did not have much talent. Xi Jianan did not want him to continue taking the imperial examination, so he found him a job in the Ministry of Rites through his influence and arranged a marriage for him that year.
The wife he was destined to marry was not any of the people on the list that Madam Zheng had given him, but the legitimate daughter of the Wu family, a doctor in the Ministry of Works. The doctor in the Ministry of Works was of the fifth rank and although he had some real power, he was far from the current Xi family.
Not long after, Mrs. Wu stood in front of her holding her daughter. She had a flattering smile on her face, but there was a hint of fear and worry in her eyes. It seemed that she knew that she did not like Xi Qingbai.
"I pay my respects to the Crown Princess."
Qing Wu didn't embarrass her, "No need to be polite."
It was true that she didn't like Xi Qingbai, but she would not implicate an innocent girl because of him. However, Qingwu didn't know that her coldness towards Wu was enough to make Xi Qingbai feel that she was useless.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xi Jianan, Xi Jianan naturally took Xiao Yi over, and then pointed to the little girl in Wu's arms and said to Xiao Yi, "This is your cousin Miaomiao."
When walking towards the main hall, Xi Jianan asked Qingwu some questions about Xiao Yi. Every time Qingwu answered, Xi Jianan would add a few words about Miaomiao.
Qingwu could see that Xi Jianan wanted to use the two children to bring her closer to Xi Qingbai. Qingwu also knew that Xi Jianan was trying to please her by not supporting Xi Qingbai to continue studying.
It seemed as if he was saying to her: Look, I have ruined his future in the imperial examination, so just calm down.
Qingwu just smiled and lowered her head. What if Xi Jianan continued to support Xi Qingbai in his studies? Whether he could pass the exam had nothing to do with how long he studied. However, even if he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi in the future, she would not say a word in his favor.
But when his eyes fell on the girl in Wu's arms, Qingwu finally said, "Miaomiao is only a few months younger than Yier, right?"
Wu, who had been holding her nerves tight, finally replied as if she had been pardoned: "Yes, yes, the little princess was born in March, and Miaomiao was born in May."
Xi Qingbai, who had been following behind without daring to speak, finally breathed a sigh of relief and thought that this daughter was not bad.
However, Qingwu only responded with this sentence. Her eyes fell on the young couple beside her. When she saw Xi Qingmian's hand accidentally fall on her abdomen, a hint of joy flashed in Qingwu's eyes.
She stopped and softened her voice: "Qingmian, do you... have good news?"
Xi Qingmian's cheeks flushed instantly. She nodded shyly and replied softly, "It's just been three months. I was thinking of telling you later."
Yang Sanlang, who was beside her, also had a rosy face at this moment. He carefully protected his wife, his eyes flashing with the joy of becoming a father.
"This is great news!" Qing Wu smiled sincerely and patted Xi Qingmian's hand gently. "The first three months are the most important, so you have to be careful. I have a copy of my pregnancy notes, I'll have someone send it to you later."
"Thank you, sister." Xi Qingmian was overjoyed.
"Then hurry up and go in, or you'll catch a cold."
Although early winter is not the coldest time of the year, it is still very cold outside. The group quickly entered the warm main hall, where they could finally have a good conversation.
As the one with the most noble status, Qingwu naturally took the lead in all discussions. She first showed concern for Qingfeng's studies.
Xi Qingfeng is just fifteen years old this year. He passed the examination for a scholar last year and is now preparing for the examination for a juren in three years. This once invisible brother in the Xi family has finally struggled out of the cracks and started to get a glimpse of the world.
Qing Wu encouraged him a few words, "Take the exam seriously and strive to pass the imperial examination after you reach the age of twenty."
Xi Qingfeng nodded heavily. He used to be the one who was looked down upon in the school, but now who doesn’t know that he is the Crown Princess’s younger brother?
However, Xi Qingfeng never acted presumptuously because of his status. Instead, he studied harder. He knew that this was his chance. Being the Crown Princess's brother was not enough. He had to be even better to get more.
After Qingfeng, it was Qingyu's turn. The five-year-old child had been taught in advance. He looked at Qingwu and called her "sister". Although she said sister, in Qingwu's eyes, she felt more like a daughter towards this brother. Qingwu nodded with a smile and suddenly looked at Xi Jianan.
"Father, why isn't Aunt Liu here?"
Xi Jianan was stunned, "This is not, her identity..."
Qingwu knew what he was worried about. For her sake, Zheng would be the main wife of the Xi family for the rest of her life, and Concubine Liu would always be a concubine.
"It's okay. My aunt has always taken good care of me. Just ask her to come over."
Xi Jianan then called out from behind the screen, "Liu, come out." A hint of joy also appeared on Xi Qingmian's face.
There was a subtle noise behind the screen, and Concubine Liu came out with her head lowered and steps light and soft. She was wearing nice clothes and more jewelry on her head than before, and it was obvious that her status in the Xi family had far exceeded that of the past few years.
She walked into the hall and bowed deeply to Qing Wu, "My name is Liu, I pay my respects to Her Royal Highness the Crown Prince's Consort."
Before she bent her knees, Qing Wu raised his hand and said, "No need to be so polite, Auntie. Please sit down and talk."
Concubine Liu was flattered and thanked him profusely before carefully taking a seat halfway down the last chair at the bottom, her posture extremely respectful. It was clear that she didn't dare act presumptuously in front of Qingwu just because she had given birth to a son.
Qingwu felt a little emotional when he saw her like this. Qingwu always remembered the care that Concubine Liu had given her when she first returned to the Xi family.
"Long time no see. How is everything, aunt?" Qingwu asked gently.
Aunt Liu said hurriedly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am fine."
Qingwu nodded and said with a smile: "Qingyu looks like a smart child. Auntie has brought him up well."
When mentioning her son, Aunt Liu's eyes flashed with a hint of sincerity, but she still said humbly: "Your Highness is too kind. Yu'er is naughty and needs more discipline."
Qing Wu naturally noticed her caution and said nothing more. He only said to Xi Jianan, "Father, Qing Yu is old enough to start studying. It's time to hire a proper teacher. If necessary, the Eastern Palace can also recommend a few teachers."
As soon as these words came out, Aunt Liu raised her head abruptly, her eyes instantly filled with surprise and gratitude, then quickly lowered her head, her voice choked with sobs: "Thank... Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace!"
Xi Jianan also quickly agreed: "Yes, yes, that's what your father meant. I'll trouble the East Palace then."
Everyone understood that Qingwu's words meant that she recognized this younger brother and was willing to provide him with some care. This was great news for the anxious Concubine Liu.
She knew that the Crown Princess would not be harsh on her. After all, she was very good to her daughter and even let her daughter Qingmian marry into a big family like the Yang family. But she gave birth to another son, which somewhat affected Xi Qingbai's status. Aunt Liu was still worried that Qingwu would feel uncomfortable because of this.
But Aunt Liu underestimated Qingwu's disappointment in Xi Qingbai, and also underestimated Qingwu's vision.
Qing Wu, who had been immersed in power for several years, had already understood that as long as she was the Crown Prince's Consort for a day and the Queen in the future, there would be countless people willing to be her brothers, to serve her loyally, not to mention real brothers.
So it doesn’t matter who gave birth to her, what matters is that she is their sister.
The more harmonious the atmosphere was, the more stiff Xi Qingbai's face was as he stood aside, smiling. Even Concubine Liu was treated better than him, yet he didn't dare to say a word.
Seeing this scene, Wu felt even more sad. She subconsciously hugged her daughter tightly in her arms. She also secretly blamed Xi Qingbai for not living up to his expectations and not being favored by the Crown Princess.
She is obviously the niece of the Crown Princess, but she is not as good as her aunt and half-brother.
At this moment, she suddenly found that her daughter Miaomiao in her arms was looking at Xiao Yi in Xi Jianan's arms. Soon Xiao Yi suddenly said, "I want to play with Miaomiao."
This childish voice instantly attracted the attention of the entire room. Xi Jianan immediately looked at Qingwu with a questioning look. Wu also looked at Qingwu expectantly, as if waiting for a great honor.
Qingwu glanced at Xi Qingbai, nodded, and ordered: "Yuzhu, take someone to take Yier and Miaomiao to the side room to play."
Mrs. Wu immediately handed her daughter to the maid. For the first time, she was so eager to get her daughter away. It was also on this day that she placed her hopes on her daughter and stood up for her daughter to resist her husband.
Xi Qingbai had once hoped to give birth to the eldest grandson in the family to stabilize his status because his status had plummeted. However, Wu's first child was a daughter, so Xi Qingbai was disappointed with the birth of this daughter. Now that he saw that she could please the little princess, a hint of joy finally appeared on his face. After all, his use was not completely useless.
Qing Wu understood all this. She sighed softly and instructed, "When Miao Miao is older, she should also start learning from Qing Yu's teacher. The little princess will need a companion in the future."
This time it was finally Xi Qingbai's turn to nod repeatedly. At this time, he still thought it was just a little quarrel between girls.
It was not until several years later, when Xiao Yi was named the Crown Princess and the female official standing beside the Crown Prince was his daughter, that Xi Qingbai realized what kind of situation the daughter he didn't care about and disappointed him had gone to.
That was a glorious place he had never set foot on in his life.
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