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Chapter 27: Family

Second Young Master was coming back, and the Duke Dingguo’s mansion had long been prepared.

At this moment, the old lady and the old master, along with people from the first, third, and fourth branches, sat in the main hall waiting. Servants reported every fifteen minutes, informing them of the whereabouts of the Second Young Master. It wasn’t until noon that they heard a servant say, “He’s here, he’s at the gate!”

The old master couldn’t sit still, using his cane to stand up, ready to go to the gate to welcome him. The old lady coughed gently, “Then let him in quickly.”

Upon hearing this, a servant hurried outside to welcome him.

Soon, there was a commotion in the courtyard, and everyone looked behind the Crane and Deer Harmony screen.

Xie Liqing and Madam Leng walked in front, followed by Xie Rong, and behind them were Xie Zhen and Xie Xian, the two young ladies. After many years, Xie Liqing, honed by the atmosphere of Qingzhou, had become more mature, darker, and more like a resolute man compared to nine years ago. On the other hand, Madam Leng showed no significant change, a woman in her thirties who still looked like a girl in her twenties. With rosy lips, white skin as snow, one couldn’t tell how she maintained such youthfulness; no wonder Xie Liqing was so enamored with her.

The whole family had good looks, with parents and children all well-groomed.

The most eye-catching was Xie Zhen, wearing a white fox fur cloak embroidered with peony patterns at the back. A faint smile adorned her lips as she casually looked ahead. Her oval face, under the warm sunlight, seemed like a flawless white jade. Beside her, Xie Xian said something, and she lowered her head with a smile. In that moment, it seemed like the sound of flowers blooming surrounded her.

She had always had a sweet smile from a young age. No matter how angry you were, as soon as you saw her smiling face, all your temper would vanish.

This kind of beauty was an inborn treasure, something others couldn’t imitate, only admire.

Xie Zhen didn’t say anything funny. She just asked, “Where is this?”

She left the capital at the age of three, and has no impression of this place, let alone remembering the Duke Dingguo’s mansion. This place is too unfamiliar to her, although grand and luxurious, it can’t compare to the small mansion in Qingzhou. The house in Qingzhou is small, but it feels more like a home.

Xie Zhen turned her head to look at her and pinched her tender cheeks, saying, “Silly Ah Xian, this is the Duke’s mansion.”

Xie Xian didn’t know where the Duke’s mansion was. She heard from the Xie family that they have another home in the capital, where their grandparents and uncles and aunts live. She looked up and saw many people sitting in the main hall, all looking in their direction. She was naturally timid and quietly hid behind Xie Zhen.

Xie Zhen held her hand and reassured her, “Don’t be afraid, they won’t eat you.”

Xie Rong was still young and didn’t understand the meaning of this statement, but Xie Zhen knew it very well.

She left when she was five, and ordinary children would have forgotten about such things long ago, but she remembered it clearly. Probably because the impression given to her at that time was too deep, so deep that she couldn’t forget it even now.

Thinking about this, they had already arrived at the main hall.

The crowd stood up in a rush to welcome them, and the Duke sighed with emotion, “Finally back. How have you been in Qingzhou these years?”

Xie Liqing respectfully bowed and saluted, “Everything is well, father, no need to worry.”

The Duke asked about the situation in Qingzhou before stopping.

He looked at his grandson behind him, and had to tilt his head to see Xie Rong, “They’ve grown so tall already.”

Xie Rong bowed and called out, “Grandfather, Grandmother.”

Looking at the two granddaughters, one with a gentle smile and the other shy and charming, both exquisite beauties. His gaze lingered on Xie Zhen’s face, truly shocked for quite a while. It was hard to tell when they were young, but now that they’ve grown up, Xie Zhen looks more and more like the former Madam Tan.

Madam Tan is the biological mother of Xie Liqing, originally the daughter of a small workshop family, born beautiful and stunning. One day, the Duke Dingguo passed by and saw her coming out of the door, instantly falling in love with her. From then on, he couldn’t forget her. Later, Duke Dingguo took her into the mansion. Unfortunately, her life was short; she passed away a few years after giving birth to Xie Liqing. To this day, the Duke feels guilty about her, and whenever he thinks of her, he reminisces for a while.

He never thought that this little granddaughter would resemble her so much.

*

The old master recalled the past, and numerous thoughts surged as he spoke slowly, “Good, good… Is this Ah Zhen and Ah Xian? Haven’t seen you in these years, do you still remember your grandfather?”

Xie Zhen’s watery eyes curved as she crisply called out, “Grandfather!”

The old master responded happily.

She said, “Of course, I remember. I once broke the flowers grandfather was raising, and he scolded me a lot.”

Children are like that. They may not remember when you treat them well, but they deeply remember when you scold them. The old master loved Xie Zhen dearly. This little girl could make you furious one moment and then make you laugh the next. It’s a skill that evokes both love and frustration.

Duke Dingguo laughed heartily, showing his indulgence, “You, this little girl, are still holding a grudge against grandfather, huh? Those were meant to be gifted to the Empress, Yao Huang, and Wei Zi. You ruined them. How can grandfather explain to the palace?”

She stuck out her tongue, “I know I was wrong.”

The grandfather and granddaughter were just like they were many years ago, endlessly chatting. If it weren’t for the old lady intervening, they probably would have continued talking as if no one else was around.

The old lady asked the family of five to sit down and talk. Xie Liqing sat below the patriarch, Xie Lisong, with Leng Shi sitting opposite him. On either side were the First Madam, Madam Xu, and the Third Madam, Madam Wu.

Madam Xu wore a short apricot-colored silk jacket, a ginger-yellow skirt tied below, adorned with jewels and jade. Her face was powdered with flower powder, but compared to Madam Leng, she immediately paled. She gave a slight smile to Madam Leng, called her sister, and said no more.

On the right side, Madam Wu was much friendlier. She inquired about the local customs of Qingzhou and then talked about the changes in Duke Dingguo’s mansion over the years. Third Brother Xie has recently entered the Ministry of Rites, and his career is quite smooth. There was a hint of boasting in her words.

Madam Leng, after listening, reacted very calmly, “Congratulations to the third sister.”

Madam Wu hit a soft spot and awkwardly stopped talking, no longer engaging in conversation.

Xie Zhen and Xie Xian stood behind Madam Leng, looking around and behaving properly, no longer moving around randomly. Xie Zhen always felt that there was a gaze on her. Following the gaze, she happened to meet the eyes of her third sister, Xie Ying.

Xie Ying, born to Madam Xu, the First Madam, was only sixteen years old and also a beauty. However, she inherited Madam Xu’s high cheekbones and slightly raised eye corners, giving her a somewhat stern appearance that was not easy to get along with. Xie Zhen had a deep impression of her and smiled meaningfully, “Third Sister.”

Xie Ying responded with a smile, “It’s been many years. Fifth Sister has become more remarkable.”

Though it sounded like a compliment, there was no real praise in her tone. On closer listening, it seemed a bit sarcastic.

Xie Zhen noticed it and politely exchanged greetings, “Third Sister is also remarkable. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

As soon as the words fell, Xie Ying’s expression changed.

She recently developed a few small blemishes on her face, not very noticeable, but she was extremely sensitive about them. Normally, she wouldn’t let anyone mention it. Now, although Xie Zhen didn’t explicitly mention it, she felt like there was an insinuation, causing some discomfort.

Xie Zhen, with an innocent expression, asked about her face and even gave her a few irrelevant suggestions.

Xie Ying harbored a lot of anger but had nowhere to vent.

*

After the family had lunch in the main hall, Xie Liqing and Madam Leng saw off the old lady and the old master before returning to the Jade Hall with their children.

Before leaving the capital, they had been living in the Jade Hall. Now, after many years of being unoccupied, it felt desolate with a lack of vitality. However, Duke Dingguo had someone clean the courtyard in advance. The rooms were neatly arranged, furniture was wiped clean, and even the bedding was fumigated with incense. Madam Leng inspected inside and out, finding it satisfactory.

Xie Zhen and Xie Xian, as they grow up, will sleep in separate rooms. Madam Leng arranged for them to stay in the two west-side guest rooms, while Xie Rong stays in the east guest room.

The maidservants and servants carried the belongings in one by one, arranging them neatly according to Madam Leng’s instructions. If there was anything unsatisfactory, Madam Leng would have it rearranged. After everything was tidied up, it was already sunset.

Xie Zhen asked Shuangyu and Shuangyan to heat up water and bring it in, pouring it into the bathtub, planning to take a good bath. After the arduous journey, with a rare moment of rest, she hadn’t had a comfortable bath in a long time. Taking off her clothes and sitting in the warm water, she sighed lazily.

The water temperature was just right, and she washed until she felt drowsy.

After bathing, she stood up, grabbed the towel on the screen, dried herself, changed into a cherry-colored embroidered peony-patterned jacket and a horse-face skirt, and walked out of the room. Xie Xian was busy watching the servants in the courtyard. When she saw Xie Zhen coming out, she handed her the hand warmer from her sleeve, “Sister, you’re dressed too lightly.”

It was warm inside the room, but it was indeed a bit cold outside. Xie Zhen took the hand warmer, pulled Xie Xian into the room, and asked, “What are you looking at?”

Xie Xian pointed to the main room, “Aunt just came, she’s talking to our mother.”

Xie Zhen looked over curiously. The main wife usually didn’t get close to them, so what was she here for?

Madam Xu came for the matter of the old lady’s birthday.

The day after tomorrow is the birthday banquet, and everything in the mansion has been prepared. Leng Shi just returned to the capital, and these matters don’t need her to manage. Madam Xu just came to inform her.

“You just came back from Qingzhou, and I shouldn’t be telling you these things, but this time it’s not a trivial matter. We must not let your family disgrace the entire Duke’s mansion…” Madam Xu never had much regard for the second branch, and now that they have been in Qingzhou for several years, they are even more looked down upon.

Madam Leng raised her eyes and asked calmly, “What do you mean by this, sister-in-law?”

Madam Xu didn’t even glance at the tea on the table, “For the old lady’s birthday celebration, the Crown Prince, at the Empress Dowager’s request, will visit the Duke’s mansion along with the Sixth Prince. Since you just returned, if there’s no particular reason, you don’t need to go to the front.”

Madam Xu had her own calculations. If the two daughters of the second branch went, they would surely steal the spotlight from others. If they didn’t go, her own daughter might have a chance to meet the Crown Prince or the Sixth Prince, perhaps leading to a potential marriage.

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