Qin Junxing hooked the corner of his mouth, and his cold expression softened. Looking at the emperor with full respect in his eyes, he said, "Your Majesty, how can I put it?"
The emperor was amused by Qin Junxing's expression. He burst into laughter and teased, "You rascal! I've heard from your mother that you're a tyrant in the northern border. Why are you being so euphemistic in front of me?"
Qin Junxing raised his eyebrows, and the smile on his lips gradually widened. His eyes swept over the crown prince beside him, and he said slowly, "Since Your Majesty has said so, then I won't be polite!"
The crown prince squinted his eyes. Seeing his father's gossiping expression, he suddenly spoke up, "Cousin, this is the capital. It's different from the northern border where the customs are tough. For the reputation of the young lady, cousin, you should be cautious with your words. Otherwise, you may end up making an enemy instead of forming a family alliance."
"Then Junxing has to thank cousin for the reminder." Qin Junxing curved his lips, turned around, and bowed to the emperor. "But my mother told me before I came that Uncle would make all the decisions. Uncle, what do you think?"
The emperor waved his hand. "It's okay. Just speak your mind. I'll make the decision for you."
"Uncle, your nephew has heard that the eldest young lady of the Marquis of Dingguo's Mansion is extremely talented in literature and well - behaved. I saw her at Aunt's banquet yesterday, and I immediately found that the rumors were true. My mother always thinks I'm unruly. I'm sure she'll take a fancy to Miss Xie."
*
"He really said in front of the emperor that he fancies me?"
In the Marquis's Mansion, Xie Fengran was a bit dazed after hearing Liu Yi's words.
So the man wasn't lying yesterday. He really wanted to marry her?
When did she become so sought - after?
Liu Yi said quickly, "The rumors outside are very vivid. They say that the prince of the Grand Princess's Mansion begged the emperor to bestow the marriage, and that the emperor has already agreed."
After saying that, she glanced at Xie Fengran and asked carefully, "Miss, the old madam wants you to marry the crown prince. What should we do?"
On one side was the Grand Princess's Mansion, a force that even the emperor didn't dare to confront directly. On the other side was the crown prince. No matter which one the miss married, she would surely offend the other.
But the Marquis's Mansion couldn't afford to offend either of them!
Xie Fengran sat up straight, quickly thought through the matter, and gradually had a plan in mind.
Just then, Lan Fang pushed open the door. She glared at Liu Yi and walked up to Xie Fengran. "Miss, the old madam wants you to go there."
"Just in time. I was going to see Grandmother too. Lan Fang, come with me to the Green Pine Courtyard. Liu Yi, keep an eye on the maids in the yard. If anyone gossips, tie them up immediately and send them to Grandmother."
Hearing this, Liu Yi patted her chest. "Miss, don't worry. I'll definitely watch them well."
Xie Fengran nodded and left the room with Lan Fang.
There were few people in the Xie Mansion. The old Madam Xie's only son had inherited the title. There was also a concubine - born son in the western courtyard of the Marquis's Mansion who hadn't separated from the family yet.
The old Madam Xie didn't like noise, so she asked them to come and pay their respects on the first and fifteenth days of each month.
However, the management of the Marquis's Mansion was in the hands of Xie Fengran's aunt from the western courtyard. The old Madam Xie held the financial power, and all the general affairs were handled by the aunt.
As for Xie Fengran's mother, she didn't care about such things. So whenever there was something, Xie Fengran never bothered her mother but went straight to her grandmother.
To Xie Fengran's surprise, when she arrived at the Green Pine Courtyard, her mother was there.
The people from the western courtyard were also there.
Xie Fengran walked in, first bowed to the old madam, and then paid respects to her parents, uncle, and aunt.
Only then did the old madam speak. "Your father, mother, uncle, and aunt came here after hearing the rumors outside. Let me ask you, do you know the prince of the Princess's Mansion?"
Xie Fengran shook her head. "Granddaughter doesn't know him. I saw him for the first time in the palace yesterday."
Aunt Xie couldn't hold back her words and hurriedly asked, "Then why did such rumors spread?"
Uncle Xie quickly glanced at his mother on the upper seat, afraid of displeasing the old madam. He quickly nudged Aunt Xie.
Xie Fengran pretended not to see and said calmly, "Aunt, you've asked a good question. Fengran doesn't know why such rumors spread either."
Aunt Xie was reminded by Uncle Xie. Seeing that the old Madam Xie's face looked a bit displeased, she quickly forced a smile. "Aunt didn't mean that. I'm just concerned about you."
"Enough, you two from the second branch. If you want to stay, listen carefully."
"Yes, Mother!"
Aunt Xie calmed down. Xie Yi on one side stroked the teacup, sized up his legitimate daughter from head to toe, and said, "If it's really like this, then the prince of the Grand Princess's Mansion is a high - up match for our family. Mother, what do you think?"
Xie Fengran didn't say a word. Yun Shi on one side looked at her husband with full dependence in her eyes. Suddenly, the old madam asked, "Yun Shi, what's your opinion?"
Yun Shi was extremely beautiful. Different from Concubine Yuan's amorous charm, her beauty was like an orchid in an empty valley. People felt that such a person shouldn't be in the mortal world but should stay above the nine heavens, untouched by the worldly smoke.
Even though she had given birth to a child and dressed like a married woman, her beauty remained undiminished.
At this time, she got up, bowed gracefully to the old madam, and said, "Mother, as a woman, I naturally listen to the marquis."
"Humph!" The old madam slapped the table with a bang. "A woman? Are you going to let others decide your daughter's marriage?"
Xie Yi was unhappy after hearing this. "Mother, I'm her father. I'm not an outsider."
"Then can her mother just be a hands - off manager?" The more the old Madam Xie thought about it, the angrier she became. In front of the second branch and Xie Fengran, she didn't show any mercy to Yun Shi. "Look at yourself. Where do you look like a mother? Since Fengran grew up, have you really cared about her food, clothing, enlightenment, or etiquette?"
Although Yun Shi was criticized like this by the old Madam Xie, she didn't get angry. She answered neither overbearingly nor humbly, "Mother, I've told the maids and servants to take good care of Fengran's food, clothing, and daily necessities. I've never neglected her clothes or jewelry. As for other things, I think it's okay to listen to my husband."
After saying that, she tilted her head and glanced at Xie Yi, with admiration in her eyes.
Xie Yi was a bit flattered by her look. He coughed lightly and said uneasily, "Mother, with you taking care of Fengran, we're all very relieved."
The old Madam Xie gave Xie Yi a fierce look and snorted. "Since you two have been hands - off managers, you don't need to interfere in this marriage."
Xie Yi didn't expect his mother to block his words like this. He said awkwardly, "Mother, Fengran is our daughter. For a marriage, it's up to the parents' orders. We should at least know about it."
"Now you remember you're the parents? I tell you, it's too late. Hurry up and take your wife out of here."
Xie Yi touched his nose. He knew he couldn't get any benefits today. Anyway, this daughter was outstanding, and his mother surely wouldn't harm the Marquis's Mansion.
So he got up with Yun Shi and bid farewell. Seeing that the parents of the main branch had left, the couple from the second branch also got up in a hurry.
When Xie Yi and Yun Shi were about to reach the door, the old Madam Xie suddenly spoke up, "Yun Shi, go back and pack up Chenghui's things and send him to Fengran's yard. From now on, Fengran will take care of him."