Madam Wang had been waiting for his words. Immediately, she gave a wink to her personal nurse maid. The nurse maid curtsied and quietly withdrew.
Master Wang's face turned even uglier. He endured it again and again but finally didn't open his mouth to stop her!
Compared with a woman, especially a disobedient one, his wife's thoughts were more important at this moment.
Madam Wang stopped making a fuss and didn't need to be coaxed either. She walked over and whispered, "Your concubine knows that you're not in a good mood, my lord, but your concubine is doing this for your own good. Just think about it! If she can come to our home today, she might make trouble for status and title tomorrow. You're teaching in the Imperial College, and reputation is of utmost importance. You mustn't ruin your reputation because of a woman!"
Master Wang's face softened a bit, and he patted Madam Wang's arm.
Madam Wang watched his face and continued, "Your concubine knows that you've always liked the girl Yan'er. Your concubine will make the decision to let her serve you in your study. What do you think?"
Master Wang brushed off Madam Wang's hand and said, "You can handle it as you see fit, but you must handle this matter properly. You can also arrange for the child. I'm going to visit the eldest uncle."
Madam Wang got up with him, smoothed the wrinkles on her husband's sleeve, and replied, "Don't worry, my lord. Go quickly!"
The Wang family had strict rules. Moreover, since this incident happened in the inner courtyard, no one outside knew about this little episode.
However, when Madam Wang's confidant followed the swill cart in the mansion to transport a sack outside, they were spotted!
In the Lingfeng Teahouse, Qin Junxing was holding the new manuscript just sent by Lao Cheng.
It was written by Xie Fengran and sent by Sun Jiming.
Qin Junxing looked at the Sun family's carriage parked at the door and felt a bit annoyed.
But that girl thought he didn't know her identity and was still struggling to cover up her little vest. How could she deliver the manuscript in person?
But... how should he tell her that he already knew her identity?
He really wasn't sure if this girl would ignore him in a fit of anger.
Thinking of this, he rubbed his forehead, feeling a severe headache!
At this moment, Qing Ye knocked on the door and walked in. "My lord, there's movement at the Wang family!"
"Tell them to take action."
"Yes." Qing Ye replied and walked out. After taking a few steps, he turned around and tentatively asked, "My lord, should we inform Miss Xie?"
After all, he had promised Miss Xie that he would let his master inform her if there was any fun.
Qin Junxing glanced at him and nodded. "You go and arrange it. Send a message to the Xie Mansion."
"Yes!"
Qing Ye quickly walked out to make arrangements.
At this time in the Xie Mansion, after school every day, Xie Fengran would first go to pay respects to the Old Madam Xie and then return to the Tingfeng Courtyard to have dinner with Xie Chenghui.
But today when she arrived at the Qingsong Courtyard, she found that Xie Chenghui had already been brought here by the wet nurse and was reciting a book for the Old Madam Xie.
Perhaps because the Old Madam Xie was too serious, Xie Chenghui recited the book haltingly, and the Old Madam Xie's face became uglier.
Seeing Xie Fengran come in, her face softened a bit. She waved her hand and said to the wet nurse, "Take him down to play. Come back for dinner!"
"Yes!"
The wet nurse quickly took little Chenghui down.
"Grandmother, why are you in the mood to listen to Chenghui recite a book today?"
The Old Madam Xie motioned for Xie Fengran to sit beside her. Nurse Su served a cup of tea. After seeing her take a sip, she then said, "It was Chenghui's teacher who came to tell me that Chenghui's studies have been much worse than before. He can't even finish the homework assigned by the teacher. He's even worse than when Concubine Yuan was here before."
Xie Fengran frowned and said, "Chenghui would recite books until very late every day when he came back. It's just that sometimes the teacher assigned too much homework. There were several times when he couldn't even eat. That's why I asked Chenghui to recite less."
"Grandmother knows you feel sorry for Chenghui, but Chenghui shoulders the future of the Marquis Mansion. For a man, he has to work a bit harder."
Xie Fengran didn't refute. She nodded and said, "Grandmother is right. I'll watch over him when I get back!"
"You have your own studies in the academy every day, and it's not easy for you either. Since the teacher said that Chenghui liked to study when Concubine Yuan was watching over him, why not let Concubine Yuan watch over Chenghui every day? Anyway, find something for her to do, and she won't be able to cause any trouble!"
Yun was incompetent. She was already struggling to manage the mansion's internal affairs, let alone take care of the children.
The Old Madam Xie thought of finding something for Concubine Yuan to do, so as to prevent her from instigating her son and leading her granddaughter astray!
As for Xie Chenghui, with the teacher's instruction and Xie Fengran's supervision, she wasn't afraid that Concubine Yuan would lead him astray!
Xie Fengran glanced at the Old Madam Xie. Seeing that she really wanted Concubine Yuan to watch over Xie Chenghui, she couldn't help but think of what she had found out about the teacher a few days ago. She rolled her eyes and said hesitantly, "This... I'm afraid it's not appropriate!"
"What's inappropriate? Or do you not want Chenghui to study hard?"
The Old Madam Xie was a bit unhappy, and her face darkened.
Seeing her like this, what didn't Xie Fengran understand? Concubine Yuan must have said something in her ear again!
However... Xie Fengran quickly stood up and said aggrievedly, "Is this how I am in your heart, Grandmother? I hope Chenghui will study hard more than anyone else. But it's really not appropriate to let Concubine Yuan watch over Chenghui."
The Old Madam Xie looked at Xie Fengran and thought slowly: Although her granddaughter had a strong will, she never lied. Could there really be something inappropriate?
After thinking for a while, she said, "Tell me. What's inappropriate?"
Xie Fengran shook her head. "I can't say this for now, Grandmother. Why don't you invite Concubine Yuan and the teacher here, and we can talk about it face to face."
"Why is that?"
Xie Fengran just shook her head and didn't say anything.
The Old Madam Xie had no choice but to send someone to call Concubine Yuan and invite the teacher.
Nurse Su was listening on the side. She stepped forward and advised, "Old Madam, Eldest Miss, the teacher has gone back to rest by now. How about tomorrow morning? I'll send someone to invite the teacher to the Qingsong Courtyard. It's just right for the Old Madam and the Eldest Miss to meet the teacher and hear what the teacher has to say!"
Xie Fengran immediately said, "Okay, Grandmother doesn't need to be in a hurry for just one night. We can talk about it together then."
The Old Madam Xie nodded. Her eyes circled around Xie Fengran and landed on her wrist. Her eyes flashed, and she asked casually as if by accident, "The bracelet rewarded by the Queen last time. Why haven't I seen you wear it for a long time?"
Xie Fengran touched the bracelet and smiled shyly. "There are so many classmates in the academy. I'm afraid someone might say something inappropriate."
The Old Madam Xie nodded and admonished, "That's right. Although you're engaged to the Crown Prince now... you mustn't be arrogant!"
Xie Fengran nodded as if nothing had happened.
At this moment, Nurse He came in from outside. "Old Madam, the gatekeeper said that there's a carriage waiting outside. It's said that the Fourth Princess invited the Eldest Miss to have dinner."
The Old Madam Xie was shocked and quickly stood up. "Is it the Fourth Princess who's here?"
"No, no, Old Madam. Don't worry. It's someone from the Fourth Princess!"
The Old Madam Xie then breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at Xie Fengran and said gently, "Then you should go quickly! Don't keep the princess waiting."
"Yes, then I'll go!"
Nurse He sent Xie Fengran out. After seeing her get into the carriage, she went back to report.
As for Xie Fengran, as soon as she got into the carriage, she saw Qin Junxing's smiling face. There was no sign of the Fourth Princess!