Chapter 50

Chapter 50

"Clang!"

In her panic, Qin-shi accidentally knocked over the medicine bowl beside her, sending it crashing to the floor where it shattered to pieces. She didn't even glance at the mess, her dry lips trembling as her face turned as pale as paper.

"Do you have a death wish?!"

"How dare you say such things?!"

Qin-shi's voice was so low it seemed forced from her throat, her bloodshot eyes fixed intently on her second daughter.

"I'm not talking nonsense," Xie Qingshu retorted stubbornly, her chin held high. "Eldest Brother has lived with Eldest Princess since childhood at the Tianchang Temple, later staying in the palace under the care of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. He's always been different from us and never close with Second Uncle."

"If he were truly Second Uncle's son, why wasn't he raised in the estate and educated personally?"

"You... shut up!" Qin-shi was so enraged that her vision darkened, her chest heaving violently as she was seized by a fit of coughing, as if coughing up her lungs.

Struggling to contain her fury, she leaned her frail, bony hand against the shaky bedframe to steady herself. "Your Eldest Brother entered the palace as the Crown Prince's study companion. Do not spread groundless gossip."

"Mother," Xie Qingshu swallowed, somewhat frightened by Qin-shi's reaction but still defiant. "On Eldest Brother's wedding day, I accidentally overheard Grandmother speaking with Eldest Princess in the Yishou Hall. Why won't you believe me?"

"Her Highness said that the Emperor originally intended to arrange a marriage for Eldest Brother, but she refused. She liked Sister-in-Law Pu Zhu, so she personally went to Marquis Mingde's estate to propose the marriage."

"Her Highness was crying bitterly in Grandmother's arms. Even on such a joyous occasion, she said she had wronged Second Uncle and the Xie clan."

"Enough!"

"Shut your mouth!"

Qin-shi raised her hand, ready to strike her daughter's fair cheek, but she was too ill and too enraged—her weakened body couldn't sustain the motion.

The raised hand fell limply mid-air.

Her body trembled violently, and with a sudden surge of strength, she lunged forward, clamping her hand over Xie Qingshu's mouth. Her palm pressed down hard, her nails scratching Xie Qingshu's delicate cheek.

"Mother, you're hurting me!" Xie Qingshu screamed, shoving Qin-shi away.

Wheezing, her voice hoarse, Qin-shi stared fixedly at her daughter, her expression dark. "If you value your life, take today's words to your grave."

"You can go and get yourself killed, but don't ruin your brothers' futures."

"If you dare speak a word of this outside this room, I will cut out your tongue."

"I—"

Xie Qingshu clutched her stinging cheek, feeling something wet and slippery. She looked down and saw a bright red stain—she was bleeding.

Only then did fear set in. Stumbling over a chair in her panic, she fell to the floor, too stunned to speak, tears streaming down her face as she shook her head desperately, her hand still clamped over her mouth.

"What’s all this commotion?"

The door swung open from the outside, and Xie Juyuan stepped into the inner chamber, his expression cold, bringing a chill air with him.

His suspicious gaze swept over the shattered pieces on the floor and the puddle of dark, still-wet medicine, before settling on his wife and daughter.

Qin-shi, looking gravely ill, leaned against a large backing pillow, seemingly struggling to breathe. Their second daughter’s eyes were red and swollen from crying, tear tracks still damp on her cheeks, with a visible scratch and blood beside them.

"Father," Xie Qingshu looked up in panic at the newcomer, hesitating as if to speak.

"Who hurt you?" Xie Juyuan frowned.

Xie Qingshu’s lips trembled, about to speak, but she caught Qin-shi’s icy glare and swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.

"I... I..." Xie Qingshu lowered her head, not only afraid but feeling an unprecedented sense of injustice.

Overwhelmed by emotion, she sobbed intermittently, not daring to tell the truth, and instead grabbed at the excuse about the clothing. "The ladies at the embroidery workshop ruined my new dress. With Laba Festival coming up soon, there’s no time to make a new one."

"I felt wronged, so when I complained to Mother, I might have overreacted and was... scolded."

Xie Qingshu’s voice grew softer, stammering as she broke down into sobs.

Xie Juyuan looked skeptically at his wife. "Such a commotion and even a cut on her cheek over such a trivial matter?"

"Utterly absurd! She shows none of the breeding of a noble house's daughter."

Qin-shi struggled to sit up, forcing a smile more pitiful than a sob. "Qing Shu was careless just now while serving me medicine and tripped."

"The spilled medicine was misfortune enough, but she accidentally scratched her cheek."

"I was just consoling her. If you scold her now, she’ll only cry more. She’s still young, not as composed as her elder sisters."

At this, Qin-shi weakly pursed her lips. "It’s just a dress—not worth causing a scene over. I’ve already reprimanded her."

"Cough, cough..." After speaking so much, Qin-shi’s voice was hoarse. She covered her mouth with a kerchief, coughing uncontrollably.

Xie Juyuan stepped forward and poured her a cup of water. "Drink some water to compose yourself."

Qin-shi was taken aback, surprised and grateful as she accepted it. He hadn’t done anything like this for many years.

Normally, maids attended to them in the room. If not, it was always her waiting on him. They rarely saw each other more than three times a month.

Xie Juyuan didn’t look at Qin-shi but turned to sternly stare at his second daughter.

He was tall and imposing, his presence daunting. "Since you’ve erred, you will stay home and reflect on your behavior."

"Therefore, Qing Shu need not attend the royal winter hunt at the villa on Laba Festival."

Xie Juyuan’s voice was icy, leaving no room for appeal, startling Xie Qingshu into looking up abruptly.

Her pupils contracted sharply, her lips trembling as she opened them, wanting to demand, "Why?!"

But when she met her father’s sharp gaze—so stern and severe, devoid of any warmth—the words died in her throat.

"Return to your courtyard now and reflect properly!"

"If you repeat this offense, you will kneel in the ancestral hall!"

Xie Juyuan didn’t even lift an eyelid, issuing the cold command curtly.

"Waa..." Xie Qingshu could no longer control her emotions. Covering her eyes, she ran out of the room crying.

"Are you being too harsh on Qing Shu?"

"The matter of the winter clothing was undignified, and she was wrong, but must she really be confined to the estate for the entire Laba Festival? She missed last year’s winter hunt and has been looking forward to this one for so long."

Qin-shi struggled to sit upright, watching her husband cautiously as she spoke.

"Do you think I'm punishing her just because of the winter coat incident?"

Xie Juyuan paused almost imperceptibly. In the end, he lifted his official robe and sat down by the bed.

"In a few days at the Laba Festival, the Emperor plans to select a Crown Princess for the Crown Prince at the winter hunt."

"Crown Princess selection?" Qin Shi was astonished.

"Hush, don’t panic." Xie Juyuan pressed down on his wife’s trembling hand, his eyes deep and unfathomable. "Qing Shu isn't deep-thinking and lacks steadiness in temperament—she’s hardly a suitable candidate for Crown Princess."

He carefully observed Qin Shi’s expression, clearly testing the waters: "Would you be disappointed, Madam?"

"I actually came today to discuss this matter. Since Qing Shu was acting up, I took the opportunity to confine her for a few days to stop her from making a fuss about going to the winter hunt once she finds out."

Qin Shi nodded, her tense demeanor finally relaxing.

Having married into the Xie family for over twenty years, though they weren't particularly close, she didn’t have to compete for affection or put up with concubines. Naturally, she didn’t want her daughter to have to fight for a husband’s affection.

"I'm glad you see it that way, my lord."

"But Qing Shu has had her heart set on the Crown Prince all these years. To be honest, I’m not willing."

"The Emperor is concerned about the royal lineage. Becoming the Crown Princess would mean having to take turns with other women in the palace serving His Highness. For a family like ours, why vie for favor in the palace? As long as Qing Shu lives comfortably and finds a respectable family without concubines, harmony between husband and wife is what truly matters."

Xie Juyuan gazed into his wife’s eyes and remained silent for a long time.

He only seemed to snap out of it when Qin Shi started coughing again, patting her back gently. "Let's put the Crown Princess matter to rest. Although Qing Shu has come of age, there’s no need to rush her marriage. I will make arrangements for her."

"During the winter hunt, have several nannies keep close watch on her to prevent her from sneaking out."

"I understand, my lord."

Qin Shi’s voice trailed off as she thought of something. "Since Qing Shu won’t be attending the winter hunt, but the Emperor is selecting a Crown Princess for the Crown Prince, the Xie family must put forward a young lady. Which of the children in the family do you have in mind?"

Xie Juyuan smiled faintly. "I think Ling Yi would be a good choice."

Xie Lingyi was seventeen this year. Since her coming-of-age ceremony, marriage arrangements had been made but fell through for some reason.

Qin Shi tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She didn't mind who became Crown Princess, as long as it wasn’t her Qing Shu.

Having said what needed to be said, Xie Juyuan looked at his wife and found the conversation tedious. However, bound by propriety, he stayed in the room for another fifteen minutes before rising to leave.

As soon as Xie Juyuan left, Qin Shi could no longer support herself and collapsed onto the bed.

"Madam!" Hearing the noise, Nanny Wang hurried in and was immediately startled. "This old servant will fetch the doctor immediately."

"Don’t." Qin Shi reached out and gripped Nanny Wang’s wrist tightly, her voice weak. "Bring me some ginseng slices. I’ll just suck on them."

Nanny Wang’s hands trembled. "But, Madam, you’re coughing up blood."

Qin Shi shook her head. "Not now."

"Wait until we've gotten through tonight. Tomorrow morning, use my catching a chill as an excuse to summon the physician."

"This… what are we to do?"

"Did the Second Young Lady upset you again?" Nanny Wang was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Qin Shi shook her head weakly. What her second daughter had mentioned couldn't be spoken of—it had to rot in her heart alone.

It no longer mattered whose child Xie Zhiyan was. Whether it was true or false, she couldn’t speak of it.

"It’s nothing. I’m just exhausted. I’ll be fine after some rest."

"I know my own body. With proper rest, I'll recover."

In contrast to the chaos in Qin Shi’s courtyard, Wenyu Hall was downright cozy.

The sunlight was just right, and fresh flower arrangements decorated the room. Sheng Puzhu sat under the gentle sunlight, eating her lunch.

Nanny Du returned shortly after stepping out. "Madam, I went to deliver the clothing catalog to Lady Qing Shu’s courtyard but she wasn't there."

Sheng Puzhu paused. "?"

Nanny Du lowered her voice. "There are two burly nannies guarding the courtyard. They said it was the First Madam’s order to confine her."

"Confined for no apparent reason?"

"What for?"

Nanny Du sighed, equally puzzled. "It seems it’s because of the winter coat incident. She’s to be confined until after the Laba Festival."

"But this old servant finds it strange. Given the First Madam’s affection for Lady Qing Shu, she'd normally just give her a light scolding. Why go so far as to confine her?"

Sheng Puzhu raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this, stirring her spoon gently.

Wasn’t the Laba Festival the time of the winter hunt? If so, the confinement was likely a pretext. The real intention was probably to keep their daughter from getting involved in the whole Crown Princess selection mess.

"Then have someone deliver the clothing catalog to the First Madam. Inform her that Qing Shu’s clothes can be finished before the Laba Festival."

"Ah, this old servant will go right away." Nanny Du hurried out.

Sheng Puzhu stared at the table full of dishes but suddenly lost her appetite.

If the main family knew how to value their daughter, unwilling to send their precious jewel into the palace, did that mean Xie Lingyi was destined to become their sacrificial pawn?

In the current empire, the Xiao clan ruled supreme, yet the imperial family had always had more women than men. By the generation of the current Emperor’s children, only the Crown Prince had survived to adulthood.

The Crown Prince’s marriage would inevitably involve filling the Eastern Palace with consorts to ensure the early birth of an heir.

Preoccupied with these thoughts, Sheng Puzhu set down her spoon leisurely and prepared to stand up.

"You’ve eaten too little."

"What was on your mind just now, Madam?"

Xie Zhiyan had come up behind her unnoticed at some point, his palm pressing down lightly on her shoulder. "Have a bit more?"

"My lord, I've had enough." Sheng Puzhu looked up and noticed his travel-worn appearance.

In winter, he wore no cloak, yet sweat beaded on his face. He smelled of grass and leather, as if he had traveled a long distance. His chest heaved, and if she leaned in slightly, she could hear his strong heartbeat.

This aura, less bound by usual decorum, felt different from what she was accustomed to—somehow more alluring.

Surrounded by his presence, Sheng Puzhu felt as though she were sinking into clouds, unable to gain footing. She swallowed involuntarily, her gaze flickering as she asked, "Have you eaten, my lord?"

"Not yet."

Xie Zhiyan raised his hand, seeming to want to caress her pale cheek, but held back in the end.

"I'll take a bath first."

"Would you keep me company and eat a little later?"

"How about it?"

He gazed at her calmly, his eyes deepening, yet he emphasized the word "eat" with particular weight.

A strange feeling crept over her. Sheng Puzhu stiffened her back, forcing a composed smile as she replied, "Alright."