Chapter 26: Fortune

The Prince Consort marries, the Emperor grants the marriage!

The news spread like a storm, reaching every noble household in Jingcheng in an extremely short time.

Who is it?

Which young lady caught the Prince Consort's eye?

Countless ladies in their chambers wrung their handkerchiefs in anguish.

……

The Xie Family mansion.

Xie Yanwan received the news, and her pretty face instantly turned pale.

"Damn it!"

"Annoying thing!"

"Why did it pop up now?"

"So annoying!"

As the youngest and most beloved daughter of the Xie Family's main branch, with her father serving as the current Grand Tutor, Xie Yanwan ought to have been a treasured princess, getting whatever wind or rain she wished.

Yet there were two people in the household only slightly older than her in age, but senior in generation.

Xie Zixian, Xie Zian!

She has spent her whole life living in their shadows.

Finally, Xie Zixian married, becoming a Prince's Consort.

Though it seemed a lofty match, there were many rules; once the prince grew up and left the capital for his fief, she would likely seldom return to the capital in her lifetime.

Xie Yanwan had thought that with one shadow gone, she could finally enjoy half a sky of sunshine.

Who would have thought that the most unremarkable prince, Qi Yu, would become emperor, turning Xie Zixian, the Prince's Consort, into the Empress overnight.

Xie Yanwan could only force a smile, understanding that she would never escape the shadow cast by Xie Zixian in this lifetime.

Unexpectedly, after Xie Zixian became Empress, Xie Zian left the capital and wandered abroad.

Xie Yanwan finally truly became the most beloved of the Xie Family.

She unexpectedly rescued the Top Scholar, and they joyfully became a good match.

During this time, she became the envy of countless ladies in Jingcheng, making her immensely pleased.

But heaven toys with people!

Her glory had barely lasted a few days when the detestable Xie Zian, who had been away from Jingcheng for three years, resurfaced with shocking news.

How could Xie Yanwan not be angry?

"Miss!"

"Madam, please come over!"

The maid Xi Que knocked and entered, speaking carefully.

"Understood!"

Xie Yanwan struggled to put on a smile as she went to see her mother, Lady Cui.

Lady Cui, from the esteemed Clear River Cui clan, was a childhood friend of Xie Zizheng. After they married, they were deeply devoted.

And Xie Yanwan, born late in her parents' lives, naturally became one proof of that.

"Mother!"

Entering the main hall, she saw Lady Cui seated on the soft couch; Xie Yanwan had set aside all her displeasure, gave a sweet smile, snuggled up to her, and coquettishly clung to her arm.

"You called for me? What's the matter?"

Lady Cui looked at her sweet, well-behaved daughter, her expression kind, and smiled: "It's not a major issue, but your marriage to the Top Scholar needs to be postponed."

"Why?"

Xie Yanwan feigned ignorance.

"Your young uncle is to marry; as his niece, you can only delay, that's propriety!"

Lady Cui didn't want to postpone either, after all the wedding date was chosen by Grand Master Pusan of the Imperial Grace Temple, a truly auspicious day!

However, since her young uncle Xie Zian was to marry, as the elder sister-in-law she had no choice but to arrange it this way.

"We both know this, Father and I, and you've been wronged!"

"Don't worry, we'll make it up to you later!"

"Then I'll follow my parents' wishes!"

Although she felt resentful inside, Xie Yanwan neither cried nor caused a scene.

She knew well that crying and shouting changed nothing; on the contrary, the more obedient and sensible she acted, the more her parents would feel she had been wronged and would compensate her all the more.

"Wan Er, you've really been put through the wringer!"

Lady Cui looked at her so obedient daughter, held her close, and sighed softly: "Mother knows you don't get along with your young uncle, but this matter is a major one!"

"Your Majesty's decree admits no mistake!"

"Our Xie Family is now in the spotlight, flourishing like flowers on brocade, blazing like oil on fire—who knows how many eyes are watching, waiting to catch our misstep!"

"So we must be extra cautious and discreet."

"Mother, I understand!"

Xie Yanwan nodded, "A big tree attracts the wind!"

"But as long as the Xie Family's great tree doesn't fall, we will all be sheltered. Daughter, you're not foolish—rest assured!"

"I know my Wan Er is sensible!"

"She's just been wronged!"

The Xie Family is huge.

Although they often send away some concubine-born sons and legitimate sons, after all these years, the Xie Family now has five generations living under one roof.

The eldest few ancestors, although old, are still not muddle-headed.

When Xie Zixian and Xie Zian were born, as dragon and phoenix twins, they immediately startled these ancestors, and from then on they became the treasures of the Xie Family.

And facts show that this sister‑brother pair perhaps really have some luck.

Xie Zixian initially married an ordinary prince; at that time no one imagined that this prince could inherit the great throne.

At that time, the several princes who had the best chance of succession were all dealt with by the Retired Emperor.

Instead, it was the unassuming, low‑profile Qi Yu who succeeded!

And Xie Zixian naturally became Empress, setting an example for the realm.

The notion of luck is truly mysterious, making people anxious.

……

Liu Cheng.

Outside the Shen Family gate.

At the moment, it seems rather crowded.

All the matchmakers in Liu Cheng have sent their finest maidservants here, awaiting selection by the Lu Family.

"Tsk tsk, this Third Lady of the Shen Family really doesn't know what modesty is!"

Xie Zian sat at the window seat facing the street in the teahouse, gazing at the situation outside the Shen Family manor, commenting as an onlooker.

"Sir, your remark is mistaken!"

A scholar sitting at a nearby table heard Xie Zian's commentary and immediately spoke up to refute it.

"Oh? I'd like to hear the details!"

Xie Zian glanced at the other person, slightly cupped his fists, and gestured for them to continue.

"Sir, you only see the Third Lady selecting people, but you don't consider why she selects them."

"What do you have to say?"

Xie Zian naturally knows why the Lu Family is selecting people—it's nothing more than preparing maidservants as dowry for his future wife.

Speaking of which, this mother‑in‑law really doesn't treat her future daughter‑in‑law as anything important.

Like such a great household as the Shen Family, they usually buy people from childhood, stationing them beside the young ladies to serve; over time, a bond forms between master and servant, making them more useful later.

Now doing this is merely a last‑minute scramble; in a truly great household, such maidservants bought in can only do odd jobs and are not qualified to serve in the inner quarters.

"The Seventh Miss of the Shen Family is to marry the Young Master of the Xie Family in Jingcheng!"

"That's the Prince Consort!"

"Can an ordinary person catch the Prince Consort's eye?"

When the scholar spoke of Xie Zian, his expression was actually quite admiring.

"Sir, do you know this Young Master of the Xie Family well?"

Xie Zian was certain he had never seen this person before.

The scholar waved his hand and said, "I wouldn't say I understand him; I've just heard a few things about the Prince Consort, and to be honest, I really admire his breadth of mind."

"Waiter, bring a jug of good wine and two small dishes; today I want to have a good chat with this sir!"

(End of chapter)