Chapter Seventeen: See Me Off

Xue Yang finally deigned to glare at Xue Jiaoyue, blaming her for meddling, but then turned around and found her a perfect excuse: “To see your own sister about to fall and not lend a hand, the eighth child has no family affection at all. As a father, what’s wrong with scolding her a couple of times?”

Madam Liang rolled her eyes sharply and said, “Shameless people are truly invincible in the world!”

She then stood up, looked at Xue Qiu, and said, “Second Uncle, there are too many shameless people here. My Eleventh and Thirteenth children are at the age where they learn by example. I don’t want them growing up unable to tell right from wrong like Third Brother. I’ll take the children and leave.”

With that, she didn’t care whether Xue Qiu agreed or not, took a seven- or eight-year-old child in each hand, swung her hips, and briskly disappeared at the entrance to the main hall.

Everyone: “…”

The Fifth Branch was both a distant collateral line and small in number. Its only man, Xue Tao, wrote so well that he served as a Gentleman of the Court and was the only one who didn’t rely on Xue Qiu for survival or covet his property. Madam Liang, a legitimate daughter from a prominent family, naturally couldn’t bear such squalid affairs. Madam Liang was also one of the few reasonable people in the Xue family. In her previous life, even when Xue Fanzhi became empress, neither Liang nor Xue Tao tried to ingratiate themselves, and, together with Xue Jingren, took special care of her.

Perhaps because of this, they never became close to Xue Jiaoyue, and so Xiao Yi never killed anyone from the Fifth Branch.

With Madam Liang’s departure, Xue Yang lost face and shouted even more loudly about beating Xue Fanzhi, as if only by beating her could he justify his favoritism.

Xue Qiu hadn’t even started to scold when another servant hurried in to announce, “General, the Ninth Prince and Princess Zhaoyang request an audience!”

Heavens, only moments ago they were saying Zhaoyang would never step into the Xue family’s door—now even a prince had arrived?

Everyone in the hall stood up at once.

Xue Jiaoyue recalled how, in the tent, Zhaoyang had called Xue Fanzhi “little sister” and stood up for her, and her face turned white.

Xue Yang, however, was overjoyed. Of the Seventh to Eleventh Princes, none had taken a primary wife yet. Most of the Xue family had fled to Jiankang, partly as refugees and partly to seek good matches for their daughters. His precious Yue’er had just come of age and would soon be considered an adult; beautiful and clever, she’d be more than suitable to marry a prince.

Thinking of this, Xue Yang quickly helped Xue Jiaoyue up and whispered, “I’ve heard the Ninth Prince is extraordinarily handsome—make sure you keep your eyes open.”

Xue Jiaoyue had long understood her father’s intentions. Her face reddened, and she nodded slightly. Xue Yang, however, saw the swelling on her forehead, more crimson and obvious now, making her look even more like the God of Longevity. He frowned, wanting his daughter to go apply a cold compress, but there wasn’t time. Without it, the swelling wouldn’t go down, but even a miracle remedy couldn’t fix it so quickly.

He had to give up and whispered, “Wait here!” But his annoyance toward Xue Fanzhi only deepened—if not for the eighth child, Yue’er wouldn’t be in such a humiliating state.

On Xue Fanzhi’s side, upon hearing that Xiao Yi had come, she frowned slightly in puzzlement. In her previous life, after she and Xiao Yi parted ways, she had all but forgotten him—until she was injured and her engagement broken off, and no young man in all Jiankang would marry her. Only then did Xiao Yi appear before her, like a deity descending from the heavens.

Later, Xiao Yi told her, “I really liked you from the first moment I saw you, but when I heard you were engaged I didn’t want to interfere. Once everyone else gave up on you, the fortune was mine!”

Heaven only knows how happy she was to hear those words—she even added two extra dishes for him that night.

So this was something that never happened in her previous life—what was Xiao Yi doing here now?

Xue Qiu said, “Please, invite them in quickly.” But even before the words had faded, a voice rang out from outside the hall: “No need for formalities, General—we’re already here.”

It was a young woman’s voice—no need to guess, it was Minglan.

No sooner had Minglan spoken than she and Xiao Yi entered, one after the other.

Everyone began to salute, but Xiao Yi, all geniality, waved them off.

Once everyone was standing at attention, Xue Qiu was about to invite Xiao Yi and Minglan to the seats of honor when Xue Yang pushed Xue Jiaoyue forward and said, “Your Highness Ninth Prince, this is my daughter. She greets Your Highness and the Princess!”

He nudged Xue Jiaoyue and urged, “Quick, pay your respects to the Ninth Prince and the Princess!”

Minglan grinned and said, “Master Xue, if you truly can’t see me, so be it. But this constant sighing is rather suffocating, you know. I feel awkward just being here!”

Xue Yang: “…”

He quickly forced a smile. “I wouldn’t dare!” He then prodded Xue Jiaoyue, “Greet the Ninth Prince!”

The Xue family had no shortage of handsome men. Even silent, Xue Yang was already more attractive than most; the brothers Xue Jingren too were all refined gentlemen. But when Xue Jiaoyue finally looked up and saw Xiao Yi, she was still stunned by his beauty. If the Xue men were jade trees, then Xiao Yi was a jade mountain—trees were lovely, but a mountain was not only handsome but majestic, imposing in its nobility.

That was the impression Xiao Yi gave: lofty and unattainable.

Xue Jiaoyue’s face flushed crimson. Lowering her head in shyness, she curtsied deeply. “Seventh Daughter pays her respects to the Ninth Prince. Wishing Your Highness good health!”

The other Xue family members, especially those with daughters, cursed Xue Yang and Xue Jiaoyue under their breaths for their shamelessness.

Xiao Yi made a gesture as if to help her up. “No need for such formality.”

Then, with a curious smile, he asked, “Is someone in your family celebrating a birthday today, Seventh Miss? You’re so filial, dressing up like the God of Longevity to amuse your elders. I’d never have thought of such a novel idea.”

Everyone: “…”

Xue Fanzhi couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Since returning this time, she’d noticed Xiao Yi’s tongue was sharper than ever, but this time, his barb was beautifully delivered.

Xue Jiaoyue wasn’t a fool—she caught the sarcasm and, mortified, her eyes reddened, tears brimming as she looked at Xue Yang for help.

Xue Yang was so angry his cheeks puffed out, but what could he do? The other was a prince. Blue and white with frustration, he could say nothing.

Seeing no one would stand up for her, Xue Jiaoyue ran off, covering her face.

No matter the reason, her departure was a breach of etiquette.

Xue Qiu’s expression darkened, but the Dowager Madam Xue, ever shrewd, smiled before the atmosphere could turn awkward. “With the arrival of the Ninth Prince and the Princess, our humble home is truly honored! Please, take your seats.”

She adroitly shifted the topic.

Xue Qiu quickly caught on, raising his hand in invitation. “Please, take the honored seats.”

Minglan made no pretenses, and Xiao Yi followed her, settling into the seat Xue Qiu had just vacated.

Seeing everyone still standing, Xiao Yi smiled. “Please, be seated.”

The Xue family members returned to their places, all glancing curiously at the prince and princess, eager to glean some clue from their words or expressions—just why had the two of them come?

Xiao Yi noticed the family discipline rod in Xue Qiu’s hand. “Is the old general disciplining unruly descendants today?”

But Xue Qiu had been chastising Xue Jiaoyue, which made Xue Yang’s face darken in displeasure.

Xue Qiu quickly set the rod aside. “Forgive me for letting Your Highness see such a scene. The children misbehave, and I give them a little correction, that’s all.”

Xiao Yi pointed to Xue Fanzhi. “Is it this one who’s misbehaving? She’s rather adorable—what a pity it’d be to spoil her. If you don’t want her, I happen to need a servant. Why not give her to me?”

The Xue family: “…”