Xu Hengyi didn't want to talk anymore; he picked up an apple himself.
Xie Jiang had an apple handed to her, while he had to get one himself if he wanted to eat one.
It was one thing for his grandmother and mother to not notice him, but even the aunts and wet nurses serving in the room all looked at Xie Jiang with adoring smiles, as if Xie Jiang eating an apple was a remarkable feat.
...But the apple in Xie Jiang's hand did look very delicious.
"You traveled all this way to Dayu by yourself, managing a factory, handling business, and dealing with various affairs, all while supporting so many people. If you ever find yourself short of funds, come and talk to me. Absolutely do not think of winning money at the gambling tables. Money from gambling comes and goes quickly, and who can always have such good luck? Besides, gambling is ultimately not a righteous path," Madam Xu said to Xie Jiang with loving concern.
Xu Hengyi's eyes were filled with disbelief. "How could Xie Jiang be short of money? Grandmother, you worry too much."
Xu Hengyi's gaze conveyed to his grandmother that he was the truly poor one, and perhaps the portion meant for Xie Jiang should be given to him instead.
Madam Xu didn't even spare him a second glance, completely ignoring the eagerness practically overflowing from his eyes. "I know Little Xie's glass factory has made a lot of money. You are young and haven't managed a household before, so you don't know that Little Xie earns a lot but also has many expenses."
"I heard His Majesty bestowed the former residence of Prince Qing upon Little Xie as a marquis's mansion? Prince Qing's former residence is vast, and the renovation costs in the future will also require a considerable amount of money."
Madam Xu turned to Xie Jiang with another affectionate smile. "Little Xie, don't be polite with us. You are alone without elders to look after you. We all consider you our own child, just like Hengyi. If you encounter any difficulties, tell us..."
A hint of filial affection welled up in Xie Jiang's eyes. She put on her best acting skills, subtly and naturally. "Madam, please rest assured, I have money. Going to the gambling house was purely for fun, unrelated to winning money. If I ever need money, I will definitely ask you."
"Good, good, good..." Madam Xu was very pleased to hear Xie Jiang say this, willing to ask her for money, meaning she didn't treat them as outsiders.
Xu Hengyi took a big bite of his apple, crunching loudly, and the more he chewed, the more sour it became.
Look at how happy his grandmother was. Xie Jiang was willing to ask her for money, and she was beaming.
It was fortunate that Xie Jiang was incredibly wealthy. If Xie Jiang were poor and tried to trick them out of some money, every woman in this room would willingly be completely deceived by Xie Jiang.
When he usually coaxed pocket money from his grandmother, she always gave it to him, but she never looked this delighted while doing so.
This apple was so sour.
All the sweetness had been eaten by Xie Jiang.
Madam Xu continued to speak to Xie Jiang. "I also heard that Hao Wei attacked you, not just because of the several thousand taels you won from him at the gambling house the night before last. They say you also snatched a courtesan he fancied?"
Little Xie was alone without elders to look after her. Although Madam Xu had confidence in Little Xie's character, she felt obligated to show more concern.
Children sometimes didn't understand much. There were all sorts of demons and monsters in this world.
Xie Jiang knew what Madam Xu wanted to hear. "We played too late at the gambling house the night before last. It was almost dawn, so we wanted to quickly find a place to sleep. Who knew it would be so coincidental that we went to the Qunfang Pavilion?"
"The courtesan was quite beautiful, but we weren't there for entertainment at that hour. We borrowed the courtesan's room to sleep, and the three of us made do for the night."
"Madam, please rest assured, I am still young and will not act recklessly."
Since Madam Xu was showing concern from an elder's perspective, she naturally wanted to be a considerate junior.
Xu Hengyi, halfway through his apple, felt his teeth ache. He put down the apple and muttered softly, "I slept on the footboard."
After hearing Xie Jiang's words and then Xu Hengyi's mumbling, Madam Xu finally felt truly at ease.
Initially, when she heard that the three of them had entered the courtesan's room, Madam Xu had some reservations. Although she believed all three of them were good children, women in brothels had countless tricks that were hard to guard against.
She feared they might be impetuous and fall into a trap. Now, after hearing their explanation, she was relieved. The few foolish children had merely borrowed the courtesan's place for a night's rest.
"I knew Little Xie wouldn't cause worry. She's just like Hengyan when he was little, so sensible and disciplined at such a young age." Madam Xu's eye wrinkles smoothed out, and her affection deepened. "No wonder your family elders were at ease letting you travel across the ocean to Dayu alone."
"I have always been lucky, and my luck in coming to Dayu this time is especially good. I met Madam and all the other ladies. My family has nothing to worry about."
What a thing to say!
Xu Hengyi immediately felt something was amiss. Looking at his grandmother's and mother's expressions, he knew he couldn't bear to watch.
Originally, Xie Jiang carried herself with arrogance, looking down on everyone as if she were their ancestor. Now, she could even sweet-talk them!
It was simply... unbelievable!
"Madam, Second Madam, I brought many gifts outside. I don't know if you'll like them? Shall I have them brought in first?"
Xie Jiang couldn't finish a whole apple, so she casually handed it to Xu Hengyi.
Xu Hengyi looked disgusted and unwilling, but his mouth honestly took a big bite. He then discovered that Xie Jiang's apple was indeed very sweet!
"Why are you being so polite, child? You bring us gifts every time you visit. We just invited you for a meal; treat it like your own home and be at ease."
Madam Xu's words held a hint of scolding, but the smile in her eyes couldn't be contained. She repeatedly ordered for the gifts to be brought in.
Second Madam Xu smiled broadly. "Don't be so extravagant in the future. You are alone in the capital, and there are many places you need to spend money."
Two large chests were carried in. Besides Madam Xu and her daughter-in-law, several young ladies from the Xu family were also present. Even their close attendants, the aunts and young maids, each received a small gift.
The entire back residence of the Xu family was captivated by Xie Jiang.
Xu Hengyi felt even more invisible. He called out to Aunt Chen to get him a wet cloth, as apple juice had accidentally gotten on his face. He called out twice, but Aunt Chen didn't hear him.
"..."
Xu Hengyi resigned himself to wiping his face haphazardly with his sleeve.
After everyone had received their gifts and sat down for tea again, Madam Xu began to speak of Xu Hengyan, her words filled with worry. "It's been months since he's been back, and he hasn't even written me a letter. The sweet potatoes have all been harvested. Hengyi and Qinghuai both say he's busy. He's in Ninghe, and we can't even see him. I wonder if he's eating and resting properly when he's busy?"
"He only has men like Guangqing and Guangbai around him. Men are careless and can't take care of daily life. He refused to bring any capable maids, not even an aunt or wet nurse."