Xv Hengyi felt that Lord Xie was not wrong. Hadn't Xie Jiang been wronged today? Her fiery temper hadn't initiated the fight; she only struck back when the other party provoked her.
In the end, she was dragged into the palace by Prince Yong and had to argue her case before Minister Xun and Young Master Yi. When had Xie Jiang ever endured such humiliation?
Lu Yuqing quietly said to Xu Hengyi, "After interacting with her for the past two days, I've found Marquis Xie to be quite easy to get along with. She's not like the rumors say, not like…" The words used to describe Xie Jiang were hardly flattering.
"Unruly? A murderer? Ruthless? Vicious? Rumors, you know…"
Xu Hengyi had also heard the rumors about Xie Jiang outside, and they were somewhat exaggerated.
"But…"
These exaggerated words seemed, perhaps, to be connected to Xie Jiang.
"But what?" Lu Yuqing asked.
Xu Hengyi's eyes flickered as he spoke. Did it feel like there was some hidden story?
Xu Hengyi put on an air of profound mystery, "You'll know when the time comes."
Since the matter was settled, Xun Geng had no more time to delay and left Shangyi Pavilion first.
Of course, he didn't forget Yue Lin and the other three before leaving.
Seeing Minister Xun about to leave, Lu Yuqing thought the day was over. Who knew that just as he let out half a breath of relief, Minister Xun remembered them again before departing.
Like Xie Jiang, the four of them ultimately couldn't escape a scolding. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Prince Yong, who had failed to break Xie Jiang, the hard nut to crack, almost broke his own teeth. Who knew if he would turn his attention to them next?
Minister Xun's scolding meant that the matter was now closed.
Prince Yong, his stomach churning with anger, turned ashen-faced and shot a sinister glance at Xie Taihong before leaving.
Prince Yong had originally detested Xie Jiang and wished he could skin her alive. However, ever since Xie Taihong appeared, he could barely remember Xie Jiang. Xie Taihong was simply too hateful!
Unable to do anything to Xie Taihong, Prince Yong could only silently pray to heaven to open its eyes and strike down the Xie family with a lightning bolt!
Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he led the imperial clan members, who could no longer endure and were on the verge of collapse, to prepare to leave the palace and return home.
Some of the most severely injured had already drifted into unconsciousness. Now, as they were lifted, the not-so-spacious courtyard of Shangyi Pavilion was filled with wails and cries once more.
As the chaotic and absurd grand performance drew to a close, the civil and military officials who had been secretly peeking from the windows and doorways of the side hall all retracted their heads.
Lu Yuqing added, "Marquis Xie is fine in other aspects, but when she hits people, her methods are a bit too brutal."
The four, Yue Lin, bowed to Yi Yanguo and also prepared to leave Shangyi Pavilion and return home.
Before leaving, Xie Jiang kept giving Yi Yanguo meaningful glances.
Whether Yi Yanguo truly didn't see it or pretended not to, he only showed Xie Jiang the back of his head and returned to the main hall.
The two groups left the palace one after another.
The sound of intermittent screams could be heard all the way.
But this did not affect Xu Hengyi's wonderful mood of wanting to visit the Marquis of Nanhai's mansion for a meal.
The reason he appeared at the Marquis of Nanhai's mansion yesterday evening was also to get a free dinner and, if possible, find an opportunity to stay in a guest room at Fuyun Xuan.
He wouldn't have the chance tonight; he had to return home after dinner.
Alas.
Today's events had escalated to the palace. He had no idea what situation awaited him upon his return.
Following Xie Jiang, he would only need to explain things to his grandmother and mother, and he wouldn't face any reprimands. But his father…
Therefore, he had to eat a good meal first! To steady his startled heart.
Xu Hengyi also remembered Lu Yuqing and Xu Shuo and Yue Lin. After the events of last night and this morning, the four of them had developed a bond of shared hardship.
Xu Hengyi pulled the three of them along to mooch a meal.
Xu Shuo asked Xie Jiang, "Is it convenient?"
Xu Hengyi answered for Xie Jiang, "Of course, it's convenient. What kind of friends are we, right?"
Although Xu Shuo and the other two had never had a meal at the Marquis of Nanhai's mansion, their own grandfathers had eaten there frequently.
The other elders were fine. Duke Qian and Marquis Yongxin treated Xie Jiang as family. Old Duke Qin, due to his treatment by Lou Yian, also visited almost every day.
Could they be short of three pairs of chopsticks?
Xie Jiang nodded while yawning, "Xu Hengyi is right."
As Old Duke Qin's health gradually improved, everyone in the Lu family was immensely grateful to Xie Jiang and Lou Yian. After interacting with Xie Jiang for the past two days, Lu Yuqing found her temperament to be quite to his liking and decided to befriend her.
Lu Yuqing and Xu Hengyi, one on each side, crowded around Xie Jiang. Seeing Xie Jiang's sleepy appearance, as if she hadn't slept well last night, their gazes towards her became somewhat complicated.
If Xie Jiang's face weren't so undeniably beautiful, even if the sisters were to throw themselves at them, they would have considered it reasonable. They almost suspected Xie Jiang was deliberately showing off.
As the five of them returned to the Marquis of Nanhai's mansion, they heard that Old Duke Qin was currently at the mansion and had not yet left after his consultation today.
It wasn't unusual for Old Duke Qin to visit the Marquis of Nanhai's mansion daily. The entire capital knew that Old Duke Qin's long-standing injuries had been healed by Lou Yian, the physician at the Marquis of Nanhai's mansion.
Old Duke Qin had no official duties and was usually quite free. He mostly visited in person, and occasionally Lou Yian would be called to his residence.
Lu Yuqing smiled and said, "Then it's perfect. After dinner, I'll go back with my grandfather."
Tian Kangtai hadn't finished speaking yet. He continued with a smile, "Today, Old Duke Qin was accompanied by Duke Qian, Duke Zhao, Marquis Yongxin, and Marquis Yongchang to his consultation."
Xu Hengyi's expression became a little dazed. "Ah? Well, that's… that's quite lively, isn't it?"
Yue Lin lowered his head, covering his mouth with his fist, unable to suppress a laugh. Old Duke Qin's health had improved considerably now. Lu Yuqing and the others weren't worried about him going out alone, so why would so many people need to accompany him? Duke Qin's mansion was not short of attendants.
They were all here for dinner, likely.
And they also wanted to see what exactly they had done last night.
As he welcomed everyone inside, Tian Kangtai continued, "We didn't know if Marquis would return at this time, so the old dukes and marquises didn't wait. They are currently dining at Yilan Xie."
Xie Taihong said, "Since Little Jiang has so many guests, I won't…"
He intended to tactfully withdraw, but before he could finish, Xie Jiang turned and said, "What's so busy about you that you can't even spare time for a meal?"
"I mean, with so many guests today, I must personally go to the kitchen to give instructions and add a few more dishes."
Xie Taihong immediately understood. Xie Jiang had a use for him, so he quickly corrected himself.
If she didn't have a use for him, would Xie Jiang care if he died?
With the elders arriving in such numbers today, they would inevitably nag her about last night's events. With Xie Taihong present, the elders might restrain themselves somewhat.
As soon as Xie Jiang spoke, Xie Taihong couldn't help but nod and bow. Even a glance from her could make Xie Taihong instinctively humble.
Although Xie Taihong tried his best to act as Xie Jiang's father, his fear of Xie Jiang had already penetrated to his bones, and his true emotions inevitably leaked through in his words and actions.
Xu Shuo and Yue Lin, being perceptive individuals, could see the strangeness between the Xie father and daughter. However, they didn't think too deeply about it. Who would deliberately find a tool-like father for themselves?
They simply thought their father-son dynamic was very peculiar.
Xu Hengyi was extremely envious.
He wished his own father was as obedient to him.
Good fathers were always someone else's.