After bidding farewell to Pei Yuqing, Xie Wanqing was led onto a horse-drawn carriage, and her heart was full of silence.
...As a young lady, she would ride out on such a sunny day, while her brother chose to sit in a carriage.
Once in the carriage, Xie YanYu reached out to her: "Give me the jade pendant."
"..." Xie Wanqing hesitated for a moment, obediently took out the jade pendant from her sleeve, which hadn't warmed up yet, and handed it over.
Xie YanYu examined it repeatedly for a long time before handing it back: "Heir Pei is of noble status and ten years your senior. Since you called him brother today, you mustn't speak recklessly in front of him in the future."
Yet again ten years your senior, Xie Wanqing couldn't help but ask curiously: "Exactly how old is he? He looks just around twenty."
"He's over ten years older than you," Xie YanYu didn't hide it from her, speaking directly: "If he had followed the Eldest Princess's orders and married early, his children might not be much younger than you."
Xie Wanqing calculated in her mind, she was sixteen this year, so Heir Pei was at least twenty-six or seven?
She slightly parted her lips, inwardly thinking that the person maintained themselves quite well.
Unaware of her thoughts, Xie YanYu added: "If you meet him again, you absolutely cannot be rude, and must treat him with the respect due to an elder."
"Understood," Xie Wanqing nodded obediently, then thought of something and asked: "Is the Heir Pei's health really as rumored?"
Not expected to live past thirty, and he's already twenty-six or seven...
Thinking of such a gentle, jade-like person being so short-lived, she felt some sympathy and looked at her brother with anticipation.
"Heir Pei is the sole son of Princess Duan Yang," Xie YanYu said helplessly: "As he grows older, the Eldest Princess cannot bear to hear others mention it. It's fine for you and me to discuss it privately, but outside, don't inquire directly."
Seeing his sister was indeed curious, he paused for a moment but still spoke: "His health indeed isn't good, pills must be with him, and his emotions shouldn't have excessive fluctuations — be it joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness, none can be too intense."
Saying this, he glanced at his sister, his tone inexplicable: "Wanwan, keep out of his way in the future."
"I didn't," Xie Wanqing said innocently: "When did I bother him?"
But in her heart, she lamented, such a seemingly healthy person turned out to be so frail.
This kind-hearted person knows his days are numbered, and is unwilling to marry at twenty-something, fearing to burden another family's daughter.
...Truly, good people die young, while nuisances last forever.
Xie YanYu wanted to say more, but the carriage slowly stopped.
Xie Wanqing felt relieved as if she were pardoned, quickly lifted the carriage curtain, and jumped down, leaving her brother watching her with a mix of amusement and irritation as he shook his head helplessly and followed her off the carriage.
The first thing upon returning to the mansion was naturally to pay respects to her mother, Mrs. Zheng.
Although Old Marquis Xie had passed, the three brothers had good relations and didn't live separately; aside from the third uncle who was away on duty, only two branches lived in the back courtyard of Marquis Xuanping Mansion, and neither had concubines or second wives, with no illegitimate sons or daughters, very tranquil.
The sun set in the west, its last rays shimmering on the glazed tiles, making the deep walls of the marquis mansion appear gentle against the evening glow.
Mrs. Zheng, her hair adorned with red hairpins, half reclined on a soft pillow, conversing with her aunt, while several ladies from the Xie family sat with them.
Seeing her children return, she smiled: "How did you siblings arrive so coincidentally, did you meet at the door?"
Xie Wanqing smiled gracefully, curtsied in greeting, but did not respond.
As a man, Xie YanYu was surrounded by women but didn't turn away because he hadn't clarified matters concerning his sister, and he wouldn't say much in front of so many people.
The several related ladies, being tactful, got up to bid farewell.
The aunt, Liu, also smiled: "Then I shall take my leave first too. Regarding Ru'er's matter, I'll leave it to you, sister-in-law."
"Got it, I'll start sending out invitations tomorrow," Mrs. Zheng said, waving a fan with a smile: "If you're worried, come earlier tomorrow to oversee."
Upon hearing this, Xie Wanqing understood, it was nearing her cousin's coming-of-age ceremony.
Compared to Mrs. Zheng, who was born a legitimate daughter from Marquis Qu Mansion, the main wife of the second household of Xie family came from the great merchant Liu family of Minzhou.
From a wealthy family, they surely didn't lack money, and in this dynasty, merchants' status has improved somewhat compared to the previous dynasty. Besides not being able to purchase official titles, and their descendants being barred from the imperial examination, they could enjoy gold, silver, fine clothes, and silks so long as they were willing to spend.
But since ancient times, the hierarchy of scholar, farmer, artisan, merchant has been ingrained, and the notion of merchants being lowly has long occupied people's minds.
In the social circles of Capital City's noblewomen, Liu wasn't considered highly regarded.
And although the second uncle, Xie Shengshu, holds the position of Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, he isn't the heir of the marquis mansion, so his connections aren't extensive.
Whether her daughter's coming-of-age ceremony is hosted in the name of the second branch or by the marquis mansion makes a substantial difference, which is why Liu repeatedly emphasized it.
Thinking of her cousin, Xie Wanqing's eyes subtly shifted.
Who would have thought, growing up always at odds, competing, and being strong-minded, the sarcastic Xie Ruyu, upon learning that Lu Ziyuan favored his concubine over his wife, and that his eldest son was born from a concubine, would come forward for her.
She even moved into the Lu Family for a time, and upon encountering Liu Manrou—who ostensibly came to pay respects but was really flaunting—she directly slapped her twice, knocking her to the ground, disregarding her reputation as an unmarried woman, and pointed at Lu Ziyuan while hurling curses. If not for her two cousins dragging her away, her eloquence might have continued cursing for two hours without repeating.
In the dream, it seemed everyone treated her well, except for Lu Ziyuan.
Yet she, for the sake of Lu Ziyuan, became melancholic and short-lived, growing so distressed she coughed blood.
It was uncertain if she simply died like that, and she wondered if she would continue dreaming?
...What happens next?
This question left Xie Wanqing a bit distracted.
Until Mrs. Zheng called her twice, bringing her back to reality.
"What are you thinking about, I've been calling you for a while and you didn't respond." Mrs. Zheng admonished, tapping her brow, and seeing her daughter looked somewhat off, asked: "What's the matter?"
She turned to her eldest son: "Did you lecture your sister again, making her unhappy?"
"..." Xie YanYu remained silent for a moment, then said: "Her heart is entirely set on Lu Ziyuan, it's unlikely she'd fear my lectures, perhaps she's been wronged at the Lu Family."
Xie Wanqing didn't want her brother to take the blame, tugged at her mother's sleeve, and softly said: "Mother, I don't want to marry Lu Ziyuan."
Mrs. Zheng was taken aback, "What happened?"
This daughter of hers, although somewhat spoiled, never acts impulsively, and holds the young master of the Lu Family in high regard. If not for suffering immense grievance, what would make her say such a thing?
Xie YanYu also sat upright, his brows furrowed deeply, as if facing a formidable foe: "Did Lu Ziyuan bully you?"
"Not exactly bullying, it's just that I truly don't want to marry him anymore." Though he did bully her in dreams, Lu Ziyuan hadn't truly wronged her yet.
Xie Wanqing lowered her eyes and recounted what Lu Ziyuan said today.