Qi Xiuyu was tall and possessed a refined, jade-like appearance. Even after being married for several years, he remained the man of every girl’s dreams in the capital. Watching him now, looking even more dignified than he had ten years ago, Xie Mingyue’s gaze turned cold, inch by inch.
After marrying a daughter of the Xie family, Qi Xiuyu had spent five years serving in various posts, gilding his career. Now that his term as the Prefect of Jinzhou had ended, he was set to return to the capital and soar to even greater heights.
In the imperial court, it was whispered that the Shunqing Marquis Estate was about to produce its second imperial favorite.
But she would ensure that the good days for him and Xie Wanqing ended right here!
Meeting the gaze of that stranger—who was yet so familiar—Qi Xiuyu was momentarily stunned, then bowed with practiced ease.
"Greetings, Father, Mother, and also... Eldest Brother... Sister-in-law."
During the slight pause in his words, the mockery in Qi Jinshan’s eyes was laid bare.
*Sister-in-law?*
If he hadn't intercepted one of Qi Xiuyu’s personal letters while investigating a case, and hadn't happened to see the final line, "Inquire after Mingyue’s well-being," he might have truly believed the display of respect his younger brother was putting on.
That letter had been addressed to Madam Luo; it had never reached Xie Mingyue. And it was precisely because of that—had it been otherwise, he might have long ago been unable to restrain his own temper.
Sensing the frigid aura emanating from the man beside her, Xie Mingyue suppressed the sense of grievance she felt at his inexplicable coldness. She leaned in toward him, secretly touching the back of his hand.
While "proclaiming her loyalty" in this way, she glanced at Qi Jinshan’s face. Seeing his expression remain unchanged, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
*It’s like casting winks at a blind man.*
"Did you arrive in the capital today? Why didn't you send someone ahead to let us know, so the carriage could have been sent to fetch you?" Madam Luo had not seen her own son for years, and she expressed her concern with restraint.
"I had my own people arranged to handle things, Mother. There was no need to go through the trouble," Qi Xiuyu said, smiling as he walked up to Qi Jinshan and Xie Mingyue. "Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law."
Qi Jinshan and Xie Mingyue had not responded to his greeting earlier, and now that he had come specifically to them, Qi Jinshan remained stone-faced, merely giving a light "hmm" and a nod.
Seeing this, Xie Mingyue’s thoughts shifted, and she followed suit with a faint acknowledgement.
The husband and wife were as cold and distant as if they were carved from the same mold.
Qi Xiuyu paused, taken aback.
Although he had been away from home for years, whenever Xie Mingyue had seen him in the past, she could never restrain her emotions, which would lead to an unpleasant scene between her and Qi Jinshan. How could she act exactly like Qi Jinshan now?
Watching the couple, whose presence complemented each other so well, his gaze darkened. He maintained his composure and smiled, "I returned late and feared I might have delayed the start of the family banquet, keeping Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law waiting. I shall return to my courtyard to change clothes."
Madam Luo could not bear to see her son acting so humble before Qi Jinshan, so she spoke up, "It is not too late. Wanqing and Feng'er have not yet arrived. Go along and change."
The Shunqing Marquis Estate was a household of the highest rank. No matter how much she hated to see her son exhausted, the protocol of changing clothes before a banquet had to be observed.
As Qi Xiuyu turned to leave, Xie Mingyue frowned at Qi Jinshan. Seeing that he wouldn't even grant her a glance, she felt suddenly stifled.
*I even touched him, what more does he want?*
*What a narrow-minded man.*
She leaned over and whispered to Wutong behind her, "Who is Feng'er?"
"He is the legitimate grandson of the Second Branch, the only son of the Second Master and Second Madam."
*Qi Xiuyu and Xie Wanqing’s son?*
Xie Mingyue raised an eyebrow, a sudden realization dawning on her.
No wonder the First Branch had no heirs, yet the Marquis of Shunqing and Madam Luo were not in a rush; it turned out the heir apparent already had a successor.
A thought followed: If everything Qi Jinshan earned in the Shunqing Marquis Estate now was meant to be inherited by Xie Wanqing’s son in the future...?
Unless she had a child with Qi Jinshan, too...
At this thought, Xie Mingyue’s cheeks flushed with heat. She patted her face and sat up straight again.
After a while, the sound of a child’s laughter echoed from outside. Qi Xiuyu and Xie Wanqing walked into the hall, leading a boy of about four or five.
"Feng'er, greet them."
Knowing her husband was returning today, Xie Wanqing had dressed like a lotus flower emerging from the water, her cheeks rosy and fresh. However, when she looked at Xie Mingyue, her own face appeared somewhat weary in comparison to Mingyue’s fair, glowing complexion.
After all, the Second Branch was not as leisurely as the First. Unlike Xie Mingyue, who did not have to serve her mother-in-law, Xie Wanqing had to pay her respects every morning and evening, waiting on her at all times.
Xie Mingyue had no interest in Qi Xiuyu and Xie Wanqing’s child. She turned to look at Qi Jinshan.
"Why are you ignoring me?"
She knew his odd behavior was due to Qi Xiuyu, but she had already made her position quite clear, hadn't she?
Could even this not dispel his suspicions?
Xie Mingyue reached under the table to take his hand. Qi Jinshan’s brow twitched, his spine stiffening, but he grabbed her hand in return.
"It’s nothing. Let’s eat."
He pushed her hand away. Xie Mingyue’s palm went cold, and she pulled it fiercely back into her sleeve.
*Forget it.*
"Grand Uncle, and..."
As Qi Ruofeng approached the couple to greet them, his eyes flickered with hesitation when he saw Xie Mingyue, recalling his mother’s instructions.
Xie Mingyue waited patiently for him to speak, but to her surprise, he pouted and burst into loud sobs.
"Mother! Father! Feng'er is scared!"
This wail echoed in everyone’s hearts. The nursemaid hurried forward to carry Qi Ruofeng away, and Xie Wanqing leaned against Qi Xiuyu in a panic, her voice soft, "Husband, everything was fine—what’s wrong with Feng'er?"
Madam Luo let out a cold snort, and the maidservant by her side spoke deliberately, "Oh dear, could the young master have seen something?"
Qi Ruofeng had been right in front of Xie Mingyue just moments ago; the implication of her words could not have been clearer.
Xie Mingyue gave a light scoff and spoke openly, "Is the maid implying that there is something unclean about me, that I am a bad omen?"
Not expecting Xie Mingyue to be so direct, the maidservant panicked for a moment. Madam Luo held her back, putting on a benevolent smile. "That’s not what she meant. Everyone is just heartbroken that Feng'er is crying so bitterly."
She had forgotten to warn those around her that the daughter-in-law of the First Branch had changed completely and was no longer easy to handle.
Xie Mingyue refused to be slighted. Qi Ruofeng’s staring was clearly the result of instructions he’d been given, and as for who could instruct him, that was naturally...
Her gaze fell upon the group from the Second Branch. If Xie Wanqing wanted to use a child as a pawn, she would have to see if she was willing to play along!
She smiled slightly. "True. After all, I was just poisoned by my sister-in-law not long ago. I vomited so much blood that it’s only natural my vitality is low."
At these words, the faces of Madam Luo and Xie Wanqing turned deathly pale. Qi Xiuyu wisely remained silent, while the Marquis of Shunqing asked in confusion, "What poisoning?"
He did not involve himself in household affairs, so Madam Luo had not told him about the incident.
Xie Mingyue resumed her seat. "It is nothing of importance; I would not want to trouble Father. Besides, my sister-in-law has already been punished. But I cannot simply accept being labeled an omen of bad luck. Perhaps we should invite a high monk from Huguo Temple to examine me?"
The Marquis of Shunqing furrowed his brow, and Madam Luo’s eyelids jumped. She hurriedly gave her daughter-in-law a meaningful look.
The Second Branch was already in the wrong here. Xie Wanqing had always maintained a reputation for virtue, and with Qi Xiuyu on the verge of a promotion, what would happen if Xie Mingyue really caused a scene and outsiders found out?
Xie Wanqing hugged her child and forced a smile. "Sister-in-law, you take this too seriously. It was just the child crying; it has nothing to do with you. It is my fault for not teaching him better."
"As long as you know you haven't taught him well, that is enough."
Xie Mingyue calmly picked up her handkerchief to clean her hands. As the others took their seats, looking sheepish, Qi Jinshan suddenly spoke up: "Has Feng'er begun his formal education?"
Xie Wanqing did not know why he was asking, but she answered truthfully, "He began a year ago. He can already recite the *Hundred Family Surnames* and the *Thousand Character Classic*."
She was secretly boasting, but Qi Jinshan simply threw his handkerchief onto the table and said offhandedly, "Who is his tutor? Perhaps it is time for a change."