Aunt Ding swallowed her sullenness and walked into the inner hall with a respectful expression on her face.
Xie Mingxi walked in without any hurry or delay.
The woman sitting at the top is wearing a pure red Luo Shang embroidered with dark water cloud patterns. She has long eyebrows tied into a bun, her skin is as white as snow, her black hair is as black as ink, and her face is cold and scorching.
Compared with his outstanding appearance, his innate noble demeanor is even more heartwarming.
This woman is none other than Princess Yongning!
In terms of appearance, Aunt Ding is even more beautiful. In terms of temperament, the difference between Aunt Ding and Princess Yongning is like the difference between the eyes of a fish and a pearl.
Xie Jun regretted his engagement and married Princess Yongning, obviously not only because Princess Yongning was born in the Huainan Prince's Palace.
Aunt Ding didn't say it in her mouth, but she knew it in her heart, and she became even more jealous because of it.
Aunt Zhao, who had a cold face and an even colder heart, stood beside Princess Yongning.
Aunt Zhao is over fifty years old, with a mediocre appearance, full of wrinkles, and absolutely no unnecessary expression on her face. She exudes an aura of "Keep strangers away" and "Don't mess with me" all over her body.
Xie Mingxi calmly glanced at her aunt, whom she had not seen for decades, stepped forward and saluted: "Daughter Mingxi, please give my regards to my mother."
Princess Yongning's voice was calm: "Get up."
Xie Mingxi said yes and stood up straight.
Aunt Ding also bowed. After standing up, she couldn't wait to look at the handsome young man beside Princess Yongning.
The young man is dressed in a blue brocade robe, with a jade crown on his head. His eyes are like stars, his nose is straight and his lips are thin. He is extremely handsome. He is Xie Yuanting, the brother of Xie Mingxi's mother.
This kind of behavior will make even the broad-minded mistress feel unhappy when she sees her. What's more, Princess Yongning is never a kind-hearted mistress who is easy to provoke.
From the corner of Xie Mingxi's eyes, he glanced at Xie Yuanting, who looked indifferent.
…
As soon as Xie Yuanting was born, he was carried to Princess Yongning's mansion by Xie Jun. Xie Jun coaxed Aunt Ding with sweet words, saying that the son was raised in the name of his aunt's mother, so he would be the same as a legitimate child. He promised that Aunt Ding would often see her son in the future.
For the sake of her son's future, Aunt Ding reluctantly gave in.
Unexpectedly, this concession lasted more than ten years.
The Princess of Yongning treated her concubine as if she were her own child and had strict upbringing since childhood.
Xie Yuanting is fourteen years old. He is young, talented and handsome. He is studying in the New Confucian Academy, one of the eight major academies. Most of the people who come and go on weekdays are the sons of nobles, officials, or relatives of the royal family. He is also the eldest grandson of the Huainan Prince's Palace.
The past is very close.
Such a young and handsome man has a bright future, but the only stain is his background. He wishes he could erase the word "concubine" forever. To Aunt Ding, who is full of motherly love, Xie Yuanting's attitude is so cold and heartbreaking.
That's when.
The love and care in Aunt Ding's heart almost overflowed from her eyes.
Xie Yuanting turned a blind eye to Aunt Ding, and respectfully raised his hands to Princess Yongning: "Mother, there are only a few days until the monthly exams at the academy, and my son wants to go back and review his books first."
Princess Yongning's expression softened slightly and she said warmly: "Studying is important, don't hurt your body."
Xie Yuanting was flattered and moved by the concern in his words, and he hurriedly responded: "My son will obey his mother's teachings." Then he stepped back without even looking at Aunt Ding.
This sound of mother hurt Aunt Ding's eyes and heart.
Aunt Ding squeezed the silk handkerchief in her hand tightly, and her nails dug into her palms, causing pain.
Aunt Zhao glanced over intentionally or unintentionally.
The painful memory of being forced to kneel for a whole day suddenly came to mind. Aunt Ding's whole body trembled, and she immediately lowered her eyes to cover up the sadness in her eyes.
Aunt Zhao shocked the restless Aunt Ding with her eyes, feeling quite proud of herself. Her eyes naturally passed over to the third lady Xie Mingxi beside Aunt Ding.
Xie Jun had a wife and a concubine, but he had only one son and two daughters.
The eldest son of the common concubine, Xie Yuanting, was raised by Princess Yongning since he was a child. He lived with Princess Yongning in the princess' mansion on weekdays. The second lady, Xie Yunxi, was the daughter of Princess Yongning and was the most beloved one in Princess Yongning's eyes.
Only this third young lady was left in the Xie Mansion and raised by Aunt Ding.
Most of the concubines raised by their aunts are not worthy of publicity.
Miss Xie San is an exception.
That unforgettable and beautiful face is a girl's greatest asset. Not to mention, among the three siblings, only Miss Xie San has truly inherited Xie Jun's extraordinary reading talent.
He was literate at the age of three, read through books at the age of five, and could compose poetry at the age of seven. He was proficient in music and rhythm at the age of nine, and was good at calligraphy and painting.
He has a photographic memory and is gifted with intelligence that no one can match.
Fortunately, the third lady was young and was by Aunt Ding's side, so she never had the chance to go out as a guest.
Because of this, outsiders only know that the Xie family has a second daughter who is the direct descendant of the eldest son of a concubine. No one knows that there is such a talented, intelligent and beautiful third daughter Xie.
The princess returned home this time to meet the third lady...
Aunt Zhao twitched her lips meaningfully and looked away.
…
Aunt Zhao didn't notice that after she withdrew her gaze, the corners of Xie Mingxi's mouth curled up slightly, with mockery flashing in her eyes.
No matter how cruel a person is, he still has a soft side.
Just like the cold-faced and evil-hearted princess of Yongning, she treats her daughter like a jewel. She goes to great lengths to give Xie Yunxi, who is full of idiots, a talent name.
Xie Yunxi was one year older than her and was old enough to apply for the Lianchi Academy. However, if Xie Yunxi took the exam on her own, there was no way she could pass the exam.
Princess Yongning thought about it and decided on her.
Not only did she take the exam, but she was willing to hide behind Xie Yunxi forever, transferring all the light that originally belonged to her to her sister-in-law.
In order to make her obey, Princess Yongning naturally came prepared.
"Aunt Ding," Princess Yongning slowly opened her mouth: "Yuan Ting's birthday is coming soon!"
Aunt Ding blurted out: "Yes, there are still another month and three days."
She is indeed my mother! I remember her so clearly!
A trace of ridicule flashed in Princess Yongning's eyes, and she said calmly: "After his birthday, Yuanting is now fourteen. It's time to think about marriage."
Aunt Ding's expression changed slightly.
The literary style of Daqi flourished, and those with children in their families were all proud of their studies. In order to avoid being distracted by contact with men and women too early, most marriages were arranged after the age of sixteen, and there were not a few who got married at the age of seventeen or eighteen.
Princess Yongning's two fluttering words revealed surprising intentions.
Aunt Ding composed herself and said with a smile: "Yuan Ting is still young. It is too early to propose marriage at this time. It is better to discuss the matter in two years."
Discuss?
As a legitimate mother, if she wanted to arrange a betrothal for her eldest son, all she needed was Xie Jun's approval. Why would she need to discuss it with a mere concubine?
Princess Yongning said nothing, but her eyes clearly showed contempt.
Aunt Ding was so humiliated that she felt ashamed.
…
This familiar and distant scene fell into Xie Mingxi's eyes.
Xie Mingxi was somewhat surprised to find that a rare anger surged in her heart.
For the rest of her life, she lived a calm and casual life, rarely getting angry.
At this time, facing my aunt who used to be aloof and unworthy of respect, the resentment and unwillingness that had been hidden deep in my heart for decades seemed to come back to me again.
"Mother," Xie Mingxi opened her mouth, as if she were plucking the strings of a piano with her bare hands, making a sweet tinkling sound: "Why don't you see my second sister today?"
Princess Yongning glanced at Xie Mingxi and said lightly: "Jinyue invited her to enjoy the flowers."
Sheng Jinyue, as Princess Yongning calls her, is the only granddaughter of the Huainan Prince's Palace, and she and Xie Yunxi are serious cousins. Xie Yunxi often goes to the Huainan Prince's Palace to stay for a while, and is quite close to Sheng Jinyue.
Xie Mingxi had a trace of yearning in her eyes.
Princess Yongning secretly sneered in her heart, and her tone was much gentler: "Ming Niang, you are ten years old this year. At this age, it is time to leave the house and move around. In the future, when Yun Niang goes out to visit the house, you will go with Yun Niang."
Xie Mingxi smiled and said, "Thank you, mother."
Aunt Ding's eyes also lit up.
As her own mother, she knows how outstanding Xie Mingxi is. It is a pity that she has never had the opportunity to appear in front of others.
Unexpectedly, Princess Yongning would let Xie Mingxi go out with Xie Yunxi as a guest!
This means that Xie Mingxi has the opportunity to enter and leave the Huainan Prince's Palace, get to know many ladies from famous families, and her talent will soon spread. In the future, she will have the opportunity to be admitted to Lianchi Academy, and then stand out in the academy and become famous. She will be honored by high-ranking families.
The noble ladies fell in love with her. If good luck comes, she may be able to enter the palace and become a concubine...
At that time, mother is more valuable than daughter, and she no longer has to be humble to Princess Yongning!
Aunt Ding's thoughts were running wild, and the more she thought about it, the happier she became.
Princess Yongning looked at the happy-looking Aunt Ding, sneered in her heart, and said, "Ming Niang, please step aside for now. I have some instructions for Aunt Ding."
What words should be said to deliberately avoid her?
Xie Mingxi was stunned and left with a smile.
…
Half an hour later, Aunt Ding came out of Yonghe Hall, trembling all over.
His face was pale and his body was shaking slightly, as if he would faint at any moment.
The eldest maid Wenqi was startled and hurriedly stepped forward to help Aunt Ding: "Second Madam, what's wrong with you?"
Aunt Ding's lips moved and her voice became hoarse: "Follow me to Chunjin Pavilion."
Wen Qi was slightly startled.
Chunjin Pavilion is the residence of the third lady Xie Mingxi.
Why is Aunt Ding so anxious to see the third lady?
Aunt Ding was full of confusion and had no intention of talking. With Wenqi's help, she walked towards Chunjin Pavilion.
Her steps were slow at first, but gradually, Aunt Ding showed determination and her steps became firmer.
Ming Niang, I’m sorry!
But I really have no other choice but to wrong you!
If you are so obedient and sensible, you must be able to understand that my mother is forced to have no choice but to do so!
