Chapter 41: Xie Jingyu's Disappearance
Front Courtyard Banquet Hall.
With tea from the palace accompanying the festivities, along with Madam Lin Shi smoothing things over and Marquis Xuanwu presiding over the event, the guests present were conversing quite pleasantly.
Xie Jingyu was discussing current court affairs with several colleagues when his attendant hurried over and whispered, "Sir, Nurse He says she has important matters to report."
Xie Jingyu frowned slightly. "Tell her to wait until later."
The attendant nodded and left, but returned shortly after, speaking softly, "Sir, Nurse He insists it must be now. If you cannot leave the banquet, she can come in to report."
Xie Jingyu looked up.
He saw He Shi standing at the entrance of the banquet hall, ready to enter at any moment.
His expression darkened as he stood up and walked over, asking coldly, "What is so urgent?"
He Shi lowered her head and said, "Sir, everyone knows the birthday banquet was organized by the Xie family's eldest young lady. But with such a major mishap occurring, if word spreads that the Xie family's young lady is incompetent in household management, what family would be willing to seek Ping Jie'er as their future mistress? You must think of a solution."
Xie Jingyu's expression turned grim.
Now that the Xie family had lost face both publicly and privately, he had to prioritize the family's interests before considering his children's marriage prospects.
Moreover, Ping Jie'er was only thirteen years old - marriage discussions wouldn't occur for another two years anyway. Bringing this up now was rather premature.
Seeing Xie Jingyu remain silent, He Shi anxiously suggested, "Before the birthday banquet concludes, perhaps we could have Ping Jie'er brew tea for everyone or display some talents to improve her impression..."
Xie Jingyu was at a loss for words.
If this were a palace banquet, it would be appropriate for noble young ladies to perform dances or music for the Empress and consorts.
But most guests present were officials of lower rank than the Xie family. If Ping Jie'er were to perform here, that would truly bring shame upon the Xie family.
"Enough, I'll handle this matter," Xie Jingyu said coldly. "Return to your duties and stop lingering around the front courtyard."
Having served him for over ten years, He Shi could clearly read his thoughts. Clenching her fingers, she said, "Sir, Ping Jie'er is our first child, and she will be the first in the Xie family to be betrothed. If anything goes wrong with her marriage arrangement, it will complicate matters for the younger brothers and sisters."
Xie Jingyu's voice turned colder. "What, are you threatening me?"
He Shi quickly replied, "That's not what I meant, I..."
As they were speaking, someone passed by through the nearby shrubbery.
Xie Jingyu pulled He Shi aside to hide.
Before long, servants returned with the banquet dishes prepared by the restaurant, serving them to everyone present.
These were delicacies prepared by the best chef in the capital city's finest restaurant - normally requiring at least half a month's wait for reservations. Being able to enjoy such feast delighted many guests.
Old Madam Xie finally breathed a sigh of relief and raised her wine cup to thank Madam Lin Shi. She understood clearly that without the Yun family's mediation, Zuixian Restaurant wouldn't have prioritized preparing meals for the Xie family.
"Where is Jingyu?" Old Madam Xie looked at the empty seat below. "Chu'er, do you know where Jingyu went?"
Yun Chu smiled and replied, "Earlier, Nurse He said she had important matters to report, so my husband went out. I believe he'll return shortly."
A sudden, intensely bad premonition arose in Old Madam Xie's heart.She turned to Mama Zhou beside her: "Go find Jingyu and have him come quickly to attend to the guests."
Mama Zhou accepted the order and left.
About a quarter of an hour later, Mama Zhou returned and said in a hushed voice: "I searched everywhere but couldn't find the master. I don't know where he went."
Xie Laotaitai took a deep breath.
That He Shi was nothing but trouble! On such an important occasion, she actually called Jingyu away. What matter could be more important than the birthday banquet?
If she had known earlier, she shouldn't have agreed to Yun Chu pardoning some servants who had made mistakes... But it was too late for regrets now. The old lady spoke: "Keep looking."
Yun Chu lowered her head to sip some tea, concealing the coldness in her eyes.
"Madam Xie."
A deep voice sounded beside her.
Yun Chu set down her teacup and looked up with a standard hostess smile: "Marquis, is there something you require?"
Though her smile didn't reach her eyes, it was as bright as spring blossoms, causing Qin Mingheng to momentarily lose his composure.
He took a sip of wine before speaking naturally: "I heard Madam Xie has reburied two children who died young. Having once stayed at a temple for some time, I learned from the masters that reburied deceased should have monks chant scriptures for forty-nine days to ensure peace in their next life. I know several masters - would Madam Xie like me to make arrangements?"
The smile on Yun Chu's face became more genuine.
Aside from her Yun family, this was the first person who showed concern for her deceased children.
She replied with a smile: "My elder brother has already arranged these matters. Thank you for your concern, Marquis."
"Those children also carried Xie family blood, yet their own father, Lord Xie, pays them no mind at all. How can someone who doesn't care about his own flesh and blood care about his wife?" Qin Mingheng's voice lowered several degrees. "Has Madam Xie never considered an escape route for herself?"
Yun Chu looked up and met Qin Mingheng's dark eyes.
She actually saw genuine concern in those eyes.
Was Marquis Xuanwu truly considering her future?
But this was her first face-to-face conversation with Marquis Xuanwu. They had no prior relationship and were practically strangers.
How could this man...
"Madam Xie has poured her heart into caring for the Xie family children, but will these children truly be filial to you?" Qin Mingheng took another sip of wine. "Some matters should be cut off when necessary."
Yun Chu pressed her lips together.
Even an outsider could see clearly what had taken her a lifetime of painful lessons to understand about those around her.
She understood Marquis Xuanwu's implication - he wanted her to seek a divorce.
She would never divorce in this lifetime, because women who return to their maiden home after divorce would affect their sisters' luck.
She didn't care what happened to herself, but she would never let the Yun family suffer because of her again.
When she could simply become a widow, why would she choose divorce?
Yun Chu spoke: "Thank you for your concern, Marquis. My husband and I share deep affection. I don't understand what you mean about cutting things off."
Qin Mingheng's face instantly darkened.
Such "deep affection" indeed.
After everything Xie Jingyu had done, she still remained so devoted.
She was the radiant eldest daughter of the Yun family, the foremost beauty renowned throughout the capital, and yet she was being ruined like this in the Xie household...
"Old Madam, I have matters to attend to and must take my leave."
Without waiting for Xie Laotaitai's response, Qin Mingheng stood up and left directly.
His attendance alone had been an honor for the Xie family, so his early departure was reasonable enough that no one found it peculiar.Yun Chu had a vague sense that Marquis Xuanwu had left in anger because of her earlier remarks.
Xie Jingyu never appeared until the banquet concluded, and Old Madam’s expression grew increasingly somber.
Nevertheless, she forced a smile and attended to the guests: "The Xie family has hired an opera troupe. Ladies and young misses, please proceed to the rear courtyard—we shall begin by selecting the plays."
Most of the male guests departed after the feast, while the female guests followed to the rear courtyard to watch the opera.
Yun Chu led the group there. The courtyard had been arranged with tea and refreshments, all fully prepared. The ladies quietly settled in to enjoy the performance.
After several acts, the entertainment grew somewhat monotonous, and one of the ladies suggested taking a stroll in the garden.
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