Xie Xuanji said that he didn’t dare to do so, but he still respectfully waited there for the emperor to speak. The emperor asked: “You have worked hard these days, and you’ve been busy with this matter. What happened in their manor for the past few days?”
“Father, Prince An’s mansion is peaceful as usual, except for the Empress Dowager’s trusted female officials who suffered slightly, the rest is fine.”
“That’s good.” The emperor nodded and said, “If she has suffered, there’s nothing much we can do about it. I know that it’ll make the queen look bad, but when he indirectly scolded me in front of everyone, does it look good on me? I still chose to resist. With the Empress Dowager, just go to her later and persuade her to just let it go. Just bear with it, don’t provoke that person again.”
Xie Xuanji sighed. He hasn’t even gone to her yet, he could already imagine how angry the Empress Dowager would be. As the Empress Dowager, she sent her confidant female official to teach the princess a lesson, but Xie Xuanchen slapped her right back in the face, and she still had to be nice to the two of them after this. If she had to be so disrespected as an Empress Dowager, how about just not be one.
But Xie Xuanji of course wouldn’t say these to the emperor. They all knew that Xie Xuanchen wouldn’t survive the year, so what’s wrong with just bearing with him? The more they tolerate him now, the more they will be praised for their compa.s.sion. Compared with the reputation they would get, bearing with the Qiyang Manor for three or four months is nothing.
Xie Xuanji’s mind was clear, and he said, “I understand, after, I’ll persuade my mother and the Empress Dowager.”
The emperor was very pleased to see that Xie Xuanji understood where he was coming from. He stroked his beard and smiled as he said, “How smart. Among your brothers, you’re the most filial and capable, you resemble me the most.”
Xie Xuanji’s palm trembled, what did the emperor’s words imply? Xie Xuanji suppressed his joy and immediately bowed as he said, “Thank you father for the praise, I’ll for sure live up to your expectations.”
The emperor was very pleased. He said he treated Xie Xuanchen as if he was his own child, it was just for say. It was Xie Xuanji that he really liked. However, Xie Xuanji was still young, he still needed some sculpting, so he couldn’t say these words to him earlier.
The emperor said: “You live quite near to him. In future days, move around more, not to the extent that you’ll go everyday, but you should go ask about his condition every few days. If you’re busy, let your wife go for you, just let the outsiders know that you’re very respectful of your brother.”
“Yes, I will obey your orders.”
After the emperor finished speaking, because he just mentioned Xie Xuanji’s wife, the emperor was suddenly reminded of something: “Didn’t you just get married? I remember, today seems to be the day you two return to the bride’s home?”
When the emperor said this, Xie Xuanji was reminded of it. Oh right, he has to return to the bride’s home after three days of the marriage ceremony. Xie Xuanji quickly counted the days, and found that the day had already pa.s.sed.
Xie Xuanji was slightly embarra.s.sed. He was so busy these past few days that he didn’t even go home. How could he have remembered to accompany Jiang Mingwei back to her home. Guilt arose in Xie Xuanji’s heart, but right after his sudden surge of emotions, he calmed down again. Jiang Mingwei was knowledgeable and understanding, she would understand him. Jiang Mingwei wouldn’t complain to him just because she had to head back by herself.
When he returns later, he’ll just ask someone to prepare some new clothes and jewelry for Jiang Mingwei. Coaxing a woman is nothing more than just giving her some fortune and gifts.
Xie Xuanji replied awkwardly, “The date for that has pa.s.sed.”
“Oh, is it?” The emperor also forgot, but this isn’t a big deal. The emperor didn’t even think much about it, and said, “After all, returning to the bride’s home is quite important for the ladies. You were absent. Remember to head to the Jiang family and make it up for her. Jiang Mingwei isn’t the best, but you two are childhood sweethearts, so you two know each other well. Marry a woman that fits your t.i.tle. Now that you’ve completed the wedding ceremony, you two should live life in peace. The most important thing is to give birth to a son as soon as possible.”