CHAPTER 266: CHAPTER 266: THIS IS THE VOICE OF THE ELDEST PRINCESS

Upon hearing Xie Zian’s words, Old Lady Xie couldn’t help but frown. There was indeed a reason behind the decline of the Xie Family.

When her son was young, he showed some cleverness, but as he grew older, he became dazzled by the glamorous world. After marrying, he sought to climb the social ladder with the help of his wife’s family, the Yue Family. He was a son-in-law, not a true son. Despite delicately flattering his wife and currying favor with the Yue Family for ten or twenty years, he only managed to become a Fifth Grade Junior Minister at the Guanglu Temple. Though he had attained an official rank, he had, in reality, become utterly subservient.

"Hearing that from Official Xie, I am now at ease," Lady Ji said. "Please have the Third Miss Xie’s parents come. I have some matters I wish to discuss with them."

"Well..."

Xie Zian hurriedly looked towards Old Lady Xie.

Old Lady Xie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Indeed, it was just as she had expected.

Old Lady Xie then said, "Lady Ji, you may not know this, but our Fifth Son has trouble with his legs and is never without his wine gourd. He’s usually drunk day and night, completely turned around. His wife, the lady of the Fifth House, has recently fallen gravely ill and is bedridden. You won’t be able to see them today. If you have any business, please tell me. I can make decisions for them!"

Listening to Old Lady Xie, Lady Ji understood her calculations and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Does she think that just because I’ve been away from the capital for over a decade, I’ve lost all my social skills?

Fortunately, I came prepared. So, Lady Ji simply sat there, saying nothing in response.

After Old Lady Xie finished speaking, she waited with bated breath for Lady Ji’s reply. However, even after she had finished a cup of tea, Lady Ji showed no sign of speaking, forcing Old Lady Xie to ask, albeit reluctantly, "Lady Ji, may I ask why you are looking for the members of our Fifth House?"

Lady Ji, seeing that the time was about right, said, "There’s no hurry. We can talk when the people I’m expecting arrive!"

Old Lady Xie was already seething with anger. What a fine Lady Ji! Does she think she can come here and bully our Xie Family? Fine! I’ll stand my ground today and not let her see anyone from the Fifth House. Let’s see what she can do to our Xie Family then!

Just as Old Lady Xie was thinking this, a commotion suddenly erupted outside.

"All of you, get out of my way! I want to see the Old Matriarch! If you dare stop me again, I’ll report you to the authorities and accuse your Eldest Mistress of flagrantly disregarding human life!"

Hearing this voice, Old Lady Xie’s eyelids twitched, and a sense of panic filled her heart. She hastily looked towards the entrance of the Flower Hall. "Who is causing such a ruckus outside? Nanny An, go and see!"

Old Lady Xie’s anger surged. Nanny Hua is truly useless! She’s skilled at currying favor and reaping benefits from both Mrs. Lin and myself, but when she’s genuinely needed, she’s completely ineffective. She can’t even keep an eye on a young maidservant! She quickly called her personal nanny over, signaling with her eyes for her to go check and get rid of the person causing the disturbance.

Lady Ji knew what Old Lady Xie was up to but didn’t intervene. After all, I have my own plans in place.

"Our young ones are ignorant, please forgive their behavior, Lady Ji," Old Lady Xie said, forcing a smile.

Lady Ji replied faintly, "Children will be children; they’re bound to cause trouble sometimes."

As soon as she finished speaking, cries of "OUCH! OUCH!" came from outside.

"All of you, get out of my way! I’ll hit anyone who dares to stop my beautiful big sister!"

Hearing this soft, yet commanding, young voice, everyone in the Flower Hall was taken aback. Old Lady Xie wondered aloud, "Where did this child come from?"

There are no children this young in the current generation of the Xie Family!

Nanny Zhang, who was beside Lady Ji, said, "That sounds like the Princess’s voice."

The expressions of everyone in the Flower Hall changed, and they all stood up, looking towards the entrance.

At the entrance of the Flower Hall, a little girl, only three or four years old, was kicking away the maids and female servants who were trying to stop Xie Pan’Er, sending them sprawling.