CHAPTER 319: CHAPTER 126: DUKE MANSION (3) ACHIEVED_4

Xie Ruotong froze.

Then she understood what Ye Qichi meant.

The scheming and plotting within the Minister Mansion, she naturally knew of them.

She nodded and said, "Mhm, I know."

"After the feast, I will leave, and I’m afraid that from then on..." Ye Qichi looked at Xie Ruotong.

Ancient ladies.

Despite the short distance, meeting again would be truly difficult.

Xie Ruotong also felt somewhat sad.

She too knew, it would be very difficult to meet again in the future.

Ye Qichi smiled, "Take care."

"The Princess as well."

The two didn’t overindulge in sentimentality.

In truth, neither were too sentimental, and thus they wouldn’t say too many melancholic words.

After Ye Qichi had the elaborate midday feast carefully prepared for her by the Duke Mansion, she left with Lu You.

Sitting in the carriage, Lu You could not help but say, "Princess, do you think Miss Xiang Qin, no no no, Miss Xie can live well in the Duke Mansion? Today I have observed specially, the old lady is certainly very kind to Miss Xie, and both the Duke and his wife are polite to her. However, the original eldest miss of the Duke Mansion still shows some hostility towards Miss Xie. It is obvious that she is deliberately trying to please the Duke and his wife, as if competing for favor on purpose."

Ye Qichi somewhat admired Lu You’s naive observations, "You have observed quite carefully."

"Having been with Miss Xie for so long, I also hope Miss Xie can live a better life, so I paid extra attention. It seems that the second miss of the Xie Family, just like the concubine-born miss in the Minister Mansion before, is always seeking favor in front of the old master, causing him to dislike you," Lu You said indignantly.

Ye Qichi nodded slightly.

She could also see Xie Ruilin’s little schemes.

But all of this still relied on Xie Ruotong herself.

In a large family, to stand firmly wasn’t about relying on anyone else.

Admittedly, having a backer is important.

But becoming strong on one’s own is even more important.

Xie Ruotong, having spent so many years at Ten Extremes Sect, should have forgotten these so-called deceits of the mansion.

She still has refinement to go through!

...

Ye Qichi left.

Xie Ruotong was indeed very reluctant to part.

She stood at the doorway of the Duke Mansion, watching their carriage.

This farewell, who knows when they could meet again.

"Eldest Miss, let’s go back to the room, the weather is cold, don’t catch a chill," Xie Ruotong’s maid Qiao’er called out to her.

Before her return.

The Duke Mansion had fully provided her with courtyards, maids, and servants.

She definitely had the presence of an eldest miss!

Xie Ruotong withdrew her gaze.

She turned and walked into the Duke Mansion.

Just back to her own courtyard.

Xiao Qinghui’s Chief Maid hurried over, "Eldest Miss, the old lady is looking for you."

"Alright, I’ll go to Grandmother’s courtyard right away," Xie Ruotong nodded.

On this returning day.

The grandmother seemed to want her by her side every moment, still feeling anxious and insecure.

"It’s not to the old lady’s place, but to the main hall, they said there’s an important matter to discuss."

"Alright," Xie Ruotong readily agreed.

She walked with Qiao’er towards the main hall.

In the main hall, besides Xiao Qinghui, Xie Kangheng, Mrs. Shen Shen Cuiru, Xie Wenxuan, Xie Wenzhong, Xie Ruilin, Xie Ruiyao were also present.

It seemed that they were all waiting for her.

Xie Ruotong paid her respects, and Xiao Qinghui had her stand beside her.

Anyone with clear eyes could see Xiao Qinghui’s fondness for Xie Ruotong.

Jealousy flared in Xie Ruilin’s eyes, almost impossible to hide.

Yet, she could only swallow her anger in silence.

"With Tong’er returning home, it has reminded me of an important matter," Xiao Qinghui began.

She naturally wielded great authority in the Duke Mansion.

Everyone there was utterly respectful towards her.

"Years ago, our Duke Mansion and the Song Family established a marriage arrangement, which was indeed between the Song Family heir, Song Qingyan, and Tong’er. Now that Tong’er has returned, we should confirm the marriage arrangement with the Song Family sooner. Tong’er is almost 17 going on 18, any further delay, and she’ll be an old maid and become a laughingstock," Xiao Qinghui said very seriously.

Upon saying this.

Everyone was somewhat surprised.

Naturally, Xie Ruilin was the most agitated.

Xie Ruilin even had red eyes at that moment.

The initial marriage arrangement between the Song Family and their Duke Mansion was indeed set for Xie Ruotong, but after Xie Ruotong was kidnapped and sold, the arrangement was never officially cancelled. The marriage agreement with the Shen Family was always in effect and with Xie Ruotong gone, the person to fulfill the marriage agreement naturally fell on her head. She was the one to marry Song Qingyan; even since childhood, their relationship as close companions is profound which both families tacitly approved.

Now how did it suddenly become Xie Ruotong?

Clearly, within at most a month, the Song Family would come to propose marriage.

She was about to become Mrs. Song.

How did it suddenly get snatched away by Xie Ruotong?

She couldn’t accept it.

"Mother, this matter may require further deliberation," Xie Kangheng said with some concern, "The marriage arrangement was indeed for Tong’er, but Tong’er has been away from home for so many years. The Song Family has been tacitly approving Lin’er’s marriage all along, and when I encountered the elders of the Song Family a few days ago, they even mentioned coming over for a proposal, to which I naturally agreed. Also, considering the deep childhood friendship between Qing Yan and Lin’er, tearing them apart all of a sudden, I’m afraid the boy from the Song Family won’t accept it."

"What’s there to accept or not accept!" Xiao Qinghui’s face darkened, "The marriage arrangement is as the parents command and the matchmaker arranges, since when is it the juniors’ place to have a say!"