flstandardbreds Chapter 158 Should Xu Liuer be given the position of legal wife?
Chapter 158 Should Xu Liuer be given the position of legal wife?
Upon hearing this, Xie Yanli raised his eyes indifferently.
"I didn't have time to greet my elder brother earlier, it was my fault."
Xie Zhongzhi spoke sincerely, bowing to Qin Jiuwei and Xie Yanli.
He performed a standard greeting.
Although Xu Liuer had not received any etiquette training, she knew to step forward at this moment.
She quickly went to Xie Zhongzhi's side and, imitating his movements, bowed in greeting.
"Second brother, you're too polite." Xie Yanli's eyes were cold and dark. "There's no need for that."
Xie Zhongzhi sensed his cold attitude and couldn't help but purse his lips tightly.
Xie Yanli looked at him with a slightly cold gaze, "Cultivating oneself, regulating one's family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world—regulating one's family comes second."
He didn't say anything more, but his meaning was clear: he was criticizing Xie Zhongzhi for not even managing his family properly, and for raising his child to be like this.
His silence just now doesn't mean he wasn't angry.
Xie Zhongzhi's expression darkened further, and his voice became even more respectful. "This time, I failed to properly educate the children, causing my elder brother, sister-in-law, and Jue'er to be frightened."
"Hmm." Xie Yanli nodded slightly and didn't say anything more.
Although he and Xie Zhongzhi were brothers, they were close in age and had grown up together.
But the two were actually quite distant.
Xie Yanli was selected by the late emperor to study in the Imperial Study when he was a child.
Afterwards, he went on a military campaign with the late emperor, and then joined the cabinet.
The time spent at home is very limited, let alone cultivating any brotherly bond.
Qin Jiuwei was initially unsure about Xie Yanli's attitude towards Xie Zhongzhi.
At this point, I felt relieved.
It seems there's no real affection involved.
She said that the idea of such deep brotherly affection in Xie Yanli was simply unbelievable.
Xie Zhongzhi bowed respectfully, and when he turned around, a chilling glint flashed in his eyes.
It was dinnertime by then.
Tonight's dinner is exceptionally lavish, as Lady Hou specifically requested.
We've come to welcome Xie Zhongzhi and give him a proper welcome.
After what happened in the afternoon, no one was in a good mood during dinner, and the meal was eaten in complete silence.
It was Lady Hou who kept talking to Xie Siyuan.
She then pulled Xie Siyuan to her side, kept putting food on his plate, and asked him questions.
Xie Siyuan was not talkative and rarely answered the questions asked by the Lady of the Marquis.
He was more interested in the food on his plate.
This is something he couldn't get when he was at the border.
The old lady Xie looked at Xie Siyuan with loving eyes.
She even personally served him a bowl of soup.
Lord Xie's gaze also occasionally fell on Xie Siyuan.
Although he was not very satisfied with Chongzhi, the difference between him and his fellow student was simply too great.
But he still liked the child that Chongzhi brought back very much.
After all, he was his first grandson, the eldest grandson of the Marquis's family.
Xie Zhongzhi saw this scene, then glanced at the three children sitting next to Qin Jiuwei, and the corners of his lips curved slightly.
An adopted son is ultimately different from a child with the bloodline of a noble family.
Qin Jiuwei naturally noticed the obvious differences in the attitudes of the elders.
But she wouldn't feel bad because the old lady and the marquis favored Xie Siyuan.
It's normal for each parent to spoil their child.
As long as they don't bully her three children, they can spoil Xie Siyuan however they want.
Dinner ended in this strange atmosphere.
As she was leaving, Qin Jiuwei's gaze inadvertently swept over Qiu Yueli.
Since that autumn banquet, Qiu Yueli has become very quiet.
She didn't say a word during dinner.
During the day, he stays alone in the house.
Xiaohe said that the Lady Hou is currently looking for a marriage partner for her.
After all, she was of marriageable age, and her trip to the capital was specifically to find a good marriage partner.
Qin Jiuwei turned her gaze away and looked straight ahead again.
Hopefully she'll stay calm; that would be better for everyone.
Qiu Yueli was completely unaware of Qin Jiuwei's gaze.
She had been secretly observing Xu Liuer.
I felt very strange.
She looks so ordinary? How come my second cousin likes her so much?
Qiu Yueli rolled her eyes inwardly.
Qin Jiuwei is alright, she does have some redeeming qualities, she's good-looking and capable.
If she can't have Xie Shizi, then so be it.
But this Xu Liuer has neither good looks nor a good family background.
Why did she marry so well?
Although my second cousin is not as exceptionally talented as Xie Shizi, he is still a dragon among men!
Qiu Yueli thought of the mediocre young men that Madam Hou had recently found for her, and in comparison, she was so angry that she almost fainted.
After dinner, Madam Hou kept Xie Zhongzhi behind alone, saying she wanted to talk to him and his mother.
Xu Liuer glanced at him with some concern.
Xie Zhongzhi gave her a reassuring look. Although Xu Liuer was still a little flustered, she chose to trust him and turned to leave.
The main house fell silent for a moment.
Xie Zhongzhi guessed what the Lady Hou was going to say, so he didn't wait for her to speak.
With a "thump," he knelt down on both knees.
Lady Hou was instantly terrified and exclaimed, "Chongzhi, what are you doing? Get up quickly!"
As he spoke, he stepped forward to help him up.
Xie Zhongzhi dodged the hand that the Lady Hou reached out to him, and said with a firm gaze, "Mother, Liu'er and I are truly in love, and I really want to marry her. I hope you can agree!"
After saying that, he bent down and kowtowed heavily.
When Lady Hou saw him like this, her face instantly turned ugly.
She was indeed dissatisfied with Xu Liuer.
The Lady of the Marquis didn't care at all about the life-saving grace.
Xu Liuer should have saved her son!
But now, Chongzhi seems to think he can't live without her, and besides, their children are already so grown up.
Xu Liuer is definitely going to be brought in.
But as for whether or not to give her the position of legal wife...
"Chongzhi, you say you want to marry her, but do you know what the duties of a legal wife are?"
Xie Zhongzhi was taken aback, never expecting that the Lady of the Marquis would suddenly bring this up.
His voice sounded somewhat unnatural, and after a pause, he said, "I really don't know."
He was a man, and all he needed to do was study, practice martial arts, and make a name for himself; he truly knew nothing about matters of the inner quarters.
Previously, when he was in the manor, Lady Hou handled all the affairs for him.
"The principal wife is responsible for managing the household affairs and overseeing the household." The Lady Hou's voice also became more serious. "Take your courtyard for example, there are many things to deal with every day."
"They will gather information about your food, clothing, lodging, transportation, servants, whether your subordinates are cheating or taking kickbacks, and your interactions with other officials' wives."
Lady Hou stared intently at him. "Do you think Xu Liuer can do these things?"