Even if Tang Zhuyun hadn't contacted him, Song Jingyang had originally planned to contact her before leaving.
How could he not be deeply concerned about Xiu'er?
However, seeing how much Tang Zhuyun cares about Xiu'er and thinks of her, Song Jingyang comforted himself and felt reassured.
Xiu'er, wait for your husband to come back, and he'll earn you an even better title of Lady of the Imperial Decree!
Xiu'er went to the Xu residence to pick up Qin Sang.
In the carriage, Qin Sang asked her, "Why haven't you replied to my message yet, but you've already arrived? Is something wrong at the Prince's manor?"
Xiu'er clutched the fox fur on her lapel and said in a muffled voice, "Her Majesty wants to send me away so she can speak with Song Jingyang alone."
--She saw it all clearly.
"What did you say?" Qin Sang asked curiously.
In her memory, Tang Zhuyun never hid anything from Xiu'er.
"I don't know," Xiu'er said, "But I can guess."
Qin Sang: "..."
"He definitely wants Song Jingyang to take me away."
"What, you're not going with him?" Qin Sang asked in surprise.
"I won't leave; I must stay with Your Majesty."
"That's true... So now..."
"It's alright," Xiu'er said. "Since Her Majesty doesn't want me to know, I'll just pretend I don't know. Song Jingyang won't agree to that."
She understands her man.
She had already made things clear to him, so even if Song Jingyang had other ideas, he would respect her opinion.
She had that much confidence.
Qin Sang said, "I really envy the deep and unwavering love between you two."
"We'll just have to make do," Xiu'er said. "How are you?"
"I... I'm fine."
"Didn't Lord Xu's daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law cause you any trouble?"
Old Lord Xu's first wife passed away a few years ago, and he still has several old concubines living with him, but they're not much to see.
"No," Qin Sang said, "At most, they just look down on me a little."
But she had endured far too many such gazes.
Piercing my heart with a thousand arrows is something I've long since become accustomed to.
She smiled. "I'm doing very well now, really well, don't worry about me."
Xiu'er lowered her head and remained silent.
--How can you possibly take good care of an old man?
If I had known this would happen, I would have preferred to let Sangsang stay with the master!
However, this thought was fleeting.
Tang Mingfan wouldn't accept it, Xiu'er actually didn't approve either; they couldn't ruin the master's lifelong reputation.
"It's really good," Qin Sang said. "Grandpa treated me very well; he taught me to read, and he taught me to play the zither..."
"It's not like you don't know how to do those things."
As the king of the brothels, mastering the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—was a piece of cake for him.
"It's different," Qin Sang said. "Learning to please others and learning to please yourself are two different things."
"Are you happy?" Xiu'er tilted her head and looked into her eyes.
Qin Sang nodded. "Mm."
Old Lord Xu provided her with a comfortable and stable life, showed her respect, and also had an almost childlike attachment to her, sending people to look for her whenever he couldn't see her for a while.
She had never lived a day as carefree as she did now.
"I know his children and grandchildren look down on me..."
"That's alright," Xiu'er said. "You look down on them too, humph!"
"No," Qin Sang smiled, "I'm trying my best to get along with them."
"Why?"
"For the long term," Qin Sang said, "People get stubborn and inflexible when they get old, and they won't listen to their children and grandchildren. But I will help them persuade them..."
She needs to cultivate good relationships so that after Old Lord Xu passes away, the Xu family will have a place for her to live.
"They think I came from a brothel, but I insist on being dignified and poised," Qin Sang said. "Time will tell. In the long run, they'll see my true nature."
"So what if you see clearly? You'll still be bullied by others."
Is it better to be bullied by a few people, or by everyone around you?
Xiu'er remained silent.
"The old man likes me, but I don't take his favor for granted. Getting along well with his children and grandchildren will only benefit me."
Firstly, for her own future, and secondly, to make Old Lord Xu think that she was of good character and would like her for a longer time.
Not everyone has someone to protect them; she has to plan for herself.
Being kind to others and living a life of forbearance are really nothing special.
Seeing the pity in Xiu'er's eyes, Qin Sang smiled and said, "Don't look at me like that. I think I'm doing very well now. So many people are jealous of me!"
Xiu'er quickly replied, "I didn't mean anything by it, I just didn't want you to be sad."
"How could I not know you? But I'm not difficult," Qin Sang said. "Grandpa is really good to me; sometimes he even indulges my little quirks."
"You still dare to be childish?"
"It depends on who you're talking to," Qin Sang said meaningfully.
She was never short of tricks when it came to dealing with men.
Playing hard to get, feigning reluctance, and indulging in the pursuit... these are the simplest techniques, readily available and effortless.
Old Lord Xu has grown old; the sharpness of his youth has faded, and he's become more like a child.
But he was a good person too; at least he treated Qin Sang well.
Qin Sang wanted a child, but he disagreed, saying that even after he passed away, he wanted to let Qin Sang go out and marry someone else, because having a child would be something to hold onto.
However, he also said that if Qin Sang really wanted a child, then they should have one so that she could have someone to rely on in the future.
As for whether or not the child can be born, that's up to fate.
Old Lord Xu's wisdom and far-sighted vision throughout his life earned Qin Sang's sincere admiration.
He was a teacher, a husband, and a friend... Qin Sang was truly content.
There's nothing to regret; simply living peacefully is the greatest wish.
Everyone starts from a different point in life, and she is already content with what she has achieved by coming from the mud.
As the two were talking, the carriage suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?" Xiu'er asked.
"Madam, it's the delegation's convoy. Let's wait a moment."
"An envoy? What kind of envoy?" Xiu'er asked.
It doesn't sound like a small country.
The delegation from a small country was not large enough to make the carriage of the Prince of Jin's Residence give way.
You should know that today, in order to save face for Sangsang, she specially requested the Princess's carriage.
"It seems to be an envoy from the Xia Kingdom."
"When did Xia Kingdom become so grand?" Xiu'er with simple curiosity.
"I don't know either," the coachman replied honestly.
Qin Sang whispered, "Because the Xia Kingdom attaches great importance to this, even the Crown Prince has come."
"Ah? The Crown Prince has come to deliver holiday gifts?"
That's what I mean.
Xiu'er couldn't help but mutter, "Has the Xia Kingdom suffered a disaster? Zidu to come to the Central Plains to beg for alms."
Qin Sang chuckled at her statement, "Then I really don't know. I was just bringing in tea when the old master and the other gentlemen were talking, and I overheard a few words."
Although Old Lord Xu has retired from his official post, he remains the backbone of the Xu family.
His sons all held official positions in the imperial court, and they would consult him on any important matters.
"Since the Crown Prince is here, we have to give him some face." Xiu'er nodded and said.
The two chatted casually, neither paying any attention to the conversation.
However, upon hearing this news, the Prince of Jin frowned.
The Crown Prince of the Xia Kingdom has also come?
What's he doing here?