588 Angry (5)
“That’s right.” Gao Yang agreed with Ji Yushu, which was rare.
…
Compared to two years ago, the Marquis’s Residence in the capital was much quieter. It was no longer filled with people coming and going, and the number of people visiting Xie Ding was decreasing day by day. Ever since Xie Jingxing died, Xie Ding seemed to have lost interest in the matters of the imperial court. The Xie family, which used to pose the greatest threat to the royal family, eventually lost its momentum and could no longer get back up.
Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao were the two people in the Xie family who were still climbing up the official ladder. Although these two people were not as outstanding as Xie Jingxing back then, they were still quite capable. If not for the fact that they were the sons of a concubine, they would probably climb up the ranks faster and higher.
In the Marquis’s Residence, Concubine Fang was handing the newly made clothes to Xie Changwu. Concubine Fang was almost 40 years old, but she did not look so. Unlike Princess Yuqing, who was born into the royal family, Concubine Fang still retained some of the beauty that was unique to women in Jiangnan. She spoke softly and slowly, making people unable to help but take a liking to her.
No wonder when Xie Ding, the Marquis of Lin’an, had a delicate wife like Princess Yuqing, he was still bewitched by Madam Fang.
Concubine Fang said, “I asked the tailor to make some winter clothes for the two of you. The days in the capital are getting cold. Don’t catch a cold.”
Xie Changwu reached out to take it and said, “Thank you, Mother.” However, he was thinking about something else.
“Your brother’s clothes are also here. I heard that Changchao went out to hunt with someone. Why isn’t he back yet?” Concubine Fang complained. “Yesterday, the Marquis told me that Changchao wanted to go to the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs. He wanted to bring Changchao to see the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, but in the past few days, Changchao was nowhere to be seen.” Concubine Fang sighed. “Changchao was always thinking about improving himself. Why did he suddenly become so irresponsible?”
Xie Changwu forced a smile and said, “It’s probably because the snow gets too heavy, so it’s not easy for him to leave the mountain. He’ll be back in a few days. At that time, I’ll get Father to invite the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs over.”
Hearing this, Concubine Fang was a little nervous. “The snow is heavy. Will Changan be in danger?”
“Of course not.” Xie Changwu smiled and said, “Many people are with him. They’re all experienced. Don’t worry, Mother.”
Only then did Concubine Fang feel relieved. She held Xie Changwu’s hand and said, “I only have the two of you to rely on now. Back then, Xie Jingxing suppressed the two of you. Seeing the two of you suffer, I was very sad. After enduring for so many years, fortunately, the heavens have eyes and made him die. Now, there’s no one in the Marquis’s Residence who can stop you. You have to keep moving forward and trample on those who mocked us in the past. In the future, when you make enough contributions, the marquis will be pressured to give me a title. This way, you will be the legitimate sons and the entire Marquis’s Residence will be yours.” When Concubine Fang said this, although she still kept her voice soft and low, there was obviously a hint of resentment.
Xie Changwu said, “Don’t worry, Mother. The heavens are on our side. One day, we will be the rightful owner of the Marquis’s Residence!”
