Volume 1, Chapter 29: Who Is Unaware of His Devotion to His Wife

"Certainly not!"

Xie Mingyue’s eyes widened in an instant. How could Qi Jinshan think of her that way? She pursed her lips and stood there silently, looking somewhat hurt. When she caught sight of Qi Xiuyu’s courtyard, now stained with pools of blood, she couldn't help but shudder. Although she was quite pleased to see Qi Xiuyu being punished, she had never even witnessed a chicken being slaughtered in her life; seeing so much blood all at once was simply too much for her to bear.

This reaction caught Qi Jinshan’s eye, and his gaze darkened. "Silent? Is your heart aching for him?"

Staring into her evasive eyes, he stroked her cheek with a rhythmic, detached motion. Compared to the lingering tenderness of moments ago, his touch now lacked all warmth. Xie Mingyue frowned, the corners of her eyes turning slightly red. Qi Jinshan was preoccupied with the past engagement between her and Qi Xiuyu, but that history could not be erased. Moreover, she and Qi Xiuyu had always maintained strict propriety and nothing had ever occurred between them. Now, having seen his true colors, she held no residual affection for him whatsoever. Qi Jinshan was known for his keen insight in legal matters—could he really not see this?

Xie Mingyue had her own pride. "Qi Jinshan," she looked at him with a gravity she had never shown before, "have you ever truly regarded me as your wife? Have you ever considered how I feel when I hear such words?"

Qi Jinshan was taken aback.

Xie Mingyue did not wait for his answer. She felt that Qi Jinshan must be displeased; he had long held a position of power, while she was merely a woman living under his protection. To her surprise, however, Qi Jinshan pulled her into his arms.

"For these past ten years, who in this household is unaware that I am henpecked?"

And who was unaware that he loved his wife? He pinched her chin, his expression casual. "My lady, have you ever truly regarded me as your husband?"

Xie Mingyue fell silent. Qi Jinshan had struck at the heart of the matter. It was true—she had not yet fully accepted him as her husband. But she felt that her initiation just moments ago was the limit of the sincerity she could show. Just then, a young maid appeared in the distance. Xie Mingyue shot Qi Jinshan a sharp look and quickly turned to leave. The faint, pleasant scent of her perfume seemed to linger under the tree. Qi Jinshan raised a hand to touch his still-moist lips, remaining motionless for a long time.

***

When Xie Mingyue reached the maid, she asked, "What is it?" Her expression was cold, leaving the maid worried about whether the Lady and the Master had quarreled again.

"My Lady, the old madams from the Western Compound, along with the young misses, have arrived at the Marchioness’s courtyard. They say they wish to discuss the Spring Flower Banquet, and the Marchioness has sent word for you to join them."

Hearing this, Xie Mingyue knew trouble was brewing. "The people from the Western Compound certainly know how to pick their timing. I wonder if they are here to discuss a banquet or to watch the aftermath of this morning’s spectacle."

She glanced one last time at Qi Jinshan, who remained standing under the tree, then turned away in frustration. "Let’s go."

Inside Lady Luo’s courtyard, the room was crowded with women. The Third Old Madam, née Jin, had been sent home early by her husband the previous night. Now, burning with curiosity, she hovered near Lady Luo, trying to pry for information without being too obvious.

"Sister-in-law, congratulations! Is Wanqing expecting again?" Madam Jin giggled, her jewelry jingling, as if the burning of the ancestral hall last night hadn't happened to the Qi family. She believed that once a matter was over, it should be left behind; dredging it up was unpleasant, so it was better to speak only of pleasant things to keep everyone’s spirits up. She naturally heaped praise upon the prospect of a new heir, but Lady Luo only offered a faint smile and did not really respond.

A daughter-in-law is pregnant, yet the mother-in-law is unhappy? Madam Jin frowned in thought. Just then, the Third Master’s wife, Madam Ma, spoke up cheerfully, "This is wonderful news. With Xiuyu back in the capital and Wanqing expecting, our Marquis’s manor is about to become quite lively."

At Madam Ma’s reminder, Madam Jin suddenly realized something was wrong. Xie Wanqing was pregnant, but Qi Xiuyu had been away for months! No wonder Lady Luo wasn't happy—was the child Xie Wanqing carried truly of the Qi bloodline? But if it weren't, would Lady Luo allow her to stay so comfortably? Madam Jin was thoroughly perplexed.

At that moment, Xie Mingyue entered. Upon seeing her wearing a green-leaf and peach-blossom patterned scarf, looking elegant and moving with grace, Madam Jin was secretly astonished. The eldest son’s wife had rarely appeared in public for years, but now that she had dressed up, she was truly a vision of splendor. However, with Lady Luo present, Madam Jin dared not offer a compliment.

Xie Mingyue scanned the room and greeted them one by one: "Second Aunt, Third Aunt, and you two sisters are here as well."

The Western Compound consisted of three branches, all descendants of the Marquis of Shunqing’s younger half-brothers. The Second Master and Madam Jin had one son and one daughter; the Third Master and Madam Ma had two daughters, the young ladies present, Qi Menghan and Qi Huiyu; and the Fourth Master, who had been traveling since his wife’s passing, had a son, Qi Luzhen, who was not yet of age for school.

"Greetings, Eldest Sister-in-law." The two girls greeted her demurely. Madam Jin, seeing Lady Luo remain silent, also said nothing. Before coming today, she and Madam Ma had discussed the matter: the Spring Flower Banquet was a grand affair, and the women of the household needed new clothes and jewelry. In the past, Xie Wanqing had handled these expenses from the common purse, but now that management had returned to Lady Luo, they had no choice but to come to her.

"Jinshan’s wife is truly radiant. With such a figure and such beauty, there is no one else like her in the world," Lady Luo suddenly remarked, smiling at them with praise.

Madam Jin was stunned and quickly chimed in, "Indeed! Mingyue, since your recovery, you’ve become as beautiful as a flower."

Xie Mingyue still remembered Madam Jin’s rudeness toward her the other night. She did not bother to show her any grace, merely smiling at Lady Luo. "Mother is only teasing me."

Madam Jin was rebuffed and shocked. *Mother?* It was well known that the two wives of the first and second branches addressed her differently—why had Xie Mingyue suddenly changed her form of address?

Lady Luo, hearing this, thought to herself that the Marquis was right: Xie Mingyue was a woman who knew her place. As long as she did not overstep, the eldest branch would naturally honor her as the legitimate mistress of the house. Her eyes flashed, and she said kindly, "You deserve it."

Xie Mingyue brought the conversation back to the point: "Are you here for the Spring Flower Banquet, Aunts and Sisters?"

Madam Jin was delighted and was about to bring up the matter of new attire, but Lady Luo cleared her throat. "Exactly. I asked you all here today to discuss this. The Grand Princess has developed a habit in recent years of playing strange tricks at her banquets. One never knows what she might do this time at the Spring Flower Banquet."

Xie Mingyue understood immediately. In the past, when the Grand Princess held small, private gatherings for her closest circle, Xie Mingyue had often been invited. The Grand Princess loved to pose riddles or challenges to the women present, sometimes even demanding answers from their accompanying maids or nannies. If they answered correctly, they would be showered with rewards; if they failed, the Grand Princess would grow displeased. The daughter of the Marquis of Xuanwu had once been so humiliated because her maid couldn't answer a question that she had left the banquet in tears.

In truth, Xie Mingyue disliked such antics, but when the Grand Princess wanted to cause a scene, everyone else had no choice but to play along. At the mention of the Grand Princess’s quirk, the smile vanished from Madam Jin’s face.

"Eldest Sister-in-law, could you perhaps inquire in advance about what the Grand Princess might do, so we can be prepared?" She thought of those who had been humiliated at the banquets over the years and regretted coming. If she had known, she would have feigned illness to stay away.

Lady Luo retorted, "How would we have the connections to inquire about the Grand Princess’s affairs?"

Madam Ma suggested from the side, "Mingyue, you used to frequent the Grand Princess’s mansion when you were at the Xie family home. Do you have any ideas?"

Xie Mingyue lowered her eyes. She naturally had a way.