The old men were either holding tea cups or shelling walnuts, completely ignoring Xie Taihong's words.
What had happened to those dissolute young masters? Rumor had it their faces were so disfigured, it was impossible to tell one from another. Some couldn't find their arms, others their legs, and they were carried out of Chunse Manyuan and then into the palace.
After a morning of torment and further injury, coupled with a severe scolding from Xun Geng, Prince Yong's old face was practically crumbling. What else could he possibly feel aggrieved about?
Xun Geng's handling of the situation was, in fact, not inappropriate.
They hadn't been thrown into prison, nor were they under mandatory house arrest.
Staying at their residences to reflect for ten days to half a month was for Xie Jiang's own good.
Was it proper to go out and cause trouble every day?
Wasn't it better to leave a good impression on the court now that the Xie clan had pledged allegiance?
The Duke of Zhao cracked a chestnut and popped it into his mouth, chewing slowly and nodding.
This chestnut was quite good.
Shiny, sweet, and delicious, and not hard on the teeth.
The Duke of Zhao distributed a handful to each of his old companions.
Xie Taihong's sudden tears almost choked Yongchang Hou, who had just put a chestnut in his mouth. Xu Shuo quickly rushed over.
Fortunately, he only choked for a moment and was fine after drinking some tea.
The old men exchanged glances at Xie Taihong's tearful demeanor.
From Xie Taihong, they could already see the environment in which Xie Jiang had grown up.
Xie Jiang was merely a bit unruly; it was a blessing from the Marquis of Jinghai that she wasn't utterly wicked or devoid of a sense of right and wrong.
When Xie Taihong had finished his tea and regained some composure, the old men tacitly changed the subject.
Xie Taihong secretly glanced at Xie Jiang. Seeing her shelling and eating chestnuts, seemingly unfazed, he breathed a sigh of relief and let the matter drop.
Abruptly questioned about their studies, Xu Hengyi and Lu Yuqing felt a bit flustered.
Weren't Yue Lin and Xu Shuo also present? Why weren't they asked about their studies?
Xu Hengyi held a freshly shelled chestnut in his hand, unsure whether to put it in his mouth.
Fortunately, the old men weren't truly concerned about their studies and had no intention of probing further or testing them on the spot.
They were merely asking casually to change the subject, and a perfunctory response would suffice.
Xu Hengyi quietly turned away, his back to the old men, and ate the still-warm chestnut, feigning invisibility.
The Duke of Qian advised Xie Jiang, "Minister Xun's disposition was fair. The previous rumors haven't died down, and now this incident has occurred, leading to all sorts of talk. You should stay in your residence for the next few days."
Xie Jiang nonchalantly replied, "It's just idle gossip. I don't mind."
The Duke of Qian's sharp, hawk-like eyes fixed on her. "Even if you are thick-skinned, you should consider the Xie clan behind you." You don't care how infamous your reputation becomes, but His Highness the Third Prince does! His Highness the Third Prince bears the heavy responsibility of the realm; can he carry such a reputation!"
Xie Jiang frowned impatiently and indicated she understood. "How have I tarnished His Highness the Third Prince's reputation? I'm not some flower thief. Why don't you say those who attended the banquet that night have minds too filthy, seeing a slight disturbance and immediately indulging in wild fantasies?"
"It was all a misunderstanding to begin with. If you ignore it, few will remember it in a few days. By dragging me to His Highness the Third Prince's residence, you've only solidified the accusations."
Marquis Yongxin raised his head and glared at her with his tiger-like eyes, "Do you still need to solidify your charges? They are already concrete."
The Duke of Qian repeatedly cautioned, "Since you have no proper business, you shouldn't go out."
Xie Jiang retorted, "How can I have no proper business? I do!"
She had already arranged with Song Ze to move water lilies from the Duke of Ding's residence.
With so many ears listening at the time, she could openly visit the Duke of Ding's residence. Ten days later, the water lilies might have already withered.
The Duke of Qian looked knowing. "Chunse Manyuan, or perhaps the Qunfang Pavilion?"
In the eyes of the old men, Xie Jiang was a libertine. At such a young age, where had she acquired such habits? And she was unrestrained, indifferent to cold or heat, and indiscriminate about gender.
Xie Jiang raised an eyebrow. "Is His Highness the Third Prince that alluring that you're so certain I must take a bite?"
He was about to become the Crown Prince; how could he not experience some storms? Was it necessary to protect him so well?
Marquis Yongxin looked up and glared at her, "Haven't you bitten enough!"
Knowing that this scoundrel was still fixated on His Highness the Third Prince! The Duke of Qian's face immediately darkened. He turned and instructed Xie Taihong, "His Highness the Third Prince is not in good health. Do not let Xie Jiang disturb him again."
Xie Taihong feigned ignorance. "His Highness the Third Prince is unwell? That's perfect. My little Jiang has miraculous healing hands and should visit more often. They are both young, and they can be friends."
Xie Mo Tou is showing interest in His Highness the Third Prince? How dare he interfere? Would it end well to disrupt Xie Mo Tou's good deeds?
"..."
This time, the Duke of Qian realized that Xie Taihong was even more unruly than Xie Jiang. Was this the kind of behavior that should be indulged?
If Xie Taihong, as her father, continued to indulge her like this, who knew what great trouble Xie Jiang would cause in the future? Perhaps her health would even collapse within a few years!
No wonder Xie Taihong was in his prime, yet Xie Tangqing was the head of the Xie clan.
The Duke of Qian suddenly understood profoundly how Xie Jiang's habits had been cultivated.
Sensing the Duke of Qian's thoughts, Xie Taihong almost couldn't help but shed tears again.
Was he forced to step down because of his incompetence? Was he forced to step down because he was blind and failed to recognize that the emaciated little beggar at the time actually harbored a demon in his heart?
Xie Jiang's arrogant, fierce, and savage nature had nothing to do with their Xie clan.
How could their Xie clan raise a demon like Xie Jiang?
They were overestimating their Xie clan.
Could it be innate?
After all, no family could raise such a demon.
The Duke of Qian said solemnly, "His Highness the Third Prince's health is of great importance, and his condition is very complex. If it could be easily cured, it would not have waited until today for the Xie clan to prepare to return to the Central Plains. You probably don't understand the situation yet."
The Duke of Qian was warning Xie Taihong and Xie Jiang that His Highness the Third Prince held a special status and was not someone they could treat casually.
His Highness the Third Prince's illness was also very complex.
They, the old ministers, were still somewhat aware of His Highness the Third Prince's character and abilities.
It was not surprising to the court that His Majesty favored His Highness the Third Prince.
But who knew the reasons for His Majesty's choice of His Highness the Third Prince, and whether his poor health was among them?
It wasn't that the Duke of Qian was overthinking; it was that His Majesty's mind had become increasingly unfathomable since he began cultivating the Dao.
Xie Jiang, being new to the scene, proposing to treat His Highness the Third Prince's illness rashly was likely inappropriate.
The old men had long noticed that Xie Jiang lacked a string of reverence in her mind, and now it seemed there was a reason for it.
It was likely that the Xie clan, accustomed to absolute authority in Lan Yong, had not yet managed to adjust their mindset even after deciding to pledge allegiance to Dayu.
Seeing Xie Jiang and Xie Taihong's nonchalant expressions, the Duke of Qian had no choice but to reiterate his advice.
Xie Jiang nodded earnestly. "Understood. I won't casually treat His Highness the Third Prince."
Although Xia Rongyu was surrounded by the scent of medicine, she didn't appear to be seriously ill.
The Duke of Qian pressed, "What else?"
Xie Jiang reluctantly stated, "I won't disturb His Highness the Third Prince."
Why were they so certain that "biting" His Highness the Third Prince was disturbing him?
Could it not be a pleasant surprise?