Actually, Huo Xing’Er’s thoughts were quite straightforward at this moment. She had just subtly pinched her finger. Hmm! The noble, who is also a teacher, a friend, and an elder, mentioned in the girl’s destiny, has appeared!
"Second Sister-in-law, your words are reasonable. Lord Junior Minister, what do you think of this matter?"
The expression on Ji Youze’s face remained impassive, yet his eyes radiated an intense coldness.
Xie Zian quickly cupped his fists. "Eighth Young Master, I do not understand the meaning of your words."
Ji Youze glanced at Xie Pan’Er and Xie Yingying. He had heard the National Master mention the destinies of these two. Xie Yingying possessed the Phoenix Destiny, fated to be the future mother of the nation. If she were to become known for treating her elders so harshly, it would tarnish her reputation. If word were to spread, it would undoubtedly ruin the reputation of the mother of Great Han. Yet, if the Emperor didn’t marry her or make her his empress, then with her Phoenix Destiny, it was likely a reason would be found to prevent her from marrying anyone else for her entire life! As for the Third Young Lady, although the National Master had said she was fated for a short life and lifelong misfortune, he had just clearly seen how much his own niece cared for her! Although this was his first time meeting his niece, he was privy to the Emperor’s handling of state affairs and controlled the intelligence network within the palace. Consequently, he was already thoroughly aware of the girl’s situation. The words the Emperor spoke before leaving, though seemingly casual, actually held many implications. A monarch’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea; his words conceal much! If Ji Youze hadn’t spent years by the young Emperor’s side, he probably wouldn’t have been able to handle this domestic case at all today!
When Xie Zian heard Ji Youze’s question, his mind buzzed for a moment. He quickly recovered and anxiously looked at his wife.
"Madam, Fifth Sister-in-law is our relative, after all. Although she was your maid before, since marrying Fifth Brother, she has also borne children for our Xie Family and continued the family line. Why don’t you... the contract of sale..."
"Don’t even think about it!"
Mrs. Xie shrieked wrathfully, hastily stuffing the indenture contract into her sleeve.
Her face wore an expression of utter defiance.
"Ah... Madam, please don’t be angry. We are all one family; let’s not damage our harmony."
Xie Zian hadn’t expected his wife to have such a strong reaction, which left him baffled.
He wanted to inquire further, but with the Emperor’s favored official present, he didn’t want to lose face as the head of the family, so he could only try to appease her with gentle words.
Unexpectedly, not only did she refuse to listen, but she retorted even more forcefully, "Harmony? He’s just the son of an outside woman! It’s already giving him face that I’d even spare him a glance! He married my personal maid, so he’s as good as my servant too. If it weren’t for his crippled legs making him an eyesore, I’d have him report for menial tasks every day like the other servants and errand boys in this mansion!"
Mrs. Xie’s voice was filled with fury, her eyes wild and resentful.
Xie Zian was momentarily helpless against her. He tried to assert his authority, "Madam, I order you! Return the indenture contract to Fifth Sister-in-law!"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xie sneered, "Master, you’d better think this through. This wretched maid was my dowry maid, brought from my maiden family. If I return her indenture contract to her today, and word of this reaches my parents and brothers back home, how do you intend to explain it to them?"
This was a threat, a blatant one. The Xie Family was wealthy, but they had only begun to prosper in recent years. The reason for their rise was Xie Zian’s marriage to a daughter of the Lin Family, one of the capital’s prominent noble families.