In Xie Qiao’s eyes, the people in the royal family were pretty good-looking. It was a surprise that she did not see anyone who looked tough and ruthless.
Especially when he saw Imperial Concubine Meng’s benevolent and humble face, Xie Qiao thought the royal family… was clearly happy and harmonious!
The Fourth Prince smiled at Xie Qiao and then looked at the singing and dancing in the hall with a carefree expression.
Dong Xiyun’s coquettish eyes seemed to be thrown to a blind man.
Zhao Xuanjing’s gaze landed on Xie Qiao. He felt a little helpless.
He was right there, yet Xie Qiao was secretly staring at the Fourth Prince.
“I heard that Sister Xie has been very busy recently? Those people in the Orchid Courtyard are now counting on you to teach them. When the big examination comes, they will soar. I wonder how their studies are going?” Dong Xiyun’s voice was neither loud nor soft as she said to Xie Qiao.
“Not bad,” Xie Qiao said concisely.
“In that case, when the big examination comes, the Orchid Courtyard will definitely win against the Peony Courtyard, right?” Dong Xiyun smiled. “I lost to Sister Xie in the last examination, but I won’t give in next time.”
“What did you say?” Xie Qiao turned her head slightly, coughed, and then said, “Let’s do it again.”
“I will try my best in the next examination…” Dong Xiyun said in all seriousness.
She had been very diligent these days.
As for Xie Qiao, since she stayed with those useless people in the Orchid Courtyard all day long, what could she learn?
She could not beat her the first time, but the next time, Xie Qiao’s eight first prizes would become a joke.
“You said that you gave in to me just now.” Xie Qiao frowned and said slowly, “You’ve never beaten me before. What right do you have to say that you gave in to me? It’s terrible to lie.”
As she said that, Xie Qiao handed a plate of snacks to Xie Xi.
Xie Xi was like a little hamster. She buried her neck and ate, not caring about the things around her.
The food in the imperial palace was really delicious.
She was in charge at home recently. She knew that daily necessities and snacks were expensive. She tried to save as much as possible. She hardly asked the steward to buy those especially expensive snacks.
Dong Xiyun’s face alternated between green and red. Then, she looked at the Fourth Prince.
The Fourth Prince took a sip of wine, but he did not see Dong Xiyun’s cry for help. He asked the Crown Prince, “Eldest Brother, I heard that you have a lot of good wine in your residence. Every night, you drink alone to the moon. Is that true?”
The Crown Prince was indifferent. “Who did you hear it from?”
“Grandfather.” The Fourth Prince did not hide anything.
The Crown Prince looked at his silly brother and said kindly, “The wine Young Lady Xie brewed is indeed delicious.”
“So it was Sister-in-law who brewed it!” The Fourth Prince was surprised. He stood up directly and bowed to Xie Qiao. “Sister-in-law, can you let me have a taste of your good wine?”
Could she say no?
Moreover…
They were not married yet. Why did he call her sister-in-law?
Xie Qiao was thick-skinned, so she did not blush. With a calm face, she said, “The wine I brewed has been given to the Crown Prince by my eldest brother. There’s not much left. At most, I can give you a jar.”
There could not be more.
The new wine was not ready yet!
“Thank you, Sister-in-law.” The Fourth Prince was very polite. Then, he sat down with great satisfaction and said to Dong Xiyun, “If you can wait for the wine, I will send someone to give you half a jar to try. It must be delicious since it was Sister-in-law who brewed it.”
Dong Xiyun was a little dumbfounded.
He called her sister-in-law, he really treated Xie Qiao as family now!
His Highness was really too polite!
“Sister Xie is too stingy. The Fourth Prince likes it, can’t you send more?” Dong Xiyun’s voice sounded resentful, as if she was calling the shots for the Fourth Prince.
“You can brew it yourself.” Xie Qiao’s expression remained the same.