Chapter 398: Fang Qingdai Meets Second Master Xie
Chapter 398: Chapter 398: Fang Qingdai Meets Second Master Xie
Xie Suzhi shook his head. "That’s not quite it. You’ve been away for some time, so you’re not aware of what’s happened at home. Your Second Uncle Xie has decided to divorce your second aunt."
Xie Mingxu was taken aback.
"So, with General Fang returning to the Capital City at a time like this... if she’s seen spending time with him, and someone with ill intentions notices, I’m afraid more unpleasant rumors will start spreading through the Capital City," Xie Suzhi sighed.
Xie Mingxu’s voice was grave. "Father, it doesn’t matter what people in the Capital City say. As long as Second Uncle Xie’s conscience is clear, why should he fear their criticism?"
"I spent some time with General Fang and her husband, General Liang, on the border. They were a devoted couple who treated each other with the utmost respect. The reason General Fang returned to the Capital City this time is to expose the spy in the court and avenge General Liang’s wrongful death."
Xie Suzhi was silent.
Xie Ming’an thought for a moment. "Since General Fang wishes to pay her respects to Mother, I happen to be free the day after tomorrow. I can accompany her. Father and Second Uncle Xie shouldn’t make an appearance. That way, we won’t give anyone reason to gossip."
That was the only option.
Just then, Shen Ningning, who was draped over Xie Suzhi’s shoulder, said in her sweet little voice, "I want to go too~"
She complained, her cheeks puffed out slightly. "Every time Daddy says he’ll take me to see Mommy’s grave, but before we can even set off, he’s already missing Mommy so much that his face is streaming with tears. It makes me feel too awkward to make him take me."
A flash of embarrassment crossed Xie Suzhi’s face.
Shen Siyi’s death was a scar on his heart that had yet to heal. Every time he thought of her, it was like suffering a grievous injury all over again.
’And here I thought the little one never saw me whenever I was crying in sorrow.’
He coughed lightly into his fist. "Alright, alright. The day after tomorrow, I’ll have your Brother and second brother take you."
At this, Shen Ningning finally beamed.
「Early the day after tomorrow.」
The entire Capital City was shrouded in a fine, misty rain.
The early autumn rain carried a slight chill, and a gentle mist settled on Shen Ningning’s dark hair, which was styled in a bun.
The Xie Mansion carriage stopped at the foot of the tranquil Qingshan.
The three siblings stepped out of the carriage.
Xie Mingxu held Shen Ningning, holding an umbrella for her with one hand.
Xie Ming’an followed behind them, carrying the various offerings for the ceremony, a gloomy look on his face.
’Just moments ago in the carriage, he’d tried to be the one to hold his sister, but he’d lost to his eldest brother!’
’Whenever Xie Mingxu was around, all Shen Ningning said was "Brother, Brother," and it was like Xie Ming’an didn’t even exist in her eyes.’
’It was incredibly frustrating.’
Qingshan was the Xie family’s cemetery, and it was watched over by dedicated guards.
Fang Qingdai had already arrived by the time Shen Ningning and her brothers got there.
She was dressed in simple attire. Instead of the red silk gowns many women favored, she wore a practical, long-lapelled robe, her hair tied back in a ponytail.
Her striking features had a sharpness that could rival any man’s, yet they also possessed a delicate beauty that was uniquely feminine.
"General Fang," Xie Mingxu and Xie Ming’an greeted in unison.
Shen Ningning blinked her big eyes and, mimicking their tone, said softly, "Aunt... Aunt Qingdai."
Xie Mingxu and Xie Ming’an both turned to look at their little sister at the same time.
Even Fang Qingdai herself was taken aback upon hearing this form of address.
Xie Mingxu was the first to recover, and he apologized to Fang Qingdai.
"My sister is young and doesn’t know about the past grudges between you and our family, General. Please forgive her if her words have caused any offense."
Shen Ningning fiddled with the hem of her sleeve, her large eyes shimmering with a dark, glossy light.
She puffed out her rosy cheeks and explained sweetly, "I saw a painting of Mommy and Aunt Qingdai together. You were such good friends, that’s why I wanted to call you that."
A hush fell over the scene, broken only by the softly drifting rain.
Then, Fang Qingdai’s lips curved into a gentle, wistful smile.
The sharp, martial aura about her seemed to melt away, revealing the gentle dignity of a noble lady.
"Ningning, you’re right. Your mother and I... we were confidantes. More than that, we were friends who would have faced life and death for each other."
"It’s not wrong for you to call me ’auntie.’ You could even call me ’godmother.’ I would like either."
With that, Fang Qingdai held out her arms. "Come, let your auntie hold you."
Shen Ningning immediately stretched out her chubby arms and legs, letting Fang Qingdai lift her into an embrace.
Fang Qingdai held the little girl’s soft hand, gazing at her fair, round face. Her delicate features, so similar to Shen Siyi’s, were still so tender and young.
Her eyes instantly reddened.
When Shen Siyi passed away, she was stationed at the border and couldn’t rush back.
Shen Siyi’s daughter had finally been found, but tragically, Si Yi herself was gone forever.
Holding Shen Ningning’s small hand before Shen Siyi’s grave, Fang Qingdai murmured, overcome with emotion, "Look at you... why were you in such a hurry to leave? If you had just waited another two years, your child would have come back. You could have been reunited."
At her side, Shen Ningning dutifully tossed handfuls of spirit money into the burning basin.
"Mommy, take lots of money and spend it however you like! If you miss me, please come and visit me, okay!"
Hearing this, the two Xie brothers standing behind them felt their own eyes begin to sting.
As the slanting rain swirled around them, Xie Ming’an suddenly asked, "General Fang’s daughter, Princess Rongshu... isn’t she a few years older than Ningning?"
The hand with which Fang Qingdai was pouring a wine offering before the grave froze for a moment before she lowered it, her expression unreadable.
"Yici just turned eight," she said softly.
When they finished paying their respects to Shen Siyi and were preparing to leave Qingshan, they discovered the rain had gotten heavier.
Fang Qingdai had come on horseback, and the path back was now muddy and slick. Shen Ningning took the initiative to invite her, "Aunt Qingdai, you should ride back in our carriage with us."
Xie Mingxu seconded the invitation with a nod. Fang Qingdai had always maintained her distance from the Xie family, but upon hearing Shen Ningning’s sweet little voice, she couldn’t help but agree.
"Alright."
The rain was like a beaded curtain tumbling from the sky, its threads snapping as the drops drummed a relentless patter against the carriage roof.
Xie Mingxu lifted the curtain to peer at the downpour outside.
"This is a heavy downpour; it won’t be stopping anytime soon. You’re sure to get soaked if you ride back. We should take General Fang home first."
"Yes, yes!" Shen Ningning, sitting between them, clapped her little hands in agreement.
However, Fang Qingdai’s expression cooled slightly, and she seemed to hesitate.
Xie Ming’an glanced at her and immediately understood what she was thinking.
Ever since the incident with their Second Uncle Xie, Fang Qingdai had been intentionally avoiding the Xie family.
’So how could she possibly allow the Xie Mansion’s carriage to drop her off at her own front door?’
"It’s no trouble. The carriage can drop you all off first, and you can just lend me a straw raincoat. During my time in the army, I’ve faced weather far worse than this. It’s really not a problem," Fang Qingdai said.
Xie Mingxu nodded in agreement.
When the carriage arrived at the Xie Mansion and the three siblings had disembarked, Fang Qingdai remained at the entrance, unwilling to go inside.
"Mingxu, if you would be so kind as to fetch a raincoat for me. I won’t come in and impose."
She stood at the very edge of the shelter provided by the eaves, not taking a single step closer.
Xie Mingxu nodded. "Please wait a moment. I’ll go get it now."
Xie Ming’an finally saw his chance to hold his sister’s little hand. He decisively took hold of Shen Ningning’s fingers. "Let’s go inside, too."
Shen Ningning didn’t resist his touch, only because the little girl was looking up at the rainy sky, her mind wandering.
’She had just secretly released a few of her rain clouds to create this opportunity for Aunt Qingdai and Second Uncle Xie to meet.’
’But the rain from her little dark clouds wouldn’t last for long.’
’SOB, Second Uncle Xie, you have to seize this chance!’
Shen Ningning just hoped they could become close friends again.
However, even as Xie Ming’an led her by the hand around the corner of a long corridor, there was still no sign of Second Uncle Xie rushing over.
’If she sent someone to remind him now, it would be too obvious, and that wouldn’t be right.’
The little girl could only give up on the idea, letting out a soft sigh.
Through the thinning curtain of rain, Fang Qingdai stood alone at the gates of the Xie Mansion. She noticed the downpour was starting to lessen, but Xie Mingxu still hadn’t returned with the raincoat.
’I might as well just head back now,’ Fang Qingdai thought. Getting caught in the rain was nothing to her; she had faced far worse conditions during military campaigns.
Just as she was about to leave, an elegant silk carriage rumbled over the stone-paved alley and came to a slow stop before the Xie Mansion gates.
"Second Master Xie is back! Please be careful, sir." The gatekeeper emerged from behind Fang Qingdai, carrying a mounting stool, and rushed to the side of the carriage.
Fang Qingdai’s breath caught, her pupils constricting involuntarily.
A tall, elegant figure stooped and emerged from behind the carriage curtain.
Second Master Xie, Xie Dizhi, was holding a bag of pastries. He handed it to the gatekeeper. "Have the kitchen keep these warm, and give them to Ningning to try when she gets back. It’s her favorite kind."
The gatekeeper said with a smile, "The Princess just returned a moment ago."
Xie Dizhi looked up, only to see Fang Qingdai standing beneath the mansion’s entrance plaque.
Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, both were stunned into silence.
Separated by the curtain of rain, it felt as though they were separated by eight years of unspoken time.
Just then, Xie Dizhi’s attendant unloaded a wheelchair from the back of the carriage and pushed it over.
"Second Master Xie, your chair."
Fang Qingdai snapped back to reality and immediately turned to leave.