Reborn, the daughter of the Marquisate went crazy

Jing'an Marquis Mansion, Songhe Hall.

The afternoon sun climbed up the window lattice, casting mottled shadows, and the air was filled with a lazy atmosphere.

Old Madam Xie woke up slowly from her nap. Seeing this, Aunt Xu called out to her softly. The maids who were guarding outside the door came in one after another and helped Old Madam Xie to wash and dress quickly.

But when he was halfway through washing and dressing, Xie Jingyuan strode into Songhe Hall. He was still wearing court robes, his face was flushed, the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, and he looked in a very good mood.

Madam Xie looked at Xie Jingyuan's clothes, frowned slightly, and asked hurriedly: "Jingyuan, did you just return home? Why didn't you go home directly after the court? Have you had lunch yet?"

Xie Jingyuan's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he whispered, "My son met a friend on his way home from court..."

"What friends? Are they your classmates?" Old Madam Xie curled her lips. She didn't understand why Jing Yuan liked to associate with those classmates of low status.

Xie Jingyuan quickly shook his head. He glanced at the maids and servants in the room and said in a deep voice, "All of you leave!" The maids and servants quickly retreated.

Xie Jingyuan sat down near Old Madam Xie and whispered, "Mother, my friend is Princess Shuhua!"

He stared at Mrs. Xie with burning eyes, his expression cheerful and bright, like a child waiting for his mother to praise him.

Old Madam Xie was startled and murmured, "Grand Princess Shuhua?"

She pondered for a moment, finally remembering who Grand Princess Shuhua was, and asked in surprise, "Is Jingyuan talking about that widow? Although she is the Grand Princess, her husband died at a young age, and she has no real power. Why would Jingyuan want to deal with her?"

Xie Jingyuan shook his head like a rattle and said softly, "Mother, you are wrong. Although the eldest princess is a widow, she is beautiful, gentle, and kind-hearted. She is a rare good woman in the world!"

"It's not that she doesn't have real power, but she keeps a low profile and the world doesn't know about her!"

Madam Xie's eyes flickered slightly, and she asked in a deep voice, "What are your plans now? Marry her as your co-wife?"

Old Madam Xie felt a little unhappy. Xie family had only two male members. Not to mention Xie Tingyu, Xie Tingxuan didn't go to the academy now, and he kept complaining about foot pain and looking for Hong'er all day long. He was basically spoiled by An.

She thought to herself that if Xie Jingyuan took another bride, he would definitely choose someone young and fertile to continue the Xie family's lineage. The eldest princess was of the same generation as her and about the same age as Jiang, so it was uncertain whether she could conceive a child if she married her.

Xie Jingyuan shook his head again and said gently, "How can my son let the eldest princess be his concubine? If he marries her, he must first divorce Jiang, and then bring her home in a sedan chair carried by eight men."

He paused slightly and sighed softly, "It's a pity that there is no suitable reason to divorce my wife."

Old Madam Xie was also tired of Jiang Muxue. The An family from the second house was useless, and the Xing family from the third house was even worse. If she could marry the eldest princess, she would definitely be able to take charge of the mansion. Moreover, if she became the eldest princess's mother-in-law, she would occasionally show off her power, which would surely be very satisfying!

Xie Jingyuan was secretly thinking in his heart that his illness had not been cured yet and he could not have sex with anyone. Now he would use Jiang as a shield. When his illness was cured, he would find an excuse to divorce Jiang and marry the eldest princess. It was perfect!

Just as the two of them were contemplating this, Xie Jingliang hurried into Songhe Hall. He said anxiously, "Mother, I've heard that the story of Man'er at the Princess's banquet hasn't spread. Now the talk in the capital is all about Princess Roujia and Liang Yanqi. Even the storytellers in the major teahouses are telling their story."

Old Madam Xie narrowed her eyes slightly. She did not believe what Xie Jingliang said. How could a daughter of a rich family steal the princess's jade at a banquet without being talked about?

Seeing Madam Xie's face full of disbelief, Xie Jingliang said anxiously, "Compared to what Princess Roujia did, what Man'er did is nothing!"

He suddenly leaned closer to Old Madam Xie and lowered his voice, saying, "I heard that Princess Roujia and Liang Yanqi hooked up at a banquet, secretly having an affair, and were even caught red-handed by the guests. However, not long after the banquet ended, Liang Yanqi committed suicide out of fear of punishment."

"I don't know how the Emperor got the news, but the Princess received the imperial decree granting the marriage between Princess Roujia and Liang Yanqi as soon as she entered the city gate."

"Liang Su refused to believe Liang Yanqi would commit suicide and insisted that the Princess had murdered him. This morning, Liang Su gathered a group of people and went to the Princess's residence to demand an explanation, but the gate was locked and no one paid any attention to him. Liang Su refused to give in and just now, he led a large group of people, carrying Liang Yanqi's body to the Dali Temple!"

Old Madam Xie's mouth dropped open in shock. How could a banquet cause so much trouble? The princess was caught in adultery, the emperor arranged a marriage for a dead woman, and Liang Su was suing the princess? Compared to all this, Man'er's incident was nothing.

Xie Jingliang smiled complacently and said softly, "Mother, since Man'er's matter has no impact on the Marquis' Mansion, should we release her and give her some treatment?"

It wasn't that he felt sorry for Xie Qingman, but it was a pity to raise a daughter to such a big age and see her die of old age in the yard. Even if he gave her to some nobleman as a concubine in the future, it would be better than the current situation.

Madam Xie nodded gently: "In that case, let her out, and then ask a doctor to treat her face. However, since Concubine Luo is gone, Man'er will be taught by me personally from now on!"

Xie Jingliang smiled and said, "Mother is absolutely right."

Old Madam Xie called over Nanny Xu and instructed her, "Go and bring Maner to Songhe Hall, and then send someone to invite a doctor." Nanny Xu took the order and left.

But half an incense stick later, Nanny Xu hurried back to Songhe Hall and said in panic, "Old Madam, Marquis, Second Master, something terrible has happened! The Fifth Young Lady is missing!"

Madam Xie's face darkened slightly, and she frowned and asked, "Man'er is missing, what does that mean?"

Madam Xu hurriedly replied, "I went to the Fifth Young Lady's courtyard, but when I entered the house, I couldn't find her. The food from the past few days was placed at the door, but it looked untouched and had already gone bad."

"This old servant asked the maids guarding the courtyard. They have two groups of people taking turns guarding the gate, and none of them have ever seen the Fifth Young Lady go out..."

Madam Xie frowned and said in a deep voice, "Go ask the gatekeepers at the mansion. If they haven't seen her leave the house, she must still be hiding inside. Send someone to investigate. Even if they have to dig three feet underground, they will find this unfilial daughter!"

Nanny Xu hurriedly took the order and left. Everyone in the mansion became busy. The maids and old women searched in the inner courtyard, and the servants searched in the front yard.

An hour later, a little maid suddenly ran to Songhe Hall in a panic, trembling, and reported: "Old Madam, I found a person lying motionless at the bottom of the dry well in the deserted courtyard in the northwest corner. It seems to be a dead body..."