Reborn as a concubine's daughter and entering a noble family: Xie Lang, don't be too seduc

Marquis An Ding was still stationed at the border, and Madam Xie originally intended to find any elder of the Xie family to go and propose marriage on Xie Lin's behalf. She also planned to write a letter to Marquis An Ding informing him of Xie Lin's relationship with Huo Sanghua.

She didn't want to waste a single moment.

I just want to settle things as soon as possible, lest things get complicated and the Fourth Prince causes any more trouble.

Xie Shu stood outside the door and overheard her mother discussing the matter with Li Mama beside her. They were saying how Huo Sanghua was not presentable, but fortunately Xie Lin impersonated Shu'er to meet her, and Huo Sanghua mistook him for the man she was going to marry.

"...That Huo Sanghua, an orphan born out of wedlock, is quite feared by His Majesty because she is the last bloodline of the Huo family. Otherwise, why do you think the Fourth Prince, who is exchanging glances with her, wouldn't dare to keep her?" Old Madam Xie finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, this matter doesn't affect Shu'er's future. Otherwise, she would never agree to it, even if she took it to His Majesty!

"Mother." Xie Shu hesitated for a moment before entering the room.

"Shu'er, what brings you here?" Upon hearing Xie Shu's voice, Old Madam Xie's earlier gloom vanished.

He is indeed the son I have carefully raised; I love him no matter how I look at him!

"I heard that Mother is looking for an elder of the Xie family to go to the palace to arrange a betrothal for my second brother," Xie Shu asked.

He wasn't sure, after all, it had all been done in such a rush.

Although Xie Lin was not born of the principal wife, marriage is a major life event, and it is only right that an auspicious day be chosen for the betrothal ceremony. His mother's hasty decision was probably due to her concern that things might change.

"You don't need to worry about this matter. I have already sent someone to invite..." Old Madam Xie did not want him to get involved in this matter anymore.

It's best to stay far away from that Hawthorne, lest that little vixen who brought death to her loved ones gets in her way!

"Mother, let me go." Xie Shu, all alone, was as elegant as a jade tree, and wanted to go on behalf of her father to propose marriage to her second brother.

"What?!" Old Madam Xie exclaimed in alarm upon hearing this.

It was Li Mama beside her who pulled her back, and seeing Li Mama's expression, Old Madam Xie gradually calmed down.

"Shu'er, you don't need to worry about this matter. I have my own arrangements."

"With Father absent, as the eldest son of the family, I should take on Father's duty and go to present the betrothal gift on behalf of my second brother... ...so that people will say that my Xie family mistreats its illegitimate children, which would be detrimental to Mother's reputation."

He stood solemnly before Madam Xie, his argument clear and well-founded...

His face was as fair as jade, without the slightest flaw, so naturally no flaws could be found.

Madam Xie was not at ease, worried that every time Shu'er met Huo Sanghua, it would bring misfortune!

But Xie Shu was right; it was the best choice for him to go on behalf of his father to propose marriage.

“Madam,” Madam Li interjected at the opportune moment, “Since our young master is going, it’s to share the burden with the Marquis and you, isn’t it? This is a good thing, so please understand his filial piety and agree!”

"this... ..."

"Don't worry, Mother, I will handle this carefully and will not give others anything to gossip about."

Having made up her mind, Xie Shu withdrew according to custom without waiting for her mother to say anything.

Madam Xie turned around and "settled accounts" with Li's mother.

She never wanted Xie Shu to get involved in these matters.

Unexpectedly, Madam Li advised that Huo Sanghua was originally intended by the Fourth Prince to be given to his eldest son.

Now, due to a series of unforeseen circumstances, the second son, born of a concubine, has become entangled with this situation. Who knows what other tricks the fourth prince might have up his sleeve? But what if his eldest son were to take his father's place and go to propose marriage on behalf of the second son...?

By then, everyone in Shengjing will know, and the Fourth Prince won't be able to do anything anymore.

Upon hearing this, Madam Xie realized that it made sense!

So I simply stopped interfering.

As soon as Xie Shu returned to Fuyun Pavilion, he immediately ordered people to prepare generous gifts and went to the palace to meet the Fourth Prince.

On a pleasant afternoon, the warm sunshine shone in the courtyard.

Hawthorne laboriously dragged a rattan chair, which he had acquired a few days earlier, from the house to his small courtyard.

This rattan chair was discarded by another palace. She carried it back with great difficulty, washed and wiped it, and sewed up the damaged parts.

Now it looks brand new, and I'm especially happy!

I dragged a blanket out and covered the wicker chair with it, then casually lay down on it...

How comfortable!

She had wanted the rattan chair for a long time; it was perfect for her, even though it was someone else's unwanted one.

"Miss Huo!"

Hearing someone call her, she reached out and took off the handkerchief covering her face. She opened one eye groggily and saw... ...a young eunuch from Consort Li's palace.

He crept over furtively, carrying something in his arms.

He fawned over her, "Miss Huo, I've brought you something wonderful!"

"Let's wait and see," Hawthorne said.

The young eunuch took out his "treasure," which turned out to be a scroll painting.

He unfurled the scroll as if presenting a treasure, “...This is an authentic work, take a look, name your price.”

"No."

Hawthorne glanced at it, showed no interest, then covered his face with the handkerchief again, intending to continue conserving his energy.

"Wait a minute, take another look. This is an authentic piece! It's hard to find outside this palace. Just name your price..." The little eunuch pestered Huo Sanghua to ask for a price.

In the entire palace, she was the only one who collected "scrap materials".

The palace servants all knew that whatever rewards they received that they didn't need... they would all be sent to her.

She'd buy it as long as the price was right. She'd find a way to have it taken outside the palace to sell tomorrow, earning some pocket money—her only source of income!

Consort Qi had subtly hinted at her several times, and each time she did, she would try to keep a low profile.

Anyway, making money is the most important thing...

But she didn't accept everything. "No, I won't."

"Take another look, take another look..." the little eunuch said anxiously.

Coincidentally, Xie Shu had just met with the Fourth Prince and obtained Huo Sanghua's birth date and time. He planned to go back and ask someone to match it with Xie Lin's, and then choose an auspicious day to propose marriage and set the date for the wedding.

Before the fourth prince could say two words, he was summoned away by Eunuch Zhou, who was by His Majesty's side.

Xie Shu intended to leave, but then saw a little eunuch sneaking into the courtyard next door, so he followed him in.

Unexpectedly, I happened to witness this scene...

Then he frowned.

She actually...

“I said I won’t accept it, and that’s final,” Hawthorne said, losing her temper. She finally took off her handkerchief and explained to the young eunuch, “You know perfectly well where you got this. While I do accept some things, I absolutely refuse to accept stolen goods. I can’t explain myself now that you’re involved. You should take it back!”

When Hawthorne pointed out that the stolen goods were stolen, the little eunuch felt guilty and cursed a couple of times in resentment...

They said she was greedy, they'd never seen anyone like her. Then she grabbed the stolen scroll and ran away.

Huo Sanghua sneered. This is it? They think they can fool her?!

Picking up the blanket that had slipped from the floor, I was about to take another nap when, by sheer coincidence, I saw the person standing on the porch...

Xie, Xie Shu?!

Seeing that she had noticed him, Xie Shu stopped trying to hide and walked over confidently. "Miss Huo."

Hawthorne hurriedly got up and threw the blanket onto the wicker chair.

"You...you, what brings you here?"

Xie Shu held the note in her hand, smiled calmly, though her expression was slightly stiff. "Go and get your birth date from the Fourth Prince. Go back and compare it with Xie Lin's so we can find an auspicious date for you two."

Somehow—

As I say this, I feel a little uncomfortable.

"Whether it's compatible or not doesn't really matter. You can just pick any day." Huo Sanghua smiled awkwardly, not feeling that this matter was that important, or that he had to make the trip himself.

"... ..." Xie Shu remained silent.

Huo Sanghua then realized he had misspoke. "What I meant was... that's not my real birth chart either. After my family members had their accident, no one knew my real birth chart anymore, so this one probably isn't accurate either."

"Really?" Xie Shu suddenly felt a pang of heartache and looked at her.

If Xie Lin hadn't impersonated him that day, perhaps...

He took a deep breath, quickly regaining his composure and stopping himself from letting his thoughts wander. "I saw that palace servant sneak in just now, and I thought he was up to something, which is why I followed him. I never expected he'd come to see you—"

"Yes." Hawthorne nodded, without any attempt to hide anything. "As you can see, I sometimes collect things here."