After all, at that time, Xie Zhaofan was her future daughter-in-law.
But looking at her now, that former closeness in her eyes had completely vanished.
Xie Zhaofan stepped forward to pay her respects, but the wife of the Ningyuan Marquis only gave a faint nod, without so much as a word of greeting.
This kind of preferential treatment was so obvious that even a fool could see it.
Xie Zhaofan, however, wasn't the least bit sad. Instead, she found it quite interesting; this was the so-called fickleness of human nature.
When she was the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s residence, the woman naturally found her agreeable in every way.
Now that the true daughter had returned and her own status had become awkward, the woman had immediately changed her tune.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps came from outside again, and Xie Jinyi walked through the door.
She was wearing a pale green long dress today, her black hair simply tied up, giving her a gentle and elegant aura. After entering, she first bowed to Xie Chongshan and Madam Shen, then greeted the wife of the Ningyuan Marquis.
“Greetings, Madam Ningyuan.”
“Jinyi, come here and let me look at you.”
The coldness on the wife of the Ningyuan Marquis's face vanished instantly, replaced by a warm smile.
“We haven't seen each other in such a short time, and yet I feel you've become even more beautiful.”
“You praise me too much, Auntie.”
Xie Jinyi gave a gentle smile.
“I look at you, child, and you’re even more outstanding than your mother was in her youth.”
As the wife of the Ningyuan Marquis spoke, her gaze shifted to her own son.
Pei Shaohuai was also looking at Xie Jinyi, the admiration in his eyes almost unmasked.
Xie Zhaofan sat to the side, watching this scene, and couldn't help but tsk inwardly.
Sure enough, this was the true treatment of a Female Lead.
As for Madam Shen, though a smile remained on her face, her gaze involuntarily fell on Xie Zhaofan.
She could naturally see the change in attitude from the Marquis's family. It made her feel somewhat uncomfortable. The wife of the Ningyuan Marquis coming in person today was clearly not just for a simple chat over tea.
As expected, after a few moments of small talk, the wife of the Ningyuan Marquis set down her teacup, and her expression gradually became serious.
“Madam Xie, regarding a certain matter, I’ve come here today with quite a thick skin.”
Madam Shen was slightly taken or aback.
“Madam Ningyuan, please feel free to say what is on your mind.”
The wife of the Ningyuan Marquis sighed.
“When our two families originally discussed the marriage, it was an engagement between the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s residence and the Heir of the Marquisate. It was a perfect match of status, talent, and beauty. However, no one expected at the time that Jinyi would be the actual biological daughter of the Xie family.”
She paused deliberately as she spoke.
No one explicitly pointed out that Xie Zhaofan was the fake daughter, but everyone present understood what she meant.
“Now that Jinyi is back, since she is the true Eldest Legitimate Daughter, the matter of the marriage naturally needs to be reconsidered.”
Madam Shen's expression gradually darkened.
The wife of the Ningyuan Marquis did not dodge her gaze, but instead continued.
“As for Shaohuai, after seeing Jinyi, he truly felt a deep affection for her. After returning home, he told me that he would marry no one but Jinyi.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the parlor instantly became subtle.
Xie Zhaofan lowered her head and picked up a piece of pastry.
Hm, tastes good.
She suddenly realized her emotions toward this scene of swapping the engagement were much calmer than she had imagined. It felt like watching a play, and she even felt a bit like laughing.
The wife of the Ningyuan Marquis continued, “As his mother, I really had no way to deal with him, which is why I’ve come to your door to discuss with you, Madam Xie, to see if the marriage between our two families can be rearranged.”
“Of course, the Marquisate knows this is somewhat unfair to Zhaofan, so we are willing to provide compensation.”
Madam Shen's expression shifted between cloudy and clear. She naturally knew the Marquisate’s proposal to swap the engagement wasn't without reason.
Now that Xie Jinyi was the true legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s residence—and a woman with exceptional beauty, talent, and medical skills at that—the Marquisate naturally didn't want to let such a daughter-in-law go.
But the problem was... Zhaofan was also the daughter she had raised for fifteen years.
Even if she wasn't biological, she was still like flesh and blood to her. To let her be rejected like this made Madam Shen feel truly guilty.
Madam Shen remained silent for a moment before finally smiling. “Madam Ningyuan, this matter involves too much. As a woman, I cannot make a decision on my own. It is better to wait for the Prime Minister to return; once we have discussed it as a couple, we will give the Marquisate an answer.”
“That is only natural.”
The wife of the Ningyuan Marquis did not push her.
“I was abrupt today. I hope Madam Xie does not take offense.”
“Not at all.”
Both sides were prominent families; even if there were disagreements beneath the surface, they had to maintain a facade of decorum.
Soon, the topic shifted back to the children.
The wife of the Ningyuan Marquis praised Xie Yunzhen for his outstanding talent one moment, then lauded Xie Jinyi for her exquisite beauty and superb medical skills the next. Madam Shen followed along with a few polite remarks.
As for Xie Zhaofan, throughout the entire process, not a single person proactively mentioned her.
Xie Zhaofan was happy to have the peace and quiet. She sat there slowly eating her pastries, feeling that these so-called noble social interactions were even more boring than a company’s annual meeting.
Matching social statuses, children's marriages, talented men and beautiful women.
In the end, it was all just an exchange of interests.
And what she found most unacceptable was trapping a woman's entire life in such an exchange.
Marrying some man in the future, staying in a secluded courtyard all day to serve a husband and raise children, dealing with mother-in-law issues, and fighting for a man’s favor with a group of women?
Just thinking about it felt suffocating; there was no way she would walk such a path in this life.
After a round of mutual flattery, the wife of the Ningyuan Marquis finally rose to take her leave.
Before leaving, she affectionately took Xie Jinyi's hand and spoke a few more words before departing with Pei Shaohuai.
However, Pei Shaohuai clearly didn't intend to leave so easily. After the Marquise left, he used the excuse of having something to say and actually stayed behind alone.
Xie Zhaofan watched from a distance, her interest piqued. She wanted to see what kind of drama this man was going to stir up.
Sure enough, Pei Shaohuai soon found Xie Jinyi.
The two of them stood in a corner of the garden. Pei Shaohuai seemed to have summoned his courage and was about to speak, but Xie Jinyi spoke first.
“Brother Pei, I know what you want to say.”
Pei Shaohuai was stunned. “Jinyi...”
“If it's about the marriage, then there's no need to say it.”
Xie Jinyi’s expression was calm, but her tone was very firm.
“I have always regarded you as an elder brother, and I have never had any romantic feelings for you.”
Pei Shaohuai’s face changed instantly. “Why?”
“There is no why.”
Xie Jinyi looked at him. “I don't like you.”
With just a few short words, she directly blocked everything Pei Shaohuai was going to say.
“But...”
“Please go back, Brother Pei.”
Xie Jinyi didn't even give him a chance to continue. “In the future, do not mention the matter of swapping the engagement again.”
After saying that, she turned and left.
Pei Shaohuai stood there alone for a long time, unable to snap out of it.
He couldn't understand it no matter how he thought about it. As the Heir of the Ningyuan Marquisate and one of the most outstanding of the younger generation in the capital, why did Xie Jinyi reject him so decisively?
Could it be that he had done something wrong?
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