Chapter 1437: Chapter 1437: Trust

Ji Zhenniang was very pleased after hearing this, but she asked sternly, "Is this your true intention? Do you really want to marry a servant and not wish to be a concubine for the master?"

Xie Huaihua replied, "Madam, I am determined to be a lady housekeeper in the Xie Family, so I only seek to marry a servant of the Xie Family. In the future, as a couple, we will serve the lord and the madam, not wanting to be a concubine."

As she spoke, she raised her hand and took a poisonous oath, "I swear, in this life, I will only marry a servant of the Xie Family. If I have any improper thoughts towards the master, let me be captured by fierce bandits on the westward road and die after suffering endless torment!"

"Huaihua!" Nanny Xie felt heartache and almost shed tears. Even if the girl wanted to show her loyalty, she shouldn’t have taken such a poisonous oath.

Ji Zhenniang was startled upon hearing it. The westward road was perilous, and they had encountered bandits just yesterday. Xie Huaihua dared to take such an oath, showing she truly had no romantic interest in Xie Cheng.

Humph!

Ji Zhenniang was pleased and even snorted at Xie Cheng, as if to say: See, others aren’t interested in you.

Xie Cheng had a headache; there was indeed nothing between him and Xie Huaihua. The rumor that Xie Huaihua was to be his concubine started because his mother thought Zhenniang wouldn’t accompany him to the Northwest and feared he would die in battle with no heirs, so she considered letting him take Huaihua as a concubine.

Later, as she followed, the matter was dropped, only instructing Nanny Xie and her daughter to focus on serving Zhenniang and taking care of the soldiers’ families.

Xie Cheng was helpless, but seeing Ji Zhenniang finally happy, he was also content.

Nonetheless, Ji Zhenniang became troubled, saying, "I’m not familiar with any unmarried male servants in the Xie Family. Do you know?"

Xie Cheng said, "Only three have not married yet: Xie Shungong, Xie Shunliang, and Xie Shunqian."

The Xie Family didn’t have many servants, around thirty or so. They brought twenty this time, but most were married, and few were unmarried, even fewer close to Xie Huaihua’s age.

Ji Zhenniang exclaimed upon hearing, "I know that Xie Shungong. Oh heavens, he hasn’t married yet? He’s several months older than you, nearly thirty. No, no, too old. Huaihua is not yet sixteen; how can she marry such an old man close to thirty?"

Ji Zhenniang disagreed and inquired about Xie Shunliang and Xie Shunqian.

After Xie Cheng explained the situation of the latter two, Ji Zhenniang said, with a face full of disdain, "Those two are truly useless; not even housekeepers. How can they marry the nanny’s daughter?"

Xie Cheng couldn’t take it anymore and asked her, "Then what kind of match do you want for Xie Huaihua?"

Ji Zhenniang said, "Don’t ask me. I don’t know, I’m just worried, don’t bother me."

Xie Cheng: "..."

Is this my fault now?

Xie Huaihua suddenly spoke up, asking, "Madam, may I say a few words?"

Ji Zhenniang was displeased. What do you mean by this? Are you suggesting I don’t allow you to speak?

However, considering you don’t wish to be Xie Cheng’s concubine and only want to marry a servant, this madam will let you speak.

"After all, it’s your marriage. What are your thoughts? Speak." Ji Zhenniang said, putting on an extremely magnanimous display.

Xie Huaihua replied, "Madam, I am willing to marry Manager Xiao Xie. I aspire to be a lady housekeeper, so naturally, marrying a housekeeper is best. Once I marry Manager Xiao Xie, he will manage the outer court, and I will manage the inner chamber. Together as a couple, we can serve the lord and madam. I beg madam’s approval."

Manager Xie is Uncle Xie, so they call Xie Shungong Manager Xiao Xie... Although Xie Huaihua had little contact with Xie Shungong, she knew he grew up with Lord Company Commander, was skilled in martial arts, and good with accounting. Although unmarried, he had no dirty romantic deeds, making him a trustworthy lifelong partner.

Ji Zhenniang found Xie Huaihua’s reasoning sensible, but commented, "He’s too old."

Xie Huaihua: "He’s only twenty-five, not old."

Nanny Xie also said, "Madam, Manager Xiao Xie is indeed good and not too old. He’s just right."

Ji Zhenniang frowned, still a bit unwilling, but since Xie Huaihua didn’t mind, what could she say?

Yet Ji Zhenniang, considering herself a responsible mistress for her servants, stated, "No rush, let’s observe for a while first. If Xie Shungong proves worthy, I will approve your engagement."

"Thank you, madam." Xie Huaihua wasn’t in a hurry; as long as the madam promised to consider, it was fine.

Because of Xie Huaihua proposing to marry a servant, Ji Zhenniang began to trust her. Observing her, she said, "As an unmarried woman, it’s not proper to always be outside taking care of the soldiers’ families. Starting tomorrow, stay by my side. Leave those public tasks to your mother."

Nanny Xie was overjoyed upon hearing this. The madam had finally accepted Huaihua.

She almost burst into tears but knew the madam disliked seeing others cry, so she held back and, together with Huaihua, knelt in gratitude. "Thank you, madam."

Xie Cheng also breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, this tricky situation was resolved.

Qing Hui had been stationed at the Xie Family Camp, protecting Ji Zhenniang, and was very happy to witness this. Knowing the madam was concerned about this matter, she returned to inform her.

Gu Jinli was washing her face and laughed when hearing what Erqing relayed. "Xie Huaihua finally figured it out. This makes things easier, stabilizing the Xie Family’s side so we can relax a bit."

The conflict between Xie Huaihua and Ji Zhenniang was a problem they intended to solve from the start.

However, Nanny Tao suggested not telling Xie Huaihua, waiting to observe her actions. If Xie Huaihua cleverly resolved it herself, she could indeed assist Ji Zhenniang in the future.

If Xie Huaihua couldn’t think of the proper resolution, staying by Ji Zhenniang’s side would be useless, unable to help manage the Xie Family properly. Once they reached the Northwest, the Xie Family would only become more chaotic, and as allies, they would also suffer.

"The matter on the Xie Family’s side is resolved; the madam can be at ease." Erqing said, seeing Qin San Lang approaching, and promptly called Xiao Ji and Sanqing to carry away the wash water.

Soon after, Qin San Lang approached, removing his outer robe, and said, "Xiao Yu, I’m back."

As he spoke, he had removed his dirty clothes and shoes, entered the carriage, smiled at her, and embraced her before she could get angry. He inhaled and sighed, "Hmm, a faint fragrance. It’s a familiar scent."

He continued, "The acne patch has also been removed."

Qin San Lang was exceedingly happy. As the saying goes, women dress for those they admire. Since last night’s push, Xiao Yu began to pay attention to these things, indicating her growing feelings for him.

Gu Jinli stubbornly said, "Today’s acne patch was a bit unstable, so I removed it and reapplied it. It wasn’t for you."

Qin San Lang’s smile deepened, kissing her fair neck, and said, "Then how do you explain stealing glances at me today?"

Clearly falling more in love, liking him enough to sneak peeks, yet refusing to admit it.

Gu Jinli wouldn’t admit, "I was observing the landmarks along the way to draw a route map, not watching you. Don’t overthink it."

"Still denying it, such stubbornness. It seems a little punishment is in order." Qin San Lang laughed, kissed her, the familiar taste like frosted sugar, sweetly making him smile involuntarily, even mischievously giving her a light bite.

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