After the ancestral prayer, they ate together.
The men and women were separated.
Xie Qiao looked like she had no sense of presence. However, the daughters of the Xie familyâs eldest and youngest son said nothing much now. They were behaving like kittens.
Xie Qiao ate and chewed slowly and tasted carefully. Even the old lady was nervous because of her.
Xie Xi admired Xie Qiao now. No matter what Xie Qiao ate, she would eat too. She ate at the same pace as Xie Qiao did, irritating the rest.
This used to be the old ladyâs favorite time. The reason being Ms. Lu was sweet with her words. She would exaggeratedly compliment the food while the old lady would seize the opportunity to name her requests so that Ms. Lu would talk to Xie Niushan when they returned home.
However, it was totally a torture this time.
That was especially upon seeing her two other granddaughters being looked down on when compared to Xie Qiaoâs manners. The old lady thought she should not stay.
She left saying that she was feeling ill when she was halfway through.
The two sisters-in-law brought their daughters along too. They went back to their rooms as they had lost their appetite to eat.
Xie Qiao had won.
Xie Niushan took his children home in the afternoon. He was carefree, so he did not realize what was happening. It was a different story for Xie Pinggang, who thought it was an amazing trip.
It was no wonder there was a saying that went, âMarrying a terrible wife would destroy three generationsâ. Look, Ms. Lu used to socialize, giving money and clothes. Although the old lady would be happy, Xie Pinggang would be irritated.
However, Ms. Lu did not dare to chip in on the conversation this time. Xie Pinggang felt good that the old lady was pissed.
âFather, do you want to change your wife?â Xie Pinggang asked irritatingly.
Xie Niushan said after hearing that, âYou sure are boasting to be saying that, to think that youâve never had a wife!â
Xie Pinggang wanted him to change his wife. Was it easy to look for a pretty and sensible lady from an official family?
Although those minor officialâs families had many stepdaughters waiting to be matchmade, Xie Niushan thought they were too young. He could not bring himself to do it!
âMs. Lu crossed the line this time. Give her the cold treatment for some time, Father. If that doesnât work, Iâll buy you a concubine. I can find ways if a companion to talk to is all you want,â added Xie Pinggang.
Xie Niushan glared at him. âYouâre taking control of my wife now? Wonât you be humiliated if this goes out?â
âI didnât care before, but Ms. Lu is too much. Xiâer is already 12 now. Do you want her to stay this useless forever? Sheâs already not young, but she knows nothing about managing her own things and speaking up for herself, nor does she know any etiquette. If Eldest Sister wasnât with us this time, they wouldâve taken everything that belonged to Xiâer. How does she look like an officialâs daughter?â Xie Pinggang said straightforwardly.
Xie Niushan frowned.
Was it that serious?
âWeâre no longer in the mountain stronghold now,â Xie Pinggang exclaimed. âEldest Sister is weak, and she should not get too close to Xiâer. We canât get her to teach Xiâer, nor can Ms. Lu do it. What do we do?â
Xie Niushan felt troubled.
âHow would I know? You can call the shots on this.â Xie Niushan really did not want to manage that.
Xie Pinggang thought about it. âLetâs ask Eldest Sister later.â
The two men knew nothing about that at all.
Xie Pinggang and Xie Niushan were already sitting in her courtyard as soon as Xie Qiao returned home.
It was quite scary that two pairs of eyes were staring at her.
Xie Qiao sighed upon hearing what they said.
âWell, thereâs a way,â she said slowly.
Xie Pinggang smirked. âI knew that youâre smart. Tell us. If the solution is good, Iâll buy you clothes.â
Xie Qiao rolled her eyes. She dared not wear the clothes that her eldest brother bought as he had terrible aesthetic sense.