Quick Transmigration: Why did you provoke him? He's love-struck!

Chapter 506 Relying on Favor (51)

Xie Ying had a gut feeling that her mother had come specifically to ask this question, not simply to inquire about information.

Instead of answering directly, he asked, "Mother, why are you asking this?"

Madam Xie hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Since Her Highness couldn't go for the marriage alliance, will your engagement with her still stand after she returns to the capital?"

Meeting his mother's worried gaze, Xie Ying remained silent.

Upon seeing his state, Xie's mother immediately said anxiously, "Ying'er, listen to your mother's advice. The marriage agreement you made three years ago when you sent her away for a political marriage is null and void. You cannot marry her!"

Although she was a noblewoman, whether she was forced to marry a farmer's son while feigning amnesia to escape an arranged marriage, or kidnapped by bandits and forced into prostitution, she was already infamous among the people and officials.

You are the most outstanding younger generation of the Xie family. I will never allow you to marry such a woman and become the laughingstock of the entire capital!

"..." Xie Ying put down his spoon.

Seeing that he still didn't speak, Xie's mother became even more anxious, and her tone became serious: "This is not just my idea. Your father, grandparents and grandparents all think the same way!"

"Your Highness, being of noble birth, if you refuse to go for a political marriage, then you are disgracing the entire Great Liang. Having been kidnapped by bandits and taken to their den, losing your chastity, you should atone with your death to avoid bringing shame upon the entire royal family, instead of shamelessly returning to continue enjoying the privileges of a princess..."

"Enough!" Xie Ying interrupted his mother.

Mother Xie wanted to persuade him again: "Ying'er..."

"She didn't come back."

Mother Xie was taken aback: "What happened? Didn't you say you found ***..."

Xie Ying felt a throbbing pain in his temples and grew increasingly agitated: "I won't be with her, you can all rest assured—Mother, please go back, I want to rest."

Hearing this, Xie's mother felt half relieved.

"Then, then you should make arrangements as soon as possible."

After Xie's mother left, Xie Ying's mind was in a mess.

The highly suggestive words Tan Junzhuo spoke, the news of the princess's return to the capital that he released as a test, the fulfilled rumors, and the lost token...

All the clues intertwined to form a seemingly obvious truth that awaited his verification.

-

The next day, Xie Ying first dealt with the government affairs that had piled up during his trip, and in the afternoon he had his servant prepare a carriage to go to the princess's residence.

Upon arriving at the Princess's residence, the gatekeeper, seeing the carriage bearing the Xie family crest, immediately ran out excitedly and greeted Xie Ying, who had alighted from the carriage, with great enthusiasm: "Lord Xie, His Highness has been waiting for you since early this morning."

Xie Ying smiled slightly: "Is that so?"

"Indeed, I've been looking forward to your arrival ever since I learned of your return yesterday." The gatekeeper led over the horse and stepped aside to make way for Xie Ying. "Lord Xie, please come in."

Upon entering the princess's residence, the head maid greeted Xie Ying warmly and led her to the flower hall.

When Xie Ying entered the front courtyard flower hall, Tan Jinyu was already waiting.

Tan Jinyu is nineteen years old this year. She has a beautiful appearance and a gentle temperament. She is wearing a light blue dress and only has a few simple pieces of jewelry on her hair.

Tan Jinyu's birth mother was Consort Rong, who was greatly favored by the late emperor. However, because she was suspected of poisoning the pregnant empress, who is now the empress dowager, the empress dowager's second son, Prince Yan, became disabled, and Consort Rong was banished to the cold palace.

Tan Jinyu was born in the Cold Palace and suffered from lack of food and clothing from a young age, which caused her to develop health problems.

When she was seven years old, she accidentally ran away from the Cold Palace and met the late emperor in the Imperial Garden.

Because her face bore a striking resemblance to Consort Rong, and she wore a rattan bracelet on her wrist that the late emperor had personally woven and given to Consort Rong during their passionate time together, it evoked the late emperor's old feelings for Consort Rong.

The late emperor concealed his identity and met with Tan Jinyu every day.

Seeing that Tan Jinyu was gentle and obedient, although she was born and raised in the cold palace, she was taught by Consort Rong to be well-educated and reasonable.

What is most remarkable is that Consort Rong was abandoned in the cold palace for eight years, yet she never harbored resentment towards the late emperor. Instead, she taught Tan Jinyu to respect her father.

This made Tan Jinyu, despite never having met the late emperor, feel a deep affection for him.

The late emperor was deeply moved and pardoned Consort Rong, allowing the mother and daughter to be brought out.

Even so, the chronic illness Tan Jinyu developed in childhood could not be completely cured.

Suffering from a sickly body and having been used to being cautious and timid since childhood in the cold palace, Tan Jinyu was gentle and kind-hearted, and did not flaunt her favor with the late emperor.

She treated even the lowest-ranking eunuchs in the palace with kindness and never raised her voice in criticism.

In the palace, Tan Jinyu was known for her low profile and good interpersonal relationships.

Xie Ying stepped into the flower hall and bowed to Tan Jinyu: "Your subject Xie Ying greets the Second Princess."

Tan Jinyu stepped forward and said with a smile, "Second Brother went to Yunzhou, why are you being so formal with me?"

Xie Ying smiled faintly.

"I heard my elder sister has returned?" Tan Jinyu asked. "Where is she now? Is she alright?"

Xie Ying looked at Tan Jinyu, whose face was full of undisguised concern and urgency, as if she couldn't wait to see Tan Junzhuo.

"Yes, they've returned." Xie Ying said calmly. "They're temporarily housed in the palace outside the city, and will return in a few days."

Upon hearing this, Tan Jinyu patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank God, it's wonderful that my elder sister is back safe and sound."

As she spoke, Tan Jinyu's eyes reddened: "Eldest sister must have suffered a lot these past three years away from home."

“She has suffered a lot.” Xie Ying observed her expression and sighed seemingly unintentionally, “Fortunately, there will be plenty of opportunities to make it up to her in the future. I will not let her get hurt again.”

Tan Jinyu's expression stiffened slightly, and she carefully chose her words before speaking: "Second brother, those rumors in the capital..."

Xie Ying said, "It's not true."

"Where has my elder sister been for the past three years?"

“At the Prince Zhao’s residence in Tingzhou,” Xie Ying said truthfully. “She only managed to save her life by submitting herself to Zhao Yuan.”

Tan Jinyu's expression became subtle: "Does the Xie family know about these things?"

Xie Ying's brow twitched.

He lowered his eyelids, concealing the strange look that flashed across his eyes: "I know, I've already told them the truth."

"So, what do you and your wife mean, Lord Xie..."

Xie Ying glanced at Tan Jinyu.

Seeing his gaze, Tan Jinyu realized she had been too hasty and quickly said, "The Marquis and his wife are very disciplined. Right now, rumors are flying around the capital about my elder sister, and she was with Zhao Yuan. If Second Brother wants to rekindle his relationship with her, the Marquis and his wife might..."

"It's alright, I'll persuade them."

Tan Jinyu: "..."

Xie Ying pretended not to see the disappointment in her eyes and said, "By the way, the tokens for commanding the assassins should be replaced this year. Give me your old one."

Tan Jinyu paused for a moment, then said calmly, "Second Brother, please wait a moment, I'll have someone go and get it."

Tan Jinyu summoned a maid and instructed her to fetch the token.

The maid took the order and left.

Before long, the maidservant rushed back carrying an empty sandalwood box, her expression full of panic: "Your Highness, the token is missing!"