Xie Wanqing's grandfather, Xie Mingde, was the Minister of the Ministry of Justice before his death, and had two legitimate sons and one concubine-born son.
The eldest son, Xie Wen, inherited the title and now serves at court as the Standard Third Rank Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and Xie Wanqing is his eldest daughter.
The second son, Xie Shu, serves as the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, and the concubine-born third son, Xie Guangren, is stationed in Xuanzhou as the Prefect.
The three brothers hold significant positions at court, and the Lady Shufei in the palace is Xie Wanqing's biological aunt. Looking across the entire Capital, the Marquis Xuanping Mansion can indeed be considered a prominent noble family.
Arriving at the Brocade Hall, Nanny Li saw Xie Wanqing, slightly bowed and smiled as a greeting before raising the curtain to welcome her inside.
Mrs. Zheng was sitting on a soft chair, and upon seeing her daughter enter, she was slightly surprised and said, "Why so early today?"
Xie Wanqing curtsied and said with a smile, "Mother hasn't had breakfast yet, I thought I'd come join you for a meal."
"You didn't mention anything yesterday, I haven't prepared your favorite sweets." Although she said so, Mrs. Zheng turned and instructed the maid beside her to have the kitchen quickly prepare some sweets.
She then pulled her daughter's hand, looked over it a few times and said, "Are you going to Wuyuan Marquis Mansion again today? I don't mean to restrict you, but your wedding date is approaching; visiting your future in-laws constantly isn't ideal."
Which family bride-to-be doesn't stay in her room sewing wedding attire, yet is constantly away from home?
"Isn't it because before Lu Ziyuan went to Bianzhou, I promised him I'd visit the Lu Family to accompany his elders?" Xie Wanqing said softly, "It's not right to break my promise."
Mrs. Zheng's face showed slight emotion when the future son-in-law was mentioned, she asked, "It's been about two months since Ziyuan went to quell the bandits, near the wedding date, has he written to say when he'll return?"
... A letter?
Xie Wanqing forced a smile in her heart, but said outwardly, "He did, he should return to the Capital in the next two days."
In truth, how could Lu Ziyuan write to her?
They grew up together, their engagement set from a young age, in earlier years he would patiently coax her. Ever since his father, brother, and uncle died in battle consecutively when he was twelve, he quickly matured during that year, transforming from a flamboyant youth into his current aloof and silent persona.
He supported the Lu family's women, taking on great responsibility, never again the one writing letters to coax her as a childhood sweetheart.
Since then, it was always Xie Wanqing pursuing him. No matter where Lu Ziyuan traveled for business, or how long he was away from the Capital, he never wrote to her.
She sympathized with him for taking on the heavy burden of the Lu family, never complained to him, nor acted spoiled towards him.
She always thought they would be lifelong companions, she wanted to understand him, love him, not simply act spoiled and demand his attention.
Thinking about it now, is it really right?
After the mother and daughter finished breakfast together, Mrs. Zheng lightly waved her circular fan with one hand, pointed at her daughter's forehead with the other, and smiled: "Hurry and go, don't keep your future in-laws waiting. Remember to come back early, although you don't want to sew the wedding dress, at least embroider a few stitches on the bridal veil."
"Got it." Xie Wanqing replied not shyly, casually, and walked towards the door.
The society's customs are open in the current dynasty, noble women are not bound by many rules when going out, and the Xie family's upbringing for their daughters isn't strictly traditional either. Xie Wanqing not only learned poetry and etiquette from an early age, but also horse riding and archery. She looked up at the clear sky, decided against taking a carriage, and set off riding without wearing a veil hat.
Passing by a famous pastry shop on Vermilion Bird Street, Xie Wanqing hesitated for a few seconds but still dismounted, personally entered to buy several packages of favorite treats for the Lu family's ladies.
Regardless, the current Lu Family treats her very well.
Carrying the food box with her maid, they left the pastry shop, and as Xie Wanqing was about to untie the reins and mount her horse, she looked up to see her brother Xie YanYu talking with a friend at the teahouse opposite, feeling slightly stunned.
Her eldest brother, with a face like jade and exceptional demeanor, stands out even among the noble sons in the entire Capital, and even Lu Ziyuan's face may not compare, yet this time he seems to have befriended someone who could overshadow him a bit?
Just a glance from afar was so stunning.
Xie Wanqing always believed she wasn't a superficial person, her devotion to Lu Ziyuan was purely based on childhood love, unrelated to his increasingly icy handsome face. But seeing this person now, she was momentarily dazed for several seconds.
... When was there such a person in the Capital?
She mumbled a few thoughts inwardly, quickly withdrew her gaze, and had no intention of disturbing them, just about to leave when she saw Xie YanYu approaching her with his friend, clearly having seen her.
Xie Wanqing paused her grip on the reins, her expression somewhat stiff.
Xie YanYu, being the legitimate eldest son of the Xie family generation, was keen and studious from a young age. Despite his noble background, instead of relying on the family's influence for an official position, he achieved through the imperial examinations, at seventeen, was appointed third place in the imperial examination by the Holy Emperor in the golden hall, receiving great expectations.
Now, at double ten years of age, not yet engaged, he's viewed as the most desirable prospect by the highborn ladies, dreaming of making him their esteemed son-in-law.
Yet, Xie Wanqing found this elder brother somewhat troublesome, as Xie YanYu was indifferent to everyone outside, maintaining a strong distance, but adopted a thorough fatherly attitude towards her, stricter than their own father, almost driving her to a shadow.
Seeing the person already nearing, Xie Wanqing slightly bowed and forced a dry smile, "What a coincidence, doesn't elder brother need to be on duty? You have time to wander around the teahouse."
"Today is the fifteenth."
In this dynasty, officials have rest days on the first and fifteenth of the month.
Xie YanYu glanced at his sister, his gaze fell on the food box carried by the maid behind her, his expression slightly eased, "Did you go specifically to buy for Mother? You're quite thoughtful."
"..." Xie Wanqing choked, suspecting he did it on purpose, but dared not say it was for the Lu Family people.
Probably no elder brother would like his unmarried sister, constantly visiting the future husband's family, and even taking pastries to please the in-laws, especially since Xie YanYu valued her highly, protecting her since childhood.
He even had some dissatisfaction with Lu Ziyuan as his future brother-in-law.
Although the two families were well-matched, Lu Ziyuan always wore a cold expression, showing no visible affections, anyone could see Xie Wanqing's eagerness towards the marriage compared to Lu Ziyuan.
... The fact seemed to be so.
She was mumbling quietly, Xie YanYu, knowing very well, his gaze darkened, intending to lecture his sister, but considering the presence of an outsider, he finally shook his head and said, "Remember to wear a veil hat when riding out."
"Why?" Xie Wanqing frowned, surprised, "Brother, have you really become pedantic from studying? You usually tell me what I can't do, but now you even want me to cover my face?"