I am the champion of palace intrigue, and even the proud prince bows his head in submission.

Chapter 67 The young master actually wouldn't let the young mistress into the study!

Qin Jiu smiled slightly, "Mother thinks you seem to have lost a lot of weight recently."

"Because my master recently started teaching me swordsmanship," Xie Jingchun explained obediently.

He sighed softly, "I used to practice with a spear, but now I've discovered that practicing with a sword is much more difficult than with a spear."

"When I was learning to use the spear, I could master it by practicing for three hours a day. Now, when I'm learning the sword, I need to add half an hour to my practice time each day."

Qin Jiuwei nodded. No wonder Xie Jingchun had lost so much weight today.

"Do you remember the key points of sword practice?" Xie Yanli suddenly asked.

When it came to serious matters, Xie Jingchun immediately composed himself. "Of course I remember. Swordsmanship involves many movements such as thrusting, parrying, wiping, slicing, and chopping."

"For example, with rapier, the sword moves in a straight line, the force reaches the tip of the sword, the wrist must be flexible, and the force must be transmitted from the waist and abdomen to the arm and then to the tip of the sword. If there is a slight deviation, the tip of the sword may deviate from the target."

Xie Yanli nodded in satisfaction; Xie Jingchun's answers were all correct.

When he told me earlier that he was learning swordsmanship slowly, I thought he hadn't been listening to his master properly.

It now seems that Xie Jingchun listened attentively, but he was simply not skilled with the sword.

Fortunately, diligence can make up for lack of talent, and Xie Jingchun will eventually master it as long as he practices hard.

Upon hearing this, the Marquis put down his chopsticks, looked at Xie Jingchun with a smile, and began to recount the amusing stories of Xie Yanli and Xie Zhongzhi learning martial arts in their childhood.

His second son, Xie Zhongzhi, was noticeably more clumsy than his eldest son, Xie Yanli.

When they were young, in order to make them stronger, they often received instruction in weapons and physical fitness. They could learn Yanli in one go, but Chongzhi required four or five repetitions.

Although both were his sons, even five fingers are not all the same length, so he would naturally favor the more outstanding Yanli.

Fortunately, Xie Zhongzhi has lived up to expectations and now holds an important position in the military.

However, she still can't compare to Yanli...

The gap between the two is simply too great.

Lady Hou watched from the side, feeling very uncomfortable.

Every time the Marquis mentions Xie Yanli, he looks proud and self-satisfied, but every time he mentions her Chongzhi, his expression is always indifferent.

Mingzhong is also his son, and the only one in the family still serving in the military. How is he any worse than Xie Yanli?

Lady Hou threw the porcelain spoon into the bowl, losing all her appetite.

Seeing the family enjoying themselves at the dinner table, Madam Xie's eyes crinkled with laughter.

She couldn't help but praise, "Not only has Chun-ge'er lost weight, but our Jue-ge'er is getting better and better too."

Although Xie Jue wasn't skin and bones, he looked listless and his complexion was somewhat sallow.

But now she's been pampered so much that her face is fair and tender, and with her big, bright eyes, she really looks like a New Year's picture doll.

Upon hearing this, everyone at the table looked at Xie Jue.

Xie Jue noticed the stares from those around her and snuggled shyly into Qin Jiuwei's arms.

Madam Xie teased, "Oh dear, you little rascal, you're getting shy now."

"It's indeed much better," Xie Yanli said gently.

Xie Wanning rolled her eyes. What's so good about it? She's still incredibly ugly, like a deadbeat.

They'll grow up to be good-for-nothings anyway; they're all the same, lowlifes.

Madam Xie looked at Qin Jiuwei beside Xie Jue and praised her sincerely.

"It's all thanks to Jiuwei. I still remember her using carrot soup and white fungus soup to nourish Juege's spleen and stomach and regulate his qi and blood. This method was indeed effective."

Qin Jiu smiled slightly, "This is what a granddaughter-in-law should do."

Lady Hou hated hearing Old Madam Xie praise Qin Jiuwei, as if she were the only one in the entire Hou mansion who knew how to do things.

It's clear that the Hou Mansion is now so well-organized thanks to her.

Just then, Madam Hou's personal maid, Kang, lifted the curtain and entered the room, saying respectfully, "Madam, a servant just came to say that Miss Qiu will arrive early tomorrow morning."

"So fast?" Lady Hou was slightly surprised, but quickly calmed down.

She instructed, "Take some people and tidy up the house again, make sure there's nothing amiss."

Granny Kang nodded, "Yes, this old servant will take care of it right away."

Evening, study.

Zizhu asked softly, "Young Master, are you going to the main house tonight?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Yanli put down his brush.

Zizhu carefully raised her eyes and looked at her master's aloof and handsome face.

The night before last, the young master actually wouldn't let his young mistress into the study!

This has never happened before!

He thought the two of them had a falling out, but unexpectedly, the young master went to Wanfo Temple this morning and everything was fine.

The young mistress and the young master are back to how they were before.

I suppose the young master will rest in the young mistress's room tonight.

After all, an outsider sees things more clearly; he could see all of the young master's feelings for his young mistress.

But as soon as he finished speaking, he heard Xie Yanli's cold voice ring out in the room, "I'm not going."

Zizhu: ?!

Could it be that he's been wrong about the young master's thoughts all along? That shouldn't be the case...

After Xie Yanli finished speaking, he turned to the next book with a blank expression.

He was grateful to Qin Jiuwei for saving his life.

But since she really doesn't want his child, he'll grant her wish.

From now on, he will never stay in the main house again.