Song Yaozhu met the gazes of many ladies, some amused, some mocking, and some genuinely eager to learn from her...

She looked at the lady who had spoken to her earlier; it was none other than Xu, Fang Wencai's mother.

Xu smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes; her gaze held a hint of hatred. Clearly, she was blaming her for her son being beaten.

Right now, are they trying to embarrass her?

Song Yaozhu leaned to the side, lazily resting her weight on her right elbow, and said with a smile, "Your Highness is of a certain age, it's time to settle down and start a family. Now that you're married, you've naturally become more composed. Unlike Young Master Fang, who has been married for several years and still caused a scene throughout the city because of his favoritism towards his concubine over his wife."

After she finished speaking, she seemed oblivious to the awkward expressions on the faces of the ladies present, and showed no embarrassment or shame at having exposed their shortcomings in public.

Everyone held their breath, their gazes towards her carrying a different meaning. Some looked incredulous, some disagreed, and some looked down on her.

Then she turned to Madam Xu and said, “Madam, if we raise a son like this, wouldn’t he be ruining other people’s daughters? Does your family have a son? If so, you must discipline him properly and never let him become like the son of Minister Fang. As the saying goes, a man who mistreats his wife will not have any wealth. For the sake of peace in the family, we must never let our child become like Young Master Fang.”

Xu's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot, and she glared at her angrily.

The lady, who was watching the commotion from the sidelines, said, "Your Highness, this is Young Master Fang's mother, Madam Fang."

Song Yaozhu covered her mouth in alarm, looking completely bewildered. She then walked over, pushed aside a lady next to Madam Fang, took her hand, and said earnestly, "You are Madam Fang. I was blind. Seeing how young you are, I thought your son was only seven or eight years old."

The other ladies inwardly scoffed at her clumsy attempt to ease tensions, then heard her say, "It's really inappropriate! You're so young, how could you start making such a fuss? You're actually siding with the concubine instead of the wife. Don't you know the saying that marital discord leads to domestic unrest? I thought only older people were so clueless, but it turns out it doesn't discriminate by age!"

Mrs. Fang was so angry that she brushed her hand away, pointed at her, and stammered "you you you" for a long time without being able to utter a complete sentence.

“Sigh~” Song Yaozhu pressed down the index finger that Fang was pointing at herself. “Madam Fang, I am only telling the truth. That day, your son called the prince by his given name at the Jokhang Temple, which shows that he has no respect for hierarchy. The prince only kicked him once, which is already a lenient punishment.”

"So that's how it is!"

The ladies had their own plans. It's said that a higher rank can have absolute power, and while Xie Liwei was indeed a leisurely prince, the Xie family behind him was a centuries-old clan. Even though they had withdrawn from court, their influence remained.

The Nanshan Academy, founded by the Xie family, was the place where students of Dachen sought their education. Naturally, families like theirs would eventually be governed by rules and etiquette.

Xie Liwei's noble title was a given; even Fang Wencai's father, Fang Tong, would bow and pay his respects to him, let alone a commoner like Xie Liwei with no official rank. For him to address someone by their given name in public demonstrates his utter disregard for hierarchy, his despicable character, and his complete lack of manners.

Xu's face had turned pale, and Shen Qingyu beside her also looked unwell. She looked up at Song Yaozhu, whose expression was indifferent, showing no regard for Xu.

Although Madam Xu was a titled lady, Song Yaozhu was a first-rank princess consort, and her title, which she was so proud of, was completely useless in front of her.

"Your Highness, what happened that day was a misunderstanding. It was my son's concubine who acted rashly and offended you and the Prince." Xu Shi suppressed her anger and had no choice but to apologize.

"Since you know you're wrong, why haven't you come to apologize after all this time? It's clear your heart isn't pure, so there's no need for an apology."

Her words were so blunt that Xu Shi could no longer stay in the house! It was as if she had completely exposed Xu Shi's true feelings!

The ladies present were all adept at social interaction, always mindful of others' feelings. Hearing Song Yaozhu's words, they both despised her for being ignorant and lacking social skills, and secretly added her to their list of people they wouldn't associate with, lest they end up like Madam Fang.

After Song Yaozhu finished speaking, she felt extremely relieved.

Even as Xie Wanqing, she lived a life devoid of her own will. She had to consider many things, worrying that she might say the wrong thing and ruin Yuwen Wuji's grand plan, so she was always cautious. Even after becoming Empress, she still had to be careful because of the checks and balances between the powerful families, living a life controlled by others and never feeling comfortable.

Now I can say whatever I want, and I feel a sense of relief in my chest.

She didn't have any real grudge against Madam Fang, but as for her husband, was it really just Yuwen Wuji's decision to kill her?

Those who were controlled by her but were unwilling to submit, colluded with Yuwen Wuji, and ultimately decided her fate.

She remembered Fang Tong; he was mediocre and spent two years sitting on the sidelines in the Hanlin Academy. He was originally supposed to be sent to a post outside the capital, but ten years later, he became a third-rank official.

"Oh dear, Your Highness is so magnanimous; she must have already forgotten about this matter."

With one of the ladies smoothing things over, the awkward conversation shifted, and the other ladies didn't dare to approach Song Yaozhu anymore, each going about their own business. After sitting for a while, Song Yaozhu felt stuffy in the room and asked Caiyin and Caijin to accompany her for a walk.

She had just stepped out of the courtyard when she heard someone call out to her from behind: "Your Highness, please wait!"

Turning my head, I saw Shen Qingyu.

Shen Qingyu quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to her.

"Thank you for speaking up for justice, Your Highness. I am deeply grateful." Since returning from the Jokhang Temple, her life has been difficult. She has also seen through the Fang family; they are all one family, and she is nothing more than a tool they brought in to dutifully continue their family line.

"Young Madam Fang, you've thanked the wrong person. I'm just unhappy with your mother-in-law's attitude towards me."

This young mistress of the Fang family seems to be living a rather repressed life. She has to pay attention to filial piety and rules, but she can't swallow her anger, so she can only endure it with resentment.

From a certain perspective, she resembles her former self.

When she first saw Yuwen Wuji and his friend emerge from a room, she was heartbroken and devastated. The two tearfully claimed they had been framed, that it was unintentional, and that they felt deeply sorry for her and wanted to atone with their deaths.

She was lifted up, forced to smile, and Yuwen Wuji accepted Gao Ping as his concubine.

They were both overjoyed, while she was the only one who felt wronged. Yet she kept telling herself to be considerate and to be tolerant. She even foolishly tried to convince herself that it was normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines.

Isn't that just silly?

"Whether Your Highness did it intentionally or unintentionally, you have enlightened me. I thank Your Highness for your guidance, and please accept my bow!"

Seeing her earnest attitude, Song Yaozhu placed her hands together in front of her chest and bowed. This was already the most respectful bow, second only to kneeling.

"I did nothing, Madam Fang, you are too kind."

Just as she was about to turn and leave, she saw a woman adorned with jewels rushing towards her menacingly, followed by a group of servants.

When she reached Song Yaozhu, she stopped. Because she was shorter than Song Yaozhu, she had to look up at her, but her eyes were full of disdain and anger.

"So you're the Princess Consort of the Carefree Prince? You're not all that special!"

Song Yaozhu blinked. Who is this?

Shen Qingyu quickly walked to her side and explained, "This is the young princess of the Xuan Prince's family. She has been making a fuss about wanting the Emperor to grant her a marriage with the Prince of Xiaoyao."

Ah, a love rival!

Oh, no, I mean, sister-in-law candidate!