Sang Wenyin frowned and gently rebuked, "Huadie, please don't be rude. Although this young man comes from a poor family, he dares to stand up to the powerful and expose crimes. Although his accusations are wrong, his courage is admirable, and he has the courage of a loyal minister. How can we humiliate such a noble man?"
Huadie looked at the young lady in surprise and asked doubtfully, "Young lady, he's not accusing anyone else, he's accusing your future son-in-law."
"How dare you! I'm not even married yet, so where did this son-in-law come from?" Sang Wenyin scolded in a serious tone.
Huadie suddenly realized the thoughtlessness of her words, but after glancing around to make sure no one was overhearing, she spoke frankly, "It's my fault for speaking without thinking, but young lady, your mourning period has passed, and it's time to put your marriage to Young Master Jiang on the agenda. After all, it's only a matter of time before you enter the Yongding Marquis's mansion. Everyone says Young Master Jiang is incredibly talented, highly regarded by many scholars at Bailu Academy, and hailed as the top scholar."
Sang Wenyin's expression was as calm as a pool of autumn water as she responded calmly, "How many of those children from aristocratic families truly live up to their reputation for talent? Most of them are just trying to curry favor with the powerful, and over time, people become convinced of their reputations."
Huadie's face turned pale in an instant: "Miss, if this word were to spread to the Yongding Marquis' Mansion, I'm afraid it would be inappropriate."
A hint of sarcasm flashed in Sang Wenyin's eyes. "The Yongding Marquis's Mansion is incredibly powerful. Mother has already warned me, so I will be careful with my words and actions."
Huadie asked cautiously, "Miss, are you dissatisfied with Master Jiang?"
Sang Wenyin lowered her head slightly, and gently rubbed a delicate handkerchief embroidered with poems with her fingers.
On the Supa, there are engraved the heroic words "Establish your mind in heaven and earth, establish your destiny in the people, inherit the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, and bring peace to the world for all time."
Every character is as sharp as a pearl, and the writing is vigorous and powerful.
As the daughter of a Grand Secretary, Sang Wenyin possessed extraordinary knowledge. When she first read these words, she was deeply moved.
She thought that anyone who could express such lofty ambitions must have a broad mind. Even if he was currently in a low position, he would surely soar to the top in the future and become the chief regent of the cabinet.
This man, a mere scholar, displayed extraordinary courage at a crucial moment. To save a fragile woman, he bravely faced the bandits and shot them with his bow, demonstrating the demeanor of a true gentleman.
She has always disliked families of military generals. Even though Jiang Jinzhao was talented and eloquent, she always felt that he did not live up to his reputation, as if he was a bandit wearing the cloak of a scholar.
Facing the maid's inquiry, Sang Wenyin pondered for a long time, slowly put down the handkerchief in her hand, and a hint of loss and melancholy appeared in her eyes. "I wish to find a soulmate who is as devoted as I am, and to be with me till we grow old together. I am not greedy for fame and fortune, I just want to find a soulmate who is connected with me."
"The young lady is extremely talented, and Mr. Jiang is also talented and elegant in writing. Although they haven't met yet, they may become friends in the future." Huadie comforted softly.
Sang Wenyin did not respond much.
At this moment, the crisp sound of whipping was heard outside the carriage.
Sang Wenyin hurriedly lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw the servants of the Marquis' Mansion whipping Liao Lingxi who was kneeling on the ground. She could not help but hold the window sill tightly, and a trace of worry and anger flashed in her eyes.
"That young master has already apologized, but the Marquisate is still aggressive and unforgiving! With such arrogance, it's no wonder he was exposed!"
Huadie was shocked. She had never thought that the always gentle and polite young lady would burst out with such fierce words and point directly at the injustice of the Marquis' Mansion.
The arrival of Mr. Liao led to a raid on the Marquis's mansion by the Imperial Guards, sending the people into a state of panic, as if shrouded in a dark cloud. Furthermore, their cousin, suffering the humiliation of having her engagement broken off, felt inexpressibly angry and humiliated, and understandably venting her rage on Mr. Liao. Huadie worried anxiously for Sang Wenyin.
However, Sang Wenyin just sneered and remained silent. Her eyes were as cold as ice as she stared at the gorgeously dressed and charming woman sitting on the armchair in front of the Marquis's Mansion.
It was she who was sitting there, leisurely biting a peach while slowly directing the servants to whip Liao Lingxi.
Sang Wenyin asked curiously, "Who is that woman at the door? How dare she be so brazen? Why have I never seen her before?"
Huadie glanced outside and replied, "Perhaps it's her, the one who was recently conferred the title of Princess Jiaqing? It's said that Princess Jiaqing is as beautiful as a peony, extraordinarily gorgeous. When she steps out, she shines like the sun, dazzling and radiant. I think it must be her."
Although Sang Wenyin remained indoors due to mourning and socialized sparingly, she learned many trivial matters about the Yongding Marquisate from her mother's casual conversations. She frowned slightly, "Is that the woman who grew up in the countryside? No wonder she's so uncouth and impertinent. Even her fine silks and satins can't mask her vulgarity. She can't compare to Jiang Yuyao's gentleness, virtue, and dignity." Huadie busily shuttled around the sedan chair, gently soothing her, "Miss, this sister-in-law is of extraordinary status. When you marry into the Jiang family, even as her eldest sister-in-law, it won't be appropriate to be so blunt."
Sang Wenyin's eyebrows were raised, and she looked displeased. She scolded, "There's a hierarchy of seniority. Could she really allow the servants to whip me? Stop! I want to get out of the sedan chair!"
There was a solemn atmosphere in front of the Yongding Marquis Mansion.
Liao Lingxi initially remained in a kneeling position, looking proud and unyielding. However, after being whipped repeatedly by the servants of the Marquis' Mansion, he now prostrated himself on the ground, looking like a lowly toad.
Jiang Songyi was wearing a luxurious brocade long dress and sitting leisurely on the armchair, with a graceful demeanor and a faint smile on her lips.
Liao Lingxi stared at her and sighed in his heart. At this moment, she was like a bright ruby on a phoenix crown, shining brightly and dazzlingly.
Once upon a time, he could still point fingers at her and humiliate and insult her at will.
However, things change over time and nothing is certain.
Liao Lingxi clenched his fists and secretly made up his mind that one day, he would make Jiang Songyi crawl at his feet and let him do whatever he wanted to satisfy the resentment in his heart.
"Sister, do you feel that the hatred in your heart has disappeared?" he asked.
Liao Lingxi gritted his teeth and curled up on the ground, his face twisted and his pain evident.
Jiang Songyi had a sarcastic smile on his face. "Why are you trying to cling to the rich and powerful? Who is your sister? If you want to apologize, Mr. Liao, you have to look like one. I don't think the thorns on your body are tied tightly enough."
Upon hearing this, the servants around him immediately stepped forward and roughly tightened the whip around Liao Lingxi's body.
The thorns pierced his flesh, blood slowly seeped out, and Liao Lingxi's face was distorted by the severe pain.
He had originally intended it to be a bluff, the thorns barely scratching his skin, and the bloodstains on his body were likely fake. He had never expected Jiang Songyi to actually ask him to stage a real tragedy.
However, in front of everyone, he could only endure the pain and grit his teeth.
"Mr. Liao was once your brother, no matter what. Why is Princess Jiaqing so harsh?"
At this moment, a soft and gentle voice came from the carriage.
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