"No, that's not how it is..."
Song Lingyu was flustered and at a loss. She wanted to explain to them that her mother was always proper and poised, and that those were just their wild guesses.
Unfortunately, her voice was completely lost in the crowd; no one could hear her, or even if they did, they wouldn't believe her explanation.
Song Lingyu was so anxious she was almost crying. She had come out specifically to greet Song Lingxi and the others, just so she could appear in front of Xie Changling and see him a few more times.
Song Lingyu thought to herself that even if they were not destined to be together and could not become husband and wife, it would still be good for her to see him even once more.
She had never forgotten the life-saving grace from back then, and even harbored a faint hope that he might recognize her; he should still remember the little girl he had rescued all those years ago.
But Song Lingyu waited and waited, and still didn't get a glance from Xie Changling. She felt a little disappointed, but she quickly forgot about it.
As more and more people gathered around, things spiraled out of control, with some pointing fingers at her as if she were the one who had done something wrong.
Song Lingyu couldn't bear the gaze. Her face turned pale, and she swayed precariously in the air, as if she would fall at any moment.
At this moment, she turned her gaze to Xie Changling, her eyes filled with tears, looking frail and delicate. She had used this trick to win over Xiao Heng, and she believed that Xie Changling would not be able to escape either.
"Young Master Xie..."
Song Lingyu looked at Xie Changling, and surprisingly stopped calling him "brother-in-law." She looked at him expectantly, hoping that he would help her explain and protect her like he did back then.
Unfortunately, those alluring glances were like throwing them at a blind man. Xie Changling was only focused on his young mistress, Lingxi, and didn't even glance in that direction, which only added fuel to the fire.
"Please don't make wild guesses. My mother-in-law must have some unspeakable difficulties. It's just a dowry contract, so it's normal that she can't think of it for the time being."
As Xie Changling was speaking, an angry shout came from behind: "Who dares to act so presumptuously in my Song residence?"
Xie Changling and Song Lingxi turned around together. Leading them was a woman wearing a bright red peony-patterned brocade dress with gold trim. She had her hair styled in a hibiscus bun, adorned with gold and jade, and exuded elegance and nobility.
Behind her followed a middle-aged man in a purple robe and a woman with a pretty face who looked young but was actually nearly forty. She was Song Lingxi's stepmother.
The shout came from a man whose face was contorted with rage and whose complexion was ashen. He glanced at Song Lingxi, a flash of amazement crossing his eyes before turning into utter displeasure.
Imperial Censor Song knew that now was not the time to reprimand Song Lingxi. He glanced at Xie Changling, still with a displeased expression. After all, what did it matter who was about to die?
The group bowed to the Princess, but she didn't let them stand up. She first glanced at Song Lingxi, as she was quite eye-catching.
Even though she hid behind Xie Changling, she was still spotted almost immediately. Her beauty was breathtaking; with such looks, she could easily be a concubine, let alone a young mistress.
Thinking of this, the eldest princess narrowed her long phoenix eyes. Her son was really disappointing. He had angered her younger brother and was about to be exiled to the frontier, far away from the vortex of power. It was uncertain whether he would be able to return.
She needed to think of a way to keep her son, and ideally, her brother-in-law would have another useful person by his side. A simple honey trap wouldn't be enough; wouldn't something with a forbidden flavor be even better?
As the princess thought this, a warm smile appeared on her normally expressionless face. She walked towards Song Lingxi and her husband, personally helped them up, and said, "Rise."
She affectionately took Song Lingxi's hands, looked her up and down, and couldn't help but praise Xie Changling, "I've never seen such a beautiful person before. You're so lucky to have married such a pretty wife."
Xie Changling did not lower his guard because of her praise. Although he had only met the princess once, she was by no means a gentle and kind person.
At the banquet that year, the prince consort had an affair with a maid. When he heard the news, he could clearly see the ruthlessness in the princess's eyes. Although he quickly put on his mask again, he still couldn't forget it.
Xie Changling thought for a moment, then said with a forced smile, "Your Highness, Princess Xie, is too kind. My wife is of humble appearance; how can she compare to Your Highness's grace and elegance?"
Song Lingxi nodded in agreement, appearing obsequious. She showed no dissatisfaction with Xie Changling's description of her as having a "willow-like appearance," and even secretly admired Xie Changling's quick thinking.
In her past life, she had no connection with the Princess and had never actually met her, but she knew that what kind of good person would raise Xiao Heng to be that monstrous figure?
The eldest princess patted Song Lingxi's hand with a faint smile, then turned to the Song Imperial Censor and his wife and said, "The Song Imperial Censor's family has raised two wonderful daughters, each one exceptionally beautiful."
Although the Imperial Censor and his wife did not understand what she meant, they could only smile and apologize, after all, they could not afford to offend the Princess.
Seeing their sycophantic behavior, the princess's eyes flashed with disdain. "Imperial censors, indeed! They have no integrity whatsoever. They are truly unworthy of the title of scholar."
If it weren't for the fact that her son was about to be exiled to the frontier and she urgently needed a marriage to delay the matter, she would not have agreed to let Song Lingyu marry into the family. She was so petty and always knew how to act coy and pretentious.
No matter what the princess was thinking, she didn't show it on her face. She smiled, nodded, and got into her carriage to return to her residence.
As for Imperial Censor Song's family affairs, she had no intention of getting involved. It wouldn't do her any good anyway. On the contrary, if she offered Song Lingxi to the Emperor's younger brother, she should be able to gain some benefits.
Let her think about what to do. This matter needs to be done discreetly, yet the emperor's younger brother needs to understand her good intentions. Sigh, it's really a headache.
...
After the princess left, the murmurs among the crowd grew louder again, and Imperial Censor Song's face immediately darkened, looking as if he was about to explode in anger.
Although he had little fear of the prime minister's son, he still had to give him a friendly welcome out of respect for the prime minister.
But he was not so kind to his eldest daughter, who had died as a result of her birth. She was a jinx who brought death to her mother.
Then Imperial Censor Song said in a deep voice, "Song Lingxi, you have greatly disappointed your father. Are you instigating others to criticize your mother?"
Song Lingxi trembled at his shout, tightening her grip on Xie Changling's hand, but she didn't back down, looking directly at the man who called her father: "You—"
“Father-in-law, although it is said that even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes, your indiscriminate and unreasonable behavior is truly disheartening to me.”
Before Song Lingxi could speak, Xie Changling interrupted her, saying that people value filial piety highly, and that the word "filial piety" can be incredibly powerful.
If Xi'er were to retort without regard for the consequences, it might vent her anger, but it would inevitably damage her reputation.
Okay, let him do it.
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