Chapter 66
"Do you know the consequences of deceiving me?" Xiao Qinya's voice was authoritative and full of pressure.
Xiao Yu dared not relax for a moment. She did not know this person's character. Judging from how she had just dealt with the male lead, he was definitely not a good person. Fortunately, she had not lied. Xiao Yu took a deep breath and said calmly, "Your Highness is free to investigate. If you find that I have lied, you may punish me as you see fit."
After staring at her for a while, seeing that she didn't seem to be lying, Xiao Qinya said lazily, "You can go now. If I find out that you lied to me, even the Prime Minister can't protect you."
“…Yes.” Xiao Yu glanced at her, then quickly lowered her head, bowed, and left the Zen temple. After leaving, she went directly to the front hall to meet Song Luoning, and together they returned to the capital.
Study in the secluded courtyard.
"You said you met the Grand Princess, and that her relationship with Miss Li is unusual?" Song Luo Ning frowned slightly.
She had heard her father mention the Grand Princess before. She was the late Emperor's younger sister, born of the same mother. When the late Emperor ascended the throne, the Grand Princess had just been born. The Empress Dowager was in poor health, so she was raised by the Empress. The late Emperor doted on her, which fostered her arrogant and domineering nature.
When the late emperor was alive, he had chosen a consort for her from among the sons of noble families. However, on their wedding night, news spread that the consort had disrespected the princess and was directly beaten to death by the Grand Princess.
This matter caused a great uproar at the time, but it was later suppressed by the late emperor, and the matter was eventually dropped.
Unexpectedly, the Grand Princess had a fondness for women, and one of those women was General Li's daughter.
This relationship is somewhat delicate.
Song Luoning was undecided for a moment. After pondering for a while, she still advised, "Be careful during this period. After all, it is a royal secret. This is a very important matter. You stumbled upon it and were released unharmed. I'm afraid things are not so simple."
No one could argue with that. Xiao Yu felt a chill run down her spine. Regardless of whether they were friend or foe, the incident itself was enough to cost her her head.
Why doesn't this eldest princess kill me?
Xiao Yu was completely confused. Could it be that she was also wary of the Prime Minister's residence? For the time being, this was the only plausible reason.
Regardless, we can only take it one step at a time.
Just then, a knocking and arguing sound came from outside the door.
Song Luoning frowned slightly. There was Cuizhu guarding outside the door. Everyone in the mansion knew that she was their maid, so no one dared to have a conflict with her. The next second, Song Luoning's face suddenly darkened, and she said coldly, "Husband, why don't you go and take a look?"
"Hmm?" Xiao Yu nodded, surprised. What kind of ignorant maid dared to make a scene in front of her master's door? She stood up and said, "Wait for me a moment, my lady. I'll be right back."
Having said that, she opened the door, about to ask for clarification, when the person who came saw her first: "Young Master."
"..." Upon seeing who it was, Xiao Yu paused for a moment, realizing how he had forgotten her.
What is she doing here again?
Logically speaking, Xiao Chengze shouldn't be back so soon, since I've just returned to the manor. She probably doesn't know that I knocked Xiao Chengze unconscious. It seems she's just trying to sow discord between me and the young lady.
However, she has completely broken ties with the male lead today, and judging from how things have developed, the male lead has also indirectly offended the Grand Princess. Given the Grand Princess's actions today, he should not have time to cause her any trouble.
Therefore, she no longer needed to keep such a ticking time bomb by her side, and might as well take this opportunity to send him away.
After considering it for a moment, Xiao Yu said, "Miss Yuan, I am grateful for your reminder in the palace. However, I am already married and cannot accept your request. I will discuss it with my wife and we will definitely repay you properly."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Niang stepped forward to grab Xiao Yu's hem, but Xiao Yu dodged it by stepping back. The next second, Yuan Niang covered her face with a handkerchief and began to sob, looking pitiful: "Young master, do you dislike Yuan Niang? Do you want to send Yuan Niang away? Is there something Yuan Niang did wrong that displeased you? Yuan Niang will definitely change."
Xiao Yu was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but rub his forehead. It was a good thing this woman wasn't born in modern times, otherwise even an Oscar-winning actress would have to step aside.
This is really frustrating.
We can't just kick her out. No matter what her purpose was, she saved our lives. We need to think this over carefully and get the young lady's opinion first.
Xiao Yu hesitated for a moment: "Go back first, let me think about it some more."
"Young master, Yuan Niang has been destitute since childhood. The Emperor bestowed Yuan Niang upon you, so Yuan Niang is now yours. Yuan Niang is willing to serve you for the rest of her life. If you do not want Yuan Niang, then Yuan Niang has no choice but to die." She cried so hard that her face was streaked with tears.
"......"
Xiao Yu was so angry at this woman that she laughed. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was a wicked woman. Just as she was about to speak, a clear and melodious female voice came from behind her: "Why don't we let Miss Yuan go to the manor in the suburbs of the capital to help out? That way, Miss Yuan won't have to lower herself to a lowly position, and she will have a place to stay. If Miss Yuan wants to get married in the future, we will definitely prepare a generous dowry for her."
Xiao Yu's eyes lit up the moment he turned around and saw Song Luoning. As expected of the young lady, she solved his problem in an instant.
Before Yuan Niang could react, Xiao Yu grabbed Song Luo Ning's hand and gave Cui Zhu a meaningful look: "Didn't you hear me? Hurry up and have the steward make arrangements, or do you want to be punished?"
The clever maidservant said "Yes" and turned to leave the courtyard.
"Young master, Yuan Niang is not getting married." Realizing what had happened, Yuan Niang stomped her feet in anger, but it was too late.
She was unwilling to go back just because she hadn't completed the task her master had entrusted to her.
“Young Master…” Yuan Niang opened her mouth, but then heard Xiao Yu scold the maids of Luoshuang Courtyard: “What are you standing there for? Help Miss Yuan back to pack her luggage.”
No, she can't be sent away like this. A hint of resentment flashed in Yuan Niang's eyes. Her ten fingers curled up under her water sleeves, and she said resentfully, "Young master, aren't you afraid of the Emperor's reprimand?"
Xiao Yu pretended not to hear, helped the young lady up and whispered in her ear, and the two returned to the study together.
After the person left, Xiao Yu hesitated for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "We can't let her get away for now."
After pretending for so many days, and finally waiting for her to send the message out, if she escapes and reports back, wouldn't all my suffering these past few days have been for nothing? Heaven knows how she's been coping these past few days.
“Since you’re worried that she’ll run away, why don’t you stay in the manor?” Song Luoning raised an eyebrow, withdrew her hand, skillfully dodged Xiao Yu’s approach, turned around and sat down on the armchair, poured herself a cup of tea, and took a sip.
With his hands empty, Xiao Yu touched his nose, sat down, and said with a hint of grievance in his voice, "My wife always teases me. She knows I'd love to stay far away from her, yet she still wrongs me like this. If she continues to stay in the mansion, she'll be discovered by the night watch maids sooner or later. Where will I put my face then?"
Upon hearing this, Song Luoning blushed, and the image of this lecherous man climbing through her window every night flashed through her mind. She sighed softly.
He speaks without restraint and has absolutely no shame.
Xiao Yu also poured herself a cup of tea, just like her, and drank it all in one gulp: "If it weren't for the fact that she reminded me once in the palace, and that she is a weak woman who has had a hard time, I wouldn't have spoiled her."
Women already have it tough in this world, let alone when they are pawns in the hands of those in power, who can be given away at will.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh. Fortunately, she didn't have to go through too much hardship with the young lady.
"Why is my husband being so chivalrous?" Song Luoning asked back.
"..." What is Miss thinking? Xiao Yu panicked and quickly raised three fingers to guarantee, "Heaven and earth bear witness, my wife, you can't wrong me. Heaven and earth can bear witness to my feelings for my wife. I was just feeling a little emotional just now."
Song Luoning was amused by her, and smiled without saying anything. Then a little confused appeared in her eyes. She knew all too well that it was not easy for women, especially in this patriarchal society. Women have always been regarded as appendages by men. Men can have three wives and four concubines, while women are bound by the Three Obediences and Five Constant Virtues and the Female Precepts.
Women from ordinary families didn't even have the opportunity to go to school, let alone resist the injustice of their fate.
Thinking of this, Song Luoning lowered her eyes, lost in thought, before finally asking, "Husband, do you still remember the dream you mentioned last time?"
Xiao Yu's heart skipped a beat. She was surprised that she had suddenly brought it up. She paused for a moment and then gave a soft "hmm".
"What role did you play in your dreams, my lord?" The tone was indifferent, even somewhat ethereal.
This was unsettling, and Xiao Yu couldn't quite grasp her thoughts. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Why does my wife ask such a question?"
"My lord, you can simply return."
answer?
How could she possibly answer that? There was no such person as the original owner in the original story. Xiao Yu was terrified.
Before she could come up with an answer, Song Luoning continued, "If my husband is that female teacher's disciple, after becoming emperor, will he, like her, establish a girls' school and allow women of the world to serve as officials in the court just like men?"
"Huh?" Xiao Yu was taken aback, only then realizing who the female teacher and her disciple were. He had added that part on his own initiative so that the young lady would treat him better.
But how did the young lady end up on this topic?
Xiao Yu was surprised, but she didn't show it. Since it was all hypothetical anyway, she carefully considered Song Luo Ning's question and said seriously, "If I were a disciple of the female teacher, I would definitely open a girls' school so that all women in the world could have access to education and would no longer be just appendages of men. Women could also fight on the battlefield and speak freely in the court just like men." Just like the world she once lived in, women could also hold up half the sky.
Song Luoning pursed her lips: "I hope you remember what you said."
Although she didn't understand what she meant, Xiao Yu still nodded obediently.
Song Luoning stood up and said calmly, "You should tell Father about what happened today. You beat Xiao Chengze without saying a word, and he might retaliate. It would be good for Father to send more people over."
Beating up members of the royal family is no small matter, and he probably won't let it go easily.
"Should we send someone to talk to my father-in-law?" Xiao Yu stood up as well. With her father-in-law's family protecting her, she felt much more at ease.
Song Luoning nodded and said calmly, "Find a reliable person to go to the Prime Minister's residence later."
“Alright, I’ll tell Officer Liang to make the trip,” Xiao Yu said.
Upon hearing this, Song Luoning paused, her brows furrowing slightly. She hesitated, then asked, "When did you become so familiar with Constable Liang?"
Is it cooked?
Xiao Yu smiled. Perhaps it was because they both came from Linyang County, or perhaps it was because of Liang Chengqiu's courage in helping them through these dangerous encounters, and later because of Chen Yu's relationship, that they had developed the trust they had now.
She didn't have many friends when she transmigrated, and Liang Chengqiu was probably one of them.
"I think she's a nice person and quite reliable," Xiao Yu explained with a smile.
Song Luoning didn't ask any further questions, and stood up, saying, "Husband, go and make the arrangements."
Xiao Yu didn't dare to delay. After giving a few instructions, he stepped out of the study.
Song Luo Ning watched her retreating figure, and after a long while, she sighed softly. By the time she came to her senses, the person had already gone far away.
Xiao Yu handled things quickly as well. Liang Chengqiu soon sent the message to the Prime Minister's residence, and guards were increased at the villa that same day. At the same time, Yuan Niang was sent to a manor outside the capital for care.
Xiao Yu was initially unsure about the male lead's ruthless methods, after all, she had knocked him unconscious in front of him, and he would retaliate against her sooner or later. She spent the night with this thought in mind, but the next day at noon, Song Yanyu brought news that almost made Xiao Yu's jaw drop.
During the morning court session, the Grand Princess, citing the importance of the country and its people, forcibly kept the Crown Prince of Chang in the capital as a hostage. Xiao Chengze's previous positions were also revoked, and he was effectively placed under house arrest in the Crown Prince's residence.
The Grand Princess was the late Emperor's younger sister, and the new Emperor dared not offend her, so he could only obediently comply.
The poor male protagonist went from being a favorite of the emperor to a hostage whom everyone could bully overnight.
By the time the news reached Prince Chang's ears, half a month had already passed.
"How on earth did this fool offend the Grand Princess?" Prince Chang's face was gloomy. He slammed the letter in his hand on the table and said to the advisors below, "I feed you all well and take good care of you, but when it really matters, not a single one of you is of any use."
The advisors below the hall lowered their heads cautiously, not daring to utter a sound.
There has been a long-standing tradition of sending the sons of princes to the capital as hostages. However, in general, the prince would select one of his sons from among his concubines to send to the capital as a hostage. The hostage was usually regarded as a discarded pawn. How could the crown prince be sent as a hostage? Where would he put his old face if word got out?
He couldn't care less about anything else at that moment, so he immediately wrote a letter and sent it to the palace by fast horse.
To say that the emperor was incompetent, upon receiving the letter from Prince Chang, he disregarded the objections of his court officials and secretly issued an edict to release Xiao Chengze back to Qingzhou.
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