Everyone looked in surprise toward the source of the sound. Song Yaozhu was also taken aback, as she hadn't expected Xie Liwei to come today. However, his appearance now wasn't too late, and the timing was perfect.
Meanwhile, Song Wenyue cautiously observed Xie Liwei. The man was tall and imposing, with an extraordinary air about him. He wore a half-silver mask, obscuring his full features, but the exposed lower half of his face and the pair of phoenix eyes beneath the mask suggested that he was quite handsome.
Thinking of the rumors circulating in the capital about men, Song Wenyue immediately looked away. What good is good looks if he's still a heartless viper? Besides, Grand Tutor Song forbade her family from having any connection with the Xie family, so she readily agreed to let Song Yaozhu marry in her place.
"Your Highness!" The Song family members hurriedly bowed. Song Chengzhang secretly resented that no one had informed them!
Xie Liwei snorted coldly, his gaze passing through the crowd to Song Yaozhu behind them. He had initially thought that Song Yaozhu was someone Grand Tutor Song had deliberately arranged to enter the manor, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.
Who would break ties with their wife's family just three days after their wedding?
Now, the woman in the main seat calmly met his gaze. It was only when Granny Qin nudged her that she realized she should get up to greet him.
Xie Liwei didn't get up, but walked past the Song family and stood in front of Song Yaozhu.
"I am late, but I have seen how Lord Song bullied my princess!" Xie Liwei's voice was authoritative without being angry, making Song Chengzhang feel uneasy.
He hasn't even started bullying them yet!
Song Yaozhu looked at Xie Liwei and blinked. She wondered if he was going to pretend to be a loving couple with her in public.
That suits her perfectly!
"Your Highness has come so early this morning. Have you had breakfast? If not, I will have someone bring it to you right away." She said, looking at Madam Song.
Madam Song was speechless, but a higher rank can have an advantage. Even though Xie Liwei had no real power, he was the late Empress's younger brother and a "favored" minister of the Emperor.
"Yes, yes, Yao'er is right. The prince came so early in the morning, he must not have eaten yet. I'll have someone prepare a meal right away!"
Song Chengzhang immediately replied, "It was all a misunderstanding. I am usually quite strict with my children and for a moment I forgot that the Princess Consort is already married. I thought she was still the same as when she was at home."
Xie Liwei's eyelids drooped slightly. She was already his princess consort, yet Song Chengzhang dared to invoke family discipline, which showed that Song Yaozhu's life in the Song family was not easy before.
Xie Liwei did not respond, and the Song family members continued to bow.
"Your Highness, please go and have your meal. My sister and I will go for a stroll in the courtyard. The sun is shining so brightly today; we shouldn't waste such a beautiful day."
Xie Liwei looked at Song Yaozhu and felt that she was hiding a knife behind her smile.
"Alright." Let's see how she causes trouble.
Xie Liwei waved his hand, and only then did the Song family dare to get up. Song Wenyue, with a polite smile on her face, led Song Yaozhu to the backyard.
She found it hard to believe that Song Yaozhu could be so dignified today.
It must be an act.
"Sister, I've heard that the Prince has two favored concubines in his harem. Have you seen them? Aren't they as beautiful as celestial beings?"
Song Yaozhu was slightly taken aback; she hadn't seen any concubines come to pay their respects to her!
Qin Mama scolded, "Fourth Miss Song, is it proper for an unmarried young lady like you to inquire about other people's private affairs? Is this the rule of the Song family?!"
Song Wenyue's face paled. She had originally intended to use the concubine's name to provoke Song Yaozhu, but she hadn't expected this old man to seize the opportunity. If this got out, what would become of her reputation!
"That's not what my sister meant." Song Wenyue quickly stepped forward, took Song Yaozhu's hand, and distanced herself from Granny Qin.
She spoke to Song Yaozhu in a voice only the two of them could hear: "I've only heard that the prince is ruthless and uses women as fertilizer for his flowers. Those two concubines have always been favored, so they must be very beautiful to make the prince cherish them. That's why I'm curious."
As she spoke, she looked triumphantly at Song Yaozhu, hoping to see panic on her face.
Unfortunately, no.
Song Yaozhu opened her large, clear eyes and raised her head to adjust the green chrysanthemum in her hair.
"Is my sister referring to the fertilizer for these flowers?"
Song Wenyue stared at the green chrysanthemum in her hair, her heart already brimming with jealousy.
Green chrysanthemums are rare due to their color and difficulty in cultivation, so a single plant can fetch a thousand gold pieces in the capital. However, they are not something that money can buy; if someone manages to acquire one, they will naturally host a banquet to show it off to their friends.
But now, such expensive autumn jade is being worn in Song Yaozhu's hair, it's such a waste!
They really are from the countryside; they don't know what's good for them!
"Sister, I've found a good marriage because of you. I hope you won't forget how good I am to you in the future."
Song Yaozhu sneered inwardly. In her memory, the original owner of this body stayed in the Song family for three months. During those three months, every time the original owner was punished, Song Wenyue's shadow was there.
She didn't want this marriage herself, but now she wants to take advantage of someone who's already married to her? Dream on!
"Of course, I will not forget my sister. Speaking of which, the family that Mother found for my sister must be better than the Prince, right? Mother has always doted on you, and she would never want us sisters to have to bow to me when we meet in the future."
Song Wenyue was struck dumb, frozen in place. Yes, Song Yaozhu was now a first-rank princess consort, and she would have to bow to her whenever she saw her in the future!
How could she accept that!
Suddenly, she remembered what her mother had said yesterday. Was the Third Prince about to begin selecting a consort?
Song Yaozhu took in the changing expressions in her eyes and sneered inwardly.
She always preferred to kill by destroying people's spirits, guiding them to amplify their inner desires, ultimately leading them to their doom by their own ambitions, and causing them to die full of regret and resentment.
Song Yaozhu didn't stay at the Song residence for long before leaving with Xie Liwei.
Before leaving, Song Wenyue asked her with ill intent whether she would attend the poetry gathering to be held by the Capital Poetry Society the day after tomorrow. Song Yaozhu responded with a faint smile, as if she had seen through her thoughts, which made Song Wenyue so angry that she almost tore her handkerchief to shreds.
Inside the carriage, Xie Liwei's gaze swept over her from top to bottom, then suddenly fell on the chrysanthemums on her head.
These flowers were picked this morning, and now they're drooping and have lost their vibrant color.
Xie Liwei curled his lips and reached out to pluck the flower from her hair.
"Does Your Highness know that I planted these flowers myself?"
Song Yaozhu nodded. She not only picked his flowers, but also chose the most expensive one.
"This green chrysanthemum is called Autumn Green, and it is worth a fortune in the capital. It is extremely difficult to cultivate, but I alone have managed to grow it exceptionally well. Do you know why?"
Song Yaozhu shook her head cooperatively.
"Over the years, there have been countless women like you who have approached me under the guise of my elder sister. I killed them all and used their corpses to make fertilizer for flowers. You have no idea how beautiful those flowers are; even the Emperor praised them highly."
Song Yaozhu blinked, then slowly raised both hands to cover her mouth, revealing a look of horror.
These dead women were probably spies sent by Yuwen Wuji. After Xie Liwei killed them, he even went to great lengths to send them back to Yuwen Wuji. When Yuwen Wuji found out, he couldn't do anything to Xie Liwei and had to praise him for growing flowers well. Yuwen Wuji must have been so angry that his face turned green!
Just imagining that scene, Song Yaozhu burst out laughing.
Xie Liwei: "......"
He's threatening her!
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, I couldn't help myself. I just thought of something really funny! Hahaha!"
Xie Liwei gritted his teeth, clenched the green chrysanthemum in his palm, crushed it fiercely, and then spread it out in front of her. "Aren't you afraid that I'll turn you into fertilizer!"
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