After leaving the dungeon, Xinhe immediately changed her clothes. The smell of the dungeon is bad, just staying there for a bit left her with an unpleasant, musky scent. After all, she was going to meet a guest and she must pay attention to her appearance.
By the time Ji Xinhe appeared in the drawing room, Madam Song had been waiting for a long time. An anxious look was overlaying her seemingly composed face. Upon seeing Ji Xinhe enter, she quickly stood and bowed, "Greetings, Princess."
Xinhe lifted her hand: "Madam Song, please rise."
Song Yalin, the sixth miss, didn’t catch up with Madam Song’s anxious steps and fell behind. She hurriedly bowed to Ji Xinhe, "Greetings, Princess."
Xinhe looked at her carefully. She had a fair and attractive appearance which showed an air of innocent charm. However, she seemed to be the type to blush easily when being closely observed by others. Because of her illegitimate birth, she was likely seldomly taken out to see the world. This was probably her first time visiting the magnificent Royal Mansion and she couldn’t help but seem timid and uneasy.
But those eyes of hers were exceptionally bright. She was probably very pure-hearted.
Quite satisfied, Xinhe laughed lightly and said, "Get up."
"Yes." The young girl quietly sat down in the lowest seat, she didn’t speak much and behaved properly.
Probably because she knew that she was not the main character of this visit.
Madam Song’s face was slightly pale. She looked at Ji Xinhe and managed a strained smile: "I haven’t visited the Princess in a while. Now that it’s getting close to year-end, I thought of visiting. Also, I have brought Ya Mian to pay her respects to the Princess."
Song Ya Mian was sitting quietly in her seat, her posture was quite proper. After all, she was primarily raised by the Second Madam Song, so she was certainly not lacking in manners. However, the way her fingers fumbled in her lap betrayed her anxiety.
When Madam Song abruptly shifted the conversation to Song Ya Mian, she anxiously raised her head, "Yes, I am here to pay my respects to the Princess. Is the Princess well recently?"
Xinhe slightly raised the corners of her mouth, "I’m fine."
Probably due to Xinhe’s gentle smile that showed no disdain and her not having any difficulties with Song Ya Mian, she began to feel less nervous and showed a sweet smile.
On the other hand, Madam Song still looked extremely worried. Clearly, she had something on her mind. Several times she wanted to speak up, but then she would swallow her words back down. She looked much older than she was.
Ji Xinhe then proposed, "Ya Mian has never visited the Royal Mansion before. How about I let Shulan take her around the mansion’s garden?"
Song Ya Mian’s eyes widened in surprise. She quickly got up and bowed, "Thank you, Princess."
Xinhe glanced at Shulan and nodded, and Shulan led Song Ya Mian out with a smile.
The drawing room quieted down instantly. Xinhe finally spoke, "Madam Song, I know why you came today. There’s no need for you to beat around the bush."
Madam Song gave a bitter smile at last, "I should have known. You are so astute, naturally, you would understand everything. As for Lin Lin... she’s truly asking for trouble."
Of all the people she could have crossed, why did it have to be Ji Xinhe? Madam Song had been dealing with Ji Xinhe for several years now and she knew her all too well. This woman was not someone ordinary people could easily take down with some scheme.
Song Yalin was always proud and arrogant since her childhood, thinking herself smarter and more clever than most people. She regarded Ji Xinhe as an ordinary lady. But if Ji Xinhe was really just an ordinary woman, how could someone like Marquis Mu fancy her at all?
In the end, she was just too naive!
Madam Song had been saying this to herself so many times.
Xinhe remained silent with a slight purse of her lips.
Madam Song suddenly knelt on the ground and pleaded with Ji Xinhe, "I know she made a big mistake, and now I am not shameless enough to ask you to spare her. I only plead... I only plead for her life to be spared. Even if she lives in absolute humility, please at least let her live."
Xinhe helped her up, "If you want Song Yalin’s life, Madam Song, take it. Just that she’s now trapped by her own demons, which have driven her insane."
Madam Song quickly replied, "It’s all right! Anything is okay! It would be good if she can live."
In just a few months, half of Madam Song’s hair had turned white. The once dignified lady now showed signs of aging and fatigue. As a mother herself, Ji Xinhe, too, felt immeasurably sad.
"I’ll leave Song Yalin’s life to you, Madam Song, because of our past relationship. But once we’re past this, there won’t be a next time. You should remember, I’m not someone who is easily appeased. The goodwill accumulated over these years, once used up, is gone. Do you understand?" Ji Xinhe’s voice was cold.
Her voice echoed in Madam Song’s heart, making it feel icy cold. With reddened eyes, Madam Song lowered her head, "I understand. Thank you, Princess."
Xinhe nodded, then instructed, "Take Madam Song to see Song Yalin. Let Madam Song bring her home one last time."
"Yes," Xiaoyu answered.
After giving her instructions, Xinhe took another look at Madam Song, who was surreptitiously wiping away her tears. She sighed inwardly, then turned and left.
Even if she stayed, there was nothing she could say to Madam Song. From the time Song Yalin started hatching her malicious plots, it was clear that they were destined to part ways.
From the drawing room, Xinhe walked out into the chilly weather. The snow that had fallen a few days ago was beginning to melt, but this was when the weather was at its coldest. Nevertheless, this crisp air made Ji Xinhe feel considerably relaxed.
"Princess, please return to the East Warm Chamber for a while. The weather outside is harsh and prolonged exposure can lead to illness," Xiaoyu suggested. She offered Ji Xinhe a flat round heat pack to warm her hands.
Only then did Ji Xinhe’s frostbitten hands start to feel warm. Holding the heat pack, she walked along the long corridor and couldn’t help but laugh, "I feel I have grown more and more delicate. It’s all because of how you all have pampered me." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
She used to be unafraid to brave the harshest winters to carry out her missions. Now, just a slight chill sent shivers through her body.
Xiaoyu smiled, "Who doted on you? Wasn’t it the Prince? Every time the weather is slightly cold, the Prince always reminds us not to let the Princess go out and catch a cold. How dare we slack off? We are naturally very cautious."
Xinhe rolled her eyes and then shook her head in exasperation, "Alright, alright. I’ll go for a walk and then return. Is that okay?"
"Okay." Xiaoyu giggled.
Xinhe, as if remembering something, asked, "Where’s the sixth girl, Song?"
Xiaoyu laughed, "Young Master Ji is probably showing her around the garden. You know how Young Master Ji is. From the moment the sixth girl, Song, entered the Royal Mansion, Young Master Ji had been waiting for her by the door of the drawing room."
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