After Marrying the Heirless Crown Prince, I Gave Birth to Three Children - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Absolutely No Divorce!

Xie Yujiao finally panicked. She looked around at the people staring, at the Cui residence’s steward walking toward her, and at Song Wenbo storming off in fury with his face covered.

She was confused… Why? Why was it like this? This wasn’t right! “It was supposed to be his…”

Seeing her state, Madam Zhang anxiously looked at her husband. “Master…”

But Master Xie only gave a cold laugh. “A fine daughter you’ve raised!”

His icy gaze sent a chill straight into Madam Zhang’s heart. Thinking of how he had arrived today together with Song Wenbo and Xie Yujiao, he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. And remembering the flattery he had received from colleagues at court these past few days, and how he had tacitly accepted it.

Master Xie’s vision darkened. Even so, he forced a smile and remained standing. He wanted to leave, but if he left now, wouldn’t that prove his guilt? He was a victim too; tricked by that Song Wenbo! This was all Song Wenbo’s fault!

Madam Zhang glanced at her husband’s stiff bearing, her heart turning cold. She immediately stepped forward, intending to go to her daughter, but before she could take more than a step, Master Xie’s warning voice rang out, “Don’t interfere with her!”

Madam Zhang froze mid-step. All she could do was gesture for Yujiao’s attendants to hurry and take her away. Since Master Qingshan had already ordered them out, if they were literally thrown out, they would have no face left at all!

Song Wenbo left first, Yujiao was taken away after him. The farce came to an end.

The guests present, however, weren’t satisfied, they exchanged knowing glances. Still, because the Crown Princess and Master Xie were still there, no one dared discuss it openly.

“Ping’an.”

Ignoring the ruckus, Master Qingshan’s gaze softened as he looked at the young boy beside him. “Come forward.”

Under the watchful eyes of all, Ye Ping’an stepped up. He walked to the spot where Song Wenbo had just bowed and knelt neatly, kowtowing. “Student Ye Ping’an greets Teacher.”

Everyone watched intently. Many were astonished, who would have thought Master Qingshan’s final disciple would be this young?

The steward presented a cup of tea. Ye Ping’an held it respectfully and offered it to Master Qingshan. The master accepted it, took a light sip, and nodded in satisfaction. “Rise.”

With that, the Apprenticeship Ceremony was complete.

Today, Ye Ping’an was the star of the event. Naturally, his mother and sister were also honored guests of the Cui family.

Seated among the distinguished, Xie Yao’s smiling gaze swept the crowd and finally landed on Hongdou, who wore the dignified clothing she herself had prepared. She only gave a small nod before moving her eyes away.

Just then, a servant came running in from the gate. “Bad news, the Second Miss of the Xie family is fighting outside!”

What? Everyone was stunned. A brawl in front of the Cui family gates?

Master Qingshan frowned and strode toward the entrance first. The crowd followed, many whispering about Xie Yujiao. Xie Yao, both in propriety and in personal interest, naturally had to go too.

As they neared the screen wall, sharp, venomous shouting reached their ears from outside: “You wretched girl, how dare you harm my son! Just wait and see if I don’t teach you a lesson today!” Amidst it were frantic cries of, “Stop! Stop fighting!”

When they rushed out, the sight before them was astonishing.

A thin, wiry old woman had grabbed Xie Yujiao by the hair and was slapping her face over and over without mercy.

“You shameless little slut! You made my son lose such face! Believe it or not, I’ll have him cast you off!”

That woman was none other than Madam Song Li.

Years of farm labor had given her strength beyond that of pampered Yujiao. Even against several maids and servants, she fought them off, clutching Yujiao and beating her.

“Hurry, pull them apart!”

Madam Zhang’s voice cracked, her face contorted with fury. She loathed Madam Song Li with every fiber of her being. How dare this old hag humiliate her daughter in front of so many people?

And remembering everything that woman had done in the past, and the fact that Yujiao and Song Wenbo still hadn’t consummated their marriage… a sharp glint flashed in Madam Zhang’s eyes.

“There won’t be any talk.” She strode forward, standing before her disheveled, swollen-faced daughter once they were finally pulled apart. In a voice that rang like iron, she declared, “There will only be a separation!”

She would take her daughter out of that hellhole of the Song family. Her daughter was still a maiden in truth; she could find a far better match.

“I will not separate!”

Before Madam Song Li could respond, Yujiao’s shrill voice rang out from behind Madam Zhang.

W-what? Madam Zhang froze. Had she misheard?

Yujiao slipped out from behind her, stepping forward to face her mother. Her eyes were stubborn and unyielding. “Mother, I will not separate from my husband.”

Madam Zhang staggered, and her maid had to catch her. “Madam…”

“Hmph!” Madam Song Li snorted coldly, raising her chin arrogantly at Madam Zhang. “You heard her. She’s the one clinging to my son!”

All color drained from Madam Zhang’s face. She looked at her daughter in disbelief. When had Yujiao become like this? Every word she had spoken just now came from her heart; everything was for her daughter’s sake. Even if Yujiao didn’t want separation, she should have at least put on the appearance, so others wouldn’t look down on her. But Yujiao had just slapped her face in public with her actions!

“Mother…” Yujiao saw her mother’s condition and guilt flickered in her eyes. She stepped forward in concern, and then quickly stopped. “Mother, I’m sorry. But I truly cannot separate from my husband.” She had to become the Grand Chancellor’s wife, receive a noble title, win Song Wenbo’s undivided love, and trample Xie Yao beneath her feet! One day, her mother would understand.

“If you insist on this, then from this day forth, your mother and I will consider ourselves without such a daughter!” Master Xie stepped forward, supporting his wife, his tone like ice.

He did love Yujiao. But face and reputation mattered more.

Yujiao’s complexion turned pale. She bit her lip hard, but in the end, she still stood firm and stepped back.

The last trace of hope vanished from Madam Zhang’s eyes. Her strength drained completely, and she had to be held up by her husband and maid.

Turning, Master Xie faced the capital’s nobles gathered at the gate, his expression full of grief. “Today… we have disturbed Master Qingshan’s ceremony. I, Xie family head, offer my deepest apologies.”

He ignored his wife’s resistance and said heavily, “Madam, let us return home. From this day forward we have no such daughter.”

The Xie family carriage slowly departed.

Yujiao turned her head, watching it go. Had she chosen wrongly? No! One day her mother would understand.

Madam Song Li shoved her aside and suddenly put on a different face as she looked at the crowd. “Which one of you is Master Qingshan? My son is truly outstanding, clever from childhood, and born for high post…”

Before she could finish, Master Qingshan snapped coldly, “Throw them out!”

Shameless! The whole family was utterly shameless!

Moments ago, Madam Song Li had been so arrogant. Now, like a mouse meeting a cat, her lips moved but no sound came. She dared not utter another word and turned to leave.

Yujiao swept her gaze over everyone standing before the Cui gates, her eyes lingering on Xie Yao with a flash of hatred. Biting her lip, she turned to follow after Madam Song Li.

Just wait, One day she would return today’s humiliation!