Chapter 32: Husband, You’re Bad!

“What?” Xiao Ji didn’t quite understand what Xie Yao meant.

Xie Yao said earnestly, “Just based on his looks, he isn’t worthy of Princess He Yi, who has seen so many men, to go to such lengths for him. So he must have some other outstanding quality.”

She spoke with such certainty that Xiao Ji’s expression turned a bit strange. Her words could very easily be misunderstood.

“He does have a little talent,” Xie Yao admitted reluctantly. After all, Song Wenbo had at least managed to be taken in, however begrudgingly, as a disciple of Mister Qingshan.

Still, she thought Heaven must have been blind!

“Crown Princess doesn’t like him?” Xiao Ji asked.

Without hesitation, Xie Yao replied, “He disgusts me!”

Just the thought of Song Wenbo was enough to make her sick.

A thoughtful look flickered in Xiao Ji’s eyes. He held the papers in his hands and said, “These records were not easily obtained. Crown Princess…”

“I belong to Your Highness. Naturally, what’s mine also belongs to Your Highness,” Xie Yao said calmly, though Xiao Ji’s heart tightened at her words.

That kind of statement…

Even the papers in his hands suddenly felt scalding hot.

Xie Yao added, “Since Your Highness has accepted what’s mine, you must protect me, alright?”

“Ahem.” Xiao Ji coughed once. “Yes.”

Even if she hadn’t given him these papers, he would have protected her anyway.

“Then, Your Highness must also stop avoiding me.” Her tone shifted seamlessly, her moist eyes carrying a trace of grievance.

Xiao Ji’s throat bobbed. He squeezed out one word, “Yes.”

—

Before long, rumors began to spread through the capital.

People said that the reason Song Wenbo believed Mister Qingshan had wanted to take him as a disciple was because Princess He Yi had personally recommended him.

And now, Princess He Yi herself had even escorted him to visit Master Yang, the Chief of the Imperial Academy.

All of this was because Song Wenbo was one of Princess He Yi’s intimate guests.

The common folk knew little of Princess He Yi’s licentious reputation, but among the noble families of the capital, most were well aware.

Once the rumor spread, many were quick to believe it.

—

At the Xie household.

Clatter!

Xie Yujiao, her eyes red with fury, hurled the teacup her maid had just handed her. “Get out! All of you, out!”

“Jiao-jiao.” Madam Zhang hurried in from outside. Seeing her daughter sulking in rage, her heart ached even as she felt helpless. “It’s only been a few days, why are you back again?”

Of course Madam Zhang didn’t resent her daughter. But Yujiao was already married; she was now part of the Song family. Coming back to her maiden home so frequently was bound to cause her in-laws displeasure.

She missed her daughter dearly, but worried more for Yujiao’s future standing.

Taking her hand, Madam Zhang asked gently, “Is it because of those rumors? I’ve heard them too. Did you ask your husband about it? What did he say?”

“Hmph!”

Yujiao sneered. “I can’t even see him during the day!

“And that old hag! She heard the rumors, believed them instantly, and couldn’t wait to throw me out. Doesn’t she stop to think, if her son really had climbed into Princess He Yi’s bed, why would he still marry into the Xie family?”

Madam Zhang thought for a moment, and then said, “But your father did mention that a few days ago, Princess He Yi really did personally take your husband to visit Master Yang.”

“That’s only because my husband is so talented that the Princess couldn’t bear to see his brilliance wasted!” Yujiao declared confidently. “Mother, my husband’s love is true and devoted. I will be his only wife for life.”

If Xie Yao could make her marriage work, she refused to believe she couldn’t.

But because of the incident with the apprenticeship, Madam Zhang couldn’t help doubting her daughter’s words. “And did your husband say that himself?”

“He doesn’t need to. I know him,” Yujiao said with absolute certainty.

Madam Zhang: “…”

She took a deep breath. “Jiao-jiao, rumors don’t come from nowhere. This matter…”

“Xie Yao.”

Yujiao suddenly spat out the name, her face darkening. “This must have something to do with that little slut, Xie Yao!

“Last time she deliberately went after my husband. Now these rumors, she must be trying to drive a wedge between us. If I start doubting him, she can slip in and rekindle her relationship with him…”

The more Yujiao thought about it, the more it all made sense.

Her expression hardened. “I will never fall into Xie Yao’s trap!”

Unlike Madam Zhang and Yujiao, who refused to believe, Xie Father had been convinced from the very moment he heard the rumor.

After Xie Yao’s warning about someone backing Song Wenbo, he had begun investigating.

Just as he uncovered ties to Princess He Yi, these rumors surfaced. Compared to Mister Qingshan’s secluded residence, news from Master Yang’s place was far easier to gather.

It seemed highly likely that Song Wenbo really was Princess He Yi’s intimate guest.

Which meant… Song Wenbo belonged to the Noble Consort’s and Second Prince’s faction.

And his eldest daughter had married into the Crown Prince’s household…

This was both an opportunity and a test. And Xie Yao’s earlier “reminder” proved she already knew.

“Master,” just then the steward’s voice came from outside, “Second Son-in-law has arrived.”

Song Wenbo.

Xie Father thought for a moment, and then strode toward the front hall.

Just as he reached the doorway, he saw Yujiao fling herself into Song Wenbo’s arms like a swallow returning to the nest. In a sweet, spoiled voice she cried, “Husband, I believe you. I know those rumors are someone’s deliberate scheme!

“I will always believe you.”

Song Wenbo’s eyes gleamed brightly. Smoothly, he wrapped her into his embrace. “Jiao-jiao, you are wonderful.”

He had once thought Xie Yao, with no one to rely on, was the easier one to control.

Now it seemed… Yujiao wasn’t so difficult to manipulate either.

Since he had come personally to fetch her, Madam Zhang didn’t keep her daughter any longer and personally escorted her to the carriage.

Inside, Yujiao clung to him and said, “Husband, I know this must have something to do with Xie Yao. But don’t worry, she won’t be smug for long!”

Her conviction surprised even Song Wenbo.

He and His Highness had suspected Xie Yao too.

But… since when had this foolish woman grown so clever?

“And how do you know that?” he asked, eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.

Yujiao’s expression faltered before she replied, “I guessed. She’s been wicked since childhood, always bullying me.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist, nestling sweetly against him with a shy blush. “She’s just jealous that I have my husband’s love.

“Unlike her, stuck with that cold Crown Prince’s and a lonely bed every night.”

Thinking of that, she playfully patted his chest. “But husband… can’t you be gentler with me? Every time you… you…”

Her teeth caught her lower lip, her whole face flushing.

Every time, he left her body covered in marks, feeling as though she might fall apart.

A trace of contempt flickered in Song Wenbo’s eyes, though his expression grew even more tender. Lifting her chin with a teasing touch, he said, “But I could sworn, you have enjoyed it very much.”

After all, he saw it with his own eyes every night.

Yujiao’s face turned an even deeper red. With a soft whimper, she nuzzled closer into his chest. “Husband, you’re bad!”