Chapter 37: A Slim Waist and Wide Hips, Fit for Childbearing

Princess He Yi, Xiao Ning!

Everyone turned their eyes toward the entrance of the Song residence.

Princess He Yi strode in wearing flamboyant palace attire, her aura overwhelming, her makeup exquisite and stunning. Under the attention of the entire crowd, she entered the Song residence step by step.

Xie Yujiao also looked over, a trace of fear flashing through her eyes.

The smile on Xie Yao’s face drew back slightly. “Princess He Yi, what are you saying? How could I possibly not believe you? Precisely because I trust you, all the more should the matter concerning your reputation be thoroughly investigated, so as to clear your name.”

A cold gleam flashed in Xiao Ning’s eyes. “This palace had only wished to cherish talent, but I did not expect malicious tongues would fabricate such nonsense. That is my fault.”

She turned her gaze toward Xie Yujiao. “But as long as Madam Song believes, that is enough.”

Xie Yujiao shrank back slightly, not daring to meet Xiao Ning’s eyes. She nodded repeatedly. “I believe, I believe, of course I believe in the Princess.”

Xiao Ning smiled. “For Scholar Song to marry Second Young Lady Xie is his good fortune.”

Xie Yujiao’s cheeks flushed red, and she lowered her head in shy modesty. “Princess flatters me. To marry my husband is also what I most desired.”

“Heh.” Xiao Ning gave a soft laugh, but in the depths of her eyes when she looked at Xie Yujiao was nothing but contempt.

What a fool.

Xie Yao, watching from the side, only felt the whole scene absurd and laughable. She could not help but chuckle aloud.

To have come today and witnessed such a play… it was not a loss.

With both Xie Yao and Xiao Ning present, the atmosphere within the Song residence immediately became somewhat strange. The two were escorted into the inner hall to sit.

As Xie Yao turned, she gave Zhuqing a subtle glance.

The guests had barely sat down when a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded. Before the person even entered, a shrill yet ingratiating voice rushed in first.

“Princess, Princess, Your Highness the Princess has come!”

In the next instant, Madam Song Li appeared before everyone’s eyes.

Her attire was as gaudy as ever, her head and face loaded with exaggerated gold and silver ornaments. She rushed in with great enthusiasm, her gaze immediately fastening on Xiao Ning.

“You must be the Princess!”

Madam Song Li dashed forward, grabbing Xiao Ning’s hand with astonishing speed, scrutinizing her up and down. “Good, good indeed.”

“Such a slim waist and wide hips, one look and I can tell you are fit for childbearing.” Madam Song Li was extremely satisfied with Xiao Ning. “Princess, when will you join our family? Don’t worry, I will make my son divorce Xie Yujiao and clear a place for you…”

“Impudent!”

The maidservant at Xiao Ning’s side paled and shouted in fury, “Who are you? How dare you act so presumptuously!”

“Guards, drag this woman out!”

Xiao Ning’s face was full of disgust, her gaze toward Madam Song Li was as if she were looking at a corpse.

Xie Yujiao’s expression also turned unsightly. She had already arranged matters with Madam Song Li beforehand for this banquet, and yet this woman still came barging out.

And the very first words she spoke were like this.

In just a few sentences, Madam Song Li had shoved a cap of “forcing Song Wenbo to divorce his wife for Princess He Yi” right onto Xiao Ning’s head.

“Princess, Princess, I am Song Wenbo’s mother.” Madam Song Li’s strength was enormous; two mere maidservants truly could not pry her away.

She clutched tightly at Xiao Ning’s hand. “Princess, my son has been clever since childhood, a seedling for a Grand Chancellor. He will never let you suffer wrongs in the future…”

Before she could finish, Xiao Ning kicked her squarely, sending her sprawling across the floor.

“Drag her out, and slap her face!”

Even after learning the woman’s identity, Xiao Ning did not show the slightest mercy. To fabricate such things about her before so many people, she was simply courting death!

Xie Yujiao’s eyes flickered slightly at the sight, but she did not move to stop it.

Good, let her be beaten!

By the time Song Wenbo received the message and rushed back, the first thing he heard upon stepping into the residence was his mother’s wailing screams.

Xiao Ning sat in the hall with a face full of disgust, while Xie Yao sat to the side, head lowered as she drank tea.

After today’s spectacle, she was curious to see whether Xiao Ning and Madam Song Li could still remain as close collaborators as they had in her previous life.

Xie Yujiao stood nearby, eyes brimming with delight as she watched Madam Song Li being beaten.

But the moment she caught sight of Song Wenbo’s figure, her expression changed drastically, and she hurried forward. “Husband, you…”

Song Wenbo shoved her aside, dropped to his knees in the hall, and bowed low. “Your Highness the Princess, my mother’s words and deeds were unruly, and she offended Your Highness. I beg Your Highness, for the sake of her old age and frail health, to spare her life.”

Seeing this, Xie Yujiao quickly knelt as well.

But inwardly she was full of resentment, hating only that Song Wenbo had returned too early.

Xiao Ning looked down at the kneeling Song Wenbo, the anger in her eyes unmasked. “Hmph!”

Song Wenbo immediately kowtowed. “Your Highness has always been kind and merciful; may Your Highness be lenient.”

In the courtyard, Madam Song Li’s screams were already growing weaker. If the punishment continued…

“Enough.”

Princess Xiao Ning finally spoke; her gaze toward Song Wenbo turned icy and filled with warning. “There must not be a next time.”

With that, she rose abruptly, flung her sleeve, and strode out of the Song residence.

“We respectfully see Your Highness off.”

Song Wenbo bowed reverently toward the direction of her departure, his fists clenched, eyes lowered, seething with fury.

Because of this farce, once Princess He Yi left, the other guests also took their leave.

Having drunk enough tea and watched enough of the play, Xie Yao too slowly rose, preparing to leave.

But just as she stood, Xie Yujiao blocked her path. “It was you, wasn’t it! Xie Yao, was it you who deliberately set me up?”

She had no evidence but she simply felt that all of this could not be separated from Xie Yao.

Yet before she could get close, Lin Xia barred her way.

Xie Yao laughed lightly. “The Song family… truly is remarkable.”

With that, she too walked out unhurriedly.

“Xie Yao, stop right there—”

Xie Yujiao tried to stop her, but before she could catch up, Song Wenbo seized her wrist.

“Husband…”

Smack!

Without the slightest pity, Song Wenbo slapped her across the face, sending her sprawling to the ground. “Fool! Do you want to get me killed?”

“That was the Crown Princess! How many lives do you have, to dare show her disrespect?” In his heart, Song Wenbo also resented Xie Yao, but he knew all too well, at present, he could do nothing.

Xie Yujiao lay fallen on the ground, clutching her cheek as she looked up at him, tears brimming in her eyes.

What was so special about the Crown Princess?

She herself had once been the Crown Princess. But…

For the first time, Xie Yujiao began to doubt. Was it truly worth it, abandoning the noble seat of Crown Princess for the sake of Song Wenbo?

…

Just as Xie Yao left the Song residence, she spotted someone waiting by the carriage in the distance; Si-nan.

Her eyes lit up, her pace quickened, and her voice brimmed with delight. “His Highness came to fetch me?”

Si-nan could not help but smile. “Yes, Crown Princess.”

When His Highness heard that Princess He Yi had also gone to the Song residence, he immediately left the manor and hurried straight there.

In the end, it was because he was worried about the Crown Princess.

But when they arrived, Princess He Yi was storming out in anger, so His Highness did not enter.

Xie Yao swiftly climbed into the carriage. She had not even fully stepped inside before her smile blossomed completely.

“Your Highness!”

Her smile was bright, like a burst of spring sunlight breaking through, chasing away all gloom and shadows.

Xiao Ji lifted his eyes, raised a hand to press against Xie Yao’s shoulder, stopping her from throwing herself into his arms.

To be clinging and embracing at every turn, what kind of propriety was that?

Xie Yao could only sit obediently at a distance of one arm’s length away from him. “I wasn’t bullied.”

“Will Your Highness not praise me?”