Xie Yiren chuckled and said, “If she had targeted me, at worst, I would have apologized to others in the Sikong Family and stayed somewhere else where she couldn"t see me, which would have solved the issue! After all, I went there to offer my congratulations because of my friendship with Yiluo rather than for her sake. Did you know who she had targeted after she had been done with her makeup that day?”

Song Yixiao asked, “Who?”

“Her legitimate grandmother, Her Highness Great Grand Princess Zhenyang!” Xie Yiren sighed and continued, “Never have I ever seen such a disobedient and unfilial girl in my life!”

Song Yixiao was astounded, “How come?”

No wonder that Xie Yiren, a legitimate lady brought up obediently according to the rules in Duke of Lai"s mansion, would be driven crazy. In her opinion, Sikong Yihan, who had accused her legitimate grandmother, Great Grand Princess, in public, was overwhelmingly rebellious and cruel!

“She disliked how Great Grand Princess had conceded to the Wei Family and stopped holding Wei Yinlian accountable!” Xie Yiren sneered slightly and said, “The way you see it, would someone sensible say that? Great Grand Princess only had two granddaughters. Yiluo was the apple of her eyes, who had been raised and educated by her. She must have felt suffering because of her granddaughter"s unexpected death. However, Sikong Yihan still thought that Great Grand Princess should be accountable for what had happened. If she were that capable, she should avenge her legitimate sister on her own, right?”

As Xie Yiren mentioned Sikong Yiluo, Song Yixiao, who felt emotionally complicated, said a while later, “Who were surrounding her when she said so?”

“Besides the members of the Sikong Family, only me, an outsider, was on the scene.” Xie Yiren sighed and said, “Since Sikong Yihan had been living in the village, she surely didn"t have any besties. I came there for the sake of Yiluo.”

She added, “Since I heard from Madam Chang that you had also once been confronted by Sikong Yihan previously, I brought it up to you specifically. If it were others, I surely wouldn"t dare mention it! Otherwise, if it were leaked, the members of the Sikong Family surely would feel ashamed while facing the outsiders.”

Song Yixiao also sighed and said, “Although it is easy to keep the outsiders in the dark temporarily, it surely won"t do if they want to keep it from the outsiders all the time. I sincerely hope Sikong Yihan could be more considerate after getting married.”

They expressed their feelings regarding Sikong Yihan"s issue for quite a while. As Xie Yiren saw these ones in the room were all their confidants, she approached Song Yixiao and asked in a low voice, “Has Commandery Princess Kou"er from Prince of Hengshan"s mansion insisted on visiting you in recent days?”

“Has she?” Song Yixiao knew a lot of visitors had been turned down during this period, but she didn"t know Lu Kou"er was also included. As she heard Yiren"s words, she was somewhat surprised.

“Many people intended to visit you this time. However, only two or three insisted on going inside to sit for a while upon hearing that only Duke of Yan was taking care of all the ch.o.r.es in Duke of Yan"s mansion since you had been injured and couldn"t entertain visitors.” Xie Yiren smiled meaningfully and added, “Among them, Commandery Princess Kou"er was the keenest. I just kept her in my mind conveniently!”

Song Yixiao got her point and said, “There it is! I didn"t know that Lu Kou"er had been concerned about me that much. Thanks so much for your reminder, Yiren!”

She was enlightened finally. Speaking of why Lu Kou"er had been concerned about her all of a sudden, it surely was that she had targeted Jian Xubai!

Xie Yiren waved her hands and said, “No need. Yiluo pa.s.sed away and Yourui left here. We aren"t familiar with Commandery Princess Nanzhang and Side Concubine Cui. Among those presenting themselves before the Emperor at Qingxi Hall, only you and I are still here. In that case, we surely will be lonely if we don"t communicate with each other frequently from now on.”

Upon recollecting what had happened in the past half a year, Song Yixiao said emotionally, “What a world of difference!”

“Look at what I did! Originally, I was here to congratulate you on your recovery from the injuries. In the end, the more we talk, the moodier we are!” As Xie Yiren heard of her words, she came to her senses and smiled awkwardly, “You went through a dangerous crisis this time! Fortunately, you were safe and sound. However, did you investigate all these vicious servants thoroughly? A kind reminder from me, never should you be lenient at this time!”

Song Yixiao forced a smile, “I didn"t have the energy to do that. It was Xubai who dealt with them. I heard from the servants that he was quite furious these days. I guess even if he likes to give them a chance, he won"t agree to allow them to stay here anymore!”

“Of course!” Xie Yiren teased smilingly, “Everyone knows that he pampers you so much. Even my sister-in-law said a few days ago that if these vicious servants had intended to a.s.sa.s.sinate Duke of Yan, he, who was quite filial based on how he had married you hurriedly in order to drive the devil away and save Prime Minister Jian"s life, might have called a halt to this issue quietly and given them a chance. Unfortunately, they, who were insensible, had dared to target you. In that case, Duke of Yan surely wouldn"t put up with them!”

“As the saying goes, no pains, no gains!” Hearing Yiren"s words, Song Yixiao sneered in secret, “It was worthwhile for Jian Xubai to insist on being a good husband in front of the outsiders after marrying me. As expected, they all thought he had dealt with these servants mercilessly because of me. If someone accuses him of being unfilial in the future, who took the initiative to deal with the senior servants without getting his grandfather"s consent, they may blame me as the root of the trouble first!”

She could only smile upon hearing of Xie Yiren"s words, “I can sit up these days, thinking about how I should explain to Grandfather regarding this in the future.”

“No explanation is needed!” Xie Yiren said disapprovingly, “Moreover, even though they were Prime Minister Jian"s people, they were servants, after all. Could they be equal to you, his official legitimate granddaughter-in-law?”

Xie Yiren added, “According to my grandfather, Prime Minister Jian treats his inferiors harshly. It"s a good thing for them to fall into Duke of Yan"s hands. If Prime Minister Jian deals with them in person, their wives and children probably will be involved, which, in my opinion, is justifiable. I don"t believe that their wives are ignorant of what they did. In that case, they were covering their husbands up. Of course, they should also be held accountable.”

Knowing the reason why Xie Yiren was in favor of dealing with these servants in a harsh way, Song Yixiao nodded and said, “It is true that it will be inappropriate if we handle them leniently. In that case, based on the fact that it is the servants who take care of the basic necessities of our lives, if they all follow suit, we surely won"t have an easy life in the future!”

They continued talking about the trivial issues in the household. Song Yixiao asked Xie Yiren to stay for lunch. After that, Xie Yiren said she should leave soon, saying her sister-in-law in the house would go back to her natal family this afternoon and she should go home early to help take care of her nephew. Xie Yiren said, “Originally, it would do if she leaves my nephew, who is five years old now, to the foster nurse. Unfortunately, the kid is quite naughty. I am afraid the servants can"t handle him.”

Song Yixiao felt wearisome after entertaining Xie Yiren for the whole morning. As she heard Yiren"s explanation, she didn"t insist on letting her stay here anymore. She asked Jinxun to get some gifts as a return along with some toys for children and asked Ms. Zhao to walk Xie Yiren out on her behalf.

In the next following days, these ones, who knew Song Yixiao could entertain the visitors in person, including Yuan Xue"e, Wei Yinlian, Commandery Princess Qingjiang, and Lady of Earl Shouchun, visited her in person by taking turns, inquiring about her condition.

Even Nie Wuying, who had thought she had felt ashamed in front of Song Yixiao and it wouldn"t be appropriate for her to see her fourth sister-in-law, visited her once in person along with Jiayue.

As for those who couldn"t visit Song Yixiao in person, including Jinguo Grand Princess and Crown Princess, they all sent their confidants and close palace maids to check on her with generous gifts. By rights, Sikong Yihan, who had just got married, should express her feelings. After all, she was Song Yixiao"s sister-in-law now.

However, after hearing Xie Yiren"s complaint, Song Yixiao didn"t count on Sikong Yihan to know some worldly wisdom. On the contrary, keeping the friendship between Song Yixiao and Sikong Yiluo in mind, the Sikong Family members sent Madam Chang, the eldest daughter-in-law, to visit Song Yixiao once, gifting her with two good Ginsengs.

Song Yixiao, who was safe and sound, was forced to lie in bed and pretended to be injured the whole day. It wasn"t until at sunset that she could leave the bed and walk around. After a few days, she felt that her waist and back ached, feeling pretty uncomfortable.

Moreover, whoever visiting her would ask her how she had been “a.s.sa.s.sinated”, accuse her subtly of her carelessness, and inquire about her recovery situation. Although Song Yixiao had prepared the wording in advance, making none of them get down to the bottom and embarra.s.s her, she found it boring to repeat the same answer dozens of times.

Finally, it was the fourth day of November. There were only two more days to go before Princess Changxing would get married. Song Yixiao almost announced with tears that she had been fully recovered and n.o.body needed to check on her from now on!

“As a matter of fact, everybody is busy preparing their makeup and gifts for Princess Changxing"s wedding now. In my opinion, you can keep lying on the bed. They may not necessarily have time to check on you!” Yuan Xue"e, who came to visit Song Yixiao again that day, held a teacup and teased her, “Only me, who hasn"t got married yet and has a brother to take care of all the ch.o.r.es in the family, have time for you!”

Song Yixiao rolled her eyes and said, “To be more exact, only you, who hasn"t got married yet and is merciless enough to not give your brother a hand, have time to hang around now!”

“I am concerned about you!” Yuan Xue"e cursed smilingly, “I don"t even want to accept others" invitation!”

Song Yixiao said casually, “They are supposed to be occupied with preparing their congratulations on the princess"s wedding. Who has time for you now?”

“They are n.o.body else!” Yuan Xue"e smiled ambiguously and continued, “Except for Lu Kou"er and Lu Chai"er! Since they have a legitimate grandmother, a stepmother, and sisters-in-law, of course, they don"t need to worry about anything else. Others aren"t that idle.”

“Lu Kou"er and Lu Chai"er?” Hearing what Xue"e had said, Song Yixiao smiled playfully, took a sip of tea, and said, “Why did they invite you all of a sudden? Did they state the reason?”

“They said they missed me since we hadn"t seen each other for a long time.” Yuan Xue"e sighed and said, “Back when I had lived in Prince of Hengshan"s mansion temporarily, they hadn"t invited me to where they were living once. Although they said so now without feeling awkward, I didn"t want to bother with them at all. However, after all, my mother came from Prince of Hengshan"s mansion. In order not to embarra.s.s my grandmother, aunt, and uncle, I had to say I would visit you today because of feeling concerned about your health.”

Upon speaking of this, she glimpsed at Song Yixiao with a grudge and said, “I didn"t expect that you would also intend to drive me away. Before getting married, you treated me as your sister by blood and felt quite anxious when I didn"t eat any food. After getting married, you didn"t take me as your sister anymore. Only your dear husband matters to you the most, right?”

“Did I do that?” Song Yixiao didn"t know whether to laugh or cry as she said, “As expected, Marquis Yuan is good at raising his sister. Within less than a year, Xue"e, you are much more outgoing. I don"t need to be concerned that you will be bullied after getting married!”

Upon thinking of how they had helped and supported each other before while living in Prince of Hengshan"s mansion temporarily, they couldn"t help but smile at each other.

“Although my mother was from Prince of Hengshan"s mansion, because of different political standing, we don"t communicate with them often except for the holiday and festival.” Yuan Xue"e played with the bracelet on her wrist and said confusedly, “I am quite confused as for why Lu Kou"er and Lu Chai"er asked me out together this time.”

“After all, it"s they rather than you who have something to ask of you.” Song Yixiao said smilingly, “If they don"t state the reason, you can just find an excuse and refuse to see them in person. You came to visit me today. Tomorrow, you can say you need to be prepared for attending the wedding party, let alone the day after tomorrow. The Wanshou Festival and Shengshou Festival are around the corner. Sooner or later, they, who can"t tolerate it anymore, will tell you why!”

“What you said makes sense!” Nodding in approval, Yuan Xue"e reminded her, “Princess Changxing will be your sister-in-law from the day after tomorrow onward! You should watch her out!”

Hearing her words, Song Yixiao smiled and said, “I don"t believe that she will come to make a scene in Duke of Yan"s mansion all the time, leaving the ch.o.r.es in her mansion and the prince consort alone, whom she just married.”