Chapter 17 : I regret it, but it’s too late

Hearing Huo Zhen’s voice, Faer looked at Song Ying with shining eyes.

“Miss, it’s General Huo.”

“I heard it.”

Outside, the servant arrogantly said, “Who are you? Do you know who I am?”

It was obvious that the servant didn’t recognize Huo Zhen’s identity.

Huo Zhen just snorted twice. “I have nothing to say to a dog. Get lost!”

“You, you, you…”

“If you don’t leave, I’ll break your legs.”

“I am the Regent…”

“Oh, and here I thought it was someone important. What? Regretting it now? Too late. Miss Song likes real people, not dogs who eat shit.”

“How outrageous!”

At this moment, Song Ruoer’s voice rang out, “Fukang, shut up.”

Huo Zhen turned to look at the carriage. “Oh, I thought it was Yue Shaozhi himself. Turns out it’s the new princess.”

From behind the carriage curtain, Song Ruoer said, “General Huo, this humble woman doesn’t know you. I hope you can forgive our offense.”

Huo Zhen crossed his arms, clearly not taking her seriously. “Why should I forgive you? I just hope the princess can leash her dog. If it keeps barking everywhere, someone might stab it.”

When the servant learned of Huo Zhen’s identity, he was furious but didn’t dare say another word. He walked up to the carriage and whispered, “Princess, this man is too arrogant. What should we…”

Song Ruoer said, “Forget it. Since my sister isn’t here, let’s not disturb her anymore. Let’s go.”

The servant glared at Huo Zhen and shouted, “Let’s go.” Then Song Ruoer and her group left.

Behind the door, Song Ying opened it a crack. Huo Zhen looked at her with surprise and joy. “Aying, I’m back.”

This time, Huo Zhen didn’t climb over the wall, but was openly invited in by Song Ying.

Huo Zhen was secretly pleased and followed Song Ying to the central hall.

Faer brewed the best tea for Huo Zhen. “General Huo, you came just in time. I was so close to tearing that man’s mouth apart. Hmph! If it weren’t for my lady’s kindness, that woman would never have become the main wife. Yet they still came here to stir up trouble. So annoying!”

Huo Zhen patted his chest and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll send a few soldiers to stand guard here in a few days. If anyone dares make trouble again, I’ll break their legs.”

Faer cheered, “Yeah!”

Song Ying coughed lightly. “Are you two done talking?”

Faer stuck out her tongue. “I’ll take my leave now.”

Watching the girl run off, Huo Zhen praised, “You’ve got a good maid. She really protects her mistress.”

He was about to say more, but seeing Song Ying’s cold expression, he quickly shut his mouth.

Song Ying sighed. “Do you know the consequences of what you just said?”

Huo Zhen let out a low exclamation, secretly pleased that Song Ying was worried about him.

“Don’t worry, Aying. Even if Yue Shaozhi hears about it, he wouldn’t dare touch me. He still relies on me to fight for him.”

Song Ying shook her head. “Have you considered the possibility that he’ll send you to fight a battle you can’t survive?”

Though she had only been with Yue Shaozhi for two years, she already understood him well.

That man was no good. He wouldn’t lash out in public but preferred to retaliate from the shadows.

Song Ying didn’t want Huo Zhen to get caught in deadly trouble over this. It wasn’t worth it. Absolutely not.

But Huo Zhen thought differently. Now that he had the ability, he had to protect Song Ying well.

He knew Song Ying didn’t like conflict, but he wasn’t afraid. He would take on all the consequences for her.

Huo Zhen coughed twice. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. My family still guards the border. If we all die, who’s left to defend the country for Yue Shaozhi?”

Song Ying asked, “Was what happened to Madam Hu your doing?”

Huo Zhen boasted a little, “Actually, I didn’t do much. The Hu family couldn’t even cover up their own scandal. Just find someone capable of investigating and the truth will come out. I just wanted them to learn what it’s like to fear public opinion to live a life worse than death.”

Song Ying. “I will repay you for what happened to Madam Hu and today.”

Huo Zhen felt something was wrong when he heard Song Ying’s words. “What do you want to do?”

Song Ying stood up and said, “General Huo, you should go back.”

Huo Zhen didn’t want to leave. “Aying, are you angry?”

Song Ying shook her head. “Although General Huo acted rashly, I know he did it to help me. I just want to advise General Huo once more to think twice before acting. I don’t want you to suffer misfortune because of me. I couldn’t bear it.”

“Well, I’ve already said it. I…”

Song Ying didn’t give him a chance to finish. “General Huo, please.”

Huo Zhen now understood a little more about her temperament. “Alright, I’ll go back first. Let me just say one more thing, you really don’t need to worry about me. I’m not as reckless as you think.”

Song Ying smiled and said, “Faer, see the guest out.”

Huo Zhen said, “No need. I’ll go back over the wall so no one sees you pretending not to be home.”

After Huo Zhen left, Song Ying gave Faer a few instructions.

Faer accepted the orders and went out, returning after the time it took to drink two cups of tea.

Then, Song Ying wearing a black cloak and Faer got into a carriage through the back door.

They arrived at the entrance of Shangyuelou, the most luxurious restaurant in the capital.

“Are you sure he’s here?” Song Ying lifted the curtain and looked at the restaurant’s plaque.

Faer replied, “Yes, Young Marquis Wen is hosting a banquet here. Besides the Regent, several young masters from aristocratic families are also attending.”

Song Ying nodded. “Then we’ll wait here.”

Faer asked in confusion, “Miss, why do you suddenly want to see the Regent? Is it because of Miss Ruoer or General Huo?”

Song Ying replied, “Both. If I’m not mistaken, Madam Hu must have gone to see Zhou.”

Faer looked puzzled. “But what does that have to do with you coming to see the Regent?”

Song Ying said, “Zhou wanted to use Madam Hu’s words to ruin my reputation, but didn’t expect to get herself into trouble in the process. She knew I wouldn’t meet her if she came in person, so she had Song Ruoer speak on her behalf.”

Faer nodded and asked, “Why does Zhou want to help Madam Hu?”

Song Ying replied, “Madam Hu ended up like this because of Zhou. Zhou is also afraid that Madam Hu, now desperate, will go crazy, so she asked Song Ruoer to act as a mediator and persuade me to spare Madam Hu’s family.”

Faer shook her head. “I think I get it now. But, Miss, how do you know it was Zhou who incited Madam Hu to spread rumors about you?”

Song Ying helped Faer tie her hair back. “Zhou doesn’t need to instigate her directly. Just a few words would be enough to get the loudmouthed Madam Hu to spread rumors.”

Faer: “Oh… So basically, Madam Hu is just used to stirring up trouble. She helped Zhou spread the rumors but got herself into a mess. Now they want you to smooth things over, but since you’ve ignored them, they panicked and got Miss Ruoer to beg for mercy.”

Song Ying nodded. “That’s about right.”

The mistress and servant chatted for a while. Faer quietly leaned against the window and saw Yue Shaozhi coming out. She said, “Miss, they’re coming out.”

Song Ying instructed the coachman, “Follow the Regent’s carriage.”

Coachman. “Yes, Miss.”

Yue Shaozhi had drunk quite a bit today and was dozing off. Yu Liang, riding a horse beside the carriage window, said, “Your Highness, Miss Song’s carriage has been following us.”

Yue Shaozhi opened his eyes. “Go ahead and take the next corner and stop the carriage there.”