Chapter 42

“What!”

After hearing Xu Duanyi’s words, Ming Shi was enraged, her temper flaring up.

She had always known that her brother-in-law wasn’t a good person, but she never expected that this fool would dare to offend Duanyi!

Who was Duanyi?

Could he, of all people, dare to touch her?

His audacity was growing more reckless by the day!

And on a day like today.

If something really happened, not only would her aunt be upset, but their Xiao family would surely lose face as well.

The more Ming Shi thought about it, the angrier she became.

Her expression darkened, but she knew it wasn’t the time to explode.

Suppressing her anger, she held Xu Duanyi’s hand and spoke in a low voice, “The Prince of Nanan did the right thing; he should have taught him a lesson!”

After speaking, Ming Shi noticed the tired, helpless expression on Duanyi’s face and immediately felt guilty.

The Xiao family already owed Duanyi so much.

Duanyi had put aside past grievances and had come to help them today. Yet, Xiao Yuanfu, that good-for-nothing, didn’t appreciate it and even dared to offend Duanyi!

And from what Duanyi said, this wasn’t the first time it had happened.

Ming Shi, the daughter of the Minister of Rites, from a prestigious family and well-versed in Confucianism, had always despised people like Xiao Yuanfu.

If she hadn’t married into the Xiao family, she wouldn’t even spare a second glance at someone like Xiao Yuanfu.

At this moment, Ming Shi clenched her fists, her face filled with anger, and holding Xu Duanyi’s hand tightly, she said in a serious tone, “Don’t worry, I will report this to my parents-in-law. I won’t let you suffer this injustice without resolution!”

But this wasn’t what Xu Duanyi wanted.

“Sister-in-law,” Xu Duanyi gently held Ming Shi’s hand and patted it twice to soothe her current emotions.

When Ming Shi’s anger seemed to subside, Xu Duanyi continued, “As for my uncle and aunt, let’s not mention it. I’ll have to come to the house often in the future, and it’s not good for too many people to know about this. Besides, they’re getting older, and I don’t want them to be embarrassed over these matters.”

Xu Duanyi lowered her eyelids and sighed lightly as she spoke.

“Actually, if it weren’t for His Highness the Prince witnessing it today, I wouldn’t want to mention this to my sister-in-law. After all, it’s not something dignified. But, as you know, my marriage to His Highness wasn’t voluntary. It’s only recently that he’s started treating me a bit better, giving me some dignity.”

“When my second cousin came today, it seemed as if there was something between me and him. Earlier, His Highness was really angry. I was scared just watching.”

As Xu Duanyi continued, her voice grew softer, and the grievance hidden in her words became more apparent.

Ming Shi, being a woman herself, understood how important a woman’s chastity was. Moreover, this incident had been witnessed by the Prince of Nanan himself.

Ming Shi felt worried for Duanyi, afraid it might ruin the relationship between her and her husband.

If the Prince of Nanan were angry, it would not be surprising if he gave Xiao Yuanfu a good beating or even harmed him seriously.

Which passionate man would allow someone else to disrespect his wife?

Ming Shi understood Duanyi’s desire not to make a scene, but she also realized that this matter couldn’t be swept under the rug; it was too unfair to Duanyi.

It was also hard to explain to the Prince of Nanan.

After thinking for a moment, Ming Shi spoke again, “I know you’re kind-hearted and don’t like to fuss over things, but this matter can’t just be forgotten. It would be too much of an injustice to you.”

“Besides, we should give the Prince of Nanan an explanation.”

Ming Shi didn’t want this incident to ruin Duanyi’s relationship with the Prince of Nanan.

Moreover—

“Second Brother definitely needs to learn a lesson.”

Ming Shi said, “Normally, he brings so many women into his courtyard, and neither your cousin nor I have interfered, but today, he’s really gone too far.”

If it were her own younger brother, Ming Shi would have already punished him.

However, she was a daughter-in-law, not a member of the Xiao family. Even though she despised Xiao Yuanfu, she couldn’t directly act against him.

Fortunately, her husband always sided with her.

Ming Shi soon came up with a plan.

“Duanyi, you don’t need to worry about this. I’ll talk to your cousin and make sure he deals with Xiao Yuanfu.”

“As for the Prince of Nanan, I’ll have your cousin go and apologize to him properly. We can’t let the Prince of Nanan hold a grudge against you.”

This was what Xu Duanyi had initially hoped for.

She didn’t refuse and simply thanked Ming Shi. “I’m truly sorry for troubling you, Sister-in-law. You and Cousin are already so busy today, and yet you’re handling my affairs…”

Before Xu Duanyi could finish her sentence, Ming Shi grabbed her hand and gave her a reproachful look.

“What are you saying?”

“You’ve suffered an injustice, and your cousin and I feel guilty. How can we talk about inconvenience? I just hope you won’t let this matter affect our relationship.”

“As for Xiao Yuanfu—”

She suddenly lowered her voice, “If he dares to bother you again, I’ll have your cousin break his legs!”

Ming Shi spoke coldly, leaving no room for negotiation.

Xu Duanyi’s expression softened, and she gave Ming Shi a faint smile, expressing her sincere gratitude.

Then Xu Duanyi continued to speak gently.

“After today, I don’t think Second Cousin will bother me again, but there is still one thing that worries me.”

Xu Duanyi furrowed her brows again.

Ming Shi immediately asked, “What is it? Speak freely, and your cousin and I will take care of it for you!”

Xu Duanyi sighed and didn’t hide her thoughts.

“Second Cousin’s temper… Though the Prince had a reason today, I’m afraid he might hold a grudge against him in the future. What worries me is that Second Cousin might want to take revenge on the Prince, which could cause a rift between the Prince and me.”

Clearly, Ming Shi understood her brother-in-law’s temperament very well.

She reassured Xu Duanyi, “Don’t worry. I’ll speak with your cousin. He will handle it and make sure Second Cousin doesn’t bother the Prince again, so it won’t affect your relationship with him.”

After finishing, she asked Xu Duanyi again.

“Where is His Highness the Prince now? Would you like to take me to apologize to him personally? It will also show the Prince our attitude, so he doesn’t feel dissatisfied.”

Xu Duanyi replied, “I noticed that His Highness was unhappy earlier, so I asked him to leave early to avoid others noticing anything.”

“After all, today is Baozhu’s wedding.”

“I don’t want our issues to ruin her special day.”

Ming Shi, knowing Xu Duanyi’s considerate nature, was deeply moved that she was still thinking of others despite what had happened.

She couldn’t find words to express herself and simply held Xu Duanyi’s hand, patting it a few times, before looking at her with an expression that was hard to describe.

“Duanyi, this time… you’ve suffered again.”

“I truly…”

Ming Shi couldn’t bear to face her.

But Xu Duanyi remained calm.

She always understood the importance of distinguishing between right and wrong and wouldn’t blame others just because of Xiao Yuanfu.

To her, Xiao Yuanfu was Xiao Yuanfu.

He had done wrong, and she despised him, but she would not hold anyone else responsible.

Moreover, her sister-in-law and cousin had been genuinely kind to her.

Xu Duanyi held Ming Shi’s hand gently and said, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry about it. I am truly grateful for your efforts on my behalf, and I won’t cut ties with you and Cousin just because of Second Cousin.”

“You and Cousin will always be my family.”

After hearing this, Ming Shi was both moved and relieved. She had truly feared that Duanyi might distance herself from them because of this incident.

Fortunately.

Ming Shi tightly grasped Xu Duanyi’s hand.

Xu Duanyi smiled at her.

Since everything that needed to be said had already been said.

Xu Duanyi checked the time, worried that Baozhu might be in need of help, so she decided not to delay any further.

She said to Ming Shi, “It’s about time. I’ll go check on Baozhu, and you can go ahead and get busy.”

Both Ming Shi and Xu Duanyi were people who considered the bigger picture.

They naturally knew what was most important today. Ming Shi responded with “Alright,” and then said to Xu Duanyi, “There’s a lot to do today, so I won’t keep you any longer. After things settle down, I’ll come visit you.”

Xu Duanyi smiled and agreed.

Afterward, Xu Duanyi left first and headed towards the Mingzhu Pavilion to check on Xiao Baozhu.

Ming Shi watched her leave but didn’t immediately go inside. Instead, she called for her personal maid and sent someone to the outer courtyard.

Clearly, she wanted to inform Xiao Yuanxing of the situation first.

If King Nanan were still around, it would be good for her husband to first apologize to him, to show their sincerity.

Duanyi had thought of everything for them, even if it meant inconveniencing herself. As the elder sister-in-law, she naturally couldn’t just do nothing.

After seeing the maid leave, Ming Shi’s expression returned to one of difficulty.

Indeed, anyone with a brother-in-law like Xiao Yuanfu wouldn’t be in a good mood.

But since her mother-in-law was still inside, she couldn’t let her emotions show and had to calm herself before going in to entertain the guests.

—–

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Xie Qingya had returned to the outer courtyard.

Chang Feng was looking for him and saw him approaching from a distance, so he hurriedly went to meet him. “Your Highness, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for a while.”

Xie Qingya was in a bad mood and, upon hearing this, asked in a low voice, “What’s the matter?”

Chang Feng wasn’t sure what had happened.

Although he could sense his mood, he didn’t dare ask too rashly. Instead, he relayed what Bixi had said to him earlier.

Afterward, seeing that Xie Qingya said nothing, he hesitated and asked, “Your Highness, should we return first or follow the Princess to the Liu family?”

Xie Qingya was silent for a moment and then said, “Let’s go back.”

The place was chaotic, and he could faintly hear Liu Xun being flattered by people. Xie Qingya, who was already not fond of such occasions, had even less desire to go inside now.

“You go and tell Xiao Shizi we’re leaving,” he said before turning to leave.

Chang Feng vaguely realized that something must have happened earlier, but seeing that the Prince had already turned to leave, he had no choice but to go inside and bid farewell to Xiao Shizi.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yuanxing had just finished hearing the message Ming Shi had sent through her maid.

“This bastard!” Xiao Yuanxing cursed loudly.

He was already displeased that his younger sister was marrying Liu Xun today, but he hadn’t expected his second younger brother to do something so outrageous!

“Shizi, it’s King Nanan’s guard.”

A voice from behind came from a servant, and Xiao Yuanxing turned to see Chang Feng walking toward them.

He glanced around and noticed that Xie Qingya was not there, which made him realize that King Nanan was likely about to leave.

Although he didn’t particularly like King Nanan, he knew that today, since they were in the wrong first, he had to apologize according to both reason and emotion.

Seeing Chang Feng coming over, Xiao Yuanxing waved his hand to dismiss the maid.

“I’ll handle this. You just make sure my wife is taking care of things.”

Once the maid was sent away, Xiao Yuanxing went to meet Chang Feng.

“Xiao Shizi…”

Chang Feng had just been preparing to bow and greet Xiao Yuanxing, but was interrupted when Xiao Yuanxing asked, “Where is your King?”

Chang Feng was momentarily stunned.

But he didn’t dare hide anything and truthfully replied, “My King has some matters to attend to, so he sent me to speak with you. He has already left.”

He worried that Xiao Yuanxing might be upset, but to his surprise, Xiao Yuanxing said, “Take me to see him.”

Chang Feng was even more confused, but seeing Xiao Yuanxing’s firm attitude, he didn’t question it further. He said, “Yes,” and led Xiao Yuanxing outside.

The guests were still drinking and enjoying themselves, and no one seemed to notice what was happening.

Xie Qingya had not expected Xiao Yuanxing to come after him.

At that moment, he had already sat in his carriage.

The banquet was still going on, and not only the guests who came to congratulate, but even the drivers and attendants were invited inside by the Duke of the Protectorate to separate tables and treated to drinks and meals.

So, there were only a few people outside the Duke’s residence.

However, the Duke’s steward, Li Guan, had noticed Xie Qingya leaving earlier and had been following him ever since, asking if the residence hadn’t treated him well.

Even now, Li Guan was still outside talking to him, clearly worried about their hospitality.

Xie Qingya was starting to get a headache from his words.

Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard Li Guan exclaim in surprise, “Shizi, what are you doing here?”

“Where is King Nanan?”

Xiao Yuanxing asked Li Guan, his eyes already focused on the carriage next to him.

After Li Guan answered, Xiao Yuanxing walked straight up to the carriage and spoke to Xie Qingya, “King Nanan.”

Xie Qingya hadn’t expected Xiao Yuanxing to chase him out.

It seemed that Xiao Yuanxing really cared for Xu Duanyi, his cousin. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come out like this.

Xie Qingya stopped rubbing his temples and raised his hand to lift the carriage curtain, looking outside.

Although Xiao Yuanxing and Xiao Yuanfu were full-blooded brothers, Xie Qingya really found it hard to see any resemblance between them.

Even though he disliked the Xiao family, Xiao Yuanfu couldn’t deny that Xiao Yuanxing was truly an outstanding person.

It was said that this young master of the Xiao family resembled the late Xian’an King, and even the Empress Dowager Zhao Yu in the palace held great esteem for him, her nephew.

Xiao Yuanxing’s position in the Xiao family was probably even higher than his father, the current Duke Protector.

To say that he was the head of the Xiao family, the decision-maker, would be no exaggeration.

Not to mention Xiao Yuanfu, even his father Xiao Changbao didn’t dare speak loudly in front of his eldest son.

As for why Xiao Yuanxing held such a lofty position, there was a reason behind it. When he was born, the Emperor Ming suddenly sent an urgent summons, calling them back to the capital.

From that moment on, the Xiao family regained their power.

Since then, Xiao Yuanxing became the Xiao family’s lucky star.

True to his reputation, Xiao Yuanxing was responsible and capable in both his actions and character. At a young age, he became the Commander-in-Chief of the Divine Machine Camp and had authority over two other camps.

The current Duke Protector of the Xiao family, although serving as the Minister of War, was not particularly useful and, like his second son Xiao Yuanfu, was greedy and fond of women.

But Xiao Yuanxing was different.

Xiao Yuanxing was 28 this year.

Although he and Xiao Yuanfu both held important positions in the Ministry of Revenue, Xiao Yuanxing was dedicated to his work, while Xiao Yuanfu only cared for personal interests.

Xiao Yuanxing managed the Divine Machine Camp, where talented generals gathered under his leadership. Over the years, he recruited many capable individuals, and the camp had grown stronger.

The Divine Machine Camp was also their greatest concern.

If a battle were to come in the future, Xiao Yuanxing would undoubtedly be their most formidable opponent.

Countless thoughts crossed his mind, but when Xie Qingya greeted Xiao Yuanxing, he still maintained his usual carefree and unruly demeanor.

Sitting in the carriage, Xie Qingya looked at Xiao Yuanxing outside and called out lazily, “Young Master Xiao.”

Under normal circumstances, Xiao Yuanxing would have furrowed his brow and turned to leave immediately.

But today, since they were in the wrong, Xiao Yuanxing naturally couldn’t and didn’t have the face to argue with Xie Qingya.

“I already know what happened earlier,” he said in a serious tone. “My brother did something foolish. I won’t let him off lightly. Once the matters at home are settled, I will personally take that fool to the prince’s residence to apologize.”

Xie Qingya wasn’t sure what Xu Duanyi had said to them.

But she probably didn’t want Xiao Yuanfu to visit, and Xie Qingya didn’t want her to meet that fool again either.

So, he refused outright.

“There’s no need. Not just anyone can enter the Nan’an Prince’s residence.”

“If the Young Master is truly concerned, you should teach your younger brother at home.”

Xie Qingya’s words were blunt and unceremonious. Had it been Xiao Yuanfu, he probably would have immediately gotten into a confrontation with Xie Qingya.

Xiao Yuanxing was actually a little angry.

It was the first time someone had treated him with such disrespect, especially Xie Qingya.

But he was Xiao Yuanxing, after all.

His anger only surfaced for a moment before he suppressed it.

He didn’t say much more to Xie Qingya, only promising, “If he dares to bully Duanyi, I won’t let him off.”

Seeing that Xie Qingya remained indifferent, Xiao Yuanxing was displeased, but he maintained his composure, suppressing his temper.

Just as Xie Qingya was about to lower the curtain, Xiao Yuanxing suddenly spoke, “If today’s incident was wrong, it was because of Xiao Yuanfu’s foolishness. If the prince is upset, you may blame our Xiao family for not educating him properly and producing such a fool.”

“But Duanyi did nothing wrong.”

“She has never done anything wrong from childhood to now.”

“Since the prince married her, for whatever reason, please treat her well and don’t let today’s events cause her any harm,” Xiao Yuanxing said, looking at Xie Qingya. “It’s unfair to her.”

He had come out for more than just an apology.

He wanted to convey this message to Xie Qingya.

Although Duanyi wasn’t his biological sister, he had always treated her like a precious gem.

Watching her marry Xie Qingya was something he could do nothing about, but it would be unbearable if, because of today’s matter, she suffered mistreatment at his hands.

Xie Qingya, holding the curtain, was about to let it fall.

He didn’t expect to hear such words from Xiao Yuanxing.

He didn’t respond immediately.

Only when he caught a glimpse of Xiao Yuanxing’s furrowed brows did he lower his eyes and quietly murmur, “Mm.”

As soon as the words were spoken, the curtain dropped.

Xiao Yuanxing watched the curtain fall, dissatisfied but didn’t stop it.

He stepped aside.

Chang Feng cupped his hands, jumped onto the carriage, and the carriage left.

The Nan’an Prince’s carriage gradually disappeared from their sight as it left the alley.

Li steward, unable to hold back, asked Xiao Yuanxing directly, “Young Master, what happened to the young miss? What’s the connection with Xiao Yuanfu? What did he do?”

He asked a series of questions, his expression anxious.

Xiao Yuanxing understood. He had always respected Duanyi because of his little aunt.

Some things were not meant to be shared with others.

But Li steward wasn’t an outsider.

There were matters in the household that he couldn’t take care of, and Li steward needed to watch over some things.

Whether it was regarding Duanyi or Xie Qingya.

So, Xiao Yuanxing didn’t hesitate to explain the situation of the household to him. Seeing Li steward’s pale face, Xiao Yuanxing patted his shoulder and gave him a few more instructions before entering.