Zhao Zhiyan’s arrival at the Duke of Jing’s Mansion was unexpected by all.
Grand Madam hastily rose to greet him, her eyelids twitching inexplicably.
Not far away, the steward, bowing low, ushered Zhao Zhiyan inside. The man, dressed in fine brocade robes, stood tall and straight like a sturdy pine. His handsome face wore a gentle smile, and his every movement exuded nobility and elegance.
Beside Zhao Zhiyan was the Duke of Jing, who had not returned home all night.
“Eighth Prince,” everyone saluted.
The Eighth Prince, Zhao Zhiyan, was the youngest son of Emperor Taizu, just over twenty years old this year, and had an excellent relationship with the Emperor of Beichu.
He was also the only prince who had not been executed after the Emperor of Beichu ascended the throne, but had instead risen steadily in rank.
This Eighth Prince was also famously gentle and refined.
Zhao Zhiyan made a slight gesture of support. “No need for formalities. I apologize for the sudden intrusion, Grand Madam.”
Grand Madam shook her head with a smile, stepping aside to lead Zhao Zhiyan into the main hall. “Your Highness’s presence brings great honor to our humble residence. Please, take a seat.”
After sitting down, Zhao Zhiyan glanced around, as if searching for something.
Grand Madam’s eyelids twitched again.
“Help!”
Song Yue’s cry for help rang out, and the next moment, she fell straight onto the threshold, a palm print clearly visible on her face. Behind her, Mama Wang, holding up her skirt, approached with a fierce expression.
Yundong blocked Mama Wang, and the two tangled together.
Song Yue looked up at Zhao Zhiyan, then quickly turned her gaze to Grand Madam. “Grandmother, save me! Mama Wang wants to kill me.”
Grand Madam watched as Song Yue crawled on the ground, covered in filth, even her face smudged with dirt. Her head throbbed, and she shouted, “Stop!”
With that roar, the scene fell silent.
Song Yue stubbornly knelt on the ground, one side of her face swollen high.
“Grand Madam, Third Miss is cunning and deceitful. She deliberately framed this old servant. You must uphold justice for me,” Mama Wang pleaded, kneeling and kowtowing.
Grand Madam first glanced at Zhao Zhiyan. Seeing that his face had lost all traces of a smile, she quickly scolded Mama Wang angrily, “What nonsense are you spouting? Get out of here at once!”
Only then did Mama Wang notice the distinguished guest seated in the hall. Trembling with fear, she hurriedly retreated. Song Yue lowered her eyes and covered her face with her hand.
Seeing this, Zhao Zhiyan couldn’t help but laugh. Wasn’t it a bit too late to cover her face now?
“Please forgive this unsightly scene, Eighth Prince,” Grand Madam forced a smile toward Zhao Zhiyan and pointed at Song Yue. “This girl just returned yesterday and doesn’t understand the rules. It must be a misunderstanding.”
Song Yue opened her mouth and burst into tears. “Grandmother, it’s not that I don’t understand the rules. It’s Mama Wang. She warned me not to take Second Sister’s things, told me to behave and be obedient, called me a wild girl with no manners, and even hit me.”
Grand Madam hadn’t expected Song Yue to pull such a stunt. Her face instantly turned ashen.
Zhao Zhiyan stood up, his long legs taking a step forward. He took out a handkerchief and handed it to Song Yue, his gentle tone as if coaxing a small pet. “You do bear some resemblance. Don’t cry anymore. Wipe your face.”
The people behind them wore strange expressions, momentarily unsure of what to say.
Song Yue indeed stopped crying. She took the handkerchief and unceremoniously wiped her face, her eyes red and her body trembling.
“This prince suddenly remembers there are still matters to attend to. I must take my leave.”
Zhao Zhiyan came and went in haste, but before leaving, he gently patted Song Yue’s shoulder without saying another word.
The Duke of Jing, with an ingratiating smile, escorted him out.
After a moment, he returned with a dark expression, glaring at Song Yue with rising anger. “What exactly happened?”
Song Yue sniffled, choking back sobs as she said, “Mama Wang hit me. She wouldn’t let me dirty Second Sister’s clothes and said I wasn’t worthy.”
Seeing that she was being implicated, Song Yao’s eyelids twitched, and she quickly stepped forward to explain. “Father, Mama Wang has been with Grandmother for years. She would never make a mistake. Third Sister must have misunderstood.”
Who would dare question someone from the Grand Madam’s side?
The Grand Madam sat down, her eyes fixed on Song Yue, who was still wearing those clothes. Anger simmered in her heart, especially since this scene had been witnessed by Zhao Zhiyan.
What if Zhao Zhiyan reported this to the Emperor of Beichu? Wouldn’t that bring disgrace to the Duke of Jing’s Mansion?
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. The Grand Madam quickly ordered someone to bring Mama Wang forward.
The two gave conflicting accounts.
Mama Wang insisted that Song Yue had hit herself.
Song Yue covered her face, her eyes wide with shock. “You… how can you lie so shamelessly?”
“Third Miss, at such a young age, you refuse to learn properly and instead frame an old servant like me. You have no conscience and will face divine punishment!” Mama Wang blurted out in a fit of rage.
As soon as these words were spoken, Song Yue knew Mama Wang’s fate was sealed.
Sure enough, the Duke of Jing stepped forward and kicked Mama Wang hard in the chest. “How dare you! Who gave you the audacity to publicly slander your master?”
Mama Wang, being old, couldn’t withstand such a heavy blow. She was sent flying and lay on the ground, unable to get up for a long time.
“Father, please don’t hit her anymore. Harmony brings prosperity. It was my fault for insisting on wearing Second Sister’s clothes. I look fine dressed like this.” Song Yue shrank back, her eyes filled with fear.
Seeing Song Yue dressed like a beggar and having just embarrassed herself in front of the Eighth Prince, the Duke of Jing felt his blood boil. “Guards! Drag this person out and give her thirty lashes!”
Mama Wang was quickly gagged and dragged away.
The sound of the cane echoed from outside.
“Troublemaker!”
A soft, angry curse came from behind Song Yue.
Song Yue suddenly looked up at Song Yao. “Second Sister, what did you say about abusing private punishment?”
Song Yao’s eyelids twitched, and she immediately glanced at the Duke of Jing, only to see him looking at her with displeasure. Panicked, she waved her hands. “Father, I… I said nothing.”
In her heart, she cursed Song Yue dozens of times, but it still didn’t ease her anger.
You little wretch, you’ve harmed me again.
Song Yue sneered. Coward!
The Duke of Jing regained his composure and addressed everyone. “From today onward, anyone who disrespects Third Miss will be severely punished.”
Faced with the Duke of Jing’s stern expression, all the younger generation present shrank back in fear. Even Song Hengchuan dared not utter a word of defiance.
“Song Yue, you’ve just returned and are unfamiliar with the rules of the Duke of Jing’s Mansion. I’ve hired a nanny for you. Starting today, you will learn etiquette from her.” The Duke of Jing called out toward the door, “Nanny Yang, come in.”
Nanny Yang entered the room. Her face appeared calm, but a flicker of shrewdness flashed in her eyes. She bowed and curtsied to Song Yue. “Third Miss.”
Song Yue also responded obediently, “Hello, Nanny Yang.”
At that moment, the Grand Madam rubbed her temples, claiming she was unwell, and gestured to dismiss everyone. As they rose to leave, Song Yue spoke up. “Father, has Jingzhao Yin Uncle found anything about the villa fire?”
Her words made everyone stop in their tracks.
Especially Yuan Fuling, who glanced guiltily at the Duke of Jing.
The Duke of Jing frowned with worry. Just yesterday, he had gone to see the Jingzhao Yin about this matter, but no matter how he tried to pry for information, the Jingzhao Yin remained tight-lipped.
In the end, he simply took his men to personally investigate the area around the villa.
The villagers living in Xingshan Village said that the capital hadn’t seen bandits in decades, and on the night of the fire, there were no suspicious figures spotted.
In other words, there were no bandits.
The villa had been safe for over a decade, yet it caught fire precisely when the Duke of Jing’s Mansion sent someone to fetch Song Yue. This was far too suspicious.