Princess Yong’an and Xia Yuruo, who had rushed over in haste, had just stepped out when they heard Yi Zichuan’s words, immediately halting in their tracks.
“Does Wang Ye mean that my daughter spent the entire night last evening with the Dowager Consort?” Xia Madam quickly grasped the implication, clenching her hands tightly as hope brimmed in her eyes.
“Precisely!” A cool voice emerged from the carriage, followed by a pair of slender, pale hands reaching out from within.
Yi Zichuan stepped forward to support the hand. “Be careful, Mother!”
Soon, Song Taifei, dressed in simple elegance, emerged from the carriage.
The assembled crowd paused briefly before bowing in unison. “May Song Taifei be blessed with endless fortune!”
“Having devoted myself to Buddhism for many years, let us dispense with such worldly formalities!” Song Taifei said as she walked to Xia Jianxi’s side, affectionately taking her hand. “Last night, had it not been for Jianxi risking her life to protect me, I might not have lived to see today’s rising sun. She sustained severe injuries while saving me, but fortunately, a divine physician was present and managed to revive her!”
Princess Yong’an, standing nearby, repeatedly shifted her expression. “Wasn’t she abducted by bandits? How did she become the one who saved the Dowager Consort?”
They had heard whispers of Song Taifei’s assassination attempt the previous night, but the messenger had only mentioned Yi Zichuan’s timely arrival, not that someone had saved Song Taifei.
Song Taifei lifted her gaze to Princess Yong’an and smiled meaningfully. “Did the Princess witness it herself?”
Princess Yong’an was momentarily speechless, finally forcing an awkward laugh after a long pause. “That’s what the rumors in the streets say…”
Song Taifei curled her lips slightly, a trace of mockery in her eyes. “How could there already be rumors about Miss Xia’s disappearance in such a short time? Unless someone with ulterior motives is deliberately spreading falsehoods!”
Seeing Princess Yong’an’s discomfort, Xia Yuruo hurriedly interjected, “Elder Sister went missing during the Flower Festival lantern celebration. With so many people around, some gossip is inevitable!”
Song Taifei cast a displeased glance at Xia Yuruo. “Whose daughter is this, so lacking in manners?”
Xia Madam snorted coldly at Xia Yuruo, who kept hovering near Princess Yong’an, making no move to defend her. Instead, it was Xia Jianxi who spoke up. “Reporting to the Dowager Consort, this is my cousin from my paternal uncle’s family—she is, in a way, my younger sister.”
“Oh?” Song Taifei narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Xia Yuruo from head to toe before curling her lip in disdain. “This sister of yours is far inferior to you! Neither her appearance nor her character is commendable in the slightest!”
Hearing Song Taifei’s words, Xia Yuruo felt her face burn with shame, biting her lip to hold back tears. She instinctively glanced toward Kang Muze in the distance, only to find his gaze fixed on Xia Jianxi from beginning to end.
Though resentful, Xia Yuruo dared not say another word.
“Miss Xia was indeed abducted by villains!” Yi Zichuan, who had remained silent until then, suddenly spoke up.
Everyone present paled, and Xia Madam instinctively tightened her grip. “The wind and dust outside are strong—why don’t we continue this conversation inside?”
Princess Yong’an, who had seemed somewhat guilty earlier, suddenly perked up as if she had gained an advantage. “I don’t see much wind or dust. Could it be that Xia Madam is worried Wang Ye might say something amiss, hence the rush to retreat into the residence?”
Xia Madam was seething with anger and about to erupt when Xia Jianxi grasped her hand. She instinctively looked up and saw Jianxi gazing at her, then gently shaking her head.
Though puzzled, Xia Madam restrained herself and did not make a scene.
This subtle exchange did not escape Yi Zichuan’s notice. He imperceptibly curved the corners of his lips before turning to Princess Yong’an: “Miss Xia was indeed abducted, but the perpetrators were not ordinary kidnappers—they were rebellious bandits!”
The term “rebellious bandits” struck the listeners like a thunderclap. Xia Yuruo instinctively looked up, only to meet Yi Zichuan’s probing gaze. Startled, she immediately lowered her head, fearing this stern lord might detect something.
“Does Wang Ye mean the bandits who kidnapped my Jianxi belong to the same group that attempted to assassinate the Dowager Consort?” Xia Maoshan, worthy of being a chief general, immediately grasped the connection.
“Precisely. Had Miss Xia not discovered their plans during the abduction, risked her life to escape, and rushed to my mother’s side to block the assassin’s sword with her own body… I fear my mother would have…” Yi Zichuan paused, giving Xia Maoshan a meaningful look. “For a young lady of gentle upbringing to possess such courage and quick thinking—this must reflect the general’s excellent upbringing!”
Xia Madam felt her heart constrict upon hearing this. Clutching Xia Jianxi’s hand tightly, her face grew paler than her daughter’s.
Noticing Xia Madam’s distress, Song Taifei approached and took her hand: “To save me, Jianxi suffered severe injuries. I originally intended to let her recuperate for a few more days to avoid travel strain, but rumors spread so rapidly within a single day that we had to rush her back.”
Tears welled in Xia Madam’s eyes upon hearing this. She glanced briefly at Princess Yong’an before murmuring: “Being able to save the Dowager Consort was our Jianxi’s blessing…”
“I heard today was originally the day for Yong’an Wangfu to deliver betrothal gifts. Since I’ve delayed her marriage, when you reselect the date, I shall provide Jianxi with a substantial dowry!” Song Taifei took Xia Jianxi’s hand and spoke softly.
Kang Muze, standing nearby, abruptly changed expression. He looked at the pale-faced Xia Jianxi with profound guilt. After hesitating for a long while, just as he was about to speak, Xia Maoshan suddenly sneered: “Our Xia family isn’t fortunate enough to form marital ties with Yong’an Wangfu!”
Xia Jianxi looked up at Kang Muze before her. His uncomfortable expression and guilty demeanor confirmed that Yong’an Wangfu had already broached the subject of breaking off the engagement.
Having lived through this once before, Xia Jianxi didn’t feel the heart-wrenching pain of her previous life. She merely wondered why, this time, they hadn’t waited for her return before…
“What does General Xia mean by this?” Song Taifei frowned in confusion.
Xia Maoshan sneered, “Just moments ago, Princess Yong’an personally visited, stating that our Jianxi’s reputation is ruined—that their family would never accept a woman with tainted virtue as their Heir’s consort.” They demand to break off the engagement!”