“Your Highness must be joking! You clearly told me that Jinniang was with child. How could I possibly make such a mistake after knowing that? There’s no need to come here and accuse me. Aside from the maids who came with me as part of my dowry, there are plenty of servants from the prince’s residence in Qinglan Courtyard. You can ask any one of them. Jinniang was the one who insisted on observing proper etiquette. Besides, I even had Physician Liu take her pulse. If you don’t believe me, summon him and ask him yourself.”
Xie Jin’s expression shifted between pale and livid.
As soon as he returned and heard that Jinniang was feeling unwell, the servants told him it was because she had been standing too long in Qinglan Courtyard. He immediately assumed that Xiao Yu had deliberately made things difficult for her and rushed over to demand an explanation.
“You’d better be telling the truth! Jinniang is weak right now. If you’re harboring any schemes against her, you’d better put an end to them immediately. Otherwise, don’t blame me for showing you no mercy!”
A perfectly measured look of sorrow appeared on Xiao Yu’s face. She slowly lowered her head and knelt before him.
“Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare.”
“I know I was wrong! I was far too stubborn before. Since I have married into your residence, I will obey you in everything from now on. If Your Highness says I am guilty, then I am guilty. Whatever punishment you give me, I will accept it. I will never dare argue with you again. I will stay quietly within the inner residence and do my duty to ease your burdens. I will harbor no other thoughts. I only hope Your Highness can forgive me!”
When she finished speaking, she raised her tear-filled eyes and looked pitifully at Xie Jin.
She had changed into a plain, modest outfit earlier, making her complexion appear even paler than snow. As she lifted her face toward him, the wounds on her neck were perfectly exposed.
Xie Jin was somewhat suspicious of Xiao Yu’s sudden change in attitude.
Yet she looked so pale and exhausted that it seemed a gust of wind could knock her over. When his gaze landed on the shocking marks around her neck, something stirred in his heart.
He had indeed been furious last night and lost control of his strength. He had never intended to hurt her that badly.
Then again, what woman, after marrying into a prince’s residence, wouldn’t wish to receive her husband’s affection?
Especially Xiao Yu, who had followed him around since childhood.
At least she knew when to yield.
“I do not ask for Your Highness’s affection. I am willing to eat vegetarian meals and recite Buddhist scriptures every day, praying for the blessings of the Imperial Dowager Consort and Your Highness. Let this prove my sincerity.”
At the mention of Imperial Dowager Consort Yu, Xie Jin’s brows furrowed slightly.
Back then, Xiao Yu’s mother had not only been close to his own mother, but had also been deeply favored by the Grand Empress Dowager.
Although Madam Luo and Imperial Dowager Consort Yu had both passed away, the Empress Dowager was still alive.
Before her death, the Grand Empress Dowager had specifically instructed the Empress Dowager to take good care of Xiao Yu.
Now that they were newly married, there was a strong possibility that the Empress Dowager would summon them…
“You’d better be sincerely repentant. Otherwise, Prince Rui’s Residence will have no place for you!”
From his expression, Xiao Yu knew exactly what he was thinking.
She had deliberately mentioned the Imperial Dowager Consort because she knew Xie Jin would remember the Empress Dowager’s special treatment of her.
And that was precisely the opportunity she needed.
Tomorrow was the day of their customary return to her maiden home, and afterward, they would have to enter the palace to express their gratitude.
Although the Empress Dowager was ill and might not necessarily summon them, Xiao Yu’s decision to lower her head and admit fault had given Xie Jin a way out. At the very least, he would no longer have to think of ways to conceal what had happened.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I know what I should do.”
Xie Jin gave her a cold glance before sweeping his sleeves and leaving.
Anxiang and Yingxiu immediately hurried forward and helped Xiao Yu to her feet.
Xiao Yu knew she had made the right gamble.
Even if Xie Jin intended to make her give up her position for Jinniang, it would definitely not happen now.
“Not completely stupid, after all!”
For once, Gu Jiuci did not call her an “idiot.” He had actually praised her.
Xiao Yu remained silent.
After their brief interactions, she had more or less figured out that this Ninth Imperial Uncle had an unpredictable temperament.
It was better to simply go along with him.
Her thoughts were already focused on what would happen tomorrow.
She could not rely on the Xiao family. Even if she told her father everything, he would not stand up for her.
Her elder brother was not currently at the residence, and even if he were, she still could not tell him.
Her only option was to seek help from the palace.
As long as the Empress Dowager still treated her as she had in the past, Xiao Yu still had a chance to turn the situation around.
Before long, the third day of their marriage arrived—the day the newlywed bride traditionally returned to visit her maiden family.
Xie Jin had been waiting outside since early morning.
When he saw Xiao Yu properly dressed, with the wounds on her neck completely concealed, the coldness in his expression eased slightly.
After Xiao Yu greeted him according to etiquette, she boarded the carriage and sat alone in one corner.
Xie Jin said nothing. He merely sat there in cold silence.
At the entrance of the Prime Minister’s Residence, Xiao Xingzhi and Madam Qin were waiting with their children to welcome them.
Upon seeing Xie Jin and Xiao Yu arrive, Xiao Xingzhi moved to bow.
Xie Jin raised a hand to stop him.
No matter how much he hated Xiao Yu, Xiao Xingzhi was still the current Chief Grand Secretary. Although the Xiao family’s influence had begun to decline, Xie Jin still had to show him the proper respect.
“Father-in-law, there’s no need for such formalities. We are family now. If anything, it is I who should be paying my respects to you.”
Xiao Yu also stepped forward to support Madam Qin.
Madam Qin was Xiao Xingzhi’s second wife.
There was very little genuine mother-daughter affection between her and Xiao Yu, but both of them were perfectly capable of maintaining appearances.
Seeing Xiao Yu come forward and take her arm before she could bow, Madam Qin affectionately linked arms with her.
“I know you still have to enter the palace later to express your gratitude, so I had some tea and refreshments prepared. They’re all things you and His Highness enjoy. Come, let us mother and daughter go to the inner courtyard and have a proper talk.”
Xiao Yu nodded and followed Madam Qin into the inner courtyard.
The gifts brought from Prince Rui’s Residence were quite generous, so naturally, Madam Qin said many pleasant things.
Xiao Yu’s two younger sisters, Xiao Rong and Xiao Lan, looked on with envy.
After chatting with them for a while, Xiao Yu rose to leave.
“Elder Sister, I heard Prince Rui brought another woman back to his residence on the very day of your wedding. And she’s already pregnant?”
Xiao Lan cautiously glanced at Madam Qin.
She had been holding the question in for quite some time and had desperately wanted to ask Xiao Yu about it, but Xiao Yu had never mentioned the matter herself.
“Yu’er, it is common for a man to have several wives and concubines. Prince Rui may have been somewhat hasty, but look at his brothers. Their inner residences are far more crowded than his, and they already have child after child. If he hadn’t spent all these years waiting for you, he probably would have had several women by now.”
Madam Qin continued earnestly, “You mustn’t oppose him over this. As women, there are times when we simply have to endure and make concessions. In any case, you are still the mistress in charge of Prince Rui’s Residence. As long as you understand your position and manage the household properly, that is what matters.”
Madam Qin’s words were surprisingly heartfelt, and the smile on Xiao Yu’s face became a little more genuine.
However, Madam Qin’s unintentional reminder also planted a seed of doubt in Xiao Yu’s mind.
“Don’t worry, Mother. I will remember your advice. I won’t oppose His Highness.”
“That’s good.”
Madam Qin shot Xiao Lan a displeased look, clearly blaming her for speaking too much.
“Elder Sister, I was only worried about you. Please don’t misunderstand me. I actually think that since you and His Highness grew up together as childhood sweethearts, you must still be different from everyone else, even if there is another woman in his heart. You should give His Highness an heir as soon as possible. Only then will your position in Prince Rui’s Residence truly be secure!”
Xiao Rong looked completely relaxed, with an unmistakable air of someone enjoying another person’s misfortune.
Her words were filled with false regret and sympathy.
“What a pity! That woman is already carrying His Highness’s child before you. Elder Sister, your position is in danger!”
Xiao Rong and Xiao Lan were both Madam Qin’s daughters.
They had always resented Xiao Yu for possessing the title of eldest legitimate daughter and securing such an enviable marriage.
They were all legitimate daughters of the Chief Grand Secretary, and in their eyes, they were no worse than Xiao Yu in any way.
Yet simply because Xiao Yu had been born to Madam Luo, she had managed to marry into the imperial family.
Now that they saw Prince Rui, Xie Jin—Xiao Yu’s supposed childhood sweetheart—treating her no better than this, they felt immensely satisfied.
Naturally, their words became increasingly merciless.
Xiao Yu had no intention of indulging them.
“Thank you for your concern, Younger Sister. You’ve also reached the age when marriage proposals will soon come your way. Be sure to keep your eyes wide open and choose your future husband carefully. You wouldn’t want to misjudge someone.”
Xiao Lan tugged at Xiao Rong’s sleeve.
Her voice was not loud, but her words struck with devastating precision.
“Elder Sister, why would you say something like that? Sister Rong and Prince Rui still haven’t consummated their marriage, have they? She’s already upset enough about it. Aren’t you just poking at her sore spot?”
Xiao Rong covered her mouth and feigned surprise.
“Elder Sister, on your wedding night… you actually spent the night alone?”
“That’s enough! Both of you, stop talking!”
Seeing Xiao Yu’s expression darken slightly, Madam Qin immediately reprimanded them.
Xiao Yu then bid them farewell and headed toward the front courtyard.
After passing through the moon gate, she found Xie Jin already waiting on the other side.
He had clearly been waiting for some time and was beginning to grow impatient.
As they were about to leave, Xiao Xingzhi looked at Xiao Yu as though he wanted to say something but hesitated.
He had heard a few things from the servants about what had happened in Prince Rui’s inner residence, but as her father, there were certain matters he could not easily interfere with.
Xiao Yu understood what he wanted to say.
Instead, she offered him a few reassuring words.
“Father, don’t worry. I’m doing well.”
Xiao Xingzhi nodded.
In the end, he said nothing more.