Concubine Wang, Xie Fangfei's birth mother, said tearfully and coquettishly, "General, Fangfei heard that the Eldest Princess pointed a sword at the eldest young master last night. She was worried that the two of them might get into an argument, so she just asked a few concerned questions."
"I didn't expect that the eldest young master and Her Highness would actually..."
Saying so, she wiped her tears with a handkerchief, looking extremely aggrieved. Tears welled up in her eyes at will.
"What?"
General Xie didn't know about this. Hearing this, his face was full of anger. He turned his head and was about to question the servants who served Xie Lang.
Seeing this, Xie Lang sneered. Leaning halfway on the chair as if he had no bones, he raised his voice and said, "With the way Third Sister and Concubine Wang are acting, this shabby place of the Xie Family can't accommodate you. You'd better go to the opera troupe at the door. You will surely become famous overnight."
"It's just that those people spread false rumors and distorted Her Highness's visit to me like this."
"Does Father not believe me?"
"This..."
General Xie hesitated. Xie Lang had always been straightforward. It was impossible for him to lie to himself for the sake of this princess who was forced to marry into the family. However, his own daughter and Concubine Wang did tend to overthink things on weekdays.
Shen Mingzhu looked calm. There was not a trace of guilt on her face.
Shen Mingzhu knew that as long as she and Xie Lang could muddle through for now, even if General Xie found out the truth later, he would not bring up the old matter again and thus lose face for his own son and the Eldest Princess.
She saw Xie Fangfei constantly looking towards Concubine Wang and General Xie. Her eyes were almost twitching. A hint of displeasure flashed across Shen Mingzhu's face. Looking at her coldly, she said, "I am the current Eldest Princess. How could you, a mere concubine daughter, spread rumors about me!"
"You!"
Xie Fangfei was so angry that her eyes twitched. She tremblingly pointed at Shen Mingzhu, but was quickly slapped her hand down by Concubine Wang beside her. Concubine Wang glared at her as if giving a hint.
"Spreading rumors about the Eldest Princess and offending the royal family is punishable by forty whips." Shen Mingzhu looked at General Xie with a cold expression. "For General Xie's sake, I'll just assume that she is young and ignorant."
[Shen Mingzhu, you've never been so gentle with me!]
"Yes!" General Xie also knew that his daughter had committed a big taboo this time. Although Shen Mingzhu said so, he couldn't just follow her words. He gritted his teeth and said, "Your Highness is magnanimous."
"However, the crime cannot be ignored. I'll punish her by confining her to her room for three months, deducting her monthly allowance for half a year, and giving her five whips."
These whips were no ordinary ones. One whip could break the skin and flesh. It would take a long time to recover, and there might even be scars left.
However, thinking of the letter sent from the palace just now, which said that he should treat Shen Mingzhu well and not act rashly for the time being, General Xie could only grit his teeth and let Xie Fangfei take the whips.
These were going to leave scars! She was about to meet her future husband's family. If she had scars, how could she explain it to them!
"Father..."
Before Xie Fangfei could finish her words, she was covered by someone's hand and dragged away. Concubine Wang was extremely angry, but when she looked up, she saw her husband staring at her warningly. Suddenly, her heart turned cold, and she swallowed the words in her mouth resentfully.
"I'm not feeling well today. I'll take my leave first."
Watching Concubine Wang flee in a hurry, Shen Mingzhu's expression softened slightly. When she looked up, she met Xie Lang's eyes.
His eyes were deep. Looking at her, he slowly curled his lips, showing a hint of pleasure.
Shen Mingzhu was too lazy to look at him. She turned her head and looked at the teapot beside her.
After exchanging a few more words, the two of them pretended to be a loving couple and walked out.
Seeing his son being so obedient and really trying to please the princess, General Xie felt gratified but also a little guilty for some reason.
"Someone, carry all the new rewards to the eldest young master's courtyard."
Hearing this, Liu's face darkened. She felt extremely uncomfortable, but still forced a smile and said to General Xie, "General has done the right thing. This time, Concubine Wang and Fangfei were too impulsive. They actually..."
General Xie didn't care about these roundabout words. Hearing Liu speak, he just impatiently interrupted her and said, "Come on, you should also discipline them well. Also, I heard from the steward that Xie Yun has caused trouble again? As a mother, why don't you care about anything! Xie Lang used to be muddle - headed, but now he is much better than Xie Yun!"
Liu almost lost her breath. Looking at the disgust on General Xie's face, she swallowed her anger forcefully and pretended to be apologetic. "General is right. It's my negligence recently."
What's so good about this Xie Lang! He had been a good - for - nothing since childhood and was far inferior to her Xie Yun! However, General Xie just couldn't forget Xie Lang's charming mother, so he was extremely tolerant of this good - for - nothing!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Liu bit her lips hard and covered her chest, gasping for breath.
Humph, that woman had been dead for so many years. With Xie Lang's dissolute behavior, how long could the affection General Xie had for his mother last? This good - for - nothing would be driven out by her sooner or later!
Liu was so angry that her eyes were red. She didn't expect that General Xie would even leave a sentence before leaving, "Well, it's good that you know."
Liu was so angry that she fell backwards.
Concubine Wang didn't fare any better.
With great difficulty, she endured her anger and returned to her courtyard. When she turned around, she saw the servants coming and going outside the door. When she asked, she was told that it was General's order to send things to Xie Lang's place.
She was so angry that she could hardly contain herself. She wanted to grind her teeth. When she turned her head, she saw her daughter moaning in pain on the bed because of the beating.
Concubine Wang gritted her teeth and pulled down Xie Fangfei's pants while she was moaning in pain. She saw that her buttocks were lacerated. She definitely wouldn't be able to get out of bed for a month!
She was so heart - broken that she could hardly breathe. But she could only watch the servants outside the door carrying things with happy faces. She got up and slammed the door shut with a "bang".
...
As soon as they went out, Shen Mingzhu immediately distanced herself from Xie Lang. Her expression was a little better than when she came.
Just now they had united against the outside, and now the atmosphere between the two of them had eased a lot.
Xie Lang pretended to be a carefree person again. With his arms folded, he looked at Shen Mingzhu and joked, "Your Highness was really powerful just now. I'm impressed."
Shen Mingzhu couldn't help rolling her eyes at him regardless of her manners. Thinking of the way Xie Fangfei was probably gritting her teeth in anger now, daring not to speak out and having to swallow her grievances, she felt better than ever.
"Remember to investigate Xie Fangfei carefully." Seeing that they were about to enter the door, Shen Mingzhu turned her head and looked at Xie Lang walking beside her, reminding him.
"Investigate?" Hearing this, Xie Lang suddenly laughed. Looking at Shen Mingzhu, he said, "If you want me to do something, what reward will Your Highness give me?"
[You took advantage of me last night, and now you want to get something for free. You're dreaming!]
"I won't do free work. Your Highness's imagination is too beautiful."
Xie Lang looked up, his tone rising. There was a meaningful smile on his face as he looked at Shen Mingzhu. Pretending to be lecherous, he said, "I lack nothing, but a lover by my side."
"How about Your Highness marrying me? Then I'll surely help you whole - heartedly."
For some reason, looking at Shen Mingzhu with a straight face, Xie Lang couldn't help but speak.
Shen Mingzhu gritted her teeth. From this angle, Xie Lang's appearance was even more outstanding. His flying eyebrows slanted into his temples, his face had smooth lines, and he had a pair of light - brown fox eyes.
It was a pity that he was only good - looking. As soon as he opened his mouth, Shen Mingzhu wanted to gag him.
"Really?"
Shen Mingzhu ignored his teasing. She glanced at him indifferently and said, "I won't keep useless people."
It wasn't that Shen Mingzhu couldn't investigate things on her own. It was just that time was pressing now. If she didn't find out the person behind this in advance, who knew what trouble would happen next time.
Forget it. Xie Lang really seemed unreliable. It was better for her to hurry up and find some clues by herself.
Thinking so, Shen Mingzhu turned around without hesitation and left.
Xie Lang was stunned for a moment, then chased after her. He blocked her in front of the door and looked at her silently.
Shen Mingzhu snorted coldly and shouted, "Someone, drag him away for me!"