After bidding farewell to Madam Liu, Ye Qingcheng and the other person were about to return to their residence. As they reached the main entrance, they encountered Lin Xiao.
Seeing the Princess Consort, Lin Xiao's expression was far from pleasant. "So, the Princess Consort remembers to come back!"
Ye Qingcheng exchanged a glance with Jing Xiu, both utterly bewildered.
Lin Xiao was currently very displeased with the Princess Consort. He muttered to himself, "I thought the Princess Consort went out to find herself a pretty boy and had completely forgotten about the Regent's Mansion?"
At this point, the two finally understood what had happened. However, the mention of a "pretty boy" irked Ye Qingcheng. She had initially thought he was a refined and understanding little fox, only to discover he was an immature puppy. She was speechless.
Seeing that the Princess Consort couldn't even be bothered to refute him, Lin Xiao grew even angrier. "The Prince Regent said that if you dare to keep male favorites outside, you will die a most miserable death."
Ye Qingcheng breathed a sigh of relief, glad that everything was settled and there would be no future repercussions. The idea of "hooking a puppy" had to be abandoned.
However, the next day, Jing Xiu brought news. "I heard that Young Master Liu, despite his parents' objections, waited at the city gates early in the morning. He waited the entire morning, baking in the scorching sun until sweat dripped down his back. All the passing carriages would stop to take a look. They say he was looking for some girl. Princess Consort, do you think we went too far?"
Ye Qingcheng pondered for a moment. "When he went, had the city gates opened?"
"Yes, they had been open for quite some time, and many merchant caravans had already passed."
Ye Qingcheng relaxed. "That's good. As long as the merchant caravans have passed, it will let him know that I, Lu Xier, have left."
Jing Xiu hesitated for a long time before saying, "Young Master Liu waited all day but didn't see the person he wished to see. He even cried at the city gates. In the end, Madam Liu had to drag him back. Now, rumors are circulating about what kind of girl could make the dissolute Young Master Liu so infatuated."
Ye Qingcheng snorted coldly. "Jing Xiu, don't feel sorry for him. He's just someone who judges by appearance. The reason he's interested in me is only temporary. He was clinging to me before because my attitude towards him was different, which piqued his curiosity. In his heart, he must think, 'She's so special, I like her so much!' If I were to actually get together with him, and one day he grew tired of me, he would discard me like a worn-out rag. Don't you think, if I were an extremely ugly woman with pockmarks all over my face, would he even glance at me again?"
Jing Xiu considered it and felt it made sense.
With that thought, her sympathy for Young Master Liu vanished. After all, before she knew the Princess Consort, that Young Master Liu was known as a dissolute young man who bullied the weak. Therefore, what he was experiencing now was his own doing.
Ye Qingcheng took a sip of water. "Moreover, my departure now has undoubtedly left an indelible place in his heart. This place will continue to be beautified in his mind until it becomes perfect."
In other words, a white moonlight.
Thinking thus, Ye Qingcheng snorted softly. "After all, what one cannot obtain is the most perfect."
Jing Xiu nodded, half-understanding. She suddenly felt that what the Princess Consort said was quite profound.
After breakfast, the two went to see Bi Xi. Bi Xi's injuries had mostly healed, and she wanted to return to serve the Princess Consort.
Ye Qingcheng sternly refused. "No, it takes a hundred days for bones to heal completely, and your injuries were more than just to your bones and flesh." When treating her wounds, she discovered that Bi Xi's body was never free of injuries. The maid who accompanied her complained that Aunt Yu Jian would often scold and beat her for no reason, leaving Bi Xi with no uninjured parts.
This enraged Ye Qingcheng, who directly stormed into the woodshed and gave Yu Jian a thorough beating.
On their way back, Xiao Wangye appeared silently in front of them.
He immediately said, "Today, you will return to my hometown with me to meet my parents."
Parents? In-laws? What did that mean? Oh my goodness!
Ye Qingcheng was completely stunned. She didn't even realize when she had been pulled into the carriage. By the time she came to her senses, it was too late.
The carriage was already halfway there.
It was in this situation that Ye Qingcheng met her in-laws.
Ye Qingcheng was close to collapsing. It was over. She hadn't brought any gifts. Her initial impression would surely be bad.
Xiao Wangye's mother was adorned with an air of elegant nobility. Her dignified attire highlighted her noble temperament. It had to be said, among the wealthy women Ye Qingcheng had met, she was the most beautiful. Xiao Wangye's appearance resembled his mother's.
Xiao Wangye's father appeared to be a uniquely dignified person. If he were to wear official robes, he would exude an even more distinctive style.
However, just as she was pondering how to interact with them, they completely ignored her and pushed Xiao Wangye inside.
What was even more astounding was that throughout the entire meal, they didn't even open their eyes to look at Ye Qingcheng. They hadn't even prepared chopsticks and bowls for her.
Perhaps Ye Qingcheng, being such a large living person, was too conspicuous, or perhaps Xiao Wangye's mother felt that acting this way was improper and would lead to the Regent's Mansion being perceived as neglectful and unreasonable if word got out.
Thus, Xiao Wangye's mother finally deigned to extend her slender hand and pointed at Ye Qingcheng, saying, "What is going on? Why haven't we prepared bowls and chopsticks for Miss Qingcheng?"
Veins bulged on Ye Qingcheng's forehead. This was clearly a deliberate attempt to intimidate her. She glanced at Xiao Wangye, only to find him unconcerned, leisurely eating his meal.
Ye Qingcheng chuckled coldly. So this was the meaning behind bringing her to meet his parents. Fine, she would tolerate this old woman for now. "Then hurry up and bring them. I'm hungry."
Xiao Wangye's parents frowned slightly, and his mother's tone was particularly blunt. "Miss Ye Qingcheng, don't blame me for speaking my mind..."
"Auntie, if you speak your mind, perhaps it's best not to speak at all." Ye Qingcheng couldn't help but interrupt her, genuinely not understanding why this old woman was speaking in such a manner, as if conversing with her was a favor. Who cared?
The bowls and chopsticks still hadn't arrived, suggesting they didn't want Ye Qingcheng to eat there. And Xiao Wangye, who had brought her, was still eating calmly and peacefully.
As soon as Ye Qingcheng finished speaking, Xiao Wangye's father couldn't help but slam down his chopsticks. "Young lady, how dare you speak to your elders like that!"
"Hmph!" Ye Qingcheng no longer felt it was worth eating with this family. "Do you expect me to stand up and serve you?"
The elderly couple was furious. "You..."
"You both know that I came with Xiao Wangye. Even if you were unaware beforehand, it doesn't change anything. Preparing extra bowls and chopsticks was your responsibility, yet you failed to do so, leaving my place at the table empty. The sages say, 'Mother's love fosters filial piety.' For a child to be filial, the mother must first be loving. You disrespected me first, and now you expect me to show you the respect a junior owes an elder?"
The couple was left speechless by Ye Qingcheng's words.
By this time, the maids had brought the bowls and chopsticks, but Ye Qingcheng no longer needed them.
She was now very disappointed in Xiao Wangye.
"I don't know why you brought me here to be insulted. Judging by your indifference to this matter, I am truly disappointed, Xiao Wangye. When we return today, prepare the divorce papers."
Xiao Wangye raised his eyes to look at her upon hearing this.
"Let us divorce, and from now on, we shall owe each other nothing. Your mother calls me 'Miss' anyway, indicating she doesn't acknowledge me. So why should I continue to hold the title of Princess Consort!"