Such people are not worthy of pity. Their current situation can only be attributed to their own doing. Why did the Crown Prince take a liking to her? Although the Zhao family had the Empress, only Zhao Junxuan and Zhao Junhan held official positions in the court. Even then, their posts were not significant.
Then how did the Crown Prince meet Zhao Xiuzhu? She did not believe it was a coincidence.
Qin Erniang helped Zhao Xiuzhu out of her boudoir. Only she, Feng Qing, and Yu Yun remained in the room.
"Feng Qing, the matter is now in your hands! After all, you were once partners. I believe you know better than I do how to handle this." She glanced at Yu Yun and left.
"Miss, are you just letting her go?" Wuhen, who had been hiding in the shadows, suddenly appeared.
"What else?" she asked Wuhen.
Wuhen's gaze turned cold, "I will definitely make her regret offending you."
"Wuhen, she is a Shadow Guard after all. Regardless, it is not my place to punish her." Besides, she did not believe Feng Qing would keep it from Song Xiuyuan. The handling of the matter should be left to Song Xiuyuan. She did not want to worry about these things.
"Miss, you are simply too kind. Otherwise, how would Yu Yun try to harm you time and again?" Wuhen was displeased with her handling of the matter.
"It's alright. Life has been a bit boring anyway. Having her add some amusement is good too," Xue Xingyue said.
"Then Miss must also be careful. I feel that Miss Zhao is not one to give up easily," Wuhen warned.
Xue Xingyue nodded. After their recent encounter, she felt that Zhao Xiuzhu was extremely persistent. Persistence was a good thing, but excessive persistence was a bit extreme. And Zhao Xiuzhu was such a person.
She believed that what she could not obtain was others' fault, without considering why she could not obtain it. Such people should be kept at a distance as much as possible. If they could not be avoided, then they should be made to pay the price.
Hearing the sound of gongs and drums fading away, Xue Xingyue said, "Let's leave here too!"
Wuhen nodded, and as the two were about to scale the wall, they heard the sound of an argument from the front courtyard.
Xue Xingyue stopped, as the voice was familiar to her. It was none other than Zhao Junhan, whom she had not seen since parting ways at Xifeng Pass.
She glanced at Wuhen, who understood her meaning. The two did not leave by scaling the wall but instead landed on the eaves of a room in the front courtyard.
"Father, you clearly know that third sister likes fifth brother, not the Crown Prince. How can you sacrifice third sister for your own selfish gain?" Zhao Han stood there, looking coldly at Zhao Shiming.
"Han'er, how are you speaking to your father? Parents' orders and matchmakers' words have always been the way. Moreover, marrying the Crown Prince is not necessarily a bad thing. At least the Crown Prince genuinely likes Zhu'er."
"Father, then do you disregard what third sister's heart truly feels?" Zhao Junhan looked at Zhao Shiming like an enraged leopard.
"As for this husband, I naturally know that Zhu'er has someone in her heart. But you also know that your cousin does not like Zhu'er. If that is the case, why endure it? Besides, those who achieve great things must make sacrifices, isn't that so?"
"So, in order to achieve great things, you sacrificed third sister?"
"Nonsense, is this how you speak to me?"
Zhao Han forced a bitter smile, "If Father believes that what I said today is wrong, you may punish me. However, I will never compromise on third sister's matter. I must go and save third sister."
"Nonsense, Xuan'er, why aren't you stopping Han'er?" Zhao Shiming said angrily.
"Eldest brother, do you also believe Father is right? That third sister must be sacrificed for the greater cause?" Junhan looked directly at Zhao Xuan.
Zhao Xuan remained silent. Zhao Han felt a chill run through his body, "Eldest brother, third sister..."
"Who is outside?" Zhao Xuan suddenly shouted coldly, then flew out the window.
Xue Xingyue looked at Zhao Xuan standing before her and greeted him, "Long time no see!"
"Miss Xue, it's you! How are you here?" Zhao Han, who had rushed over, was extremely surprised to see her.
"I was invited by the eldest Miss Zhao," she replied truthfully.
"You know my third sister?" Zhao Han asked in surprise.
"So it's Miss Xue!" Zhao Shiming walked out, saw her, and said lightly.
"Master Zhao, I apologize. I have been presumptuous. I shall take my leave now!"
As she spoke, she was about to leave when Zhao Xuan pointed his sword at her and asked coldly, "How much did you hear?"
"Eldest brother, don't be like this. Didn't you hear Miss Xue say that third sister invited her?"
"But third sister has already left, and she is still here!" Zhao Xuan said, glancing at Zhao Han.
Zhao Han was slightly taken aback, looking at her, "Miss Xue, you..."
"I heard everything you said. What will you do?" she asked Zhao Xuan.
"Then I am very sorry, you will not be able to leave!" Zhao Xuan's gaze turned cold, instantly becoming as cold as ice.
"Xuan'er, don't be rash. Miss Xue is Xiu Yuan's betrothed," Zhao Shiming said quickly, seeing the two on the verge of confrontation.
"What?" Zhao Han and Zhao Xuan looked at Zhao Shiming in astonishment.
"That's right. She is my wife!" From outside the door, a man in a moon-white robe stood tall and elegant. For a moment, everything lost its color, and all that remained was his peerless grace.
Song Xiuyuan stood at the main entrance. The morning sunlight slanted and fell upon him, making him seem as if he were bathed in divine light, shimmering and radiant.
He strode forward in this light, like a god descending.
Song Xiuyuan came to her side. His back was to her line of sight. At this moment, he was like an unyielding statue, shielding her from the wind and rain. Her eyes misted over. Although the morning wind was still a bit cool, her heart was as if bathed in a warm spring breeze.
Zhao Han took a while to react. He looked at Xue Xingyue and Song Xiuyuan, seemingly finding it hard to accept.
Zhao Xuan, however, quickly accepted the reality. He looked at Song Xiuyuan and asked, "What exactly is going on?"
Seeing this, Zhao Shiming reprimanded Zhao Xuan, "What Xiu Yuan intends to do, does he have to report to you one by one?"
Zhao Xuan was taken aback and then said, "Yes, Father."
"Xiu Yuan, it seems this matter requires you to explain it to them. You see..." Zhao Shiming asked, looking at Song Xiuyuan.
"Uncle is absolutely right. Let's go inside and talk," Song Xiuyuan said.
Zhao Shiming glanced at her standing beside Song Xiuyuan, seemingly wanting to say something but stopping himself.
It seemed there were things inconvenient for her to know. In fact, she did not want to know either, because she discovered that Song Xiuyuan was a mystery, and behind these mysteries, there must be an astonishing secret. Therefore, it was better for her not to know this astonishing secret.