Jiang Xifeng struggled to get up from the ground, but he remained slumped, his entire body feeling as if it had been shattered by Princess Xingyue’s kick.
Seeing this, Madam Liu hurried forward, attempting to help Jiang Xifeng up. Jiang Xifeng pushed her away with one hand, coldly saying, "You don't need to."
Madam Liu's hand froze, unsure of what to do.
Jiang Xifeng looked at Princess Xingyue and asked, "Your Highness, are you satisfied this time?"
Xue Xingyue glanced at Jiang Xifeng indifferently upon hearing this, saying nothing, but her gaze turned cold.
"My brother has already been punished. I implore Your Highness to show mercy," Jiang shi stepped forward and knelt to plead.
Xue Xingyue looked at Jiang shi, not stopping her action, but said indifferently, "Although I am married, I am still Princess Xingyue. This will never change. The Jiang family's actions show they do not regard me highly…
As such, I have no reason to stay any longer. Madam, I will be returning to the capital immediately. Will you be accompanying me, or will you remain?"
Jiang shi trembled all over. She still said, "This concubine…"
"Your Highness, my son has offended you. I, this old man, am here to shamelessly beg for your favor."
Xue Xingyue looked at Old Master Jiang and said, "Old Master Jiang, there is no need for this. The one who made a mistake was Jiang Xifeng, not you. You do not need to apologize to me. However, I can understand once. Jiang Xifeng has repeatedly targeted me. I believe Jiang Xifeng harbors hostility towards me. Since that is the case, I have no reason to stay here any longer. Feng Wu, pack your things, we depart immediately."
"Your Highness, it is getting late. Perhaps we should have lunch before departing?" Old Master Jiang said.
Xue Xingyue nodded upon hearing this, "Very well, we shall depart after lunch."
After everyone left, Feng Wu asked, "Your Highness, why do we have to stay for lunch?"
Xue Xingyue replied, "If we don't stay, we will have to sever ties with the Jiang family completely. Feng has not yet sent any news. Severing ties with the Jiang family means there is no guarantee in Jiangnan. I do not wish to do that unless it is absolutely necessary."
"Your Highness, what about Jin Qing and Jin Xuan?" Feng Wu asked.
"Take them both," Xue Xingyue said.
Yu Ze had somehow obtained some medicine. While it wouldn't cause Jin Qing to lose his life, he wasn't much better, clinging to life by a thread.
"Can Jin Qing endure such a bumpy journey?" Feng Wu said with concern.
Xue Xingyue replied, "Whether he can endure it or not depends on his fate. However, go and buy some good medicinal herbs and prepare them. I hope they will be useful."
In a secret chamber of the Jiang family, Old Master Jiang was furious, repeatedly banging on the chair. "You ungrateful child, how many times have I told you not to provoke Princess Xingyue so easily? Why don't you ever listen? You always ruin my good deeds! Jiang Xifeng, are you even my son?"
Jiang Xifeng was somewhat indignant. The kick from Xue Xingyue still hurt, and his father was lecturing him. "Father, it was the hidden guards who saw someone enter Princess Xingyue's room that made me go. How could I have imagined that no one would be there?"
Old Master Jiang cursed upon hearing this, "You truly don't use your brain at all. If there was really someone in Princess Xingyue's room, how would you know? If Princess Xingyue wasn't married, it wouldn't matter. But not only is Princess Xingyue married, she's married into the Duke of Ning's household! Do you want everyone to spread rumors? How could you be such a foolish creature?"
Jiang Xifeng lowered his head and said, "I know that Princess Xingyue would definitely not let people enter. As long as someone is arranged there, isn't that enough to keep Princess Xingyue in the Jiang family? I was thinking of you, Father."
Old Master Jiang sneered a few times, "But what was the result? Princess Xingyue wants to leave. You are truly useless, only capable of ruining things."
Old Master Jiang was extremely angry.
"Father, are you really letting Princess Xingyue leave here?" Jiang Xifeng looked up at Old Master Jiang and asked.
"What do you think?" Old Master Jiang asked.
Upon hearing this, a trace of gloom flashed across Jiang Xifeng's eyes. "Father, why don't we…"
Old Master Jiang let out a cold snort, "Do you think Princess Xingyue wouldn't pay attention to these things?"
"Then what should we do? We can't just let Princess Xingyue go back like this, can we? If she leaves, we won't have any hostages to negotiate with the Snow Emperor," Jiang Xifeng said.
"You don't need to worry about this matter. I have my own arrangements," Old Master Jiang said coldly.
Jiang Xifeng dared not say more, fearing Old Master Jiang would be angry. He quickly said, "Then if there's nothing else, your son will take his leave."
"Jiang Xifeng, don't do anything else," Old Master Jiang reminded him from behind.
Jiang Xifeng impatiently said, "I know, I know."
Old Master Jiang shook his head upon hearing this.
"Hidden guards."
"Your subordinate is here," a person landed before Old Master Jiang and said.
"Go and do something for me," Old Master Jiang said.
When it was time for lunch, Xue Xingyue did not go to eat directly but came to Jiang shi's courtyard. Seeing Xue Xingyue's arrival, Jiang shi quickly stepped forward to welcome her.
Xue Xingyue stopped Jiang shi from bowing and asked, "Madam, how are your belongings packed?"
Jiang shi replied, "Almost done."
"Have you told Miss Jiang?" Jiang shi asked.
Jiang shi nodded and said, "Your Highness, why are you bringing Xiu Yi?"
Xue Xingyue replied, "Bringing Xiu Yi can make the Jiang family feel more at ease. The most important thing now is to leave the Jiang family and leave Jiangnan."
Jiang shi said upon hearing this, "This concubine will listen to Your Highness."
She really didn't want to stay in the Jiang family any longer. She wanted to leave. Therefore, everything that happened today was arranged by her and Princess Xingyue, all for the purpose of leaving the Jiang family.
Of course, Xue Xingyue wouldn't tell Jiang shi that there were indeed people in her room at that time. As for why they were gone, it was probably because Yu Ze heard something and left on his own.
"Your Highness, please be careful during lunch," Jiang shi said. Others might not understand, but she understood Old Master Jiang's ruthlessness and efficiency perfectly.
"I know." That was why she had taken an antidote beforehand. As for Jiang shi, she had not given her an antidote. Firstly, she was afraid Jiang shi would give herself away. Secondly, it would be easier to handle things if Jiang shi was unconscious.
Xue Xingyue and Jiang shi walked together to the main hall. Old Master Jiang, Jiang Xifeng, Madam Liu, and Jiang Xiuyi were all there.
Jiang Xifeng poured himself a cup of wine, then stood up and said, "I have offended you before, and I hope Your Highness will not mind."
Xue Xingyue nodded and said, "We will be departing shortly, and I do not wish to drink."
Seeing this, Jiang Xifeng did not urge her further and drank it himself.
During the meal, Feng Wu served Xue Xingyue throughout. In all the days they had been at the Jiang family, Princess Xingyue had never had such a grand display as she did today.