"Because you're too talkative," Song Xiuyuan said coldly, glancing at Mu Xingzhi.
"I'm too talkative? You should be grateful to me. If I hadn't said those things, do you think Xiao Yueyue would have fed you water mouth-to-mouth? You're dreaming!" Mu Xingzhi rolled his eyes at Song Xiuyuan.
Upon hearing this, Song Xiuyuan's gaze flickered as he looked at Mu Xingzhi and said, "You said mouth-to-mouth..."
"Yes, I saw it very clearly from behind. Even after you forcibly kept her on the bed, she didn't leave. You should know that her martial arts could easily deal with a sickly person like you."
Song Xiuyuan glanced at Mu Xingzhi and said, "You can go now."
Mu Xingzhi tutted with dissatisfaction. "I knew it, you're a man who values women over friends. You're so grateful for a little favor, while you treat me like this after I've saved your life multiple times. It's really double standards."
"Are you leaving or not?" Song Xiuyuan's gaze turned cold, and a chilling aura emanated from him.
"Of course, I'm leaving. Do you think I want to look at you every day? But I'm telling you, you'd better tell Xiao Yueyue the truth, or else..."
"I said I don't allow you to call her Xiao Yueyue."
Song Xiuyuan's icy gaze fell upon Mu Xingzhi, and Mu Xingzhi shivered. "I won't, I won't. But you'd better take my words to heart, otherwise, don't blame me for not warning you if something happens later."
With that, Mu Xingzhi left.
Song Xiuyuan lay on the ice bed. Even though she had already left, the lingering fragrance she left on the ice bed was still present. He placed his arm on the spot beside him. Last night, she had slept where his arm was now resting, and his eyes softened considerably.
Tell her everything? Would she accept it?
Thinking of this, his eyes, which were originally as bright as stars, slowly dimmed, eventually turning into the darkness of an abyss.
After resting for a day, Xue Xingyue finally felt that her spirits had improved considerably and she was no longer constantly reminded of her time with Song Xiuyuan in the dark room, nor of sleeping fully clothed with him.
So, she got up early in the morning. When Qin Erniang came in, she saw that Xue Xingyue had already tidied herself up and was surprised. "Miss, you've actually dressed yourself?"
"What's so strange about that?" Actually, after her rebirth, she didn't know how to do these things. After all, she was a princess of noble status, so why would she need to dress herself?
Qin Erniang retracted her gaze and smiled. "Seeing you, Miss, you seem to come from a wealthy family, so I thought you wouldn't know about these things. I really didn't expect you to know how to do everything."
"Rely on mountains when there are mountains, and be independent when there are none," she said slowly to Qin Erniang.
Qin Erniang nodded thoughtfully. Just then, a maidservant from Old Madam Song arrived. Qin Erniang quickly welcomed her in. The person was Jinxiang, the head maidservant by Old Madam Song's side.
"Sister Jinxiang," Xue Xingyue stood up and pulled Jinxiang to sit down.
Jinxiang stopped her. "Miss, this servant dares not accept. This servant has come to deliver a message from the Old Madam."
"Does the Old Madam have something?"
"The Old Madam invites Miss to Jingheyuan for breakfast," Jinxiang said.
Jingheyuan was the Old Madam's side chamber, a place specifically for dining. Being summoned there today probably meant something. Thinking of this, she said, "Alright, I'll go with you now, Sister."
Upon arriving at Jingheyuan and entering the room, she discovered that almost all the members of the Song family were already present.
Old Master Song and Old Madam Song sat side by side at the head of the table. To the left of Old Master Song were Elder Master Song, Second Master Song, Third Master Song, and Song Yumíng, the legitimate son of Elder Master Song. To the right of Old Madam Song were Madam Song, Second Madam Song, and Third Madam Song, and Song Minghui, the legitimate daughter of Second Master Song.
Xue Xingyue noticed that Song Xu and Song Xue were not present. She soon understood; only the legitimate sons and daughters of the Song family were present for breakfast. Clearly, as illegitimate son and daughter, Song Xu and Song Xue were not allowed to be here.
"Isn't this Miss Xue?" Madam Song, Pan Shi, spoke.
"Greetings, Old Master, Old Madam," Xue Xingyue said with a slight curtsy.
"Sit down!" Old Madam Song, Mu Shi, said.
Xue Xingyue nodded. Since Song Yumíng's previous wife had died of a terrible illness, he had not remarried. Therefore, he did not have a wife at the moment. She sat down next to Song Minghui.
Xue Xingyue saw Song Minghui glance at her with a hint of disdain. She looked at Song Minghui, who then snorted and shifted her gaze away.
"Serve the dishes!" Old Madam Song, Li Shi, said.
"Wait a moment, hasn't Xiuyuan arrived yet?" Old Master Song, Song Fenghe, said.
"Grandfather, do we have to wait for Third Brother to eat?" Song Yumíng was somewhat displeased.
Elder Master Song, Song Qitai, glared at Song Yumíng, who then shut his mouth.
"Eldest Brother is right, why should we wait for Third Brother to eat?" Song Minghui said.
"If you're unwilling, you can leave," Song Fenghe said coldly, looking at Song Minghui. Song Minghui shrunk her neck, not daring to say anything more.
Xue Xingyue, upon hearing this, was rather distracted. Would Song Xiuyuan come? Didn't he always not come? Why was he coming today?
"Why hasn't this princess been invited?" A娇喝 (jiāo hè - a delicate shout) sounded from outside. Xue Xingyue clearly felt the anomaly in everyone present.
She felt a gust of wind, then Xue Xingyue subtly retreated a few steps, flashing to hide behind Song Minghui.