She was naturally overjoyed.
She never thought that she could become the Princess of the Chu Kingdom.
She had always assumed she would be a concubine when she first entered the Duke Mansion; she had made up her mind that even if her family opposed it, she would press on to the death. Yet, unexpectedly, such luck came so suddenly, she actually became the Princess—a glory so exalted, everyone at Duke Mansion had to show her the utmost respect.
Thinking about the future glory and wealth, thinking about marrying the man she loved, her face could hardly hide the joy.
However, when she saw Xiao Jinsen’s cold eyes, her heart chilled.
She could clearly feel that Xiao Jinsen was unwilling to marry her.
Marrying her was nothing but a forced compromise.
There was not a trace of joy in her heart.
Xie Ruiyao restrained her smile.
At this moment, she also reminded herself not to be blinded by excitement.
After all, how could Xiao Jinsen willingly marry her? Marrying Bai Mowan would naturally be more beneficial for him. Now forcing him to marry her, it may turn all his love for her into hatred, as could be seen from Xiao Jinsen’s eyes at this moment.
Of course, she would definitely try to please Xiao Jinsen, but... the premise is that Xiao Jinsen must not know that this was orchestrated by her and Ye Qichi to trap him. If he found out... she couldn’t even dare to imagine the consequences.
A hint of cruelty flashed in Xie Ruiyao’s eyes.
The best way to completely cover this matter up would be to make Ye Qichi forever silent, and the way to silence her was... death!
Xie Ruiyao was suddenly a bit shocked, startled by her previous murderous intent, but then she thought differently.
Once she became the Princess, with power and status, she would definitely have the opportunity to kill Ye Qichi.
Xie Ruiyao returned to Xiao Qinghui’s side.
"The marriage of the Prince and Yao’er shall be set after the hunting festival. We will choose an auspicious date and then inform the Imperial Aunt," Xiao Zhanping told Xiao Qinghui.
"Alright," Xiao Qinghui agreed, standing up from her chair at this moment. "Then this concubine will not delay the Emperor anymore. His Majesty has to go hunting tomorrow, this concubine will take her leave first."
"Imperial Aunt, take care."
Xiao Qinghui left with Xie Ruiyao.
After leaving, Xiao Zhanping said, "The Prince and his wife, as well as General Bai, should also go back to rest early, in preparation for tomorrow’s hunt."
"This child/concubine bids farewell."
Xiao Jinxing and Ye Qichi, along with Bai Mowan, left together.
"The Empress should also return early to rest," Xiao Zhanping called out to Yu Qingyuan.
Clearly, he intended to speak alone with Xiao Jinsen and Zhao Mengyu.
Yu Qingyuan naturally knew.
But this time she was actually in a good mood.
After all, Zhao Mengyu was humiliated so severely today, enough to make her cry for half a month.
Yu Qingyuan saluted Xiao Zhanping and left.
In the main hall, only Xiao Zhanping, Xiao Jinsen, and Zhao Mengyu were left.
Xiao Zhanping’s suppressed anger finally erupted, "Xiao Jinsen, what have you done? At such a critical moment, you actually went to meet Xie Ruiyao in private, have you gone mad?!"
The sudden explosion terrified Zhao Mengyu, who hastily knelt on the ground.
Having been with Xiao Zhanping for so long, she had never seen him erupt with such fury.
All this time she had served Xiao Zhanping well, and Xiao Jinsen had also always behaved well.
Never had he disappointed him before.
She was trembling in fright.
"Father, your son..."
"The words you just said, I didn’t refute you out of respect, but you know best whether you did it!" Xiao Zhanping clarified his point.
Xiao Jinsen clenched his teeth, knowing there was no deceiving him.
Arguing now would surely make his father even angrier.
He could only keep silent.
"This time, you have truly disappointed me! I had hoped that marrying you to Bai Mowan would strengthen your position, to contend against the Empress... Now," Xiao Zhanping said fiercely, "it’s up to your fate!"
"I have disappointed you, Father, I am willing to accept any punishment, please punish me!"
"Marrying Xie Ruiyao is the greatest punishment for you! Reflect on yourself well!" Xiao Zhanping’s anger was unmeasured, "Withdraw!"
As he said it, Xiao Jinsen prepared to leave.
As he was leaving, Zhao Mengyu attempted to please Xiao Zhanping.
"Get out!" Xiao Zhanping roared sky-high, not letting Zhao Mengyu come close.
Zhao Mengyu, shocked, respectfully said, "Your Majesty, don’t anger yourself, I bid farewell."
Hurriedly, she left the main hall along with Xiao Jinsen.
The expressions on both their faces clearly changed.
Zhao Mengyu glared fiercely at Xiao Jinsen, unable to accept that Xiao Jinsen had screwed up at such a critical moment.
"Follow me back to the sleeping chamber," Zhao Mengyu commanded.
Just as Xiao Jinsen was about to nod.
He saw from afar Ye Qichi standing at the Imperial Palace, alone, seemingly waiting for someone.
"Mother, go back to the sleeping chamber first, I have something to handle, I’ll be there shortly."
"What are you going to do?" Zhao Mengyu was in a terrible mood at this moment.
Leaving behind those words, he walked straight over.
Zhao Mengyu watched from a distance as her son walked towards Ye Qichi.
Her eyes turned cold.
One day, all these people laughing at her today, she would kill them one by one!