"Grandmother?!" Xie Ruolin’s eyes brimmed red, tears swirling but not falling.
In front of so many, how could Grandmother curse at her .
Even if she had made a mistake today, Grandmother should not shame her.
Even for the sake of not airing family disgrace, Grandmother still ought not to have treated her this way.
Xie Ruolin, feeling unbearably humiliated by Xiao Qinghui, finally let her long-suppressed emotions explode, "In Grandmother’s eyes, I am always inferior to my elder sister. Ever since she was kidnapped and left home, you became cold towards me, saying I reminded you of her and you feared it would renew your grief. Now that she has returned, you still favor her, even allowing her to snatch the marriage that was meant for me. Song Yanqing and I grew up together, like a pair of complementary trees, and were of one mind and heart, but for my sister’s sake, you abruptly severed us. Even now, to protect her, you humiliate me in front of all these people. What have I ever done wrong, from childhood to this day, to deserve such treatment from you!"
"Lin’er." Shen Cuiru anxiously called out to her daughter.
At this moment, at the banquet, to speak so of her Grandmother was a great disrespect, a fault on her part.
What exactly was Xie Ruolin thinking?
Her own mother could see it crystal clear.
Xie Ruolin was undoubtedly upset about Xie Ruotong stealing her betrothal.
The whole affair today was obviously meant to trap Xie Ruotong with a false identity, so that Song Yanqing could justifiably repudiate her.
She was also aware that Xie Ruolin did indeed have grievances regarding the marriage arrangement, and she felt endlessly guilty. She tried every possible way to protect her and even spoke to Xie Ruotong, hoping she would take care of Ruilin. But she never anticipated that Xie Ruolin could go to such lengths.
Regardless, Xie Ruotong was her own elder sister. How could she disregard sisterly affection ?
"What exactly have you done wrong?!" Xiao Qinghui naturally wouldn’t be talked down by Xie Ruolin’s words. She didn’t consider Shen Cuiru’s interjection, and with authority declared, "Since childhood, you’ve been jealous of your elder sister, pettier and more spiteful than anyone, not the least bit of a well-bred lady’s magnanimity! I have advised your mother many a time over the years, yet you have shown no improvement! Today’s affairs are no different! The so-called ’family shame must not be spread abroad’, even if you discovered your elder sister could possibly be from Yicui Pavilion, as a younger sister, you should first inform your parents, inform your husband, not uncover your sister in front of so many people. By doing this, if your elder sister really were from Yicui Pavilion, it would be tantamount to pushing her to death! With your sinister intentions, how do you expect me to treat you?!"
Xiao Qinghui showed absolutely no mercy.
It seems Xie Ruolin’s actions today indeed infuriated the old lady.
"I, I... I was truly just trying to clarify for my elder sister. Young Master Qin is slandering her, and in my haste I merely..."
"The more you refute, the guiltier you appear," Xiao Qinghui wasn’t buying Xie Ruolin’s excuses.
Having lived in the Imperial Palace for many years, witnessing numerous power struggles. Original content can be found at novel(ꜰ)ire.net
Xie Ruolin’s little tricks were plain for her to see.
"Yanqing!" Xiao Qinghui suddenly called out.
Song Yanqing, at this moment at the banquet, actually wanted to speak up several times.
But being closely watched by his parents, who wouldn’t allow him to speak up right now, he endured in silence.
Xie Ruolin’s actions today...
Song Yanqing really couldn’t understand them.
But after all, she was his beloved, and he couldn’t bear to see her being scolded by the elder princess.
Speaking up for Xie Ruolin now would only inflame the elder princess’s anger even more.
The elder princess clearly disliked Xie Ruolin, so defending her at this moment was like opposing the elder princess.
What’s more important is.
Xie Ruotong is his lawful wife.
He couldn’t disregard all propriety and speak out for a concubine in front of a crowd.
Now hearing Xiao Qinghui addressing him, he quickly replied, "Grandmother."
"You have already consummated your marriage with Xie Ruotong," Xiao Qinghui stated bluntly.
"Yes." Song Yanqing could only admit with a stiff resolution.
That time at the Duke Mansion, even though nothing happened, he still staged a play for Xiao Qinghui to see.
"Then tell everyone openly, is Ruotong pure?" Xiao Qinghui commanded.
In front of everyone, he said, "Xie Ruotong is my wife, whether her body is clean or not, as her husband I am keenly aware. When she married me, she was indeed pure and chaste."