The couple's conversation ended with Jian Xubai's threat. Song Yixiao didn't think of that they only discussed about how to frame Jian Yiyou but not how to counteract Qiu Shuxia until she took a bath and almost fell asleep in bed.

“Oh c.r.a.p…” In light of the dim candle light through the bed net, she took a look at the arm around her waist and thought, “I may as well bring it up to him tomorrow morning!”

Thinking of this, she suddenly got surprised, “I just said that I failed to understand what actual damage Qiu Shuxia does to Jian Xubai by creating this case. The cause of the case is that my wet nurse's husband is put into prison. Qiu Shuxia holds grudge against Jian Xubai, making me feel that Duke of Yan should be the target! However, if it is not the truth…”

Qiu Shuxia held grudge against Jian Xubai but it didn't mean he would be nice to other people!

In fact, he didn't care to hurt his nephew for supporting the idea of making the legitimate son the crown prince. For that cause, Yuan Xuepei even became permanently disabled. Song Yixiao couldn't believe that he was a modest and self-disciplined gentleman!

“If he does so not to set against Duke of Yan, who is he against? Or what is he up to?”

Song Yixiao, biting her lips, puzzled over the issue, “As to my wet nurse's husband's case, the ins and outs are very clear. There should be nothing cheesy.”

After all, You Hong was the father-in-law and Fu Junchang committed injustices before. Moreover, the latter one was not dead. When the matter leaked, Fu Junchang was most likely to be criticized.

Hence, the key should be the past even mentioned by Fu Junchang!

“I'm afraid that those who proclaimed to be in the know all believed it was done by Mother or the Wei Family!” Song Yixiao ruminated with a frown, “Now that Qiu Shuxia wants to reverse a case, does he want to set against Mother or the Wei Family?”

She shook her head and excluded the possibility of the Wei Family. The Wei Family couldn't be that important to Qiu Shuxia.

“But Mother is not acquainted with Qiu Shuxia at all!” It was beyond Song Yixiao's understanding. “And the ancestral training of Prince of Hengshan is never to partic.i.p.ate in seizing the throne!”

Why did Qiu Shuxia set against Wei Mengying?

Song Yixiao thought back and forth and yet still couldn't find a clue. She couldn't help sighing. If she could get in touch with Wei Mengying and exchanged information, she might acquire a bit of clues. However, now Wei Mengying was unwilling to get along with Song Yixiao, it would be too hard for her to find the truth by her own guess!

She fell asleep, disgruntled.

The next day when she woke up, day had broken, which gave her a surprise. As she looked into the bed, she couldn't find Jian Xubai.

She summoned Jinxun to serve her and then asked, “Where is Xubai?”

“His Highness has gone to court!” Jinxun dried a towel and pa.s.sed it to her, “His Highness told us that you were worried over the night and might not sleep well because Mr. You was in trouble, so His Highness asked us not to disturb you!”

Then she added, “His Highness only wore the inner garment when he got up this morning and specially brought the outfits to the outer room for getting dressed!”

Judging from Jinxun's expression, she must be saying “His Highness treats Her Ladys.h.i.+p so well!” Song Yixiao felt so depressed and thought that she would discuss with Jian Xubai about how to set against Qiu Shuxia.

Faced with this husband who didn't play by rule, Song Yixiao felt so helpless.

After having breakfast in low spirits, she was about to inquire about any news from Jingzhao Munic.i.p.ality or the You Family when a maid came in and reported, “Word came from the Grand Princess' mansion that Miss Nie will come to pay you a visit!”

“Miss Nie?” Song Yixiao asked in surprise, “Is her intention mentioned?”

She only met with Nie Wuying on the day of the tea ceremony. Why did Nie Wuying suddenly come to visit her?

The maid replied with respect, “Madam, sorry I don't know as the messenger didn't talk of it.”

“Tell the chefs to make preparations.” Song Yixiao waved at her to let her leave, ordering, “Jinxun, go to check on your own and see whether there is any problem!”

Now that she was married for some time, it would be her fault if any problem happened to the Duke of Yan's mansion, especially the backyard. Even though Nie Wuying was too young to think of that, Song Yixiao still had to prevent her from being inquired by Jinguo Grand Princess so as to keep her good impression on her mother-in-law.

Although she was not sure whether she left a good impression on her mother-in-law.

Having made the arrangement to receive Nie Wuying, Song Yixiao finally had the time to ask about You Hong's case. Yet, the reply she got was neither good nor bad. There was no progress by far.

Luckily, the officials of Jingzhao Munic.i.p.ality took the side of Duke of Yan and promised to send news secretly if any. Moreover, they would take good care of You Hong in the prison, about which no worry was needed.

The errand-man sent by Zuo Licen, was conducted to Song Yixiao, saying with regret, “According to His Lords.h.i.+p, Lord Mayor knows that you are virtuous, talented, kind and generous. Otherwise, you wouldn't be chosen by the Empress Dowager to marry Duke of Yan. Hence, Lord Mayor doesn't certainly hear Fu Junchang talk nonsense patiently. Before the trial, His Lords.h.i.+p will teach him a good lesson for sure. It's a pity that you have not been ent.i.tled yet, or if Fu Junchang dares to criticize you, Lord Mayor can convict him of defying the t.i.tled lady!”

Song Yixiao would doubt why she was still not ent.i.tled but since she learnt about the grudge between Qiu Shuxia and Jian Xubai, of course she knew that it must be Qiu Shuxia who used his position to hold up her ent.i.tlement.

“I've kept in mind Your Lords.h.i.+p and Lord Mayor's kindness.” Song Yixiao grew even more resentful about Qiu Shuxia, talking to the man with a smile, “As to the royal ent.i.tlement, I think it must be because Uncle Qiu is too busy with working that it gets held up. It's no big deal. Yet, I suppose, thanks to Mayor Ban's perceptiveness and Mr. Zuo's effort, the whole thing will come to light.”

Then she added, “To be honest, I am a woman only. It is because of my husband that I have learnt about Mayor Ban and Mr. Zuo's talent. This time, Mr. You acted on impulse improperly. Please tell Mayor Ban and Mr. Zuo on behalf of me to show more concern for him given that he is rather old now!”

The errand-man sensed that the kindness had been learnt by Jian Xubai so he finally exchanged some pleasantries humbly with delight and left.

After he left, Song Yixiao pondered for a while and said with a chuckle, “I don't know who comes up with this idea. Mayor Ban and Mr. Zuo are so funny!”

Jinxun asked with curiosity, “Madam, what are you talking about?”

“That man mentioned my ent.i.tlement just now. Do you understand what he means?” Song Yixiao rolled her bracelet and said smilingly, “He hinted that I should create difficulties for Qiu Shuxia!”

As Jinxun was still staring at her in confusion, she continued saying patiently, “You know, it is the Empress Dowager who granted the marriage of me and Xubai. Since I got married, Xubai has submitted the application for my royal ent.i.tlement. However, it has not been implemented by far. By rule, the ent.i.tlement must be reviewed by the Ministry of Rituals. The reason why the application got held up must be Qiu Shuxia! Now that Mr. You's case also has something to do with Qiu Shuxia! Do you think whether I am grieved or not?”

Jinxun answered in confusion, “Of course you are…”

“Since a junior suffers wrong, she should confess to a senior!” Song Yixiao gathered up her hair and said with her eyes narrowed, “By coincidence, Wuying is coming to pay us a visit today. As a result, I must stay at home to receive her. Otherwise, I should go to complain to my mother-in-law and ask her to tell me what I have done wrong to offend Uncle Qiu so that he dislikes me to this degree. He not only postpones the application for my ent.i.tlement but also tries his best to ruin my reputation. While he is impeaching Xubai, he a.s.serts with righteous causes but why does he keep setting against such an ordinary woman as me?”

Qiu Shuxia was a shameless man. Song Yixiao was wondering whether he would keep conflicting with the wife of his nephew after setting against his nephew.

Song Yixiao was unhappy about Nie Wuying's unexpected visit but when this guest arrived, she still advanced to receive her with hospitality.

On the contrary, Nie Wuying appeared silent and conserved just like the day when they met for the first time.

She didn't speak hesitantly until she was conducted by Song Yixiao to the drawing room and the food was served, “Yixiao, I want to learn Zhezhi Dance and Mother tells me that you are good at it. Thus… she asks me to learn from you!”

Song Yixiao didn't expect that she was here for this purpose. After being dazed for a moment, she replied with a smile, “I am not good at it, but I did learn a bit from the teachers for fun while I was at girl's school.”

After all, Nie Wuying was too young a girl of poor birth. Upon glimpsing her embarra.s.sed and disappointed look, Song Yixiao was puzzled why Nie Wuying didn't notice her humbleness. She didn't want to see Nie Wuying burst out crying so she hurriedly explained, “But since your mother talked of me to you and hypothetically, you don't loathe me for my not being skillful enough, you may ask me whatever you want to know. I will tell you everything about the dance!”

“Thank you, Yixiao!” Nie Wuying finally felt relieved. Dragged by her maid, she hurriedly added, “Mother tells me that you must be a master of dance only by your walking posture. I hope that you won't blame me for being too stupid!”

“You look so clever and gentle. If anyone dares to say you are stupid, I must be a numbskull back then!” Song Yixiao said smilingly, “When will you plan to start learning? Do you want to learn Zhezhi Dance only or learn it first?”

Nie Wuying was so simple-minded that Song Yixiao could easily learn about her dancing foundation. With a bit of a.n.a.lysis, Song Yixiao finally understood that this girl was utterly ignorant of dancing!

How could she say that she liked dancing?

“If she is not suddenly intrigued recently, she must be ordered by my mother-in-law to find a reason to get along with me!” While exchanging pleasantries with her, Song Yixiao thought, “After all, she is the foster daughter of Mother-in-law by name. Even though Mother-in-law is still alive, this foster daughter cannot be compared to Commandery Princess Qingjiang. If Mother-in-law pa.s.ses away one day, it remains unknown whether Father-in-law will keep her alive. As to this kind of family issue, outsiders cannot intervene but the brothers, sisters and sisters-in-law can do her a favor!”

Anyway, Jian Xubai was distant from Jian Likuang. It was not necessary for Song Yixiao to oppose her mother-in-law and husband for the sake of her father-in-law, someone she was not familiar with at all.

Therefore, she must seize the opportunity to curry favor with her mother-in-law.

She became increasingly skillful at handling interpersonal relations.h.i.+ps through the past hards.h.i.+ps. Although she was only two years older than Nie Wuying, the latter was too sensitive and simple because she was always protected by Jinguo Grand Princess and seldom went outdoors.

Now faced with Song Yixiao's sincere words, she grew gradually close to this sister-in-law and started to chat as well.

When hearing Song Yixiao mention ornaments, she replied casually, “I heard that a new jewelry store was opened in the eastern market. The other day when Brother Rouchi's wife was buying hairpins for Anyi, she also bought a few pairs of earrings for me. She told me about the store and the earrings are really pretty! It is said that there are a lot more…”

Speaking of this, Nie Wuying was shocked to notice the maid's warning look. On second thought, she flushed immediately. Wouldn't telling a sister-in-law about another sister-in-law buying things for her just serve as a perfect hint that the former one should follow the suit?

As expected, while she was trying to mediate with staring eyes, Song Yixiao said to her smilingly, “You are raised by Mother-in-law and you must have good taste! Since you say the jewelries of the store are pretty, the store must be really good. I wouldn't know about this but for you! I shall go there and have a look myself. Just tell me what you like and I will buy you some too. Just take it as a thank-you gift for sharing this good store with me!”