CHAPTER 477: CHAPTER 161: XIE RUILIN PUBLICLY HUMILIATED (SLAP IN THE FACE)_4

Song Yanqing also knew that today’s incident was not in Xie Ruilin’s favour; he did not dare to speak up for her.

He could only endure.

"From now on, I never want such an incident to happen again," Song Yuanzhong said vehemently. "All matters of the household must be managed by Xie Ruotong; Xie Ruilin is not allowed to interfere!"

"Yes, yes," Ming Yufang quickly agreed.

Naturally, she thought to herself that she wouldn’t dare entrust matters to Xie Ruilin anymore.

She was starting to have her own opinions about Xie Ruilin.

If it were not for the sake of her son, she would not be so polite at this moment.

"Xie Ruilin has violated the rules today; she is to be confined to her quarters for a month! Let her diligently copy out the ’Women’s Virtue’ and ’Women’s Precepts’ in her room and not step out of her door. As of today, Song Yanqing is to spend the nights only in Xie Ruotong’s room!" Song Yuanzhong continued to instruct.

Song Yanqing looked at his father.

Xie Ruotong also furrowed her brows.

She thought it was enough to let Xie Ruilin suffer a little; she had never considered getting close to Song Yanqing.

She knew Song Yanqing would not have feelings for her, and she did not want to bother with this.

"What I mean is, during the one month of Xie Ruilin’s confinement, Song Yanqing is only allowed to sleep in Xie Ruotong’s room and must not go to Xie Ruilin’s room or sleep anywhere else, including the study!" Song Yuanzhong clarified once again.

Xie Ruotong bit her lip.

Song Yanqing knew at this moment that his father was in a rage and did not dare to contradict him.

After Song Yuanzhong finished his orders, he left furiously.

Ming Yufang glanced at her son, sighed, and followed Song Yuanzhong out.

Now, only Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong remained in the hall.

The two of them being alone together.

It was indeed awkward.

Even after being married for so long, it was still like being with a stranger.

"About that, my father..." Song Yanqing started.

Xie Ruotong pursed her lips without speaking.

"This month I’ll temporarily stay in your room, just to tide over my father for now."

"Mhm," Xie Ruotong naturally had to agree.

"Then I’ll go see Lin’er now, and come over tonight."

"Alright, I’ll have Qiao’er tidy up the bed," Xie Ruotong said.

"By that I meant, we’ll sleep in separate rooms," Song Yanqing stated.

"I know," Xie Ruotong nodded.

Song Yanqing pressed his lips together.

He was actually worried about hurting Xie Ruotong.

But he didn’t expect Xie Ruotong to seem so composed.

"About today’s incident with Lin’er, I want to apologize to you. She might..."

"It’s fine, I understand her feelings. You should go comfort her sooner rather than later; knowing her temperament, she might even be contemplating death at the moment," Xie Ruotong said. "Avoid making things worse."

"Alright." Song Yanqing indeed was concerned that Xie Ruilin might take drastic measures.

He agreed immediately and left swiftly.

Xie Ruotong watched his back and then turned to head to her own room.

Qiao’er hurriedly followed her mistress’s steps, "Miss, you have no idea how satisfying today was for everyone. You have no clue how embarrassingly the Second Miss behaved on stage; I felt so thrilled watching from below. She even tried to set you up?! She really brought shame upon herself. Today, the Old Lady publicly supported you like that and reproached the Second Miss without sparing her face; from now on, your status in the Song Family will be different. And now that the Old Master of the Song Family is letting you and the master sleep in the same room... Miss, you should really seize this opportunity!"

Xie Ruotong, however, did not share Qiao’er’s positive frame of mind.

She was thinking that Xie Ruilin’s attempt to ’steal a chicken’ had backfired, losing face; after such humiliation, she would certainly not let the matter rest.

Next.

She wondered what cunning tricks would be played against her?!

...

Song Yanqing hastily made his way to Xie Ruilin’s courtyard.

In the middle of the road.

"Brother Song." A familiar voice suddenly called out to him.

Song Yanqing turned around.

His expression immediately changed.

Qin Shuyang, how come you haven’t left?!

When he had seen the guests out earlier, he hadn’t paid particular attention.

"Brother Song, don’t look at me with such eyes; I stayed behind because I wanted to apologize to you in person," Qin Shuyang walked up to Song Yanqing and said seemingly sincerely.

Song Yanqing naturally did not understand Qin Shuyang’s actions today.

He said coldly, "I thought we were friends for many years, growing up together, always sharing loyalty and trust. Yet you commit such acts!"

"I was just trying to look out for you, brother," Qin Shuyang appeared helpless, "How was I to know my good intentions would cause such trouble and bring your resentment upon me."

Song Yanqing did not believe it at all.

"Whether Xie Ruotong is Xiang Qin, the top courtesan of Yicui Pavilion, I am very clear about it. When we went to Yicui Pavilion together, we actually saw her once, but since she was with other guests, we only glanced at her in passing. You might not have paid much attention, but I saw her very clearly. Moreover, I went to Yicui Pavilion specifically to meet Xiang Qin, and after spending half a day with her, there’s no way I could be mistaken. I didn’t want you to be slighted, brother. Putting on this act with Xie Ruilin today was to publicly expose Xie Ruotong’s true nature and prevent the Duke Mansion from favouring her, forcing you to continue accepting Xie Ruotong as your wife. It was to pave the way for you and Xie Ruilin. I had no idea that good intentions could backfire like this, nor did I expect Xie Ruotong to be so cunning, even winning over the people from Yicui Pavilion!"

"Have you said enough?!" Song Yanqing outright rejected Qin Shuyang’s one-sided story.

"I know you don’t believe me, but sooner or later I will prove it to you!" Qin Shuyang asserted confidently, "By the way, Xiang Qin sells her art but not her body, so it stands to reason that she is untouched. You should not be completely swayed just because she hasn’t been defiled by any other men!"