Xu Hengyi decided to properly introduce the Meng siblings to her. The capital was never short of royalty and nobles, and failing to restrain one's behavior could easily invite disaster, something not even her exceptional medical skills could resolve.
"Meng Junyu is the young marquis of the Yongjia Marquisate. His father is the Marquis of Yongjia, which I don't need to mention. His mother, Princess Qingyuan, is His Majesty's elder sister."
Xie Jiang responded with a perfunctory "oh," clearly not taking it to heart.
Xu Hengyi felt utterly exhausted. This arrogant habit of hers, she realized, was unlikely to change.
After drinking her tea, Xie Jiang rose to observe the next round of competitions. She asked casually, "What's the beef between the Meng siblings and Young Master Song?"
"You haven't met Young Master Song yet, have you?"
"No."
Xie Jiang stared intently at the scene below.
Ever since she was sent far away from the capital at the age of seven, she had never returned. Otherwise, how could those who had carved up the Duke of Dingguo's estate still be living so well?
However, she truly wanted to meet him.
Very much.
She should be able to meet him today.
"You'll understand when you meet him. This isn't exactly a secret; everyone in the capital probably knows. County Princess Le'an fancies Young Master Song, but he's already betrothed and doesn't feel the same way about her. If it weren't for County Princess Le'an's persistent pursuit, Young Master Song probably wouldn't even know she existed. Yet, County Princess Le'an is still unwilling to give up..."
"She's probably thinking of ways to threaten Young Master Song into breaking off his engagement."
"Isn't Marquis Yongchang's birthday coming up soon? Young Master Song coming to buy horses today likely means he intends to gift one to Marquis Yongchang, which is why County Princess Le'an intercepted him."
Xie Jiang turned back in disbelief, her eyebrows slightly raised. "Is Young Master Song truly so unappreciative?"
Recalling the appearance of County Princess Le'an she had just seen, she looked no older than fifteen. At such a young age, she was already as beautiful as a peach blossom, and in her every pout and glare, a hint of allure could be seen.
Although she hadn't met her own brother yet, Le'an was surely not even fit to carry his shoes. But why refuse someone who offered themselves?
Especially such a vibrant young girl. Watching her slowly lose her vitality and moisture, wither away in despair with no way out, wouldn't that be interesting?
"You..." Xu Hengyi almost spat out her tea.
"Young Master Song's engagement to the Third Miss Xu was arranged since childhood. When the Duke of Dingguo's estate fell, the Yongchang Marquisate was also implicated. They showed loyalty and righteousness. How could Young Master Song betray the Third Miss Xu?"
"I've met the Third Miss Xu. Her temperament is infinitely better than County Princess Le'an's. Even if Young Master Song were blind, he wouldn't abandon the Third Miss Xu for County Princess Le'an."
Both Xia Zeshi and Xu Hengyi felt that Young Master Song was doing the right thing.
Xie Jiang looked at them strangely. "Who said anything about breaking off the engagement with the Third Miss Xu?"
"Then what do you mean?"
And what was with that look from Xie Jiang?
They both felt a sense of profound and unsettling depth in her gaze.
"Since County Princess Le'an is so eager for Young Master Song, why not grant her wish? A captivating little beauty delivered to your doorstep is not to be wasted. Once she's tamed, she'll naturally lose any improper thoughts. If she still can't come to her senses, she'll just be another mouth to feed in the inner chambers."
Xie Jiang spoke the most heartless words with an air of nonchalance, a rare, fleeting smile gracing her lips.
Such a stunning sight made Xia Zeshi and Xu Hengyi instinctively take a step back.
It suddenly felt a bit cold.
A coldness that surged from the soles of their feet.
But that wasn't the main point.
To make a pampered county princess a concubine? She truly dared to think it!
And what did she mean by "tamed"? How tamed? How would she be tamed? She should explain clearly!
Whatever it was, it certainly wasn't the kind of "playing" they were imagining.
The thought of it made them feel she was utterly despicable!
They never expected Young Master Xie to be this kind of person.
Although they were both men and didn't have concubines now, they certainly would in the future. They could understand treating concubines as playthings.
But...
Listen to the terrifying tone of her voice!
County Princess Le'an's actions were indeed annoying, but her heart was set on Young Master Song. How could one approach a girl who genuinely cared for them with the intention of toying with her from the start?
Both Xia Zeshi and Xu Hengyi had sisters. At this moment, they both thought: we must never let our own sisters marry Xie Jiang!