However, the remaining people suffered because the Ninth Princess, upon barging in, whipped the table. The cups and bowls on the table shattered, fragments flying everywhere. Screams of pain echoed. Song Minghui fared the worst, with some shards cutting her hand. Xue Xingyue couldn't help but feel fortunate that she had dodged quickly.
Old Master Song, Song Fenghe, seeing this, sternly reprimanded, "Your Highness the Ninth Princess, what are you doing?"
The Ninth Princess gestured to a nearby maid, who quickly brought over a chair. She sat down and sneered, "What am I doing? You dare ask me what I'm doing? I want to ask you, what exactly are *you* doing?"
Song Fenghe's gaze turned cold. "This old man does not understand what Your Highness the Ninth Princess means. I request Your Highness to clarify."
"You don't understand? Good, then I'll ask you, why did you invite *her* and not me?" The Ninth Princess glanced at Xue Xingyue, her eyes filled with anger as she questioned.
"She is my future third sister-in-law. What are you, Your Highness the Ninth Princess?" Song Minghui suddenly interjected.
Before Song Minghui could finish her words, the Ninth Princess had already lashed out with her whip. If it had struck her face, it would have been disfiguring. Considering she was Song Xiuyuan's cousin, Xue Xingyue intervened. She picked up a shard and flicked it rapidly at the Ninth Princess's whip. The speed was so great that it was imperceptible, but the whip's trajectory changed, striking directly onto the table.
"Ah..." Although the whip didn't hit Song Minghui, she was clearly terrified.
Seeing that the whip had missed Song Minghui, the Ninth Princess raised her hand to strike again. Just then, Xue Xingyue spoke, "Your Highness the Ninth Princess, with your noble status, how can you dine with commoners like myself? Does this not lower your royal dignity?"
"You..." The Ninth Princess uttered just this one word before falling silent. She felt that Xue Xingyue's words were not entirely wrong. As a daughter of heaven, sitting with those who held no official rank, was it not a reduction of her status?
However, even so, she did not want Xue Xingyue, a mere commoner, to be present. With this thought, she let out a cold smile. "If that is the case, then how can you, a commoner, dine with the esteemed members of the Song Mansion? This is clearly a sign of disrespect towards me."
"Your Highness the Ninth Princess, please do not misunderstand. We invited her simply to serve the dishes," Old Master Song's elder brother, Song Qitai, suddenly spoke.
"So that's how it is. In that case, it would be acceptable for me to enjoy that as well, wouldn't it?" The Ninth Princess said, looking at everyone. "What are you all looking at? Serve the food! Must I eat these shards?"
"Why are the dishes not being served?" Old Master Song's elder brother, Song Qitai, commanded.
Soon, all the dishes were served. The Ninth Princess pointed to her bowl and looked at Xue Xingyue. "Serve the food to me."
Song Minghui looked at Xue Xingyue with smug satisfaction, thinking to herself that it would be worthwhile if this farmer's daughter fought with the Ninth Princess. It would at least make her earlier 'conscientious' opposition to the Ninth Princess meaningful.
Xue Xingyue glanced at the Song family members, all of whom looked at her with expectant eyes. She couldn't understand where their confidence came from, thinking she would oppose the Ninth Princess for the sake of dignity. After her rebirth, she had long cast aside pride, as nothing was more important than survival.
She looked at the Ninth Princess and curtsied. "Yes, Your Highness."
Old Master Song Fenghe's gaze deepened, appearing lost in thought.
At that very moment, a deep voice echoed from outside, "Your Highness the Ninth Princess, if you wish for my fiancée to serve you, perhaps I should do it myself!"
As the voice faded, a slender figure in a snow-white robe walked in. Just standing there, he seemed to radiate a gentle glow. Even his plain features were striking, not to mention his eyes that held the brilliance of a starlit sky.
"You... you're here," the Ninth Princess's cheeks flushed slightly upon seeing Song Xiuyuan, and her voice softened considerably.
"Your Highness the Ninth Princess, I shall serve you." With that, Song Xiuyuan approached, took the chopsticks from Xue Xingyue's hand, and prepared to pick up food.
"No... I don't need you to." The Ninth Princess picked up her bowl and held it, looking at Song Xiuyuan.
"In that case, my humble deference shall take precedence." Song Xiuyuan moved away from the Ninth Princess. Instead of sitting beside Song Yuming, he took Xue Xingyue's hand and sat down beside her. The action was so swift that it was barely perceptible. Everyone saw it as Song Xiuyuan sitting to the Ninth Princess's left to appease her. However, they didn't realize that Xue Xingyue was on his right.
Old Master Song nodded. "Your Highness the Ninth Princess, please dine."
The Ninth Princess nodded. She looked at Song Xiuyuan, her gaze soft as water. Song Xiuyuan ate calmly, seemingly indifferent to the Ninth Princess's gaze. His other hand, however, held Xue Xingyue's tightly.
She had wanted to pull away, but his hand was too cold, like grasping a block of ice. Thinking of his earlier injuries, she didn't push him away. Instead, she clasped his hand, hoping to offer him some warmth.
The morning meal was a harrowing affair. The other members of the Song Mansion ate only a few bites before feigning business and leaving. The Ninth Princess did not trouble them further, as Song Xiuyuan was present.
Xue Xingyue, however, had no such worries. With Song Xiuyuan shielding her from the Ninth Princess's gaze, she could finally enjoy a proper breakfast. She hadn't eaten anything since returning from the secret chamber yesterday and was ravenous.