She knew the Ninth Princess had arrived. A faint smile curved her lips. Madam Song, did you think you could pit her against the Ninth Princess, without first seeing if you even had the capability?
"My dear, has anyone been bullying you lately? If so, you must tell me. I will stand up for you, after all, no one from the Song manor should be bullied by outsiders." Madam Song no longer wished to proceed slowly; she spoke directly.
Xue Xing Yue feigned a look of surprise as she gazed at Madam Song. For some reason, seeing the girl's astonished expression from below made Madam Song feel an inexplicable unease. But she quickly calmed herself. Could a farmer's daughter truly compare to her, a woman accustomed to the scheming and duplicity within the inner chambers?
"Really? If I tell you, you will stand up for me?" Xue Xing Yue took a few steps forward, asking eagerly.
Madam Song nodded, her last shred of doubt dispelled. It seemed she had overestimated this farmer's daughter. She was nothing special. Then, she should make some sacrifice for the Song manor. A little more silver afterward would suffice.
"Of course, as long as you tell me, I will stand up for you," Madam Song said.
"But that person is of noble birth. I fear that even if I tell you, you won't stand up for me. Therefore, I don't believe you." Xue Xing Yue shook her head, her expression one of disbelief.
Seeing this, Madam Song quickly said, "Don't be afraid. Speak up. Even if they are the most noble of people, once they enter the Song manor, they are part of the Song family. I am the most senior person here, how could I not manage it? So, speak quickly, so I can stand up for you."
Xue Xing Yue nodded and said, "That person is of noble birth, but also pampered from birth. I… I know I will be living with him in the future. I dare not offend him. I beg the old madam not to force me."
"Ning'er, you will be my granddaughter-in-law. Being so timid is not good. You must dare to speak up, that's how I can help you, isn't it? If you don't speak, no one will know what suffering you have endured. Speak quickly." Madam Song looked at her with shining eyes.
Seeing this, Xue Xing Yue bit her lower lip, raised her head, and looked at Madam Song. "Is the old madam sure?"
"Of course, I am sure," Madam Song replied.
"That person is..."
Before Xue Xing Yue could finish her words, the door was kicked open. A shrill, arrogant voice rang out, "How dare you speak ill of this princess behind my back? Watch as this princess beats you to death!"
Xue Xing Yue wanted to dodge. She knew that if she moved, the whip would miss. But this would mean hitting Madam Song. Although she deeply disdained Madam Song's actions, she couldn't bear to simply watch an old woman being whipped. So, she decided to take the blow herself.
As the whip struck her, pain immediately surged. Just as Qin Er Niang was about to intervene, Xue Xing Yue stopped her with a gesture. A bloodstain appeared on her pale green dress.
Seeing that Xue Xing Yue had not dodged, the Ninth Princess felt a little better.
"Ninth Princess, how can you whip someone here?" Madam Song, though inwardly pleased, had to put on a show of righteous indignation.
"She spoke of this princess, why can't this princess strike her?" the Ninth Princess said, looking at Xue Xing Yue with ice-cold eyes.
"Ninth Princess, how can you know she was referring to you?" Madam Song maintained her dignified, benevolent grandmotherly demeanor.
The Ninth Princess snorted at this, "Was she not referring to this princess?"
"Ninth Princess, even if she was referring to you, you cannot whip someone here in front of me. I am, after all, a first-rank imperial noble lady personally honored by Xiu Yuan. Is this how the Ninth Princess treats me?" Madam Song spoke righteously.
Hearing Madam Song mention Song Xiu Yuan, the Ninth Princess, who had been so arrogant, softened her tone. "Old Madam, this princess did not do it intentionally, but she actually slandered this princess behind her back. Must this princess endure it? Who knows how much badmouthing she has done about this princess?"
"Ninth Princess, this matter will be handled by me. I implore the Ninth Princess not to harm anyone further." Madam Song said.
The Ninth Princess casually found a chair and sat down. "Then I ask the old madam to handle this for this princess."
Madam Song was taken aback, clearly not expecting the Ninth Princess to be so unyielding. "Ninth Princess..."
"What? Is the old madam saying one thing to my face and another behind my back?" the Ninth Princess asked coldly.
Madam Song gritted her teeth and said, "Certainly not. I keep my word."
Then, she looked at Xue Xing Yue, who had already taken a lash, and said coldly, "Do you know your crime?"
Xue Xing Yue raised her head, looking at Madam Song with a bewildered expression. "What crime have I committed? I beg the old madam to investigate."
"You slandered the Ninth Princess in secret, is that not a crime?" Madam Song said coldly.
"I slandered the Ninth Princess? Did I receive this whip just now because the Ninth Princess was angered?" she feigned a look of shock.
Madam Song sneered inwardly. It seemed she truly was a farmer's daughter, as foolish as a pig.
"Xue Xing Yue, your slander of the Ninth Princess is a grave offense. I am now punishing you. Do you accept this?" Madam Song berated her.
"Your Highness Ninth Princess, do you also believe I was slandering you?" Xue Xing Yue ignored Madam Song and turned her gaze to the Ninth Princess.
The Ninth Princess snorted, "Wasn't it so?"
"Your Highness Ninth Princess, this humble maiden is wronged! Did Your Highness Ninth Princess hear me say anything about you?" Xue Xing Yue asked.
The Ninth Princess froze, then looked at Xue Xing Yue with disgust. "You spoke of this princess. Do you still intend to deny it?"