Everyone stood up when they saw the Ninth Princess.
Xue Xingyue looked up and saw a pretty face, her bright eyes beneath delicate brows. She glanced around at everyone before her gaze finally settled on Xue Xingyue.
She walked forward, pointing at Xue Xingyue, and said, "Are you Xiu Yuan's fiancée?"
Just as Song Minghui was about to speak, the princess gave her a look and coldly stated, "Did I ask you to speak?"
Song Minghui froze, utterly at a loss.
"Your Highness Princess, Minghui was just about to inform you…"
"Did I ask you to speak either?" the Ninth Princess shot a cold glance at Qiu Yexue, the Second Madam Song, who was displeased by her daughter's mistreatment.
The Second Madam Song shivered. Old Madam Song glared at her, and the Second Madam Song had no choice but to pull Song Minghui back with a wronged expression. Old Madam Song smiled and said, "Your Highness Princess, this is indeed Xiu Yuan's wife-to-be." She emphasized the word "wife" heavily.
The Ninth Princess chuckled upon hearing this, her gaze sweeping over Old Madam Song with a hint of sarcasm. She casually sat down and said, "Is that so? Why am I unaware of this? I am, after all, bestowed upon your Song manor by my father, the Emperor. Does this imperial decree mean nothing to you?"
"Your Highness Princess, your subject would never dare to imply such a thing," Old Master Song quickly interjected.
"Then what is your meaning? Are you deliberately keeping this from me?" the Ninth Princess pressed.
"Your Highness Princess, we have not had the chance to inform you yet. We beg your forgiveness!" Song Xu stepped forward respectfully.
The Ninth Princess glanced at Song Xu and snorted, "Finally, someone speaks sense."
As her words fell, the other members of the Song family looked visibly displeased.
The Ninth Princess stood up and walked to Song Minghui, saying, "What kind of attitude is that? Do you harbor dissatisfaction towards this princess?"
Seeing this, the Second Madam Song quickly said, "Your Highness Princess, Minghui…"
"Did I ask you to speak? Why do you always take it upon yourself to interfere when this princess is speaking?" the Ninth Princess asked coldly.
The Second Madam Song shivered, her face paling. "Your Highness Princess, your subject did not mean it that way."
"Then what do you mean?" the Ninth Princess cornered the Second Madam Song.
The Second Madam Song swayed slightly. Seeing this, the Ninth Princess sneered, "If you don't have the capability, don't take on the responsibility."
"Yes," the Second Madam Song gritted out, word by word.
The Ninth Princess surveyed the crowd, seemingly satisfied, then pointed at Song Minghui. "You, come with this princess."
Upon hearing this, Song Minghui's body faltered. If not for the support of the maid beside her, she might have collapsed.
"Your Highness Princess, could you choose someone else? Minghui has already been ordered around by you for several days, she…"
Before she could finish, a crisp sound rang out, startling everyone. The Second Madam Song, in particular, was shocked, never imagining she would be slapped by someone in her lifetime. She clutched her face, her body trembling.
"It is her honor to serve this princess by my side. Is it so unbearable in your eyes? Are you questioning this princess? Does it mean I can no longer command her?" the Ninth Princess rubbed her hands and said coldly.
"Your Highness Princess, quickly let this old servant see your hand. Let this old servant handle such minor tasks. See who dares to talk back to Your Highness! When we arrived, Her Majesty the Empress specifically instructed this old servant that if anyone dares to bully Your Highness, this old servant is to punish that person. Her Majesty the Empress will back you in all matters," the Ninth Princess's accompanying嬷嬷 (aunt, a respectful term for an older woman, often a nanny or governess) said, looking coldly at the Song family.
Old Master Song stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, please do not be angry. I will manage my family members. I apologize for startling you; it is my fault. I beg Your Highness Princess for forgiveness."
"Forgiveness? This princess does not wish for it. What then?" the Ninth Princess asked Old Master Song.
Old Master Song's body stiffened slightly, then he said, "How can I appease Your Highness's heart? Please just say the word."
"Then make them kneel for an hour!" the Ninth Princess suddenly declared.
Old Master Song clenched his fists tightly and bowed. "Your subject obeys!"
The Ninth Princess seemed pleased with Old Master Song's response and added, "Old Master and Old Madam are elderly, so they are exempt. The rest are unavoidable. However, Xiu Yuan's father is exempted."
After speaking, she suddenly looked at Xue Xingyue and asked, "How do you feel about the punishment this princess has given?"
Xue Xingyue was taken aback. She truly hadn't expected the Ninth Princess to throw the burden to her. She bowed and said, "This humble woman believes Your Highness has her reasons for acting as she has. It is not for me to make presumptuous judgments."
The Ninth Princess nodded upon hearing this, "You are quite sensible."
She stretched lazily, narrowed her eyes, and said coldly, "Why aren't you kneeling?"
A rustling sound followed as people knelt down. Xue Xingyue did not. The Ninth Princess looked at her and asked, "Why aren't you kneeling?"
Xue Xingyue bowed and replied, "To Your Highness. This humble woman is not yet a member of the Song family, so the punishment Your Highness has given to the Song family has nothing to do with me."
The Ninth Princess's eyes lit up at her words. "You are very much to this princess's liking."
"Your Highness flatters me. This humble woman merely recognizes her own status."
"This princess likes those who are sensible. You are very good," the Ninth Princess stated.
Xue Xingyue replied, "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness!"
The Ninth Princess surveyed those kneeling on the ground and said coldly, "Some people clearly do not know their place. This princess finds such people utterly disgusting."
"Your Highness, you should return to take your medicine," an old servant said from the side.
The Ninth Princess nodded and looked at Xue Xingyue. "If you have the chance, you can visit this princess."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
The Ninth Princess looked at the reluctant Song Minghui and said, "Never mind, you can stay kneeling here! Otherwise, with that mournful face, this princess might think she has contracted a terminal illness."
After speaking, the Ninth Princess turned and left.
Song Minghui endured her tears and remained kneeling. Old Master Song looked up and said angrily, "Father, this is completely useless."
A man stood up and pointed at Xue Xingyue. "Why were you so polite to the Ninth Princess just now?"