My husband faked his death so I could remarry, but I got involved with my crazy brother and can'

She really never imagined that Xie Huaiyun would be this kind of person.

It's one thing if she's inside the mansion, but she won't show her any respect even outside.

Now look what's happened; she's become the laughingstock of the entire elite social circle.

Everyone knows she is scheming and manipulative, and everyone knows she is out of favor.

Even the way they looked at her became unpleasant.

She hated that look in her eyes.

"Madam, no matter what, you are the heir apparent of the Duke's mansion. We must not give up and must act like the mistress of the house," Dong Rong comforted her.

Hearing this, Su Zhirou finally felt a little more at ease: "You're right, I am the rightful Crown Prince's wife, so what if he doesn't acknowledge it?"

"Am I not yet the Crown Prince's consort?"

"As long as I am alive, that woman will never be able to become the official wife, and will be forever burdened with the title of sister-in-law and widow."

The dim candlelight in the ancestral hall illuminated the woman's harsh face.

"Brother Huaiyun, if it weren't for my sister-in-law, I'm afraid the princess would have met with misfortune this time. This is my gift of gratitude to my sister-in-law."

Prince Rui raised his hand, and servants brought up several large boxes of gifts as a token of gratitude.

"These are all gold and silver items. I know my brother and sister-in-law are incredibly wealthy, but they are still a token of my goodwill."

Prince Rui was very grateful to Su Yingxue, after all, she had saved the woman he loved.

He had already found out that in that situation, if Su Yingxue hadn't intervened, his princess would certainly not have survived.

"Your Highness is too kind."

Xie Huaiyun didn't want Su Yingxue to get involved, after all, his friendship with Prince Rui was only superficial.

If Su Yingxue gets involved, and if Prince Rui learns the truth one day, he will definitely take action against her.

Speaking of which...

He seems to be getting too close to Su Yingxue lately.

Thinking of Su Yingxue's pretty and bright face, the man's heart sank.

Prince Rui continued, "Speaking of which, although I promised the Princess Consort that I would not pursue the matter further, someone saw that the Princess Consort did not actually slip on this object and fall into the lake.

As he spoke, Ji Er presented the evidence.

Xie Huaiyun frowned. "What does this mean?"

Based on his understanding of Prince Rui, he probably wouldn't have been informed of such a trivial matter.

It will be easy to find out whose earring it is with a simple investigation.

Could it be... hers?

Thinking of this possibility, Xie Huaiyun's breathing became heavier, and she picked it up to examine it carefully.

wrong.

This earring doesn't seem to be hers.

Most of her earrings are luxurious and exquisite, none of them are as ordinary as these.

"Brother Huaiyun must already know that this item belongs to the Crown Princess."

Prince Rui smiled faintly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes: "Speaking of which, Brother Huaiyun knows my nature. I always repay kindness."

"If there's a grudge... then naturally, I won't hold back."

It turned out to belong to that woman.

Xie Huaiyun concealed the disdain in her eyes and feigned concern: "Your Highness, I believe Zhirou did not mean it. Please, Your Highness, have mercy!"

He didn't care about Su Zhirou at all.

However, if Prince Rui discovers that he is in love with Su Yingxue, Su Yingxue will likely suffer the consequences.

The best way is to distance himself from Su Yingxue and create the illusion that he dotes on Su Zhirou.

"Brother Huaiyun, how come I heard that you and the Crown Princess are not close?" Prince Rui's eyes gleamed with a strange light as he stared intently at the man in front of him.

Xie Huaiyun sighed, "It's not that I don't want to, it's just that Zhirou is too stubborn. We've been arguing these days. Your Highness knows that I bear heavy responsibilities and oversee two families, so you've deliberately distanced yourself from her."

"As for Su Yingxue, you know how many years we've been fighting..."

Prince Rui then dispelled his doubts: "Indeed, you've been fighting to the death all these years. It would be difficult for you to marry such a woman to carry on the family line."

Prince Rui expressed sympathy for Xie Huaiyun.

Who would want to have a relationship with a woman they don't like?

Or are they longtime arch-enemies?

"I heard that you carried her away in public that day..." Prince Rui looked at Xie Huaiyun with a scrutinizing gaze, recalling the rumors from that day.

"Your Highness knows perfectly well that my mother is very strict. If she catches a cold or gets sick because of this, she will definitely make a fuss with me."

"Rather than that, it's better to take them away quickly to avoid any further trouble."

Upon hearing this, Prince Rui's gaze softened somewhat: "Yes, I was overthinking it. Orders from one's parents are indeed difficult to fulfill."

"However, since the Crown Princess has injured my Queen, this matter cannot be let off lightly." A dangerous glint flashed in Prince Rui's eyes.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness," Xie Huaiyun said, feigning concern.

Prince Rui stood up and patted him on the shoulder: "Brother Huaiyun, in principle, I should give you some face, but after all, the Princess Consort is the apple of my eye."

"However, for your sake, I will only teach her a lesson and will certainly not harm her, what do you say?"

Seeing that Prince Rui had repeatedly assured her, Xie Huaiyun had no choice but to agree: "Alright, go and call the Crown Princess."

Su Zhirou was excited to learn that Xie Huaiyun was looking for her.

He fell back to his original spot because he had been kneeling for too long.

"What? Really? The Crown Prince summoned me?"

Su Zhirou still couldn't believe it, but thinking of the grievances she had suffered yesterday, she instantly felt relieved.

Presumably, the Crown Prince felt indebted to me, which is why he sent someone to find me.

"It's true! The young master wants you to come over!" Dong Rong exclaimed excitedly.

After so long, my wife has finally made it through.

Su Zhirou's face was full of shock, then suddenly she thought of something: "Come on, take me back to get ready!"

"Madam, the young master is in a hurry and doesn't have time to wait for you to do your hair." Rong Jing said with a forced smile.

It's not like I'm asking her to go over and collect a reward.

It's just that she has to take responsibility for herself.

Look at their naive and unsophisticated appearance; it's distressing to see them like this.

His son, a man of such extraordinary talent, was actually outmaneuvered by this kind of person.

Looking back now, he feels sorry for his son.

"Dongrong, look at me..."

Su Zhirou was a little insecure. What if she couldn't leave a good impression on Xie Huaiyun and then stopped contacting her in the future?

This is a rare opportunity; she should seize it.

"Madam, you are well. Let's go."

Seeing that Rong Jing was anxious, Dong Rong didn't think about taking Su Zhirou back to do her makeup.

This will allow the young master to see what kind of life their wives lead on a daily basis.

After all, in this Duke's mansion, it would be best to gain the favor of the heir apparent.

If not, at least you should gain his pity.

The two quickly arrived at the front yard.

Su Zhirou then noticed that there were guards everywhere at the door.

Rong Jing reminded her at the door, "Madam must pay her respects when she goes in. The one inside is His Highness Prince Rui."

Normally, Rong Jing wouldn't bother with Su Zhirou's affairs, but since Su Zhirou's current status affects his family's heir, he naturally has to remind her.

To avoid embarrassing their heir.

"Prince Rui?"

Before Su Zhirou could ask anything else, Rong Jing had already turned and entered the front hall.

What did Prince Rui want with her?

Su Zhirou was completely baffled, but she still stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "This humble servant greets Your Highness!"

She bowed respectfully, her heart pounding with unease.

The Prince of Rui is rumored to be a man not to be trifled with.

The memory of forcibly marrying the princess back then is still vivid.

This is a man you shouldn't mess with.

If you offend him, you're likely to suffer the consequences.

Thinking of this, Su Zhirou became even more obedient.

They were afraid of being found to have even the slightest mistake.

No need for formalities.

"I have come here to avenge the Queen Consort," Prince Rui said in a low voice.

Her phoenix eyes were as cold as knives. Su Zhirou swallowed hard and forced a bitter smile: "I wonder if it is the servants of the manor who have offended the Princess? If that is the case, Your Highness, you do not need to take action. I will seek justice for the Princess myself."

"Oh?" Prince Rui smiled. "I had no idea that the Princess Consort possessed such magnanimity?"

"Your Highness is too kind. This is all I should do..."

Seeing the smile on Prince Rui's lips, Su Zhirou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems the rumors were untrue; Prince Rui was not as difficult to get along with as people imagined.

Prince Rui's tone shifted abruptly, his voice turning cold: "That person was none other than the Crown Princess. Given her righteousness, surely she wouldn't protect herself?"