Volume One, Chapter Seven "The queen consort belongs to me; it’s not for you to judge whether she is worthy!"

Early the next morning, Song Yaozhu sent someone to inquire about Xie Liewei’s whereabouts. She had gone to Tingsue Courtyard the previous night to intercept him, only to end up sleeping there for half the night without seeing a soul; she had no idea what could be keeping him so busy.

"The Prince is not in..." Nanny Qin said, wringing her hands in embarrassment. "The front courtyard says the Prince went out of the city for a hunt and did not return last night."

Song Yaozhu: "..."

Great, even this brother-in-law was unreliable. Fine, she would just have to handle this herself.

After finishing her toilette, Song Yaozhu gathered her entourage and headed to the main gate to board her carriage. While passing through the garden, to the shocked gazes of Caiyin and Caijin, she plucked a green chrysanthemum and tucked it into her hair.

"Your Highness, is it really appropriate to wear green?" Caiyin reminded her cautiously.

Song Yaozhu waved her hand dismissively. "It’s of no consequence!"

They soon arrived at the Grand Tutor Song residence. Since both the Prince of Xiaoyao’s manor and the Grand Tutor’s residence possessed empty prestige without actual administrative power, the Grand Tutor did not hold Xie Liewei in high regard. Consequently, he only sent servants to greet her at the gate.

Song Yaozhu did not mind. She stepped off the carriage herself and followed the maids toward the main hall. Behind her, a retinue of over twenty maids and matrons followed, displaying the full pomp and circumstance of a Princess Consort.

On the main seat, Grand Tutor Song sat with crane-white hair and brows. Though advanced in years, he still appeared full of vigor.

Upon seeing him, Song Yaozhu offered a respectful bow. It was not for nothing; this Grand Tutor was the imperial tutor of the previous dynasty, and even after Yuwen Wuji ascended the throne, he retained his title and continued to serve as an instructor to the princes. While his own sons were not particularly well-taught, his skill in training princes was formidable indeed.

"Rise," the Grand Tutor said after sipping the tea she offered, then asked casually, "The Prince did not come?"

Although his tone was flat, Song Yaozhu detected the probing intent beneath his words. What did it signify when an idle prince without an official post failed to appear when his wife returned to her maiden home? It meant he gave no face at all to his new bride.

Song Yaozhu rose with poise, meeting the Grand Tutor’s gaze without a hint of fear. Her posture was straight, and her elaborate attire only made her more striking.

"The Prince went hunting outside the city yesterday and was delayed in his return; I imagine he is on his way back now."

Her response was noncommittal, neither confirming nor denying Xie Liewei’s arrival, leaving them unable to gauge her true standing within the manor.

Grand Tutor Song appraised his granddaughter slightly. Indeed, one is made by their clothes; now that she was dressed in the robes of a Princess Consort, even her presence had changed. However, he did not count on using her for his own ends, as she had not been raised by his side.

"Very well, go and speak with your father and mother," the Grand Tutor said before departing with his attendants; he still had to go teach the princes.

Once the Grand Tutor left, the atmosphere in the hall eased instantly. Song Chengzhang, intending to use his status as a father to warn Song Yaozhu against causing trouble for the Song family, saw her seat herself directly in the main chair the old man had just vacated. His brows furrowed fiercely.

"Song Yaozhu, how dare you be so presumptuous before your elders!"

Song Yaozhu took a cup of tea from Caijin and sipped it calmly. Her dismissive attitude infuriated Song Chengzhang. He had always despised this uncouth daughter, and now that she was married, her total disregard for his authority as a father was intolerable!

"Father, please do not be angry. I suppose my sister has been lax with her etiquette at the manor these past few days and simply forgot," Song Wenyue said softly, ostensibly soothing him, but in reality, pouring oil on the fire.

Song Yaozhu ignored them, continuing to sip her tea.

"Sister, really, how could you take the main seat while Father and Mother are present?" Song Wenyue added, glancing at Song Yaozhu.

She had expected to see a woman who was timid and reserved, but to her dismay, the woman in the main seat sat with a posture so elegant it seemed measured by a ruler, looking entirely at ease, as if she were in her own domain. This deeply displeased Song Wenyue.

"Presumptuous!" Nanny Qin, catching a signal from Song Yaozhu, immediately scolded. "Fourth Miss Song, you are the granddaughter of the Grand Tutor—do you not know the rank of a Princess Consort?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s face darkened. They had pushed Song Yaozhu to be the substitute bride because they were certain she was soft-natured and easy to manipulate. But this sight before them was clearly a case of a small person puffed up by sudden success! They had been careless.

"Come to think of it, none of you have paid your respects to our Princess Consort yet! As the tutor to the princes, the Grand Tutor must surely value order the most. I implore you all not to violate the rules of our ancestors!"

Nanny Qin’s words struck the members of the Song family’s main branch like a blow to the head. This country girl they looked down upon, the discarded pawn they expected to be mocked for her ignorance and abandoned by the Prince of Xiaoyao—how was it that they were now the ones being controlled by her title?

Song Yaozhu sat in the main seat, slowly savoring her tea, saying nothing. The Song family, naturally unwilling to kneel to a daughter they had barely raised, found themselves in a tense standoff.

"Sister, your return to your maiden home should be a joyous occasion. Why must you put on such airs? Wouldn’t it be better for the family to be harmonious?" Song Wenyue said with a wronged expression, her words laden with accusations that Song Yaozhu was the one upsetting the household.

"Song Yaozhu, you must know that you are a daughter married out of the Song family. Do I need to remind you of your status?" Song Chengzhang said with a harsh tone. "The fact that the Prince did not accompany you today says it all! You will be cast aside by him sooner or later. When he takes a new wife, who else will you have to rely on but your maiden family?"

Song Chengzhang knew that Song Yaozhu wouldn't understand subtle metaphors, so he spoke bluntly: "Even as a Princess Consort, your maiden family is your only true support."

Song Yaozhu turned her head, her half-lowered eyes sweeping toward Song Chengzhang. The moment their gazes met, Song Chengzhang felt a chill break out across his back.

"Nanny, according to the rules, may a fifth-rank official address a Princess Consort by her given name?"

Nanny Qin stood with her hands folded, her face expressionless, though the sweat in her palms was nearly soaking her robes. How could the Prince not be here while this father and daughter played this tug-of-war?

"In response to Your Highness, no, they may not."

Song Chengzhang’s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. He had been called out for being a mere fifth-rank official by the very daughter he disdained! His father being a Grand Tutor was his lifelong pain; he was over thirty with no accomplishments to his name, having secured a fifth-rank post only through his father’s connections. It was one thing for others to gossip behind his back, but to have her point it out so brazenly was humiliating!

"Song Yaozhu, do you know that your position as Princess Consort was secured for you by us! How can you be so ungrateful!"

Watching Song Chengzhang’s face turn red and his neck swell, Song Yaozhu chuckled. She had no other intent; she did it purely to insult him.

As expected, Song Chengzhang exploded.

"Someone! Bring the family law! I will teach this unfilial daughter a lesson!"

No sooner had he spoken than the matrons Song Yaozhu had brought with her stepped forward, forming a wall that extinguished most of Song Chengzhang’s momentum.

"Master Song, you are mistaken about one thing," Song Yaozhu said, smoothing her cuffs calmly. "My support has never been the Song family; it is the Prince."

The hall fell silent for a moment at her words, then Song Chengzhang scoffed dismissively, "You? Do you think you are worthy?"

"Whether she is worthy or not is for me to decide—not you!"