The villainous female supporting character becomes a heartthrob, and the powerful man successfully r

There was a knock on the door of the side courtyard. Aunt Wen went to open the door and saw the fierce-looking steward of the Xia family.

He was followed by several maids and servants, each carrying their own things.

"Aunt Wen, I've come on the orders of the Old Madam to deliver some things to the Eldest Miss. Also, the Old Madam misses her granddaughter, and hopes that the Eldest Miss will come with me now to pay her respects."

A bad feeling rose in Aunt Wen's heart, but she was powerless to resist. She did not rush to let anyone in, but retreated first, let Xia Ying put on her veil, and then reopened the door.

"Young Miss, please."

The butler smiled and extended his hand, keeping a certain distance from Xia Ying, as they headed together to Old Madam Xia's courtyard.

At this time, Old Madam Xia was recovering from a serious illness and was still resting in bed. The nightmares of the past few days had left her in poor spirits, and she did not see Xia Ying immediately upon hearing that she had arrived.

"Let her go to the Buddhist hall and burn three sticks of incense for this old woman."

Doing this is simply to put her mind at ease and settle the matter of cause and effect.

After Xia Ying finished everything, she finally met Old Madam Xia.

She saw no loving kindness from her elders, only the fear of death.

"Grandmother, it's been many years. Your granddaughter greets you."

"Get up. Xiaoying, don't blame your parents for being heartless. They were thinking of the whole family and your life."

Xia Ying, wearing a veil, stood in front of the old lady's bed, her attitude indifferent, and she showed no emotional fluctuations when listening to her words.

Old Madam Xia continued recounting the hardships the Xia family had endured over the years, almost as if she were pouring her heart out. Xia Ying listened quietly, finally saying, "Grandmother, don't worry, I understand."

The old lady seemed to have punched a cotton ball; her mouth murmured, but she didn't say anything.

Just as she was about to let Xia Ying leave, the butler announced loudly at the door, "Madam, someone from the palace has arrived."

Then, the head maid led in an old eunuch and several palace maids.

"We've met the old lady and the eldest daughter before."

"So it's Eunuch Dequan! What brings you here?"

Dequan didn't rush to answer Madam Xia's question, but instead praised Xia Ying highly before finally revealing his purpose.

"The princess and you hit it off immediately. Seeing that your luggage was simple, she found some ready-made clothes in the storeroom, all made of Xiangyun yarn and Yun brocade."

"Thank you, Princess, and thank you for your trouble, Eunuch."

Xia Ying glanced around and saw several palace maids carrying a mahogany box in pairs. If you didn't know better, you would think they were there to deliver betrothal gifts.

Seeing this scene, Madam Xia was extremely surprised. After seeing off the people from the 8th Palace, she asked Xia Ying about the specific situation.

"We only met once, Grandmother. Perhaps the princess's connection to Third Brother is the reason."

Madam Xia didn't press further; feeling sleepy, she told Xia Ying to go back and rest.

Xia Ying, accompanied by several servants, had just stepped out of the old lady's courtyard with her belongings when she was blocked by Xia Mufeng.

"Stop! Put your things down!"

He rebuked Xia Ying without any politeness: "This was sent by the princess, Xia Ying, how dare you keep my things for yourself!"

"Third brother, this was a gift from the princess."

Xia Ying stood firmly in front, neither humble nor arrogant, but Xia Mufeng vehemently denied it: "Don't call me Third Brother, I don't have a sister like you. If you don't leave the things behind, I'll have to go to Father and let him decide!"

"In that case, please proceed."

Xia Ying didn't spare him any more glances, leaving the reward behind before returning to her courtyard alone.

Xia Mufeng was naturally delighted. He held his head high and puffed out his chest, like a victorious rooster.

"If we carry these things to Xin'er's yard, she'll be very happy."

Rong Xuanzhou was practicing calligraphy when Dequan entered with a smile, bowed, and reported the situation.

"Your Highness, Miss Xia is truly a rare and beautiful woman, a perfect match for you."

He made this trip today under the guise of being a princess, and the moment he saw Xia Ying, he understood everything.

Why would His Highness the Crown Prince, who never gets close to women, suddenly want to send gifts? It turns out, he's fallen in love.

Rong Xuanzhou paused in his calligraphy practice and asked, "Does she like it?"

"Miss Xia is very happy. She told me to thank the princess properly."

Rong Xuanzhou smiled and threw away the brush, seemingly in a good mood.

He took the handkerchief and carefully wiped his hands, then thought for a moment and said, "I remember, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is holding a banquet in three days?"

"If Your Highness remembers correctly, that is indeed the case. The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion even sent an invitation to the Crown Prince's palace. Several young masters from the Xia family are friends with the heir apparent, so they will definitely be there as well."

"Then I'll make time to go there; it'll be a good way to relax."

"This servant will go and prepare immediately."

After Dequan accepted the order and left, the hall fell silent again.

As Rong Xuanzhou closed his eyes to rest, the beautiful face he had seen that day kept appearing in his mind.

Innocent and pure, like a cute rabbit.

He tricked me, and I still have to thank him.

"Yingying, writing a blank IOU is not a good thing."

He's not a good person. How could he not be tempted or make a move when there's such a wonderful person around?

That evening, Rong Xuanzhou received a message from Qian Mo, and his previously good mood vanished completely. His face was ashen, and he slammed the Buddhist prayer beads in his hand onto the table. The guards and secret agents below him didn't dare to breathe.

"My things aren't something you can just take as you please."

"Qianmo, burn all the dirty things, especially the clothes the person is wearing."

The Xia family dared to covet the things he gave to Yingying, so they must pay the price.

After midnight, the people of the Xia family had already fallen asleep.

A fire suddenly broke out in Lanyue Pavilion, where Xia Yanxin lived, and in the bamboo garden where Xia Mufeng lived, especially in her bedroom, where the fire raged fiercely.

"Oh no, there's a fire!"

As the watchman shouted, many people joined the firefighting effort.

Xia Yanxin had long been cornered by the fire, trembling with fear. When she saw her maid on night watch, she pulled her over to shield her.

It wasn't until Xia Linfeng broke down the door and successfully rescued her that she was able to escape.

Xia Mufeng was also in bad shape; his arms were burned by the flames, and much of his hair was burned off, leaving him in a very sorry state.

The Xia family was busy putting out the fire, calling doctors, and investigating the fire; everything was in chaos.

Only the side courtyard where Xia Ying and Aunt Wen lived was very quiet.

"Father, misfortune befell the Xia family the moment Xia Ying returned. She's a jinx; she can't be allowed to live!"

"Father, look at Third Brother and Xin'er, they almost got into trouble. Please think of them too, they are your children!"

Xia's father remained silent, but his eyes were fixed on Xia Ying's courtyard. He really didn't want to see Xia Ying unless absolutely necessary.

But do these events mean that the decision to bring Xia Ying back was a mistake?

In the Eastern Palace, Rong Xuanzhou learned that the Xia family blamed everything on Xia Ying, and his gaze grew even colder.

He was always reckless, acting only to vent his anger. But now, he had harmed Yingying. He couldn't sit still any longer, so he changed his clothes and ran to the Xia residence under the cover of night.

Xia Ying was confined to a secluded courtyard. At this moment, the moon was bright and the stars were few, and only one candle was lit in the room.

Just as he was leaning against the railing, gazing into the distance, a cloth bag was suddenly thrown onto the table.

She remained calm, a smile playing on her lips, and said in a voice neither too loud nor too soft, "We have guests; why not come out and greet them?"

The surroundings were completely silent.

Inside the cloth bag was a note and a jade pendant.

"Sorry? Why are you apologizing to me?"

Xia Ying stroked the jade pendant in her hand, guessing the identity of the person who had come.

In the center of the jade pendant was the character "容" (rong).

"Your Highness, I don't blame you. On the contrary, I'm very happy. Because it really feels good." Xia Ying laughed as she spoke, describing the miserable state she saw on the two of them today, with a hint of schadenfreude.

"As for that fabricated charge, they can always find a pretext to condemn me. I've suffered this injustice for eight years, and I'm already fed up with it."

Rong Xuanzhou could no longer control the surging emotions in his heart and suddenly appeared from the shadows.

Xia Ying's eyes crinkled into a smile, seemingly unaffected by the slander and punishment she had suffered that day.

She gently turned her head, meeting a pair of bright phoenix eyes, waved her hand, and said in a relaxed and sweet voice, "Your Highness, good evening. It's a pleasure to meet you."