Hearing her eldest son's words, Song Zhaoyang was filled with doubt. Subconsciously, she looked outside, only to find there wasn't even a breath of wind.
She frowned and stepped outside.
Once outside, Song Zhaoyang stopped.
"What's going on?"
Xue Mingxiao said with a grim face, "There are rumors spreading outside about Yaoyao. They say she was defiled and has lost her virginity."
"I sent people to investigate and found that the news spread from the mouths of several beggars. So I sent people to arrest those beggars for investigation. But before we could pry out the mastermind behind them, they foamed at the mouth and died!"
As he spoke, Xue Mingxiao clenched his fists tightly.
Song Zhaoyang looked solemn.
Just as she was about to say something, she saw Xue Chucheng walking over from afar.
"What's going on? Is Yaoyao feeling unwell?"
Seeing the grim expressions on the two of them, Xue Chucheng also became nervous.
Song Zhaoyang told Xue Chucheng what had happened, and his face turned as gloomy as water.
He looked at Xue Mingxiao and said, "Why didn't you report this to me?"
Xue Mingxiao was taken aback for a moment and said helplessly, "Father, I didn't know you would come back so early today."
"Alright!" Seeing Xue Chucheng taking his anger out on Xue Mingxiao, Song Zhaoyang said helplessly, "Let's solve the most important thing at hand first."
Xue Chucheng pondered for a moment and then said, "First, report this to the Ministry of Justice!"
"The Ministry of Justice?!" Hearing Xue Chucheng's words, Xue Mingxiao's voice rose.
Seeing his usually calm eldest son lose his composure, Xue Chucheng rolled his eyes at him and said helplessly, "Come on, let's go to the study!"
The three of them went to the study.
Xue Chucheng said directly, "The purpose of reporting this to the authorities is to use the power of the court to suppress these rumors."
Xue Mingxiao disagreed and said, "Father, Uncle is still locked up in the Ministry of Justice. If Yaoyao's matter spreads there, won't the Xue family become a laughingstock in the entire capital? Isn't this just letting the mastermind behind this succeed?"
Looking at her eldest son with a serious face, Song Zhaoyang said calmly, "Even if we don't report this to the authorities now, I'm afraid the rumor that Yaoyao has lost her virginity has already spread throughout the capital. Do you think you can stop it?"
"Your father means that if we don't make a statement, it will seem as if our Xue family has defaulted on this matter. By then, we don't know what the outside world will say!"
Hearing Song Zhaoyang's explanation, Xue Mingxiao suddenly realized.
"What should we do next?"
Xue Chucheng said, "Your mother and I already know who the mastermind is."
"Who?" Xue Mingxiao asked eagerly.
Xue Chucheng didn't hide it either. The Xue family would be handed over to his eldest son in the future, and he was no longer a child.
He said, "It's Princess Gaoyang."
Xue Mingxiao was shocked and said, "How could it be her? Didn't she want Yaoyao to marry her adopted son?"
Saying this, he seemed to realize something. His eyes turned cold, and he clenched his fists as he asked, "Could it be that because Mother refused this marriage, Princess Gaoyang is slandering Yaoyao like this?"
"Was it also Princess Gaoyang who attacked Yaoyao on the boat?"
Song Zhaoyang nodded and said, "That's what your father and I think. And your uncle's matter was also framed by Princess Gaoyang's people."
Xue Mingxiao's expression was dark. Just because of this refusal of the marriage, this princess could hold such a grudge. Her heart was really too vicious.
No!
He said to Song Zhaoyang and Xue Chucheng, "Mother, Father, the assassin who kidnapped Yaoyao on the boat seemed to be a dead - soldier. Does Princess Gaoyang have the ability to train dead - soldiers?"
Xue Chucheng gently patted Xue Mingxiao's shoulder and said with relief, "Xiao'er, you've used your brain by realizing this."
Hearing Xue Chucheng's praise, Xue Mingxiao narrowed his eyes.
"So, Princess Gaoyang is not the sickly person others think she is?"
Xue Chucheng said seriously, "We'll know when the investigation from Lingnan comes back. But you don't need to interfere in this matter. Your mother and I will handle it."
Song Zhaoyang agreed and said, "Xiao'er, your father is right. Your main task now is the imperial examination. As for other things, your father and I will take care of them."
Xue Mingxiao had no choice but to compromise.
Xue Chucheng looked at Song Zhaoyang and said, "Don't tell Yaoyao about this for now, so as not to affect her recovery."
Song Zhaoyang looked at Xue Chucheng helplessly and said, "Husband, we've protected Yaoyao for thirteen years and always thought about her. But one day, we will grow old, and she has to learn to grow up on her own."
"As our legitimate daughter, she is destined not to live in an ivory tower for the rest of her life."
Hearing Song Zhaoyang's words, Xue Mingxiao frowned and said, "Mother, do you mean to tell Yaoyao about this?"
Song Zhaoyang said, "I know what I'm doing. You can rest assured."
Xue Chucheng and Xue Mingxiao looked at each other, and finally, they didn't say anything more.
But Xue Mingxiao still thought of something and said, "Father, Mother, why don't we call Second Brother back to protect Yaoyao?"
Now, Xue Mingchen was training at the border.
Xue Mingxiao thought that Xue Mingchen's martial arts were better than his. With Xue Mingchen by his sister's side, he would definitely be able to protect her well.
Xue Chucheng thought his eldest son's suggestion was good.
Qi Yunshuang had ill intentions towards their family. There was no guarantee that she wouldn't try something again and target Yaoyao.
Although there were secret guards protecting in the dark, it's better to be safe than sorry. For example, this incident was a lesson.
If his second son could come back, he could also protect his daughter.
He didn't immediately agree but said, "I'll think about it."
The father and son went to their respective business, and Song Zhaoyang returned to the room. Seeing Yaoyao resting her chin on her hand, she said, "Yaoyao."
Yaoyao stood up suddenly and looked outside with a puzzled look on her face. "Mother, where's brother?"
Song Zhaoyang said, "Your brother has gone back to study."
"Oh." Yaoyao was extremely disappointed. "I thought he came to see me!"
Song Zhaoyang couldn't help but smile and said, "Don't worry. Your father and brother will come to have dinner with you later."
Hearing this, Yaoyao beamed with joy.
Looking at her daughter being happy about such a small thing, Song Zhaoyang felt extremely fond of her. But thinking of the rumors outside, she couldn't help but frown.
Seeing Song Zhaoyang looking preoccupied, Yaoyao put away the smile on her face and asked curiously, "Mother, what's going on?"
Looking at Yaoyao, Song Zhaoyang pondered for a moment and said, "Yaoyao, mother has something to tell you. You have to be mentally prepared."
Yaoyao looked serious and nodded. "Mother, please say."
Suppressing her anger, Song Zhaoyang said, "Just now your brother came and said there are rumors spreading outside about you. They say..."
She paused and carefully observed Yaoyao's expression.
Seeing Song Zhaoyang hesitating to speak, Yaoyao said anxiously, "Say what, mother. Hurry up."
Song Zhaoyang took Yaoyao's hand and said, "They say you were defiled by a thief."
Yaoyao's face turned as pale as paper, and her body trembled.
This was not only out of anger but also fear.
Seeing this, Song Zhaoyang quickly hugged Yaoyao and gently stroked her back to comfort her.
"Yaoyao, don't worry. Father and mother will definitely catch the mastermind behind this and clear your name. We won't let these slurs be put on you."
As soon as the words fell, Yaoyao's eyes were filled with hatred. She suddenly stood up.