C32 Fall into the Lake

"Tiange, I let you off easy during the Imperial Academy registration. Now that we've run into each other again, let's see what you've got!" Ruxuan's face was flushed with anger, a vein pulsing on her forehead, clearly upset.

Tiange looked up calmly, noticing Xueyao sitting not far away, looking completely at ease. They had crossed paths at the garden entrance earlier, where Ruxuan had merely rolled her eyes at Tiange. This sudden outburst was likely due to Xueyao's instigation. Clever move!

If Tiange got into a heated argument with Ruxuan, it would ruin the snow-viewing gathering, leaving everyone in low spirits. Luoyi might not even get a chance to speak with her sister. Since this wasn't her event, Tiange decided not to take center stage.

"I'm talking to you! What, are you scared?" Ruxuan taunted, drawing everyone's attention and sparking whispers around them.

Moonbeam wanted to step in, but Tiange stopped her with a glance. Ruxuan, thinking Tiange was intimidated, grew even more arrogant and reached to overturn the table.

Just then, Luoyi approached. "Miss Ruxuan, if you want to spar, perhaps another day would be better. Today, I invited everyone to enjoy the snow in the garden. Let's not spoil the mood."

Qin Luoyi's words were clearly pointed, and Ruxuan was instantly annoyed. "I'm not arguing with you, and this garden isn't yours. Aren't you overstepping a bit? Besides, what's your connection to this ugly duckling that you're sticking up for her?"

Tiange ignored their bickering, sipping her tea quietly. Only Ruxuan would think Qin Luoyi was defending her.

As the organizer of this snow-viewing gathering, Qin Luoyi was the host. Causing trouble here was disrespectful to her, so her actions were justified. Of course, Qin Luoyi might have been waiting for this opportunity.

"Luoyi isn't standing up for anyone; she just hopes Miss Xie will behave," Qin Luoyi said coolly, her eyes icy.

Ruxuan was the type who wouldn't back down. The more you pushed her, the more defiant she became. "What if I don't behave? Today, I'm going to break this ugly duckling's leg right in front of all of you!"

Tiange held her cup silently, feeling a twinge of anger. Ugly duckling, huh? You say it so easily.

"Well, I'm sorry, but you're not welcome here, Miss Xie. Please leave!" Qin Luoyi's voice grew colder, effectively showing her the door.

Ruxuan ignored her, turning to attack Tiange.

"Even if you don't respect Luoyi, are you really going to disrespect the Marquis Mansion too? Who knew the daughter of the Minister of War would be so bold!"

If Qin Luoyi's earlier words were a warning, now they were an unmistakable threat.

Rank has its privileges, and Xie Ruxuan knew well the difference in status between a marquis and a minister.

"Hmph!" Xie Ruxuan accepted the threat, turning away angrily and waving to someone nearby. "Xueyao, let's go!"

In an instant, all eyes followed Xie Ruxuan's gaze to Feng Xueyao.

"Come on, do you want to stay here and be bullied?" Seeing Feng Xueyao hesitate, Xie Ruxuan marched over, pulled her up, and strode out of the garden.

But before they could leave the pavilion, Qin Luoyi was already blocking Feng Xueyao's path.

Feng Tiange knew the real drama was about to unfold...

"Miss Feng, are you leaving because you think I'm bullying you?" Qin Luoyi's elegance and poise were unmatched, even if she wasn't as striking as Feng Xueyao.

Feng Xueyao hadn't anticipated this. Her plan was to use Xie Ruxuan's provocation to divert attention from Feng Tiange, but instead, Xie Ruxuan had dragged her into the fray, making things worse.

"Miss Qin, you've misunderstood. Xueyao didn't mean..."

Before Feng Xueyao could explain, Xie Ruxuan interrupted, "What, you think you can stop us? Move aside!"

"You can leave, but Miss Feng needs to stay and clear things up. I don't want any rumors spreading that I, Qin Luoyi, was harsh to her," Qin Luoyi insisted, determined not to let Feng Xueyao leave so easily.

"Oh! I get it. You're just trying to give Xueyao a hard time because there's talk that the Commander likes her, and you can't stand it, right?"

In the pavilion, Tiange was sweating nervously. This was the perfect example of having a friend who just makes things worse, and Xueyao was definitely feeling it.

"Xueyao, I'm taking you with me!"

"Ruxuan."

Just as Ruxuan was about to drag Xueyao out forcefully, Luoyi's maid suddenly intervened with a sharp move that forced Ruxuan to step back.

Xueyao sensed trouble and was about to go to Ruxuan when Luoyi called out, "Miss Feng, do tell me, do you want to leave with her because you think I've been harsh on you?"

Luoyi advanced toward Xueyao, steadily backing her into the pavilion.

Xueyao tried to stay calm, managing a weak smile, "Of course not, it's just... Ruxuan and I came in the same carriage..."

"Oh." Luoyi nodded as if understanding, but kept moving until Xueyao was cornered at the edge of the pavilion, right by the lake. "And what about Dugu Jin? There's talk that he likes you. I'm curious, Miss Feng, what do you think of my fiancé?"

Luoyi's voice was quiet, but loud enough for the other ladies in the pavilion to hear clearly. They immediately understood the situation but none stepped forward to say a word.

After all, no one wants to offend the Marquis of Martial Peace over a minor official's daughter.

Outside the pavilion, Ruyi couldn't withstand Xie Ruxuan's strike, so Tiange casually tossed an orange peel in her direction. As Xie Ruxuan stumbled, Ruyi quickly sealed her pressure point.

"So, what do you think of Dugu Jin?" Qin Luoyi stopped and coldly looked at Feng Xueyao.

"Those are just rumors. Xueyao and the Commander are innocent..." Feng Xueyao, feeling cornered by Qin Luoyi, stood with her back to the lake. The chill seeped into her lungs, making her shiver.

As Feng Xueyao spoke, she glanced at Tiange in the corner, her eyes pleading for help. Being from the same household, if she were humiliated, Tiange's reputation wouldn't fare much better.

This was the twisted mindset of Feng Xueyao and her entire family branch: they could be harsh to you, but you couldn't ignore them.

Unfortunately, Tiange didn't even look her way...

"Rumors often have a basis, Feng Xueyao. You know Dugu Jin is my future husband, yet you still flirt with him. Do you think I'm invisible?" Qin Luoyi's eyes turned sharp as she suddenly pushed Feng Xueyao into the lake.

Splash—

The ice on the lake shattered, and Feng Xueyao plunged into the freezing water, the biting cold stabbing through her body like needles!

As the young ladies gasped in surprise, someone sprinted toward the entrance of the garden. Even though the face was hard to make out, the attire was unmistakable. It was none other than Dugu Jin. Qin Luoyi was taken aback—what was Dugu Jin doing here?

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