C5 Contempt

"Ruan Qingge is just a fool, always speaking nonsense and telling lies. How can you believe anything she says, Mother? Surely you know Yueer's character by now?"

The speaker was Xiao Ling, the fiancé of the original protagonist, and he looked quite annoyed. His gaze toward Ruan Yueer was tinged with a hint of tension. "In my opinion, she's just pretending to be crazy to avoid responsibility. Today, everyone was enjoying the festivities at Peach Encounter Bay. It's not even summer, yet she wandered off alone to Picking Lotus Lake, where a newly deceased maid was found nearby. Who else could the culprit be if not her?"

A prince siding with someone other than his fiancée, and subtly defending Ruan Yueer, was a nuance not lost on those paying attention.

Most assumed he despised the Anyang County Princess and was taking the opportunity to kick her while she was down. But Ruan Qingge knew better. Xiao Ling and Ruan Yueer had long been in cahoots, conspiring together. This time, Ruan Yueer dared to harm the original protagonist because Xiao Ling had likely paved the way for her in secret.

"Why hasn't Cousin Three come to play at my house lately?"

Ruan Qingge stared blankly at Xiao Ling, then suddenly broke into a goofy grin. "I know Cousin Three loves playing hide-and-seek with Sister, always sneaking off to the rock garden to tussle, thinking I didn't notice. This time, take Qingge along too. I'm sure I can catch you both!"

Mud covered Qingge's face, hiding her true features. Ignoring the dirt all over her, she eagerly reached out towards Xiao Ling, her expression innocent and excited, as if she truly couldn't understand what others were saying.

The words hit like a bolt of lightning, leaving everyone stunned. Qingge might not get it, but everyone else did—it was clear Xiao Ling and Yueer were involved!

Xiao Ling shoved Qingge away with disgust, his face a mix of panic and anger. "You're a raving lunatic, spouting nonsense! Have you lost your mind?"

"Sister, how could you slander me like this?"

Reputation was crucial for a young lady of standing, and Yueer couldn't let herself become the subject of gossip. With so many esteemed women present, who knew what rumors would spread by tomorrow?

Her eyes reddened, brows furrowed in distress, evoking sympathy. "I know you look down on me for being born out of wedlock, and I've let things slide before. But today, in the palace, you still tarnish my name."

Tears streamed down Yueer's face as she dabbed them with a handkerchief, looking tearfully at the Empress. "Your Majesty, please stand up for me. I've always been dutiful and never dared to meet with men in private. My mother, though not of royal status, comes from a noble family and has always taught me to behave properly. To be accused like this today, I feel like jumping into the lake—I can't bear to show my face in the palace anymore!"

She was already beautiful and delicate, and now, with tears streaming down her face, she looked even more pitiable. Xiao Ling's heart twisted at the sight, his eyes blazing with anger, wishing he could turn Ruan Qingge to ashes. "You wicked woman, not only are you foolish, but your heart is so dark. Your sister has been so good to you, yet you repay her with such vile lies!"

"Enough!" The Empress, her head throbbing from the argument, had spent decades navigating the palace intrigues and had developed a keen eye for truth. In the midst of the conversation, she noticed the furtive glances exchanged between Xiao Ling and Ruan Yueer, their anxiety clear to her.

She knew that the words of a fool often held truth. The Empress feared that if Ruan Qingge continued speaking, she might reveal something even more embarrassing, tarnishing the royal family's reputation.