C14 The Prince Misunderstood

Suddenly, someone started clapping slowly.

"Clap—clap—clap clap—"

Hua Xiangxue paused, turning her head to see Jing Yeli applauding, the approval in his expression unmistakable. In an instant, her initial anger dissipated, and she stood taller, feeling as if someone had her back.

She turned, beaming at Jing Yeli. Her earlier righteous indignation and fearless bravery now seemed more like eager compliance.

"Duke Li, since he says this jade pendant isn't theirs, could you return it to me?" Hua Xiangxue blinked, her eyes full of hopeful anticipation. After all, she was safeguarding it for that little thief. How would she explain if he asked about it later?

In this world, one must uphold righteousness.

Seeing Hua Xiangxue still asking for the pendant, Hua Gongfeng's face darkened further.

Jing Yeli chuckled softly, looking at Hua Gongfeng. He asked slowly, "Assistant Minister Hua, are you sure you don't want this jade pendant?"

Hua Gongfeng shook his head repeatedly, his expression of terror and determination almost comical.

Jing Yeli then turned to Hua Yunjin, with a hint of a smile, "And you? Do you still want this jade pendant?"

Hua Yunjin pressed her lips together, her face slightly flushed. She looked at the pendant in Jing Yeli's hand, then glanced at Hua Gongfeng with a hint of distress.

Seeing Hua Gongfeng shaking his head at her, Hua Yunjin whispered, "I... I don't want it anymore. This jade pendant, I was mistaken. It's not mine."

Hua Xiangxue rolled her eyes. This woman changed her mind so quickly. Earlier, she insisted that the pendant had been snatched from her!

Jing Yeli's lips curved into a slight smile as he slowly opened his palm and held it out to Hua Xiangxue. "Here—"

Hua Xiangxue's eyes filled with tears. Oh my, where can you find someone this wonderful? Handsome and kind, truly one of a kind!

She looked at Jing Yeli with an expression that made him slightly uncomfortable, as if she wanted to offer him her heart.

Just as Jing Yeli was about to close his hand, Hua Xiangxue quickly snatched the pendant back and tucked it into her chest without hesitation.

Watching where Hua Xiangxue placed the pendant, and recalling where she had taken it from earlier, Jing Yeli felt a bit awkward. He took out a handkerchief and wiped his palm.

After Hua Xiangxue secured the pendant, Jing Yeli said slowly, "The owner of the pendant will come for it. Since it's not mine, it's not my place to judge. As for—"

Jing Yeli paused slightly, turning to look at Hua Gongfeng, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"Assistant Minister Hua."

Hua Gongfeng didn't dare lift his head and quickly responded in a low voice, "The Empress Dowager punished me by sending my daughter to your residence. But why?"

Hua Gongfeng was taken aback, his heart pounding. "Be-because my daughter made a mistake—"

Jing Yeli nodded slowly, looking at Hua Gongfeng with a faint smile. "Which daughter made the mistake?"

Hua Gongfeng's heart skipped a beat, and his face turned pale. He hurriedly bowed, filled with fear.

"Your Highness, it was my younger daughter who made the mistake. But—but she is a concubine's daughter, and I felt she was unworthy of you. So, I boldly presented the birth chart of my eldest daughter to the Empress Dowager. She said it matched yours perfectly, and that's why I—"

"Heh," Jing Yeli slowly sipped his tea and set the cup down heavily. "Assistant Minister Hua, you tried to pass off an unfavored daughter to me. Why?"

"Your Highness, you've misunderstood—" Hua Gongfeng was drenched in cold sweat, bowing repeatedly.

Hua Yunjin's face turned white. What did the Duke mean by this?

While she was anxiously pondering, Jing Yeli slowly stood up, walked over to Hua Yunjin, and said softly, "You, lift your head."

Hua Yunjin felt tears welling up as she knelt, trembling all over, silently regretting why she had to fight tooth and nail with Xiangxue today. If she hadn't, once the Duke left, her parents could have easily taken back the jade pendant. The more she thought about it, the more she regretted it, feeling utterly frustrated.

Seeing Hua Yunjin not lifting her head, someone kicked her shoulder. She stumbled backward, crashing into Lau Yuemei, and both let out startled cries.

"How dare you defy the Duke's words!"

Hua Gongfeng witnessed the scene but didn't dare to say much. He was secretly anxious, trying to signal Hua Yunjin with his eyes while remaining prostrate on the ground.