In front of Qinfang Courtyard, a small figure was moving about. As soon as it saw a large group of people coming from afar, it turned around and ran away.
Someone with sharp eyes shouted, "Quick, stop the little maid! There must be something shady going on, otherwise why would she run away?"
The First Madam feigned anxiety and called out, "Stop! Stop!"
Unfortunately, the figure in front ignored them and ran inside with all her might. This person was naturally Rouge. She did this on purpose. Sure enough, everyone behind her was in a good mood to watch the show, so they also quickened their pace and soon ran into Qinfang Courtyard.
The courtyard was completely silent; not a sound could be heard, and even the figures from before had vanished.
After her initial surprise, Madam Liu paid no attention and led her group of people inside as usual, rushing all the way to the gate of the small courtyard.
At this moment, Rouge walked over from the side of the veranda in front of the house, carrying a bowl of steaming food in her hand. When she looked up, she saw that the courtyard gate was full of people, and she couldn't help but stammer in surprise.
"What is the First Madam doing?"
Madam Liu, the eldest daughter, remained silent, as did Jiang Feixue, the eldest daughter. However, Jiang Feiyu, the second daughter, couldn't contain herself and stepped out from behind the crowd, pointing at Yanzhi's nose and speaking disdainfully.
"We received word that my third sister was having an affair."
Rouge's face changed drastically. She was so angry that her hand holding the bowl trembled a few times before she steadied herself and said with a grim expression, "What nonsense are you talking about, Second Miss? Miss didn't eat dinner tonight, so I went to cook some porridge for her. When did Miss ever mingle with someone?"
"Then open the door and let us see."
Jiang Feiyu smiled mockingly. They had clearly seen someone rush in in a panic. That person was probably Rouge, who had deliberately brought them a bowl of thin porridge to try and get rid of them. Judging from her ugly expression, she was probably frightened by them.
With this in mind, Jiang Feiyu's face was filled with even more determination.
Rouge opened the bowl and calmly said, "Second Miss, aren't you being too presumptuous? Our young lady is the future Crown Princess bestowed by the Emperor himself. Second Miss keeps saying that our young lady is having an affair with someone. Where did you hear such insulting words? Our young lady is your own sister."
The more Yan Zhi refused to open it, the more suspicious others became. Seeing that she was blocking the way alone, and fearing that Hai Ling would have a chance to escape, Jiang Feiyu waved her hand and ordered the maid behind her.
“Pull this brat away, let’s go inside.”
"Yes, Miss," a maidservant said, preparing to come over and pull out Rouge.
However, before the two maids could come over, they heard a voice resonating from the depths of the dantian.
"stop."
General Jiang Batian led a group of people over, with the Seventh Prince Feng Zihe at the front. Behind them were Major General Bai Ye, Left Prime Minister Xi Lingfeng, and several other high-ranking officials. Everyone looked at Rouge in front of the corridor.
Jiang Batian's face was extremely ugly. His dark eyes glared sharply and gloomily at Madam Liu and his own daughter. He had some idea of what had happened tonight and was truly furious. He knew that their move would probably ruin his plans.
Jiang Feiyu, oblivious to her own ignorance, pouted and asked, "Father, we heard people talking about Third Sister?"
Unfortunately, before she could say it, Jiang Batian stopped her, saying, "Shut up! How dare you slander your third sister!"
"Father, I didn't?"
Jiang Feiyu felt wronged, but seeing Jiang Batian's expression, she dared not speak again. She took two steps back, walked to Bai Ye's side, and looked up with tearful eyes: "Bai Ye."
Bai Ye said softly, "Alright, let someone else handle it."
Although Bai Ye said this, his heart was a little tense. He didn't know why he was nervous, fearing that there really was a man in Jiang Hailing's room.
The Seventh Prince, Feng Zihe, was clearly protecting Hai Ling. He rushed to the front and shouted, "Alright, everyone go back. Nothing happened, nothing happened."
But if no one moves and they all stand there, and if they were allowed to leave at this time, the entire capital city would probably be filled with rumors tomorrow.
Rouge glanced at everyone, then looked at Jiang Batian: "General? Miss didn't."
The situation was tense, and even Jiang Batian had no way to resolve the conflict. Thinking of this, he glared angrily at Madam Liu with even more sinister eyes. Madam Liu couldn't help but feel a little regretful. Her husband rarely got so angry. It seemed that she had done something wrong and dared not say anything more.
However, their silence did not mean no one spoke up; a cold shout rang out in the darkness.
"Rouge, how dare you! Since everyone wants to see, why don't you open the door and prove your young lady's innocence?"
Chapter 22 Catching the Adulterer
In the darkness, the voice came from the very back of the group. Everyone turned to look back and saw the plump Miss Jiang, supporting Madam Du Caiyue, walking over. Their faces were gloomy and cold, and their eyes shot coldly at Yanzhi, as if they were very angry.
Everyone was stunned and couldn't react, especially Madam Liu and Miss Jiang Feixue.
The two were stunned for a moment, then, when they realized what had happened, they were furious. It turned out that the woman was perfectly fine and had set a trap for them.
Madam Liu, always adept at diplomacy, immediately smiled and said, "Alright, it's alright, it's alright. Everyone, please go back. Our Third Miss is the Crown Princess bestowed by the Emperor; how could she possibly do anything inappropriate?"
My heart was bleeding with hatred, but I was powerless to do anything about it.
Hai Ling didn't speak, a smile playing on her lips as she stared at Madam Liu with a gloomy expression, making Hai Ling's scalp tingle.
For a moment, everyone was talking and feeling a little disappointed. It turned out that the Third Miss hadn't done anything at all. These people always overthink things, and as they thought about it, they started to think about the First Madam and Jiang Feixue. Tonight's events were really strange. Could it be that the mother and daughter were behind it?
Upon reflection, everyone's face showed doubt.
The Seventh Prince, Feng Zihe, laughed and said, "I told you Miss Jiang wouldn't do anything outrageous. You women just always cause trouble."
Bai Ye, standing at the back of the crowd, breathed a sigh of relief. Behind him, the Left Prime Minister Xi Lingfeng narrowed his eyes, a dark glint shooting towards Hai Ling as he thoughtfully observed the commotion on the field. If he guessed correctly, there would probably be more moves to come. The usually indifferent man was now showing a hint of interest. This Miss Jiang was indeed quite different. She wasn't as bad as the rumors suggested. Although she was fat, she wasn't that unpleasant; in fact, she was quite cute.
Hai Ling walked to the front and felt a chilling dark light shooting towards her from the crowd. This light was different from ordinary people; it had a feeling that she could see right through him, as if everything she did was under his control. Who was this? She quickly turned around but found nothing. There was a dark mass of people; how could she tell who was who?
At the entrance of Qinfang Courtyard, Rouge, acting on Hailing's orders, opened the door and invited everyone inside.
However, no one went in. Since the Third Miss is here, how could there be someone in the room?
Everyone laughed and shook their heads, apologizing to Hailin.
Before Qian could finish speaking, a scream suddenly erupted from inside the room: "Ah, who are you? Who are you?"