Nonsense! She’s Not a Bad Woman! - Chapter 60

Jing Wang Mansion

“Your Highness, when the Crown Prince left, I clearly saw the sour expression on his face. Rare indeed, Second Miss didn’t even speak up for him,” Mo Xiao said, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

Ordinarily, for the past two years, Second Miss had been entirely devoted to the Crown Prince. Helping him now would have been a golden opportunity, practically heaven-sent.

But she didn’t. Not only did she not help, she seemed… perhaps… even delighted to watch the spectacle.

He Yanli polished the long sword in his hand. This sword had accompanied him for many years.

“Does that idiot dare?” he asked coldly.

Mo Xiao smiled. “Compared to the Crown Prince, Second Miss still fears you the most. But seeing her cry so miserably under Your Highness today, I imagine she must feel quite aggrieved.”

He Yanli sneered, cold and sharp. “Do I care if she feels aggrieved? She risked her life blocking an arrow for an insignificant man. A brainless fool like her—I can only think that liking her before was my greatest mistake.”

Mo Xiao nodded. “Your Highness was too young back then, mistaking friendship for love. In truth, you never really liked Second Miss. A schemer like her isn’t worth your affection.”

Mo Xiao felt a swell of pride as he looked at his prince, whose eyes now gleamed with admiration. He was about to hear praise!

“You’ve truly learned to understand me better, Mo Xiao,” He Yanli said.

Mo Xiao scratched his head, chuckling nervously. “I’m not that clever, Your Highness. It’s all thanks to your guidance.”

“You speak in a way that pleases me. I should reward you,” He Yanli said.

Mo Xiao’s eyes lit up.

He Yanli withdrew his gaze. “Go practice your horse stance in the courtyard until nightfall. Only with a strong body can you remain by my side to speak properly.”

Mo Xiao froze. “?????”

Huh?

Was this a reward?

Men’s hearts—truly unfathomable.

Shangshu Mansion – Mingxiang Pavilion

Ziyuan kicked the door open with a flourish. Sure enough, on the soft couch near the charcoal fire, Qiao Yihuan was talking with Liu Yanran.

Both looked surprised, clearly unhappy and uneasy about her arrival.

“Does Second Miss think our Shangshu Mansion is some kind of refugee shelter, letting anyone stay? What if they’re bad people? Wouldn’t that endanger our Master, Madam, and Second Miss?”

Her words were sharp, clearly meant to intimidate.

Normally, the idle maids outside Mingxiang Pavilion didn’t dare enter. They watched the spectacle from the courtyard. Such occurrences happened frequently; everyone knew Ziyuan’s audacity was allowed by Second Miss herself.

“Why are you speaking this way? Back at the Jin mansion, you didn’t know who I was—on what basis do you call me a bad person?” Liu Yanran frowned and retorted.

Indeed, this was the unruly maid of a malicious supporting character—so unreasonable! A mere maid dared cause trouble in her mistress’s quarters.

Ziyuan snorted. “You have one tea’s time to leave the mansion, or don’t blame me for having you thrown out! The one who supports the household isn’t you. Even begging Second Miss won’t help!”

Having said that, she rolled her eyes at everyone and strutted off.

Qiao Yihuan felt embarrassed. For a young lady to be scolded by a servant in her own home was sheer humiliation.

But she had no way to refute it. Even if she argued, her father would only tell her to endure, never caring about her feelings.

“Yanran, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault that you had to suffer,” Qiao Yihuan said, her voice choked with emotion.

Liu Yanran’s heart ached as she watched her, “How can you say that? What does it have to do with you?”

Qiao Yihuan shook her head. “How about this—I’ll take you to temporarily stay at my little mother’s estate!”

Liu Yanran had no choice and didn’t want her to be troubled. Right now, she couldn’t resist these blackhearted “family members.”

At the gate, Jiang Qiyun happened to be carrying a parrot.

“Sister Yihuan? What happened? Who bullied you?”

The moment he saw her pitiful expression, hiding her grievances with all her effort, his heart tightened. He immediately stepped closer, concern written all over his face.

Liu Yanran sized up this vibrant, spirited young man.

Sure enough, nothing beats the heroine’s devoted little puppy. One glance, and he noticed she was off.

Qiao Yihuan shook her head. “No, I’m fine. Qiyun, what are you doing here?”

This time, Liu Yanran stepped in for Xiao Ying, retelling the whole incident with a little embellishment.

Jiang Qiyun frowned. “A maid dares to bully you like this? Outrageous! Sister Yihuan, don’t worry. I’ll go find Qiao Wanyan right now and settle this—make her pay!”

Qiao Yihuan tried to stop him, but failed, leaving her anxious and at a loss.

Liu Yanran’s impression of Jiang Qiyun improved even more. Now, this was a true devoted male supporting character!

Meanwhile, Qiao Wanyan was at the mirror trying on a hairpin. Suddenly, noise erupted outside the courtyard.

Lu Jinye saw them but chose not to intervene. If he wanted, he could easily throw them out. But he didn’t care—this wasn’t a threat to Qiao Wanyan’s life, so why bother?

“Qiao Wanyan, come out here! Your arrogance is one thing, but your maid stepping on another’s mistress? How are you teaching your servants? Do you even know the meaning of hierarchy?”

“Come out! I didn’t know? Fine. But today, I see that you’re allowing your servants to bully Sister Yihuan. If this isn’t set right, we’re not done!”

The door creaked open.

A figure in goose-yellow appeared, her face untouched by makeup yet radiant as fresh snow, her eyes bright and alluring, as if the moon itself had descended.

She walked out gracefully, a maid immediately whispering in her ear.

Qiao Wanyan’s expression shifted slightly, and with a nod, the maid respectfully withdrew.

“I’m speaking to you—did you hear me?” Jiang Qiyun’s confidence faltered slightly as she approached.

Qiao Wanyan didn’t answer. She simply walked toward the main gate. As expected, Qiao Yihuan stayed behind in the inner courtyard, anxiously speaking with Liu Yanran.

Seeing her approach, Qiao Yihuan’s worry intensified. “Wanyan, are you okay? I’m sorry I didn’t stop Qiy—”

Qiao Wanyan said nothing, only giving a glance to the footman at the door. The footman, sharp-eyed, immediately shut the main gate.

“Smack!”

Qiao Wanyan slapped Qiao Yihuan across the face.

“You invited an outsider into my courtyard to make trouble. Do you think I’ve been too lenient with you lately?”

“Qiao Wanyan! How dare you hit Sister Yihuan?” Jiang Qiyun saw this and rushed forward.

Qiao Wanyan turned and slapped him as well.

One slap from the woman, an even harder one from the man.

After playing the soft, docile role for a few days, they actually thought she was a pushover?