Nonsense! She’s Not a Bad Woman! - Chapter 83

Qiao Wanyan said calmly, “It’s true that I went to Yun Heng. My elder sister still has lingering poison in her system, so I went to ask him to prepare an antidote tomorrow. But no matter what I do, in Your Highness’s eyes, it’s always wrong. Fine then—just treat me as if I’m wrong in everything!”

With that, she turned around and walked into the inner chamber, not sparing anyone else another glance.

He Zhiyu: “…”

…Had he started the wrong topic?

Left hanging in place, He Zhiyu could only watch as Qiao Wanyan rattled off her words, spun around, and left—leaving him with no chance to explain himself.

No matter the relationship—family, friendship, or love—some friction was inevitable.

Aside from his father and mother, he had never truly lowered himself before anyone.

As for Yihuan, with just a little coaxing on his part, she would always forgive him with understanding.

But this second young miss of the Qiao family was different—spoiled, willful, and infuriatingly hard to please.

For the very first time in his life, He Zhiyu tasted the bitterness of being given the cold shoulder. She had hit him with sarcasm and barbs, and yet, he couldn’t even bring himself to punish her.

Jingyuan, watching his prince walk out as though he’d just swallowed a huge grievance without saying a word, felt his head buzzing in disbelief.

On the moonlit path, Jingyuan couldn’t hold back anymore. “Your Highness, you are of exalted status. How could Second Miss Qiao dare to treat you with such disrespect?”

He Zhiyu was silent for a moment, then glanced at him. “She was misunderstood by me. Her heart was already burning with anger—if someone provokes you, are you supposed to smile at them?”

Jingyuan nearly toppled over. What did this have to do with him? Why did it feel like all the irritation His Highness suffered at Second Miss Qiao’s hands was now being vented onto him?

“But Your Highness is the Crown Prince. Even if Second Miss Qiao is angry, she still shouldn’t act so rashly toward you.”

He Zhiyu’s voice was faint. “What do you know? Which young girl doesn’t have a bit of temper? Though she’s spoiled and a little willful, at her core she is kind. It’s my fault—I hurt her.”

She had been misunderstood by him, yet was still concerned about her elder sister’s health. For her sister’s sake, she even went to seek medicine from Yun Heng. No doubt, in her heart, she must be feeling even more wronged now.

Otherwise, why would she go to Yun Heng at such a late hour?

Jingyuan tried again. “Then, Your Highness, how should we handle Liu Yanran?”

He Zhiyu’s eyes lowered. “A woman with impure intentions is nothing but a hidden danger at Yihuan’s side. Make sure she keeps her mouth shut about tonight. If I ever find out she slanders Wanyan in front of Yihuan again, I’ll hold you accountable.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

He Zhiyu’s tone was cool as his mind replayed the image of that woman pushing Wanyan inside the Flowing Light Pavilion.

“After we leave the Valley of Pharmacists, deal with her quietly.”

Inside the Flowing Light Pavilion, Qiao Wanyan was already soaking comfortably in the bath, enjoying the warmth of the water wrapping around her body.

“Miss, this servant was just scared to death! I thought His Highness would blame you for what you did to Liu Yanran.”

Who would have thought? Somehow, her young lady had flipped the whole situation around. Clearly, she had been at a disadvantage at first, yet by the end, she had managed to take the upper hand and even led the Crown Prince right into her rhythm.

Qiao Wanyan lazily caressed her skin, her fingers trailing from her wrist to her shoulder, her tone unhurried. “The Crown Prince may look gentle on the surface, but his heart is cold and calculating. He’s nothing like Liu Yanran, who’s easy to manipulate. The only reason he fell into my pace just now… is because he hadn’t guarded against me.”

Ziyuan’s eyes sparkled with admiration—her young lady was incredible! “But Miss, you didn’t forgive His Highness this time. What if he distances himself from you in the future? Wouldn’t that only benefit Qiao Yihuan?”

Qiao Wanyan let out a light laugh. “He won’t. Not only won’t he, but he’ll also remember it firmly in his mind—that I’m not easy to coax, so he’d better not bully me lightly.”

Zi Yuan couldn’t make sense of a man’s way of thinking. Wasn’t that just asking for trouble?

“Miss, Liu Yanran escaped from our hands, and you even agreed to let Young Master Yun give Qiao Yihuan the antidote. Tonight was such a loss. Letting Qiao Yihuan fend for herself would’ve been better—why give her the antidote at all?”

Qiao Wanyan said nothing.

Even without the antidote, Qiao Yihuan couldn’t die.

Since she wouldn’t die anyway, why not use the opportunity to earn a good reputation for herself?

The process wasn’t important. The ending was.

“After we return to the capital, capture Liu Yanran. I still have questions for her.” Qiao Wanyan added, “Do it discreetly—don’t let anyone notice.”

Morning light began to spread across the sky, faint whiteness blooming at the horizon. The sun slowly rose, as if breaking through the restraints of an entire night, scattering endless golden rays upon the earth.

When Qiao Wanyan woke, she saw Zi Yuan hurrying toward her.

“Miss, Qiao Yihuan has left!”

Qiao Wanyan frowned slightly. “Left? Back to the capital?”

Zi Yuan nodded. “I heard someone was looking for her outside Apothecary Valley. Longqing, who serves beside Young Master Yun, happened to come across the news and brought it inside. Qiao Yihuan was worried about her mother, so she left earlier than planned. This morning I went to see Young Master Yun—he reluctantly gave Qiao Yihuan the antidote as well.”

After finishing, Zi Yuan’s expression held both surprise and delight. “For some reason, His Highness the Crown Prince didn’t leave with her. He said since you were startled, he would stay and accompany you back to the capital.”

Inside the carriage, Qiao Yihuan asked with concern, “Yanran, where did you go last night? I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

Liu Yanran’s expression wasn’t pleasant. She forced a stiff smile and answered awkwardly, “Maybe I went to relieve myself. Did you need me for something?”

Qiao Yihuan shook her head. “I was just feeling down and wanted to talk with you.”

Liu Yanran hesitated, on the verge of telling her what had happened yesterday, but in the end swallowed the words back.

She didn’t dare speak. If the Crown Prince were to find out, her life might not be spared. She couldn’t take that gamble.

In this unfamiliar place, she couldn’t afford to be careless like before.

Just then, the carriage suddenly jolted to a halt, sending everyone inside stumbling.

Xiaoying immediately asked, “What’s going on?”

The driver quickly replied, “Miss, a richly dressed young woman is blocking the road.”

Outside, a young woman in a brocade dress, beautiful and refined in appearance, stood in front of the carriage. Her face was full of panic and desperation. “Help me, please! I beg you, save me!”

Damn it all! He Baozhu really wanted to curse at the top of her lungs right then.

She had kept to a healthy routine for years, and the one night she decided to stay up late gaming with her friends—she dropped dead!

Sure, she always said she didn’t want to live anymore, but privately she was the type to religiously take health supplements and nutrition powders!

And now? Dead just like that! As if that wasn’t enough, she somehow ended up in this ridiculous place, only to open her eyes and find a mob chasing after her.

She hadn’t even dared to think—she just bolted, running as fast as she could, her heart aching so badly she could cry.