The Eldest Daughter is Delicate and Pretty, How Can She Be a Malicious Supporting Character - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Catching the Culprit

Xiao Huaijin thought that only he had been summoned, but when he arrived at the hall, almost everyone from the banquet was there.
When they saw Xiao Huaijin approaching, everyone bowed and greeted, “Greetings, Crown Prince.”

Xiao Huaijin waved his hand and approached Changle, asking, “What’s going on tonight? Why are you all gathered here?”

Changle had also had some wine at the banquet, and her face was flushed, but her eyes were clear, indicating she wasn’t drunk. When she heard Xiao Huaijin’s question, she snorted softly. “It’s all because of that Miss Li. She said the banquet was boring and suggested we move to the Changing Clothes Hall, claiming there would be a good show.”

“Her followers egged everyone on, and soon everyone came to watch her show.”
In the noble circles of the capital, factions had long been formed. Some people got along well, while others were rivals.

For example, Changle and Pei Lingyi, Xue Baohua and Li Miaozhu, the latter two saw Pei Lingyi as a thorn in their side. Changle naturally didn’t have a good impression of them either.

Xiao Huaijin wasn’t aware of these dynamics between the women. Changle and Li Miaozhu were both his sisters, and he treated them equally, never noticing any discord between them.

“Li Miaozhu has a lot of nerve, summoning everyone here and then not showing up herself. Is she playing a trick on us?”
Changle was adorable, but when facing people she disliked, she was straightforward and sharp-tongued, which didn’t match her innocent and playful demeanor.

Xiao Huaijin frowned as well.
It was late at night, and she had summoned everyone, only to not show up herself. Many people might be thinking poorly of her, even if they didn’t show it.

Although he didn’t approve of her reckless behavior, as her brother, he had to clean up the mess.
“It’s getting late, and although you were all invited by Miaozhu, she’s not here now. Perhaps we should call it a night…”

Xiao Huaijin didn’t know what Li Miaozhu was up to, but since he was here, he needed to take charge.
However, before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted.
“Wait! Who says I’m not here?”

Li Miaozhu wore a bright red dress, which stood out even in the darkness of the night. Her voice was shrill and panicked as she sneaked out from behind the rockery.

“Miaozhu? Why were you hiding behind?” The man’s voice was gentle, and despite being interrupted, he showed no displeasure. Instead, he expressed concern about why she wasn’t coming out to meet everyone.

Li Miaozhu stared blankly at the man, who was like a jade tree, handsome and elegant. Even in a crowd, he stood out, and she had liked him since she was a child.

She had hidden behind the rockery because the person she was supposed to meet, Lian Xiang, hadn’t shown up yet. Worried that something had gone wrong with the plan, she hid behind the rockery.

However, she had already summoned everyone, and it was too late to turn back now. Hearing Xiao Huaijin’s words, she was unwilling to let him dismiss everyone, so she stood out to stop him.

Changle saw her guilty expression and sneered, “Miss Li summoned us all here and hid behind, not daring to show her face. Those who don’t know better might think she’s done something shameful.”

Usually, Li Miaozhu would have retorted back, but tonight, she was too nervous and excited. She wanted everyone to witness that Pei Lingyi was an shameless and flirtatious woman. She didn’t have the energy to bicker with Changle.

“Cough, cough, I invited everyone to come and see the excitement, and I naturally mean what I say,” she said, suppressing her inner anxiety.
“What happened just now was just an accident. I’ve heard that there’s a noble daughter having an affair with an outsider in the Changing Clothes Hall. Such excitement naturally needs to be witnessed by everyone, right?”

Although Lian Xiang hadn’t shown up yet, Li Miaozhu had to push on with the plan. The crowd had been drinking and were a bit tipsy, but when they heard such a scandalous rumor, almost everyone’s eyes widened.

The young masters showed a look of excitement, while the young ladies blushed, but some of them couldn’t help but show curiosity in their eyes. Everyone looked around, wondering who was involved in such a scandal.

Only Zhang Zhishu’s face turned pale, like he had been struck by something. He was about to rush into the hall, but was stopped by his friend. “Zhishu! What are you doing? Have you gone mad?”

The commotion caught some people’s attention. Li Miaozhu pretended not to know what was going on. “Oh, what’s wrong with Young Master Zhang? I just said there’s someone having an affair in the Changing Clothes Hall. Why is Young Master Zhang reacting so strongly?”

“Could it be… that the shameless woman is your beloved?” Li Miaozhu’s eyes sparkled with mischief, her gaze extremely alluring.

“Shut up! You’re clearly doing this on purpose!” Zhang Zhishu’s eyes turned cold, his usual gentle and amiable demeanor now replaced by a fierce anger. Looking at the woman who had just dug a pit for him, he wanted to peel off her skin.

“Oh dear, Young Master Zhang is going to hit someone! Oh dear, Brother Huaijin, save me!” Li Miaozhu pretended to be frightened, covering her eyes with her handkerchief and rushing behind the man in moon-white clothes.

“Zhishu, calm down.” His friend didn’t understand why the usually gentle man was so angry today and why he was being so fierce towards the woman.

Could it be… that the woman in the room was really his friend’s beloved?
But… his friend’s beloved was almost a public secret – wasn’t it the precious pearl of the Prime Minister’s mansion?

Thinking of this, he was shocked and didn’t dare to think further. Li Miaozhu pretended to wipe away tears, grabbing Xiao Huaijin’s sleeve, looking extremely frightened. Although the man knew she was pretending, he still said to Zhang Zhishu, “Second Master Zhang, Miaozhu’s words have always been thoughtless, don’t take it to heart.”

“Ha… Your Highness speaks too highly of me. It’s just that Miss Li should be more careful with her words in the future and not slander others recklessly.” Zhang Zhishu was held back by his friend, his eyes still red, but he managed to control his emotions.

As soon as Li Miaozhu spoke, he thought of who else could be in the Changing Clothes Hall besides Pei Lingyi, who he had splashed wine on?
He felt stupid… why didn’t he follow her?

Zhang Zhishu’s heart felt like it was covered in ash, and for a moment, he couldn’t even stand steadily. Seeing his condition, the crowd was shocked, wondering if Li Miaozhu’s words were true – was the woman really his beloved?

The atmosphere became tense.