The Eldest Daughter is Delicate and Pretty, How Can She Be a Malicious Supporting Character - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Crisis

Pei Lingyi walked arm in arm with County Lord Changle, thinking about the events that would unfold today, and a faint smile spread across her lips.
The princess’s mansion was vast, and with the rare occurrence of wars between Great Ye and Great Ning, coupled with Great Ye’s advantageous geographical location and thriving economy, the national treasury was full, and the royal family knew how to enjoy themselves.

As the only sister of the current emperor, the Eldest Princess was naturally favored by the emperor.
Pei Lingyi had been clever since childhood and wanted to build a good relationship with the royal family. However, the princesses lived deep within the palace, and the Pei family had no female relatives who enjoyed imperial favor, so she couldn’t find a way to connect with them.
It wasn’t until one time when Madam Pei took her to a temple to burn incense that they coincidentally met the Eldest Princess. She also met County Lord Changle for the first time then. With her intention to befriend them, she became good friends with County Lord Changle.

As the only child of the Eldest Princess, County Lord Changle grew up being pampered and spoiled. Although she had a bit of a temper, her character was straightforward, and her temper wasn’t bad. She was talented, knew etiquette, and even the Eldest Princess looked at her differently.
As they walked towards the Lanfang Garden, they happened to pass by the Qingfeng Garden, which hosted the male guests.

Pei Lingyi had an idea and pulled County Lord Changle to hide behind a tree to watch.
“I couldn’t think of why you came today. It’s not just to see my snow-red plum blossoms, is it? Could it be that there’s really a young master here that caught your eye?”
The structure of the Qingfeng Garden was similar to the Lanfang Garden, but it wasn’t as lively. The young masters were either reciting poetry, playing chess, or appreciating flowers, mostly showing off their elegance.

One person caught their attention, and County Lord Changle took a closer look, surprised. “Isn’t that Zhang Zhishu, who admires you?”
Pei Lingyi looked over and indeed saw a handsome young master among the crowd. He was holding a book of poetry and talking eloquently.
Pei Lingyi’s face showed no expression, but County Lord Changle looked amused.
“I’ve heard that this young master has been obsessed with you since he saw you once. He did write a beautiful poem, showing some talent.”

“I’m not interested in him. In the future, don’t mention such things in front of me.”
Hearing Pei Lingyi’s cold words, County Lord Changle shook her head, thinking that another noble young master would be heartbroken.

Just as the two were about to return, a servant from the princess’s mansion suddenly ran over in a flustered state, “County Lord! Something’s wrong! There’s trouble in the Lanfang Garden.”

The maid’s voice wasn’t loud, but it still caught the attention of a small group of people. Zhang Zhishu looked at the backs of the two people, one of whom was County Lord Changle, adorned with exquisite jewelry and extremely noble.
As for the other person, a light purple dress outlined her elegant figure, and just by looking at her back, one could tell she was an exceptional beauty. For some reason, a fleeting glimpse from before suddenly flashed in his mind…

In the Lanfang Garden.

The originally lively and harmonious scene suddenly turned into a deathly silence.
Pei Yangyang’s mind was in chaos, especially in such a public setting, and she felt embarrassed and humiliated.
However, Xue Baohua seemed oblivious to her emotions and instead held her arm persistently, saying to one of the women, “Third sister, don’t you apologize to Miss Pei?”
Many people in the Lanfang Garden recognized the eldest Miss Xue, but they weren’t familiar with this third Miss Xue. Therefore, the crowd roughly divided into two factions.

A small group of noble young ladies who were usually close to Xue Baohua stood beside her, while the majority stood aside, watching the excitement.
Xue Baohua held Pei Yangyang’s wrist and said righteously, “Don’t worry, Miss Pei. Even if the person opposite is my third sister, since she stole from you, I, as her older sister, won’t tolerate it.”
As the concubine-born daughter, Xue Yiran’s friends were mostly other concubine-born daughters from different families. Given the current situation, it was clear that it was better to avoid trouble, and no one stood behind her.

She looked at Xue Baohua’s superior expression and scanned the surrounding people’s gazes, one by one. If the original owner were standing here, she would probably be scared to tears by now.
However, she was a person from the 21st century. Compared to her age, the people present were just minors.
She wasn’t afraid of such means and instead asked with confidence, “Eldest sister is joking, right? This is the princess’s mansion. Where would I get the courage to steal things?”

Xue Baohua saw her calm and composed demeanor and became even more flustered, raising her voice, “Don’t play dumb! The bracelet was found on your personal maid. Does she have the guts to steal from a noble without your instructions?”
Xiaotao, her personal maid, was kneeling on the ground, and the bracelet that had been worn on Pei Yangyang’s hand not long ago was found on her.

Xue Yiran looked at her with a sad expression, her voice low and sorrowful, “Xiaotao, why did you betray me…?” Since she woke up, Xiaotao had been taking care of her. From the original owner’s memories, she knew that the two had grown up together.
Why did it turn out like this?
Xiaotao trembled, seemingly terrified, and quickly kowtowed to Xue Baohua, her voice filled with sobs, “Wuuu, wuuu, it was all Third Miss’s idea. Please, Eldest Miss, have mercy and spare my life.”

The crowd gasped in shock, whispering to each other, “A concubine-born daughter is indeed a concubine-born daughter. She has a petty family background and committed such a shameful act in the princess’s mansion.”
Seeing that most of the noble young ladies believed Xiaotao’s words, Xue Baohua suppressed her smile and was about to punish Xue Yiran in front of everyone.

However, before she could say a word, someone interrupted her, “Yangyang, come here.”
The speaker’s voice was gentle and melodious, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

As soon as Pei Yangyang heard Pei Lingyi’s voice, she broke free from Xue Baohua’s grasp and ran towards her.
“Big sister, I…”
She wanted to explain the situation to her, but when she met Pei Lingyi’s gaze, she knew that words weren’t necessary.
“It’s Miss Pei and County Lord Changle!”
Many people who came to appreciate the flowers today were attending with Pei Lingyi for the first time, so some of them didn’t know the two women. “Miss Pei is indeed the most beautiful woman in the capital city, like the goddess Chang’e descending from the moon, her beauty is unparalleled.” Someone exclaimed.

“Miss Pei, your dress today is really beautiful. Which tailor made it?”
“Miss Pei, your hairpin…”
As soon as Pei Lingyi appeared, she captured everyone’s attention. She hadn’t attended banquets in the capital city for a long time, and now, unexpectedly, she was here. Seeing the sudden turn of events, Xue Baohua was so angry that her nails dug into her palms.

Pei Lingyi, Pei Lingyi, always Pei Lingyi! She hadn’t been out in years, and today, she had to come and ruin her plans!
And she was so good at winning people over!
“Cough, cough, cough, what’s going on here? Can’t you see this county lord is here? Stop making a ruckus!”
County Lord Changle spoke up, and the crowd that had been noisy just moments before fell silent.

Xue Baohua stepped forward to explain, “County Lord, I’m afraid you don’t know the situation. My younger sister stole Miss Pei’s bracelet, and there’s conclusive evidence. As her older sister, I’m implicated in this matter.”

Seeing Xue Baohua slander her like this, Xue Yiran was almost laughing in anger. She gave a courtesy to County Lord Changle and refuted, “County Lord, I swear on my honor that I didn’t steal the bracelet.”
Although Pei Lingyi’s appearance had disrupted her plan, Xue Baohua’s priority was still Xue Yiran. So, she rebuked her sternly, “Third sister, Xiaotao has already confessed. What’s the use of you denying it now?”

Xue Yiran wasn’t afraid of her and retorted, “If I didn’t do it, why would I admit to it? Eldest sister, you’re so eager to pin this crime on me. Could it be that you’re the one who’s guilty and trying to frame me?”
“How dare you! You’re so bold now! As your older sister, I have the right to discipline you. You can’t talk back to me like this!” Xue Baohua was taken aback by Xue Yiran’s defiance, her tone becoming more urgent.

“Since you two are having such a heated argument, why don’t I mediate this? After all, the victim is my younger sister,” Pei Lingyi said with a smile, her pace unhurried.