So what if she's just a country bumpkin? Did she offend these self-important young ladies from noble families?

She didn't steal their rice, spend their money, or sleep with their husbands. Even if she had affairs with Shen Jinchen and Jun Jianchou, what business was it of theirs? She could tolerate the rumors circulating in the mansion a few days ago—she never cared what others said about her—but when it came to personal attacks, even if she didn't care much, she couldn't let them ride roughshod over her like that.

"So what if I'm staying in your brother and Shen Jinchen's room? What business is it of yours? Do you want to take my place and serve tea and water to Prime Minister Shen? If you want to, you can go and recommend yourself. Why bother having those people come to humiliate me? Do you know that Prime Minister Shen doesn't like your appearance, so you're just making a fool of yourself here? Do you know that I'm not someone you can bully at will?"

"What does this have to do with me? I just can't stand a woman like you who's promiscuous. A vixen like you deserves to be slept with by a thousand men and ridden by ten thousand. Can't I stand up for my brother and seek justice?"

After Cen Xi finished speaking, something he said seemed to have triggered the woman's anger. She suddenly lunged at Cen Xi and started cursing him without any regard for anything else.

Cen Xi remained calm and unhurried. With a flick of her sleeve, Jun Jianling's body fell to the ground like a kite with a broken string, unable to get up again.

"Hmph! This is nothing but a jealous young girl's mentality. Since you are so perverted, I suppose Governor Jun is unaware of it. As for the words you said to me, I will relay them to Governor Jun verbatim. I, a country bumpkin, will ask you young ladies from wealthy and noble families today whether you have any manners at all. If the Jun family does not know how to raise their daughters, I do not mind taking the liberty of helping Governor Jun discipline them."

"Anyway, I will soon become the Prime Minister's wife, and I will be considered a first-class noblewoman. I can still get involved in matters such as teaching the children of officials proper etiquette."

Cen Xi looked at the woman who couldn't get up no matter how hard she tried, enjoying her vicious gaze, and then slowly smiled.

"You...you shameless woman! How could such a filthy woman become the Prime Minister's wife? Do you deserve it?"

Jun Jianling seemed to have missed the point of what Cen Xi had just said. She seemed to have only heard the fact that Cen Xi was about to become the Prime Minister's wife. Clearly, she was obsessed with a man to the point of madness.

“I’m not worthy, but are you? In your eyes, I’m just a country bumpkin, while you seem to have a much higher status. Why don’t you try recommending yourself later and see if he’ll take you in? I’m really looking forward to it.”

Cen Xi raised an eyebrow with a smile and replied casually. After saying that, it seemed she didn't even want to give this love-struck woman a second glance.

He drew the soft whip from her waist, swiftly ensnared her, and then silenced her by pressing her acupoint. He then sat down at a pear wood carved table in Jun Jianling's boudoir to wait for Jun Xiaoqiao and the four playboys.

She planned to visit Governor Jun in person once everyone was present.

Just a quarter past midnight, when Cen Xi was getting a little impatient, the two groups of people finally arrived late.

"Are you sure you want to make a scene at this hour? Your uncle is probably already asleep by now, isn't he? It's not very good to disturb the old man like this, is it?"

Jun Xiaoqiao tossed Fu Jingyi toward Cen Xi and then asked.

"In the middle of the night, I was outmaneuvered by three women—no! Four women, four men—and I'm not even allowed to seek justice? I didn't care about the rumors before, but this daughter of the Jun family is too hateful, too self-righteous. If I don't teach her a lesson, she'll never know what the harsh realities of society are like. She's always fantasizing about things she shouldn't be thinking about, which is never good."

Cen Xibiao glanced at Jun Xiaoqiao, then said casually.

"Okay, I agree with you. Let's go make a scene then."

Jun Xiaoqiao had been eagerly anticipating a good show, and seeing Cen Xi's determination to get to the bottom of it, she was thrilled. It seemed the first act of the night hadn't been particularly exciting, but the second act was sure to be a treat; she, the spectator, was in for a treat.

"You'd better keep Fu Jingyi occupied!"

Cen Xi glared at her, then glanced at the four纨绔 (playboys), and without saying anything more, dragged Jun Jianling directly towards Governor Jun's main courtyard.

As they approached the courtyard gate, they encountered two people who came out on guard. They looked at Cen Xi and her group and asked:

Who is it?

"Please go in and announce that Cen Xi from the Shenxiang Guest House requests an audience. It concerns Miss Jun Jianling's reputation, and we have no choice but to disturb the Governor. Please forgive us."

As soon as Cen Xi finished speaking, the two men had already seen clearly the people Cen Xi had brought and the several young ladies who had been tied up. Without daring to delay, they went directly into the main courtyard to inform Governor Jun.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a middle-aged man in his forties stood in front of Cen Xi and asked:

"May I ask what brings Miss Cen here?"

"Prefect Jun, let's find a more convenient place to talk! It would be disgraceful for your Miss Jun to speak here at the door."

Cen Xi glanced at the old man indifferently and spoke coldly.

"Deyou, lead them all into the flower hall and invite Prime Minister Shen and my unfilial son over. Miss Cen, do you think my arrangement is appropriate?"

Governor Jun glanced at the old servant beside him, gave his instructions, and then turned to Chen Xi.

“Okay, where is the flower hall in your courtyard? Shen Jinchen is seriously injured, so you need to be careful when you invite him over. I won’t allow it if he gets hurt.”

After giving a crisp reply, Cen Xi remembered Shen Jinchen's injury and deliberately reminded him of it.

"Of course, Miss Cen, please rest assured. May I tidy myself up?"

Governor Jun gave Cen Xi a deep look, then asked.

"Of course, Your Excellency. Don't think I'm an unreasonable woman. It was your children who provoked me first, which is why I had no choice but to bother you in the middle of the night. As the local official, you can't just handle official cases and ignore family matters, right?"

Cen Xi raised an eyebrow and gave the old man a meaningful look.

“Miss Cen is overthinking it. Defu invites them to the flower hall.”

After saying this, Governor Jun did not say anything more and went straight into the house.

"Please, Miss Cen!"

After Governor Jun left, the servant named Defu led the way.

Without saying a word, Cen Xi followed.

After sitting in the flower hall for a while, Governor Jun, Jun Jianchou, and Shen Jinchen entered the flower hall one after another.

As soon as Jun Jianchou entered, he approached Cen Xi and asked:

"What did they do to you? I'll get revenge for you later."

"You'll find out soon enough, get out of the way! Things are already complicated, and you're still so close to me."

Cen Xi glared at him, then glanced at Shen Jinchen's frail body, and got up to help him.