"You're not Zhang Shuanglan, who are you?" Nan Qu originally thought she would see Ling Ling's furious expression, but she didn't expect to see a fleeting look of scheming and arrogance on her face.

Nan Qu rolled her eyes: "Are you crazy? My name is Dongfang Shuanglan!"

Ling Ling retorted, "You still don't know that you're not actually a daughter of the Dongfang family, do you?"

Nan Qu cursed the heavens in her heart.

She knew there was definitely something wrong with her identity.

Sure enough, the next second, a man emerged from among the people who had been watching the excitement from the stands. This man looked round and plump, and seemed very fortunate.

"Everyone, I'm afraid I'll take up too much of your time to announce that Dongfang Shuanglan is not the daughter of my Dongfang family. My Dongfang family has verified that it was our servant, Granny Zhang, who switched the children. Lingling is the daughter of my Dongfang family. She is the eldest daughter of my Dongfang family and the sole heir of the Dongfang family in the future."

So, her wealthy patron was gone?

Nan Qu rolled her eyes inwardly. She had previously considered leaving and never returning to this time and space, but this damned fate had warned her. She felt something was wrong then, and now it seemed she was nothing more than a stepping stone for the female supporting character.

However, to think of her as a stepping stone, isn't that a bit too much of a jerk of fate?

Just as Nan Qu had already decided in her mind that she had no intention of cooperating at all, she heard the Time-Space Beast say:

"Well, host, you'd better cooperate with the performance. You've already received your payment in advance."

Nan Qu scoffed, "What do you mean by that?"

"Little White's body has recovered halfway. Also, I didn't make any private deal with the deity here; it just told me. She's using the story to fix the loopholes in this world. If you cooperate, there will be a reward later."

"That would be best."

Just as they were about to start the performance, Nan Qu suddenly thought of something: "How much do you expect me to cooperate?"

The Time-Space Beast said, "Once the two of you have finished recognizing each other, your reputation will be ruined."

Nan Qu understood: "Fine, if the reward doesn't satisfy me, I'll turn this place upside down!"

After saying that, Nan Qu, with an expression of disbelief mixed with reluctance to give up her wealth and status, glared fiercely at Dongfang Baoduo and gritted her teeth, saying, "You say you switched the goods? Do you have any evidence?"

Dongfang Baoduo chuckled, took out a jade pendant from his pocket, and waved it in his hand: "This is the evidence. This jade pendant is an heirloom of my Dongfang family. It was originally meant for the true daughter, Lingling, but it was secretly taken off by that servant when she was young and put on you." Nanqu subconsciously touched her waist, where there was indeed a jade pendant that had been missing for some time.

Ling Ling stepped forward and feigned concern, taking Nan Qu's hand. "Sister Shuanglan, although we are of different statuses, I cherish our sisterly bond from these past years and will ensure you have a comfortable life in the future." Nan Qu shook off her hand and sneered, "Stop your fake kindness. I don't need your pity." She knew in her heart that Ling Ling probably already knew everything and was deliberately putting on an act in front of everyone to show off her magnanimity and kindness.

Nan Qu continued her performance, her eyes reddening, tears welling up, her voice trembling slightly: "The Dongfang family raised me for many years. Even if I'm not their biological daughter, are all those years of affection so easily broken? You judge me to be an imposter based solely on a jade pendant? Aren't you afraid of wrongly accusing an innocent person?" Whispers began to circulate among the surrounding people. Some felt sorry for Nan Qu, while others thought the Dongfang family's actions were too hasty. Dongfang Bao frowned and said, "Shuanglan, things have come to this. Don't make trouble anymore. The Dongfang family will give you a settlement allowance so you can live comfortably from now on." Nan Qu sneered inwardly; this so-called settlement allowance was probably just for beggars.

Nan Qu said sadly, "Father, no, Patriarch Dongfang, I will always remember your love and care for me over the years. Since this family no longer wants me, then I will no longer be your daughter."

After saying this, Nan Qu's tears finally fell, but in her heart she was waiting for Ling Ling to drop another bombshell.

Ling Ling said all this for two reasons: to expose her background and to ruin her reputation.

If she hadn't been disgraced, how could she have had her first-place title revoked, and how could Ling Ling have become the top disciple of the Xuanjian Sect?

Moreover, given her pitiful appearance, even though Nan Qu had already signaled Xuan Yi to stop moving, Xuan Yi was clearly already angry.

Although Nan Qu has not yet publicly announced that he is his disciple, since they did kowtow and drink tea together, he is indeed his disciple.

What Dongfang family? We don't need them anymore. Her disciple is not someone these people should have to wrong her.

However, because Nan Qu had clearly told him not to take action, he realized that it was all just Nan Qu putting on an act.

Nan Qu had previously used this trick to deceive a group of disciples. Now, Xuan Yi found her current behavior quite normal.

At this moment, the disciples of Xuanjian Sect all felt indignant on Nan Qu's behalf. After all, Nan Qu's initial advancement was indeed dishonorable, but she later proved herself with her strength.

The Xuanjian Sect is a sword sect that reveres the strong above all else. Since Nanqu is stronger than them, they are convinced of her abilities.

Now, seeing Nanqu being bullied, they naturally couldn't stand it.

They're just a small, independent family of cultivators, far inferior to the Xuanjian Sect. How dare they be so aggressive towards their eldest disciple today? Do they think they're made of clay?

Sure enough, at that moment, Ling Ling spoke:

"You protect her so fiercely, do you even know that she is actually the Demon Lord's daughter?"

This is simply outrageous. They've even brought out the Demon Lord.

However, given how good it would be to ruin her reputation, she naturally rushed to accept the role.

These words caused an uproar. Everyone looked at Nan Qu in astonishment, as if she had suddenly transformed into a monstrous beast. Nan Qu felt a chill run down her spine; she hadn't expected Ling Ling to resort to such a underhanded tactic, attempting to kill her completely.

Nan Qu took a deep breath and, feigning composure, said, "Ling Ling, don't make false accusations! If I were the Demon Lord's daughter, why have I shown no signs of illness all these years? What are your intentions in slandering me like this?"

Ling Ling sneered, "Hmph, do you think you can fool everyone? I have already secretly investigated and found out that you have the aura of the Demon Lord. If it weren't for you, why would demonic shadows keep appearing in this world?"

Upon hearing this, the disciples of the Xuanjian Sect began to waver. Although they admired Dongfang Shuanglan's strength, the thought that she might have an affair with the Demon Lord inevitably filled them with fear and doubt.

Nan Qu scanned the crowd and slowly said, "Everyone, I hereby guarantee with my integrity that I am absolutely not the daughter of the Demon Lord. Ling Ling, for her own selfish reasons, has not hesitated to fabricate lies and slander me. You must not believe her."