Chapter 388 Despair

Moon Gathering Courtyard.

Shen Wantang sat by the bed, administering acupuncture to Lin Rouxin.

If Lin Rouxin hadn't given her so many rare gems, she probably wouldn't have made this trip. But since she had already accepted the gift, it was only right that she make the trip.

Moreover, she doesn't really want Lin Rouxin to get into trouble right now, lest no one will cause trouble for her and Xiao Qingxi will be too idle and go to her Wutong Garden to cause a ruckus.

For both personal and professional reasons, she has to come this time.

In the outer hall, Xiao Qingyuan and Huo Yunzhou were both cursing Xiao Qingxi, with Huo Yunzhou cursing the most and speaking the loudest.

"Xiao Qingxi, how dare you push Rouxin into the icy lake! You wanted to kill her! You're a vicious and ruthless woman! You're so cruel and heartless, you don't deserve to be called a human being! If anything happens to Rouxin, I'll never forgive you!"

"Huo Yunzhou, I've already said, I didn't push her! She fell in on her own!"

"I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be fake?! Xiao Qingxi, haven't you always been known for your courage, integrity, and straightforwardness? Why are you now afraid to admit to killing someone?"

"Seeing is not believing! That bitch dared to tear my clothes. I just wanted to shake her off. Who knew she would fall into the lake? She must have jumped in herself. She's trying to frame me! Lin Rouxin is a treacherous and despicable person!"

"Enough! Xiao Qingxi, I will not allow you to utter another single insult against Rouxin!"

Huo Yunzhou's roar almost lifted the roof off: "Rouxin is the kindest and most sensible girl in the world. She doesn't understand what framing is at all!"

"She must be crazy to fall into an ice hole in this cold weather. Would she risk her life to frame you? Just because you're dark-hearted doesn't mean everyone else is like you!"

"Let me tell you, Rouxin is not like you, an arrogant and domineering noble princess who treats human life like dirt!"

Xiao Qingxi's voice was filled with despair: "Huo Yunzhou, I love you so much, why don't you ever believe me? Why?! I didn't push Lin Rouxin, I swear, I didn't!"

Xiao Qingyuan sighed: "Qingxi, Huo Yunzhou and I arrived one after the other. I also saw you push Rouxin. Stop making excuses and honestly apologize and admit your mistake. Maybe Yunzhou can forgive you."

"Xiao Qingyuan! Whose real brother are you?!"

Xiao Qingxi's voice was even more desperate: "Why won't any of you believe me? I'm clearly the one who's closer to you! What's so good about that damned Lin Rouxin that you all risk your lives to protect her!"

Through the door, Shen Wantang clearly heard Huo Yunzhou say in a cold voice, "No matter how bad Rouxin is, I will protect her for the rest of my life! As for you, no matter how good you are, I don't want you!"

At the same time, Lin Rouxin opened her eyes on the bed.

Shen Wantang thought that she was probably too happy to pretend because of the commotion outside—that's right, she had been pretending to faint the whole time.

Shen Wantang did not expose her pretense, but calmly said, "Miss Lin is awake. Qin Xin, go and tell the young master!"

"yes."

Lin Rouxin struggled to her feet: "So it was the Crown Princess who saved me. Rouxin thanks the Crown Princess for saving my life!"

"It wasn't me who saved you, it was General Huo who saved you. I just gave you a few acupuncture needles after he rescued you to help your blood circulation and wake you up sooner."

"Then I must thank the Crown Princess for her rescue!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Xiao Qingyuan and Huo Yunzhou rushed in, followed closely by Xiao Qingxi, whose face was contorted with rage.

"Sister, you're finally awake! That's wonderful!"

"Rouxin, are you feeling unwell? Should we call the imperial physician?"

Lin Rouxin was very considerate. First, she apologized to Xiao Qingyuan: "I fell into the lake as soon as I arrived at the Prince's Mansion. I was really too careless and caused trouble for my sworn brother. I will definitely be more careful in the future."

Then she said to Huo Yunzhou, "General Huo, please go back. I'm doing well at the Prince's Mansion. This will be my home from now on. Please don't come here again."

Huo Yunzhou became anxious: "What nonsense are you talking about? You're perfectly fine? Qingyuan and I both clearly saw Xiao Qingxi push you into the lake!"

Lin Rouxin said coldly, "No, General Huo is mistaken. I fell down by accident. It has nothing to do with the princess. The princess treats me very well. General Huo, please don't misunderstand her."

Huo Yunzhou couldn't help but step forward, his eyes red, and asked her, "Rouxin, tell me the truth, is someone forcing you? Why are you suddenly so distant from me? Why won't you even call me Brother Yunzhou anymore? Tell me everything that's wronged you, and I'll stand up for you!"

Lin Rouxin bit her lip and looked at him with misty eyes. After a moment, a tear slid down her cheek: "I am not wronged. I like the Ning Prince's Mansion very much because it has the wealth and glory that you can't give me. No one forced me. Everything is my own choice. Because I love vanity."

Seeing her like this, Huo Yunzhou was heartbroken: "No! I don't believe it! I know you, you would never covet wealth and status, and you're not that kind of vain woman! Someone must have forced you, it must be!"

He turned angrily to Xiao Qingyuan and Xiao Qingxi, the brother and sister: "What exactly did you say to Rouxin? Why did she suddenly become like this?! If you don't give me a reasonable explanation, I'm not leaving!"

Xiao Qingyuan frowned: "Yunzhou, be rational. I've said everything I need to say. Rouxin really did live in the Prince's mansion voluntarily."

Xiao Qingxi sneered: "Lin Rouxin is a green tea bitch. She's a master of pretense. Huo Yunzhou, you've been fooled by her!"

Seeing that they were about to start arguing again, Shen Wantang said calmly, "If you want to argue, please go outside. Miss Lin has fallen into the water, caught a chill, and was frightened. She needs to rest for a few days."

Xiao Qingxi scoffed, "Shen Wantang, you're not planning to join forces with Lin Rouxin, are you? Looks like you're much dumber than I thought. Lin Rouxin is no good. If you speak up for her, she'll turn around and bite you back!"

Shen Wantang said in a calm tone: "I have indeed suffered the same loss that the princess mentioned, but it was not from Miss Lin, but from the princess. As a result, I dare not speak up for the princess casually now."

Xiao Qingxi's face stiffened. She suddenly remembered that there seemed to be a few similar situations. One moment Shen Wantang would speak up for her or help her with treatment, and the next moment she would berate Shen Wantang.

A bad feeling crept into her heart. It seemed that Shen Wantang was no longer going to tolerate her. She might really be going to join forces with Lin Rouxin!

The spot on her wrist where Shen Wantang had pinched her was still throbbing with sharp pain. Three imperial physicians had examined her wrist, but none of them could find anything wrong. Now, even her mother, who trusted her the most, didn't believe that her wrist was injured.

She was isolated and helpless, surrounded by enemies.