Chapter 58 Provoking

However, Liu Huan is not someone to be trifled with; even Xie Zhaoye dares not offend him.

It wasn't that Liu Huan disliked Xie Zhaoye, but rather that she couldn't stand Xie Hanyue's pretentious act. So, to make her unhappy, Liu Huan went directly to Xie Qingran's side, took her arm, and said with a smile, "I dislike pretentious people the most. Eldest sister Xie is more to my liking!"

"Liu Huan, who are you calling a liar!" Xie Hanyue's face darkened as she gripped her handkerchief. "I haven't offended you, why are you treating me like this?"

"You haven't offended me, and I haven't said anything about you. Did I even mention your name? Why are you so agitated?"

Liu Huan raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a half-smile, clearly with a hint of schadenfreude.

Upon hearing this, Xie Hanyue's expression changed: "You!"

"Miss Liu, please have some decency!" Xie Zhaoye spoke up first, defending Xie Hanyue.

That's exactly the effect I wanted.

Xie Qingran glanced at Liu Huan, then said helplessly, "Alright, alright, everyone stop arguing!"

"I'm just saying, who in the capital doesn't know that you two siblings are always hanging out together, all lovey-dovey, you're utterly shameless!"

"Xie Hanyue, aren't you the most talented woman in the capital? How can you not know the principle that men and women should not touch each other!"

Liu Huan snorted disdainfully, her expression full of disgust.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed, and then they said, "Yes, you two really are inseparable, especially Young Master Xie. There are a bunch of young ladies here. What? Are you afraid we'll eat the Second Miss?"

Xie Hanyue wasn't exactly popular outside, so now that everyone had a chance, they naturally wouldn't let her off easily. In addition, it was also to support Liu Huan. After all, they knew perfectly well whether it was better to be with Liu Huan or with Xie Hanyue.

No matter how capable Xie Hanyue is, she is just an adopted daughter of the Xie family, but Liu Huan is the legitimate daughter of a great general, with a very noble status!

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

"We're just siblings!"

"Xie Qingran, you speak!"

Xie Zhaoye tugged at Xie Qingran, and he did so with such force that he almost pulled her down!

Xie Qingran steadied herself, glanced at Xie Zhaoye with some confusion, and then said, "Brother and sister are naturally close, let's not talk about these things."

"Xie Qingran, what are you implying!" Lu Jinzhi walked over, looking at Xie Qingran with displeasure: "It's only been a few days since we last met, how come you're acting like a gossip, even spreading rumors about your own sister?"

Liu Huan immediately stepped forward, coldly looking at Lu Jinzhi: "What did you hear? How can you slander the eldest daughter of the Xie family? The eldest daughter was clearly protecting her sister, how did she become a gossip in your mouth?"

Suddenly, as if she had just remembered something, Liu Huan hurriedly said, "Oh right, I saw you two shopping together last time. Miss, you really are quite the ladies' man!"

Being a womanizer might be a joke or a beautiful story for a man, but if it happens to a woman, it's a disaster.

Liu Huan's words were truly scathing; he was essentially calling Xie Hanyue a fickle and promiscuous woman.

Xie Qingran didn't like the lively atmosphere, so she simply bowed and said, "Please enjoy yourselves. I'll go take a look over there first."

As she spoke, Xie Qingran turned and left. Lu Jinzhi never expected that Xie Qingran could leave so easily while he was still there. What did she mean by that?

For some reason, what Lu Jinzhi used to hate most was Xie Qingran's following gaze, but now that Xie Qingran doesn't care about him anymore, he suddenly wants to chase after her.

Here, Xie Zhaoye was almost about to fight Liu Huan, but Liu Huan was a girl, so even though Xie Zhaoye was furious, he couldn't actually make a move. Just as Xie Qingran was about to leave, Xie Zhaoye grabbed her sleeve and turned her back!

"We've been humiliated here, and you just leave like that? Xie Qingran, are you even still a member of the Xie family?!"

When these words came out, everyone around was stunned. Anyone with eyes could see that Xie Qingran wanted to settle things peacefully, but unexpectedly, it was Xie Zhaoye who was now making a fuss.

Xie Qingran took a deep breath, seemingly helpless, and asked directly, "What does my brother want me to do? Slap Miss Liu, or die with them? As long as you can say it today, I will do it. Just tell me!"

"You! You?"

"Then you shouldn't have ignored it!"

Xie Zhaoye's eyebrows were furrowed tightly as he looked at Xie Qingran with displeasure.

Xie Qingran smiled and said calmly, "Rumors stop with the wise. As long as there is nothing wrong between you and your sister, there is no need to say anything more. If you are upright, you have nothing to fear. Why are you so concerned about these nonsense rumors? Could it be that you have a guilty conscience?"

"Why would I feel guilty?" Xie Zhaoye gritted his teeth: "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Xie Qingran shrugged indifferently, then said lightly, "Since that's the case, why bother?"

"It's just baseless gossip, what's the big deal?"

"As everyone says, once you've had a laugh, it's over."

"How about we just let it go and everyone stays at peace?"

Xie Qingran's words were meant to appease the situation and consider the bigger picture.

However, Xie Hanyue was spoiled by her family since childhood and couldn't stand being wronged.

"Sister, you make it sound so easy. This is about my reputation!"

"How could I not care!"

Xie Hanyue's eyebrows were tightly furrowed as she looked at Xie Qingran with a reproachful expression, as if it were all Xie Qingran's fault.

Xie Qingran was truly helpless.

She shrugged: "So, little sister, what do you want?"

"Liu Huan, you must apologize to me!" Xie Hanyue stepped forward, glaring at Liu Huan through gritted teeth.

Xie Qingran sighed, "Then I can't make the decision on this matter. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, Xie Qingran bypassed Xie Zhaoye and walked alone towards the lotus pond.

Soon after, a commotion broke out, but no matter how much they argued, it had nothing to do with Xie Qingran. In any case, the more trouble they caused, the better.

Xie Qingran sat by the lotus pond, gently stirring the water, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

"Your strategy of diverting trouble eastward is quite effective. While things are in complete chaos over there, you seem quite at ease." The Fifth Prince smiled and sat down next to Xie Qingran without a second thought.

Xie Qingran quickly stood up and bowed respectfully: "Your subject Xie Qingran greets the Fifth Prince!"

"You don't need to be so polite."