Several voices echoed in agreement.

Xiao Zuo quickly defended Ye Zhen, "Please don't misunderstand the princess. It was my own recklessness. I should have personally asked Marquis Zhongyong to convey my thanks."

But since the Marquis was away, I was really worried about this matter. I was also afraid that meeting the Princess privately would damage her reputation, so I thanked her in public.

"It is also my fault for acting inappropriately. I sent someone to propose marriage without consulting the princess, which displeased her. It is all my fault."

This statement contains a lot of information.

Everyone suddenly realized.

It turns out that Xiao Zuo had taken a liking to Ye Zhen, and after failing to win her hand in marriage, he devised a way to get close to her.

Some people felt that men and women should not touch each other, and that Xiao Zuo's actions were truly offensive.

But Xiao Zuo had made arrangements in advance, and they all praised him for being loyal and righteous, and said that he endured the pain of unrequited love.

Unsuspecting citizens are most easily swayed and moved by the sentiment.

Yin Yue Wan Xing immediately turned cold.

Romantic affairs between men and women are easily distorted as they are passed around. This man surnamed Xiao is trying to ruin the young lady's reputation so he can force her into marriage.

Just as the two were about to rebuke him, Ye Zhen spoke up, "Since Young Master Xiao is so sincere in his gratitude, it would seem pretentious for me to refuse again."

Ye Zhen stepped out of the carriage, saying, "But men and women are different after all, and this princess cannot accept this gift herself."

However, I am currently preparing to establish a charity hall to shelter the homeless from all over the world, and I urgently need funds.

Yin Yue pawned the gifts from Young Master Xiao in exchange for gold and silver to be used for future relief efforts.

Remember to keep clear records of the accounts so that they can be engraved on the charity monument in front of the charity hall later.

She then looked at Xiao Zuo and said, "Young Master Xiao, I would like to use your gratitude to benefit the people. Is that alright?"

Xiao Zuo's expression was somewhat unpleasant. He only wanted to force Ye Zhen to accept the gift in public, not to give it to him in the first place.

Therefore, the preparations were very casual; the box contained only an ordinary jade hairpin. If it were to be pawned, he would become a laughingstock today.

He hurriedly withdrew his hand, trying to hide the box, but Yin Yue was too fast and snatched it away in one go.

The box was opened, and Yin Yue took out the jade hairpin, saying loudly, "Charity Hall accepts one jade hairpin from Young Master Xiao."

After saying that, he walked toward the pawnshop next door.

When everyone saw the jade hairpin clearly, their expressions turned strange.

Such a high-profile way of expressing gratitude for saving a life, only to give such an ordinary hairpin, is just too insincere.

"Princess, I..."

Xiao Zuo wanted to explain that he had taken the wrong one.

Ye Zhen interrupted him, "Young Master Xiao is grateful and righteous. On behalf of everyone at the Charity Hall, I am grateful to Young Master Xiao."

I imagine many people, like Young Master Xiao, wish to thank me for saving them that day, but are hesitant to do so in person. I humbly request that you convey their message and ask them to donate directly to the charity hall.”

What do you mean by that?

Xiao Zuo became anxious.

Repaying a debt of gratitude was just a pretext he made up, but Ye Zhen's words now deliberately elevated him, making it seem ungrateful if others didn't express their thanks.

Those people should thank Ye Zhen for coming early; now that he's made them feel obligated to thank him, they'll surely be furious with him.

Xiao Zuo felt a chill run down his spine as he saw Yin Yue stride over.

“Miss, the jade hairpin was pawned for one tael, and I have already registered it.”

"puff!"

Someone started laughing, and Xiao Zuo's face turned red. Ye Zhen sat back in the carriage, and after the carriage was out of sight of everyone, Ye Zhen instructed, "Yin Yue, keep an eye on Li Chenghai and see when he goes to see Ye Zhengqing."

Li Chenghai remained devoted to Ye Zhengqing, and even now that Ye Zhengqing was crippled, he still visited him from time to time.

The Xiao family wanted to force her to marry, so she naturally had to retaliate.

Let Madam Xiao witness the epic love story between her eldest son and Ye Zhengqing...