Chapter 638 Shut up!
Listening to the whispers of the crowd, Li Jingyue remained calm, as did Li Sanqi, who sat in the superior position. However, Madam Wen, who sat next to Li Sanqi, had a terribly gloomy expression.
Firstly, he was angry that Wenxi acted arrogantly and recklessly, daring to make things difficult for Li Jingyue in public.
Secondly, she was also angry that Li Jingyue had exposed the matter in public. Although she said she didn't care, she probably already harbored resentment towards Wen Xi. Otherwise, she wouldn't have stood up to testify for Yu Zhenhuan.
It's true what they say: a barking dog doesn't bite!
Suppressing her resentment towards Li Jingyue, Madam Wen glared at Wen Xi and reprimanded her in a deep voice, "You worthless brat! Hurry up and apologize to Princess Liyang!"
Wenxi bit her lip, her eyes filled with resentment, but she still obediently walked up to Li Jingyue, bowed and said, "It was all my fault before. I shouldn't have acted recklessly just because I was young, and I joked with the princess without knowing my place. I apologize to the princess and ask for her forgiveness for my rude words and actions!"
Wenxi's attitude was respectful and her words were sincere, but deep hatred was hidden in her lowered eyes.
Her hands, hidden beneath her sleeves, were clenched into fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, using pain to suppress her anger and hatred.
As if unaware of Wenxi's unusual behavior, Li Jingyue stood up and personally helped her up.
"Miss Wen, please don't stand on ceremony. I said I didn't take it to heart, which means I didn't blame you. There's no need to apologize."
Li Jingyue smiled warmly and spoke gently, as if she really didn't care.
Wenxi stood up and gave Li Jingyue a forced smile, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Princess."
Li Jingyue returned her a smile.
Wenxi then gave Li Jingyue a deep look, turned around, and walked back to her original position with gritted teeth.
"I did something wrong and I apologized. Now, shouldn't we talk about how you hit me?"
Wenxi glared fiercely at Yu Huanzhen.
Yu Huanzhen smiled slightly, "The matter of Miss Wen humiliating Princess Liyang has indeed been resolved. However, the matter of Miss Lin instigating others to slander Madam Qinghe and Miss Qiao Ning has not yet been clarified."
"Shouldn't Miss Lin give Madam Qinghe and Miss Qiao Ning an explanation?"
"Furthermore, everyone present participated in the defamation and criticism of Madam Qiao and Miss Qiao Ning. Shouldn't everyone present apologize to Madam Qiao and Miss Qiao Ning?"
So, everyone!?
Everyone was astonished.
Qiao Qinghe also felt the urge to cover her face.
How much does she have to be hated to have everyone talking bad about her!
However, given her past actions, it's understandable that she's being criticized.
But why really target everyone?
Wouldn't that incite public outrage?
Clearly, Lady Yongning had also considered this, hence the worry on her face.
Madam Wen couldn't help but frown.
Does Yu Zhenhuan even know what he's doing?
Didn't she know that by doing this, she was not only doing something for the Yongning Marquis's mansion, but also attracting hatred for Qiao Qinghe?
Sure enough, the other ladies present all frowned.
Upon seeing this, Wenxi was overjoyed and winked at Miss Lin beside her.
Miss Lin was slightly taken aback, then questioned Yu Zhenhuan, "Miss Yu said that I incited everyone to slander Madam Qinghe and Qiao Ning. May I ask when I incited others?"
"Are people not allowed to tell the truth?"
Another young lady quickly chimed in, "Yes, when have we ever slandered Madam Qinghe or Miss Qiao? We were just telling the truth!"
Miss Zhao added pointedly, "It's a fact that Miss Qiao went missing, isn't it? It's also a fact that Madam Qinghe rose from concubine to wife, isn't it? And it's a fact that the young masters from noble families attending the banquet today are all from distinguished backgrounds, isn't that also a fact?"
“Yes! We’re just making reasonable inferences based on the situation!” someone echoed.
Others chimed in, "Exactly! If you don't want people to know, don't do it! Miss Qiao is willing to climb the social ladder, so can't we even say anything?"
"Exactly! She said she got lost, but who knows where she went or what she did?"
"Hmph, a mere merchant's daughter who can attend a banquet like today must be trying every possible way to find a chance to rise in status and become a phoenix."
"Exactly! Everyone else was staying in the waterside pavilion, but she went out and wandered around, and of all people, she got lost! What kind of coincidence is that? I think it was clearly intentional!"
...
Everyone was making malicious speculations about Qiao Ning's disappearance, and they were talking loudly without any restraint, showing no intention of lowering their voices.
Faced with the overwhelming malice, Qiao Ning tried to argue several times, but Qiao Yuanyao stopped her each time.
Just then, Madam Wen slammed her hand on the table, "Everyone, please be quiet."
The murmurs gradually subsided until they disappeared.
Madam Wen then turned to Yu Huanzhen, "Fourth Miss Yu, you see, let's just let the apology go. After all, what everyone said wasn't entirely unreasonable. Why don't we talk about it instead..."
"etc!"
Qiao Qinghe interrupted, "Madam Wen is completely disregarding this old woman like me!"
Madam Wen looked at Qiao Qinghe with displeasure, her eyes full of disdain.
Qiao Qinghe didn't hold back either, immediately retorting, "This matter concerns my grandniece's reputation, yet Madam Wen considers it worthless?"
She surveyed the room, and amidst the disdainful or contemptuous gazes of the crowd, she said in a serious tone: "Before you maliciously slander others, have you ever sought out the truth?"
The contempt in the eyes of the crowd intensified, and they were about to make a few sarcastic remarks when Qiao Qinghe said in a playful tone, "The truth is that my grandniece Qiao Ning was already engaged several days ago!"
Everyone was taken aback, and then someone guessed, "I'm afraid the family they've chosen isn't very good, is it?"
"Perhaps the Qiao family's daughter is simply dissatisfied with her betrothed and is therefore preparing to find someone better at the banquet!"
"Exactly! Being engaged doesn't mean that!"
Qiao Qinghe let the crowd discuss for a while before continuing, "An engagement may not mean much to you, but it does represent the attitude of the Qiao family!"
As she spoke, Qiao Qinghe looked at Madam Wen meaningfully.
Madam Wen received Qiao Qinghe's gaze and felt a sudden tightness in her chest. She hurriedly tried to stop her, but it was too late.
Then Qiao Qinghe said with a half-smile, "I'm afraid you all don't know yet?"
“A few days after the Double Ninth Festival last year, Madam Wen of the Yongchang Marquis’s Mansion invited me and my grandniece to go to Fahua Temple to offer incense.”
"At that time, Lady Wen was accompanied by Wen Jue, the eighth master of the Yongchang Marquis's mansion."
"Mrs. Qiao!" Madam Wen stood up abruptly, glaring angrily at Qiao Qinghe. "Shut up!"
Everyone was taken aback by Madam Wen's extreme reaction and cast questioning glances their way.
Qiao Qinghe scoffed, "Isn't it too late to tell me to shut up now?"
"What exactly do you want?" Madam Wen asked through gritted teeth.
Qiao Qinghe looked at Madam Wen with unwavering determination, "I want to restore my grandniece's reputation!"
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