"What did you say?!" A gasp suddenly came from the deepest private room on the second floor of a teahouse in the capital.
With an incredulous rage, he slammed his hand down, causing the teacups on the table to tremble.
Xiao Hong quickly stepped forward, took her young mistress's hand, and gently massaged it. "Miss, don't be angry. It's not worth ruining your health over someone like that."
How could Liu Qingmei not be angry?
She knew from the very beginning that the rumors had developed to this point, and that she had played a significant role in fueling them.
The purpose was to let Gu Zhan see Xu Nian's true colors. Moreover, General Gu was a favorite of the emperor, so he would not be punished for such a thing.
If things escalate, it will definitely be seen as Xu Nian deceiving the emperor. If he can be convicted of a capital offense, that would be even better.
Faced with her own future, any deep affection was nothing but fleeting smoke. Gu Zhan certainly wouldn't care then; she had even considered withdrawing the spies she had planted in the county princess's mansion.
Surprisingly, in the end, apart from Gu Zhan being ordered to stay at home and reflect on his actions, Xu Nian got away scot-free!
She even went out with Su Wanting and the others every day, which was really infuriating!
She took a sip of the tea the maid handed her, suppressing her resentment before continuing, "Is there anything else? Did Xu Nian really not receive any punishment?"
"No, no." The person standing in front of her stammered. She was just a lowly maid in the outer courtyard responsible for sweeping and cleaning. How could she know such things? "It's just, it's just that in the evenings, General Gu often comes to have dinner with the county princess and the two young masters... Miss, please forgive me!"
The carved porcelain cup fell to the ground with a crisp sound!
Liu Qingmei glared at him, "What nonsense are you spouting?! How could you possibly ruin the reputation of someone like General Gu?!"
The maid was terrified, lying on the ground trembling, "No, Miss, I really didn't lie. I saw it all with my own eyes. I saw the general enter the county princess's mansion without having to announce himself."
Seeing her mistress struggling to breathe, Xiao Hong frowned and waved her hand, "Go back first, we'll call you if anything happens. Miss, this little maid's life is in our hands, she wouldn't dare lie."
How could Liu Qingmei not know?! She just didn't expect that Xu Nian would have such great abilities, still able to attract people to her residence every day even after Gu Zhan was suspended from his post because of her!
"I don't think that county princess is any good!" Xiao Hong spat and cursed, "She's always pretending to be a ghost, and she looks like a vixen. Who knows what kind of sorcery she used to bewitch General Gu? Miss, you have to wake up and not let General Gu be fooled by her like that."
Hearing the curses around her, Liu Qingmei felt a little relieved and snorted, "Even if he really is bewitched, what can I do? I have no relation to Brother Zhan. Do you think I can go to his mansion to catch the ghost myself?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Hong hesitated for a moment before her eyes lit up. "Although Miss can't go, some people can. That shameless Xu Nian seduced her own friend's fiancé; she's utterly shameless."
Meanwhile, Xu Nian, who had been reprimanded, pulled An Qing and Su Wanting into a side room. She ordered someone to bring in a basin of water and dismissed several maids.
The three of them were the only ones left in the room.
Su Wanting and An Qing exchanged a glance, then looked at Xu Nian with a puzzled expression. "Niannian, what exactly are you trying to do?"
"You'll see in a moment." Xu Nian blinked, closed her eyes, and silently recited, "All things in the universe are contained within it, and all kinds of trajectories reveal their true forms!"
The light shone on the copper basin, and the clear water inside slowly rose and unfolded, turning into a square water curtain as tall as a person.
As they watched in astonishment, an image gradually appeared within it, becoming clearer and clearer. "This person looks so familiar."
Su Wanting frowned as she looked at the two beggars kneeling on the ground, feeling as if she had seen them somewhere before.
Anqing, while observing the scene, clapped excitedly: "Niannian, how did you do that? Can you teach me?!"
Xu Nian raised her eyes and waved her hand mischievously, "I'll teach you when I have time. For now, just focus on your things."
Do you have popcorn? I feel like I'm watching a movie.
Isn't science supposed to be paramount? Why can she study it, but I can't?
[By the way, I also think these two people look familiar; it's like I've seen them somewhere before.]
“It’s Wang Jinmei and Zhao Yingying.” Xu Nian glanced at the two figures above, then looked at the person next to them. She figured that this Lord Wang must be Wang An, who came to the courtyard that day.
Su Wanting was stunned; she knew what had happened in that courtyard. When Wang Jinmei and Zhao Yingying were kicked out, she had said that Xu Nian was still too kind-hearted.
If this happened in the Prime Minister's residence, people like this wouldn't be let off the hook even if they were beaten to death!
I never imagined it would turn out like this. If Xu Nian hadn't reminded me, I probably wouldn't have recognized myself if I met him on the street.
"Wait a minute." Anqing looked around for a while, and after the initial excitement subsided, he gradually realized that something was wrong. "This seems to be Jiang Yuanlang's residence? I've been there before, and that person should be one of his retainers."
It was common for prominent families, such as the Prince's Mansion or even the Prime Minister's Mansion, to keep scholars and literati in their residences. Anqing occasionally visited Jiang Yuanlang's residence and had seen them a few times.
Although my memory is not very clear and I don't know her name, I do recognize her face.
"What can you do?" Wang An suddenly asked after Wang Jinmei and the others had finished speaking.
The two men pondered for a moment, then stammered, "We, we, we can ruin Xu Nian's reputation! She's not some great philanthropist; when she was fleeing, many people disapproved of her!"
After pondering for a moment, Wang An seemed to think the method was feasible. After informing the Third Prince, he gave Wang Jinmei and the others some money to carry it out.
Xu Nian frowned slightly as she looked at another figure that had appeared. "Cuiqing?"
Su Wanting glanced at the girl; she was fairly pretty. But she held her head high, like a proud rooster. "I met her on the way we fled famine. Da Bao and Er Bao almost died because of her!"
"Such a thing exists?!" Anqing and Su Wanting exclaimed in unison in surprise!
Xu Nian nodded, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes as she looked at the person inside. The events of that time were still vivid in her mind; she never expected Cui Qing to dare appear before her again!
"Wait, that's... my second brother!" Just as she was pondering how to resolve the situation, Anqing suddenly exclaimed!
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