Beauty and ugliness
Liu Rumei's heart is as clear as day.
Rather than a pledge of allegiance, every word and phrase carried a hint of threat, revealing her malicious intentions with gusto.
Although a move can be made in an instant, this person's foresight in including Xie Lingxi in his plans was truly unpleasant.
"I had previously guessed that A-Luan's appearance was not accidental. In the midst of the chaos, how did A-Xu and I just happen to enter her room? Now that I think about it, everything is clear."
Xie Lingxi's gentle smile vanished, and she said coldly, "In my opinion, that Manager Liu is not one to meddle in other people's business. What is he trying to do by bringing up Li Zheng's family affairs?"
"You wouldn't be trying to... sow discord between me and His Highness, would you?"
That was a startling remark.
The princess, who had been worried, suddenly understood something after seeing Xie Lingxi and witnessing the scene of flowers falling like rain in the courtyard. Her heart settled down, and she sat upright, pouring tea. Through the misty steam, she asked, "Oh? What is the relationship between Lingxi and me?"
Is it a relationship of sharing both hardship and prosperity? Or is it just a charade?
The two got to know each other entirely through Yan Ying's scheming.
In the past, she certainly used Xie Lingxi more than she truly cared for him, but now, after going through so much, the weight of her "true feelings" is hard to fathom.
The princess thought for a moment, then brought up another matter: "Back then at the banquet by the winding stream, Princess Jing'an's nephew tragically fell into the water, but he managed to find a beautiful bride... Otherwise, given his background, how could he have asked for a princess's hand in marriage?"
"Lingxi meant well, but the Hou family has let her down in vain."
Even Liu Rumei came to speak on their behalf, her words filled with regret and sighs, as if the family's tragedy was entirely Xie Lingxi's fault...
Is that correct?
Xie Lingxi twitched the corner of her mouth. "It's true that I did this, but it sounds like something else coming from Your Highness's mouth."
Scandal turned into a beautiful story, and even the malicious and despicable methods were transformed into a clever scheme to help "lovers finally get together".
Everyone said she was a pure and immaculate fairy, untouched by the mortal world, and that in terms of character, talent, and appearance, she was a model for noble ladies in Chang'an. For such a divine figure to commit such a despicable act is like the moon falling from the sky, becoming tainted with filth.
"Beauty and ugliness, good and evil, black and white... can they really be clearly distinguished? Liu Rumei wants Your Highness to see my true colors—I already have a family but have an affair with Prince Jin, and I secretly scheme to seduce women's innocence. Such a despicable person, does Your Highness still want to conspire with me?"
Yan Ying remained silent for a long while, then sighed and said, "How could I not know Lingxi's true nature?"
“If I had truly believed her and harbored resentment towards you, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
Xie Lingxi stared intently at the teacup in the princess's hand. "What she said is indeed true."
Just as Yan Ying thought the woman before her was about to begin to wallow in self-pity and fear, she heard her clear, melodious voice again. The voice was light and brief, like morning dew, carrying a hint of carefree joy—
"However, Your Highness is not a good person either. We're in the same boat, so let's not dislike each other."
"ha……"
The two chatted about ordinary things, and when they talked about A-Luan, Xie Lingxi frowned. "She came to my door early this morning, took off her clothes and bowed, saying that she wanted to thank me and A-Xu for giving her a second chance. But I don't know when I 'gave her a second chance'."
Since things calmed down in Chu Liying's courtyard, it had been very peaceful.
This morning, when Liu Xu went to the morning court, she was still fast asleep on the bed with her quilt. Last night, she was exhausted and had just dreamed of a clump of spring grass when she was awakened by a knocking sound at the door.
Ah Luan expressed her gratitude for saving her life, but every word she uttered spoke of her current suffering—
With nowhere to go and no skills, she begged Xie Lingxi to take her in, even if it meant working as a lowly maid.
She immediately refused, saying, "I have already returned the contract to you. There is no need for you to thank me, and I do not need you to come to my residence to be at my beck and call."
The willow trees were covered with morning dew. Ah Luan kowtowed three times, tears streaming down her face, and said, "I have nowhere else to go... Please, my lady, grant my request!"
—If my wife doesn't agree, I will kneel here forever!
Although A-Luan did not say these words aloud, Xie Lingxi stood there quietly with her hands at her sides, her eyes filled with a dark expression, and she understood what he meant.
She let the person in and said coldly, "Then kneel down."
It's impossible to agree.
Upon hearing this, the princess clapped her hands and laughed: "Haha—this is hardly repaying a debt of gratitude. If you ask me, you should just agree to her request. From then on, every move you make in your household will be like a trap set by willows and plums. I wonder what a wonderful scene that would be!"
Xie Lingxi stared at the person, "Don't laugh."
"Alright, let's get down to business."
After laughing, Yan Ying saw A Luan and remembered that Yan Ji had previously asked her to cooperate.
That fellow had no idea of the princess's great talent and ambition. He boasted that when he became emperor, he would bestow upon the princess an extremely noble title, a magnificent house, and extremely handsome sons...
The prerequisite is that the princess must help him—by offering him money, power, and Xie Lingxi.
"He's not very bright either. Since I have money and power through the Lu family and the royal family, why should I give it to Yan Sheng instead of Yan Sheng?"
Xie Lingxi had little relationship with her, so if he asked her to persuade people to convert, he would probably have to use some fists and tricks in the process.
"Perhaps Your Highness should remember that we were not strangers before, but rather we loathed each other. You should be happy to see Yan Ji try to capture me and even give him a hand."
"That's utter nonsense."
Yan Ying reached out and slapped Xie Lingxi's head, accidentally knocking off a pale yellow silk flower from her hair. She slowly withdrew her hand, her expression innocent yet wicked. "I can't even stand looking at this flower anymore. An old saying goes that one should avoid prophecies, but only Lingxi keeps spouting nonsense."
"If I abandon you, is that a good thing?"
Xie Lingxi picked up the silk flower, gently placed it on the table, and smiled slightly: "Of course I won't let Your Highness dislike me."
"But then again, since you pretended to agree with Yan Ji back then, then this time Yan Sheng broke his arms and legs, wasn't that his doing?"
A dynasty can never tolerate a crown prince or emperor with physical disabilities. This move forced Yan Sheng to watch helplessly as power slipped away, unable to live or die—wasn't that worse than being killed?
Before the princess could answer, a petite figure came running up from behind, clutching the hem of her dress, her face flushed red from the hurried movements, and her eyes filled with panic—
She gasped for breath, uttering each word slowly and deliberately, "My lady! I...I...Prince Jin wants to take me back—"
In an instant, she fell to her knees, her smooth forehead hitting the bluestone slab. The sharp pebbles on the ground cut her skin, drawing blood. Ah Luan cried out in fear, "Please, my wife, save me!"
"..."
Two wealthy ladies in the courtyard poured tea and drank together. Their every move was graceful and elegant. In such a warm and pleasant scene, the fragrance of pepper and orchid floated in the air, which made Ah Luan tremble.
She saw that no one spoke and dared not look up, but lay prostrate on the floor with her hands and feet curled up.
Xie Lingxi quietly looked at the person kneeling on the ground.
Today, Ah Luan was quite different from her usual demeanor in the brothel. She changed into plain clothes, wore no hairpins or jewelry, and looked pitiful.
—She looks even more like him.
When Yan Ying first saw A Luan, her eyes flickered slightly. She stepped forward, lifted A Luan's chin, and examined her from head to toe. She scoffed, "Are you imitating Lady Xie?"
Ah Luan, feeling scrutinized, found her eyes unconsciously filled with tears, which welled up but did not fall. "Madam... Madam misunderstands! I am fortunate to bear some resemblance to Madam Xie, and I have absolutely no intention of imitating her!"
"Servant?"
Now it was Xie Lingxi's turn to frown. "You were not registered as a slave, so don't talk nonsense."
Yan Ying sneered, her eyes flashing with daggers, and tightened her grip on A Luan's chin, leaving two vertical red marks.
Xie Lingxi probably didn't notice—
She hadn't paid much attention to what Xie Lingxi had said about A-Luan's deeds, thinking she was just a dim-witted spy and found it amusing.
Just now, Ah Luan referred to herself as a slave and used a self-deprecating tone to say that she looked like Xie Lingxi, which is utter nonsense...
She suddenly released her grip, causing the person to lose their balance and fall to the ground unexpectedly. "You put on a face similar to Lady Xie, yet you keep calling yourself a slave or maid—who are you insulting with those words?"
"this……"
Ah Luan lowered her head even further and murmured to herself.
He looked like he had suffered a great injustice.
The wind clung a few strands of her dark hair to her tear-streaked face. She looked up at Xie Lingxi, pleading, "This servant... I... I had no such intention!"
Xie Lingxi's expression was complicated.
She wasn't unaware of what Ah Luan was saying; it was just that it was rather strange that Her Highness was so enraged over such a few insignificant words concerning her.
She slowly opened her lips, but that wasn't what she was talking about. She walked to the princess's side and said, "This is Princess Yan Ying of the current dynasty."
Princess……?
Ah Luan was adept at navigating the social circles of princes and nobles. Upon hearing Yan Ying's name, she immediately understood that the elegant and poised lady before her was the only legitimate princess born to the Empress.
Having offended such a person, she hurriedly kowtowed: "It was my fault! Ah Luan had no intention of offending you. Your Highness... I beg Your Highness to spare my life!"
Yan Ying glanced at Xie Lingxi and said calmly, "You've offended someone other than me."
Now Ah Luan understood immediately. She turned to Xie Lingxi and kowtowed twice more, saying, "It was my fault... I spoke rudely and offended Lady Xie. Lady Xie treats me like her own parents, yet I said such nonsense... I'm sorry! It's all my fault... It's all my fault!"
"I'll shut up, I'll shut up! I'll never talk nonsense again... If I ever offend my wife again... may I be struck by lightning!"
"alright--"
Seeing that the conversation was going off on a tangent, and the young woman on the ground was crying pitifully, Xie Lingxi was about to tell someone to stand up and explain Yan Ji's situation in detail, since it was just a few words and not a big deal.
But then a tall, slender figure strode in from the courtyard, and the young man's clear, melodious voice rang out: "What has happened?"
Meanwhile, on the other side, Ah Luan turned her head slightly, revealing a perfect curve on the upper half of her face, tears welling up but not falling, "My lord, my lord, save me!"
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