Just then, a clear, cold voice, like a spring of fresh air, rang out in the tense atmosphere, carrying an undeniable authority: "Stop!" Everyone turned to look, and saw a man in a long blue robe slowly approaching. His features were cool and aloof, his demeanor ethereal; the white jade pendant hanging from his waist swayed gently with his steps, emitting a faint glow. This man was none other than Gu Hanqing, the chief disciple of the Qingyun Sect's leader. He enjoyed immense prestige among the younger generation, renowned for his exceptional talent and profound cultivation, and deeply respected and trusted by his fellow disciples.
Gu Hanqing's appearance eased the tense atmosphere somewhat. Everyone parted to make way, their eyes filled with awe and anticipation.
Gu Hanqing walked up to Ye Lingxi, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Then, he spoke calmly, "Junior Sister Ye, do you know your crime?"
Ye Lingxi raised her head, meeting Gu Hanqing's gaze without fear, a cold smile playing on her lips: "What makes you say such a thing, Senior Brother? What crime have I committed?"
"Lin Shiyun died in your room, and the Lin family was wiped out. How dare you say you're innocent?" Senior Sister jumped out impatiently, pointing at Ye Lingxi's nose, and said shrilly, "Do you dare to swear that none of this has anything to do with you?"
"Swear an oath?" Ye Lingxi raised an eyebrow as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world, her eyes full of mockery. "I, Ye Lingxi, do things with integrity and uprightness. Why should I explain myself to ignorant people like you?"
"You! You are simply unreasonable!" The senior sister was so angry at her attitude that her face turned pale and her body trembled uncontrollably.
"Ye Lingxi, stop being so stubborn!" Gu Hanqing's tone turned serious, and there was a hint of helplessness in his eyes. "There are many suspicious points about Junior Sister Lin and the Lin family. If you are truly innocent, you should cooperate with the investigation so that you can clear your name as soon as possible."
"Cooperate with the investigation?" Ye Lingxi chuckled, her eyes filled with disdain. "You're clearly trying to use this as an excuse to make trouble, why bother with such high-sounding words?"
"You! You're spouting nonsense!" someone in the crowd couldn't help but shout.
"Senior Brother, look at her arrogant attitude, she's clearly guilty!" another person chimed in.
The crowd was outraged and began to criticize Ye Lingxi, making the atmosphere tense once again.
Gu Hanqing raised his hand and gestured for everyone to be quiet. His eyes held a hint of authority, and seeing this, everyone gradually quieted down.
Gu Hanqing turned to Ye Lingxi, his tone tinged with helplessness: "Junior sister, you have always been intelligent, why are you so confused now? If you continue to be so stubborn, don't blame your senior brother for being merciless!"
"Face-saving?" Ye Lingxi laughed out loud as if she had heard something extremely ridiculous. "Senior Brother, when have we ever had any face-saving between us?"
Her words were like a bombshell, causing a stir among the crowd. Gu Hanqing's expression changed slightly, and a hint of pain flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
Gu Hanqing's eyes darkened, and his voice turned cold: "Junior sister, are you really going to be so stubborn?"
Ye Lingxi coldly surveyed the crowd, finally fixing her gaze on Gu Hanqing, and said, word by word, "I said, I didn't kill her! As for the Lin family, I wouldn't even deign to lay a hand on them!"
"You're lying!" Lin Shiyun's personal maid cried out as she rushed to Gu Hanqing's feet. "Senior Brother, you must stand up for my young lady! She has always been kind to everyone and never made enemies. Who else but this poisonous woman would want to harm her?!" The maid's voice was filled with grief and anger, and her eyes revealed a deep hatred for Ye Lingxi.
"That's right! Senior Brother, Ye Lingxi has always been ruthless. In the three years since she entered the sect, she has caused countless troubles. Now she is even more audacious, daring to wipe out the Lin family. If she is not severely punished, won't she become even more unscrupulous in the future?!" Everyone echoed the maid's words, indignantly accusing Ye Lingxi as if she were the most evil being in the world.
Ye Lingxi sneered inwardly. These people used to fawn over Lin Shiyun, but now that she's dead, they can't wait to jump out and kick her while she's down. They're so hypocritical.
"Are you all done talking?" Ye Lingxi asked coldly, her voice clear and icy, instantly silencing the crowd's clamor.
"Since you insist that I killed Lin Shiyun and wiped out the Lin family, do you have any evidence?" Her gaze was sharp as a knife, sweeping over the faces around her, some angry, some suspicious, and some gloating. "If you have no evidence, don't make baseless accusations here!"
The crowd was intimidated by her imposing presence, and for a moment no one dared to utter a word of rebuttal.
"Ye Lingxi, stop making excuses!" Seeing that everyone remained silent, the maid became even more emboldened. "If you weren't guilty, why didn't you dare let us search your room?!"
"Search my room?" Ye Lingxi exclaimed as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world. "You think you're worthy?!"
"You..." The maid was speechless, her face turning red, but she couldn't find the right words to refute her.
"Enough!" Gu Hanqing shouted sternly, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Junior sister, stop being so stubborn! If you are truly innocent, let everyone search your room so that you can clear your name as soon as possible and restore your innocence."
Ye Lingxi looked at him coldly, as if she were looking at a complete stranger.
"Gu Hanqing, do you really think I don't know what you're thinking?" Ye Lingxi's lips curled into a mocking smile. "You just want to take this opportunity to completely crush me under your feet so that your beloved junior sister can vent her anger!"
Gu Hanqing's expression changed, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure, trying to hide his emotions: "Junior sister, you've misunderstood me, I just..."
"Misunderstanding?" Ye Lingxi interrupted him, her tone icy and chilling. "Gu Hanqing, what's the point of pretending between us?"
Just then, the heroine's master, Master Xuanfeng, stepped into the void and slowly approached. His aura surged, his robes fluttered, and his eyes exuded majesty.
When everyone saw Master Xuanfeng arrive, they immediately began to whisper among themselves.
"Why is Master Xuanfeng here? This matter is probably not going to end well."
"Hmph, with her master backing her up, Ye Lingxi is going to have a good show to watch now."
"So what? There has to be an explanation for what happened between Lin Shiyun and the Lin family!"
Master Xuanfeng glanced around at everyone, finally fixing his gaze on Gu Hanqing. He nodded slightly in acknowledgment before looking at Ye Lingxi with a hint of concern in his eyes.
Then, he turned to those who were accusing Ye Lingxi and said in an icy voice, "I know my disciple Lingxi's character best. She would never do such a wicked thing. If anyone is deliberately framing me today, don't blame me for being impolite!"
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