The back garden of the Xiao Mansion. The Xiao Mansion was once a duke's mansion. Although the title is gone now, the mansion has never been taken back. After more than a hundred years of renovation, the garden is magnificent. Not only are there many rockeries and flowers planted in the garden, but there is also a large lotus pond. In summer, you can even put down a small boat to pick lotus flowers.
Beside the lotus pond, a woman in a satin skirt with gold embroidery brushed past Shen Qingqing and stepped hard on her foot. Then she exaggeratedly said in a panic, "Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Shen, I didn't mean to step on you. I was just careless! You won't blame me, right?"
Shen Qingqing's expression suddenly became extremely ugly, and she shouted angrily: "Xue Lin, this is the Xiao residence. If you want to act like a jerk, go back to your Xue family mansion. Do you think I am as easy to bully as others?"
The whole capital city knew that Xue Lin loved Xiao Yunyan. However, Xiao Yunyan was only gentle towards his two sisters and never approached other women. Xue Lin tried every way but failed to get close to him.
"Who are you talking about? You are a bastard son or daughter of a marquis, and you dare to covet Master Xiao? Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself!"
What Shen Qingqing hated the most was her origin. As a bastard daughter, she would never be hired as the legal wife of the eldest son in a real aristocratic family. But she knew that with Xiao Yunrou's relationship, she was not without hope of marrying into the Xiao family. Thinking of her aunt's words, Shen Qingqing gritted her teeth secretly, she must succeed.
For a moment, the quarrel between the two attracted everyone's attention. Some people rejoiced in their misfortune, while others expressed sympathy. Xiao Yunya saw that the situation was out of control, and as the host, she would definitely come out to persuade them. But before she could walk over, the two started arguing again.
"You are so reckless because your father is the prime minister. How good do you think your reputation is in the capital? You are so shameless to stick to Master Xiao, but he still ignores you."
Shen Qingqing knew that Xue Lin hated it most when others said that Xiao Yunyan was not interested in her. This was like stepping on her weak spot. Moreover, she said this in a low voice, so only Xue Lin, who was standing in front of her, could hear it clearly.
This immediately made Xue Lin furious and she lost all her rationality. She took a step forward and raised her hand to hit Shen Qingqing in the face.
"You bastard, I'll let you talk nonsense!!"
A slap in the face caused Shen Qingqing to fall backwards. Shen Qingqing looked at the people standing on the other side, a strange smile appeared on her sideways face, and she fell into the lotus pond in full view of everyone.
This sudden change shocked everyone, even Xue Lin was stunned. When she came to her senses, Xiao Yunya immediately ordered the maidservant beside her:
"What are you still standing there for? Go down and save them! Tao'er, go to the main courtyard and report to mother and elder sister."
Xiao Yunya was anxious. It was already the end of August and the weather was getting cold. Shen Qingqing was brought here by her elder sister. What if Shen Qingqing got any illness after falling into the water?
Xue Lin came back to her senses and shook her head in fear, not believing what she saw.
"How did she fall? I didn't use much force, and I didn't even touch her!!"
"Ms. Xue, so many eyes were watching you beat Miss Shen, and you still have to deny it? If you dare to do it, you have to admit it. Do you think so many of us can't see it?"
Someone nearby had long been dissatisfied with Xue Lin's bullying by relying on her family background. A woman in a light red brocade satin skirt stood up and started to accuse Xue Lin. Xue Lin was left with no room for defense when faced with the blatant truth.
"It really wasn't me. I didn't even touch her. She fell down by herself!!"
Xue Lin suddenly realized what had happened and her face turned pale.
"It was Shen Qingqing, she framed me!! I didn't even hit her!!"
At this time, Shen Qingqing had been rescued. She was soaking wet and shivering under the cloak brought by the maid. She turned pale as she listened to Xue Lin's accusations, turned her head away, and cried with gritted teeth.
Shen Qingqing's look made everyone present favor her, especially when they saw the bright red slap mark on Shen Qingqing's pale face, and then looked at Xue Lin's aggressive look, they became even more disgusted.
"Shen Qingqing, you bitch, how dare you slander me!!"
"What's going on?"
The arrival of Madam Xiao and Xiao Yunrou interrupted Xue Lin's angry voice. Seeing Shen Qingqing's expression, Xiao Yunrou's eyebrows twitched. She suppressed her anger and told Hongzhuang:
"Help Miss Cousin to my yard quickly and ask the kitchen to prepare ginger soup."
Xiao Yunrou thought about it. Shen Qingqing did not prepare a second set of clothes for coming to the Xiao Mansion today. She frowned, looked at Xue Lin, and said lightly:
"Miss Xue, please give an explanation to the Zhenyuan Marquis' Mansion about this matter."
Shen Qingqing was someone she brought with her. She was now the wife of the prince of Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion. Xue Lin did this and totally ignored her. Although she didn't like Shen Qingqing, she still wanted to bring her back in good condition. Now that something like this had happened, she didn't know what Shen would say when she returned.
"Mother, I'll take Qingqing back to the yard to wash up first."
Without waiting for Xue Lin's reply, Xiao Yunrou said hello to Madam Xiao and took Shen Qingqing back to the courtyard where she lived before leaving the palace. In short, this matter could not be resolved with a small fight. As she walked, Xiao Yunrou thought about how to tell Shen about this matter and how to deal with the Xue family. Thinking of Madam Xue of the Xue family who spoiled her daughter to the sky and made trouble, Xiao Yunrou sighed helplessly.
The few of them returned to the courtyard, and the maid, following Xiao Yunrou's instructions early in the morning, prepared some hot water and brought it to the bathroom.
"Go take a hot bath to cool off, and I'll bring you some clothes later."
Shen Qingqing nodded weakly, and when her entire body was submerged in the water, a look of triumph appeared on her face.
The other girls in the Xiao Mansion did not have the same body shape as Shen Qingqing, so Xiao Yunrou had no choice but to take out her old clothes. Although they were old clothes, they had only been worn twice, and they were well preserved, so they looked as good as new.
After Shen Qingqing came out and drank the hot ginger soup, she felt refreshed. Only then did Xiao Yunrou start to ask.
"Qingqing, what happened? How did you fall into the lotus pond?"
Although Xiao Yunrou listened to the servant's report, she still wanted to hear what Shen Qingqing had to say so that she could decide what to do next.
"Cousin, it was Xue Lin who started the provocation. I have tried my best to avoid her. Maybe she thought I was interested in Mr. Xiao, so... Cousin, I know that my family background is not worthy of Mr. Xiao, but, I..."
Tears welled up in Shen Qingqing's eyes as she spoke. Xiao Yunrou saw that Shen Qingqing was speaking sincerely and felt really wronged, but she always thought that things were not that simple. She knew that Xue Lin was simple-minded and only knew how to rush forward, but she had one good thing, which was that she dared to take responsibility for her actions. Thinking of what Lvyi had just said about the garden, Xiao Yunrou couldn't help but re-evaluate the cousin in front of her.
"Take a rest first. Your cousin's wife will give you an explanation and will not let you suffer any injustice."
Seeing Shen Qingqing nod in agreement obediently, Xiao Yunrou walked out. Unexpectedly, she saw Xiao Yunyan at the gate of the yard.
Xiao Yunrou glanced at the closed door, walked towards Xiao Yunyan, and asked in a low voice:
"Brother, when I went there I saw you standing on the other side. Did you see clearly what was going on?"
Xiao Yunyan smiled slightly, but a closer look revealed indifference.
"All girls raised in wealthy families are like this. Don't mix with them in the future, Rou'er."
Xiao Yunrou looked at Xiao Yunyan with some confusion, only to see that he remained calm and composed as always.
"I will tell my mother not to make any more arrangements. Over the years, the Changning Marquisate has fallen into decline, but they still look down on our Xiao family and give us everything. I think the situation in the capital should change, and it's time for the Xiao family to revive."
Xiao Yunrou thought about what Xiao Yunyan said for a long time before finally coming to her senses. She looked around the room with a complicated expression, and a trace of sarcasm crossed her face. She had never thought that she had been deceived.
After sending Xiao Yunyan away, Xiao Yunrou also made up her mind that if Shen wanted to act as a bridge and pull strings in the future, she would definitely refuse cleanly, because Shen Qingqing was not a girl from the Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion.
In the afternoon, Xiao Yunrou took Shen Qingqing back to the Zhenyuan Marquis's Mansion. As for Xue Lin, Xiao Yunrou sent Nanny Su to Prime Minister Xue's house to tell her everything she had seen. No matter what the truth was, so many eyes had seen it, and even if she knew that Shen Qingqing was not so clean, she could not say it out loud. Xue Lin was sure to suffer this shameless loss.
The eldest brother would never come out to tell the truth. Xiao Yunrou could only feel sorry that Xue Lin could not prove her innocence and would be accused of a vicious crime in the future. Xiao Yunrou sighed softly. She didn't know how much change today's incident would bring to the future. At this time, she was listening to Shen's angry scolding in Zhining Garden.
The author has something to say: This Xue Lin will be a relatively important supporting character in the later part of the story~
Little angels, can you guess who it is?