Autumn colors spread across the landscape, and sunlight streamed in from the eaves of the General's Mansion, creating a beautiful scene.
And what I saw before my eyes...
It's really not pretty.
General Xie was a martial man after all, and his strength was far superior to that of Second Aunt. The slap he had just given Miaoqiao had left half of her head swollen.
However, those mouths continued to point fingers at the second concubine.
When things get really heated, even the most trivial and disgusting things will be brought up.
"General, you must believe me, believe me..." Miao Qiao knelt pitifully on the ground, "All of this was forced upon me by Second Aunt. I am the most pitiful and innocent person."
"Miaoqiao, shut up! What grudge do you have against me that you would frame me like this?" The second concubine was also flustered. Now all she could think about was not letting Miaoqiao say anything more. However, when she saw General Xie's dark face, she couldn't move an inch.
"General, General, don't listen to this vile servant girl..."
"Since you know she is a lowly servant, why would you mistake her for Ling Qin?" General Xie's voice rang out like iron.
The sharp and oppressive light made the second aunt's breath catch in her throat.
"Father……"
"Shut up!" General Xie shouted in a deep voice.
Xie Lingyu, who was about to plead for them, froze on the spot.
The courtyard fell silent for a moment.
The old woman who had first discovered the matter also lowered her head, like a frightened bird.
Beside them, Lady Jingzhao and Huo Yanru exchanged a glance, swallowed hard, and remained silent.
Wang Renyi's expression was particularly complicated.
On the other hand, Prince Xian, Yuwen Xian, stood to the side, his brows furrowed in bewilderment, unable to grasp the inexplicable feeling in his heart.
He was actually somewhat relieved to find that it wasn't Xie Lingqin.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, Zihe looked at her young lady, who remained motionless and as straight as a pine tree, and wondered why she hadn't gone out at this hour.
Walking out like this would be an even bigger embarrassment to the second aunt.
“Not enough.” Xie Lingqin turned her head to meet Zihe’s gaze. “Now that things have come to this, let’s see where my bottom line as a good father lies.”
Zihe was somewhat confused.
"Guards, take this servant away!" General Xie's forehead veins throbbed as he finally issued the order with a heavy tone.
She looked up at the sky and sighed, seemingly never expecting that her usually gentle and dignified second aunt would do so many things.
"Huh?" Miao Qiao panicked when she heard this.
No, no.
"General, General, also, it was Second Aunt who deliberately arranged for me to be by the young master's side. She said that as long as I was obedient, she would allow me to become the young master's concubine. In the future, when she becomes the mistress of the General's Mansion, she will definitely ensure my wealth and honor. She also told me to speak ill of the eldest young lady in front of the young master, so that the relationship between the young master and the eldest young lady would become even worse."
Miao Qiao burst into tears, now desperately trying to save her life, leaving no stone unturned.
In the shadows, Xie Lingqin smiled softly.
Finally, she straightened her sleeves, gestured to Zihe, and walked out from behind the big tree.
"Huh, what's going on?" Xie Lingqin asked from afar, filled with great confusion.
Everyone turned around at the sound.
Under that ray of sunlight, a young girl in a simple blue dress walked slowly towards them.
Her eyes shone brightly, her features were exquisite, and she was slender and aloof. With a slight smile, she seemed to distance herself from the flowers and trees behind her, filtering out the bustling scenery. The distant mountains were green and blue, leaving only her graceful and upright figure.
So harmless, yet perfectly detached and aloof.
Those were the pure white chrysanthemums of early autumn, a fragrance that could not be captured on the branches of a cliff.
Yuwen Xian's pupils contracted, and his fingers tightened unconsciously.
Why? Looking at it this way, Xie Lingqin is actually quite good-looking.
The second aunt and Xie Lingyu were furious when they saw Xie Lingqin, and almost couldn't help but step forward and grab her.
They didn't believe that this had nothing to do with her.
"Miss." From the side, Tridacna's little face lit up with joy, and she immediately lowered her head and came forward to greet her.
"What's wrong?" Xie Lingqin asked, looking at the giant clam.
“This…” Tridacna glanced at General Xie before telling Xie Lingqin everything that had happened here.
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingqin looked at General Xie with a surprised and shocked expression, feeling quite aggrieved and indignant. "Father, although I lost my birth mother at a young age and am not good at poetry, literature, or music, I should know about propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame. How could I have done such a thing?"
General Xie was ultimately in the wrong.
He had already planned to give up on her, but unexpectedly, it wasn't her who committed the shameful act with the young master Xu from the Ministry of Works, but a maid. His old face began to tremble with shame. "Lingqin, you are my daughter, of course I know. This whole affair is..."
What are they? General Xie's gaze fell on his second concubine and Miao Qiao. His fingers twitched, but he couldn't say anything.
Because Wang Renyi was still there.
Xie Lingqin appeared. What else could he not understand? Today's events were not orchestrated by the Second Madam. Rather, it was a scheme devised by her after she saw that it was Miaoqiao who had committed such a disgraceful act with Young Master Xu, and this was a way to frame Xie Lingqin.
He was utterly disappointed in his second concubine, but Wang Renyi was her nephew, the newly crowned runner-up in the martial arts examination, and the Vice Minister of War. He was a valuable asset in restoring the General's Mansion to its former glory. If he punished his second concubine now, there was still Xie Lingyu...
This will inevitably create discord.
Furthermore, the Wise King also has feelings for Lingyu.
It's true that a small change can have far-reaching consequences!
But when he met Xie Lingqin's soft, furry eyes, he, as a father, felt guilty for the first time in his life.
Moreover, if we don't make an example of him, wouldn't Wang Renyi think that Xie Mingyi is really so afraid of him and trying to curry favor with him?
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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