The Second Elder's words clearly sided with Xu Yuehuai, and everyone fell silent. Those who had been shouting the loudest were now speechless, hiding behind everyone else, remaining silent and behaving like quails.
Seeing that all the momentum he had worked so hard to build up had vanished because of a few words from the Second Elder, Su Chen said resentfully, "Second Elder, you say you know very well, but do you know that it was Senior Brother Fu who exposed this matter?"
"If Senior Brother Fu hadn't brought it up himself, no one would have known about this. It would be a laughing stock if word got out." Su Chen said, gesturing with his hands to the sides to make his words sound less monotonous.
"Little brat, I'm still standing here. You're trying to bully my disciple right under my nose. Are you trying to blatantly slap me in the face?" The Fifth Elder stepped forward with a forced smile. He usually had the image of a playful old man, but now that he was serious, his face carried a somewhat frightening expression.
Su Chen choked, his fists clenched tightly at his sides, as if he had suffered a great humiliation.
Song Xin's smile froze. Things were not going as she had planned. Xu Yuehuai's actions had not aroused the Second Elder's annoyance or everyone's reprimand. For a moment, everything was going in the opposite direction of her expectations, and she felt an indescribable anger.
No one paid for her anger; everyone had their own thoughts, and Xu Yuehuai had never done anything like this before.
Looking back, she did say things like to follow the rules and not break them, but this time it was when Fu Ziyi wanted to provoke others that she said to abide by the rules, which caused Fu Ziyi to hold a grudge against her for a long time.
She watched the whole thing with Yu Ze on the sidelines without getting involved, but as some people spread the word, things that didn't happen became things. She gave a bitter smile, her eyes filled with helplessness and bitterness.
Fu Ziyi glanced at Xu Yuehuai, seemingly thinking of something as well, and continued, "However, junior brother, I haven't heard of the situation you mentioned. I have heard a little about another situation, which is that our senior sister is impartial and incorruptible. When I wanted to challenge someone multiple times, she ruthlessly refused me, saying that it was the rule and that the rule had to be followed. What do you think..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but anyone with eyes could tell what was going on.
What just happened was completely fabricated and pieced together. Everyone here is an old man who has worked hard all his life. They can easily understand this little bit of petty stuff.
An eerie silence fell over the scene. Su Chen glanced around and noticed the disdain in everyone's eyes. He quickly tried to cover it up, "That's not how it is. I didn't do that. I just heard it from others..."
Seeing this, Song Xin cursed the idiot in her heart, but she had no choice but to step forward and help cover up the lie, otherwise Su Chen would expose her if he got anxious. "Alright, this matter is cleared up. It was just a misunderstanding. Today is Senior Brother Yu Ze's funeral, so it's best not to talk about these unrelated things."
...
Just when everyone thought the matter was going to end without a trace, and everything was over, and it was time for Yu Ze to be buried and leave, the Second Elder suddenly spoke up: "I didn't say much earlier because I was worried about delaying the funeral. Now, I want to stand up and say something fair for Xiao Xu. Shouldn't you people who wronged and slandered her apologize to her?"
"Or do you think that some things and words can be said without considering the consequences or the outcome?" The Second Elder's words left everyone present dumbfounded. Hadn't everyone said that what happened earlier was over? Why were they starting to pursue it again now?
Xu Yuehuai hadn't defended herself at all, but now, hearing the Second Elder speak up for her, she was shocked; this was an outcome she hadn't expected.
Even if the Second Elder hadn't said anything, and she hadn't had any particular thoughts, he still stepped forward.
Su Chen lowered his head, unwilling to look up or face reality, hiding in the crowd. For a moment, the crowd was eerily quiet, somewhat similar to when he first arrived here.
But as time passed, the Second Elder showed no intention of being lenient and was determined to make Su Chen and the others apologize to Xu Yuehuai in front of everyone.
In the end, even if they didn't step forward, the disdainful looks from those around them were enough to make them suffer. Su Chen couldn't stand being stared at like that, so he stood at the front and apologized to Xu Yuehuai.
Su Chen was the mastermind behind this incident. Since the mastermind had apologized, there was no need for the other underlings to insist. They all stood in neat rows and bowed to Xu Yuehuai in apology.
Seeing this, the Second Elder's lips curled into a rare smile. He and Xu Yuehuai exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.
In the end, the matter came to a conclusion. Song Xin's plan failed, but it actually gave Xu Yuehuai a good reputation, letting everyone know that she was a fair and honest senior sister.
Yi Zhuo didn't go to the scene. With Ji Yuanchi there, she didn't want to see that woman for the time being. She was waiting for the sect competition, when she would truly meet Ji Yuanchi. She would use her strength to show Ji Yuanchi that she could live a good life without her.
"Alright, don't be angry. This is nothing to make you so upset. The competition is in three days. This year's senior sister is Xu Yuehuai. This is her first time doing something like this. There will be so many people there, and so many sects will be gathered together. Who knows what might happen!" Yi Zhuo put one hand on Song Xin's back to comfort her.
But there was a dark glint in her eyes; her thoughts were simple and clear.
...
After the incident, Xu Yuehuai took Aqing and Shi Mu back to the mountain peak. Aqing stood up for Xu Yuehuai, saying, "Those people really can't tell right from wrong. I was standing behind them and kept saying what they said, but no one believed me at all. A bunch of trash!"
Ah Qing was furious and immediately started swearing.
Shi Mu's face turned red with anger. Xu Yuehuai felt a warmth in her heart as she watched the two of them act like this. "Alright, there's nothing to say about this. They're just clowns."
When Xu Yuehuai returned, she didn't see Qi Guze at first glance. She was a little puzzled. She went to the kitchen, wondering if Qi Guze wanted to make her something to eat, but when she looked around, the kitchen was empty.
Xu Yuehuai returned to her room. Qi Guze was lying neatly on the bed, his brows furrowed, as if he were going through something very painful. Xu Yuehuai walked over to Qi Guze and looked at him with a hint of worry in her eyes.
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