Before long, Madam Yu came over and comforted her, saying:
“Your former mother-in-law is a real handful. She talks badly about you to everyone she meets. I’ve heard Yu Ji mutter about you quite a bit.”
Han Xiufen came today too, but donated a pitifully small amount of money. She kept complaining about being poor and playing the victim, and she spoke ill of Su Wanwan to everyone she met.
However.
At some point, a mysterious rumor began to circulate at the banquet.
It is said that the emperor has a secret lover, who is among the women in the family today.
The crowd's gazes became more discreet as they speculated about the identity of the lover, with Su Wanwan being the most talked-about.
As the rumor spread, it gradually became a hot topic of discussion among the male students in the foreign language department.
Su Wanwan was caught up in rumors and gossip, so she simply stayed in the lounge and never appeared again.
However, Yu Ji, accompanied by a group of women who loved to watch the drama unfold, came directly over and started shouting insults from the doorway.
"Su Wanwan, stop playing the coward and come out here right now!"
Yu Ji grew up in Xuanfu and Datong, and came from a military family. She was fiery and unlike the conventional women in the capital, she only wanted to trample Su Wanwan into the mud to avenge the slap she had just received.
"What, you dare to steal someone but don't dare to admit it? Is this your upbringing?"
More and more people gathered around, and everyone started discussing it.
"Oh dear, flies don't land on eggs without cracks. Miss Su's reputation is probably not unfounded."
"Look at her appearance, she's definitely a reincarnated fox spirit."
"So what if she looks like a vixen? The emperor still didn't want her. She was used for nothing, her reputation was ruined, and her dowry was donated. What future does she have?"
"Who says otherwise? He's a heartless bastard who lets the soup kitchen mix sand into the porridge. Is that something a human being would do?"
Yu Ji listened to the crowd's discussion, her face beaming with pride, and she pounded on the door even louder.
Madam Yu opened the door first, angrily saying, "It was my idea to put sand in the porridge! Why are you all throwing all this mud at Wanwan?!"
"Just because she's beautiful and her family is declining, does that mean you can bully her at will?"
"Wanwan is my sworn sister. Anyone who speaks ill of her is going against me!"
The women watching outside the door fell silent for a moment.
They wouldn't dare to directly contradict the newly appointed Grand Secretary's wife.
Yu Ji didn't recognize Madam Yu and didn't bother arguing with her. With her hands on her hips, she shouted into the house, "Su Wanwan, what are you hiding for? Come out and confront her if you dare!"
Su Wanwan moved gracefully to the door, her gaze calmly sweeping over everyone.
Even the arrogant Yu Ji couldn't help but shrink back when she saw her gaze.
For some reason, she felt that Su Wanwan was not someone to be trifled with, completely unlike her delicate and frail appearance.
What do you want to confront me about?
Su Wanwan looked at Yu Ji calmly.
Yu Ji straightened her back, raised her chin, and looked arrogant:
"I heard you're some important person's lover? How shameless of you to follow him around without any status or recognition?"
Su Wanwan clenched her fists, her face remaining impassive: "Miss Yu, please explain clearly, what kind of important person are you referring to?"
"What benefactor?" Yu Ji scoffed. "Do you have many benefactors?"
"Smack!"
Su Wanwan raised her hand and slapped him again.
"Miss Yu, please be careful with your words."
Yu Ji, covering her red and swollen face, finally snapped and was about to rush over and fight with Su Wanwan, but was stopped by someone.
The scene immediately descended into chaos.
"His Majesty has arrived!" A loud shout came from behind the crowd.
Everyone quickly knelt down to greet them.
The noblewomen watching the spectacle were all secretly grumbling to themselves.
It seems the Emperor really has an affair with Miss Su, as he actually came to protect her personally!
Yu Ji also knelt down with a mocking sneer on her face.
Su Wanwan, now you've truly cemented your reputation as a promiscuous woman!
A handsome figure in a yellow dragon robe slowly approached.
The hem of the robe embroidered with the twelve symbols came into Su Wanwan's lowered eyes.
Su Wanwan closed her eyes.
Waiting for their reputation to completely turn sour.
His appearance at this time is hard to explain.
Proving one's innocence is easier said than done.
Besides, their relationship is not innocent.
There is no proof.
Today, it's ironic that Madam Yu has been dragged down with her and is losing face.
However.
The familiar footsteps didn't stop; instead, they gradually faded into the distance.
Lu Xingjian stopped in front of Yu Ji, whose cheeks were swollen and red, reached out to help her up, and asked in a calm voice, "Who hit you?"
Yu Ji looked up in a daze, staring at the handsome man before her.
Is he the emperor?
So young, so handsome.
She had initially thought the emperor was a greasy old man with a big belly.
He looked at me with such gentle concern...
Could it be that she has taken a liking to me and fallen in love with me at first sight?
It's not impossible.
Someone once said that I am bold and bright, unlike any other woman in the capital, and the most dazzling.
Yu Ji's heart skipped a beat, and tears welled up in her eyes instantly. She raised her hand and pointed in Su Wanwan's direction.
Lu Xingjian's face was extremely cold as he looked in Su Wanwan's direction.
Liu Yu, the Minister of War, who had rushed over from the outer courtyard, immediately stepped forward to apologize: "Your Majesty's presence at my humble abode is an unforgivable offense to your honor. Please forgive me!"
Liu Yu's wife, Lady Qiu, also bowed and apologized: "This humble woman has failed in managing the household properly and was unaware of the mishap that occurred in the inner courtyard. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
Just now, the Grand Princess of Chun'an arrived uninvited, and she was held up, so she didn't have time to deal with the affairs in the backyard for a long time.
Lu Xingjian looked at Liu Yu and Madam Qiu with an expressionless face, exuding a strong sense of oppression.
The atmosphere was quiet and tense, and everyone was terrified.
Especially those few who were making the most sarcastic remarks earlier, their whole bodies were shaking like leaves.
"It's really inappropriate for a young lady to have her face injured like this."
This statement carries a clear sense of condemnation.
Yu Ji breathed a sigh of relief and glanced triumphantly at Su Wanwan.
"Minister Liu, since this is a matter for your household affairs, it is not appropriate for me to interfere."
Lu Xingjian spoke slowly and deliberately, instructing the eunuch behind him, "Please have the imperial physician examine Miss Yu first."
The eunuch responded and left.
Lu Xingjian looked at Yu Ji with gentle eyes again: "Let's go inside and wait for the imperial physician, okay?"
Yu Ji was so excited she almost melted.
Such a high-ranking, noble, and handsome man came to support her and showed her such tender care.
Wow!
He really likes me?!
Yu Ji felt as if she were drunk, her heart pounding wildly.
Her entire face, ears, and neck turned bright red. Mustering her courage, she adopted a delicate, high-pitched voice.
"Could you wait with me?"
Lu Xingjian smiled faintly, his eyes showing a hint of doting: "Okay."
Everyone around was stunned.
It turns out that today's rumors were indeed half true and half false.
The Emperor's mistress was indeed present at the banquet.
It was this Miss Yu!
No wonder Miss Yu is so arrogant, daring to insult Su Wanwan in front of Madam Yang.
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