Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 506 - 504

Chapter 506: Chapter 504

When Li Mingfang found herself alone, surrounded by people looking at her as if she were a criminal, she couldn’t help but blush, no matter how thick-skinned she usually was.

However, having previously led troops in battle, she wouldn’t simply run away in embarrassment, considering the consequences of Zhao Youwei getting a wrong impression of her.

Bracing herself, she stepped forward and said, "Lord of Rui’an County, Mr. Zhao... We didn’t do it on purpose just now. It was a misunderstanding caused by the maid’s words. Thankfully, the truth is now clear. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the nerve to face you."

"There’s no hiding three hundred taels of silver here!" said Zhao Minhua scornfully.

"You don’t need to explain anything to me. I’m fully aware of what’s really going on," said Zhao Youwei.

Li Mingfang: does this mean he believes that this situation is none of his concern, or rather his concern?

Confused, Li Mingfang wanted to ask for clarification but was afraid that the truth might be hard to bear, so she comforted herself with the thought that he trusted her.

"Enough. Whether it was intentional or not, no one should bring this up again!" said Shangguan Ruixi, turning to his followers.

They all eagerly wanted to please Shangguan Ruixi, so they agreed to whatever he proposed.

Shangguan Ruixi turned to Li Mingfang, "I used to think Miss Li showed a rare spirit of independence, ignoring trivial matters unlike other women. I now see that..."

He stopped there, leaving his sentence hanging in the air. Everyone seemed to have an idea of what he might say, but nobody was sure.

Shaking his head, Shangguan Ruixi finished, "Both of you are women, you should understand the importance of reputation to a woman! Misunderstandings like this, which might tarnish a woman’s reputation, should never be instigated so casually. It could utterly ruin a woman’s life. Miss Li, remember, this is not a battlefield."

Li Mingfang felt utterly humiliated by Shangguan Ruixi’s words. She had decided she couldn’t stay any longer, so she made an excuse and ran off!

Xiao’er, disgusted with seeing everyone scatter, grew increasingly annoyed with these troublemakers.

She realized that Chu Die was behind this mess.

If Chu Die chose to waste her time bothering Xiao’er, then Xiao’er wouldn’t mind making Chu Die’s life a little "busier"!

"My lady, I’ve heard Miss Chu is engaged," Xiao’er nudged.

Fu Ranhui caught on and continued, "Yes, that’s right. But I’ve forgotten who she’s engaged to. Poor boy, he’ll be stuck with this troublemaker. I can’t help worrying about their future domestic harmony..." She let her sentence trail off.

Everyone grasped the implication that went unsaid.

Sympathetic glances were exchanged among bystanders who had witnessed the scene, landing on a man, his face either blanched with anger or fear.

Overwhelmed by their sympathetic stares, he saw no choice but to make an excuse and run away.

He had to return home and persuade his mother to call off the engagement, not to mention Chu Die’s uncertain actions. What if she was cheating on him, and he didn’t discover it until after their marriage?

Shangguan Ruixi shot his cousin a look but said nothing.

Even if the Lady of Rui’an County could only be considered half-royalty, she was not a person to be bullied.

With the drama over, everyone began to excuse themselves.

After everyone had left, Zhao Youwei apologized to Xiao’er, "I’m sorry for almost dragging you into this mess."

Xiao’er waved him off, "It’s not your fault. The wronged party blames the perpetrator, not the messenger. I understand what happened."

Relieved, Zhao Youwei thanked Xiao’er and excused himself to leave, sparing himself from any further embarrassment.

His sister, Zhao Minhua, showed concern, "Do you think Chu Die could be jilted?"

"Who cares? She’s gotten what she deserves." Fu Ranhui replied dismissively.

"But, could this mess up her marital prospects..."

"Enough! I don’t want to hear anymore about it! We’re not meddling with her love life. We’re saving that man’s life! He would be miserable if he only found out about Chu Die’s trouble-making nature after their marriage. So, we’re not love-saboteurs. We’re helping him escape from hell! We’re doing a good deed!"

Zhao Minhua looked shocked at Fu Ranhui’s eloquence. When did she become such a smooth talker?

Despite her flawed logic, Zhao Minhua felt drawn into her argument and thought Fu Ranhui was saving the world.

Shangguan xxx found herself praising Fu Ranhui internally. If Fu Ranhui were in the modern world, she would be a champion debater.

Seeing the conflicted look on Zhao Minhuan’s face, Xiao’er said, "Breakups don’t happen so easily. They involve the interests of two families. Chu Die’s family wouldn’t break off the engagement over something so minor. What will happen, though, is that the man’s family will be more cautious. Mrs. Chu will be watching Chu Die much more closely, preventing her from causing further ruckus. "

Things went exactly as Xiao’er predicted. Chu Die’s engagement was not called off. After a hint from the man’s family, Mrs. Chu punished Chu Die by not allowing her to leave the house until after the wedding. Chu Die spent her day imprisoned in her room, embroidering her dowry, and learning about manners.

She wasn’t even married yet, and her future husband’s family was already fed up with her. How would she live the rest of her life?!

Upon hearing Xiao’er’s words, Zhao Minhua felt completely relieved. Although she was still annoyed with Chu Die’s for trying to trick her brother, the guilt of indirectly causing her to lose her fiance forced her to worry.

"Alright, let’s stop worrying about whether she’ll get dumped and move onto more important matters. Xiao’er, how do you make latte art milk tea? Will you teach me?"

"Of course, I’m grateful for your help earlier. Or else, I would have been in deep trouble," said Xiao’er, heading back to the tea table.

"Even if I hadn’t come forward, others would have. Nevertheless, I’m flattered that you sought me out for help when you were in a pickle. But do you think the Sixth Prince would get jealous knowing that?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er wished she could take back her earlier promise to teach Fu Ranhui.

Fu Ranhui definitely mentioned Shangguan Xuanyi on purpose. That jealous man, aware of her need for help, would undoubtedly be unhappy if she didn’t ask him first!

Fu Ranhui carefully savored the heart-shaped milk tea before saying, "Hmm, it’s so sweet and delicious! I can’t fathom how your brain works to come up with things that no one else could."

"Is it really that delicious?" Zhao Minhua glanced at the remaining cup and swallowed.