Chapter 1785: Chapter 1785

Chapter 1785: 070, Mutual Ridicule_2

Cheng Yuexiu couldn’t help but delight. Today’s gathering, where she served as the host, wasn’t simply to catch up with these people.

Recalling her initial intentions, Cheng Yuexiu no longer subconsciously sought Su Qiuyu’s approval for her actions. Since she was leaving for an arranged marriage next month, why not use this time to frustrate those she disliked?

Cheng Yuexiu’s smile was radiant, loosening the fingers tightly clenched in her palm. When she looked at Yan Ruchun again, there was an unintentional hint of another meaning in her eyes.

“I’ve invited all of you here today to congratulate each of you, naturally. Miss Yan, Eldest Young Master Wei openly embarrassed the Crown Prince of Xiliang and Your Majesty for your sake in front of everyone. You are truly blessed! I’ve long heard that Miss Yan and Eldest Young Master Wei often visit teahouses to enjoy plays together. I thought it was just a rumor, but after the palace banquet incident, it turns out to be true.”

Yan Ruchun’s smile froze, and a cold shadow swept across her brow. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novęlfire.net

This Cheng Yuexiu not only has the skill to flatter but is also adept at slinging mud. Was she implying that Yan Ruchun was being overly familiar with Wei Boyu without an official engagement?

Even though those exact words weren’t spoken, such talk, if spread, could still damage Yan Ruchun’s reputation.

Moreover, her relationship with Wei Boyu was just at the stage where their parents had met; no formal engagement had been agreed upon.

If her reputation were tarnished by such rumors, even if she could marry into the Wei Mansion smoothly in the future, she might not win the favor of her in-laws.

With a cold glance at Cheng Yuexiu, Yan Ruchun laughed mockingly, “Is Princess Hexiu joking? I wonder where she heard this from. I spend my days either at home or Drunken Immortal Tower, and I’ve truly never heard of such a thing. Mu Qing, have you heard?”

Xu Muqing, though simple-hearted, wasn’t foolish. With a slight thought, she grasped the meaning in Yan Ruchun’s words and immediately shook her head, “How would I know? I’m cooped up at home by my mother every day. Even when I go out, it’s with Brother Rong or a few close sisters. I hardly ever meet outsiders, let alone hear them gossip.”

Cheng Yuexiu’s expression turned unpleasant for a brief moment.

Yan Ruchun nodded and then asked Tian Xuan, who naturally shook her head—not that she wanted to help Yan Ruchun, but because she genuinely hadn’t heard anything.

“Yuanyuan, you’re always at Dong Tian and Idle Tea House, surely you’ve heard?”

With a smile, Yan Ruchun winked at Lin Yuan, making Lin Yuan inwardly amused. These two had indeed listened to plays at Idle Tea House—how could she not know?

“Nope. Is such gossip really spreading outside? Tsk tsk, I always thought the hot topics these days were our Idle Tea House’s Journey to the West and Dream of the Red Chamber. Only fools would believe such baseless rumors, right?”

Lin Yuan’s smile was as bright as a flower, but Cheng Yuexiu’s face looked utterly defeated.

The harmonious way these people echoed each other’s sentiments was clearly to assert that proper young ladies wouldn’t hear such gossip. Yet they insisted on asking each one, and in the end, Lin Yuan even indirectly called her a fool!

It was truly infuriating!

Su Qiuyu found them not even worth her attention, her eyes always drifting lazily as if her mind was elsewhere.

Yao Hanai’s eyes flickered, and she was the first to laugh, “Why get angry, Princess Pingxi? Princess Hexiu probably just heard it from the little maids spreading gossip. She hasn’t been out, so naturally, she doesn’t know if these things are true. Miss Yan, don’t take it to heart. As long as you and Eldest Young Master Wei are happy, we sisters are all pleased.”

It’d be strange if they were truly happy!

Yan Ruchun wasn’t the type to let things slide with just a “little maid gossip.” Almost instantly, she returned to her usual sharp-tongued nature.

“Oh? So Princess Hexiu is also someone who doesn’t step out of the house often? That doesn’t seem right. All the ladies in the capital know that Princess Hexiu often paired with the new top scholar, Sir Ma! Tsk tsk, I originally thought Sir Ma would stand up at the palace banquet. Who would’ve thought… but luckily Sir Ma didn’t show up, or how would Miss Cheng have the fortune she has now?”

Cheng Yuexiu’s body shook, nearly collapsing to the ground.

Ma Junying was the deepest pain in her heart, and to have it so mercilessly exposed by Yan Ruchun—how could she not be furious or hurt?