"When Zheng'er came back, Young Master Chu happened to be at the gate of the Bai Mansion to break off the engagement. I saw Second Aunt crying so pitifully that I stepped forward to comfort her. When Zheng'er saw this, she actually said in front of everyone that I... that I..."
At this point, Bai Di's tears welled up again, looking extremely pitiful.
Madam He wasn't particularly affected by Bai Zheng's return. She just asked anxiously, "What did she say about you in front of everyone?"
"She actually... said that I had an improper relationship with Young Master Chu! That it was all because I seduced him that he came to break off the engagement..." Bai Di looked more and more aggrieved, ashamed and angry as she spoke.
"Zheng'er actually said such things? She's really something!" Madam He's eyes turned cold. "A girl's reputation is of utmost importance. She's so vicious to slander you like this."
"How could Zheng'er say such things? If these words reach the ears of His Highness the Third Prince... How could the royal family marry a girl with a damaged reputation!" Madam Zhao grew anxious.
Hearing the name of Feng Jingye, His Highness the Third Prince, Madam He frowned deeply. "His Highness the Third Prince won't believe such nonsense, right?"
"Rumors are more terrifying than tigers. I'm afraid His Highness the Third Prince will really dislike me because of this..." Bai Di said helplessly with tears in her eyes.
Hearing this, Madam He's eyes were like floating ice on the water, getting colder and colder. She suddenly slapped the table and roared, "Grandma will never forgive her!"
...
The carriage wheels rolled over the icy road until it stopped at the gate of the General's Mansion.
Bai Zheng was helped out of the carriage by Zhuling. Her sky - blue embroidered shoes with orchid patterns stepped over the gate of the General's Mansion. Just as she was about to head towards Bai Yizhang's study, she was stopped by a shrill voice.
"You still have the nerve to come here!"
Bai Di, who had just come out of the Baifu Hall, tore off her previous helpless and pitiful disguise. With an angry face, she strode towards Bai Zheng. The afterglow of the setting sun shone behind her, and the hairpins on her head jingled, making Bai Zheng blink when she looked back.
Such a beauty. No wonder Feng Jingxuan and Chu Feng were both smitten with her.
When Bai Di got closer, Bai Zheng smiled and said, "Zheng'er came to look for Second Sister. You left something at my place the other day. Zheng'er came here specially to return it today."
"You still have the time to return something?" Bai Di raised her eyebrows. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she frowned and said, "I didn't leave anything behind."
Bai Zheng curled her lips into a smile. "Zheng'er found it in Father's study. At first, I didn't recognize it as yours, but Uncle Fu said that apart from Second Sister, no outsider has come to our Bai Mansion these days. So I thought it must be something you left behind."
Bai Di's face changed several times. She seemed to be caught off - guard by Bai Zheng's words. Stuttering, she asked, "W - what thing?"
Second Uncle had just been thrown into prison, and the General's Mansion had just received the news. How could Bai Zheng come so quickly? Didn't she just come back?
Bai Zheng stared closely at Bai Di, not missing any subtle change on her face. After a while, she smiled lightly. Her laughter was as delicate as freshly fallen snow. "It seems Second Sister has a poor memory."
As she spoke, she slowly took out a piece of embroidered satin from her sleeve. The black words inside were clearly visible. It was obviously a letter.
The more Bai Zheng pulled it out, the paler Bai Di's face became.
Wasn't Second Uncle in prison? How could this letter not be found? Did Bai Zheng know something?
Her face grew paler and paler, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably. Subconsciously, she shouted, "T - this isn't mine!"
Bai Zheng stopped what she was doing. She understood in her heart. Her Second Sister was still too young and couldn't keep her composure. Such a simple test had already revealed everything.
"How do you know it's not yours when you haven't even seen what it is, Second Sister?" The smile on Bai Zheng's lips deepened, but she changed her action and took out a handkerchief instead.
"Look, Second Sister. Isn't this the handkerchief you left behind?"
Bai Di was stunned. She stared blankly for a while. Suddenly, as if realizing something, she suddenly looked up. A cold light flashed in her eyes. "Bitch, you're playing with me!"
Bai Zheng looked innocent. "I'm not. Isn't this Second Sister's handkerchief?"
Zhuling lowered her head and said, "Miss must be distracted because of Master's matter and misrecognized the handkerchief. Please forgive her, Second Miss!"
"Forgive what? I think you're clearly playing with me on purpose!" Bai Di interrupted sharply.
Bai Zheng sneered imperceptibly. She didn't want to waste any more time on this. She curtsied slightly and said, "Second Sister misunderstood. Uncle has something to attend to. Zheng'er doesn't dare to be negligent. I'll take my leave first and apologize to Second Sister next time."
Saying this, she ignored Bai Di, who hadn't recovered yet, and headed towards the study of the General's Mansion on her own.
"Bai Zheng, you bitch. You're bold!" Behind her, Bai Di roared hysterically, and her nails painted with red nail polish dug into her flesh.
Bai Zheng, who had reached the door of the study, gently shook off the snow on her shoulders. She listened to the steward Bai Shou's report. "Third Miss, Master said he knows what you're here for. He just sent someone to inquire. Second Master has already been taken to the Supreme Court, and he can do nothing... You'd better go back."
Bai Zheng wasn't surprised by this rejection at all.
Her bright eyes looked at Bai Shou, and the faint smile on her lips was barely noticeable. "Uncle Shou misunderstood. Zheng'er came to see Uncle not to plead for Father, but to save the General's Mansion."