"So it turns out Second Sister knew about Fourth Prince and Cousin's affair all along," Bai Zheng said leisurely, crossing her arms and adding fuel to the fire.
Bai Di's face paled. She subconsciously glanced at Zheng Yan. Sure enough, Zheng Yan's eyes were cold and menacing. It was obvious that she regarded Bai Di as an accomplice.
Su Muxiao was completely flustered. Her eyes darted around the crowd in circles and suddenly fixed on Bai Yinan.
This uncle was usually the kindest and most easy - going. Su Muxiao's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, she threw herself at Bai Yinan's feet, grabbing the hem of his robe and crying, "Uncle, please save Xiao'er! Xiao'er has been wrongly accused. I didn't do it!"
Lady Lin glared at Su Muxiao angrily. This girl who had just been pouring slander on her precious daughter actually had the nerve to plead with them?
Bai Yinan's face was also ashen. Su Muxiao wanted him to save her, but how could he? Should he say that it was really Bai Zheng who had framed her?
Su Muxiao cried hysterically, desperately clutching at this last straw of hope.
Bai Zheng watched coldly, saying nothing. Bai Di kept her head down and didn't dare to speak casually.
Just when the situation was at a deadlock, Zheng Yan, who had been staring intently at Feng Jingyang, broke free from the Marquis of Gaochang's restraint and slowly stepped forward. She came in front of Feng Jingyang. Her face was calm, but the corners of her eyes were slightly red, as if there were turbulent emotions hidden inside.
Looking down at Feng Jingyang, she said, "Tell me, are you really going to break off the engagement with me for that slut from the Su family?"
Feng Jingyang lowered his head and didn't say a word.
Zheng Yan's fingers, painted with beautiful red nail polish, tightly grasped the edge of her skirt. The redness in her eyes gradually spread. "I want to hear you say it with your own mouth. If you do, I can let you be together."
Feng Jingyang frowned. A flicker of panic flashed across his eyes. He looked up at Zheng Yan and muttered, "If you can accept it, I can take her as a concubine."
"Okay," Zheng Yan replied without hesitation.
"Yan'er!" Princess Pingyang called out anxiously. However, Zheng Yan seemed not to hear her and continued on her own, "I can agree to let Su Muxiao be a concubine, but I have two conditions."
"Speak."
"First, she can only enter the mansion after me. Second, the first heir of the Fourth Prince's mansion must be born to me," Zheng Yan said word by word, her cold and solemn eyes unfathomable.
This Zheng Yan really impressed Bai Zheng.
After all, she was the daughter of the Marquis of Gaochang and Princess Pingyang. After this upheaval, she seemed to have grown up overnight. Taking this opportunity to negotiate with Feng Jingyang, she not only successfully suppressed Su Muxiao but also secured the maximum benefits for herself. Such scheming almost made Bai Zheng want to applaud her.
Su Muxiao became extremely panicked. Her body trembled like a sieve. The outer robe on her body had already fallen off. She didn't care to plead with Bai Yinan anymore. She crawled on her knees in front of Zheng Yan and wailed, "No! Miss Zheng, I don't want to be a concubine! I didn't seduce Fourth Prince. It was Fourth Prince who..."
"Was it Fourth Prince who seduced you? You don't want to be a concubine. Do you still want to be the main wife?" Zheng Yan gritted her teeth. The anger in her heart almost burned her up.
This woman dared to seduce her man. She'd see how she'd torture her in the future!
Princess Pingyang said coldly, "Miss Su might catch a cold like this. Hurry up and help her go down to get dressed." With a wave of her hand, several old maids stepped forward and dragged Su Muxiao away.
Su Muxiao's voice gradually became indistinct. A smile played on Bai Zheng's lips. After today, the reputation of the Second Miss of the Su family was completely ruined.
As Su Muxiao left, everyone's faces returned to calm, but their hearts were in turmoil. The looks they gave Feng Jingyang were strange and faintly showed a hint of disdain.
Seeing that the Marquis of Gaochang and Princess Pingyang were completely focused on Zheng Yan and obviously had no time to care about others, as the Crown Prince, Feng Jingye couldn't just let outsiders laugh at the royal family. So he had to step forward and say,
"Have all the young masters found the pearls? If not, there's still some time. If you want to give up, you can go and wait in the front yard."
Those present naturally understood what Feng Jingye meant. They quickly replied, "We'll go and look for them right away, right away." After saying that, no one dared to stay any longer and rushed away one by one.
Princess Pingyang walked up to Zheng Yan and hugged her lovingly. The Marquis of Gaochang had already composed himself. He walked up to Feng Jingye and Bai Zheng with a normal smile, bowed and said, "It's this marquis's poor management that has spoiled the marriage - seeking banquet of Third Miss Bai. I've failed His Majesty's trust. Please forgive me, Your Highness and Third Miss."
Feng Jingye waved his hand. "Today's incident was caused by my younger brother's rudeness first. It has nothing to do with the Marquis of Gaochang's mansion. The grievance your daughter suffered today, this Crown Prince will surely report it to Father Emperor truthfully and let him decide."
Feng Jingyang suddenly looked up and was about to speak, but Zheng Yan, who was about to go out, turned back and shouted, "Your Highness, please don't!"
Bai Zheng raised her eyebrows and glanced at Feng Jingyang from the corner of her eye. Seeing him let out a sigh of relief, she understood.
This Feng Jingyang was relying on Zheng Yan's affection for him and dared to use her so unscrupulously.
Zheng Yan's face was pale, but her expression was very determined. "Since I've made an agreement with Fourth Prince, this matter is settled. Letting Father Emperor know will only cause more trouble. Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."
Of course, Feng Jingye didn't really want to do anything to Feng Jingyang because of this incident. He just thought that he could mention Bai Di when reporting to Father Emperor and strike at Feng Jingxuan at the same time. Now seeing Zheng Yan's firm attitude, he couldn't help but frown.
Seeing this, Zheng Yan couldn't help but cast a pleading look at her father.
The Marquis of Gaochang knew Zheng Yan's character. He sighed secretly and said, "After all, it was my daughter who was willful first. If this matter reaches Father Emperor's ears, it will also damage my daughter's reputation. If Concubine Zhao has a conflict with Your Highness because of this, it will be my daughter's fault."
Princess Pingyang continued, "Father Emperor has been over - worked for national affairs recently. If such a small matter still troubles him, I'm afraid Father Emperor will be annoyed."
Hearing that Feng Linche might blame him for his inefficiency, Feng Jingye shivered. After weighing the pros and cons, he quickly made a decision. "Aunt is right. Let's just let this matter go. Fourth Brother, you should treat Miss Zheng well in the future and don't let down her infatuation."
Feng Jingyang lowered his eyes, nodded, and then retreated.
The room fell into silence for a while. Feng Linyuan suddenly stood up, dusted the hem of his robe and said,
"This marquis has safely escorted Third Miss Bai here, so the task is successfully completed. This marquis is a bit thirsty. I'll go to the front yard for a cup of tea. I'll take my leave first." After saying that, he walked out leisurely.
Hearing this, Feng Jingye just remembered Bai Zheng with the sprained foot. He quickly asked with concern, "Miss Bai, is your foot injury serious? Do you need to call a doctor?"