Xie Jingchu calmed down.
Thinking it over, he had been in a long - time secret struggle with Xie Jingming and had overlooked the third branch of the family.
Everyone thought Xie Xiu was an obedient person.
Unexpectedly, he had also secretly harbored ambitions.
But Xie Xiu should never have had the idea of dealing with Ruan Jiu.
"A Jiu, I won't let you be framed for nothing."
"I've already had a plan for this." Ruan Jiu raised an eyebrow. "However, I still need Fourth Master's help for this matter."
Xie Jingchu gave a knowing smile.
He knew it.
Ruan Jiu would eat anything but never wanted to suffer a loss.
"Aren't you afraid that it was really me who leaked it?" Ruan Jiu asked.
Xie Jingchu shook his head, his eyes filled with a gentle smile.
"Of course I trust my A Jiu."
Even if she said the sky was yellow, the water was red, and the grass was blue.
He would believe it without a doubt.
Early the next morning, the news that Ruan Jiu had been scolded by Xie Jingchu spread throughout the entire Xie Mansion.
With a "bang" sound.
Ruan Jiu was blocked outside the door, her eyes red, and tears welling up in her eyes.
She bit her lips desperately to hold back the tears.
Just then, Xie Qinghuan came running with a cheerful step.
Early in the morning, she heard from the servants that Ruan Jiu had gone to Xie Jingchu's room to plead.
After a while, there came a series of smashing sounds and scolding from the room.
Judging from the sound, a lot of things seemed to have been smashed.
This was the first time Uncle Four had lost his temper with Ruan Jiu. She couldn't miss this good show.
The scene in front of her didn't disappoint her.
It was worth running here in a hurry without even having breakfast.
"Yo, isn't this the cousin girl that Uncle Four cares about the most? Why are you locked outside the door?"
Ruan Jiu was already used to Xie Qinghuan's sarcastic remarks.
She just gave a slight glance and ignored her.
Seeing Ruan Jiu in a difficult situation, Xie Qinghuan became even more excited.
She raised her voice and said, "Could it be that you really leaked the craft drawing, which is why you were scolded by Uncle Four?"
Xie Qinghuan was just saying it casually at first, but unexpectedly, Ruan Jiu looked nervous and dodged her eyes.
A flash of inspiration crossed her mind. Could it be that she had really guessed right?
Overjoyed in her heart, "Hahaha, Ruan Jiu, you actually did such a thing. You just wait to be kicked out of the mansion!"
Xie Qinghuan raised her voice several degrees, wishing that everyone could hear it.
As the eldest miss of the prestigious Xie family, she was inferior to this picked - up orphan in every aspect.
She had been itching with anger in her heart for a long time and wished to drive her out of the mansion.
"You... you're talking nonsense!"
Obviously, there was less confidence in Ruan Jiu's tone.
"Then why did Uncle Four drive you out of the room?" Xie Qinghuan pressed on.
"That's because... because..." Ruan Jiu stammered and nervously clenched her fists.
She was evasive in her words and couldn't utter a single word.
This made Xie Qinghuan even more certain that it was Ruan Jiu who had leaked the craft drawing.
"Because it was you who leaked the craft drawing to others, which has brought the silk shop to such a state."
As soon as these words were spoken.
The servants standing by, eavesdropping on the argument between the two, were greatly surprised and stared with wide eyes.
They whispered to each other.
"I didn't expect the cousin girl to be such a person. No wonder Fourth Master was so angry."
"If it were me, I would also be angry. The old master was so kind to her and even betrothed her to the eldest young master."
"I heard that the cousin girl was picked up from outside. For her face, they just claimed that she was a distant cousin girl."
"No wonder she would do such a thing. She is just a low - born person at heart."
...
Everyone was very certain and showed contempt on their faces.
Ruan Jiu was extremely ashamed. She glared at Xie Qinghuan resentfully.
Then she covered her face and ran away.
Xie Qinghuan proudly raised her head, a sneer on her lips.
Ruan Jiu, let's see how you still have the face to stay in the Xie Mansion.
As expected, within just one morning, the news that Ruan Jiu had betrayed her master spread throughout the entire mansion.
"Huan'er, is this really true?"
At lunchtime, in the courtyard of the eldest branch, Xie Jing looked incredulous.
Was he really right?
Xie Qinghuan nodded repeatedly. "I even tricked this out of her."
After saying that, Xie Qinghuan raised her head proudly, expecting to be praised.
Unexpectedly, instead of praise, she was severely scolded by Xie Yanchuan.
"Nonsense! A Jiu is not such a person."
Stared at fiercely by Xie Yanchuan, Xie Qinghuan looked extremely aggrieved.
She put down her chopsticks and took Xu Qing's arm. "Mother, look at brother! He believes that bitch Ruan Jiu but not me!"
Xu Qing gently patted Xie Qinghuan's hand and comforted her, "Okay, Huan'er. However, we can't make wild speculations about this matter."
Xie Jing also nodded. After all, leaking the craft drawing was a big deal.
Seeing that no one believed her, Xie Qinghuan immediately said, "It's true! Although Ruan Jiu didn't admit it personally, her eyes were full of guilt. Everyone in Uncle Four's yard saw it!
Moreover, Uncle Four has always doted on Ruan Jiu. If she hadn't done something harmful to the Xie family, why would Uncle Four be so angry with her!"
After hearing this, Xie Jing frowned tightly.
He couldn't help but nod. "What Huan'er said makes sense."
"Absolutely impossible!" Xie Yanchuan slapped the table and gasped for breath.
"I'll go and ask for a clear answer!"
After saying that, he immediately stood up and ran out of the door without even finishing his meal.
Xu Qing helplessly shook her head, and a sense of uneasiness rose in her heart.
She looked at Xie Jing with a complicated expression. "Could it be that Yan'er has feelings for that girl Ruan?"
At this time, Xie Jing also realized that Yan'er's behavior had indeed been abnormal recently.
It wouldn't have mattered if this incident hadn't happened.
Now, judging from Xie Jingchu's reaction, it seemed that he also wanted to draw a clear line from the girl Ruan.
It seemed that they had to bring up the matter of annulling the engagement between Yan'er and the girl Ruan to the old master as soon as possible.
Early this morning, Ruan Jiu had eaten too much in Xie Jingchu's room.
Seeing that it was already noon, she didn't feel the slightest bit hungry.
So she moved the armchair into the yard and lay on it.
Closing her eyes, she leisurely enjoyed the rare winter sunshine.
Just then, Xie Yanchuan rushed in.
"They said it was you who leaked the craft drawing. Is it true?"
Hearing Xie Yanchuan's voice, Ruan Jiu slowly opened her eyes.
Her rare leisure was suddenly disturbed, and her eyes were full of annoyance.
"Why do you care about this?" Ruan Jiu replied irritably.
"Tell me, did you really do it!"
Xie Yanchuan looked earnest. After getting along with her for these days, he absolutely didn't believe that Ruan Jiu was a disloyal person.
But Xie Qinghuan was so certain that he couldn't help but believe it.
Ruan Jiu rolled her eyes, twisted her body to find a comfortable position, and then went back to sleep.
Seeing that Ruan Jiu didn't say a word, Xie Yanchuan was stunned.
He gritted his teeth and said, "A Jiu, of course I believe you.
But... but if you really did something to betray the Xie family, I... I..."
Xie Yanchuan hesitated.
Ruan Jiu lifted her eyelids and gave a slight glance.
She disdained to explain to those who didn't trust her.
Moreover, she had her own plan in mind.
So, she said indifferently, "Just weighing the pros and cons."
As soon as these words were spoken, Xie Yanchuan was extremely shocked.
He took several steps back, his expression complicated.
Finally, after a long sigh, he left angrily.
Looking at Xie Yanchuan's departing back, a sneer tugged at Ruan Jiu's lips.
Xie Yanchuan's every word and deed made Xie Jingchu's unconditional trust even more precious.