Madam Fu was well - versed in the art of dealing with people. Many ladies noticed her embarrassment and came over to console the princess, hoping that she would just let it go.
The princess's gaze was icy cold. "It seems that I'll have to enter the palace and ask Her Majesty the Queen to intervene! Zhao Zhao, send someone to inform the prince in the front that we'll return to the mansion first. And now, submit a memorial to enter the palace."
Madam Qin inwardly groaned. Today was a banquet hosted by the Qin family. It was already distressing that things had turned out so ugly. To alarm the gentlemen in the front would be even worse.
She braced herself and said, "Your Highness is absolutely right. Since this incident happened in our Qin family, we surely can't let it pass lightly. Our Qin family is a family of nobility. We'll never allow someone to bully a young girl and do nothing about it. Madam Zhao, your embroidery skills are among the best in the capital. Please come and take a look. See whose embroidery this is."
Madam Zhao came over and picked up the silk handkerchief, examining it carefully. Some maids had already gone to Lu Wanning and Shi Aohan to ask for their embroidery works. But Madam Zhao waved her hand. "No need. I've seen the embroidery of the princess and Miss Shi. This kind of skill could only be Miss Shi's. However..."
Before she could finish, Shi Aohan had already gone pale. She stepped forward and knelt on the ground, crying out, "Please stop, Madam Zhao. Please stop. I admit that the embroidered handkerchief is mine, and the purse too. It's all mine. I confess everything. Please stop."
Tears streamed down her face like broken beads. She crawled forward on her knees, her trembling hand outstretched. "Madam Zhao, please return the embroidered handkerchief to me..."
Lu Wanning let out a soft sigh and reached out to hold the princess's hand. "Mother, I don't want to stay here. Let's go."
The princess, seeing Shi Aohan's pitiful state, also felt a bit soft - hearted. Hearing her daughter's words, she naturally agreed. She helped her daughter up with her own hands and said to Madam Qin, "My daughter was frightened today. We can't continue to congratulate you. I hope you won't take it amiss."
Just as they were about to leave, Fu Rongxuan rushed over. Seeing Shi Aohan's delicate appearance, he only turned his head and berated Lu Wanning, pointing at her. "What have you done to Aohan again?"
Zhen Yan was extremely angry. She stepped forward and slapped Fu Rongxuan's hand. "What are you talking about? Your younger brother did something disgraceful and framed Ning'er. Now you're trying to shift the blame too?"
Behind them, Shi Aohan let out a soft cry and fainted to the ground.
Fainting. It was really a commonly used and effective trick.
Lu Wanning frowned and wanted to leave. But the princess and Madam Wei all turned back, and the crowd became noisy. For a moment, it was not easy to just leave like this. Lu Wanning bypassed the crowd and wanted to wait outside.
Fu Rongxuan rushed over and picked up Shi Aohan. He turned back and shouted, "Lu Wanning, you've hurt Aohan. You're not going anywhere! Someone, stop her!"
The princess flew into a rage. "How dare you!"
Shi Aohan opened her eyes and weakly leaned against Fu Rongxuan's arms. "My lord, you've misunderstood the princess. It's not her..."
Fu Rongxuan hugged Shi Aohan tightly. "Aohan, you're so kind and beautiful. Besides her, who else would be willing to hurt you? She treated you like this, but you still repay her with kindness. Aohan, in this life, I'll never let you down."
The two were so lovey - dovey that a scholar who disliked Fu Rongxuan couldn't help but say, "Oh, my lord, don't speak too soon. You won't let her down, but you don't know that she may have already let you down. Look at that embroidered handkerchief in front of her. It's the token of love between her and your younger brother."
Fu Rongxuan looked at the embroidered handkerchief doubtfully. He recognized that it was embroidered by Shi Aohan. His heart sank, and he lowered his head to look at Shi Aohan's face.
Shi Aohan shook her head desperately. "No, my lord. I didn't. How could I do such a thing? I..."
She looked like she had no way to defend herself. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she gritted her teeth and pushed Fu Rongxuan away. "My lord, just think that I've let you down. Just think that I'm such a woman."
Fu Rongxuan refused to believe it. He pulled her back into his arms. Regardless of the strange looks from the people around, he continued affectionately, "No, I believe you, Aohan. I said that you're mine. From now on, I'll never doubt you again. Don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll always stand by your side. I don't believe in any worldly etiquette. I only believe in you."
Shi Aohan was also deeply touched. She reached out and stroked Fu Rongxuan's face, responding affectionately, "My dear..."
Even from a distance, Lu Wanning felt goosebumps all over her body. These two, the scumbag and the slut, were really invincible. They were an eyesore. It was better to leave quickly.
Madam Zhao, perhaps moved by this loving couple, cleared her throat and said loudly, "Although the embroidered handkerchief was embroidered by Miss Shi, I'm afraid the owner is someone else."
Shi Aohan's body trembled violently. She struggled to break free from Fu Rongxuan and shouted, "No, it's my thing. It's mine..."
Fu Rongxuan held her back. "Aohan, you're so kind. You bear all the hardships alone. But now, is this the time to ignore your reputation and your innocence?"
Shi Aohan's eyes were filled with tears. "My dear, I'm already like this. I don't care about those things. As long as you believe me. But... but..."
Fu Rongxuan stroked her hair. "There's no 'but'. Don't say 'but', Aohan. I want you to marry me with a clean reputation, okay?"
Madam Fu beside them was extremely annoyed. If it were a concubine - born son, she wouldn't care about his reputation. She could even expel him from the mansion in a proper way if he was useless. But now, it was her own son who had caused trouble. Flirting with that low - class woman in public, which noble lady would be willing to marry into their Fu family in the future?
Madam Fu was in a bad mood. She walked up to Madam Zhao and asked in a choked voice, "Madam, you seem to have something more to say. Why don't you just say it directly and save us from guessing."
By this time, He Chan was trembling all over. She let out a loud cry and grabbed Madam He, pointing at Lu Wanning. "Mother, it must be her who framed me. It must be her. The embroidered handkerchief is mine. It's mine!"
Lu Wanning felt a chill in her heart. This He Chan was really stupid. Didn't she even know who had framed her by now?
Shao Shi took out her whip and pointed it at He Chan. "He Chan, originally mother and sister - in - law said that you're our cousin and a child, so we shouldn't argue with you. I was too lazy to care about you. But today, you've repeatedly blamed everything on Ning'er. You're the one who's immoral and want to frame Ning'er. Now that the evidence is conclusive, you still refuse to change. If you dare to say another word, my whip won't show any mercy."
The princess also sneered. She stepped forward and held Shao Shi's hand. "Mingzhu, I know you all protect Ning'er. As for these people, just ignore the jokes they've made. Madam He, I, He Ranran, remember every single thing clearly these days. From now on, our Lu family and your He family have nothing to do with each other!"