Looking at Su Mo, now known as Dan Qing, before her, Qiao Ci's mind was filled with memories of him lying in the crystal coffin, and his occasional question, "Can I call you A'Ci?"
Seeing him speak to her with the same expression as before, Qiao Ci smiled and said, "There's no need for such trouble. I have proof of her plagiarism."
"Wow, she looks even uglier when she smiles, her face is like two caterpillars!"
"No matter how good her features are, they can't hide the hideousness of the scars. She's so ugly. Isn't the little prince afraid standing so close?"
The words "ugly" rang in Qiao Ci's ears, causing her smile to freeze. Her small face tensed, and she hesitated between killing the gossiping few or covering her cub's eyes first.
At that moment, a white veil appeared before her, embroidered with the small characters 'Dan Qing', matching the embroidery on the sachet Qiao Ci held.
A clear young voice reached her ears, "You're not ugly. If you're not used to it, you can wear the veil."
Her cub was so thoughtful!
But why was he so good to her? Did he recognize her? Or was it just because of the name Qiao Ci?
Qiao Ci didn't stand on ceremony, accepting the veil and putting it on. "Thank you."
Dan Qing had wanted to reply, 'No need to thank me between us,' but realizing she didn't know he was Su Mo, he didn't say it, only nodding gently.
"You said you had proof, so show it. You're making a scene here, and you even dare to take the little prince's personal belonging. You truly disgrace yourself." Qiao Shan didn't believe Qiao Ci could produce any evidence, unless she could bring Su Shi back to life and have him confront her herself.
At the same time, she harbored a deep hatred for Dan Qing!
His status and appearance were all given by her, yet he was helping an outsider against her. What a thankless wretch!
The First Princess's expression was also unpleasant. Her beautiful younger brother was actually speaking up for an ugly woman, and his tone was so... gentle!
Of course, her brother was not wrong. It must have been that ugly woman who seduced her simple-minded Dan Qing!
She even dared to accept the veil in public and wear it on that disfigured face. She truly courted death!
Dan Rong stepped forward, pulling Dan Qing behind her, and said to Qiao Ci with an unfriendly tone, "You said you had evidence. What evidence is it? You must know that slandering a young lady from an official family is punishable by flogging and imprisonment. Speak and act with caution!"
Dan Qing couldn't do anything about Dan Rong's treatment of him, but he became even more displeased with Qiao Ci. After comforting his brother, he turned and said to her with a stern face, "Your evidence?"
Qiao Ci took out a copy of "Eight Hundred Poems of Tang and Song Dynasties" from her pocket and handed it to Dan Rong, introducing, "Everyone can pass it around. The poems she just recited or any slightly amazing poems she composed earlier might be in here, with the original author's name."
Qiao Shan was instantly flustered upon hearing this!
Damn it, they were all transmigrators, so why did she have "Eight Hundred Poems of Tang and Song Dynasties"?
She had to rack her brains to recall the poems she had previously shown off to others. If she had had this book, she would have become a great literary master and poet long ago!
Was this modern person who transmigrated into Qiao Ci's body crazy? Not only did she expose her, but she also brought out this book, making it impossible for her to plagiarize ancient poems to show off in the future!
These were Qiao Shan's thoughts in an instant.
Now, she could only pray that this "Eight Hundred Poems of Tang and Song Dynasties" was just a name, otherwise, her face would be completely lost today, and the image of diligent effort she had finally built would completely collapse.
The First Princess was mesmerized by the stunning and emotionally resonant beautiful verses within.
Those behind her couldn't help but lean forward, following the First Princess, feeling heroic at times and sighing at others.
This was the charm of words.
Regardless of your identity, you would find resonance within them.
"Eh, isn't this the 'Near the Wine' that Qiao Shan composed the other day? Good heavens, I wondered how someone who doesn't touch a drop of alcohol could write such a bold poem. Turns out she directly copied Li Bai's?"
"This 'Water Melody Song Head' is in here too, the original author is Su Shi."
"And this 'There Is a Beauty in the North,' Li Yiannian."
"Haha, this is hilarious. The most despised thing among scholars is plagiarism. Qiao Shan truly has no scruples, playing with us?"
"Indeed, this is certainly not the act of a noble lady!"
With irrefutable evidence, Qiao Shan's last shred of hope was extinguished. Anything more she said now would be futile. Shamefully, she covered her face and fled.
The crowd was too engrossed in appreciating the poems to notice Qiao Shan leaving.
Even if they had seen her, no one would have stopped her. After all, Qiao Shan would never be able to mingle in scholarly circles again.
Dan Qing looked at Qiao Ci with gentle and ardent eyes, as if he could melt her. Just as Qiao Ci was about to sneak away to change into a better outfit, Dan Qing, who had been watching her, caught her red-handed.
Seeing her about to leave, Dan Qing quickly took a few steps forward and tugged at her sleeve, his voice filled with melancholy, "Are you leaving?"
Remembering that Qiao Ci still didn't recognize him, Dan Qing, fearing Qiao Ci would misunderstand his forwardness, quickly let go.
He said somewhat shyly, "I'm sorry, I got a little excited. May I ask, where are you going? Do you have a place to stay? Do you need me to help you settle...
Don't misunderstand, I'm not pitying you or giving you charity. I just feel a connection with you. Um, do you have, have time? Would it be convenient for us to chat alone?"
Dan Qing felt that no matter what he said, it was inappropriate, and his eyes turned red with anxiety.
"Yes." Qiao Ci saw his nervous, jumbled words and didn't rush to leave.
Dan Rong, who was admiring the poems, noticed the commotion. Seeing her younger brother's red eyes, she could no longer appreciate the poems and walked over, shouting sternly, "Bold beggar! How dare you bully my royal brother!"
Dan Qing quickly explained, "First Princess, you've misunderstood. She didn't bully me. I saw her resemblance to an old friend and couldn't help but feel emotional."
"Really?" Dan Rong clearly didn't believe him. It must have been this wretched woman bullying her younger brother.
"Yes." Dan Qing nodded slightly, then quietly requested, "First Princess, I want to speak with her alone. Could you make arrangements for me?"
"No!" Dan Rong quickly shook her head. Seeing Dan Qing's face instantly fall, she quickly added, "She's dirty and smelly now. You can talk to her alone only after she bathes and changes."
How could Dan Qing tolerate Dan Rong insulting Qiao Ci like this? He looked up and glared at her, his spoiled nature surfacing, "You are not allowed to speak of her like that."
Seeing him like this, Dan Rong was not angry, but instead discovered something new, "Royal brother, after three years, you've finally acted spoiled towards your sister! My good brother is back, that's great! Hehe, if you say no, then no. Whatever makes you happy."
She then turned towards Qiao Ci, her expression haughty, "My royal brother wants to talk to you, consider it a reward for exposing Qiao Shan's plagiarism! Pay attention, be careful, cover your face so you don't scare my brother, understand?"