Because of delays on the road, Lu Qingwan and her companions arrived at Chonghua Palace after most people had already gathered.
As Lu Qingwan and Chi Yaoyao entered, many curious eyes turned their way. "Who is that person beside Miss Chi? Her attire is so unique!"
"Indeed, the style of that dress doesn't look like it's from Shangjing. Is it foreign attire?"
Among noble ladies, the most popular topic was invariably new clothing and jewelry. Lu Qingwan's distinctive flying fish robe naturally captured everyone's attention.
Inevitably, some noticed her appearance. "Not only is her clothing unique, but she's also beautiful. When did such a beauty appear in Shangjing that we never knew of?"
"Exactly, we haven't heard any news of officials returning to the capital from their posts."
As whispers circulated, Chi Yaoyao surveyed the hall and then, pulling Lu Qingwan along, hurried towards a woman.
"Mother, allow me to introduce my new friend, Lu Qingwan of the Marquisate of Zhaolie."
*Whoosh!*
Like a stone cast into still water, the revelation shocked everyone present! A young lady closest to the woman exclaimed, "Miss Chi, are you sure you have the right person? Is she that foolish, good-for-nothing Lu Qingwan?!"
"Xie Shuangning, shut your mouth if you have nothing sensible to say! No one thinks you're mute!" Chi Yaoyao snapped, her fur bristling. "She is my friend, Lu Qingwan, not some foolish good-for-nothing! If you speak nonsense again, I'll knock your teeth out!"
Chi Yaoyao was fiercely protective of Lu Qingwan, wishing she could cradle her like a child. However, while she could intimidate Xie Shuangning, she couldn't silence all the young ladies in Chonghua Palace.
A chorus of surprised doubts rose: "She's that ugly duckling Lu Qingwan? Impossible!"
"Right, wouldn't that useless Lu Qingwan cling to Prince Chen the moment she saw him? How could she not even glance his way?"
These words came from several young noblemen who were acquainted with Feng Qingheng. One of them, attempting to curry favor, added, "Isn't that right, Prince Chen?"
"My engagement with Lu Qingwan was annulled long ago. She is now the Regent's fiancée, so do not spread baseless rumors." Feng Qingheng spoke these words, yet his gaze was fixed intently on Lu Qingwan. Others might not believe it, but he knew, this was Lu Qingwan. Ever since their engagement was broken in the palace, he had felt this woman was different. But he never expected Lu Qingwan's reappearance to be so stunning!
Watching all eyes in Chonghua Palace converge on her, filled only with admiration and no longer with mockery or amusement, Feng Qingheng felt a surge of annoyance, as if his treasure was being coveted by others. The noblemen who had tried to flatter him found their efforts backfiring, and they sheepishly withdrew.
Meanwhile, Chi Yaoyao, after great effort, finally convinced the women before her that it was indeed Lu Qingwan. She then described Lu Qingwan's heroic act of saving her from under the horses' hooves with exaggerated flair. "If Lu Qingwan hadn't stepped forward to save me, you wouldn't be seeing your dear daughter right now! Mother, I don't care what you say, Lu Qingwan is my friend from now on, and you must treat her as well as you treat me!"
Chi夫人 was struck with a wave of lingering fear. Upon hearing this, she quickly curtsied to Lu Qingwan. "Many thanks, Eldest Miss Lu, for saving my daughter's life. Please accept my deepest gratitude!"
"Madam, you must not." Lu Qingwan quickly supported Madam Chi. "Saving someone was merely a casual act. You are old enough to be my grandmother; I absolutely cannot accept your bow. Madam, please rise!"
Madam Chi did not insist. However, a lady beside her chuckled, "Madam Chi, you needn't be so formal. If you continue to thank her, your generation will be elevated!"
Lu Qingwan, belatedly realizing what she had said, felt embarrassed. "This humble girl is not eloquent, please forgive me, Madam Chi."
Madam Chi smiled and shook her head. "It's quite alright. What you said is true, I am indeed old enough to be your grandmother. After all, I had my precious daughter Yao Yao late in life; the entire Chi family cherishes this girl! Eldest Miss Lu, by saving her, you have saved the entire Chi family!"
Lu Qingwan smiled at Chi Yaoyao. "So, Eldest Miss Chi grew up in such a loving family since childhood! No wonder you have such a blessed countenance; you look so enviable!" Her expression of genuine envy was clear. Thinking of Lu Qingwan's background, Madam Chi felt a pang of pity and patted Lu Qingwan's hand with a sigh, saying nothing more.
Seeing the awkwardness in the atmosphere, a nearby lady deliberately shifted the topic. "By the way, whose carriage was it that struck Eldest Miss Chi? It's been so long, why haven't they even offered an apology?"
"Yes, they knocked someone over and didn't even utter a sound?" The mothers whose children had been affected by the carriage incident also began to voice their displeasure.
Just then, a tearful voice called out, "Sister, I know you're unhappy about me marrying Prince Chen. But it was His Majesty's command, what could I do? How could you deliberately damage my carriage? A little fright is nothing to me, but so many people were injured because of your resentment towards me. Miss Meng's face is injured; if it becomes disfigured, how can I live with myself?"
Lu Siwan, covering her face, wept dramatically, her words subtly blaming Lu Qingwan. Upon hearing this, the crowd's faces showed dawning realization. "We knew it, ugly people are always up to no good. Even if Lu Qingwan isn't as ugly anymore, her heart is still ugly. To harm Miss Lu, she would even implicate so many people. Truly, still as malicious as ever!"
"Indeed!"
"Thankfully Prince Chen didn't marry her. Anyone who marries such a woman would have the worst luck imaginable!"
As the malicious gossip about Lu Qingwan spread, a glint of malice flashed in Lu Siwan's eyes. "Lu Qingwan, so what if you're no longer ugly? I can still trample you into the mud, ensuring you can never rise again!"
Public opinion can wear down even the strongest will. As more people spoke, Feng Qingheng's perception of Lu Qingwan also turned hostile. "Lu Qingwan, I told you long ago, no matter what you do, I will never favor you. Now that our engagement is broken, and you are the Regent's fiancée, do you not fear that the Regent will also despise you, leaving you no place to stay in Shangjing?" His words clearly indicated he had already accepted Lu Qingwan's guilt in damaging the carriage and harming Lu Siwan.
Lu Qingwan's eyelids flickered. "Did you see me damage the carriage?" Feng Qingheng had imagined countless scenarios for their reunion: Lu Qingwan desperately clinging to him, only for him to reject her sternly; or Lu Qingwan pleading tearfully, and him offering comfort with a charitable heart. But he never expected Lu Qingwan to be so calm, as if he were a stranger to her now. Since he was no longer at the Marquisate of Zhaolie, how could he have seen Lu Qingwan damage the carriage?
As he struggled for words, Lu Siwan, still weeping, said, "Sister, you cannot be so unreasonable. If you hadn't damaged the carriage to harm me, why would you have used a carriage from outside instead of the Marquisate's carriage?" This was a classic case of falsely accusing someone.
Lu Qingwan almost laughed out loud. She looked around and found Chi Jingchuan. "Eldest Young Master Chi, if I recall correctly, you were the one who had people investigate Lu Siwan's carriage just now, correct?"
"That's correct," Chi Jingchuan confirmed. "It was I who led the inspection. Eldest Miss Lu, what would you like to ask?"
"I dare not presume to ask for your instruction, Eldest Young Master Chi. As someone in the military, you are intimately familiar with carriages and horses. Having personally inspected the carriage, may I ask how Lu Siwan's carriage was damaged?"
"The axle had a crack. It was likely due to excessive weight from the cargo box, causing the axle to bear too much and leading to the crack."
Lu Qingwan turned to Lu Siwan. "Did you hear that, my dear sister? Excessive weight. Ever since Aunt Lan took charge of the household, I've not only never used your carriage, but I've never even had the chance to touch it. As for the ability to strike through an obstacle, I haven't had time to learn it yet. The next time you try to frame someone, think a little harder about how to make your lie believable, truly, Miss Thousand Pounds!"
Laughter erupted from the crowd, and various curious glances were cast at Lu Siwan, wondering just how much she weighed.