CHAPTER 271: CHAPTER 271: ACCIDENTALLY UNVEILING THE TRUTH!

"Then tell me, who stands behind him?"

"That’s the industry of the Marquis Ningning, but now that he is gone, it has become Lady of the Southern Country’s. And Lady of the Southern Country... is the Empress Dowager’s full-blooded sister..."

After speaking, Yun Niang’s face grew even paler, clearly showing her anxiety.

Someone like the Empress Dowager... she truly couldn’t afford to offend!

So previously when Long Yue asked, she didn’t want Long Yue involved, so she didn’t say anything. She thought of giving some dividends to Xu Jinji afterwards.

But before she had a chance to act, they picked a fight and came to her.

"Lady of the Southern Country?"

Long Yue’s face turned slightly cold. It seemed she was destined to clash with Lady of the Southern Country.

Fortunately, that Empress Dowager isn’t the Emperor’s biological mother, and their relationship isn’t even good. So, opposing Lady of the Southern Country indirectly helps the Emperor, doesn’t it?

Long Yue was in high spirits, her previous depression swept away.

She said angrily, "What about Lady of the Southern Country? Can she bully the common people? Who gave her that power?"

"Hey, keep your voice down, don’t let outsiders hear!"

Seeing Long Yue shouting so loudly, Yun Niang was frightened and quickly covered her small mouth.

"Yes, Sister Yue, no matter what, Lady of the Southern Country is the Empress Dowager’s little sister, a member of the imperial family, not to be easily offended."

Yang Zhuoya quickly persuaded, worried that Long Yue’s temper would bring trouble someday.

Long Yue pouted, "I’ve already clashed with Lady of the Southern Country, what’s one more?"

"What? You..."

"You don’t know, that Lady of the Southern Country tried to seduce my master! My master already has a mistress, what is she trying to do?"

Long Yue recalled a scene she saw before, gritting her teeth angrily, "She shamelessly let Master touch her chest and said she felt heartache. Hmph, I splashed a bucket of cold water on her! And as a result... that Lady of the Southern Country probably bears a grudge against me!"

Yang Zhuoya: "..."

Su Yunniang: "..."

No one knew how this girl could cause trouble so easily, but thinking of Mr. Duanmu’s ethereal presence, Yun Niang’s expression grew darker.

"Breaking up others is unacceptable; Lady of the Southern Country does indeed have a bad reputation."

Yang Zhuoya looked around to ensure no one was around and then talked about the gossip regarding Lady of the Southern Country.

"I heard that Lady of the Southern Country likes to keep male companions..."

"Is... is that true?"

Yun Niang looked on in horror, covering her mouth to prevent a scream. This struck her heart deeply.

She knew some imperial family members lived disorderly lives, but she hadn’t imagined it would be so chaotic. She’d only heard of keeping concubines, but never male companions?

Thinking of Mr. Duanmu, who was so otherworldly, having to become Lady of the Southern Country’s companion gave her a chill.

"This is too much!" Not knowing why, flames of anger ignited in her, and she angrily slammed the table, "How can there be such shameless people in this world? I guess her former husband was angered to death by her!"

"Shh—you need to lower your voice! If people hear, you’re going to be in trouble!"

Yang Zhuoya saw someone in the vicinity turning their head in curiosity and quickly gestured for silence before bringing them into a small room inside.

"Aunt Yun, why are you speaking so loudly? Lady of the Southern Country hates it when people talk about her previous husband, because that’s her sore spot!"

"Why do you say that?"

"Because... her former husband was indeed angered to death by her."

After Yang Zhuoya finished speaking, Long Yue and Yun Niang exchanged glances, with Long Yue giving Yun Niang a thumbs-up.

Amazing, she stumbled upon the truth just like that!

Yun Niang felt a little embarrassed by her intuition and quickly said, "I... I was just talking nonsense, was it really true?"

"Yes, absolutely true. The news came from the Nanning Marquis Mansion, and after Lady of the Southern Country found out, she killed all the servants in the mansion! But the news had already leaked, and there was no remedy."

It’s a woman’s nature to either shop or gossip, or argue. Once Lady of the Southern Country’s gossip was mentioned, Yang Zhuoya couldn’t stop talking.

"...She was having a fling at home. I heard there were three men from foreign clans that day, all very strong. The Marquis Ningning was out on business and wasn’t supposed to return for another three days, but he returned two days early. When he walked in, he saw a chaotic scene on the bed, and then... he was angered to death!"

"Didn’t the servants report it?"

"Lady of the Southern Country doesn’t like to be disturbed when she’s with a man, so she sent the servants to the outer courtyard. When the Marquis Ningning returned, he saw the servants with terrified faces and thought something had happened, so he went in without announcing himself..."

Clicking her tongue, wasn’t that too coincidental?

Long Yue couldn’t help but sigh.

This woman seemed like a bad one, opposing her was only reasonable!

"Zhuoya, you’ve really opened my eyes, knowing so much information!"

Long Yue was amazed by Yang Zhuoya.

Yang Zhuoya admitted shyly, "My father is the Assistant Minister of Rites, you know. He deals with ceremonies and knows quite a bit of private matters..."

Oh, right, Long Yue had forgotten.

Matters involving propriety and morality were managed by the Ministry of Rites, and for matters like this... ahem, the Ministry of Rites would surely know.

"Actually, this is an open secret. Back then, the Empress Dowager issued an order forbidding it to spread. You should keep this bottled up tightly!"

The intent was for them to keep the secret.

"Don’t worry, such things disgrace the imperial family’s dignity, we know what to do."

The dignity of the imperial family is essential, and spreading this could lead to unknown consequences. The ghosts at the Nanning Marquis Mansion were a prime example!

"Alright, Yun Niang, let’s go back now. As for Xu Jinji’s matter, don’t worry, I will definitely stand up for you!"

"No, let bygones be bygones, we shouldn’t stir up more trouble!"

Yun Niang quickly stopped her, but Long Yue just smiled, showing a mischievous grin, "Alright, alright, I was just comforting you, how could you believe me?"

"Ay, Lady Yue, I knew you were a sincere and good person."

Yun Niang sighed softly, seeing them off.

Walking out of Su Jinxiu Workshop, Long Yue looked up and saw a large store less than a hundred meters ahead.

A plaque made of fine redwood bore three gold-gilded characters that gleamed.

Xu Jinji!

Long Yue curled her lips into a devilish smile.

Xu Jinji, is it? Do you think just because you have Lady of the Southern Country backing you, I’ll be afraid of you?

In the past life, I lived in cowardice, manipulated by others, and died miserably. In this life, I refuse to endure humiliation again!

Dare to cheat me? I will make you regret it!

After returning with Yang Zhuoya, as it was getting dark, they parted ways at an intersection, and Long Yue ran off to her master’s Baicao Lane.

"Master, master, do you have this thing here?"

As soon as she entered the door, Long Yue shouted.