CHAPTER 473: CHAPTER 160 BIRTHDAY BANQUET (2) FACE-TO-FACE ACCUSATION_4

"Miss, I am indeed from the Yicui Pavilion, and to be forthright with everyone here, I am the old madam of Yicui Pavilion." As soon as these words were spoken.

The whole place erupted into commotion.

This birthday celebration of the Song Family.

How could they invite such a disreputable person to boost the fun.

This was simply preposterous.

A birthday bash that was previously praised extravagantly is now somewhat tainted by the turn of events.

Song Yuanzhong and Ming Yufang’s complexions naturally soured as well.

Originally, Xie Ruotong being accused like this already left a bitter taste in their mouths, and now the performers on stage that everyone was cheering for turned out to be from a brothel, it was a slap in the face to their scholarly family’s reputation; once news of this got out, it would be unbearable.

Indeed, entrusting the birthday celebration to Xie Ruilin was a mistake.

She truly lacked discernment.

Now she even openly admitted in public that it was she who had invited them.

The elders of the Song Family’s faces alternated between shades of red and white.

At this moment, they also couldn’t go up and demand everyone to step down.

Doing so would make their family appear even more unrefined.

They could only listen as the old madam continued, "I came personally to keep an eye on my musicians and Dancers performing at Scholar Song’s residence today, as I didn’t feel assured and feared they would mess up."

The woman explained why she had come to the mansion.

Everyone knows.

Women like her, born in a world of flashy lights and fleeting shadows, are only defiling when they step into others’ homes.

Xie Ruilin, of course, knew this.

And the reason she did this was twofold; firstly, to expose Xie Ruotong’s true identity.

Secondly, to let the Song Family feel the disgrace of a prostitute visiting their mansion deeply so that once Xie Ruotong’s identity was revealed, they would surely immediately dismiss Xie Ruotong and throw her out!

"You mean, you recognize everyone from Yicui Pavilion, right?" Xie Ruilin naturally showed something completely different from what she was thinking in her heart.

She questioned the old madam.

The old madam nodded, "Naturally."

"Then tell me, do you recognize this lady before you?" Xie Ruilin quickly prompted the old madam to identify Xie Ruotong.

The old madam scrutinized Xie Ruotong earnestly.

Xie Ruotong had initially cast her eyes downward, but now, under the old madam’s intense gaze, she looked back up.

Suddenly, everyone at the scene became apprehensive.

Hadn’t they heard that the young Miss from Duke Mansion was once abducted?

Could it really be that she had been sold into prostitution?!

If that was indeed true...

The Song Family had truly suffered a loss.

Song Yanqing had just become the top scorer, the Emperor himself had praised him profusely; he was bound to achieve great things in the imperial court.

If he were to marry a woman from a brothel...

It would be a laughing stock if the news spread.

In such a silent and solemn banquet.

After scrutinizing for a moment, the old madam finally spoke, "This young lady’s skill at the zither and dance does indeed remind me of someone."

Xie Ruotong’s eyes flickered slightly.

She couldn’t help but tighten her grip on the sleeve of her clothing.

A trace of suppressed tension was discernible with careful observation.

"She, like you, is highly skilled in the zither and glows in her dance," the old madam said.

Sweat beads were clearly visible on Xie Ruotong’s forehead.

Xie Ruilin was rejoicing at her misfortune from the side.

Today, Xie Ruotong had really stolen her thunder—her zither playing, her dancing, all eclipsed by Xie Ruotong.

Just watching Xie Ruotong gracefully dance on stage had sparked her jealousy.

If it weren’t for the purpose of exposing Xie Ruotong’s identity, she wouldn’t have let Xie Ruotong perform.

Good.

She also had to admit that she had wanted to outshine Xie Ruotong and suppress her elegance.

Unfortunately, Xie Ruotong really did learn quite a bit in the brothel over the years.

Of course, Xie Ruilin couldn’t just feel that she was far inferior to Xie Ruotong.

The skills Xie Ruotong acquired to please men were shameful.

But she was not.

She was a daughter born into wealth, her talents were only to enhance her own demeanor.

Xie Ruotong was simply unclean.

Thus no matter how beautiful or lovely, it was all disgraceful.

Xie Ruilin comforted herself with this thought.

And with eager anticipation, she waited for Xie Ruotong’s identity to be unveiled.

After a series of courteous words, the old madam finally added, "But you are not her, therefore, this young lady, I do not recognize."

The old madam’s words.

Allowed Xie Ruotong to secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

The tension in her heart also began to settle in that moment.

Her fingers that were tightly clutching her sleeves also gradually relaxed.

It was all for this that she had gone out to see Gu Xingchuan before.

She was aware that Qin Shuyang definitely wouldn’t let her off the hook, so she made arrangements in advance for herself.

She couldn’t go back to Yicui Pavilion; if Qin Shuyang discovered her there, her identity would be confirmed, and she couldn’t wash it away no matter what.

So she asked Gu Xingchuan for help.

To hasten Gu Xingchuan to manage things at Yicui Pavilion, win over everyone there.

From the old madam down to the lowest servant, everyone was bought off.

It certainly cost a good deal of Silver.

She made a mental note of it.

Thinking that if she had the money, she would repay Gu Xingchuan.

Though the Gu family was the richest in the nation and didn’t care about the money, she still kept it in her heart.

As expected.

Gu Xingchuan did not disappoint her.

The old madam’s intentional inability to recognize her today was thanks to Gu Xingchuan’s doing.

Later, she would surely go and properly express her gratitude.

Once the identification was complete.

Xie Ruotong then wanted to leave again.

But now Xie Ruilin couldn’t accept it.

How could it be possible?!

How could it be that the old madam said she didn’t recognize?

How could she tell such a barefaced lie.

That moment, she even struggled to accept it and somewhat lost her senses; she asked the old madam with some agitation, "Look again more closely, is she or isn’t she Xiang Qin?! Is she or isn’t she your Yicui Pavilion’s former star, Xiang Qin!"

Such over eagerness, in front of everyone present.

Obviously, she lost her composure.

And it seemed to reveal her ulterior motives!