Many people dispersed upon hearing these words, not daring to say another. They fled as if escaping for their lives.
Qing Huan was stunned. She had been confined these past few days and knew nothing of what was happening outside.
She didn't quite understand what was wrong with these people; they seemed to have some misunderstanding about her.
Looking at her, they were extremely wary, as if guarding against her.
Qing Huan was very aware of her current position. Therefore, despite looking unhappy, she pretended to be happy.
Seeing everyone deliberately distancing themselves from Qing Huan, Li Hua dared not delay and quickly pulled away from Qing Huan's side, as if afraid of being implicated.
Seeing this, Qing Huan couldn't let Li Hua leave just like that. She quickly grabbed Li Hua's hand and said pitifully, "Li Hua, you're the only one who can tell me the truth now. Please tell me the truth."
Li Hua looked at Qing Huan with a troubled expression. Her gaze fell on the bracelet on her wrist, and she immediately regretted it. If she had known things would become so troublesome, she wouldn't have accepted this.
She reached out, intending to take off the bracelet and return it to Qing Huan. That way, she could distance herself from Qing Huan and avoid any involvement.
Qing Huan seemed to have seen through Li Hua's thoughts. Just as Li Hua was about to take off the bracelet, Qing Huan took off her hairpin and said with a smile, "Li Hua, this is pure gold. You must accept it. You said we are good sisters."
Li Hua's eyes lit up as she looked at the hairpin. She was truly tempted.
Seeing this, Qing Huan knew things would work out. However, Li Hua still hesitated, thinking that perhaps she wasn't giving enough.
She grumbled inwardly, thinking Li Hua was truly insatiable. She didn't even consider her own status. What she had given was already plenty, yet Li Hua acted as if it wasn't enough.
Normally, she wouldn't even bother speaking to Li Hua, let alone try to appease her.
Before, she wouldn't even give Li Hua a second glance.
But now, things were different. If she wanted to know everything about this place, she had to bribe Li Hua.
"Qing Huan, seeing how much you value me, I'll tell you secretly. But you absolutely cannot betray me."
"And you absolutely cannot tell anyone else."
Looking at the gifts, Li Hua was moved. She reasoned that if she told Qing Huan and Qing Huan didn't expose her, then there would be no problem.
After much thought, Li Hua finally said, "Qing Huan, actually, about Qing Han's previous incident, she..."
"If anyone is too idle or thinks their life is too long, they are welcome to gossip here," Hong Yi said coldly.
Meeting Hong Yi's murderous gaze, Li Hua trembled all over, her lips turning pale, and she could barely stand.
If she hadn't leaned against the wall, Li Hua would have collapsed on the ground by now.
She had thought this was a trivial matter and that saying it wouldn't cause any trouble.
But now, Hong Yi had stepped forward to warn her. It seemed that matter was not as simple as she thought.
At this moment, Hong Yi even felt fortunate.
Fortunately, she hadn't spoken.
If she had, and Hong Yi happened to be there and heard it, her head would likely have been separated from her body.
She had never imagined that merely trying to gain a small advantage would lead to such serious trouble.
"I... Qing Huan, take back these things."
"Don't pester me anymore. I really don't know anything."
"Can you please let me go, even if I beg you?"
Qing Huan's expression instantly soured. She glared at Li Hua and said unpleasantly, "Li Hua, you agreed to it, and now you're regretting it. So, all my efforts are in vain?"
Hong Yi walked step by step towards Qing Huan and slapped her across the face.
Qing Huan's eyes widened in disbelief.
She didn't understand why such a thing had happened so suddenly. Why wasn't everything unfolding as she had expected?
Meeting Qing Huan's resentful gaze, Hong Yi showed no mercy and struck Qing Huan again.
From the moment Qing Huan appeared here, Hong Yi had a single thought: this person must not be allowed to stay.
She was a祸害 (huòhài - a scourge, a disaster).
"Qing Huan, have you forgotten what Aunt Sheng instructed? If you have, I have plenty of ways to make you remember."
Hong Yi's gaze, rare as it was, fell upon Qing Huan. In her opinion, this person should be dealt with now.
However, when she arrived, Aunt Sheng had instructed that Qing Huan's life should not be taken, only that she should be driven out and humiliated.
Therefore, in dealing with Qing Huan, Hong Yi had truly gone too far.
Yet, Hong Yi felt she hadn't.
In fact, she felt she had been quite lenient.
"Hong Yi, we are both doing the same thing here. What right do you have to point fingers at me?"
"And what right do you have to criticize my actions? Aunt Sheng will naturally judge how I conduct myself."
"Hong Yi, I advise you not to meddle too much. You don't know who will be in trouble later," Qing Huan said with some smugness.
The things that had happened to her these past few days were truly unbelievable.
Hong Yi snorted coldly and looked at Qing Huan, saying coldly, "Qing Huan, I hope you can remain as calm when things happen to you."
This Qing Huan couldn't even see through such a simple scheme. Hong Yi was beginning to suspect that Qing Huan might be impersonating someone.
...
Feng Ran was resting in the elegant chamber. However, the noisy sounds from outside made it impossible for her to rest peacefully.
When Aunt Sheng pushed open the door and saw Feng Ran awake, she was indeed a little surprised.
Feng Ran's complexion did not look good.
"Feng Ran, what you need most right now is rest."
"So, what are you doing now?"
"Aunt Sheng, I'm already much better."
Feng Ran spoke with some difficulty and trepidation, "Aunt Sheng, I'm really fine. Also, the Regent's order, Aunt Sheng, the Regent has already issued an imperial decree. Whether I'm willing or not, as long as I'm still breathing, I must appear."
"You..." Aunt Sheng looked at Feng Ran, who was insistent, and sighed helplessly.