Chapter 45

The Crown Prince didn’t expect to witness such a farce. His expression instantly darkened, radiating an aura of authority without anger.

Having grown up in the palace, he had seen all sorts of dirty tricks. He easily saw through the thoughts of these young ladies.

It was clear that this group, led by Sheng Xiuran, was not to be trusted. Especially someone as jealous and malicious as her, she was far from qualified to become his Crown Princess!

Moreover, for Sheng’s husband to lie in front of him just to pursue Miss Xiao, and slander an innocent lady’s reputation, was despicable!

“Sheng family…” The Crown Prince murmured, his lips curling into a cold smile.

The Sheng family’s upbringing was indeed “excellent”.

Hearing the Crown Prince’s murmurs, Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up involuntarily.

“The Crown Prince is displeased with the Sheng family! If the cheating scandal in the spring exam is exposed, the Qingguo Duke’s mansion will be in real trouble!”

Qiao Tianjing’s eyes sparked with determination upon hearing this.

Almost there! The exam results will be announced next month. If the Duke of Qingguo seeks his own demise, Father will definitely not show mercy!

Meanwhile, Meng Guxue was trembling on the ground, feeling like a sieve.

March wasn’t exactly winter, but the wind was chilling nonetheless.

Meng Guxue sneezed several times in a row, feeling increasingly resentful.

Why can’t the Xiao sisters help her thoroughly and quickly find some dry clothes for her?

As for the Crown Prince, he praised her at the poetry event this morning, but now he turns a blind eye to her distress. Are people of the royal family truly so heartless?

Meng Guxue complains about fate, blames others, but refuses to acknowledge any fault of her own.

Sheng Xiuran, kneeling at the forefront of the group of young ladies, is also feeling uneasy. She has always maintained a dignified and noble image in front of others, but now it has been shattered by the Crown Prince’s own eyes!

Blaming Meng Guxue for her loud voice, all she wanted was to give her a lesson by pushing her into the water, but it’s turning into a big mess!

Meng Guxue can’t hold on anymore. She feels dizzy and disoriented, as if the cold wind blowing by the river is piercing through her bones.

It’s said that even a simple cold could be fatal in ancient times!

With this in mind, Meng Guxue shivers and begs desperately, “Your Highness, please help me! I’m so cold!”

“Your Highness, Sheng Xiuran invited me to this riverside in your name. I happily accepted the invitation, but then she and other girls ambushed me here and ordered a servant to push me into the water!”

“Your Highness, please ensure justice for me!”

Qiao Jiaojiao: “…”

【Why emphasize happily accepting the invitation?】

【And if you use a bit of common sense, how could the Crown Prince possibly disregard etiquette and privately invite a young lady to meet?】

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince’s expression grew even darker.

“Miss Sheng, is Miss Meng’s statement true?”

Sheng Xiuran felt anxious and immediately bowed, denying, “Your Highness, even if you give me a hundred times the courage, I wouldn’t dare act in your name!”

“I do have some grievances with Miss Meng, and it was indeed excessive for me to push her into the river. If Your Highness wishes to investigate, I will certainly accept the punishment.”

“But for Miss Meng to slander me with such malicious accusations, I absolutely refute!”

Upon hearing this, Meng Guxue’s anger surged uncontrollably.

“Sheng Xiuran, how dare you still quibble! It was clearly you who sent a servant girl to deliver a message to me—”

“Miss Meng, empty words are meaningless. Do you have any evidence? A servant girl? Can you point out which servant girl it was? Or do you have any other witnesses?”

Sheng Xiuran interrupted Meng Guxue’s words by turning her head.

Meng Guxue was suddenly stunned and froze in place.

The servant girl who delivered the message was sent by Sheng Xiuran, and she must have sent the servant girl far away as soon as she heard the words “Crown Prince.”

Without evidence, she had nothing…

Thinking of this, Meng Guxue’s heart sank, but when she looked up, she met Sheng Xiuran’s smug and disdainful gaze, as if saying:

Meng Guxue, with just you, how can you compete with me?

Seeing Meng Guxue speechless, Qiao Jiaojiao knew she had been calculated by Sheng Xiuran.

【See, that clear foolishness is back. If it weren’t for the protagonist’s halo, with Meng Guxue’s current style, she’d have a hard time surviving until the end, right?】

【I guess I won’t have to wait until I’m older to take action. Meng Guxue has already dug her own grave.】

【Ah, I feel like this life has been pretty smooth so far…】

Upon hearing this, Qiao Tianjing couldn’t help but laugh.

Of course, little sister, you think it’s smooth because our whole family is busy behind the scenes!

And don’t talk so maturely, you’ve only been born for six months…

On the other side, Meng Guxue’s lips trembled for a long time, unable to find any favorable evidence, and could only repeatedly say:

“Crown Prince, I did not lie! I swear! It was Sheng Xiuran who was up to something!”

The Crown Prince’s expression showed impatience. Having seen too much scheming in the palace, he was extremely weary of such intrigue.

“Enough.”

The Crown Prince spoke solemnly, and Meng Guxue choked up upon seeing his stern face, unable to speak.

“Miss Sheng, since you have admitted to instructing someone to push Miss Meng into the river, apologize, and then make arrangements for her.”

Although Sheng Xiuran felt reluctant, she knew this was the lightest punishment.

She actually felt a bit pleased.

See, the Qiao family is the most prominent in the capital, and she’s also her grandfather’s favorite granddaughter. Now, even the Crown Prince couldn’t bear to punish her!

Thinking of this, she nodded with joy and then pretended to apologize to Meng Guxue.

“Miss Meng, I was indeed excessive this time. Here, I apologize to you.”

“Someone, quickly bring clean clothes for Miss Meng!”

Meng Guxue’s teeth chattered, her face pale with cold.

She looked incredulously at the Crown Prince not far away, filled with resentment and unwillingness.

Is this it?

Is a simple apology enough? Sheng Xiuran almost killed her!

Why!

Just because Sheng Xiuran is beautiful, just because Sheng Xiuran comes from a noble family?

The Crown Prince didn’t even spare a glance at Meng Guxue.

The servant girl hurriedly brought clothes for Meng Guxue, and when the Crown Prince saw that Xiao Qianlan had taken back her cloak, he turned and left.

Qiao Tianjing and the others followed suit.

Meng Guxue lay prone on the ground, letting Sheng Xiuran’s servant girl rudely dress her. Her gaze still fixed on the Crown Prince’s departing figure.

At this moment, she couldn’t help but dig her fingers deep into the grass beneath her.

She would never forget the humiliation of this day. One day, she would become someone above all others!

And everyone present today would be crushed under her feet.

Including the Crown Prince!