Chapter 50: Rumors

Yunzhi was still focused on getting out of her engagement at this time.

Therefore, as soon as Mrs. Xu left, she eagerly instructed Rulan to spread the news of her disrespecting her mother and beating her younger sister. Her goal was to make Dongli Lucang aware of her unsuitability as a wife and thus prompt him to withdraw their engagement.

When Mrs. Xu returned to the mansion, prepared to smear Yunzhi’s reputation, she discovered that someone had already done so before her, filling her with joy.

She directly told her beloved daughter Yunzhu, “Zhu’er, just wait. Mother will get you whatever you want.”

“Thank you, Mother. I knew you’d always be the best to me.” Yunzhu beamed, leaning against Mrs. Xu. Her lowered eyes were filled with triumph.

Yunzhi, enjoy your victory for a few days.

Dongli Lucang soon received the news and dispatched his men to investigate the source. To his surprise, they traced it back to Rulan.

“Your Highness, this little maid by the Princess’s side is no good. Could she be an enemy’s spy? Otherwise, how could she spread such news? Not only is this not something a maid should do, but her actions align with Mrs. Xu’s intentions, which is not something a loyal maid would do.”

“She doesn’t have that kind of courage. It must be Yunzhi’s instructions.” Dongli Lucang saw through the situation immediately.

He believed in Yunzhi’s ability to manage her subordinates.

Since Rulan had become Yunzhi’s personal maid, she must be loyal. However, he couldn’t understand why Yunzhi would blacken her own reputation.

He thought and thought, but couldn’t figure out her reason.

Mingyi, standing beside him, heard his master’s words and said, “Your Highness, could the Princess be doing this intentionally? She deliberately tarnishes her own reputation, is she trying to avoid marrying you?”

Upon hearing this, Dongli Lucang’s face darkened. Considering Yunzhi’s attitude towards him today, Mingyi’s guess was likely true.

Not wanting to marry him?

Dongli Lucang snorted. He wouldn’t let her get her way.

His wife, Dongli Lucang’s wife, could have a good or bad reputation, it didn’t matter. As long as it was the person he had chosen, it was enough.

Yunzhi, at this time, had no idea that Dongli Lucang was aware of her actions and had even guessed her motive.

Therefore, when she received gifts sent by Dongli Lucang, she was puzzled.

She directly asked the elderly lady who delivered the gifts, “Madam, did your Highness say anything when he asked you to deliver these gifts?”

“Replying to the Princess, His Highness said these are to calm your nerves, and that you shouldn’t worry about those rumors. As long as you are the one he has chosen, no matter how much effort others put in, it won’t matter.”

Hearing this, Yunzhi’s face became uncomfortable. She felt that Dongli Lucang’s words were specifically directed at her.

Could it be that he already knew about the rumors she had spread?

Meanwhile, to solidify those rumors, Yunzhu, despite her swollen face, deliberately received a visit from her close friend, Hu Ling’er.

Hu Ling’er, seeing Yunzhu’s swollen face, asked with a gossipy tone, “Zhu’er, was your face really beaten by the Regent Princess?”

Although Yunzhu felt a little embarrassed, she nodded, remembering her goal. “Sister probably didn’t mean to.”

“What do you mean probably didn’t mean to? If she didn’t mean to, why would your face be injured so badly?” Hu Ling’er was furious. She had a good relationship with Yunzhu and had heard many of Yunzhu’s complaints about Yunzhi, so she didn’t have any good feelings towards Yunzhi.

At this moment, she thought that she couldn’t let her good friend suffer injustice, she had to do something.