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Xie Zhan stood up, “A Li, this is my fault and I’m sorry for dragging you into this. If you want to blame someone, blame me.”
Because of his father’s urgency, the Xie family has been involved by the Zhao family. The empress dowager has already intervened, and he cannot show an attitude of not marrying anyone other than Lu Songli, as that would directly offend the empress dowager. At the same time, their presence is needed to maintain the empress dowager’s dignity.
Lu Songli asked Xie Zhan, “Blame you for what? Blame you for being indecisive and inactive in this matter?”
Xie Zhan smiled bitterly and helplessly said, “What else can I do? If possible, I don’t want to hurt you, but A Li, the psychological pressure of bearing a life is very heavy.”
As their conversation unfolded, everyone listened in and couldn’t help but nod in agreement with his words. Xie Zhan, as the one being fought over, was indeed very innocent.
Qin Sheng sneered inwardly and deliberately made a noise.
Everyone looked towards the sound, realizing that there was another unlucky person here. After a brief moment of understanding the relationships between a few people, they became somewhat clear-headed. Xie Zhan was the coveted prize of two women, Qin Sheng had lost his only fiancée, but the most innocent one was Lu Songli. She had almost lost her fiancé, who was fought over by others, in exchange for half a life.
At that moment, tears streaming down her face, Zhao Yutan covered her mouth and staggered towards a pillar.
Everyone understood her intention.
“Quick, stop her!”
Everyone couldn’t help but stand up, except for Lu Songli who remained motionless.
Qin Sheng had intended to move, but caught a glimpse of Lu Songli’s expression and halted his steps.
Zhao Yutan had lost a lot of blood when she attempted suicide by cutting her wrist earlier, weakening her body. Although she was heading towards the pillar, her speed was not fast, and she was quickly stopped by someone.
The one who stopped her was none other than Xie Zhan.
Seeing this scene, Lu Songli even smiled.
Zhao Yutan was brought back to her original seat.
“Why are you so foolish!” the empress dowager asked her, unable to conceal her disappointment.
“Empress Dowager, this servant girl does not want to embarrass you, nor make A Li sad,” Zhao Yutan sobbed softly, “My reputation is ruined, and my family members are implicated because of me. I really don’t want to live in this world anymore.”
The empress dowager sternly asked Lu Songli, “She was your friend before, can you watch her die because of rumors? Can you bear it?”
Lu Songli thought to herself, of course she could bear it! The original owner paid such a high price for this marriage, why should Zhao Yutan be allowed to snatch it away? Just because she has thick skin and no shame?
Lu Songli said seriously, “Empress Dowager, you cannot stop someone who is determined to die. You may stop her once, but you cannot stop her a second time.”
“If she wants to die, let her. She may not have the fate of a princess, but she has the mentality of one. Does she really think she can do whatever she wants?”
Everyone was shocked by her words. What did she mean by saying you can’t stop her a second time? Are they supposed to just watch her take her own life without intervening?
Lu Songli’s face was serious, “Also, Zhao Yutan, if you like Xie Zhan, you can try to win him over. After all, a woman’s marriage is crucial to her fate, and using some means is not a big deal. But please don’t use the title of being my good friend and sister to justify your actions, claiming it’s for my own good. I find it disgusting!”
Zhao Yutan heard the words, his face as white as paper, almost fainting.
Several princesses heard the words and clicked their tongues in their hearts. Lu Songli’s words were really harsh, equivalent to tearing off Zhao Yutan’s face and stepping on it a few times.
In fact, they also looked down on Zhao Yutan. Clearly, they both had engagements with Xie Zhan, but she kept sticking to him as if her life depended on it. They didn’t know what tricks she used to make the Empress Dowager come forward to speak for her. Lu Songli’s words were almost accusing the Empress Dowager of aiding and abetting.
Slap! The Empress Dowager slammed the table hard, “How dare you!” Her anger was ignited by the evasive answer. She scolded Zhao Yutan so harshly, what had she become, who had always defended her? Wasn’t she implying that Zhao Yutan’s suicide was insincere, and that she, as the Empress Dowager, couldn’t distinguish right from wrong?
“Empress Dowager, it’s not the this subject who is being disrespectful, but Zhao Yutan.” Lu Songli asked sternly, “Zhao Yutan committed suicide in front of you, isn’t that a sign of discontent towards you, disrespecting the royal family? Shouldn’t the Empress Dowager punish her for this?”
The crowd was stunned at first, and when they came to their senses, they all looked at her with incredulous eyes. Are you serious? Everyone looked at each other in disbelief.
She made a good point.
Zhao Yutan was going to be set up by her.
Zhao Yutan stopped sobbing, looked up in panic at the Empress Dowager, “Empress Dowager, this subject has no grievances towards you.”
Lu Songli coldly said, “No grievances? But you forced the Empress Dowager to make a decision with your death, isn’t that showing discontent towards her for not taking your side?”
Zhao Yutan shook her head in tears, “No, no, don’t slander me.”
The Empress Dowager gave Lu Songli a disdainful look, “Enough! Lu Songli, do you think you’re very clever?”
“I don’t.” Lu Songli naturally couldn’t admit it.
The Empress Dowager didn’t speak, but looked coldly at Lu Songli. It was terrible, Lu Songli’s relentless pressure reminded her of the feeling of powerlessness when she was a concubine, unable to control the situation. She hadn’t felt this way in many years.
The Empress Dowager’s icy gaze fell on her, and Lu Songli keenly felt the heavy hostility. Was it so fierce? So unreasonable? She didn’t blame Xie Zhan for concealing the truth, or Zhao Yutan for putting her in a dilemma, but instead blamed herself, the victim. Interesting.
Zhao Yutan stood up from her seat and knelt down, “I leave everything to the Empress Dowager’s decision, this subject has no complaints.” And then she fainted.
Lu Songli glanced at her, she fainted at just the right time.
Fortunately, Doctor Chen was still there, so the Empress Dowager asked him to check Zhao Yutan’s pulse. After checking, Doctor Chen reported that Zhao Yutan had lost too much blood, was weak, and fainted due to the shock, but with proper rest, she would be fine. So, Zhao Yutan was moved to a nearby couch.
Several princesses were excited, their faces turning red, but they couldn’t show it. They twisted their handkerchiefs in their hands, symbolizing their restless hearts.
Exciting!
A decisive move.
Lu Songli’s strength was too strong, turning the losing situation to her advantage!
Zhao Yutan was always blamed, she was no match for her at all.
This girl Lu Songli truly inherited her father’s skills, even the Empress Dowager couldn’t get a word in edgewise because of her.
Impressive, her skill in causing chaos is top-notch.
If Lu Songli knew what they were thinking, she would have spread her hands and said there was nothing she could do. When I talk about rules with you, you talk about sentiment; when I talk about sentiment, you start talking about rules.
Seeing that Zhao Yutan had fainted from being frightened by Lu Songli, a hint of amusement flashed in Qin Sheng’s eyes. His toes twitched; at this moment, he wished he could throw his head back and shout to the sky, then do a 360-degree spin and throw a punch.
Xie Zhan took a deep, meaningful look at Lu Songli.