Chapter 43

“Mr. Sheng?”

Xiao Qianlan’s voice carried a hint of confusion.

“I know there is a husband from the Duke Qingguo’s mansion, but Duke Qingguo has no connection with my family, so I only know of him by name, not personally.”

“Why did you suddenly mention husband from the Sheng Family?”

Upon hearing this, Han Yaxian’s heart suddenly relaxed. This should be the answer Qiao Lang wanted to hear, right? If he’s nearby, then this matter should be settled.

Seeing Xiao Qianlan looking at her with doubt, Han Yaxian lowered her voice and said, “Sister Xiao, today at the poetry gathering, I overheard some rumors about Mr. Sheng seeming to have an interest in you.

I see you as a person of great virtue and integrity, unwilling to easily believe such rumors, but also knowing that innocence is hardest to prove. So, I took the liberty to approach you, hoping that Sister Xiao could be more cautious.”

“Today’s words are indeed presumptuous, please don’t blame me for being impudent, Sister Xiao.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qianlan’s complexion changed drastically.

“Such absurdity? This is a huge injustice! I am not acquainted with that Mr. Sheng at all!”

Xiao Qianyue, upon hearing this, was enraged.

“Who dares to spread such nonsense and tarnish my sister’s reputation? What kind of person is that Mr. Sheng to dare to associate with my sister?”

“Miss Han, tell me who these gossipers are, and I, Xiao Qianyue, will go to their residence and teach them a lesson!”

Han Yaxian looked embarrassed upon hearing this. “Miss Xiao, I don’t usually socialize with everyone, so I don’t recognize those people’s faces.”

Xiao Qianyue suddenly remembered Han’s reputation in the capital circle, feeling a bit hesitant.

At this moment, Xiao Qianlan quickly stood up to stop Xiao Qianyue.

“Sister, didn’t you hear what Miss Han said earlier? It’s hardest to prove innocence. These are just private rumors. I maintain my integrity and am not afraid of such gossip.”

“If you make a big fuss and it becomes widely known, then our Xiao family will truly lose face.”

“Enough, the pure will remain pure. Let them gossip as they please.”

Xiao Qianlan’s words were gentle yet firm, calm and composed.

Seeing this, Han Yaxian nodded silently.

Indeed, Miss Xiao, renowned for her beauty and grace, demonstrates remarkable tact and magnanimity.

“Miss Han, thank you for informing me of this matter. I know that with your character, you must have struggled with this for a long time.”

At this moment, Xiao Qianlan still expressed gratitude to Han Yaxian, understanding her predicament.

Upon hearing this, Han Yaxian’s face suddenly flushed with shame, feeling deeply remorseful.

To encounter such a virtuous woman while having deceived her with lies was truly a wrongdoing.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao almost couldn’t resist applauding!

The misunderstanding is resolved!

She leaned over to observe the prince’s expression, only to see his brows relax, his eyes bright, and he appeared to be in high spirits.

【Tsk tsk tsk, look at that, he’s happy, he’s satisfied, he’s found his wife back!】

【Sob sob sob, why are there so many good sisters-in-law and sisters, but each of them ends up in a bad situation!】

Qiao Jiao Jiao was inwardly lamenting when suddenly, from a distance, came an urgent cry, followed by a splash—

Something fell into the water!

The cry startled Han Yaxian and the Xiao sisters behind the tree.

They exchanged glances and hurried over, only to lift their heads and see three figures.

“Your Highness!” Xiao Qianlan whispered lowly, quickly pulling Xiao Qianyue to bow.

Han Yaxian exchanged a glance with Qiao Tianjing without a word, and in an instant, both averted their gazes.

Xiao Qianlan didn’t know how long the prince and his party had been standing here. Thinking about the conversation between her and Han Yaxian, her face couldn’t help but pale slightly.

The prince… Could he have heard everything?

Does he know about the rumors between her and Mr. Sheng?

Will he… misunderstand her?

Xiao Qianlan felt uneasy. She had been fearless of gossip just moments ago, open and candid.

But now, in front of the man she admired, she couldn’t help but feel a hint of timidity and concern.

A year ago, the prince had personally delivered an edict from the emperor to the Xiao residence.

That was the first time Xiao Qianlan had seen the prince.

The young man was tall and graceful, with an inherent royal dignity that couldn’t be concealed. Yet, he was also gentle and approachable, polite and courteous to his parents.

Xiao Qianlan couldn’t help but think at the time that he must be the finest young man in the world.

However, the prince’s status was lofty, and the position of prince’s consort was of even greater significance. Even she, the eldest daughter of the General of Cavalry, might not have the good fortune to attain such a position.

Moreover, her father, as a general holding military power, had always been an object of both favor and fear by the imperial family throughout history. Xiao Qianlan didn’t dare to hope for such a position, nor did she want her father to face more suppression and constraints because of it.

However, with just one glance, a thousand thoughts flashed through Xiao Qianlan’s mind, but she quickly composed herself, appearing respectful and polite.

The prince’s face showed a hint of embarrassment.

Oops, their eavesdropping was exposed…

“I and the two young masters from the Qiao family just arrived here, unaware that the three young ladies were also present,” the prince awkwardly explained.

Xiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but chuckle.

[No matter how mature the prince may be, he still acts foolishly in front of his beloved. Isn’t this a classic case of being caught red-handed? It would have been better not to explain.]

The prince evidently realized this too.

Hmm… What to do?

Miss Xiao wouldn’t think that I have a bad character, would she? Am I too smooth-tongued?

Miss Xiao Qianyue, the second young lady of the Xiao family, didn’t have such keen thoughts.

She leaned forward and, seeing everyone was silent, took the initiative to speak:

“Your Highness, just now it sounded like someone fell into the water. Shall we go and take a look?”

She really didn’t understand why everyone was standing around here staring at each other.

Qiao Diyi agreed with her, nodding vigorously, “Miss Xiao is right!”

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but laugh.

[Exactly, Diyi. From now on, you’ll only say this in front of your wife.]

[Now it’s Miss Xiao Qianyue who’s right, later it’ll be my wife who’s right!]

[Haha, my brother and sister-in-law are quite the pair of jesters in the capital!]

Qiao Diyi, upon hearing this, not only wasn’t shy, but his eyes actually brightened.

Look, that’s my future wife, so adorable!

The Crown Prince: Thanks to Miss Xiao Qianyue for providing an out.

“All right, let’s go take a look together.”

Qiao Jiaojiao thought carefully. There didn’t seem to be a scene of someone falling into the water in the original, right? Could it be that some unlucky person slipped?

The group hurried toward the direction of the sound. As they got closer, they indeed heard the splashing sound.

Turning around a stout willow tree, the scene on the riverbank came into view.

Qiao Jiaojiao exclaimed, “This is like ancient bullying!”

They saw seven or eight young ladies standing arrogantly on the bank, among whom the most conspicuous was Miss Sheng Xiuran.

Her gorgeous gown shimmered with colorful light under the sun, very eye-catching.

Qiao Jiaojiao grumbled, “Let me see, who’s the unlucky one being bullied.”