Chapter 7: 7. Chapter 7: Am I a Trash Can? Why is all the dirty water being thrown on me?

Chapter 7: Am I a trash can? You splash all your dirty water on me

Cheng Jin feigned a fit of rage and slammed her hand onto the table, causing all the tea on the table to spill over. Coupled with Cheng Jin’s vicious words, Qu Wanxin began to worry if she had gone too far.

However, seeing Cheng Jin so furious, Qu Wanxin thought her goal was nearly achieved and restrained her expression slightly.

"I heard that yesterday, Your Ladyship accompanied the Emperor to the evening banquet. Surely it was to clear your name. I wonder if the Emperor believed you."

"If the Emperor were here now, I would certainly clarify to him that my falling into the water had nothing to do with you, and restore your innocence."

Cheng Jin looked at Qu Wanxin with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. If she weren't currently trying to let the girl have her way so she could stay away from their conflicts, she would have stopped holding back and started a fight right then and there.

Cheng Jin finally understood why the original owner could never control her temper when facing Qu Wanxin, leading herself down a dead end.

This "tea-flavored" act was so strong that her great-aunt back in the countryside could smell it.

Cheng Jin suppressed her temper and clenched her fists. Cuizhu, standing nearby, couldn't listen anymore and stepped forward to answer for Cheng Jin

"Don't think that just because you were brought back by the Emperor himself and rely on his slight concern for you, you can be disrespectful to Her Ladyship. You say it wasn't intentional, but I see it as deliberate. You fell into the lake yourself and then framed our Lady, causing the Emperor to harbor suspicions against her."

【Cuizhu, well said!】

Qu Wanxin seemed surprised that Cuizhu would talk back to her. However, hearing Cuizhu’s words and thinking about what Chuntao had said—that Chu Chengye was angry at Cheng Jin for her sake—she realized she truly did hold a different status in Chu Chengye’s heart, just as the palace rumors suggested.

She could surely use Chu Chengye’s power to bring about Cheng Jin’s downfall and clear the obstacles for the Fifth Prince, helping him ascend the throne. If she could really do that, perhaps she could even become the Empress.

She was a transmigrator; she was different from everyone else in this world.

As Qu Wanxin thought this, the maid beside her leaned over and whispered that the Emperor was almost there.

The corners of her mouth curled up. Looking at the furious Cheng Jin before her, she thought that the little eunuch she had bribed was indeed useful. It was time to add more fuel to the fire.

Qu Wanxin picked up the cup beside her, raised it toward Cheng Jin, and wore an apologetic expression

"Yesterday’s incident was indeed my fault. I offer this tea in place of wine; I hope Your Ladyship will forgive me."

Before Cheng Jin could say whether she accepted or not, and without checking if there was even water in her cup, Qu Wanxin stood up and splashed the tea directly onto her own face.

"Ah!"

Following a gasp, Qu Wanxin’s maid, showing great situational awareness, stepped forward to support her mistress. As if seeking justice for her master, she questioned Cheng Jin: "Your Ladyship, why must you be like this? My mistress has been so worried about the Emperor’s anger toward you since yesterday that she didn't sleep all night, and she came early today to beg for forgiveness."

"Yunhuan, don't lose your manners."

Qu Wanxin feigned weakness as she stopped her maid.

Singing in harmony, they were putting on quite a show.

"Regardless of whether my mistress falling into the water had anything to do with you, my mistress has already said she would plead with the Emperor on your behalf to ask for his mercy. Why must you be so relentless?"

Cheng Jin: "..."

They claimed it had nothing to do with her, yet every word they spoke implied that she was the one who pushed Qu Wanxin.

【Am I some kind of trash can? You splash all your dirty water on me.】

【I’ve told the author to read more books! This trick of splashing dirty water is something even a toddler who just learned to talk wouldn't use.】

Hearing the commotion behind her, Yunhuan, who had been aggressive just a moment ago, suddenly knelt down. "Your Ladyship, please show mercy and let our mistress go back. Her clothes are soaked by you; at the very least, let her change into clean clothes before coming to keep you company."

【Hey, are you okay? You’ve got two eggs under your eyebrows, but you only know how to blink and not how to see? My water is still sitting on the table, completely dry.】

【Forget it, let them talk. It would be best if that tyrant comes and flies into a rage, sending me to the Cold Palace, or even just grounding me. At least that would give me two days of peace.】

Standing outside the door, Chu Chengye listened to the commotion inside and Cheng Jin’s noisy inner voice. He frowned in confusion.

Is this Cheng Jin so wronged that she can't speak? Is she hell-bent on digging her way into the Cold Palace?

However, he had never been a "benevolent" ruler. If Cheng Jin was determined to enter the Cold Palace and avoid any connection with him, then he would insist on keeping her by his side.

Yesterday’s incident with Li Shen made Chu Chengye realize that the inner voice he heard from Cheng Jin was indeed true.

Through Li Shen, the Ministry of Justice had uncovered many people who had colluded with him. Since Li Shen was pushed out to commit the crime, it was clear he wasn't the mastermind. There must be many more of Li Shen’s accomplices in the court, and he might learn more clues from Cheng Jin.

Inside the room, Cheng Jin was still thinking about how to make it look like she had actually splashed the tea on Qu Wanxin’s face. She nonchalantly placed her sleeve on the table, trying to wipe away the remaining water stains.

Otherwise, the plot hole would be too obvious.

【No, seriously, if you weren't framing me, I’d even want to teach you a few tricks.】

Chu Chengye entered the room unexpectedly and stood behind Qu Wanxin.

Qu Wanxin pretended to be unaware and maintained her original posture.

Instead of hearing Chu Chengye’s angry reprimand toward Cheng Jin, he saw Cheng Jin quickly and guiltily kneeling on the ground as if she had a guilty conscience.

"This concubine greets the Emperor."

Only then did Qu Wanxin slowly turn around, looking teary-eyed and pitiful, softly calling out, "Your Majesty."

Chu Chengye looked at Qu Wanxin for only a second before looking down at Cheng Jin on the floor. He took a deep breath and asked, just for show

"It’s so noisy; what happened here?"

"This concubine knows she was wrong."

Cheng Jin glanced at Qu Wanxin. *It's all yours.*

"It’s nothing major. It’s just that the Noble Consort sent someone early this morning to ask me to come to the palace to talk. I don't know what I said that didn't please Her Ladyship, and then she..."

Chu Chengye had no patience for Qu Wanxin’s fake words. Did she think he was blind?

"If you feel you have nothing to do in this palace, I can find some work for you so you won't have the free time to stir up trouble."

Chu Chengye stared fixedly at Cheng Jin. "I wasn't asking you. Noble Consort Rong, you speak."

【Why isn't this following the script?】

Cheng Jin thought she would have to do it herself, so she repeated, "This concubine knows she was wrong."

To make sure Chu Chengye heard it clearly, she emphasized the word "wrong."

Chu Chengye squinted at Cheng Jin, who seemed to still be immersed in her act, and a terrifying smile appeared on his face: "I see you have nothing else to say."

He signaled for Wei An to help Cheng Jin up. "You kneel at every turn; aren't you tired? From now on, don't bother. I am not a wild beast."

Cheng Jin sneered in her heart.

【You aren't a wild beast, yet you’ve been almost entirely devoured by wild beasts.】

【And you’re dragging me down to be buried with you, the one who’s been almost entirely devoured by wild beasts.】

After hearing Cheng Jin’s thoughts, Chu Chengye’s face darkened. He looked at Qu Wanxin, who was still standing with her head bowed.

Is she the reason he was willing to give up his empire?

Chu Chengye let out a cold snort. Absolutely impossible.

"I see the palace matrons are all eating for free, to allow someone so ignorant of etiquette to remain here."

(End of chapter)