Chapter 9: Chapter 531: A Show of Force [9]

"Changle, you are going too far! The Duke of Zhenguo was kind enough to escort me home; he is a guest of our Xu Manor. Where has the kind and innocent you gone? Why are you targeting him as if you've swallowed gunpowder? Changle, I am so disappointed in you. You've changed—you've become so vicious! Such a lack of upbringing and manners; you are no different from those arrogant and overbearing young ladies!"

Xu Ruoshi completely shed her previous fearful expression toward Changle, instead beginning to lecture her with earnest, painstaking persuasion.

Upon hearing these words that inverted black and white, Changle's heart throbbed with a sudden, piercing pain, as if being pricked by needles.

On the surface, Xu Ruoshi's words carried no thorns, yet every sentence was hurtful. She had already described Xu Changle as a malicious, ill-mannered woman who had lost her innocence and kindness.

Thinking of this, a flash of cold light suddenly darted through her beautiful eyes, and her gaze fixed upon Xu Ruoshi with extreme sharpness. "Our Xu Manor? As far as I know, the Xu Manor is my home, Changle's home, and has nothing to do with an outsider like you! If you continue to sow discord between us, do not blame me for disregarding our past friendship!"

Changle had been silent, but once she spoke, she slapped Xu Ruoshi's face hard. A woman with no status or title actually dared to act arrogant before her.

With these words, Xu Ruoshi truly acted as if she were the mistress of the Xu Manor.

At this moment, Changle truly wanted to say one thing to her: Bitch!

A hypocritical bitch—the kind of bitch who wants to play the whore while acting like a saint!

Hearing Changle's words, Xu Ruoshi's face grew even paler. She stared at Changle in disbelief, tears streaming down her face. Even Yan Chenyu behind her stared at Changle with eyes full of resentment, as if Changle were some great villain.

"Sister, you are too cruel! How can you say such things? In the past, I was bullied by others for your sake, and I was even willing to give up my life for you. I never expected that for the sake of the Crown Prince, you would treat me like this. How is what you say any different from killing me? You are deeply slicing my heart with a thousand cuts."

As soon as Xu Ruoshi finished speaking, Yan Chenyu behind her grabbed her hand, looking at her with a face full of pity. "Ruoshi, what is the point of staying in such a home? If you don't mind, you can come to the Duke of Zhenguo's manor. I can protect you."

"But... but I cannot bear to leave Madam and Master. They are the ones who raised me, and I haven't yet repaid their kindness. I also cannot bear to leave Sister Changle..." Once Xu Ruoshi began to act, it was estimated that aside from Changle, few people could expose her.

Changle stared at her with a cold sneer, remaining silent for the moment. She wanted to see what kind of tricks she was planning to play.

"They are all trying to drive you away, yet you are still speaking up for them. You are truly too foolish." Yan Chenyu held Xu Ruoshi's hand tightly. In his heart, Xu Ruoshi had now become a pure and kind white lotus.

As for Changle, she had become an unpardonable demon.

"But even if I go with you, I... I have no status. It would be so bad for a young lady who is not yet married if word got out. I would be better off dead." Xu Ruoshi's tears flowed even more violently. Whenever she was sad, she would lean her body toward Yan Chenyu, hugging him tightly and using him as her sole support.

Seeing this, Changle finally understood. She had just been played by Xu Ruoshi and had fallen into her trap.

Xu Ruoshi wanted to hook the sucker Yan Chenyu. She was using Changle's straightforward personality to disguise herself as a weak woman, hoping to make Yan Chenyu sympathize with her and marry her.

Her schemes were indeed profound.

Sure enough, Yan Chenyu felt he had never seen such a noble and kind beauty. He immediately cupped Xu Ruoshi's small face and made a promise to her tearful eyes: "Rest assured, I will marry you. I will follow all the formal marriage rites and make you my officially wed Duchess!"