Chapter 136: Xuanjing Department, Xia Zhimeng

Leading the group is Wang Yan of the Guanglu Fu.

"Sister, don't be like that, get up first, and don't cry yourself sick! Qingran is a person of great blessings; she'll find a good family in the future!"

Wang Yan sobbed mournfully; after finishing her words, tears rolled down, and the image of a 'well‑meaning elder' was about to emerge.

Zhao Yan also took Zhao Shi's hand and urged, "Aunt, don't cry, take care of yourself! Young Master Xiao doesn't favor you, but there are still countless good men in the world, aren't there? Though you can't cultivate and aren't a virgin, you're beautiful! I believe you'll certainly find a home!"

Ye Huanhuan dabbed at the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief, though no tears were there; her eyes were reddened, and she glared at Xiao Ji, "Young Master Xiao, even if you don't like my sister, you can't speak so harshly and betray my sister's feelings! It's my sister who misread you; you're unworthy of her affection! My sister is so outstanding, she'll surely find a worthy man! I apologize on her behalf for the disturbance today!"

No wonder she's the first noble lady of Xiliang City; Ye Huanhuan's attitude and tone are impeccable, generous, and inspire goodwill.

The crowd couldn't help comparing her with Ye Qingran.

One has only beauty, cannot cultivate, is not a virgin, and even an ugly man like Xiao Ji looks down on her.

The other has superior eyebrows, outstanding talent, a virgin body, and her marriage prospect is the current Crown Prince.

The two compared are truly worlds apart!

A mischievous little girl pushed through the crowd, stood at the front, holding a skewer of candied hawthorn. In her big eyes, curiosity sparkled as she watched the bustle, feeling delighted, and a radiant smile rose on her face.

Today is another day of sneaking out to play!

But as the commotion gathered, it stopped being the same!

She heard that the subject of everyone's chatter was Ye Qingran!

"Damn, isn't that my sister Qingran?!"

The girl became angry, her face instantly darkened, teeth clenched, and anger surged upward.

The candied hawthorn in her hand instantly lost its fragrance!

At this moment, the ugly man Xiao Ji sneered, "Did I say something wrong? A woman like Ye Qingran is a pair of broken shoes; no man would want her! She vanished for five years—who knows how many men she was ambiguous with during those five years?" After speaking, he showed a lecherous expression, "Of course, if it's just for fun, that's still not bad! After all, I've heard Ye Qingran's beauty is unparalleled, the first in Xiliang City…"

"Shut your dog mouth!"

Xiao Ji hadn't finished his sentence when a cold wind struck, murderous intent flashing; he shivered, and by the time he reacted, the gust of wind was already upon him. His talent was average, his strength insufficient, leaving no room to evade the sudden ambush.

Thump—

A kick came down hard on Xiao Ji's face. Xiao Ji was knocked to the ground, covering his mouth, spitting out a mouthful of blood mixed with a few teeth.

Such a turn of events startled everyone.

"W‑who are you?" Xiao Ji, ignoring his pain, looked up in terror and asked.

"I am Miss—my name unchanged, my surname unchanged, Xuanjing Department, Xia Zhimeng!"

Xuanjing Department, Xia Zhimeng?!

Everyone present was utterly astonished by this identity.

The Xuanjing Department, directly overseen by His Majesty, is shrouded in strong mystery. The current Summer Venerable Envoy of the Xuanjing Department, though of advanced age, is like a Divine Dragon—seen only by the head, never the tail; it is said his power is unparalleled, and throughout Donglin Country, he has few rivals!

Xia Zhimeng is the Summer Venerable Envoy's granddaughter. She is also a mysterious figure. Unlike other noble ladies who make grand entrances at banquets, this Xuanjing Department's prized jewel has always kept a low profile and behaves oddly, so few know her.

But today, she stepped up for Ye Qingran?

"Xuanjing Department?" Xiao Ji was startled. Though he is from the richest Xiao Family, he is merely a peripheral branch, and with average ability, he holds no power or status; within the Xiao Family he is the laggard.

Today, the reckless words and deeds here were all prearranged, a coordinated performance.

"Now you're scared? Where's that arrogant swagger you had when you slandered others earlier? You, a useless ugly man, dare look down on Ye Qingran—someone as outstanding as her is beyond your desecration! Forget Ye Qingran; even street beggars wouldn't want to marry you! With your pathetic looks, you should just take a dog as a wife!"

If Xia Zhimeng didn't speak, her opening words would certainly shock the entire crowd.

Who could have imagined that the esteemed granddaughter of the Summer Venerable Envoy of the Xuanjing Department would be so sharp‑tongued?

Ye Huanhuan and the others also didn't expect that the play they had arranged would suddenly have Xia Zhimeng appear midway.

When did the Xia family start meddling so much? Moreover, from Xia Zhimeng's tone, she seems quite familiar with Ye Qingran.

Ye Huanhuan suppressed her surprise, a faint smile lifting her face, stepped forward and softly said, "I've long heard of Miss Xia of the Xuanjing Department's Chivalrous Heart; seeing her today, it truly lives up to the name."

Xia Zhimeng looked at Ye Huanhuan irritably, "When did I ever have a Chivalrous Heart? I only act out of righteousness when I can't stand slander! Can you stop speaking nonsense with your eyes open? Or do you think everyone here are fools?"

Xia Zhimeng's attitude was certainly unkind.

Ye Huanhuan was taken aback, apparently not expecting Xia Zhimeng to speak so bluntly; her expression almost slipped.

"Young Master Xiao, though your words were harsh, they didn't reach the level of slander…"

Xia Zhimeng stared steadily at Ye Huanhuan, then sneered, "Come to think of it, isn't Ye Qingran your sister? Why don't you speak up for her, instead you turn your elbow outward to aid a misbehaving ugly man? Ye Huanhuan, what are your true motives?"

The crowd watched Ye Huanhuan with keen interest, also finding today's events rather suspicious.

Ye Huanhuan felt a sudden blaze of anger rise within her, thinking how Xia Zhimeng's unorthodox actions inflamed her greatly.

She forced down her anger and explained, "Of course I'm on my sister's side. But you know, my sister likes Xiao Ji; she admitted it herself, so we have no choice."

Hearing that, Xia Zhimeng seemed as if she had heard the biggest joke ever.

"Ye Qingran would fall for an ugly man like Xiao Ji? Ye Huanhuan, who are you fooling?"

She suddenly thought of Wuhen. Though Wuhen's looks are plain, his aura is incredibly cool, especially when danger arises; his composed demeanor is simply stunning.

If one says Ye Qingran liked Wuhen, she has nothing to say; after all, aside from his looks, Wuhen is flawless in every other way.

As for Xiao Ji…

Please allow her to first vomit in respect!