Chapter 147: Looks Like a Human

Gu Huanghou glanced at everyone's reaction, her eyes flashing, and continued: "Then tell everyone how Ye Qingran confessed her feelings to you, and why you rejected her?"

Xiao Ji lifted his head, glanced toward Ye Huanhuan's direction; Ye Huanhuan barely visible nodded, and Xiao Ji said: "That night, she asked me to meet, and lovingly told me she liked me, hoped I could marry her, and if possible, she was willing to elope with me to the ends of the earth."

My Palace couldn't help but speak: "It's not that My Palace has an issue with you, but your qualifications, which you understand yourself; Ye Qingran is, after all, the General Dingyuan's daughter, so why would she set her sights on you?"

Xiao Ji hesitated for a moment, "Your Majesty, the Empress, is correct. Actually, at first I was also curious, so I asked her the reason. She said she liked me because I look like a human…"

Looks like a person?

What person?

"Ye Qingran, six years ago you slept with a Wild Man and became pregnant; could it be that the person Xiao Ji mentioned is the man who got you pregnant six years ago?"

Under Seventh Prince Dongfang Xuan's reminder, everyone couldn't help but recall that six years ago, Ye Qingran had slept with a certain man and became pregnant.

Could it be that that man was indeed Ye Qingran's former lover?

Everyone's interest was instantly piqued.

No wonder Ye Qingran set her sights on Xiao Ji; it turns out he is a stand-in for someone. It seems she still harbors affection for the man from six years ago, and after all these years she hasn't forgotten.

Seeing everyone's reaction was quite ambiguous, Dongfang Xuan continued: "I, the Prince, thought you were merely a victim back then, but I didn't expect you were willing of your own accord!"

Everyone's gaze at Ye Qingran changed.

Xiao Ji then continued: "Although Ye Qingran is the General Dingyuan's daughter and the most beautiful woman in Xiliang, I still rejected her. As for the reason, of course it's because she is no longer pure, and moreover she's a waste without a Spiritual Root! I, Xiao Ji, though only a side branch of the Xiao Family, still hope my wife is chaste. One's cultivation talent can be ordinary, but one cannot be a waste with no Spiritual Root!"

Xiao Ji's words left no room for courtesy, striking Ye Qingran's sore spot. As a result, Ling Shaoyang and several others frowned tightly, their gazes at Xiao Ji as cold as snow.

"Xiao Ji, you must not speak recklessly!"

Ye Qingran stared at Xiao Ji with a heavy gaze, biting a silver tooth, her pretty face full of anger.

This attitude, in everyone's eyes, made them think Ye Qingran was angry out of shame.

Thirteenth Princess was the first to sneer: "Ye Qingran, you asked Xiao Ji to come for a confrontation; now we've brought him, he spoke the truth, yet you are angry out of shame. How does the saying go? If you don't want others to know, you must not do it yourself; there is no wall that doesn't let wind through. If you want to erect a memorial arch, don't be a whore!"

Probably because those words were too harsh, even Gu Huanghou couldn't help but shout: "Ling'er!"

Dongfang Ling'er pursed her lips, unimpressed: "Mother Empress, I'm merely speaking the truth!"

"Do not speak recklessly," Gu Huanghou scolded. She didn't really intend to reprimand Dongfang Ling'er; calling her that was merely her duty as Empress, after all, as the mother of a nation she needed to uphold the Imperial Clan's dignity.

"Your Majesty, I actually think the princess is right. Ye Qingran herself committed these unsavory deeds, was exposed, then pretended to have Xiao Ji come for a confrontation; now Xiao Ji has spoken the truth, yet she puts on a look of great grievance—who is she trying to impress?"

Mu Qingrou, who had previously been publicly humiliated by Ye Qingran, finally found a chance to retaliate. The face beneath the veil concealed her expression, but those eyes seemed as if they had been laced with poison.

"Exactly, sister, acknowledging one's mistake and improving is a great virtue; just admit it, we won't blame you!" Ye Sisi said sarcastically.

"Ye Qingran, the matter has come to this, what else do you have to say?" Dongfang Xuan finally raised his eyebrows in triumph. Previously, Ye Qingran had insulted a gossiping woman; now with solid evidence, he wanted to see how Ye Qingran would extricate herself!

At this moment, Ye Huanhuan, eyes reddened, stood up: "Stop talking about sister; sister has truly had a hard time these years. Because of that mistake six years ago, she has silently endured so much, and I feel deeply sorry for her! If possible, I… she met Xiao Ji, which gave her a place to rely on; although Xiao Ji didn't set his sights on sister, for sister it is undoubtedly a chance to bid farewell to the past and emerge from the mire. Now she is Lord Zhou's fiancée, and will soon be married into the Zhou Residence to start a new life. I hope everyone can give sister a chance to start anew."

Ye Huanhuan's words were especially moving; reaching the depth of emotion, she shed two perfect tears, and her kind demeanor surely evoked the pity of many.

But Ye Qingran, upon hearing that, sneered coldly in her heart.

What a beautiful White Lotus!

"Huanhuan, don't cry; if she truly acknowledges her mistake and reforms, we will give her a chance."

The Crown Prince gently wiped the still-wet tear tracks from Ye Huanhuan's cheek, a tender curve lifting his lips.

Everyone, seeing this, couldn't help but echo, saying that for Ye Huanhuan's sake they would strive to forgive Ye Qingran and give her another chance to start over...

Zhao Shi couldn't help but cry out, while Wang Yan continuously comforted her; she sobbed, "Qingran, you truly have it hard; whether six years ago or six years later, you still can't be with the one you love. I'm such a useless stepmother…"

"Sister, please don't say that. Qingran is now Lord Zhou's fiancée; she'll marry into the Zhou Residence, become Lady Zhou, and will be very happy! Lord Zhou, do you agree?"

Zhou Hai, who was called out, hurriedly laughed: "Yes!"

"Yes, aunt, today is indeed a day worth rejoicing; please don't cry any more. Yan'er knows that all these years you've worried yourself sick over sister Qingran, and now finally the bitterness has turned to sweetness!"

Ye Huanhuan also turned to Zhao Shi and said: "Mother, we should thank the Empress, for she found such a good match for sister."

Zhao Shi abruptly stopped her sobbing and repeatedly bowed in thanks to Gu Huanghou.

Xia Zhimeng could no longer bear to watch.

"Sister Qingran, please say something!" These people acted as if they were genuine, as if they truly cared for her, and it made her feel almost nauseated.

"Xiao Ji, I'll ask you again: were everything you just said sincere?"

Amid this supposedly moving atmosphere, Ye Qingran suddenly spoke coldly.

With Xiao Ji's earlier confession and Zhao Shi's troupe, many believed the rumors; now seeing Ye Qingran not only ungrateful but repeatedly struggling, they couldn't hide their displeasure.

"Ye Qingran, Xiao Ji has already admitted it; why do you keep asking? Is it interesting?"

"Exactly, not being grateful is one thing, but being so overbearing is truly disappointing!"

"Simply incomprehensible!"

……

Sharp accusations came from all directions.

Gu Huanghou displayed a proper smile: "Ye Qingran, didn't Xiao Ji just say it? Everyone was listening, you…"

"No!"

Gu Huanghou's words were not finished when a shout interrupted.

It was Xiao Ji.