Chapter 94: The First Stepmother

Ye Qingran read these people's reactions in her eyes; her face was as calm as water, but she couldn't help a cold laugh inside.

These past few days, rumors that she bore an Unmarried Child spread throughout Xiliang City.

Although it was true, it was clear that someone was meddling, adding spice to the truth, distorting facts, as if eager to destroy her with rumors.

As for who the instigator was, it seemed self‑evident.

Other than Zhao Shi and her daughter, no one else.

Moreover, Zhao Shi, to hype a "First Stepmother" persona, even went so far as to expose herself publicly and cause a scene before a crowd.

Ye Qingran has been playing the pig to eat the tiger for years, and she doesn't care about any fame.

But after doing this, someone still dared to act before her?

Sorry, she's not a saint!

Ye Qingran smiled, but she didn't look at Ye Huanhuan; instead she fixed her gaze on Ye Sisi beside her, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Ye Sisi, you reconciled with Zhao Yan so quickly? I thought Zhao Yan had snatched your Seventh Prince, and you'd be at odds with her. Could it be that you're planning to give the Seventh Prince to her?"

Ye Qingran shifted the topic directly; her words were even more cutting, causing the three, who had been arrogant, to instantly change expression.

Zhao Yan felt a chill in her heart, hurriedly looked at Ye Sisi and comforted, "Sisi, we'll discuss our matters later…"

Before coming, they had indeed reached a temporary agreement, temporarily setting aside their mutual hatred to jointly confront Ye Qingran.

However, the hatred they had barely set aside was reignited by Ye Qingran's public mention, and trying to suppress it again seemed difficult.

"Sisi, you didn't know that night, Zhao Yan and the Seventh Prince were at your Yueji Yuan, indulging wildly, having a great time, and the Seventh Prince even said he'd give her a title…"

Ye Qingran's lips curled slightly, her clear voice tinged with a hint of demonic charm, leading listeners to fall into decadence.

The crowd was dumbfounded upon hearing it.

They had come to watch Ye Qingran's excitement, yet suddenly they got a big piece of gossip.

The Seventh Prince and the lady of Guanglu Fu, Zhao Yan, were secretly involved, apparently still in Ye Sisi's residence…

So there were such hidden secrets!

It's downright exhilarating!

Feeling the crowd's excited expressions and eager gazes, Ye Sisi gradually clenched her teeth, and the fists at her sides tightened.

The final straw that toppled the camel was Ye Qingran's remark, "The Seventh Prince even said he'd give her a title."

Title?

What title?

Given Guanglu Fu's status, the Seventh Prince could never take Zhao Yan as a concubine.

If Grand Minister Zhao Tian of Guanglu were a bit more forceful, lobbying before His Majesty, would the Seventh Prince still have to take her as a consort?

And what about Ye Sisi?

What does that even mean?

Ye Sisi's mind whirled, constantly imagining the scene of the Seventh Prince and Zhao Yan ravaging each other in bed.

The way the Seventh Prince treated her in bed, he would treat Zhao Yan the same way!

Why?

The Seventh Prince belongs to Ye Sisi!

Zhao Yan, why did you snatch everything that should have been hers!

Zhao Yan, you bitch!

Ye Huanhuan clearly sensed Ye Sisi's agitation; she seemed to be suppressing it to the limit, the blue veins on her forehead bulging, on the brink of eruption.

"Sisi, don't fall for Ye Qingran's trap; she's deliberately provoking you!" Ye Huanhuan hurried to Ye Sisi's side, grabbed her hand, and whispered comfort.

Zhao Yan's expression turned extremely sour.

Originally, the events at the Ye Residence banquet were well concealed; aside from the officials who attended that night and their families, no one else knew.

The common folk, of course, had no way of learning it.

Who would have thought that Ye Qingran would say it out loud on the street, in front of so many people?

Ambiguous glances fell upon her, and she felt as if she had returned to that night, being stripped of her clothes…

"Sisi, whether you want to kill or maim, I'm with you, but don't be deceived by Ye Qingran; she only wants to sow discord between us!"

Zhao Yan also hurriedly spoke, trying to curb Ye Sisi's dark turn.

Finishing her words, Zhao Yan shot a fierce gaze at Ye Qingran, as sharp as a sword, seemingly trying to pierce her.

Ye Qingran lifted her eyelids, her gaze meeting Zhao Yan's coolly, as if saying, "You brought this on yourself!"

"Zhao Yan, you bitch!" Ye Sisi finally couldn't hold back the tide of jealousy inside her.

She suddenly turned her face, eyes like knives, as if wanting to cut Zhao Yan to pieces.

Zhao Yan felt a chill, her whole body stiffened, as if falling into an ice cellar.

"Sisi, calm down!" Ye Huanhuan was also extremely anxious.

"Let go of me; if I don't properly deal with this bitch today, I will no longer bear the Ye surname!"

Ye Sisi shouted at Ye Huanhuan.

Ye Huanhuan was stunned by the shout.

Ye Sisi broke free from Ye Huanhuan's arm restraints, storming toward Zhao Yan at a rapid pace.

Today Zhao Yan wore a pink chiffon dress that perfectly outlined her graceful figure, especially the cleft at her chest, clear and extending downward, sparking endless imagination!

This bitch originally lured her brother Xuan with such a seductive posture, didn't she?

"Zhao Yan, you scum, watch me tear your face apart!"

Although Zhao Yan felt guilty, being publicly insulted by Ye Sisi made her inner fury rise.

Moreover, she covets the Seventh Prince; she's determined to climb onto his high branch, and will inevitably become Ye Sisi's enemy.

Thus, Ye Sisi and Zhao Yan, under everyone's gaze, began to grapple.

Everyone went from initial shock to later watching the show with a playful attitude.

Two prominent noble ladies from the capital, fighting over a man in the street and disregarding their image—such a scene isn't something you see every day!

Ye Sisi and Zhao Yan were truly engaged in close combat; before long their hair was disheveled and their jeweled hairpins lay scattered on the ground.

As embarrassed as could be.

"Stop!"

Zhao Shi rushed over, her expression anxious.

Along with her was Zhao Yan's birth mother, Wang Shi.

Seeing Ye Sisi and Zhao Yan tangled together, completely disregarding their image, both of their faces instantly turned ugly.

The Ye and Zhao families are the prominent clans of Xiliang City, distinguished and noble; both young ladies are esteemed noblewomen of the city.

Yet now, disregarding decorum, they brawl openly before everyone—what propriety is this?

"Sisi, stop quickly!"

"Yan'er, enough!"

Zhao Shi and Wang Yan spoke at the same time.

However, the two acted as if mad, pulling each other's hair and grabbing collars, unable to separate, displaying all sorts of ugliness.

Seeing them pay no heed, Zhao Shi's face darkened; she ordered people to step forward and forcibly pull them apart, ignoring their wishes, and had them taken away directly.

After Ye Sisi and Zhao Yan left, Zhao Shi struggled to calm herself.

"Qingran, why have you been avoiding me? I've finally found you!"

She spoke gently, her face kind and benevolent, showing no blame toward Ye Qingran for stirring up trouble between Zhao Yan and Ye Sisi.

Seeing this, the crowd couldn't help but feel surprised, increasingly convinced of Zhao Yan's image as the 'first stepmother.'

"Anything?"

Ye Qingran gave Zhao Shi a sideways glance, her tone indifferent and aloof from the core.

Zhao Shi had long heard of the 'Oscar‑worthy performance' she put on at the wine house.

She wondered what scheme Zhao Shi was preparing.

"Qingran, I've found a few prospects for you—go meet them; if you don't like them, forget it, I'm begging you!"

Zhao Shi deliberately dressed plain and simple today; though her makeup was fine, it could not hide her fatigue, her smile kind and gentle, resembling that of an elderly mother.

"Finished speaking?"