Chapter 78: Someone fell into the water!

It truly is the direct bloodline of the Jiangjun Fu, born with an extraordinary demeanor.

Look at Pei Lao Furen—after all these years without returning to Jinling, she still carries a unique aura. I've heard this second young lady was raised and educated by her personally; how could she be lacking?

The Old Lady of the Zhongyi Hou Fu greeted her with a smiling face: "Sister, you've finally come! Today I gain face—no one in the whole Jinling City can move you, yet this old bone of mine has the honor to welcome your grand arrival!"

Pei Lao Furen warmly stepped forward to exchange pleasantries with her old sister and presented a congratulatory gift.

Li Qingluo also respectfully paid her respects, and the Old Lady of the Zhongyi Hou Fu gazed at her several times with keen interest.

When Li Qingluo was being led to the group of young ladies, she heard someone say: "It is said that the original marriage engagement was supposed to fall on this second young lady's head..."

It should have been her all along. Back then, they were referring to her, after all!

But the Jiangjun Fu is clearly declining these days; the Zhongyi Hou Fu might not be without variables...

Li Qingluo pretended not to hear anything, simply finding a spot in the corner to sit.

Qu Shi was also pulled away by an acquaintance and seated not far away, from time to time glancing at Li Qingluo, fearing she might do something embarrassing.

After all, this was her first time attending such a banquet, and the Jiangjun Fu has recently faced many troubles; they cannot afford to lose any more face.

Que'er took Li Qingluo's cloak and held it in her arms, while Cui Er stood by to receive the tea that was served.

"Young lady, the weather is dry today; have a sip to moisten your throat."

Before Li Qingluo could reply, someone nearby tugged at her and asked: "Did you really eat and sleep together with pigs and chickens?"

Li Qingluo turned her head to see a young girl with a childish appearance and a timid expression.

Although she was adorned with pearls and jade ornaments, her question was so blunt it seemed she lacked a brain.

"Miss, you are being far too offensive!"

Que'er could not help but step forward to shield Li Qingluo.

That little young lady merely pursed her lips, unconvinced.

The maid standing beside her bowed slightly to Li Qingluo with an apologetic expression.

Li Qingluo noticed that the surroundings fell silent for a moment; it seemed everyone was eager to know about her past.

She smiled indifferently and replied to the young lady: "Of course not. Pigs are omnivores; if you put a chicken in a pigsty, it likely wouldn't survive until the next day."

"Moreover, I have indeed slept together with poultry, but I slept above the pigsty."

"Because there were few rooms at home, I, another sister, and an aunt used to sleep together in the loft above the pigsty when we were young."

Li Qingluo's frankness made many young ladies pinch their noses in disgust.

It seemed as if she still carried a stench on her.

Even the young lady who had questioned her furrowed her brows.

At that moment, everyone stared at her, whispering and commenting.

Someone even laughed out loud: "What good fortune—anyone can manage to get into this place!"

"'Indeed, even if you dress up nicely now, you still came from the mountains; I think the whole hall reeks of pig dung."

"'It really stinks. Let's go outside!"

Four or five young ladies rose and went out together for fresh air, clearly showing their disdain for Li Qingluo.

Que'er clenched her fists in anger: "Young lady, they're going too far!"

A young lady nearby explained: "Don't be angry. Those few used to be on good terms with the eldest daughter of your household, so they're deliberately acting this way just to provoke you."

Li Qingluo: "Oh. Thank you… you don't mind, do you?"

The young lady smiled: "Why would I mind? I think that's just your past; now you smell quite nice."

"Besides, it's clearly you who suffered the injustice. If it weren't for your identity swap, the person who should have slept in the pigsty would have been Li Qingzhu."

Li Qingluo nodded: "What you say makes perfect sense."

The young lady's eyes lit up: "So you are truly the Li family's own flesh and blood who was sent away?"

Li Qingluo: "The rumors are true."

Her frankness made Qu Shi, not far away, tremble with anger all over.

She actually went and blurted out the truth just like that!?

Isn't that a slap to the face of their Li family, contradicting what they'd previously said outwardly?

Who gave her such audacity?

Although, just now she heard Li Qingluo say she slept in the pigsty and felt a bit surprised, even a twinge of pity, yet she went on to directly reveal Zhuzhu's background—even if Zhuzhu were dead, people would surely point fingers and gossip!

Thinking of this, Qu Shi felt her heart ache as if being wrung, wishing she could scold Li Qingluo right then and there!

She has become utterly arrogant!

Just because she was raised by the Old Lady, does that mean she can be so narrow‑minded, selfish, and vicious?

Zhuzhu is already dead, yet she insists on quarreling with her!?

Qu Shi's complexion darkened, and a woman beside her asked: "Sister, are those rumors outside really all true?"

Qu Shi's face stiffened for a moment: "No, it's not."

She really didn't want to come to this place of gossip today, knowing she'd be pulled aside and questioned endlessly.

But the master knew the old matriarch intended to bring Li Qingluo, so he insisted she come along to help out.

How could she not know the master's intentions?

Nothing more than wanting to quickly settle the former marriage engagement with the Zhongyi Hou Fu!

Although thinking that this marriage should have been Zhuzhu's makes Qu Shi feel a bit pained, now that Chuan'er has met with trouble, who knows how many people in Jinling City are eager to watch the Jiangjun Fu's drama.

Therefore, they must see this marriage through to a firm conclusion; otherwise the Jiangjun Fu will truly become the laughingstock of Jinling City.

"They are all fallacies!... Chuan'er has suffered a harsh fate and become like this, Zhuzhu is dead, yet these rumors still slander them! As their mother, I don't know how heartbroken I am. But facing such absurdities, I am also quite powerless to refute them…"

Qu Shi's greatest advantage is her delicate, tearful appearance.

Whoever hears it cannot help but feel a little pity and sympathy for her.

Li Qingluo had no expression, and she was too lazy to even pretend to get up and go comfort her mother.

The young lady beside her looked, lowered her head, covered her mouth and smiled, saying: "You're really interesting. I am Pei Shierniang, my given name is Nanjia. And you?"

Pei?

Li Qingluo caught that surname, thinking: "Could it be that her luck today is actually this good?"

She gave a slight smile and replied: "My name is Li Qingluo. You are, aren't you, the Pei Shierniang of the Pei State Duke's mansion?"

Pei Nanjia nodded slightly: "Yes. However, I am merely a concubine's daughter; you won't despise me for that, will you?"

Li Qingluo enthusiastically reached out and quickly grasped Pei Nanjia's hand: "I'm just a wild girl who came back from the mountains. You don't despise my past, so how could I dare to despise you?"

Both of them knew what relationship their families had, and, tacitly understanding, neither brought it up.

They each felt an inexplicable fondness for the other; they had only exchanged a couple of sentences when a sudden commotion arose outside.

"Someone has fallen into the water——!"

"Who is it?"

"It seems to be Princess Nanping!"

Pei Nanjia took Li Qingluo's hand and rushed out.

Outside the hall where these young ladies were resting, there indeed lay a lake.

At that moment, a figure was in the lake, violently thrashing and struggling.

However, everyone around was just watching the spectacle, and not a single person jumped in to save them.

The young masters and young ladies were each staying in separate places, and the servants of the Zhuang family had not yet arrived either.

Li Qingluo realized this was an opportunity for her, and without hesitation she dove headfirst into the water——