Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Guo Ximei

“I am Leng Yueheng. I hear you’ve been spreading rumors about Prince Ji and me? Aren’t you afraid I might really get close to Prince Ji and cause you trouble later?”

Though Leng Yueheng’s tone was casual, the group of underachieving girls were taken aback. She wasn’t much older than them, yet carried an unmistakable air of authority.

“So what if you get close to Prince Ji? Everyone knows Prince Ji is cursed with women. Aren’t you afraid you’ll end up cursed to death?” A sixth-rank noble daughter boldly retorted.

Leng Yueheng had been waiting for this. This sharp-tongued girl deserved a lesson.

She cast a cold glance over the other gossipy young ladies and calmly said, “Nanny Zhuang, report this to the authorities. Tell them someone here insulted the prince! All the ladies present are witnesses!”

Leng Yueheng understood that the more people who heard it, the less likely anyone would dare lie. No one knew who might tell the truth, and no one wanted to be implicated by accident. The safest course was to speak honestly.

Nanny Zhuang had already gone to report the incident.

The cluster of scheming girls turned pale, quickly distancing themselves from the bold noble daughter to show they had nothing to do with her.

Insulting the prince was a capital offense. Though gossip could not be controlled, it was usually whispered only to trusted confidants. If someone was reported to the magistrate’s office, the matter became serious.

The sixth-rank noble daughter’s legs weakened, sweat beading on her forehead as she stumbled and fell, crawling toward Leng Yueheng.

“Please… don’t…” the girl stammered.

With an arrogant smile, Leng Yueheng pushed her away and lifted her chin. “Beg the officers if you must! Don’t beg me, Third Miss!”

Her proud little expression almost made Leng Yueheng laugh aloud.

Several officers from the Jingzhao Prefecture were patrolling nearby. Upon hearing Nanny Zhuang’s report, they exchanged knowing smiles—another visitor bringing silver.

Cases involving rumors about Prince Ji were common, often brought by enemies seeking revenge. Recently, reports had increased, as Prince Ji seemed to have become a tool for settling scores.

The officers often gossiped about Prince Ji themselves during idle moments, but only among trusted colleagues.

Such cases rarely involved the court and were seldom escalated. The accused’s family would slip some silver to the prefect, and after a few days’ detention, the matter would fade away.

In ancient times, without recordings or videos, it was difficult to convict someone for talking behind another’s back unless there were multiple witnesses.

If the accused had no family to intercede, punishment could be severe—flogging or even execution.

The officers went upstairs to get a rough understanding of the situation and were about to escort the sixth-rank noble daughter back to the precinct to follow “proper procedures.”

Suddenly, Leng Yueheng’s clear and pleasant voice sounded behind them.

“Officers, I am Third Miss Leng, daughter of the Hanlin scholar Leng. This young lady just insulted Prince Ji, and all the ladies present heard it. Why haven’t you invited us to the precinct for questioning?”

The officers froze instantly. Third Miss Leng was the heroine of recent entertainment gossip. The primary complainant reporting the case could not be ignored, especially with so many witnesses.

If the rumors were true, one scolding from Third Miss Leng could cost them their heads.

The lead officer immediately backed down, smiling broadly as he invited Leng Yueheng and the other noble daughters to Jingzhao Prefecture for interrogation.

Only when dusk fell did Leng Yueheng lead Leng Yuejiao and their maid back home.

Just inside the gate, a footman hurried to inform them that Master Leng requested their presence in Minghui Hall.

Ah, a visitor. Minghui Hall, situated in the front courtyard, was reserved for receiving guests or discussing important affairs.

Leng Yueheng and Leng Yuejiao entered gracefully, finding a plump middle-aged couple seated in the main seats.

After greeting her father, Leng Yueheng took a seat opposite the visitors.

Leng Xuanru introduced the guests.

They were the parents of the “bold” Miss Guo Ximei. The couple smiled awkwardly at Leng Yueheng.

It seemed they had learned about their daughter’s plight and, having no one else willing to intervene, had come to make a plea in person, understanding that the crux of the matter was Third Miss Leng.

Leng Yueheng rubbed her forehead, feeling a twinge of irritation.

After wandering the streets today, she felt her life was hanging by a thread.

The rumors were spreading rapidly, making her the center of gossip. If this continued, she would inevitably attract the attention of Chancellor Zhao. She needed to devise a strategy quickly.

She had already given many young ladies a lesson at the Tea Parlor today, so they likely wouldn’t mock Leng Yuejiao anymore or nag her constantly.

“I suppose you, Master Guo, are fully aware of the situation,” Leng Yueheng said bluntly.

“Miss Guo insulted Prince Ji and has been locked in the Jingzhao Prefecture prison. As a woman of the inner chambers, I understand nothing of the law; I leave it all to my father’s judgment.”

Leng Yueheng implied, “Don’t speak to me, speak to my father.”

She gave Leng Xuanru a meaningful glance, then hurried away with a reluctant Leng Yuejiao.

Mrs. Guo wiped her tear-filled eyes, casting a resentful glare at Leng Yueheng’s departing back.

Leng Xuanru naturally understood his daughter’s expression and couldn’t help but show a pleased smile.