You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 178 Exposed on the spot
Gu Xizhi had no choice but to say, "Don't make things up without evidence. Besides, Miss Jian is my mother's savior. Please give her some consideration."

Xie Fubai, standing to the side, couldn't help but say, "Wan'er, if you have any grievances, let's talk about them when we get back to the manor. Don't cause trouble here."

Xie Wan'er retorted directly, "She can fool you, but she can't fool me! I have many close friends in the capital, and I've heard everything since I got back."

During the talent show, it was one thing for her to show off her talents and deliberately steal the spotlight. I also heard that when my cousin was auditioning, he explicitly stated that he was incompatible with people whose element was fire, and that anyone whose element was fire or whose name contained the fire radical should avoid him.

"Jian Shuyan's name clearly contains two characters related to fire, yet she refuses to withdraw from the talent show. Isn't she just scheming to marry my cousin?"

Upon hearing this, Jian Shuyan's pretty face immediately turned bright red.

Xie Fubai was stunned and couldn't help but turn to look at Jian Shuyan, not believing it at all.

Jian Shuyan once said that she had no choice in the matter, that she was forced by her family, and that she would try every means to avoid being selected because she did not want to marry into the Prince of Pingxi's mansion.

He felt sorry for her, sympathized with her, and understood her. He took all the responsibility upon himself and refused to allow anyone to say a single bad word about her because of this.

If what Wan'er said is true, then everything becomes intriguing and a joke.

Liang Jiang was also quite surprised. Gu Xizhi hadn't publicized this matter, yet Xie Wan'er had found out in just two days since returning to the capital.

She glanced at Xie Wan'er, then at Gu Xizhi, lost in thought.

Xie Wan'er's words were hardly unintentional; they were probably instigated by Gu Xizhi to use her to reveal the truth.

Gu Xizhi also looked surprised and asked Jian Shuyan, "Miss Jian, is what Wan'er said true?"

Jian Shuyan stammered, unable to speak.

Minister Jian hurriedly stepped forward to explain, "My daughter did indeed use the character 'Yan' in her name when she was young, but she changed it long ago, and the old name is no longer valid."

Gu Xizhi snorted coldly: "Does Lord Jian mean it's null and void? During the selection of candidates, I specifically stated this matter. Why did your daughter not mention it at all?"

Minister Jian was speechless after being refuted, and he and Jian Shuyan knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

Gu Xizhi's face was ashen: "Everyone knows that my royal brother is a believer in the Taoist Five Elements theory. Whether the Five Elements of my birth chart and the princess's birth chart are compatible will also affect the fortune of Chang'an."

"How dare you deceive me! If Wan'er hadn't exposed us, what would our wedding in a few days have been if not deceiving the emperor?"

Jian Shuyan lowered her head: "Your Highness, please forgive me. When I changed my name, it was under the guidance of a master. Changing one's name changes one's fate, altering the five elements and destiny. The old name is now invalid."

"If Your Highness minds, Shuyan will go to the palace immediately and plead with the Emperor to rescind the decree."

"Enough," Gu Xizhi said coldly. "Considering Miss Jian's kindness to my mother, I will not hold this against her. However, I will personally report to the Emperor and ask him to make a decision."

Jian Shuyan's face turned slightly pale, and she was at a loss for what to do.

Gu Xizhi turned to Xie Wan'er and asked, "Wan'er, are you feeling any better?"

Xie Wan'er nodded: "It's much better now."

"Then let him go back to the Marquis's residence to recuperate. Don't disturb Lord Jian and the others."

Xie Wan'er nodded obediently and said, "I'll listen to my cousin."

The servants of the Marquis's residence rushed forward and helped Xie Wan'er up.

Madam Xie glanced at Xie Fubai with concern: "Fubai, shall we go back to the manor?"

Xie Fubai kept his eyes fixed on Jian Shuyan, his eyes swirling with complex emotions, his face full of hurt. He didn't even hear Madam Xie's urging. Gu Xizhi sighed and patted his shoulder: "Fubai, let's go."

Xie Fubai seemed to wake from a dream, looked deeply at Jian Shuyan, and said in a hoarse voice, "Let's go."

Jian Shuyan opened her mouth, but said nothing. Xie Wan'er had come prepared this time, catching her off guard and causing her to lose, but that didn't mean there was no chance to turn things around.

Everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts, and no one paid any attention to Liang Jiang when they left.

Gu Xizhi glanced at her silently, then turned and was the first to walk out.

Xie Wan'er was overjoyed at this moment, and was no longer the sickly girl she had been just moments before. She practically skipped and jumped behind Gu Xizhi as they left the Jian residence.

Liang Jiang left without a word, and Xie Fubai finally came to his senses, turning his head to force a smile: "Thank you for making this trip."

"Why are you being so polite with me, sworn brother? We're all family."

Madam Xie also held Liang Jiang's hand, feeling deeply moved.

The last time I saw her, Liang Jiang was the daughter of a disgraced official, and I looked down on her background.

Now, in just a short time, she has quietly turned the tables, not only clearing the name of the Duke of Liang, but also making a name for herself and receiving the emperor's commendation.

I couldn't help but recall the day Liang Jiang left the Marquis's mansion, when the old lady sighed and said, "What a pity, we missed this opportunity. In the future, Fu Bai may not be able to reach her."

At the time, she was quite dismissive, still thinking about Jian Shuyan's gentleness, virtue, and good manners.

Today, Xie Wan'er ruthlessly exposed Jian Shuyan's ambition and hypocrisy, making all of Jian Shuyan's past kindness a joke.

Looking at Liang Jiang, apart from having been married before, she is simply outstanding, excellent in every way.

She sighed and said with emotion, "If Wan'er were half as sensible as you, I, your godmother, would be very gratified."

Then he called over Xie Wan'er, who was walking at the front: "Wan'er, hurry up and come over to greet your sister Liang."

Xie Wan'er stopped in her tracks, turned her face, and looked Liang Jiang up and down with hostility: "Where did I get this Sister Liang?"

Xie Fubai said, "This is Princess Heya of the Duke's Mansion whom I mentioned to you. She is my sworn sister whom I just became sworn sisters with."

"Princess Heya? The one who was about to bleed me with a knife just now, right?"

Liang Jiang nodded slightly to her: "That's right. Princess, you can just call me Liang Jiang."

Xie Wan'er brazenly looked her up and down: "A few days ago, my cousin went to Xiliang with you?"

Liang Jiang nodded again: "Yes."

Xie Wan'er said with annoyance, "My cousin abandoned my aunt and me to accompany you to Xiliang, leaving us to go to the capital on our own. If it weren't for you, my aunt wouldn't have had an accident on the way, and Jian Shuyan wouldn't have been involved."

Liang Jiang was puzzled. What had happened to Consort Xie, and what did it have to do with Jian Shuyan? When did they become acquainted through a life-saving favor?
Xie Fubai looked embarrassed: "How can you speak to a princess like that? Besides, my cousin was doing it for the sake of the country!"

Xie Wan'er was scolded, and tears welled up in her eyes again: "My cousin has been in the capital for a long time and I've been worried sick in Weixi. I wrote a letter to ask you to keep an eye on him for me."

Who knew that not only was there Jian Shuyan, but now Liang Jiang has appeared too. She even tried to stab me with a knife just now; she was clearly taking this opportunity to bully me.

Liang Jiang asked with a smile, "So, Princess, you know everything. If you had woken up a little later, I might have really plunged this knife in. I guarantee the medicine will cure you completely, and Princess will be free from illness and disaster from now on."

(End of this chapter)