So what if she's my sister-in-law? You seduced me first.

Ning Yu wasn't an innocent young girl; she immediately saw the lewdness in the man's eyes.

She ignored her and turned to leave.

Wei Mingqi, being from a prominent family, knew that the Xie family's young lady wasn't like those women from the brothels who could be easily slept with for money. But looking at this woman, he simply couldn't resist.

Judging from her clothes, she's not a favored young lady. She might be some illegitimate daughter or a cousin from somewhere. The Xie family can't possibly turn against the Wei family for the sake of an illegitimate daughter, can they? Once the deed is done, she'll still have to marry into the Wei family in the end.

With that thought, he suddenly became bolder. "Why pretend to be a chaste and virtuous woman? Sitting here all alone is just waiting for a man to seduce her."

Ning Yu turned around, her cold gaze seeming to pierce through one's bones. "What did you say?"

"What did I say? Are you deaf?" Now that everyone was in the garden, Wei Mingqi immediately revealed his true nature. "Which branch of the family are you from? I'm your cousin, after all. You have no manners at all."

Women are all the same once they've slept together. They get what they want and then settle for money. Some respectable women use their power to bully others. Who dares to challenge the Wei family? Unless they all want to die.

Ning Yu watched as a murderous glint slowly appeared in his eyes. She didn't recognize him; if he was her cousin, he must be a relative from one of the branches of the family.

She had seen such things before. Last year, at a banquet at the Duke of Fuguo's mansion, a young lady from an official family was harassed and flirted with by a drunk young man.

Perhaps instigated, the young master dragged the person into the grove and bullied them, which was witnessed by the passing host.

The matter escalated, and it seems the young master's family was eventually impeached by the Censorate. As a result, these纨绔 (playboys) in the capital behaved themselves for a while, but it's true that a leopard can't change its spots.

"I am the fourth young master of the Wei family, the grandson of Grand Commandant Wei. It's your good fortune that I've taken a liking to you. Don't be so shameless."

He had met most of the legitimate daughters of the Xie family, and he guessed that this woman was probably from a collateral branch.

The strong smell of perfume hit her, and Ning Yu took two steps back in disgust.

A gentle breeze wafted by, carrying a faint fragrance. Wei Mingqi felt his burning desire intensify, his heart itching, and he reached out to grab the other person's hand with lustful intent.

Ning Yu turned around to dodge his lewd hands, and kicked him hard in the groin.

A bloodcurdling scream rang out like a thunderclap. Wei Mingqi was caught completely off guard and kicked, clutching his stomach and yelling in pain, "It hurts, it hurts so much, you bitch, you're asking for it---"

Ning Yu picked up a stone and stuffed it into his mouth, her eyes cold and clear. "If you scream again, I'll kill you."

Wei Mingqi couldn't believe that a woman could hold him down. He glared at her with furious eyes, clearly cursing her in his heart.

Seeing that he clearly wouldn't let this go, Ning Yu felt a flash of murderous intent, but then she gave up the idea, kicked him hard twice in the leg, and got up to leave.

Colorful lanterns shone brightly in Qingyuan Garden, and maids and nannies moved about the halls in an orderly fashion, bustling about.

The banquet was filled with the sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments, and a variety of delicacies were served. Almost everyone had arrived and taken their seats.

Ning Yu glanced at the men at the main table, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, then found an inconspicuous corner to sit down. The people sitting at the table were all the young ladies of the manor, each one dignified and elegant, but she didn't see the Fifth Miss, who was probably still in confinement.

The Tianzhu Festival mainly symbolizes health and peace, and it used to be very lively. However, because the Crown Prince died in battle, the Old Madam did not want to be lively, so she only gathered everyone for a family dinner at night.

"Aunt, Aunt, save me---"

Just then, a man's painful screams suddenly came from outside, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

The Third Madam was chatting and gossiping with someone when she suddenly heard this voice and quickly turned around to look.

Wei Mingqi burst in, clutching his lower abdomen and looking pained. Large beads of sweat covered his face, and his eyes darted around as if searching for someone.

"What happened? Your mouth is full of blood." The Third Madam recognized the person and hurried over, her eyes filled with concern and anxiety. "Qi'er, who did this to you?"

"It was that bitch who tried to seduce me but failed, so she kicked me and hit my mouth with a rock."

As he spoke, he gritted his teeth and scanned his surroundings, his gaze settling on the women's section. "It's that bitch, it's her!"

All eyes immediately turned to her. Ning Yu lowered her eyes, calmly wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, as if she didn't know they were talking about her.

Seeing the anger in the man's eyes, Wei Mingqi could no longer contain himself and was about to rush forward when the Third Madam quickly pulled him back. "Didn't you see your uncle is here? Explain yourself clearly first. What exactly happened?"

Wei Mingqi immediately turned his gaze to the men in the main seat, his eyes fixed on the Third Master's face, and howled pitifully, "Uncle, you must stand up for me!"

"That bitch tried to seduce me at Qingchi River, but when she failed, she threw stones at me and kicked me hard in the stomach. I'm in so much pain, will I become crippled?"

If he becomes disabled, he'll marry that woman and torment her day and night until he's driven mad.

The third master frowned as he watched him writhe in pain. "Who are you talking about?"

"That bitch."

The onlookers followed his finger and saw Ning Yu, who remained calm and composed.

Ning Yu raised her eyes, her gaze seemingly casually drifting towards the person in the main seat. The man seemed to have just heard their commotion, and he put down his teacup, glancing over indifferently.

"Princess Consort, what exactly is going on?"

The Crown Prince's Consort?! Wei Mingqi was stunned for a moment when he heard his aunt's address, but he quickly became even more smug. A daughter from a humble family who was married in to bring good fortune, who in the Xie family would care about her?

"I don't know this young master."

"You're lying through your teeth! Weren't you the one at Qingchi River just now? Did I kick myself?"

Ning Yu's expression was indifferent. "Now that you mention it, I do remember. When I came around from the Mo Academy just now, I did pass by the Qingchi River. A lecherous fellow tried to grab my hand, and in my haste, I kicked him. I didn't even realize it was Young Master Wei."

"You—" This cold voice intensified Wei Mingqi's anger. "Aunt, she's lying. She was the one who seduced me first."

Ha, who in this capital doesn't know that Wei Mingqi is a womanizer? He started keeping concubines at the age of fifteen, and he often goes to Tianxiang Tower. Who with eyes can believe that a beauty like Ning Yu would seduce this good-for-nothing?

However, the Wei family and the Xie family are both in the Elders' Council and are related by marriage. Which member of the Xie family would side with a nominal heir apparent, or a daughter of no talent, no virtue, and no family background, whom the emperor bestowed upon them to humiliate?

The Third Madam naturally believed her nephew and glared angrily at Ning Yu, "The young master has just left, and you're already trying to climb the social ladder? You even dared to kick Qi'er's manhood! You're simply lawless!"