She grumbled quietly to herself and turned her head, leading the maid as if escaping through the door: "If she had nothing to hide, where would she get the silver to buy such fine clothes? And to throw in three hairpins at once! Hmph! I wouldn’t speak to the likes of you; it’s disgraceful!"
"You, come back here!" Xia He wanted to chase after her to question, but was held back by Qiu Ju.
"Forget it, she’s just talking nonsense. If she really had solid evidence, she would have named that old man by now, wouldn’t she? Would she flee with her tail between her legs ? Don’t bother with her."
Xiao Linshuang blinked her big eyes, watching the two of them huffing and puffing. Although she didn’t quite understand what they were saying, she knew that today, because of her, her two older sisters had been wronged. She felt somewhat guilty and loathed Meng Chunyan even more.
She touched the small pouch in her sleeve that held the medicinal powder, hesitated for a moment, but then hopped off the stool to quickly follow. However, by the time she got outside, Meng Chunyan had long since taken a carriage and was far away.
Xiao Linshuang was so infuriated that she stamped her foot, vowing not to let her off next time!
Due to this unpleasant episode, Xia He and Qiu Ju lost their interest in shopping, bought the three hairpins they had picked out, along with the shiny one that Xiao Linshuang liked, and took Xiao Linshuang back to the Fuman Building.
Upon hearing Xia He’s story, Princess Anle slammed the table in anger: "Whose child is this? Speaking so rudely and speculating wildly! Such lack of manners!"
Xia He and Qiu Ju quickly tried to calm her down. It was rare for Princess Anle to get angry, as she was usually good-tempered and amiable. The fact that she had slammed the table today clearly indicated her indignation over what Xia He had just recounted.
Xiao Linshuang looked up at Lin Yuan with a forlorn expression, nuzzling her little head in her embrace.
Whose child, of course, it was the second child of the Jin family, and as for the other one, it had to be that foolish Meng Chunyan, who thought herself clever but was always used by Jin Lingling as a pawn.
However, Meng Chunyan’s remark about being shameless wretches truly opened her eyes. Even though Xia He spoke hesitantly when recounting the tale, she could still discern the implication, which was essentially to label them sisters as little harlots who depended on old men.
Xia Zheng’s eyes narrowed. Although he didn’t know much about Jin Lingling and Meng Chunyan, seeing Lin Yuan’s expression, he vaguely guessed that they had targeted her.
Lifting his hand to lightly pat her shoulder, Xia Zheng offered a reassuring smile. No matter who it was, bullying his woman was unacceptable!
"Madam, please don’t be upset," Lin Yuan said, exchanging glances with Xia Zheng. Seeing that Princess Anle was still angry, she advised, "Who knows which family’s miss lacks manners, being spoiled rotten since childhood. Madam, don’t take it to heart, for it’s not worth it to harm your health over such an unworthy person."
Princess Anle looked at Lin Yuan, patted her hand, and said, "It’s rare to see such magnanimity in you, child. If it were any other woman, I’m afraid they would have lost control and gone to argue already."
Lin Yuan smiled faintly with downcast eyes, ready to argue? If she had been there, it would have been more than just an argument. Jin Lingling and Meng Chunyan repeatedly failed to mend their ways and deserved several slaps to their faces to learn their lesson, and it would be best not to encounter her again; otherwise, she would settle both new and old scores!
In the eyes of Princess Anle, Lin Yuan’s downcast look seemed bashful. Princess Anle reached out and lifted Xiao Linshuang from her embrace onto her lap, comforting her softly.
Xiao Linshuang, still young and not holding grudges, beamed happily in no time.
Meanwile, Lao Fan beside them, gave Xiao Linshuang a disdainful glare, his white beard so cocked it almost could serve as eyebrows.