Reborn as Tycoon's Wife in the Countryside-Chapter 498 - 399 The Clown Cavorting on Beams (Second Update)

"Su Xiaofeng, don’t threaten me," Lin Jing said, bolstered by having Xu Xuezi standing beside her. "When it comes to the law, I am not less informed than you. These are real occurrences that can be verified. What I’m saying is the genuine truth, so there’s no question of slander here."

She tilted her head up, like a rooster ready for battle, fully combative.

Xu Xuezi casually picked up a newspaper and scanned the content, "Ah, I truly didn’t expect the Young Madam of the Gu Family, so young yet already with such a storied past. Truly, appearances are deceiving, just like the ocean is unfathomable."

"Xu Xuezi, tell me, what is the purpose of bringing Lin Jing with you today?" Xiaofeng said. "It surely isn’t just to mock me."

"You should know what I want," Xu Xuezi stated flatly. "Su Xiaofeng, once this newspaper is published, your name will be tarnished all over town, and your bad reputation will definitely affect Ye Cheng too. That’s my intention. Surprising, isn’t it?"

"Clever, indeed. To pull me down, the mighty Xu Family has gone so far as to plant a murderer near my kin and uses malicious defamation as well," Xiaofeng retorted. "Just for this, the Xu Family will never be more than second-rate. Do you know why? Because you think too small."

So much effort had been put into causing her trouble.

"It’s funny that you, a woman grown up in the countryside, are talking to me about ’vision’. Do you even know what vision is? To deal with a shameless woman like you, special measures are required," Xu Xuezi taunted.

"Xiaofeng, you are truly not the material for Young Madam of the Gu Family or the lady of the house. Besides, the children you bore are not even the young master of the Gu Family’s. You should gracefully step aside and let someone suitable take your place," Lin Jing said earnestly, feigning concern.

Xiaofeng, chin propped on her hand, watched them thoughtfully. They played their parts well together.

"Whether I am cut out for this or not, is it for you to decide? As long as Ye Cheng believes I am, do your opinions even matter?" Xiaofeng challenged.

"Butler, Miss Xu and Miss Lin have been here awhile," Xiaofeng continued, "as they’ve talked so much. They must be thirsty. Bring some tea for these young ladies to moisten their throats before they continue."

Listening to Xiaofeng, Xu Xuezi’s face grew enraged. "Su Xiaofeng, we came here with good intentions to warn you, don’t misconstrue kindness for idiocy. If this affects the young master of the Gu Family, when the Gu Family kicks you out, you’ll realize your mistake."

"Isn’t that what you want to see?" Xiaofeng countered. "Waiting for the Gu Family to drive me and my children out and vanish from the Imperial Capital, so why even bother warning me? You just want to see me humiliated, isn’t that right?"

"But speaking of character, I also know something." Xiaonian mentioned that once, someone who liked Ye Cheng had her face slashed by Xu Xuezi, jealous of the attention. Though not a major incident, it still speaks volumes about Xu Xuezi’s character, "I heard that there was a girl who liked Ye Cheng, and when you found out, you slashed her face with a knife. Compared to scandals, that’s something, too, isn’t it?"

Xu Xuezi hadn’t expected Xiaofeng to know about this episode, but since that girl was no longer in the Imperial Capital, it wasn’t a concern. "So what if I did? Can you bring that girl to testify? If not, you’re just slandering," she retorted.

Compared to Xiaofeng’s troubles, hers seemed trivial indeed.

Chu Qing returned home with the child to find many reporters gathered at the door. The swarm of reporters pushed forward as soon as they saw her.

"Madam Quan, I’m a reporter from the Capital City Morning Post."

"Madam Quan, I’m a reporter from the Imperial Capital Morning Post."

"Madam Quan, someone has come forward to testify that your recently acknowledged oldest daughter is a murderer, an outright bad person. What is your response to this accusation?"

"Madam Quan, did you know about her past when you acknowledged the Young Lady of the Quan Family? Did you know she was a murderer?"

"She’s murdered someone and yet lives without issue in the Imperial Capital. Has the Quan Family or the Gu Family intervened in this matter?"

The barrage of sharp inquiries furrowed Chu Qing’s brow.

She was totally confused by the chaotic questions. A murderer?

But she understood one thing clearly, someone was stirring trouble again, and on a grand scale.

With a poised and elegant demeanor, she responded with regal grace, standing there, her voice elegant yet commanding respect, "My friends in the press, although I do not know where you got this information, I can tell you definitively that my daughter is not a murderer. Also, as journalists, I urge you not to spread rumors. Speak with facts rather than hearsay."

Having said that, he no longer glanced at the reporters and headed home with Erbao.

There was a gatehouse at the Quan Family entrance, so naturally, the reporters couldn’t just barge past it and rush in.

They felt a bit regretful, having not managed to get any valuable information from Mrs. Quan.

Chu Qing pushed the stroller inside and then saw Xu Xuezi and a strange face in the living room.

Upon seeing Chu Qing return, Xu Xuezi stood up to greet her, "Aunt Chu, you’re back."

Chu Qing, seeing her and recalling the reporters at the door, almost instantly guessed what those reporters were about. "Miss Xu has come over?"

"Yes, with Xiaofeng’s wedding approaching, although I’m not exactly close friends with Xiaofeng, given the relationship between our two families, it is natural for me to come over to inquire and see if there’s anything I can help with."

"There’s no need for help. As long as you don’t cause any trouble for my Xiaofeng, she will be fine," Chu Qing said with a sneer.

"That definitely won’t happen," Xu Xuezi stood up, "I didn’t have any particular reason for coming, just that Xiaofeng doesn’t have many friends in the Imperial Capital. Coincidentally, a servant from Xijiang County has come to my house. I specifically brought her to meet Xiaofeng, and you won’t believe this—they turned out to be sisters. Isn’t that funny, Auntie?"

"So, were those reporters called in by you?" Chu Qing was not polite at all.

"What? Were there reporters outside? I really didn’t know, maybe they came after seeing the morning newspaper. After all, the content in the newspapers could be amusing for quite a few days, don’t you think, Xiaofeng?" Xu Xuezi stood, "Lin Jing, I think we should be going now."

Lin Jing remained silent, looking down.

She had seen this Mrs. Quan before, outside a hospital in Xijiang County—it had been them.

"Auntie, with Xiaofeng’s wedding approaching, it’s quite unfortunate that such a big incident has occurred, earning my sympathy. Of course, some tales aren’t unfounded. This matter is no small issue; it should keep Xiaofeng troubled for a while. Nevertheless, if the wedding between the Quan and Gu families still proceeds as scheduled, I will definitely come to offer my heartfelt blessings. Other than that, I have no further business, I will take my leave now," Xu Xuezi said, her face expressing triumph and her eyes unable to hide the glee.

Su Xiaofeng, oh Su Xiaofeng, wait for this issue to ferment; it will definitely surpass your expectations.

"Rest assured, Miss Xu, since you’ve given me such a big gift, I will definitely return a similar favor," Xiaofeng said with a slight curve of her lips. "Reciprocity is a traditional virtue, don’t you agree?"

"Really? I look forward to it," Xu Xuezi wasn’t concerned that she had anything to worry about from the other party: "The gift you return had better be presentable, or it might become a laughingstock."

After saying this, Xu Xuezi left with Lin Jing.

The reporters at the door had not left, naturally surging forward when they saw Xu Xuezi and Lin Jing come out.

Miss Xu stood there, seemingly saying something to the reporters. All the microphones immediately swarmed towards Lin Jing.

Lin Jing quickly adjusted her tone and began speaking incessantly with the reporters. What was she saying?

"That Xu Xuezi, she really is trying to anger me to death," Chu Qing watched as Xu Xuezi let that Lin Jing spout nonsense right on their doorstep, furious beyond measure.

"Mom, I’m not angry, so why are you? I believe in being clear of conscience," Xiaofeng consoled Chu Qing.

"How can I not be angry when you’re being belittled like this?" Chu Qing couldn’t sit still, "No, I have to go out there. This is our territory; how can we let them belittle us like this?"

"Mom, don’t rush. Let’s wait a few more minutes before going out. You can just enjoy the show at that point," Xiaofeng glanced at the time and smirked.