Chapter 119: Chapter 118: Protective of One’s Own
"Oh really?" Princess An Nan glanced at the sturdy men crawling all over the ground. She wasn’t a fool; it was clear that someone was here to stir up trouble.
"Yu Nianzhao, are you still claiming you didn’t meddle in the marriage between Yunzhi and Mr. Xie?" Mrs. Pei’s anger flared up upon seeing Princess An Nan, and she resentfully said, "Then how did you meet Princess An Nan? You must have fabricated stories about Yunzhi, causing their marriage to fall apart."
Princess An Nan frowned and said unhappily, "Yunzhe’s withdrawal from the engagement has nothing to do with Zhaozhao."
"Princess, I know Yu Nianzhao’s character better than you do. After she severed ties with the Pei Family, she’s held a grudge. She didn’t want Yunzhi to have a good life. Just look at how she treated me, her grandmother, after leaving the Pei Family. Not only did she maliciously slander me, but she also injured me. She truly has no manners – truly a girl raised in the countryside. Princess, don’t be deceived by her appearance. She’s a downright weirdo with bad intentions."
Mrs. Pei spared no effort in tarnishing Yu Nianzhao’s reputation, pointing to the blood at the corner of her lips as she said, "Look at what she did to me. She even tripped me just now."
Ling Shuhan was dissatisfied, "Clearly, it was you who didn’t look properly while walking, and it was my foot that tripped you. Why do you blame the Empress Sister without distinguishing right from wrong? It’s truly disgraceful for an elder not to respect herself."
Mrs. Pei glared at him and gritted her teeth, "It was indeed Yu Nianzhao’s doing. She wants to target every member of the Pei Family, Princess. Don’t trust her."
Pei Yunzhi remained silent, seemingly agreeing with Mrs. Pei.
Yu Nianzhao was not worried at all, standing calmly in place, quietly watching their performance.
"Oh? Mrs. Pei, should this princess trust your words?" Princess An Nan’s voice turned colder, and if the nannies in the royal mansion heard this tone, they would have guessed she was angry.
Mrs. Pei obviously did not realize this and thought Princess An Nan was persuaded by her, thus arrogantly said, "Indeed, Princess, I am the matriarch of Marquis Wu’an’s mansion. Naturally, I’m more credible than Yu Nianzhao, this despicable girl. She agreed so well on the surface, severing ties without warning. Who knew she’d use such methods behind our backs, not only captivating Prince Su’s favor but also beguiling Mr. Xie to break off the engagement with Yunzhi."
"Silence!"
Princess An Nan rebuked with a cold voice, frightening both Mrs. Pei and Pei Yunzhi.
"This princess knows better than any of you what kind of person Zhaozhao is, absolutely disdainful of your Pei Family. Ms. Pei, you overestimate the significance of the Pei Family. The old Marquis has long passed away, and the current Marquis Wu’an’s mansion can’t compare to its former glory. Are you still placing yourself on such a high pedestal?"
Princess An Nan derisively mocked, "This princess specially came today to support Zhaozhao. How dare you act recklessly here? Ms. Pei, don’t make me speak any harsher. You know what you’ve done."
Mrs. Pei and Pei Yunzhi’s faces instantly became unsightly. They never expected that Princess An Nan would trust Yu Nianzhao unconditionally.
Pei Yunzhi’s eyes turned red with jealousy. She grumbled, "Princess, I am unskilled, but Yunzhe and I grew up together. I just can’t understand why Yunzhe broke off the engagement. If it is because of Zhaozhao... I just want an explanation."
She humbled herself greatly, trying to implicate Yu Nianzhao, clearly not believing the disengagement had nothing to do with her.
Having watched her grow up, Princess An Nan sighed softly, "Yunzhi, your thoughts shouldn’t just be on Yunzhe. Let me tell you this: if you don’t want people to know, you shouldn’t do it yourself. The little things of the Pei Family will be revealed sooner or later."
Pei Yunzhi’s face turned pale; she immediately understood what she meant.
It seemed her true identity was already known to the An Nan Royal Mansion.
Her heart felt as if it was gripped tightly; Pei Yunzhi’s head buzzed, feeling immensely wronged.
"What does this mean?" Mrs. Pei frowned, "Princess, no matter what, Yunzhi is still a child of our Pei Family. This is indisputable."
"Ha, that’s truly strange."
Princess An Nan was displeased with Mrs. Pei’s attitude, unable to understand her favoritism for the fake daughter while despising the true one. "In any case, the disengagement was Yunzhe and the Prince’s decision, not related to Zhaozhao. What are you trying to achieve by picking a fight with her? It’s outrageous."
Yu Nianzhao lightly said, "Princess, they’re here today, not for the disengagement but to ask me for money."
"What money?"
"Zhaozhao, my sister, we and Grandmother will leave now!"
Pei Yunzhi panicked. She always thought there was room for reconciliation between her and Xie Yunzhe, so she didn’t want the An Nan Royal Mansion to find out about her dealings with the Black Market, buying little ghosts.
After all, no parent would want anyone putting little ghosts on their children.
"Yunzhi, we haven’t got the money yet." Mrs. Pei was worried, obsessed with the money, fearing the misuse of money would become known to the family.
"The Princess is here. We can’t mention money now!" Pei Yunzhi shook her head anxiously.
"What’s there not to mention? You certainly weren’t cautious when you were shouting in front of me just now. Twenty thousand taels, that’s no small amount."
Yu Nianzhao straightforwardly revealed it. She had given them the chance, but since they were unwilling to take it, why should she make it easy for them?
"Zhaozhao, my sister, I’m begging you!" Pei Yunzhi was so anxious that she was about to cry.
"When you brought a group to wreck my place, you didn’t beg me!" Yu Nianzhao said coldly, "Pei Yunzhi, I’ve given you the opportunity. I didn’t fight or compete for the identity of Marquis Wu’an’s daughter and went to Tomb Guard City for five years in your place. You’ve lived leisurely enough for these ten years. What else do you want from me? That’s enough. Stop testing my patience!"
"Zhaozhao!"
As they spoke, Pei Yunqing came riding in.
After dismounting, Pei Yunqing said with a stern face, "When I left earlier, I saw Grandmother taking a group out of the city, thinking it was very suspicious. I didn’t expect you were here for Zhaozhao? Grandmother, it’s one thing if you don’t like Zhaozhao, but why must you trouble her?"
"I..."
"These two were deceived by the Black Market, losing a full twenty thousand taels of silver. At that time, Xie Jiuxiao and the Dragon Shadow Guards raided the Black Market’s wastrels. Mrs. Pei kept it tight-lipped. Looks like none of you know that Pei Yunzhi spent a night in the imperial prison?" Yu Nianzhao bluntly exposed the truth. Anyone would be foolish to keep secrets for these two ill-intentioned people.