Chapter Thirty-Three: Malice

Yu Shengsheng had changed into a moon-white dress, standing there with a delicate, graceful air. The summer breeze swept across her hem, as light and soft as a cloud drifting in the wind.

That hem seemed to brush against the Crown Prince’s heart, and he clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain restrained.

Su Yanshu’s heart pounded violently in his chest, unsure whether to feel relief or sorrow.

"You... Shengsheng, are you alright?"

Yu Shengsheng walked over slowly, her expression puzzled. "Why would something be wrong with me? I was waiting for my dress to dry in the room earlier, and it was truly unbearable, so I thought of returning to my courtyard to change. It just so happened that Leopard came to find me."

Though she smiled on the surface, her peripheral vision caught sight of Shen Zhiyuan and the woman on the ground. Shen Zhiyuan’s words from earlier still left her with lingering fears, and she trembled slightly. Had it not been for Leopard arriving in time, and had she not decisively let Leopard take her through the back window and into the water, the person lying on that ground would have been her.

Whose scheme was this?

Seeing that she was unharmed, Su Yanshu instinctively looked at the Crown Prince—at the very least, the marriage could proceed.

Su Dingqin stepped forward and grabbed the woman’s hair, forcing her to look up.

"It’s you!"

Su Zhiyi’s face turned pale—this time, it was genuine.

It was Rujian! How could it be Rujian? Should it not have been Yu Shengsheng? Su Zhiyi dug her fingernails into her palms, unable to accept it.

Her plan was simple: have Shen Zhiyuan defile Yu Shengsheng in plain sight. With everyone watching, Yu Shengsheng would no longer be able to marry Kong Dezhao and would be forced into the Shen family. But the Shen family would never allow Yu Shengsheng to be a legal wife; at most, she would be a concubine. She wanted to trample Yu Shengsheng into an even humbler position. Kong Dezhao was no saint, but the title of the Heir’s wife must never fall to Yu Shengsheng. She would not permit Yu Shengsheng to have even the appearance of glory.

Yet, how did it end up being Rujian? What was to be done now?

Su Zhiyi was filled with immense frustration, wishing she could walk over and slap Rujian across the face.

At that moment, the Crown Prince said slowly, "Yu Shengsheng, Shen Zhiyuan just testified that you drugged him. Do you admit it?"

Yu Shengsheng lowered her eyes. Her body still ached; the sensation of insects crawling over her skin was truly unbearable. She forced herself to suppress her hatred. In the Crown Prince’s eyes, she was no different from an ant; he could crush her with ease. But she would never admit to such a vile accusation.

"Your Highness," Yu Shengsheng said, bowing her head, "I have had no contact with Young Master Shen. How could I have drugged him? Furthermore, since I returned to the manor from the villa, I have not stepped out once. I have no way of obtaining such filthy substances."

The Crown Prince’s gaze deepened, a strange glint flashing in his eyes—how interesting, she dared to defy him to his face.

Su Zhiyi’s eyes turned red, her expression stubborn. "Sister, I know you harbor resentment toward me, blaming me for not yielding better things to you. But Brother Shen is my fiancé. I could give you other things, but this marriage..." Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, and she wiped them away fiercely. "I thought you had moved on, but I never expected that you would rather destroy it than..."

She choked back her sobs, looking even more pitiful. She didn't finish her sentence, but everyone understood the implication. The way they looked at Yu Shengsheng turned meaningful. So, Yu Shengsheng had long harbored feelings for Shen Zhiyuan, and when the usually yielding Su Zhiyi refused to step aside, Yu Shengsheng, having lost hope, had drugged Shen Zhiyuan to ruin everything? How vicious!

The Crown Prince glanced at Su Zhiyi, the corner of his mouth curling upward. She was clever indeed; as soon as she heard his words, she knew how to play along.

Miss Liu said angrily, "Yu Shengsheng, you are truly shameless. The Su family provides your food and clothing and a place to stay, yet you bully Zhiyi to this extent, not only causing her to break her leg but also trying to snatch her fiancé."

Yu Shengsheng did not even look at her. "I did not."

"You still deny it..."

Jin Baobao flicked her toe, and a hairpin that had fallen from Rujian’s head flew toward Miss Liu’s feet, embedding itself into the dirt with a "thwack," its beaded flowers trembling.

Miss Liu started in surprise and looked up, forgetting the words on the tip of her tongue.

Jin Baobao put her hands on her hips. "You surnamed Liu, open those two holes beneath your eyebrows and take a good look! The person kneeling there is the Princess’s lowly maid! The one committing this lewd act with that man is also this lowly maid! She hasn't even dressed properly, yet you glare at my Miss? Are you blind or just stupid?"

Her voice was high and clear, like a slap to the faces of those who despised Yu Shengsheng.

Yu Shengsheng felt a mix of bitterness and warmth in her heart. The family she had once longed to be close to was not even worth as much as a young maid she had known for only a few days.

"Insolent!" Su Dingqin roared. "You, a girl of unknown origin, dare to spout such nonsense here? Who taught you this? You have no manners!"

Jin Baobao was not afraid. "I am speaking for my Miss, what is wrong with that?"

Su Dingqin lunged, his fist carrying the force of the wind as he struck at Jin Baobao. She dodged, and Su Dingqin’s fist slammed into the wooden window, punching a hole through it and sending wood splinters flying.

Yu Shengsheng’s heart tightened. Su Dingqin had struck with lethal intent; if that had landed, wouldn't Leopard have suffered broken bones?

She blurted out, "Stop!"

Su Dingqin turned to look at her and gave a short, sharp laugh. "Good! You still dare to protect her? Did you teach her these words, didn't you?"

"Ask your own conscience: since you came to the Su family, how have we treated you? How has A-Yi treated you? Have we not told you that the marriage between Shen Zhiyuan and A-Yi was decided by Father long ago and cannot be changed?"

"There are so many men in this world. As your older brother, I would not marry you off carelessly; I would definitely find you a good match. Why must you be so stubborn!"

Su Dingqin was furious. Su Zhiyi had broken her leg, and now her fiancé had been caught in such a scene—what would become of her? How could such a seemingly gentle Shengsheng be so ruthless!

He charged toward Yu Shengsheng like an enraged bull, his anger burning fiercely. The blow came too fast, and no one expected it—not even Yu Shengsheng herself. Even in his previous rashness, he had never treated her this way in public. But now, the fist landed solidly on her shoulder.

Yu Shengsheng was already in pain and barely holding on; she felt like a broken kite as she flew several meters through the air before landing. She immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood.

When Jin Baobao saw this, her eyes turned red. "Miss!"

As she tried to rush forward, the Crown Prince cast a glance to the side, and his guards immediately stepped up to block her.

Yu Shengsheng’s mouth was filled with the metallic taste of blood. Her vision blurred, and the shapes of people and light wavered, indistinct. She could vaguely see Jin Baobao fighting with all her might. Taking a deep breath, she gritted her teeth and shouted, "Leopard, stop! Stand down!"

Su Dingqin was startled to see Yu Shengsheng fall and vomit blood. His fist unclenched, and just as he was about to check on her, seeing that she was still only concerned for Jin Baobao, his suppressed rage flared up again.

He strode over and grabbed Yu Shengsheng by the shoulders. "I ask you, do you admit to drugging Shen Zhiyuan?"

Blood trickled from the corner of Yu Shengsheng’s mouth, her dark hair scattered behind her.

"I... do not!"