Jiang Qingning knew that the so-called “drowning in a pig cage” meant being placed in an iron cage lined with spikes on all sides, driven into it like a pig, then bound to a large stone and thrown into the river to sink.
The mere thought of that image made her shudder violently.
But the only one who would be drowned in a pig cage was her.
Because Pei Ji was not only the master who had once substituted for her classes, but was now the Left Prime Minister with overwhelming power in the Great Sheng Dynasty—who would dare to drown his pig cage?
Pei Ji grabbed her wrist, his face dark as he asked, “Were the people outside arranged by you too?”
“N-No, not me!”
The shadow of being questioned by Pei Ji in class before loomed over her mind. Jiang Qingning shook her head repeatedly, all her terror written across her small face.
When she was studying, she wasn’t the smartest, but she wasn’t stupid either. She understood propriety and shame—how could she possibly have people come to catch her in the act!
Pei Ji’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. He knew Jiang Qingning wouldn’t dare lie in front of him, but he still kept a stern expression, imposing without needing to raise his voice.
But with him pulling her like this, Jiang Qingning’s entire body was lifted somewhat.
Her originally loose clothing now revealed even more of her figure.
He instinctively glanced over, his gaze involuntarily freezing.
Pervert! This is no time for that—why are you still looking at my body!
Jiang Qingning had just opened her mouth when Pei Ji firmly covered the lower half of her face.
“Don’t shout!”
Pei Ji leaned down, the threatening cruelty in his eyes making Jiang Qingning nod frantically in fear.
Only then did he release his hand and turn his back.
Jiang Qingning bit her lower lip tightly, not daring to make another sound, but her body kept trembling.
The noise outside grew closer and closer, like a sharp sword hanging over her head, yet there was no way to escape.
Why was it that when two people did something wrong, only she was the one to be drowned in a pig cage?
Tears streamed down Jiang Qingning’s eyes. She wanted to preserve the last shred of her dignity, but her body, weakened by the Sujin Powder, couldn’t even keep her clothes on.
[What is the female supporting character doing! Why is she putting on clothes at a time like this! Can you even escape?]
[Why are you still standing there—just ask the big villain to save you!]
[A brief affair is still a connection. Can’t you use your beauty, act a little cute, let out a couple of whimpers? He won’t be able to resist.]
[Hurry up! Your second brother and sister are about to drag you into the pig cage. They’ve even prepared the cage!]
Through her tear-blurred vision, she saw those golden words again, especially the last sentence, which made her heart leap violently!
The people coming to catch her in the act were actually her second brother and sister?
How was that possible!
But she couldn’t care about that right now. Seeing Pei Ji about to leave, she steeled her heart and wrapped her jade-like arms around Pei Ji’s waist.
“Wuwu, Master, Master Pei, save me.”
She didn’t want to be drowned in a pig cage!
Pei Ji’s body stiffened, and he turned to look.
Jiang Qingning’s pretty face was filled with glistening tears, the tip of her nose flushed red, making her look utterly delicate and pitiful.
Seeing that the people outside were about to gather at the door, Pei Ji suddenly let out a laugh.
He remembered that Jiang Qingning was a timid, foolish simpleton. In the past, whenever she saw him, she would hide as far away as possible. Now she was actually taking the initiative to hug his waist and beg for mercy. How…
Interesting!
He lifted Jiang Qingning’s chin, catching a handful of her tears, and said in a low voice, “Not scolding anymore?”
You took my innocence, and I scold you a few times—what’s wrong with that?
Jiang Qingning felt even more wronged, but could only whimper and say without any backbone, “Teacher Pei, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have cursed at you. I don’t want to be caught and drowned in a pig cage. Please, help me.”
[Wuwu, the female supporting character has finally come to her senses! Hugging the big villain’s waist like this—who could resist that?!]
[Aaaaah, lucky for her, the female supporting character has such a pretty face. It’s hard not to want to dote on her!]
[Big villain, you must dote on this soft little cannon fodder fiercely—don’t you dare let her go!]
[I want to see the detailed process of being doted on!]
[Just wait, the fierce doting plot is still coming up.]
Jiang Qingning’s vision was flooded with the words “dote on” scrolling across the screen, and she foolishly echoed, “Please, dote on me.”
The bullet chat erupted in screams.
Upon hearing this, a vein on Pei Ji’s forehead twitched violently.
He gritted his teeth and said, “I don’t recall ever teaching you to beg like this!”
Jiang Qingning was scolded and tears streamed down her face, but she heard the voices outside growing clearer and clearer.
“Hurry, hurry, it’s right here! This servant personally saw the eldest miss of the Jiang Manor committing adultery with another man!”
Ah? They’re here!
Her heart instantly leaped to her throat, and she trembled with fear as she clung to Pei Ji.
Pei Ji glanced toward the door from the corner of his eye, then noticed that Jiang Qingning’s clothes weren’t even properly fastened.
He hesitated for only a moment, then bent down and wrapped the quilt from the couch around Jiang Qingning’s exposed figure.
“Outrageous! The Jiang family has produced such a shameless person! She truly isn’t of Jiang blood after all—all those years of raising her can’t overcome the baseness in her bones!”
“Second brother, please don’t say that. It must be that my sudden return to claim my heritage made sister feel upset, which is why she made a mistake in a moment of folly.”
“Wanwan, don’t speak up for that wretch. If she dares to disgrace the Jiang family name, I’ll drag her off and drown her in a pig cage first!”
The two people leading the group outside the door were Jiang Xuan, the second young master of the Jiang Manor, and Jiang Shuwan, the true young miss who had returned to claim her identity.
Behind them followed a crowd of onlookers.
They all knew about the true-and-false young miss scandal that had rocked the Jiang Manor recently—that Jiang Qingning, who had been pampered in the manor all along, was not of Jiang blood. Everyone had assumed that after the true young miss returned, the Jiang family would kick Jiang Qingning out, but Jiang Shuwan bore no grudge and even voluntarily kept her on.
They just never expected Jiang Qingning to be so shameless. When the second young master and young miss of the Jiang family brought her out to a banquet, she went and committed the disgraceful act of adultery.
Could it be that she knew she was the false young miss and would be cast out sooner or later, so she couldn’t wait to climb a higher branch today?
Truly contemptible!
The crowd wore looks of disdain, yet all of them eagerly anticipated the spectacle behind that door.
“Jiang Qingning, you worthless slut! How dare you commit the disgraceful act of sleeping with a man! You’ve brought shame upon our Jiang—”
The door was kicked open by Jiang Xuan, and his curses came to an abrupt halt the moment he saw what was inside.
Everyone craned their necks to look.
In the single-room chamber that could be seen at a glance, the couch was now empty, with only the sheer bed curtains gently swaying by the bedside. Where was the scene of a man and woman in flagrante delicto they had imagined?
Where was she? How could she not be here!
Jiang Shuwan couldn’t believe it. She looked around in every direction, but only saw an open window.
Had they run away?
Impossible. They had specifically instructed someone to drug Jiang Qingning and then leave quickly. There was no way Jiang Qingning, who had been dosed with Sujin Powder, could have escaped on her own!
Jiang Shuwan walked toward the window to look outside, unaware that the resentment on her face had fallen into Jiang Qingning’s eyes.
[Finally seeing our female lead. Although we didn’t get to teach that female supporting character a lesson this time, there’s always a next chance.]
[But isn’t this going a bit too far? Framing a woman’s chastity—is that what you call a lesson?]
[These days, who says the female lead has to be pure and virtuous?]
[Besides, the female supporting character is supposed to be the female lead’s stepping stone anyway. If they don’t find a way to get rid of her, the eldest Jiang brother is already thinking of taking her as a concubine. She’s always putting on that soft, seductive act all day.]
[I’m on the female supporting character’s side—I don’t agree with what was said earlier about her being the female lead’s stepping stone.]
[How amusing, even the female supporting character has fans now? Too bad your female supporting character’s fate will only end with her being thrown out and left to wander the streets! She’s so stupid, she wouldn’t even survive two episodes.]
The text before her eyes began to argue.
Every single line made Jiang Qingning’s face grow paler.
She didn’t know whether she should refuse to believe that the people who had come to catch her in the act were truly her second brother and younger sister, or be shocked by the words claiming she was the female supporting character.
She knew that “female supporting characters” in storybooks never had a good ending.
But what had she done wrong?
She knew she wasn’t of Jiang blood—after Jiang Shuwan had been kidnapped, she was the one the Jiang family brought back.
When Jiang Shuwan returned, she had been afraid and uncertain. She admitted that she had taken Jiang Shuwan’s place living the life of a young lady, so she begged to be punished and leave—but Jiang Shuwan had insisted she stay.
She had thought Jiang Shuwan was a good person, and feeling guilty, she willingly became a servant girl by Jiang Shuwan’s side.
She was cautious and careful, only hoping to have a place to belong in the Jiang household—so why would her second brother and younger sister conspire to have her drowned in a pig cage?
If they couldn’t tolerate her, they could simply cast her out!
It wasn’t as if she was clinging on shamelessly and refusing to leave!