Asking her to apologize to Lin Xinyan—had Wei Shuye’s brain been kicked by a donkey?
Changle laughed in anger.
Wei Shuye had always been this kind of person.
When he was protecting Changle, she was the apple of his eye. Anyone who caused her the slightest displeasure would face his wrath.
But now, Changle had gone from being the apple of his eye to a worthless pebble, and even looking at her twice felt dull and uninteresting.
Moreover, compared to Lin Xinyan’s resilience, independence, and courage to break free from worldly shackles, Changle’s arrogance and tyranny seemed too immature and irritating.
“Wei Shuye, do you really want me to apologize to Lin Xinyan?”
“Yes.” Wei Shuye’s answer was firm.
Changle stared straight at him. “I’ll ask you one last time—do you really want me to apologize to Lin Xinyan?”
“And I’ll answer you one last time—yes!”
“I advise you not to lay a finger on Xinyan either, or don’t blame me for disregarding our past affection.”
Wei Shuye was well aware of Changle’s tendency to go mad without restraint, so he lowered his voice and issued a stern warning.
“What is she that I would bother dealing with her?”
Changle withdrew her gaze, and the anger on her face gradually subsided. “Wei Shuye, if you truly cherish her, you should know that you are still my fiancé. She kissed you in public, disregarding propriety. Even if I were to have her captured, thrown into a pig cage, and drowned in the river, no one would dare utter a word.”
“How dare you!” Wei Shuye’s face turned completely cold, the warning in his eyes transforming into pure disgust and revulsion.
“Is it that I don’t dare, or are you afraid?”
“I don’t want to argue with you here. You may not care about losing face, but I still have my dignity.” Wei Shuye entered the Changan Marquisate first, followed by his attendants.
Changle lowered her gaze.
What face did she have left?
Ever since she had struggled through countless hardships to return to Shengdu five years ago, she had already lost all dignity.
People had somehow heard rumors that she had been violated and was no longer pure.
Those whispers and sneers had trampled her face and dignity underfoot time and time again.
She had once explained herself until her voice grew hoarse, raged like a madwoman, and even abandoned all dignity to have an old woman verify her virginity. But how many had believed her?
Outsiders claimed she had bribed the old woman in advance. No matter how many women she invited to verify her purity, people still chose to believe only what they wanted to believe.
Wei Shuye had initially said he believed and pitied her, even fighting many people over it. But gradually, his belief turned to doubt amid the rumors.
He, too, began to believe that in the bandits’ den, her lips had been tasted by thousands and her arms embraced by tens of thousands.
Her explanations and attempts to prove her innocence became laughable and pitiful excuses in his eyes.
His gaze toward her shifted from pity to disgust.
Changle used to feel heartbroken, but now her skin had grown thick. As long as the rumors weren’t spoken to her face, she could pretend they didn’t exist.
If anyone dared mention them in front of her, she would tear their mouth apart.
Since everyone already thought she was mad, then whatever a madwoman did was perfectly reasonable.
Changle also entered the Changan Marquisate.
Qi Feirou, accompanied by Hua Zhiyu, was greeting the female guests. When she saw Changle walking in alone, her brows furrowed. Then, noticing Changle’s attire, her expression instantly darkened.
“What is the matter with you?”
"Today is your sister's Hairpin Ceremony, why are you dressed so shabbily? It's as if our Marquisate has mistreated you."
The more Qi Feirou looked at Changle, the more dissatisfied she felt. This daughter of hers was truly a constant source of worry, nothing like Zhiyu, who never gave her any trouble and always brought her honor.
"Mother, I'm already very happy that my sister could come today."
Hua Zhiyu affectionately linked arms with Qi Feirou, smiling gently at Changle.
"Sister, today should have been your Hairpin Ceremony too, but His Majesty said he would confer upon me the title of County Princess during my ceremony. Mother and Father said that the Emperor's favor takes precedence, so we could only hold the Hairpin Ceremony in my name. I feel truly sorry that you had to be slighted because of this."
Qi Feirou's face was full of impatience when facing Changle, but it instantly transformed into a smile when she turned to Hua Zhiyu.
She patted Hua Zhiyu's hand affectionately, her tone softening considerably.
"Zhiyu, there's no need to explain these things to her. If she were truly sensible, she would understand that the honor you bring now reflects well on our entire Marquisate, and that can only benefit her as well."
"After today, you will be a County Princess. The imperial decree is likely already on its way from the palace. Go quickly and change into the dress I prepared for you, so you'll be ready to receive the decree."
Hua Zhiyu nodded obediently but seemed somewhat concerned. "Mother, there are still so many guests here. If I leave you alone to attend to them, I'm afraid you'll tire yourself out."
As she spoke, Hua Zhiyu looked toward Changle, her tone almost pleading. "Sister, Mother's health is delicate. While I go to change, could you please help keep Mother company and greet the guests? It would only be for a little while, is that alright?"
"Zhiyu, go change quickly. Don't worry about her."
"With her like this, forget about helping me entertain guests—if she doesn't cause any trouble, I'll consider myself lucky."
"But then Mother will have to work so hard."
Changle had no interest in watching Hua Zhiyu and Qi Feirou perform their mother-daughter affection. She turned and walked away.
Everyone knew that today's lavish and bustling banquet was held for the eldest daughter of the Changan Marquisate.
Hua Zhiyu was renowned in Shengdu for her talent, and her appearance was elegant and refined. In every aspect, she was exceptional.
Moreover, rumors had long circulated that today, during her Hairpin Ceremony, the Emperor would confer upon her the title of County Princess.
For this reason, many noblewomen from prominent families had brought their sons along today, their intentions clear without being spoken.
"I heard Hua Zhiyu and Hua Changle share the same birthday, don't they? Today, the Changan Marquisate is only holding a Hairpin Ceremony for Hua Zhiyu. What about Hua Changle?"
"Don't even mention that. Don't you know what Hua Changle's temper is like? Be careful she hears you and comes to tear your mouth apart."
"Tsk, look at Hua Zhiyu, putting on airs and pretending to be something she's not. She's just an adopted daughter, yet she acts as if she's the legitimate young lady of the Changan Marquisate."
"What? Isn't Hua Zhiyu the biological daughter of the Marquis and Marchioness of Changan?"
"Biological daughter? You're new to Shengdu, so you wouldn't know. The Marquis and Marchioness of Changan only have one son and one daughter: the son is Hua Changqing, and the daughter is Hua Changle. Hua Zhiyu is just an adopted daughter they took in eight years ago."
"It is said that Hua Zhiyu's biological father was the sworn brother of the Marquis of Changan, who died in a riot. Her mother, unable to bear the grief of losing her husband, threw herself against the coffin during the funeral and hanged herself, leaving her as the only orphan. The Marquis of Changan, moved by her plight, took her in."
"The Marchioness of Changan is the same—no matter what banquet she attends, she always brings Hua Zhiyu along. As for Hua Changle, their own daughter, the Marquis and Marchioness never mention her name."
"So that's how it is. The Marchioness truly treats this adopted daughter very well."
As the words fell, gasps of admiration arose from the crowd—Hua Zhiyu had changed her clothes and returned.