Xie Yao had intended to leave when she saw He Jin, but when He Jin insulted her, things were different.
He Jin didn't expect that the moment the girl opened her mouth, she would reveal his identity. Seeing her luxurious attire, he immediately realized that she must be someone of high status.
So his tone softened a lot. "Miss, you're disturbing my tea - tasting. Please step aside."
At this time, the shopkeeper downstairs finally managed to squeeze through the crowd. "Sorry for disturbing everyone's pleasure of tea - tasting. I'll be the host today, and all expenses are free. Miss, I'll find you a tea - room with the best view. This way, please."
The shopkeeper bowed and scraped, but Xie Yao ignored him. She just stared at the figure huddled inside the room, a sneer on her face. "Don't be in a hurry. I have to explain it clearly to everyone."
After saying that, she turned to the crowd. "I'm not here to catch someone having an affair. Before, Su Hele pushed me into the water pavilion and almost killed me. I came here to reason with her, but unexpectedly caught her secretly meeting a man here."
"Don't spout nonsense!" He Jin roared angrily.
"Humph, am I lying? Didn't she just hug you? People said she was elegant and noble. How ridiculous!"
Seeing his beloved being ridiculed, He Jin couldn't bear it any longer and forcibly closed the door. "We are in love with each other. How can it be a secret meeting? Don't slander us here. Get out!"
Xie Yao was forced to take a few steps back, and her anger flared up even more. "Do you have the three letters and six etiquettes, with matchmakers and formal proposals? If not, it's an improper relationship. Don't use true love as an excuse!"
He Jin glared at Xie Yao, his eyes blazing with anger. "I'll go to her mansion to propose marriage tomorrow. Don't meddle in my business."
The door slammed shut, almost pinching Xie Yao's feet. She was so angry that her face turned pale.
Looking back and seeing the eager expressions on everyone's faces, she immediately said, "The girl hiding inside is the so - called well - educated and elegant Su Hele. Take a good look. Don't be deceived by her anymore."
After saying that, Xie Yao left haughtily, leaving the crowd whispering among themselves.
"Excuse me, is the person inside really Miss Su?" Liu the matchmaker leaned towards an amiable - looking woman and whispered.
After getting an affirmative answer, she nodded slightly. "No wonder."
The woman who was about to leave immediately perked up. "What do you mean 'no wonder'?"
Liu the matchmaker waved her hand and apologized with a smile. "I can't say."
"I'm feeling lonely having tea alone. Madam, why don't you join me in the elegant room over there." The woman motioned for the maid to lead Liu the matchmaker there.
Hearing it was an elegant room, Liu the matchmaker immediately followed.
Behind her, Su Nansheng and Bitao were quickly going downstairs...
After leaving the teahouse, the mistress and her maid both let out a sigh of relief.
"Second Miss, do you think Liu the matchmaker will tell others about Miss Su's refusal of the marriage proposal?" Bitao's face was still flushed, obviously still excited.
"She will. Even if she doesn't want to, that woman will find a way to make her talk." Su Nansheng said firmly.
Just like how she, in order to spread some news through Liu the matchmaker, had someone give Liu the matchmaker a deposit in the name of matchmaking and asked her to come to the Yunshang Teahouse today.
Once Liu the matchmaker knew the situation here, without her saying anything, she would naturally find a way to spread the news.
Su Nansheng clearly saw the resentment in Liu the matchmaker's eyes that day.
Since things had gone smoothly, Su Nansheng was naturally happy. "Let's go. Let's go and give some food to those orphans."
They had helped a great deal, and she had to show her gratitude...
In the Marquis Mansion, He Jin knelt in front of Concubine Li, looking stubborn.
"Anyway, I've made a promise in front of everyone. A real man keeps his word and never goes back on it."
Concubine Li's face was so gloomy that it seemed to drip water.
"I've already said I don't agree, but you still dared to meet her. Now you've even caused such a scandal. Do you want to drive me to death?"
After the flower - viewing banquet, she had already taken a fancy to several young ladies from noble families and was still making a choice. She had planned to invite matchmakers to propose marriage in a few days.
But He Jin just had to cause trouble at this time. Concubine Li even wished she could beat him to death.
Concubine Li covered her chest, regretting that she hadn't acted faster.
Now that the scandal was well - known, it was likely that none of those families would agree.
"If Concubine Li hadn't stopped me from marrying A Le before, things wouldn't have gotten to this point, and A Le wouldn't have been wronged for nothing." He Jin complained, not caring about Concubine Li's expression at all.
The tear - stained face of Su Hele was still lingering in his mind.
A Le was such a proud person, but she had to endure others' cold looks for his sake.
Hearing this, Concubine Li could no longer hold back her anger. She suddenly stood up, walked up to He Jin, and raised her hand to slap him.
But He Jin neither dodged nor avoided. He just stared straight at Concubine Li.
The raised hand hung in the air for a long time and finally didn't fall. Instead, she turned around and swept all the tea sets on the table to the ground.
"That little slut Su Hele. I shouldn't have fished her out that day. She should have drowned in the water." Concubine Li's tone was sinister, like a ghost from hell.
"Concubine Li, why are you so mean - spirited?"
Concubine Li's eyes were blood - red, and her face was contorted with anger.
"You're still speaking up for her. Don't you know that today's incident was all her doing? She just wanted to expose your private relationship in front of everyone and force you to marry her!"
He Jin snorted. "Nonsense."
"Think about it. Even I didn't know where you two secretly met. How did Xie Yao know? How could it be such a coincidence that she went there and caught you two? It must be her scheme!"
Concubine Li's breathing gradually became rapid, as if she was out of breath.
"Impossible. I don't believe it."
"I've always said that Su Hele has a devious mind. Do you really think Xie Yao fell into the water by accident that day? It was because Xie Yao had ridiculed Su Hele before, and she was pushed into the water by Su Hele."
Concubine Li felt a blackout in front of her eyes. She staggered and barely steadied herself by holding on to the table. She continued, "If you're still so stubborn..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Concubine Li fell forward.
"Concubine Li!"...
In the study of the Su Mansion, Su Hele knelt on the ground, her back straight.
"I always thought you were well - behaved and sensible, but I didn't expect you to do such a scandalous thing. Where can I put my face?" Su Ziming pounded his fist on the desk, making the writing brushes in the penholder jump.
Mrs. Deng was startled and tried to persuade him. "Sir, calm down. Don't get excited. A Le didn't do it on purpose."
Su Ziming stared at Su Hele with wide - open eyes and pointed at her. "A doting mother often spoils her children. It's all your fault for spoiling her too much! Do you know that before I even got off work, the news of her scandal had already reached me. How can I face my colleagues in the future?"
If he hadn't noticed the strange looks from others and sent someone to investigate, he would still be kept in the dark.
He didn't know how many people would point fingers at his back.