Shen Cuiyu looked at Liu Ruyan. "How did you find out, elder sister?"
Just as in her past life, Liu Ruyan smiled confidently. "I'm the reincarnation of the Nine - Heavens Mysterious Lady. I've come into this world to undergo trials. I can communicate with the yin and yang worlds. All the causes and effects in the world are clear to me at a glance."
As soon as she said this, everyone gasped softly. Their looks towards Liu Ruyan were filled with a bit of reverence.
Only the Shen family members looked displeased.
Shen Mu'an leaned against a pillar with his arms folded. Hearing this, the corner of his mouth twitched upwards, as if he had heard something extremely ridiculous.
"A mortal without any spiritual power dares to tell such a colossal lie. If you're the reincarnation of the Mysterious Lady, then I'm the reincarnation of the Jade Emperor!"
It was a pity that the crowd couldn't tell whether someone had spiritual power or not. They only found it novel. Their heads were turning like rattles, afraid of missing a single word.
A pure and innocent smile played on Shen Cuiyu's lips. "That's strange. Since you're so powerful, elder sister Liu, you must have seen the ghost on your elder brother a long time ago. Why didn't you say anything and waited until today?"
Liu Jinyan looked at Liu Ruyan. This was exactly what he was puzzled about.
Liu Ruyan's face paled. Suddenly, her expression became sad and mournful. "You may not know, half a year ago, my elder sister Liu Huanqing passed away. I spent a lot of energy to conduct a requiem for her, which damaged my foundation. I couldn't use my spiritual power to enter the underworld. I've just recovered these days..."
Most of the people present knew that there used to be a woman in the Liu family who pretended to be a spiritual medium. She seemed to be on bad terms with her younger sister who had returned after getting lost and bullied her everywhere. Later, she died of illness for some unknown reason. Liu Ruyan could even conduct a requiem for her after her death. She was truly kind - hearted.
Liu Jinyan was slightly stunned when he heard this. Then he sighed. "Ruyan, you're always so soft - hearted..."
Liu Ruyan shook her head. It seemed that she was too sad to say more. But when she looked at Shen Cuiyu, she was stunned.
Shen Cuiyu's expression was no longer as innocent and cheerful as before. She lifted her eyelids and glanced at Liu Ruyan, looking extremely cold.
Liu Ruyan was shocked.
Could this fool have remembered something...
Liu Ruyan's face remained unchanged. She said softly, "Since things have come to this, we'll take our leave first..."
"Wait a minute." Shen Cuiyu suddenly spoke up, her voice soft. "Elder sister Liu, the matter of the ghost is over, but we haven't settled the score for what a living person did."
Madam Zou keenly sensed the strange atmosphere. She quickly walked to Shen Cuiyu's side and put her arm around her shoulder. She stared at Liu Ruyan suspiciously. Could it be that... the reason why Ah Cui was frightened and had a fever was related to Liu Ruyan?!
"Ah Cui, tell mother. What exactly did you see on the attic three days ago?"
Shen Cuiyu felt a warmth in her heart. So this was what it felt like to have the support of family.
In her past life, just because Liu Ruyan could cry, make a scene and play the victim, they gave all their love and trust to this liar who was full of lies. But things were different this time. She also had family who could support her...
Wasn't it just playing the victim? Who couldn't do that!
"I sneaked into the attic to play three days ago. Elder sister Liu was there too..." Shen Cuiyu's long eyelashes trembled. It seemed that she was trying hard to hold back her tears, but big tears still rolled down and landed on the ground one after another.
It broke Shen Zanghai's and Madam Zou's hearts.
Shen Mu'an was in a hurry to wipe Shen Cuiyu's tears. He was so anxious that he didn't know what to do. He could only coax her softly, "Little sister, don't cry. Tell big brother what happened. Big brother will seek justice for you!"
Looking at the little girl crying so pitifully, Liu Jinyan seemed to hear the voice of another woman echoing in his ears, sobbing.
[Elder brother, why don't you all believe me? Liu Ruyan is your younger sister, but am I not?]
[I'm not lying. Why do you slander me? I don't want anything. I just want justice!]
His heart twitched for no reason. Liu Jinyan even dared not look directly into Shen Cuiyu's eyes.
What was wrong with him? Why did he think of a dead person? A... liar who pretended to be a spiritual medium.
Finally, as if the grievance had reached its peak, the little girl burst into tears and blurted out everything like beans pouring out of a bamboo tube. "She said I was just a stupid little slut. It didn't matter how noble my parents were. Then she pushed me off the attic!!"
Madam Zou's face immediately turned terribly gloomy. She said coldly,
"I wondered why Ah Cui was suddenly frightened and had a fever. So it was you who caused all this! How dare you! Do you think there's no one in the Shen family?!"
Seeing the Shen family servants surround them, Liu Ruyan quickly said, "No! I... I didn't do it! I didn't even leave the mansion on the day she had the accident. How could I go to the attic and push her?" She grabbed Liu Jinyan's sleeve, her eyes red. She looked so pitiful. "Brother, I really didn't..."
Liu Jinyan quickly stood in front of Liu Ruyan to protect her. "Madam Shen, everything should be based on evidence. Your daughter keeps saying that my sister pushed her. Do you have any evidence? How can you arrest someone without proof? Where's the justice in this world?!"
For a moment, everyone was talking about it. Those gathered in the Liu mansion today were all prominent families in the capital. If this was true, the reputation of Miss Liu would be ruined.
It would be even harder for her to marry into a noble family in the future!
In the stalemate, a clear voice came from outside the house. It wasn't too loud or too soft, but it strangely penetrated all the noise.
"It seems that I'm late and missed a good show."
Everyone subconsciously looked in the direction of the voice. Somehow, a well - made green - curtained carriage had stopped outside the Shen mansion. The carriage curtain was half - rolled, and a young man got off the carriage.
He was wearing a spotless white satin robe. The golden thread patterns on the collar and cuffs were not very obvious. Only when he walked could one faintly see the flowing light on them. As he walked, his figure was straight and elegant. Just by looking at his outline, one could tell that he was extremely good - looking.
When he got closer, Shen Cuiyu saw his face clearly. For a moment, she even forgot to cry.
How should she put it? Over the years, she had seen many good - looking people. But it was really rare to see someone as stunningly good - looking as this young man. If she had to describe him, only eight words came to her mind - astonishingly beautiful and unique.
The crowd around suddenly fell silent. Shen Zanghai and Madam Zou glanced at each other. They both saw surprise in each other's eyes.
— Why has this god of evil come?
— Did you invite him?!
— I didn't!
Shen Zanghai coughed softly. He straightened his clothes and bowed. "Your Highness, Prince Pei, I'm sorry I didn't greet you properly. There have been so many family affairs today. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Pei Yu didn't seem at all uncomfortable for coming uninvited. He grunted and sat down on a carved chair. He said with a smile,
"I heard that the daughter of Prime Minister Shen has been ill for many days. I originally wanted to come and give a gift to ward off bad luck. Who would have thought that before I even entered the door, I heard Miss Shen crying." His eyes fell on Shen Cuiyu's face. Seeing a teardrop still hanging on the little girl's snow - white cheek, his tone paused. "Crying with such energy, it seems that she should be fine. But since the gift is here, there's no way I'm taking it back... If Miss Shen doesn't mind, please accept it."
As soon as he finished speaking, a young servant beside him brought a tray. On the huge tray, there was... a small pearl.
Seeing this, the people around couldn't help whispering. Wasn't it said that Prince Pei was extremely wealthy? He came to give a gift to ward off bad luck but only gave a single pearl? Wasn't this a bit too stingy!
But Liu Ruyan's face suddenly changed. She subconsciously touched the pearl headdress on her head. There were originally eighteen South Sea pearls on it. She liked it very much and had worn it every day when going out recently. At this moment, the third pearl from the left on the headdress was missing!
Could it be that it fell off during the scuffle with this fool on the attic that day?! But why was it in Prince Pei's hands?
Shen Cuiyu took in all of Liu Ruyan's small movements. She picked up the pearl and gave Pei Yu a sincere smile. "May I ask Your Highness when and where you found this?"
"Three days ago, in the Yuanli Pavilion."
Everyone only heard Shen Cuiyu say loudly, "Here's the evidence! That day on the attic, Liu Ruyan pushed me. In a hurry, I pushed her back. This pearl fell off her headdress!"