31. The Missing Chapter p1
These words caused everyone’s expressions to change drastically.
They had no qualms about bullying Yan Chuyue, as she was currently a powerless young lady with no influence.
However, General Yan held immense prestige among the common people. If this recording were to be released, it would undoubtedly incite public outrage.
If the Emperor heard about this, Yan Zilan, Shangguan Yunmi, and even Shangguan Qingyun would face severe consequences.
It might even influence the Emperor’s decision regarding the crown prince.
“You… how did you record this!?” Shangguan Yunmi’s face flushed red as she pointed at Gong Yiling accusingly. “I knew it! You were in cahoots with this bitch all along! This was all your doing!”
“So you’re a princess?” Gong Yiling pretended to just realize her identity, sneering. “I wasn’t just here today. Could I have predicted your scheme against this young lady?”
“You!”
“Enough!” Shangguan Qingyun’s face turned livid as he scolded his sister. “Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?”
Although he was suspicious of the young man’s identity and motives, the current situation wasn’t suitable for speculation. He bowed slightly. “It is this prince’s fault for not properly educating my sister.”
Gong Yiling raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“Someone,” Shangguan Qingyun ordered, “bring Miss Yan three million taels of silver. A bet is a bet.”
“Yes… Your Highness.”
The three million taels was equivalent to a fifth of his personal wealth, accumulated through various channels over the years. Paying it felt like cutting a piece of his flesh.
But he had no choice. Yan Chuyue had somehow stumbled upon incredible luck, finding a powerful and foolish backer while being scammed.
As for Yan Zilan…
She felt even worse than Shangguan Qingyun.
If it weren’t for Gong Yiling’s recording, she could have gotten away without paying.
But now, Shangguan Yunmi’s words had exposed her as the mastermind, the one who wanted to harm her own cousin.
This was bad.
Unless Yan Chuyue was a complete pushover who wouldn’t demand compensation or hold a grudge, pretending nothing happened…
But was that possible?
More importantly, while Shangguan Qingyun could afford the three million taels, she… couldn’t!
If Yan Chuyue reported this to her grandfather or the Emperor, her carefully crafted persona would be ruined.
—Should she find a way to eliminate Yan Chuyue?
This sinister but effective thought began to take root in Yan Zilan’s mind.
Just then, Yan Chuyue, who had been silent, finally spoke, “Sister Zilan.”
Yan Zilan, startled, stammered, “Ah… yes?”
“I always thought you truly cared for me.” Yan Chuyue looked up, tears welling in her eyes, perfectly portraying the shock and disappointment of someone betrayed by a long-time friend.
“I would give you anything you wanted. Why would you do this?”
Hold on, there was no one else around except for her. Who was this performance for?
Miss Gong’s lips twitched.
But Yan Chuyue, completely immersed in her role, bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears.
Then, she accepted the three million taels from the attendant, almost bursting out laughing, but she had to maintain a delicate balance between laughter and tears.
Just as the drama reached its climax, another group entered the shop.
Dressed in black with gold patterns, their faces hidden by bamboo hats, they exuded a menacing aura.
“Young Master Xuli’s orders: anyone who dares offend him, even the Emperor himself, will be punished.”
“Trash the place!”
Without hesitation, they began smashing the shop, ignoring everyone present. The shop’s attendants tried to stop them, and chaos erupted.
Only Gong Yiling, upon hearing Young Master Xuli’s name, understood what was happening.
That guy…
He had found out that it was the First Prince’s men who stole the scalper’s ticket, mistaking the person who outbid him as the First Prince, and now he was here to cause trouble.
Not wanting to get caught in the crossfire, Gong Yiling quickly made her escape.
Of course, as she left, she grabbed the seemingly helpless young lady, and they ran until they reached a small alley.
Looking at each other’s disheveled appearances, they couldn’t help but laugh.
After their laughter subsided, Yan Chuyue suddenly realized that, as strangers, her behavior was rather improper…
“Miss Yan, it’s been a while.”
“Ah?” Yan Chuyue was stunned. “You… recognize me?”
“Why else would I help you?” Gong Yiling smiled. “Although your voice and appearance are different, I have a strange intuition. When I saw you, I felt you were my benefactor from yesterday.”
“Due to a small misunderstanding yesterday, I didn’t have the chance to repay you. I hope today’s events were to your satisfaction.”
At the mention of the “misunderstanding,” Yan Chuyue looked away uncomfortably.
After a moment, she stammered, “…I’m sorry…”
“For what?”
“It’s just…” Yan Chuyue fidgeted, rubbing her left foot against her right. “I shouldn’t have slapped you. It was an accident.”
“Ah…”
Awkwardness shared was awkwardness halved. Hearing her bring this up, Gong Yiling’s smile froze.
How should she respond?
The straight-man Gong wished for some outside help.
If it were her, she would say—”It’s fine, I didn’t mind. Don’t worry about it.”
“Huh?” Yan Chuyue looked up, blinking. Her apology vanished instantly.
“You didn’t mind?”
“Should I have?”
Yan Chuyue pouted.
You weren’t the one who was groped!
She felt she needed to re-evaluate this potential system bug of a man. Maybe she had been delusional from lack of male interaction?
However…
She was curious about what happened at the stone gambling shop.
Why did the two spirit crystals disappear? Why did Young Master Xuli’s men suddenly attack?
As the author, she couldn’t have transmigrated into a mistranslated version of her own story, right?
