eurekapd Chapter 211 Eliminating Possibilities
Chapter 211 Eliminating Possibilities
Qin Xu, who was receiving guests, had just finished listening to the servant's report when he turned around and bumped into Prince Qing, who had just entered. The two locked eyes, and it was as if an invisible sword flashed between them.
"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Qing." Qin Xu hesitated for a moment, then bowed.
Prince Qing laughed heartily and stepped forward, saying, "General, there's no need for such formalities. I hope my sudden arrival won't disturb you."
"Your Highness's arrival is a great honor for me."
This scene looks quite ordinary, but beneath the calm surface lies a turbulent undercurrent.
Qin Xu knew that Prince Qing had not come to offer birthday wishes, so he went straight to the point and said, "It's windy here, Your Highness, please come inside."
"Thank you."
The two then walked inside.
Qin Xiuyuan felt his left eyelid twitching violently, and he had a feeling that something was about to happen.
……
Fanghuating.
Because of Murong Ruoyan's delay, everyone had finished their performances by now. Although Madam Qin preferred Zhao Yayi, she would not mind taking a few more if there were better options.
“These ladies are all exceptionally beautiful and talented. I’ve been looking at them for so long that my eyes are tired, but I think they are all wonderful,” Jing Anle said.
Whether Jing Anle's praise was genuine or just polite, these noble ladies had to smile and express their gratitude, all standing up and saying, "Thank you for your praise, Princess."
Pu Yanran entered the hall first, followed by Zou Qinyi. Everyone looked over, but they did not see Murong Ruoyan.
"Where is Miss Murong?" Qin Zhihua asked.
Pu Yanran and Zou Qinyi exchanged a glance, and Pu Yanran spoke first: "Miss Murong somehow got her clothes wet in the outhouse and is changing now."
These words caused an uproar among the noble ladies.
Even the usually composed Old Madam Qin had a hint of doubt on her face. Qin Zhihua, being young, looked at Old Madam Qin helplessly.
Although today's event is to select a wife for Qin Xiuyuan, the women present are all daughters of powerful and influential people in the capital. If something were to happen at the Qin residence, it would be difficult to handle.
Jing Anle naturally knew what was going on, but she still pretended to be suspicious and said, "Grandmother, Miss Murong comes from a prestigious family, so she wouldn't be so rude for no reason. Could it be that she has some unspeakable reason?"
These words, seemingly speaking up for Murong Ruoyan, actually imply that Murong Ruoyan might have some hidden illness, or that she might be trying to attract attention through unconventional means, and then make a name for herself in the end.
“Mother Xu.” Old Madam Qin’s voice was authoritative.
"The old slave is here."
"Go and see what's going on!"
“Yes.” When she was young, Madam Xu had fought alongside Old Madam Qin on the battlefield, so she naturally had courage and resourcefulness, and immediately understood what Old Madam Qin meant.
But before she could finish speaking, a figure rushed in from outside. "I was delayed by something and I am late. Please forgive me, Princess and Madam."
But along with it came a strange smell.
Murong Ruoyan had just used the scented powder given to her by Pu Yanran to wipe herself again and again until she felt like she was about to drown in the strong fragrance before she stopped. Because of this, she could no longer smell her own scent.
But she didn't know that the mixture of her fragrance and stench was truly unpleasant.
Although Murong Ruoyan trembled with fear, she still wanted to take a chance. However, as soon as she finished speaking, everyone in the room unconsciously covered their noses with handkerchiefs.
"Afang, what's that smell?" As noble as Jing Anle was, her voice carried a hint of coquettishness and disdain, loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear clearly.
Murong Ruoyan's face flushed red with embarrassment. She lowered her head and sniffed herself, but apart from the fragrance, she couldn't smell anything else.
Everyone below knew that the smell came from Murong Ruoyan, but no one spoke up to expose it. Even Old Madam Qin frowned unconsciously, with a hint of disgust in her eyes.
Afang deliberately sniffed the air, and then, in full view of everyone, pointed out, "Princess, this smell seems to be..." She glanced at Murong Ruoyan and continued, "It seems to be coming from Miss Murong down below."
These words immediately filled Murong Ruoyan with shame and even fear. She had already lost face by behaving improperly in the main hall, let alone in front of the princess. If the princess were to be displeased, she might be punished.
Murong Ruoyan knelt down with a thud, "This humble woman has been disrespectful, please forgive me, Princess."
Seeing Murong Ruoyan's disgraceful state, Jing Anle knew that Old Madam Qin no longer had a good impression of Murong Ruoyan, and that she was determined to eliminate any possibility of Murong Ruoyan marrying into the General's Mansion.
She asked, "Miss Murong, what happened while you were gone for so long?" Jing Anle asked this to clear the Qin family of suspicion and prevent them from being gossiped about.
"This humble woman went into the outhouse today and was splashed with a bucket of water by someone, which is why... that's why I was delayed." Murong Ruoyan couldn't care less about anything else at this moment and could only report the truth.
Upon hearing this, everyone looked puzzled, but more than that, they were suspicious. Who would dare to treat a noble lady who was a guest like this without reason? Who knew if she had made it up?
Although Old Madam Qin was old and her sense of smell wasn't very sensitive, she still found the smell pungent. She already didn't like this Murong Ruoyan, and now she was talking about the General's Mansion's sins in the hall, crying and whining at the slightest thing. Old Madam Qin felt annoyed and developed a dislike for Murong Ruoyan, let alone wanting her to be her granddaughter-in-law.
Seeing that the desired effect had been achieved, Jing Anle added, "So, you mean someone deliberately tried to harm you?"
"Your Highness, I do not know either, but everything I have said is true." Murong Ruoyan lowered her head, looking extremely aggrieved. Even if she were foolish, she knew she couldn't doubt anyone.
Seeing this, Old Madam Qin's face grew even more gloomy. Having lived for so many years, she had seen all sorts of storms, and such a trivial matter naturally did not escape her notice. She said coldly, "Miss Murong has been wronged. Don't worry, this matter happened in my Qin residence, and I will naturally give you an explanation."
Murong Ruoyan quickly said, "Thank you for your concern, Madam."
"Since Grandmother has said so, why are you still kneeling? Get up," Jing Anle said calmly.
"Thank you, Princess." Murong Ruoyan was about to get up when she suddenly felt a prickling sensation all over her body. She thought it was a loose thread on her clothes. But no, she felt herself getting itchier and itchier, then her neck and face. She started scratching uncontrollably like a monkey, completely losing her noble lady demeanor, constantly crying out, "So itchy, so itchy!"