Chapter 23: Pei Yuanyong's Accusation Fails and He Gets Beaten Instead

  Entering the house, Pei Yuan Rong Fu bowed and said: "Daughter has seen her father."

  Pei Zhucheng was about to speak when he looked up and saw Pei Yuange, elegant and refined, like a piece of exquisite brocade come to life. He couldn't help but rise to his feet in surprise, staring blankly at Pei Yuange, and exclaimed excitedly: "Jin'er!" Only after the words left his mouth did he come back to himself, looking astonished and stuttering: "It's Song'er! You... how can you..." He was so shocked that he could hardly form a sentence.

  "The daughter's previous makeup was all taken care of by Gui Yatou, but this time when she entered the palace, Zi Yun changed her daughter's makeup and clothes. Pei Yuange didn't think that her appearance would have such a great impact on Pei Zhoucheng, and in an instant, she realized it was to her advantage, so she casually explained the reason, saying softly, 'Father, does your daughter look good like this?'"

  "Beautiful, beautiful!" Bai Zhucheng nodded repeatedly, his eyes welling up with tears.

  Zhang Yun was speechless for half a day. She had never thought that Pei Yuange would be so elegant and refined, let alone Pei Yuanrong, even Pei Yuanhua couldn't compare to her. The familiar face stirred up her resentment towards Ming Jin, and for a moment, her expression turned ferocious, she wished she could cut Pei Yuange into a thousand pieces.

  Everyone stared at Pei Yuansong in a daze, no one paid attention to him anymore. Pei Yuanrong let out another "waa" and burst into tears.

  This finally brought everyone's attention back.

  However, after this interlude, Pei Zhucheng's expression turned gentle and warm, and his eyes were filled with affection and tenderness as he looked at Pei Yuange: "Song'er, Rong'er said you hit her, was there some kind of misunderstanding?" The Song'er in front of him was so elegant and refined, how could she hit someone?

  Pei Yuansong's eyebrows were slightly furrowed: "Daughter wants to hear, what did Third Sister say?"

  There is a kind of power in silence that makes the enemy panic. Pei Yuanyong was slightly intimidated, but then cried out again: "Fourth sister, even if I am more beautiful and talented than you, it's not my fault! How can you deliberately slander me and ruin my reputation just because of jealousy? And also drag me down to prevent me from attending the flower appreciation banquet? And hit me?! If father doesn't believe me, call second sister over and ask her, she'll know. Turning around, she threw herself into Pei Zhucheng's arms, sobbing: "Father, although I was born to a concubine, I also want to bring glory to the Pei family. But now I've been harmed by fourth sister, my reputation is ruined, this not only loses face for me, but also for the Pei family!"

  With Pei Yuan Rong's brain, how could he think of the face of the Pei Mansion? It must be taught by Zhang Yun Jiao.

  "I didn't want to disturb Father with this matter, but since Third Sister said so, I have no choice but to clarify a few points." Pei Yuange spoke calmly and slowly recounted the events of the imperial banquet, omitting only her slapping Pei Yuanrong and encountering Ninth Prince. Finally, she added, "At that time, Second Sister was also present; if Father doesn't believe me, he can summon Second Sister to ask questions."

  Bai Zhucheng hesitated, Ge'er was calm and rational, with a gentle demeanor, more convincing than Rong'er's distress. However, the finger marks on Rong'er's face were clear... Rong'er had always been innocent and straightforward, kind and lovely; Ge'er used to be mischievous, but recently became more clever and wise, making people love her even more, both were his beloved daughters... He sighed, ordering someone to summon Bai Yuqiao.

  Pei Yuanchuo had been waiting outside and came in to pay his respects upon hearing this.

  "Sir, let it go. Although Fourth Miss slapped Rong'er and tarnished her reputation, she is after all the flesh and blood left behind by Ming Jin. She's young and motherless, so it's hard to avoid being a bit willful. Sir, for the sake of Ming Jin, let this matter pass! As you're busy with palace duties, I'm sure Concubine Yuan is also worried about Second Miss, so let's not make things bigger than they need to be?"

  This remark is very clever, nominally pleading for Pei Yuange's innocence, but actually acquitting her of guilt, giving Pei Yuan a hint, and mentioning Pei Yuan's birth mother, Moon Niangniang, to threaten her.

  Bai Yuanchao naturally heard it, biting his lip and sinking into thought, somewhat hesitant. If it were usual, she would absolutely follow Zhang Yun's words and jointly slander Bai Yuange, but this time after the fourth miss got sick, it seemed like many things had changed...

  "Father, today's situation is clear to everyone who attended the banquet in the imperial palace. Each and every one of them can testify for my daughter. You can go and investigate." Pei Yuange was able to cover up for her perfectly in the imperial palace, but now she seemed hesitant, apparently trying not to offend either side. Originally, he had wanted to help her, but now it was unnecessary.

  Pei Yuanchao only then realized that with so many people present at the time, it was impossible to keep the matter hidden. Her hesitation had caused her to miss the best opportunity to show her good intentions to Pei Yuange. Filled with regret, she quickly told him everything that had happened. However, since she had accompanied Liu Guifei to the flower appreciation banquet, she didn't know what had happened after parting ways with Pei Yuange.

  Thus, the truth was immediately revealed, and Pei Zhucheng became furious. He turned his head and shouted loudly: "Pei Yuanrong!"

  Bai Yuanyong saw that things could no longer be concealed, and hastily knelt down to cry out: "Father, Fourth Sister really slapped my daughter's face, look at my daughter's face." She deliberately cried pitifully, hoping that Bai Zhicheng would see that she had been slapped by Bai Yuange and not pursue the matter further.

  Zhang Yun only now knew the truth of the matter, secretly scolding Pei Yuan Rong for being foolish. In broad daylight, how dare he distort black and white? Hurriedly saying: "Master, this matter is indeed not right, but considering Fourth Miss has already taught her a lesson, spare her this time!"

  "Mother Zhang is wrong, I didn't hit Third Sister," Pei Yuange suddenly spoke up, calmly saying, "I also don't understand, why did Third Sister leave in a huff after being angry with me for not taking care of her, but when she came back, there were finger marks on her face?"

  Bai Yuanyong suddenly rushed in front of her, angrily shouting: "Are you saying that I slapped myself to frame you? Why would I do such a thing?"

  "In the great hall, Third Sister framed me like that, putting me in a desperate situation where I almost lost my life. But instead of exposing her, I covered for her. Tell me, if I didn't lose my temper back then, why would I beat her privately afterwards? And why wouldn't I admit it?" Pei Yuange's eyebrows and eyes were calm, but there was an undercurrent of sternness to his tone. "As for why Third Sister did this, Madam Zhang has already made it clear just now." The implication being that Pei Yuanrong had done so in order to avoid punishment.

  What she said was reasonable and well-founded. Pei Yuanrong slandered her, and as the legitimate daughter, even if she were to discipline Pei Yuanrong, no one would be able to say anything about it. Why did she have to deny it?

  Bae Won-yong didn't think Bae Won-song would dare to do it but not dare to admit it. Looking at Bae Ju-seong nodding, with a deeply convinced expression, he was suddenly stunned and couldn't defend himself, only knowing to cry: "Father, I didn't, you believe me! It's really the fourth sister who hit me, Father!"

  Among the people present, only Zhang Yun believed that Pei Yuange had indeed beaten someone up, because Rong'er would never dare to lay a hand on herself. Knowing that Pei Yuange was now framing Rong'er, but also knowing that it was impossible to change the situation, she secretly seethed with anger. Looking at Pei Zhucheng's dark face, she knew that Pei Yuanrong was definitely going to be in trouble this time, and her heart ached with pity. Suddenly, her eyes flashed, and she took a step forward, slapping Pei Yuanrong twice on the ears. "How dare you be so reckless?" she shouted angrily. "I'll kill you today!" As she spoke, she raised her hand to strike again.

  Now the only way is for her to take the initiative, beat Pei Zucheng pitifully, and then there may be a chance to save Rong'er. Therefore, she took severe measures, and soon Pei Yuanrong's face swelled up.

  Bai Yuanyong didn't expect Zhang Yun to hit her, and it took a while for her to react. She pointed at Zhang Yun and said, "You——you——" Before she could finish, she stomped her foot and burst into tears, turning around and running out. Zhang Yun didn't chase after her either, instead kneeling down and crying, "Master, it's because I failed to teach Rong'er well that this happened. It's my fault, please punish me! I'm not worthy of being in charge of the household anymore, please choose someone else who is more capable."