roccoschili Chapter 399 (129 words added)
Chapter 399 (129 words added)
The person secretly observing was none other than the personal maid of the general's eldest daughter. She hurried back to the manor and embellished her account of what she had witnessed to tell the eldest daughter. The eldest daughter already looked down on Xue Ruanruan, and upon hearing of her interaction with the strange young man, she was even more enraged, secretly plotting to teach Xue Ruanruan a lesson. Xue Ruanruan, however, was completely unaware of the impending danger. After exchanging a few words with Murong Xun, she embarked on her journey home with mixed feelings, still hoping for her next encounter with this young man.
Xue Ruanruan bowed to the Regent. Regent Murong Xun nodded slightly, gesturing for her to rise, his gaze filled with a mixture of inquiry and admiration. "The way you protected someone just now, young lady, had quite the air of a chivalrous woman." Xue Ruanruan's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head, saying softly, "It was just that I couldn't bear to see the wicked bullying the kind." Murong Xun's lips curled into a smile. "Such kindness is truly rare."
Just then, the general's eldest daughter arrived in a huff with a group of maids. Seeing Xue Ruanruan standing with Murong Xun, she was consumed by jealousy and shrieked, "Xue Ruanruan, how dare you, a merchant's daughter, be so intimate with a distinguished guest of my household! What kind of behavior is this!" Xue Ruanruan was startled and was about to explain when Murong Xun stepped in front of her, saying calmly, "This young lady is helping others out of kindness. I was merely expressing my appreciation. How is this improper?" The eldest daughter was speechless, her face turning pale and then red. Xue Ruanruan was deeply moved and secretly glanced at Murong Xun, feeling incredibly reliable at that moment. The eldest daughter snorted coldly, flicked her sleeves, and left, secretly vowing to make Xue Ruanruan pay the price. Meanwhile, under Murong Xun's protection, Xue Ruanruan felt both nervous and excited, anticipating more stories from this unexpected encounter.
A few days later, Xue Ruanruan received an invitation to a banquet held at the General's Mansion. She carefully chose a light blue dress and went with a mix of trepidation and anticipation. At the banquet, everyone was drinking and laughing. The moment Xue Ruanruan appeared, she was spotted by the General's eldest daughter. The eldest daughter deliberately mocked her in front of everyone, saying, "Oh, isn't this that show-off merchant's daughter? I wonder what she's doing at this high-society banquet." People around her cast strange glances. Xue Ruanruan blushed and was about to retort when Murong Xun reappeared. He walked to Xue Ruanruan's side and said gently, "You look beautiful today, young lady." Then he turned to the eldest daughter and said coldly, "Such rudeness at this banquet is unbecoming." The eldest daughter was speechless and could only glare resentfully at Xue Ruanruan. Murong Xun led Xue Ruanruan aside and softly comforted her, "Don't take her words to heart." Xue Ruanruan looked at him gratefully, her tension and grievances dissipating considerably. This scene fueled the eldest daughter's jealousy even more, and she secretly plotted an even more vicious scheme; a new storm was brewing... The eldest young mistress and the third young lady deliberately created an opportunity for Xue Ruanruan and Murong Xun to be alone together. Xue Ruanruan was extremely shy, lowering her head and not daring to look at Murong Xun. Murong Xun, however, took the initiative to speak with her, chatting about poetry and literature. Xue Ruanruan answered fluently, making Murong Xun even more impressed. Just as the two were chatting happily, the eldest daughter, accompanied by several maids, came over with wine. "Miss Xue, come and try this wine, it's the finest brew in the manor." The eldest daughter wore a hypocritical smile. As soon as Xue Ruanruan took the wine cup, the eldest daughter suddenly stumbled, spilling the wine all over Xue Ruanruan. "Oh dear, I'm so sorry." The eldest daughter apologized verbally, but her eyes were full of smugness. Xue Ruanruan was both ashamed and angry, and was about to lash out when Murong Xun took off his outer robe and gently draped it over her shoulders, saying, "Don't catch a cold." Then he coldly looked at the eldest daughter, "So careless, why don't you apologize to the young lady?" The eldest daughter gritted her teeth and reluctantly apologized. Xue Ruanruan was deeply moved. She knew that the grudge between her and the eldest daughter was growing deeper, and that there would probably be no more peace for her in this mansion. But with Murong Xun by her side, she had regained some courage to face the impending storm. This caused a misunderstanding between the Regent and the Second Young Master. The Second Young Master thought the Regent had feelings for Xue Ruanruan and was very troubled. Xue Ruanruan noticed the Second Young Master's unusual behavior and decided to confront him to clarify things. Just as she was about to go find the Second Young Master, she learned that the Eldest Young Mistress and the Third Young Miss were plotting something behind her back again, and a new crisis was quietly approaching... Thinking to herself, "This Second Young Mistress actually has the Regent protecting her!" Xue Ruanruan's heart tightened; she knew that the Eldest Young Mistress and the Third Young Miss definitely had ill intentions. She rushed to stop them, but it was too late. The Second Young Master, misled by the Eldest Young Mistress and the Third Young Miss, believed that the Regent, Murong Xun, wanted to compete with him for Xue Ruanruan. The Second Young Master angrily confronted Murong Xun, and the atmosphere between the two was tense. Xue Ruanruan was extremely anxious, fearing that the two would clash.
She rushed between the two men without hesitation and loudly explained, "Second Young Master, this is all a misunderstanding. It was the Eldest Young Mistress and the Third Miss who deliberately stirred things up." The Second Young Master's anger subsided slightly when he saw Xue Ruanruan's anxious appearance, but he still harbored some suspicion.
Just then, the head of the General's Mansion appeared. After understanding the situation, he severely reprimanded the eldest young mistress and the third young lady. The truth came out, and the second young master apologized to Murong Xun. Murong Xun magnanimously said he would not hold it against them.
Through this incident, Xue Ruanruan became acutely aware of the treacherous nature of the people in the manor. Murong Xun's gaze towards Xue Ruanruan held a newfound tenderness and pity, and he secretly vowed to protect her. In this treacherous general's manor, with Murong Xun's protection, Xue Ruanruan seemed to see a glimmer of hope. Meanwhile, the Third Miss was furious, stomping her feet in anger. Unwilling to let the matter rest, she devised another wicked scheme. She conspired with a dancer in the manor to deliberately seduce Murong Xun at the banquet. The dancer, with her alluring figure, frequently cast seductive glances at Murong Xun. Seeing this, Xue Ruanruan felt a pang of bitterness. Just as the dancer was about to approach Murong Xun, Xue Ruanruan, emboldened by some unknown source, stepped forward, blocking Murong Xun's path, and glared at the dancer: "You dare to molest the young master!" The dancer feigned innocence and began to sob. Taking advantage of the situation, the Third Miss fanned the flames: "Xue Ruanruan, don't be unreasonable." Murong Xun, however, shielded Xue Ruanruan behind him, coldly saying, "This woman is deliberately causing trouble; throw her out!" The dancer was dragged away by the guards, and the Third Miss's scheme failed once again, her face turning ashen with anger. Xue Ruanruan looked up at Murong Xun, her eyes filled with gratitude. Murong Xun gently comforted her, "Don't be afraid, I'm here." After this ordeal, Xue Ruanruan and Murong Xun's relationship grew closer, while the Third Miss, like a trapped beast, frantically plotted new schemes, vowing to make Xue Ruanruan pay. Xue Ruanruan, however, remained calm. She knew that with Murong Xun by her side, she didn't need to worry too much. However, the Third Miss's methods went far beyond this. She bribed Xue Ruanruan's maid to put a slow-acting poison in her tea. Xue Ruanruan only felt increasingly weak recently, unaware that the problem lay with the person beside her. Murong Xun noticed her unusual condition and was extremely anxious, searching everywhere for renowned doctors to treat her. Just then, a maidservant, having a change of heart, revealed the Third Miss's misdeeds. Murong Xun was furious and immediately informed the head of the General's Mansion. The head of the mansion was enraged and severely punished the Third Miss. The Third Miss was locked in the woodshed, her former arrogance completely gone. Under Murong Xun's meticulous care, Xue Ruanruan gradually recovered. Having gone through these trials, their feelings for each other deepened. Those in the General's Mansion with ill intentions also became much more restrained, no longer daring to easily harm Xue Ruanruan. Xue Ruanruan understood that there might be more challenges in the future, but as long as she walked hand in hand with Murong Xun, she could face them bravely. She understood that the turmoil in this mansion had only just begun, and with the Regent's intervention, she was even more confident in dealing with the open and hidden attacks to come.
Xue Ruanruan bit her lip, mustered her courage, raised her head, and said, "The Regent's reputation is so great that I am naturally a little nervous."
The Regent chuckled, took two steps forward, stood in front of her, and looked down at her: "Just a little girl, but she's quite interesting."
Xue Ruanruan wondered to herself what the Regent was up to. Just then, a commotion arose outside, and a guard rushed in, whispering a few words in the Regent's ear. The Regent's expression changed, and he strode out. Watching his departing figure, Xue Ruanruan had a feeling that a storm was about to break out in the peaceful palace.
But she also knew that the road ahead would not be smooth; a more intense struggle had only just begun. With that, she rose and left. Xue Ruanruan, through Murong Xun's arrangements, had already learned of this matter and felt even more grateful to him. She understood that this was a rare turning point in her palace intrigues; from now on, she had the powerful backing of the Regent. She was determined to plan carefully and carve out her own niche in this powerful mansion.