Chapter 12: Who Can Truly Claim Innocence?

Not even twenty minutes after Yingti was dragged away, the Canglan Courtyard grew lively once more.

Several sturdy, formidable women burst in, bustling with urgency.

"Young Mistress, Master and Madam have sent us to summon you! You must also bring along the maid you protected today!"

Ji Hua sneered.

Although she had anticipated that Liu Qingmei wouldn’t hold back and estimated she might have about an hour, she hadn’t expected to have overestimated her so much.

She pushed open the door and looked indifferently at the women in the courtyard, a cold sneer curling her lips: "Raising your voices so loudly, I thought you were calling some dog."

The women’s expressions changed drastically, all clearly displeased.

Ji Hua smiled lightly, neither harsh nor gentle: "If you’re here to invite me, why act as if you’re dragging me away? So this is how Madam usually disciplines her servants?"

The leader, Granny Wu, paled. She had been brought from her family by Liu Qingmei and was a smooth operator, now acting as the steward of that courtyard.

Her mind raced; if the Young Mistress’s words were taken at face value today, wouldn’t that put Madam in a very difficult position?

Granny Wu quickly suppressed her arrogance, smiling gently: "We spoke too loudly just now; we hope the Young Mistress will forgive us."

Ji Hua merely curved her lips faintly and didn’t reply. Instead, she beckoned to Liu Yiyi: "Liu, let’s go. I’ll seek justice for you."

The other maids and matrons in the courtyard watched their departure with a mix of resignation.

The Young Mistress really is...

Can Madam truly be controlled by her?

The Canglan Courtyard was indeed some distance from Madam’s quarters. After about a quarter of an incense stick’s time, Ji Hua wound through the winding corridor and finally arrived at the main hall.

The courtyard was elegant, with lush camphor trees.

Liu Qingmei loved luxury; every piece of furniture inside was made from century-old rosewood, crafted by top artisans.

Ji Wenbin and Liu Qingmei sat on either side of the main seat, while Ji Shulan stood below, proudly speaking.

Ji Hua stepped forward with a graceful bow.

"Father, Ji Hua pays her respects."

Liu Yiyi, anxious and uneasy all the way, also lowered her head to bow, her expression impeccable, revealing no fault.

Their gazes were drawn to the two of them. Liu Qingmei and Ji Shulan’s faces twisted with a mixture of disgust; upon seeing Liu Yiyi’s beauty, they both froze, a deep jealousy flashing in their eyes.

So the maid was this beautiful—could Ji Hua be planning to use her to gain favor in the Eastern Palace?

Liu Qingmei’s eyes darkened with calculation, a trace of wariness appearing on her face.

She lightly squeezed Ji Shulan’s hand, but Ji Shulan remained haughty.

Ji Hua was nothing but a fool!

Once they reached the Eastern Palace, she would be reduced to tears!

The Crown Prince’s cruel methods...

A flicker of trembling and bone-deep fear flashed in Ji Shulan’s eyes!

Ji Wenbin’s expression was gentle as he bid Ji Hua rise and asked, "Did you punish a servant today?"

"Yes. I heard that maid speak recklessly, slandering me, so I had her disciplined," Ji Hua said calmly, as if it were no big deal.

Liu Qingmei’s face darkened, too angry to care about the maid now.

Yingti belonged to her. If she couldn’t stand up for her today, who else would dare do so in the future? Would Madam’s authority still mean anything?

A cold gleam flashed in Liu Qingmei’s eyes.

"Yingti was only sent to help you train the maid you brought back, and yet you beat her half to death."

Frowning, Liu Qingmei said, "Such ruthless cruelty—if the servants inside or even outsiders learn of this, how do you think they’ll view the upbringing of the Ji household?"

"That’s none of your concern. Hasn’t the imperial edict for marriage already arrived?" Ji Hua smiled serenely. Reputation? Such a cumbersome thing—no matter how many lifetimes she lived, she would never be dragged down by it!

"You...!"

How dare that shameless woman use an imperial edict to suppress her?

Before the words could be finished, Ji Hua suddenly lifted her sharp gaze.

"Madam, are you mistaken? Spreading this would only make people think you act without reason. Yingti wasn’t training my maid—I think she wanted my position, to be the Young Mistress!"

"Nonsense! How dare a mere maid surpass you!" Liu Qingmei clenched her rage, her eyes venomous.

She lowered her gaze to Ji Wenbin and said plaintively, "I found Yingti clever and lively, so I sent her to her side. Now, Yingti has suffered such baseless grievances. If I don’t fight for her justice, how can I command respect in the future?"

Such blatant distortion!

Liu Yiyi hated being wronged above all else. She was filled with bitter resentment. The Young Mistress was the legitimate daughter of the Ji household, yet these few were so aggressive!

Today, she didn’t know how many grievances the Young Mistress would have to endure to protect her!

Her worry was heavy, but Ji Hua noticed and gently patted her hand, sending a comforting and steady look.

Ji Hua stared imperiously at Liu Qingmei: "Yingti’s insubordination hardly counts as innocence."

As soon as the words fell, Ji Shulan’s face darkened. She slammed a palm on the armrest, scolding fiercely:

"Mother works tirelessly as the mistress of the household, managing all affairs. Even without merits, there is hard work. Is this how you repay her?"

Ji Hua glanced at Ji Shulan, a faint, ambiguous smile playing at her lips.

"As your elder sister, is this how you speak?"

"You...!"

Ji Hua ignored Ji Shulan and coldly ordered her attendants, "Tell me clearly, what did you hear today?"

Two trembling maids from the Canglan Courtyard stepped forward, heads bowed, unwilling to look up.

"That shameless woman said the Young Mistress falsely accused the good people, unable to discern right from wrong, and even said the Young Mistress was treacherous and dared to defy Madam’s orders..."

The maids fell to their knees, reciting Yingti’s words verbatim, then added, "Yingti’s words had hidden meanings, implying the Young Mistress is malicious and that’s why she was angry!"

Liu Qingmei’s fingers clenched tightly, her eyes flashing a cold light!

These people of Canglan Courtyard had no backbone at all! Within half a day, they had been so thoroughly tamed by Ji Hua!

Ji Shulan could no longer contain herself. She glared furiously at Ji Hua, pointing at her in anger:

"You deliberately had the courtyard’s people collude to slander Mother today!"

What a wicked reversal!

Liu Yiyi’s heart ached with grief and anger. She knelt heavily and loudly declared:

"Miss did not do such despicable things! There were many people in the courtyard today. Everyone saw it! I dare stake my life that Miss is absolutely just!"

"You filthy servant! How dare you contradict the Young Mistress?!"

Cold hatred overflowed in Ji Shulan’s eyes. She curled her lips and swiftly raised her hand—

"Since sister fails in discipline, I shall teach you a lesson!"

Liu Yiyi trembled all over but stood firm without dodging or shrinking back!

This was her pride, and her loyalty in defending Ji Hua!

Yet—

The expected slap never came down!

Ji Hua grabbed her hand, her eyes gleaming with a fierce light, "When have my people ever been yours to discipline?!"