Chapter 592: Breaking into a Cold Sweat

Chapter 592: Breaking into a Cold Sweat

The room was plunged into a heavy silence.

Everyone in the Duke's residence, including Duke Yuwen, stood frozen, utterly speechless.

How could Helian Lin be so impulsive, getting into a heated argument and recklessly blurting out such provocative statements?

A twelve-palanquin procession was a privilege reserved solely for princesses, not something an ordinary person could ever dream of. If word got out, it would undoubtedly stir up a storm, not only tarnishing his own reputation but also implicating Miss Shen.

Even if Princess Pingyang doted on her son, she would never allow her authority to be challenged. However, since he was her own son, no matter how she punished him, it wouldn't be too severe. But Miss Shen was different. She had only recently begun to clear her tarnished name thanks to Princess Pingyang's favor. This incident could hurl her back into the depths of disgrace.

Even Yuwen Jing was stunned and quickly elbowed Helian Lin, saying, "Brother Helian, look at the nonsense you're spouting. I shouldn't have taken you out drinking earlier."

"Young man, why do you always drag Helian Lin out drinking?" Dou Shi scolded, having finally regained her composure.

However, she didn't forget to shoot the Duke's residence members a significant glance, suggesting that they could blame Helian Lin's drunken ramblings and let the matter slide.

Just as everyone was ready to nod in agreement, Helian Lin responded, "I haven't had a drop of alcohol today."

"Brother Helian..." Yuwen Jing's mouth twitched. Of course, he knew Helian Lin hadn't been drinking. He was just trying to give him an out.

What had gotten into Helian Lin? Normally, he was the epitome of composure, unshaken even if Mount Tai were to collapse. Yet today, he was like a firecracker, setting off unexpectedly.

Then again, even now, Helian Lin's emotions seemed perfectly stable. It was just that the stone he casually tossed had sent ripples through the Duke's residence's calm waters.

Su Youyue understood the mood of the Duke's residence members at this moment, but she was also uncertain about Xie Yuan's intentions.

Previously, he had almost never given them any hints, and in her presence, he had never expressed any stance. But today was completely different.

Could Xie Yuan have found a breakthrough on his own?

That must be it. Otherwise, how could he dare to send her a message?

Thinking of this possibility, Su Youyue's spirits soared, and she subtly glanced at the man beside her.

However, Fang Li's grating voice cut through the air again, "Brother Helian, your words are all well and good, but they mean nothing if you can't back them up! As for this Duke's residence, I, Fang Li, couldn't care less about coming here. You don't have to throw me out!"

This was the first time Fang Li had been publicly expelled, and he was consumed by shame and fury, feeling utterly humiliated. Since the Duke's residence had shown him no respect, why should he show them any?

Hearing Fang Li's words, the Duke's residence members were on the verge of laughter.

It sounded as if the Duke's residence had begged him to come, when in reality, he had always barged in uninvited.

Even the servants of the Duke's residence couldn't stand it anymore and began dragging Fang Li out by his arms.

Seeing the situation escalate, Lady Lu swiftly stepped in to mediate, "Oh, what's the big deal? Is it worth getting so worked up over..."

Her words sparked another thought in Fang Li's mind. He abruptly halted at the threshold, shook off the hands pulling him, and sneered at Su Youyue.

"If Miss Shen is as pure and virtuous as she claims, indifferent to wealth and status, why did she first try to climb up to the Ding'an Marquis's residence, and when that failed, set her sights on becoming Duke Yuwen's second wife? And now, since even Duke Yuwen isn't good enough, she's latched onto Brother Helian?"

"..."

During the three seconds Su Youyue spent pondering Fang Li's accusation of her "climbing up to Duke Yuwen," Duke Yuwen, who had just stood up, sat back down abruptly. The gentle and virtuous Dou Shi craned her neck forward, while Yuwen Jing, who had just taken a sip of tea to calm his nerves after Helian Lin's shocking statement, nearly choked on his drink.

Lady Lu stumbled, her eyes wide as saucers, and she frantically tried to stop Fang Li, "Fang Li! You brat, your mouth knows no bounds! Just wait until I tell your parents about this when we get back. They'll give you a lesson you'll never forget!"

Fang Li, acting on impulse, didn't know the meaning of regret. All he knew was that even if he couldn't marry Miss Shen, Helian Lin wouldn't have a happy marriage either. He was set on making him miserable!

Having achieved his goal, he didn't wait for everyone to react and immediately walked away.

Lady Lu, regaining her composure, flushed red and then pale with anger at the young man's unreliability. However, she didn't dare cause a scene, fearing that the people of Duke Yuwen's household would find out about her efforts to arrange a remarriage for the Duke.

She remained silent, but Su Youyue calmly explained to the rest of the confused household, "I had indeed heard about the Shen family discussing with Lady Lu about bringing me into the Duke's household. However, as I am not close with the Shen family or Lady Lu, I figured the matter was dropped."

The shadow guards weren't slacking; they had already looked into this matter. Previously, because Jin'er suddenly left the Shen family, their scheme fell apart and was never realized, so she didn't bother settling the matter with them.

She never thought there'd be a follow-up to this, and of course, she wouldn't indulge them.

To consider marrying a sixteen-year-old girl to a sixty-year-old man as a second wife, what were they thinking? They weren't scared of divine punishment!

"This..." Dou Shi, realizing the situation, looked utterly embarrassed. Although the Duke's household had no knowledge of this, being confronted with the truth in front of the involved parties made her feel ashamed.

This woman! She's always stirring up trouble!

What was she thinking? The Duke is already at that age; if he wanted to remarry, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until now? The Duke has long reached the age of understanding his fate; how could he possibly be interested in a young girl? It's simply absurd!

She couldn't imagine the Duke, once famous throughout the Holy City, becoming a laughingstock if this had actually happened!

Although it didn't come to pass, having it brought up directly was truly embarrassing.

Dou Shi glanced at her father-in-law's expression, and sure enough, the Duke's face was as dark as storm clouds.

Lord Yuwen, who seldom found a kindred spirit, even if it was a young girl, was at an age where he wouldn't think of romantic relationships.

Now, knowing about this matter, the shock to him was as bad as being slandered. He felt he had almost lost all face in front of Miss Shen and couldn't help but shout, "Ridiculous!"

After shouting, he quickly waved his hand at Su Youyue, "Miss Shen, I am not angry with you. I truly had no knowledge of this matter and find it utterly unbelievable..."

Su Youyue nodded and smiled gently, "Lord Yuwen, there's no need to be reserved. I find you amiable and have always regarded you as an elder. I know you were unaware of this matter, but if anyone brings it up again, I hope you will firmly decline."

"Of course, of course..." Poor Lord Yuwen, at his age, was embarrassed in front of the younger generation by his own sister's actions, hastily agreeing.

But in a flash, he glared at Lady Lu.

In that instant, Lady Lu was drenched in sweat.