Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Everyone followed the sound, their gazes falling to the ground.

A maid gasped, pointing at a key. "Isn't this the woodshed key? How did it end up on Consort Ye?"

At these words, all eyes turned to Ye Shuang. Ye Shuang immediately looked at Xiao Lin, but he deliberately avoided her gaze.

Princess Jing gasped in shock, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. "Ye Shuang, how could you be such a person? I merely spoke a few words to you, and you harbored such a grudge, locking Miss Liu away! Had I known your true nature, I would never have allowed Miss Liu to be alone with you."

Before Ye Shuang could utter a defense, Liu Yiyi spoke weakly, "Princess Jing, please don't blame her. Sister Ye didn't mean it. It was I... I said something I shouldn't have and made her angry." She coughed twice, then reached out to tug at Xiao Lin's sleeve. "Brother Lin, Sister Ye didn't know I'm afraid of the dark. She probably just wanted to play a joke on me."

Xiao Lin's expression grew even darker.

In that instant, Ye Shuang understood everything. From the very beginning, this had been a meticulously planned setup, a series of interconnected traps designed to leave her utterly defenseless.

She forced herself to remain calm, stepping forward to address Liu Zhiang: "Just now, when Young Master Liu heard his sister was in trouble, you showed no panic whatsoever. It was as if you already knew."

At these words, the expressions of Princess Jing and Liu Yiyi subtly shifted.

Liu Zhiang stammered, "I didn't! It's just that Prince Jing and the Marquis were both present, and we were within the Prince's residence. I knew nothing truly serious could happen."

Ye Shuang pressed on, "That explanation might barely pass, but this is my first time visiting the Prince's residence. How would I know where the woodshed is, where its key is kept, and how to retrieve it without anyone noticing?"

Liu Yiyi grew flustered, casting a furtive glance at Princess Jing.

The others present also seemed to find Ye Shuang's reasoning plausible.

Just then, another maid stepped forward, timidly kneeling. "It was I. Consort Ye asked me for the woodshed key. I thought the Princess had instructed her to get it for some purpose, so I gave it to her."

Ye Shuang stared at the unfamiliar maid, her eyes wide. "I don't even know you!"

Xiao Lin roared, "Enough!"

Ye Shuang looked at Xiao Lin in disbelief. "I don't know her. Can't you see what's truly going on here?"

Xiao Lin cut her off. "Stop talking! Haven't you caused enough trouble? Do not be disrespectful in front of His Highness. Apologize to Princess Jing and Miss Liu at once!"

Ye Shuang tried to speak again, but Xiao Lin sharply rebuked her, "Apologize!"

Ye Shuang's nose tingled, and her eyes instantly reddened. She clenched her jaw, desperately fighting back tears.

By now, she understood everything. The truth didn't matter. Whether she was framed or not was irrelevant. Everyone present was clever enough to see through this petty charade. It was merely a power play—they were using Liu Yiyi to test Xiao Lin's attitude toward Ye Shuang and to probe his limits.

What they hadn't expected was that Ye Shuang held absolutely no sway in Xiao Lin's heart.

A bitter taste filled Ye Shuang's mouth, but she gritted her teeth, refusing to apologize.

Xiao Lin suppressed his anger and apologized to Prince Jing. "Your Highness, please forgive this embarrassment. I apologize on behalf of my unworthy wife to Your Highness and the Princess, and I hope you will not take offense."

With these words, he effectively pinned the blame squarely on Ye Shuang.

Ye Shuang stared at Xiao Lin with red-rimmed eyes, her throat tight. It took immense effort to restrain herself from causing a scene in front of Prince Jing and Princess Jing.

Prince Jing waved his hand dismissively. "It's nothing, just a minor incident. Today, the servants carelessly locked Miss Liu in the woodshed and nearly frightened Consort Ye. I will discipline them appropriately."

He then turned to Liu Zhiang. "Take good care of your own sister! I will send an imperial physician later to examine her and ensure she is well."

Liu Zhiang thanked him and led Liu Yiyi away.

Prince Jing said, "Since Miss Liu has been taken home by her brother, let this matter end here."

Xiao Lin replied, "Thank you, Your Highness! My wife is ignorant. I will take her back and discipline her myself."

Prince Jing nodded. "You may leave now."

Xiao Lin finished his bow and cast a stern glance at her. "Aren't you coming with me back to the residence!"

Without waiting for her, he turned and walked out.

Ye Shuang clenched her fists, her nails digging deeply into her palms, yet she seemed to feel no pain.

Perhaps the pain in her heart had overshadowed any physical agony, leaving her numb.

Swallowing her humiliation, she bowed to Prince Jing and Princess Jing, took her leave, and followed Xiao Lin out of Prince Jing's residence.

When she boarded the carriage, Xiao Lin was already sitting inside, his face cold.

Before Ye Shuang could question him, he preemptively confronted her. "Didn't I tell you not to cause trouble these past few days? And yet, on your very first day at Prince Jing's residence, you caused such a scene. Thankfully, Prince Jing has decided not to pursue the matter, or I wouldn't know how to handle it."

"Why did you apologize on my behalf? I will never admit to something I didn't do!"

"Do you think your denial would have made any difference today? If I hadn't taken the blame for you, would we have been able to leave so quickly? The court situation is uncertain. If I give others another handle against me, won't I be even more vulnerable?"

Xiao Lin frowned deeply, closing his eyes and massaging his temples with one hand.

"You didn't ask what happened to me today, nor whether I was hurt. All you care about is how it affects you," Ye Shuang struggled to keep her voice from trembling.

Xiao Lin opened his eyes and looked at her. "Were you hurt?"

Ye Shuang laughed coldly inwardly. "It's nothing compared to the importance of the Marquis's reputation. For the sake of your reputation, you're willing to sacrifice anyone's name, even letting your wife bear the stigma of jealousy."

"This is only a temporary solution. I will find a way to clear your name later."

"Stab someone, then bandage their wound later—how like you, Marquis, always so thorough. Should I be grateful to you then, thanking you for clearing my name?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? In any case, let today's matter rest for now. Stop causing trouble and let me have some peace." Having said this, Xiao Lin closed his eyes to rest, ignoring her further.

Now, it seemed she was the one causing trouble.

Ye Shuang smiled bitterly to herself and leaned against the carriage, watching Xiao Lin.

This was the marriage she had fought for. This was the man she had been determined to marry.

"How does it feel to be falsely accused with no way to clear your name?" Xiao Lin slowly opened his eyes, his gaze cold. "Now you know how I felt back then."

Ye Shuang was stunned. Today's events—he had intentionally refused to defend her. A sour ache filled her heart, and for a moment, her throat felt blocked, rendering her speechless.

The man before her, dressed in fine robes, bore the same face as Xiao Lin, yet he felt terrifyingly unfamiliar. She had thought only his exterior had changed slightly, but now it seemed even his mind was no longer the same.

She could no longer be sure if the person before her was still the Xiao Lin she knew.

She turned her head away, quickly wiping away a tear that had fallen from the corner of her eye.

The carriage bumped along the road, making the pain in Ye Shuang's knees feel even worse.