Chapter 515: Chapter 476, Disgusting People_1
Daohua and Dong Yuanyao arrived at Jiang Wanying’s room to find Chen Jiarou had already gotten there. Seeing the two, she immediately stood up with a smile, “Please have a seat, younger sisters!”
In the room, Jiang Wanying was still half-lying on the bed due to seasickness, while Chen Jiarou sat on a stool at the bedside.
Daohua and Dong Yuanyao glanced at the room’s furnishings and headed straight to the chairs by the window to take a seat.
Jiang Wanying expressed her apologies, “I’m sorry for not being a good host to the two younger sisters.”
Daohua and Dong Yuanyao both shook their heads with a smile.
After the maids brought in tea, Dong Yuanyao directly asked, “May I know what matters Jiang Miss and Chen Miss wished to discuss by calling us here?”
Chen Jiarou glanced at Jiang Wanying and then smilingly turned her gaze to Daohua and Dong Yuanyao, focusing particularly on Daohua, “Today we are returning to Ningmen Prefecture. Have the two younger sisters considered how to explain the events of these past few days to your elders at home?”
Daohua, feeling uncomfortable under Chen Jiarou’s gaze, said indifferently, “Naturally, we will tell the truth.”
Chen Jiarou’s expression faltered for a moment, then she smiled again, “We were kidnapped on the same day, and it must have caused quite a stir. Just in case, and I mean just in case, if someone were to know a thing or two and spread certain gossip, how would you younger sisters deal with that?”
Daohua let out a snort of derision, picked up her teacup, and stayed silent.
Dong Yuanyao also looked at Chen Jiarou with a half-smile, then glanced at the pale-faced Jiang Wanying on the bed, “What do Jiang Miss and Chen Miss think we should do?”
Chen Jiarou fell silent for a moment before raising her eyes to Daohua, “Your father is the highest official of Ningmen Prefecture, and tomorrow happens to be your grandmother’s birthday. Perhaps… perhaps you could find an opportunity to clarify the situation in person tomorrow?”
Daohua let out a cold laugh, “Chen Miss, haven’t you forgotten how and by whom this whole incident started? Why is it my responsibility to make clarifications?”
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When it comes to matters of reputation, once it’s tainted, regardless of the truth, people will proverbially coin phrases and stir up a fuss.
This Chen Jiarou sure knew how to pass the buck and shirk responsibility.
Chen Jiarou’s breathing hitched, having learned of Yan Yiyi’s uncompromising nature once again, and her smile faded, “I just think it would be better for Yan Miss to explain, after all… from beginning to end, Jiang Miss, Dong Miss, and I have all been together, while only Yan Miss, you were missing for a few days. During those days, nobody knew what happened.”
Daohua’s expression turned completely cold, “Chen Miss, are you threatening me? If I don’t do as you say, are you prepared to reveal the matter of my disappearance?”
Chen Jiarou pursed her lips and stayed silent, which was akin to an admission.
Daohua snorted coldly, halting Dong Yuanyao who was about to speak on her behalf, and looked indifferently at Chen Jiarou, also sweeping a glance at Jiang Wanying. Clearly, this scheme was something the two had discussed together.
Is it just because they believe out of the four of us, my family has no background or power, and I am the easiest to suppress?
Daohua said coldly, “Chen Miss, Jiang Miss, the kidnappers intended to kidnap you both. Yuanxiao and I were merely implicated by association. Please remember this point.”
Upon hearing this, both Jiang Wanying and Chen Jiarou’s faces turned rather unsightly.
Daohua’s voice grew even colder, “Whoever started this should be the one to explain. If I lose my reputation, you both, who were kidnapped alongside me, won’t be able to keep yourselves unscathed either. Anyway, my family comes from a humble background. We have never had much concern for face or reputation, so even if my reputation is tarnished, it is not a matter of great consequence.”
At that, Jiang Wanying’s face turned ashen.
The Yan Family might be indifferent, but the Jiang Family could not afford to be. This mattered to the Empress Dowager and the Empress in the palace.
Jiang Wanying looked towards Dong Yuanyao, unable to believe that the Dong Family was unconcerned.
Dong Yuanyao directly turned her head away, refusing to look at her.
Just now, Jiang Wanying and Chen Jiarou had joined forces, hoping to let Yan Yiyi, the one with the lowest family status, take all the blame for the kidnapping incident by herself. Yet now, as Yiyi had taken a stand, Jiang Wanying, who had the highest status, became the most worried.
Jiang Wanying took a deep breath and forced a smile, “Miss Yan, there’s no need to be so upset, aren’t we here to discuss this matter?”
Daohua, uninterested in playing along, said, “Miss Jiang, why don’t you do as Miss Chen suggested and come forward to clarify everything?”
Jiang Wanying’s face turned pale in an instant.
Before she could speak, Daohua scoffed, “Look, now you’re getting angry too, aren’t you? One should consider how others feel based on one’s own. Yuanyao and I, as victims, haven’t even sought compensation from you yet, but you two are quite happy to push me forward to take the fall—there’s no such shameless thing in the world.”
Jiang Wanying took a deep breath, her already reeling head feeling even worse.
As Daohua stood up, she said, “Also, there’s one more thing you’ve probably forgotten, which I must remind you of: whether it’s Sun Changze or my bodyguard, they came to save me. I was left behind because I was delayed getting on the carriage because of you. If we really delve into it, I should be considered your lifesaver.”
“To treat a lifesaver by pushing her out to take the dirty blame, if this were to spread… I’m afraid it would be a light statement to say that it’s ingratitude,” she finished, glancing at Dong Yuanyao, then headed straight for the door.
At the doorway, Daohua turned back, “You two ladies better think about how you’re going to explain yourselves. Before the ship arrives at the Ningmen Prefecture dock, make sure someone informs me, or else, I’ll have to resolve the matter in my way.” With that, she left.
Dong Yuanyao also left thereafter.
After stepping out, Dong Yuanyao took Daohua’s arm, “You sure stood your ground!”
Daohua said with a light smile, “They only bully me because they think my family is weak and assume I’m easy to suppress. As long as I show a little firmness, they can’t do anything to me.”
The four of us were tied together and returned together; it was destined that our fates would be linked. If I’m not well off, none of the others can hope to be either.
The two arrived on the deck, and Dong Yuanyao pondered, “We do need to handle this matter well. Our reputations are at stake for both of us and it’s not worth getting angry over with them. Do you have any ideas?”
Daohua replied, “This matter was not difficult to resolve, but those two insisted on irritating me, so let them worry first. Don’t worry, they aren’t worth sacrificing our reputations over.”
At that moment, Dong Yuanxuan approached.
“What are you two doing standing outside?” he asked.
Daohua answered with a smile, “Been inside the room too long, just came out for some fresh air.”
Dong Yuanxuan smiled, “Today the fog is quite thick, don’t stay out too long to avoid catching cold.” He looked at the two, who were not even wearing cloaks, and handed out the hand warmer he was holding.
Daohua stepped aside, gesturing for Dong Yuanyao to take it.
Dong Yuanyao smiled as she accepted it, Dong Yuanxuan immediately said, “I’ll have someone bring another one over.”
Daohua quickly shook her head, “No need, I have one in my room. Just didn’t bring it because I came out in a hurry. We’re going back now, so there’s no trouble to Dong Brother.”
The smile on Dong Yuanxuan’s face paused slightly—was it really no trouble, or did she not want to trouble him?