Chapter Eleven: Wouldn't It Tarnish the Su Family's Reputation?

After much effort to soothe the one he loved, he could not bear to see her upset.

Su Yunqi lowered her head slightly, her lowered lashes concealing the emotions in her eyes. “Your Highness, even if Sister Yunqing hit Xiaoyue, I hope you won’t intervene. After all, she is still your fiancée. I don’t want you to be put in a difficult position because of me.”

“Yunqi, do you still not understand my heart?” Xiao Jinghuai took a step forward, speaking with deep affection.

Su Yunqi’s expression was tinged with melancholy. “Even so, Sister Yunqing is your fiancée. Your Highness shouldn’t act this way.”

“Yunqi, I will annul the engagement with her. If you don’t believe me, I will find a way to dissolve this arrangement today.” He had wanted to wait a little longer, but Yunqing’s constant troublemaking risked causing him public humiliation. He no longer wished to endure it.

“Really?” Su Yunqi turned back in surprise, her eyes filled with disbelief.

“How could I lie to you? If you don’t believe me, that’s fine. I will prove it to you.” His gaze was full of tenderness and love.

“I believe you. But I’m worried about Xiaoyue now. Can we hurry?” She nodded, still concerned about Su Yun Yue’s condition.

When they arrived at the scene, they saw Su Yunqing standing calmly with her arms crossed, while Su Yun Yue lay on the ground, crying and covering her face.

Su Yunqi hurried over and knelt beside Su Yun Yue, placing her left hand gently on her back. “Xiaoyue, how are you?”

“Sister! It hurts! Sob, sob, it was Su Yunqing who hit me. You have to seek justice for me!” Tearfully, she looked up at Su Yunqi, pouring out her grievances.

Xiao Jinghuai overheard this and shouted angrily, “Su Yunqing! What are you doing? Apologize to Sister Yun Yue at once!”

Su Yunqing had just finished slapping someone and felt refreshed, but his sudden outburst ruined her mood. “Your Highness, this is a family matter. Although you are my fiancé, we are not yet married. Isn’t it improper for you to meddle in Su family affairs?”

This remark made Xiao Jinghuai laugh in anger, as it indirectly accused him of overstepping his bounds.

Refusing to lose face, he was about to retort when Su Yunqi’s voice interrupted, “Your Highness, I will handle this myself. Thank you.”

Her words immediately calmed his irritation, and his expression softened. “Rest assured, although I cannot interfere in Su family matters, I will inform the head of the Su family of the situation here.”

Turning his gaze back to Su Yunqing, he said, “Su Yunqing, since I have no position to intervene, the head of the Su family is qualified to handle this, right?”

“Oh? That’s perfect, then we don’t have to wait. But you’ll have to prepare your purse.” Su Yunqing’s eyes lit up at his words, as this meant the detestable engagement might be broken today.

To prevent him from forgetting his promise, she felt the need to remind him. After all, the agreement had only been verbal, nothing signed yet.

Xiao Jinghuai twitched his eyelids and replied tersely, “You need not worry about that.”

When he had chased after Su Yunqi earlier, he had already sent someone to fetch the money. He feared she might back out. If they could finalize the annulment today, giving her money was better than marrying a laughingstock.

Su Yunqi overheard their conversation but couldn’t comprehend what they were talking about. She frowned slightly, concealing her displeasure well, and walked over quickly. Looking at Su Yunqing with sorrow, she said, “Sister Yunqing, as a member of the Su family, I have the right to be concerned. Why did you hurt Xiaoyue?”

Those nearby saw Su Yunqi’s fragile demeanor and sorrowful expression and couldn’t help but feel sympathy.

Someone couldn’t stand it and said, “Miss Su, why argue so much with her? Since she hit your sister, you just hit her back.”

“Yes, we know you’re kind, but some people just take advantage of your kindness!”

They all came forward to defend Su Yunqi, voicing their indignation.

Su Yunqing watched coldly from the side, a mocking smile playing at her lips.

She knew Su Yunqi well. She was hypocritical, never openly striking to avoid tarnishing her image. Instead, she often used others to eliminate those she disliked.

For example, if she hadn’t subtly hinted to Xiao Jinghuai how embarrassing and unwise she found herself, he might have tolerated things longer and not felt murderous on this summoning day.

Of course, Xiao Jinghuai was no saint either—a hypocrite himself. The two were a perfect match.

Facing the crowd defending Su Yunqi and her accusations, Su Yunqing showed no panic, only an air of ease, as if she were not the one who struck. “Why would I hit her? She is insolent. She even dared to strike her own cousin, let alone others.”

“Su Yunqi, you should thank me. If I hadn’t disciplined her today, she might take out her frustrations on others later. If word got out, wouldn’t it ruin our family’s reputation? Make people say the Su family is uncultured?” She smiled calmly, causing Su Yunqi and Su Yun Yue’s faces to harden.

Especially Su Yun Yue, who was so angry she cried, “Sister, sob, sob, she’s slandering me!”

Her hatred for Su Yunqing deepened. Having her reputation ruined publicly today would certainly make it hard to find a husband in the future.

“Sister Yunqing, be careful with your words! Even if you’re angry, you must not tarnish Xiaoyue’s reputation.” Su Yunqi nearly lost her composure, but out of respect for the crowd, she only looked sadly at her.

“I’m telling the truth. She tried to slap me first, but I caught her hand. Then she insulted me verbally and even used spiritual power. If I hadn’t been lucky, I’d be seriously injured.”

“If you don’t discipline such a temper, it will harm the Su family’s reputation. Since Su Yun Yue is your sister, and you usually refuse to discipline her, allowing her to hit your cousin at will, shouldn’t you give me an explanation?”

Her words shifted sharply, now directed at Su Yunqi.

Su Yunqi frowned slightly, feeling some anger, but with so many around, she could only look at her sadly. “Sister Yunqing, if you think I’m wrong, then I apologize. I’m sorry.”

Her words immediately stirred sympathy among the crowd, especially as her eyes glistened with tears, making their hearts ache.

Su Yunqing grew impatient. “Enough, I don’t want to watch your performance. Hurry up and give me the money. I helped you teach your sister a lesson. My hand hurts now, so you should pay for her treatment.”

“Gasp!” Everyone inhaled sharply. It was the first time they had seen someone demand money so brazenly after hitting someone.