Chen Yi looked at Lin Hao with guilt in her eyes: “That person came for me. A’Hao stood up because of me.”

Zhu Jiayu was somewhat confused: “I don’t quite understand.”

Chen Yi smiled with difficulty: “A’Yu, think about it—what kind of reputation does the Heir of Marquis Pingjia have now? People like that man just now fear being associated with him, yet that man clearly showed protection toward the Heir of Marquis Pingjia. A’Hao was right—they must be friends.”

Listening, Zhu Jiayu couldn’t help but nod.

“So that man didn’t encounter us by chance at all, but came to vent his anger for his friend.” Chen Yi’s mind flashed with Qin Wenyuan’s mocking face, her fingertips trembling slightly.

She wasn’t as carefree as she appeared—the matter of the Heir of Marquis Pingjia had ultimately left deep traces, making it impossible for her to return to how she was before.

But she hadn’t expected that young man called Qin Wenyuan would run before her to mock her.

And the other party’s status was the nephew of the Crown Prince’s Junior Mentor.

Fear and confusion grew from her heart. Chen Yi bit her lip: “A’Hao, you shouldn’t have gotten involved in this. It will implicate you.”

Lin Hao smiled: “I’m not afraid of being implicated, and you needn’t blame yourself. I think Qin Wenyuan is a clever person. Coming to find us today, I’m afraid he came not only for you, but also for me.”

The way Qin Wenyuan looked at her was definitely not as simple as a little maid displeasing him.

Yet she had never had any dealings with this person.

Looking again at his protection of the Heir of Marquis Pingjia, this resentment very likely came from him investigating through certain channels and discovering that she participated in the Heir of Marquis Pingjia’s disgrace.

Lin Hao dared to be certain that in Qin Wenyuan’s heart, Chen Yi was the mastermind and she was a participant.

This made it necessary for her to stand up.

She helped Chen Yi willingly—it was trouble left over from resolving her elder sister’s matter. If her help brought new trouble to Chen Yi, then naturally she couldn’t stand by and watch.

Moreover, he was the nephew of Crown Prince’s Junior Mentor Qin Yunchuan.

As soon as Lin Hao thought of the other party’s identity, infinite fighting spirit and courage arose.

Leaving the uncle for settling accounts in autumn, it would be good to practice first on the nephew.

Hearing Lin Hao say this, Chen Yi’s expression became even more unpleasant: “A’Hao, then I’ve implicated you even more.”

Zhu Jiayu shook Chen Yi’s hand: “Why can’t I understand again?”

Tao Qing also heard that her friend’s words contained deeper meaning.

Chen Yi cast an inquiring gaze toward Lin Hao.

Lin Hao thought for a moment and nodded.

“Actually…” Chen Yi hesitated, then looked at her two friends. “It was A’Hao who discovered that the Heir of Marquis Pingjia liked men. To help me escape from that marriage arrangement, we worked together to expose the Heir of Marquis Pingjia’s shameful matter.”

Zhu Jiayu and Tao Qing were extremely shocked.

“A’Hao, I just now misunderstood you and even felt you casually announced your identity to that person. I’m sorry.” Zhu Jiayu grasped Lin Hao’s hand and apologized.

Tao Qing had more puzzlement and worry: “How did that person find out? Will he seek revenge in the future?”

“Yes, he’s the nephew of the Crown Prince’s Junior Mentor.” Zhu Jiayu also became worried.

Even though they were sheltered young ladies, they knew what it meant for someone to have influence over the Crown Prince.

Offending the Crown Prince’s Junior Mentor meant offending the Crown Prince, and since the Crown Prince’s position as heir apparent was unshakeable, it meant offending the future Emperor.

In that case, the entire family would have a hard time.

“We’ll meet soldiers with generals and water with earth—don’t worry too much.” Lin Hao returned the short knife to Zhu Jiayu, her expression calm throughout.

These words didn’t improve the heavy atmosphere.

“There really is no need to worry too much. Qin Wenyuan is indeed the Crown Prince’s Junior Mentor’s nephew, but would the Crown Prince’s Junior Mentor truly back up a nephew who wants to take revenge for the Heir of Marquis Pingjia?” The corners of Lin Hao’s lips curved up as she blinked. “Everyone in the world knows that the Heir of Marquis Pingjia liked men.”

The three people’s eyes brightened, and the gloom in their hearts mostly dispersed.

As long as the Crown Prince’s Junior Mentor didn’t intervene to oppose their families, they weren’t so afraid.

They were young ladies after all—they just needed to stay far away from Qin Wenyuan.

Only some people wanted to hide but couldn’t avoid it.

On the day of the Qixi Festival, the four agreed to go admire the flower lanterns. On a narrow road for enemies, they encountered Qin Wenyuan’s group.

Qin Wenyuan was also a newly successful imperial examination graduate. Those he associated with were all young people of similar status. Among them was one person who made Lin Hao look twice—the Top Scholar Yang Zhe.

“What a coincidence—encountering the four young ladies again.” Qin Wenyuan took the initiative to greet them.

The four including Lin Hao all remained silent.

On a day like Qixi, immersed in the dreamlike lantern light and night scenery, young people’s emotions were always more easily released.

The several young men with Qin Wenyuan began laughing and joking.

“Wenyuan, you know each other?”

Tao Qing grasped Chen Yi’s hand and instinctively retreated a step.

Zhu Jiayu’s eyes showed vigilance as she stared at these young men with smiling faces.

She knew that under the eyes of the crowd these people wouldn’t dare do anything outrageous, and with their status they wouldn’t be foolish enough to do anything outrageous, but knowing that Qin Wenyuan was full of malice, she still couldn’t help being nervous.

If trouble really broke out, they would always be the ones at a disadvantage.

Only Lin Hao remained calm and composed, watching to see what Qin Wenyuan planned.

Qin Wenyuan’s smile was gentle: “Some days ago, I happened to encounter several young ladies flying kites. The one in the yellow shirt is the eldest young lady of the Earl of Huai’an’s household. The one in the pomegranate skirt is Second Miss of the General’s household. You should have also heard of these two young ladies’ names.”

The matter of the Heir of Marquis Pingjia had only recently passed, so someone immediately reacted: “The eldest young lady of the Earl of Huai’an’s household? Is she the one who broke off the betrothal with the Heir of Marquis Pingjia?”

Chen Yi’s face flushed bright red.

“Let’s go.” Zhu Jiayu glared fiercely at Qin Wenyuan and went to pull Chen Yi.

Chen Yi instinctively looked toward Lin Hao.

Lin Hao stepped forward, frowning as she stared at Qin Wenyuan: “Since you only encountered us by chance, what is the meaning of publicly revealing our identities?”

Her bright eyes moved, sweeping over those several young men before her gaze returned to Qin Wenyuan’s face: “Could it be that you deliberately wanted to see us embarrassed?”

“Second Miss Lin has misunderstood. I was only satisfying my friends’ curiosity.” Having said this, he curved his lips in a smile. “Could it be that Second Miss Lin feels she’s been embarrassed?”

In Qin Wenyuan’s view, having said this much, a girl would long since be unable to keep her composure, and if she had particularly strong self-respect, she might even seek death.

He waited at his leisure for Lin Hao’s reaction.

Lin Hao’s gaze shifted slightly, falling on a young man’s face: “Does this young master have sisters?”

The young man who was asked had a face full of surprise and forgot to answer in his awkwardness.

“I have them.” A clear voice suddenly rang out.

Lin Hao looked toward Yang Zhe: “If Top Scholar Yang’s sisters were walking on the street and suddenly several men blocked their way to discuss their identities, would Top Scholar Yang think they would feel happy or embarrassed?”

Yang Zhe laughed lightly: “Naturally they would feel embarrassed.”

“Brother Yang—” Qin Wenyuan was greatly surprised by Yang Zhe’s sudden intervention.

Lin Hao pulled his attention back: “You see, any girl would not feel happy about this kind of situation. Young Master Qin clearly knows this yet still did it, which shows it was deliberate.”

She paused, suddenly understanding: “Could it be that Young Master Qin feels injustice for the Heir of Marquis Pingjia?”

With these words, Qin Wenyuan’s complexion changed.

Lin Hao’s slightly raised face showed shock: “What relationship do Young Master Qin and the Heir of Marquis Pingjia have?”