In the midst of silence, Jiang Susu coughed several times and slowly regained consciousness. Seeing everyone looking at her with ambiguous expressions, then looking at her own soaking wet state, her heart skipped a beat.

Jiang Li said with schadenfreude: “Second sister has awakened, how wonderful.”

“What happened?” Jiang Susu rubbed her temples. At this moment, her white clothes were soaked through, clinging tightly to her already slightly curvaceous figure. Her long hair stuck to her clothes, and her originally plain little face now looked like a lotus emerging from water, instantly evoking pity. However, thinking of the dark-skinned young man’s earlier words, everyone’s initial sympathy immediately turned to contempt.

Jiang Susu also sensitively noticed the different attitude everyone had toward her. Jiang Dan, who had been silent all along, suddenly said: “Second sister, how could you have a secret affair with someone? And… and give your personal token to him? If father knew about this, wouldn’t it be extremely embarrassing?”

“What are you saying?” Jiang Susu was startled, her voice unconsciously rising: “Who had a secret affair?”

Jiang Dan fearfully stepped back: “The… the evidence is conclusive.”

“Nonsense!” Jiang Susu panicked. From the moment she awoke, she knew something was wrong. Originally, it should have been Jiang Ruan who fell into the water, but the one who ended up in the water was herself. Everything was ruined! The entire plan was ruined! What should she do now?

In her haste to refute, her voice became shrill, completely lacking the dignity of a proper young lady. Seeing Jiang Dan’s frightened appearance, everyone’s minds filled with more speculation.

Worldly matters were like this—when she was seen as a fairy, naturally everything about her looked good. Once she had a stain, in everyone’s eyes she became a fallen woman, and everything about her seemed wrong.

Seeing everyone’s silent demeanor, Jiang Susu became even more anxious. Not caring about being soaking wet, she stood up and said to the dark-skinned man: “Why are you ruining my reputation? I’ll have father thoroughly investigate this matter and have you thrown in prison!”

The dark-skinned young man seemed to have received a blow, murmuring: “You clearly didn’t say this before. Were all those past vows false?” Then his expression became angry: “You’re actually abandoning me like this. Am I, Zhou Da, someone you can discard at will?”

Jiang Ruan nearly laughed out loud in her heart. Poor thing that in her previous life she had been so weak and cowardly, so frightened that she was a complete mess. She wasn’t as quick-tongued as Jiang Susu in fighting back, so naturally she had no opportunity to witness Zhou Da’s acting skills.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Susu’s heart filled with hatred for Jiang Ruan. She naturally knew what Zhou Da was about, but why was she the one who fell into the water? Zhou Da was supposed to target Jiang Ruan. At this moment, she couldn’t defend herself with a hundred mouths. Usually, Xia Yan made decisions for her, but now she didn’t even have one person who could speak up for her. Moreover, with her current state of mind disturbed, all her usual scheming and composure had vanished without a trace. How could she think of any countermeasures?

Jiang Ruan didn’t give Jiang Susu time to think. She said to Zhou Da: “Master Zhou, now is not the time for arguments. The wind is cold now, and if Miss Jiang catches a chill, that’s not something you’d want to see. Why don’t you visit the Jiang residence another day, Master Zhou? The Jiang family will certainly give you an explanation for this matter.”

Zhou Da was hesitating when Jiang Susu shrieked again: “No, it wasn’t me! I never did such a thing—he’s slandering me!” Jiang Susu wasn’t a fool either. She knew that if she truly went along with Jiang Ruan’s suggestion, tonight might be peaceful, but it would be equivalent to acknowledging the secret affair. Starting tomorrow, countless rumors would surely arise in the capital, and by then it would be too late.

Princess Rong Ya sneered, completely changing from her earlier amiable demeanor: “With both human and material evidence present, I really don’t know how you can deny it. Do you still want face?”

“You!” Jiang Susu glared at her angrily. Her mind turned, and she simply stopped refuting. She raised her small face, bit her lower lip, and just silently shed tears. This appearance of hers again stirred sympathy in some people on the Qingsong boat.

However, the women on the Linglang boat had already begun discussing: “Who would have thought she was this kind of person.”

“Usually she looks like a celestial fairy, but who knew she’d do such filthy deeds.”

“She’s completely disgraced Minister Jiang’s face.”

“Now that even the love tokens are present, she still wants to deny it—truly laughable.”

Under such pressure, Jiang Susu could no longer maintain her composure.

On the Qingsong boat, the Fifth Prince frowned, looking at Jiang Susu with displeasure: “At such a young age, not knowing self-respect—truly scandalous!”

Xuan Li remained thoughtfully silent. Mo Cong nudged Xiao Shao and shook his head with a sigh: “How could such a fairy-like beauty be so foolish as to fancy such a brute? Truly strange.”

Xiao Shao didn’t respond, but Ye Feng secretly transmitted a message to him: “Master, the second Miss Jiang is the one from Baoguang Temple five years ago.”

Hearing this, Xiao Shao frowned slightly and looked up at Jiang Susu again.

The dark-skinned man was now insistent: “No way. You wealthy families look down on people, but I, Zhou Da, am not easily dismissed. Today’s humiliation—I must have an explanation.”

Butterfly and Dragonfly were extremely anxious, and Jiang Susu also felt somewhat desperate. Just when there seemed to be no hope, a cool voice came from the Qingsong boat: “The green jade beads were something this prince gave to Second Miss Jiang. I don’t know what relationship they have with you.”

Jiang Ruan was stunned. She saw the absolutely beautiful young man in black brocade standing with his hands behind his back, his expression utterly indifferent. Those eyes like cold stars swept lightly, making people feel immense pressure.

Prince Jinying Xiao Shao’s casual statement immediately rescued Jiang Susu from her desperate situation.

Instantly, probing gazes focused on Xiao Shao and Jiang Susu, with everyone speculating whether Prince Jinying and Jiang Susu had some connection. Otherwise, why would the usually aloof Prince Jinying help her out of the blue?

Jiang Susu was also initially stunned. Although she didn’t know why Xiao Shao was helping her, seeing Xiao Shao’s absolutely beautiful countenance, a trace of infatuation immediately flashed in her eyes. She gracefully bowed down: “Thank you, Your Highness, for speaking up for justice. If not for Your Highness today, this humble girl truly couldn’t clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.”

Jiang Ruan stared at Xiao Shao in a daze, her heart churning with emotions difficult to calm. In her previous life, she had never heard of any relationship between Xiao Shao and Jiang Susu. Xiao Shao was also not someone who pitied the fairer sex, so why did he help Jiang Susu so perfectly today?

Could it be that in both her past and present lives, Jiang Susu was so fortunate that even when in dire straits like herself, she still had noble assistance? Was Heaven too unfair?

Feeling an ice-cold, piercing gaze fall upon him, Xiao Shao followed that gaze and looked up, couldn’t help but be slightly stunned. Under the moonlight, the red-clothed young lady on the opposite boat was now coldly watching him, her eyes filled with forest-like hatred, as if she were a vengeful spirit from hell.

Author’s Note: Ruanruan: Damn it, Xiao Shao, are you really the male lead? You actually went to help an outsider! [flips table] Xiao Shao: It’s all a misunderstanding [wipes sweat] Ruanruan: Misunderstanding my ass! Just you wait and see! And so, because of this incident, Xiao Shao was destined to be tormented by Ruanruan for a long time…