Ding Yulan cast them a casual glance and said coldly, “What, did I say something wrong? Now everyone in the manor, from top to bottom, knows she spent the night outside with the Second Young Master. Anyone with a shred of shame wouldn’t do such a thing. To think she’s still the lead dancer – she’s truly bringing shame to all of us.”

Jiang Caiping said angrily, “Sister only stayed outside for one night because the city gates were already closed when she returned. She and the Second Young Master are completely innocent – nothing happened between them.”

Ding Yulan scoffed, “A man and woman spending a night together alone, and you tell me they’re innocent? How ridiculous!”

The woman beside her stared at Jiang Caiping and said, “You’re speaking up for her so much – are you also trying to latch onto the Second Young Master?”

Jiang Caiping turned pale with anger and said indignantly, “I am not! If you continue speaking such nonsense, I… I’ll tell the Second Young Master and see what you do then!”

The woman said with a face full of sarcasm, “Oh my, you haven’t even latched on yet, but you already know to use the Second Young Master to pressure us. Many people have said these things – I’m hardly the only one.”

As Jiang Caiping was about to speak, Yunyi had already pulled her behind herself and said indifferently, “Some people can’t reach the grapes so they say the grapes are sour. They keep talking about us latching onto high branches, but actually the ones who most want to latch onto high branches are themselves. Unfortunately, they have neither looks nor figure, so no one takes a fancy to them.”

Though this statement didn’t contain a single curse word, it made Ding Yulan and her companion’s faces turn extremely ugly. They said in exasperation, “What are you saying? Where do I lack in looks or figure? You… you’re the one who does!”

Yunyi sneered, “If you had them, why would the Second Young Master look at me instead of you? Ding Yulan, even if I truly left the pleasure quarter, the position of lead dancer would never be your turn!”

“You!” Ding Yulan was so angry she couldn’t speak. Previously, it had always been Chunxiu targeting Yunyi while she just watched the show. Now that she was facing off herself, she discovered that Yunyi’s tongue was far sharper than she had imagined.

“Caiping, let’s go.” Seeing them about to leave, how could Ding Yulan let it go? She brought the woman beside her forward to block their path and said forcefully, “Take back what you just said!”

Yunyi glanced behind her and said indifferently, “What words?”

Ding Yulan said huffily, “You know perfectly well what I mean. Don’t think of leaving without taking it back!”

Jiang Caiping freed herself from Yunyi’s grip and stepped forward, saying, “How unreasonable! Words spoken are like water spilled – how can they be taken back? Besides, even if they really should be taken back, you should first take back those filthy words of yours.”

Ding Yulan was angered by her words and snorted coldly, “No matter how filthy my words are, they’re still better than you two being shameless!” She stared at Yunyi and said, “In terms of looks and figure, how am I inferior to you in any way? I really don’t understand what the Second Young Master sees in you!”

“According to what you’re saying, should I have taken a fancy to you instead?” The sudden voice from behind startled Ding Yulan and her companion, who quickly turned around to see Li Shimin standing behind them at some unknown time.

“Greetings to the Second Young Master!” Yunyi and Jiang Caiping appeared much more composed – they had already seen Li Shimin approaching but had deliberately not told Ding Yulan and her companion.

Hearing their words, Ding Yulan and her companion came to their senses and hurriedly bowed with terrified expressions. Li Shimin walked to Ding Yulan and said with icy eyes, “You still haven’t answered my question.”

Ding Yulan forced out a smile and said ingratiatingly, “I was just joking with Meixue and the others earlier. Please don’t take it seriously, Second Young Master.” She was crying out in distress inwardly – why did Li Shimin have to overhear this? If she had known, she wouldn’t have said anything. Sigh, what a miscalculation.

Jiang Caiping wrinkled her nose and said, “That wasn’t joking at all. You don’t know how unpleasant her words were.” She then repeated word for word what Ding Yulan had said earlier, making Ding Yulan’s heart tremble with fear. She could mock and ridicule Yunyi, but she absolutely dared not be presumptuous in front of Li Shimin.

Ding Yulan forced herself to remain calm and said, “Second Young Master, don’t listen to her nonsense. I never said anything – Jiang Caiping is falsely accusing me.”

“Is that so?” Facing Li Shimin’s icy gaze, Ding Yulan guiltily lowered her head, unable to utter the word “yes.”

“I know that with many people in the manor, there are bound to be more disputes, but I never expected that just because I asked Meixue to help me paint a picture outside the city, and she encountered falling rocks on the return journey that injured her and delayed her trip, preventing her from returning before the city gates closed, such unseemly words would spread.”

Ding Yulan knelt down in terror and said, “Second Young Master, please forgive me. I… I also heard it from others and just spoke casually. I meant no harm.”

“If this is called meaning no harm, then I really don’t know what would be called harmful!” Li Shimin looked down and said, “What’s your name?”

Ding Yulan said tremblingly, “In reply to the Second Young Master, my name is Ding Yulan.”

“Ding Yulan.” Li Shimin repeated the name and looked up, saying, “Zhihong, go to Yuxiu Pavilion and tell Er’niang that the pleasure quarter’s Ding Yulan is not content with her position and stirs up trouble. Ask her to immediately expel her from the manor.”

Ding Yulan was so frightened her face turned ashen, and she repeatedly wept and pleaded. As a dancer, she only needed to diligently practice her dance skills without having to do other work, and her monthly allowance was substantial. She couldn’t find a second job like this anywhere else in Honghua Commandery. She kowtowed until her forehead was covered with snow and mud, but couldn’t earn Li Shimin’s mercy. The woman beside her was too frightened to make a sound, afraid that if she spoke, Li Shimin would expel her from the manor as well.

Jiang Caiping turned back to see Ding Yulan kneeling in the snow, wailing and crying with deep regret. She felt both satisfied and somewhat dissatisfied. After they left, she looked at Li Shimin and said, “Second Young Master, why didn’t you also expel Sun Shi from the manor just now? She said plenty of those unpleasant words too.”

Hearing this, Yunyi quickly said in a low voice, “Caiping!”

“It’s fine.” Li Shimin looked at Jiang Caiping with gentle eyes and said, “Far more than just Ding Shi and Sun Shi have been spreading these words in the manor. According to what you’re saying, should I expel them all?”

Jiang Caiping shook her head and said, “That’s not what I meant. I just feel that Sun Shi and Ding Yulan were in cahoots with each other. For the Second Young Master to let her off like this seems too lenient and makes one unable to swallow this grievance.”

“Punishing Ding Yulan isn’t to vent anger, but to establish authority – to let others know the consequences of gossiping and thus control their tongues. As for Sun Shi, she’s the best candidate.”

“The best candidate?” Jiang Caiping was completely confused. “Second Young Master, what are you saying?”

Yunyi chuckled softly and said, “You still don’t understand. The Second Young Master wants to use Sun Shi’s mouth to let everyone know Ding Yulan’s fate. What could be more effective than having someone who personally witnessed everything spread the news?”

Jiang Caiping said with seeming understanding, “So Sun Shi is the Second Young Master’s tool, to make others not dare to randomly discuss yesterday’s events?”