Su Xinyi felt warmth in her heart, and took a deep breath, looking at everyone and saying, "Since Miss Xu is afraid to say it, I will."
"Su Xinyi!" Xui Yurong jumped in her heart, not daring to let Su Xinyi reveal the truth.
"Miss Xu has always been well-respected, so she has nothing to worry about now. You can be assured that if I speak one false word, I will remain alone and unmarried for the rest of my life," said Su Xinyi.
There was a hiss from an unknown lady, whose breath was taken away by this vicious oath.
Everyone had figured it out by now, seeing the evasiveness in Xui Yurong's face - was there really some hidden truth?
Without giving Xui Yurong time to think of a countermeasure, Su Xinyi immediately mentioned the incident when Jiang Zhongqing helped her up at the Prime Minister's Mansion. "I grew up in the countryside, often went into the mountains to collect herbs, and used to wear convenient Hu clothes to get around. That day, I wore a long skirt and forgot to walk carefully, so I tripped and fell. Young Master Jiang kindly helped me up, only pulling my sleeve, but Miss Xu held a grudge against me. Miss Xu, why do you vent your anger at me for having feelings for Young Master Jiang?"
Everyone's eyes widened in shock. First, they were surprised that Xui Yurong had feelings for Jiang Zhongqing, and second, they were amazed at Su Xinyi's candidness about her countryside upbringing. This straightforward and honest behavior made her appear endearing in their eyes.
Lady Jiang didn't know what others thought, but the fact that Duchess An had privately mentioned the marriage between the two families was true. At this point, she believed Su Xinyi's words.
Moreover, Su Xinyi's praise for her son was fulsome, and her feelings when mentioning him were only gratitude without other intentions. This made Lady Jiang feel very comfortable.
"You're lying. How could I have known what happened that day?" Xui Yurong's face was as pale as a ghost, and she couldn't believe Su Xinyi dared to publicly reveal such a thing. "Miss Su Liu, I know you don't like my urging you to learn etiquettes, but you can't slander me like this."
Xui Yurong couldn't admit the truth, so she could only add another accusation against Su Xinyi.
Usually, young ladies from good families would be discreet with each other and consider their reputations. So even if there were grudges, they rarely tore each other apart like that, making everyone uncomfortable.
Just then, Xui Yurong realized this - Su Xinyi wasn't a well-bred lady from the capital; she was an uncouth, country bumpkin who didn't know the rules.
Su Xinyi knew that Xui Yurong wouldn't admit defeat easily. She glanced at her lightly and then focused on the crowd with a look of helplessness and stubbornness. "Since Miss Xu denies it, I initially intended to save her face. But since she slanders me, I have no choice but to clear my name by revealing the rest of the story," she said.
At this point, Su Xinyi bowed to the crowd and apologized somewhat regretfully, "If my following words offend any of you, I ask for your understanding."
Everyone was baffled by her words, unsure of her intentions.
As they were wondering, Su Xinyi continued, "Miss Xu also told me, 'Su Xinyi, my marriage to Young Master Jiang is already settled. Once he becomes a Scholar, he'll propose to me. Even as a concubine, you wouldn't be worthy to enter our family.'
Lady Jiang trembled with anger and shot a fierce glance at Duchess An - when did she agree to this marriage?
Su Xinyi watched Lady Jiang's dark face without batting an eye and continued, "Do you know who Princess Dongli hates the most? Women like you, village girls. Because Prince Dongli has a favorite concubine who is of low birth and knows how to seduce, leaving Princess Dongli to endure years of loneliness."
Princess Dongli's vision darkened, and she nearly fainted. She had protected Xui Yurong but did not expect her to malign her in private like this, nearly making her pass out from anger.