To be honest, Murong Xingchen also had doubts about whether the owner of Bright Moon Villa had truly earned his reputation and if Brother Huang had secretly helped them.
"Chen'er, are you just someone who believes in rumors?" Murong Shaofeng asked, implying that she should think for herself.
"Of course not, rumors should be disregarded by the wise," Murong Xingchen quickly replied, defending her position.
"Well then, go ahead and leave!" Murong Xingchen was taken aback, realizing that the conversation had reached its end.
Wasn't the prince going to explain himself? For example, what was his relationship with the owner of Bright Moon Villa? And why was Mu Yunxuan so attentive to the three children? After staying in Cloud City for a while, Murong Xingchen couldn't help but feel that something was off.
Especially in the past few days, he noticed a change in the behavior of the old lady, who had always been kind to Ling Qiushui. She suddenly started ignoring her. What was going on? He was eager to find out.
"Aren't you leaving yet?" Murong Shaofeng frowned, urging her to go.
"If I don't leave, it's fine," Murong Xingchen felt that the prince was hiding something from her. If he didn't reveal it, she would stay by his side, unable to probe into the secrets he held.
"Then stay, I have matters to attend to in the main palace," Murong Shaofeng got up, his elegant demeanor on full display.
At that moment, Zhu Yan entered the room.
"Your Highness, there's news spreading on the streets. Qinghe is recruiting people to go to the city gate, saying that there's an exciting event happening. Many people have already gone, and it might be related to the rumors on the streets," Zhu Yan expressed his concern, fearing that if they didn't intervene, the rumors might spread throughout the Star Moon Country. King Yu could use this opportunity to undermine the prince's reputation.
"Go and investigate," Murong Shaofeng was not worried about the rumors surrounding him and Momo, but he didn't want Momo to be harmed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Brother Huang, I'll go as well," Murong Xingchen said, excitement evident in his eyes. He was always eager for new experiences.
"Let's go," Murong Shaofeng led the way, curious to see what was happening. The people of Bright Moon Villa had already taken action, and now they wanted to find out who was behind it. He was determined to uncover the truth and see who dared to plot against him, Murong Shaofeng.
Su Qi hurried to Cloud City and soon spotted Su Ziyun and Ling Qiushui whispering in a secluded alley. Su Qi stopped not far away, curious to hear their conversation.
Without hesitation, he took out the Soul Devouring Bell and gently shook it. This bell, given to him by his master, had many uses. It could control the thoughts of others, with the level of control depending on the target's cultivation and spiritual power.
Ling Qiushui and Su Ziyun were engrossed in their discussion and didn't notice the ringing of the Soul Devouring Bell. Ling Qiushui's cultivation was beyond Su Qi's perception, and although Su Ziyun's cultivation was lower than his, the power of the bell was significant enough to affect him.
The Soul Devouring Bell rang out, its sound pleasant yet eerie. Su Ziyun and Ling Qiushui suddenly froze in place.
Seeing this, Su Qi's cunning eyes flashed with a mischievous light. He quickly transmitted his thoughts secretly.
"Both of you, turn around and head to the city gate. Hurry!"
In response, Su Ziyun and Ling Qiushui turned around abruptly and hurriedly walked towards the city gate. Su Qi maintained a smug smile as he followed behind them.
Taking human form and playing tricks on others was Su Qi's favorite pastime. If anyone dared to tarnish his mother's reputation, they would have to deal with Su Qitong's wrath.
At the city gate, a crowd had already gathered. People were growing impatient, as they hadn't witnessed anything significant yet.
A woman called out to Qinghe, "Hey, you said there's something exciting happening here. What's going on?" Frustration filled her voice as she observed the bustling crowd without any visible spectacle.
Qinghe herself was puzzled about Qi Er's intentions. "I'm still waiting. He should be here soon."
"Qinghe!" Qinglian pushed through the crowd and found Qinghe amidst the chaos.
"Qinglian, what did Qi Er ask you to do?" Qinghe inquired, hoping for some clarity.
Qinglian glanced around, noting the crowd, and leaned closer to Qinghe to speak softly into her ear.
"Qi Er asked me to use the influence of Mingyue Mountain Villa to spread rumors about Su Ziyun and gather some people at the city gate."
Qinglian scanned the area again. "Qinghe, where is Qi Er?"
"I'm looking for him too. He didn't tell me what he was planning. He just asked me to gather people at the city gate," Qinghe replied, still uncertain about the situation. However, given the number of people already present at the gate, she wondered if her efforts were even necessary.
"Huh! Look at what those two women are doing," someone in the crowd shouted loudly.
A raised platform stood at the city gate, usually occupied by the guards. But now, Ling Qiushui and Su Ziyun appeared on it.
Their exceptional beauty instantly caught everyone's attention.
Unbeknownst to Ling Qiushui and Su Ziyun, Su Qi, hidden nearby, gently shook the Soul Devouring Bell once again.
He transmitted a secret message to Ling Qiushui and Su Ziyun.
"Speak your true thoughts."
Ling Qiushui and Su Ziyun exchanged glances, rolling their eyes.
Being relatively weak-willed, Su Ziyun couldn't hold back any longer.
"Su Zimo, what about me, Su Ziyun, stealing your fiancé? You insignificant person, don't you dare think you can escape unscathed. I, Su Ziyun, will ruin your reputation. I'll make sure everyone knows about your connection with the prince of Xingyue Kingdom. Today, I will destroy your reputation!"
Su Ziyun's words were filled with malice, and her sinister smile disgusted onlookers.
"Haha! Did you hear what Su Ziyun said? She wants to spread rumors about the owner of Mingyue Mountain Villa and Prince Murong Shaofeng of Xingyue Kingdom, aiming to ruin that shameless person. Well, who dares to snatch her husband with me, Ling Qiushui? I, Ling Qiushui, will personally ruin her. Spread the word!" Ling Qiushui declared, fueled by her anger.
With that, Ling Qiushui removed her face towel, revealing a face covered in pus.
"Gag..."
People near her couldn't help but retch at the sight of Ling Qiushui's face.
"Oh! So, the rumors on the street earlier today were fabricated by this ugly woman to frame the owner of Mingyue Mountain Villa. How ruthless can a woman be just for the sake of her reputation?
A woman in the crowd shouted loudly.
Ling Qiushui narrowed her eyes.
"You yellow-faced woman! How dare you call the future Lady of Cloud City ugly? Do you want to die? I, Ling Qiushui, am far superior to someone like you with a lowly status."
Ling Qiushui angrily pointed at the woman who defended Su Zimo and lashed out at her.
At this moment, they didn't hold back their thoughts at all. They wanted to express what was hidden in their hearts.
"Ha! You think your repulsive appearance and unbearable presence can be called superior? Do you have any shame?"
"Yes! I heard that Ling Qiushui is the daughter-in-law of the old lady. How can a woman with such a malicious mind become the Lady of Cloud City? Should any woman in the world aspire to become a lady in Cloud City?"
"Haha...!" The crowd burst into commotion.
More and more people gathered to witness the spectacle.
"You dare to say that to me..."
"Wait, I'm not finished yet. Let me finish first," Su Ziyun interrupted Ling Qiushui and addressed everyone with a sly smile.
"Huh! Here's some good news for you. That little lady was poisoned by my mother. My mother has taken her place as the lady, and I have become the young lady of Su Mansion. If you don't spread the news about Su Zimo and Murong Shaofeng, I will have you all arrested!"
Su Ziyun arrogantly and viciously pointed at the people below and roared.
"Wow!" Su Qi shook his head. These two women had always despised their mother-in-law so much!
Since they hated her so intensely, he would let them perform for a while!
"Ha! Do you think she dares? Su Mansion is already in ruins, and these poisonous women who can only scheme and harm others shouldn't even exist in this world."
"Yes! The Su family's three siblings have suffered greatly. Their mother was killed by the concubine, Su Zimo was robbed of her fiancé by her sister, and she has returned to the afterlife. Now, the remaining Su Zinian is being forced into marriage. The two siblings were forced to flee to Mingyue Villa. Thankfully, Mingyue Villa gave them a place to stay. The four of them have truly suffered."
"Yes! These two women thought they could deceive men and brazenly speak on the street. They are nothing but scheming individuals."
"Exactly! Today's Mrs. Su has been stripped of her title, and Su Ziyun must have been driven mad by the situation."
"You're right. Look at Ling Qiushui, with that repulsive pus on her face. She must be mad, and not even the Holy Lord of Cloud City dares to marry her, let alone ordinary men..."
"With her demeanor, it's unbearable. She dares to claim superiority and doesn't fear losing her tongue..."
Here, people in the crowd were engaged in continuous discussions, expressing their disdain and criticism towards Su Ziyun and Ling Qiushui.
Meanwhile, Ling Qiushui and Su Ziyun were engaged in a heated argument with a few individuals who had spoken against them.
Qinghe and Qinglian, understanding Su Qi's intentions, returned to their human forms and exchanged glances. They provoked Qi'er, indicating that they would feel relieved in the future.
"Qinglian, these two women deserve what they're going through. Today, they publicly acknowledged their own ugliness, which is a blow to their own reputation. With this trouble, they have completely lost face in the capital of Haoyue Country."
"Hmm!" Qinglian nodded, but she felt a little worried about Qi'er deep down.
In the back of the crowd, a man and a woman rode on horseback, observing the scene with great interest and listening to the discussions taking place.
The woman was dressed in a bold red dress and possessed delicate facial features, often described as a beautiful and elegant appearance.
Beside her, the man wore white attire and had a striking appearance. His handsome face and sharp star-like eyes gave off an aura of cold ruthlessness.
"Brother, I didn't expect that after being away for two months, we would return to such an interesting incident in the capital city of Haoyue."
They were Ji Rui and Ji Yu, the youngest son and daughter of Ji Yaotian.
Ji Rui looked at Su Ziyun with a playful and gloating expression. After not seeing her for two months, she wondered how this woman had ended up in such a state. It was quite unexpected to see her, who had always carried herself with superiority, reduced to this.
"Rui'er, don't you find it strange? Although their expressions seem natural, it appears that they are being controlled by someone. I can sense that they are being manipulated, but I can't determine the method used. It doesn't seem to be the work of the Soul Oblivion Pill, and if it were the Revenant Soul Pill, I would have recognized it immediately."
"Whether they are being controlled or not, Rui'er only knows that this bothersome Su Ziyun is finished. In the past, she used her identity as the future third princess to fight against me. But now, she has fallen to this level. It's truly unexpected."
"Let's not concern ourselves with this matter for now. Let's go back and see what Hong'er has to say."
Although Ji Yu was interested in the affairs of Mingyue Villa, now was not the time. They would have to find another opportunity.
"Brother, tomorrow I will go to Mingyue Villa. If anyone dares to harm Hong'er, I will make sure Mingyue Villa pays a heavy price."
Ji Rui's eyes flashed with a vicious gaze, and a cold smile formed on her lips, distorting her otherwise beautiful face. Her intentions were clear.
"Don't act recklessly. This matter has already been acknowledged by the emperor. Let's go back and find another approach."
Ji Yu's entire being exuded a cold indifference.
"Let's go..."
Ji Rui sneered at Su Ziyun before following Ji Yu on their horses.
Meanwhile, Murong Xingchen was left dumbfounded. Was this the same Ling Qiushui who had always been gentle as water? The change in her was astonishing.
Her current appearance resembled a combination of a malicious woman and a shrew.
"Brother Huang, what on earth is happening? Just two days ago, Ling Qiushui looked completely different. Now her face is covered in disgusting pus, and as for Su Ziyun, she would do anything to maintain her status, even if it meant exposing her dark secrets on the streets. This is too outrageous. She just got out of jail, and her seat isn't even warm yet. Now she might end up back in jail. Moreover, aren't these two women supposed to have some sense of dignity? How could they publicly expose their own flaws?"
Murong Xingchen couldn't believe his eyes, and he continued arguing with the people nearby in anger.
The spies from various provinces in the capital hurriedly returned to report the news.
Murong Shaofeng remained silent, searching every corner for Su Qi's figure. After scanning the area, he furrowed his brows, realizing that Su Qi had concealed herself quite well, as even he couldn't find her.
Qi'er possessed the Soul Devouring Bell, and he wouldn't have used it unless he was provoked. Murong Shaofeng continued searching but suddenly spotted four people beneath the city gate.
Murong Shaofeng's gentle eyes instantly filled with pain.
The four people were none other than Su Zimo, Mu Yunxuan, Su Xin, and Li Zifu.
Mu Yunxuan embraced Su Xin, and the three of them stood together, appearing like a family.
This warm scene deeply pained Murong Shaofeng's heart.
They seemed genuinely happy together, and Murong Shaofeng placed a hand over his heart, feeling a piercing ache. He couldn't tear his gaze away from Su Zimo.
Within a month, had she really disappeared from his side?
"Let's go!"
After speaking, Murong Shaofeng strode forward, his face dark and his once gentle and pure countenance losing its radiance.
Zhu Yan pursed her lips and quickly followed.
"Brother Huang, you don't look well. Are you alright?"
Murong Xingchen anxiously followed and asked.
He felt even more bewildered now. What had the crown prince seen that made him lose his composure so suddenly?
"It's nothing. Maybe I didn't sleep well last night!"
Murong Shaofeng used Xuan Qi and quickly vanished from Murong Xingchen's sight.
"Ah! Brother Huang..."
"Wang Ye, let His Highness be alone for now!"
Zhu Yan quickly stopped Murong Xingchen. Although she didn't know what had affected the crown prince, she understood that the only person capable of unsettling him so deeply was Su Zimo.
Murong Xingchen furrowed his brows, determined to uncover the truth as soon as possible. Since Zhu Yan wouldn't reveal anything, he realized he would have to rely on himself.
"You scoundrels! Hurry up and ruin Su Zimo's reputation. If you don't, I will kill you."
Su Ziyun had completely lost her composure.
Her hair was disheveled, her clothes were in disarray, and her face was contorted.
As for Ling Qiushui, her face covered in pus and her disheveled hair only added to her repulsive appearance.
As everyone listened, their anger grew more intense.
Some individuals, unable to contain their frustration, threw objects they held towards Ling Qiushui and Su Ziyun.
"I've seen shameless people before, but never have I seen such shameless ones. Beat them to death!"
"Yes, their harm towards others is so blatant, they deserve to lose face."
"Bang!"
"Ugh!" A potato hit Su Ziyun on the head.
Su Ziyun covered her head and screamed.
"Bang!" An egg hit Ling Qiushui's forehead, instantly making her not only ugly but also repulsive.
"Ugh!" Ling Qiushui frantically wiped her face.
She roared, "I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you..."
"Go, take the two of them away."
"Yes, my lord."
Four guards armed with knives swiftly approached the raised platform.
Lord Ke from the Criminal Department arrived at the scene, possibly alerted by the officers and soldiers guarding the city gate.
As everyone witnessed this situation, they didn't realize that they were not just throwing objects but were actually engrossed in watching the spectacle.
Unnoticed, Su Qi discreetly descended from the roof.
Unaware of it, he appeared beside Qinghe and Qinglian.
"Qi'er, where have you been? We were worried sick about you."
Qinglian became instantly excited and picked up Su Qi's small body.
"Aunt Qinglian, Aunt Qinghe, we can go back now."
Su Qi's mischievous eyes darted around, observing Su Ziyun and Ling Qiushui.
He was pleased with the outcome.
"Bang!" Suddenly, the guard who attempted to seize Ling Qiushui was kicked off the raised platform by her.
Everyone was astonished. This woman must be insane, daring to kick even the guards from the Criminal Department.
Due to her low cultivation, Su Ziyun couldn't break free from the guards who had caught her.
Meanwhile, she loudly insulted the two guards.
Lord Ke scowled upon witnessing this, adding to his already serious expression.
"Go again. This woman is quite fierce. Be more cautious."
"Yes."
The eight guards behind him received their orders and approached the raised platform together.
"Look! This woman is so strong that so many people can't restrain her," the onlookers murmured.
Su Qi was overjoyed, unable to contain his excitement. The more the two women resisted, the quicker they would meet their demise. This time, he punished them, making sure they knew the consequences of offending him.
But it would be even better if they died! It would save him the trouble of dealing with them in the future.
As Su Zimo observed the sorry state of Ling Qiushui and Su Ziyun, a smirk formed at the corner of his mouth beneath the city gate.
"Mu Yunxuan, your future wife's image has been ruined. Aren't you going to go over and help them?" Su Zimo teased, knowing full well that his son was behind this, but he didn't mind. After all, Ling Qiushui still carried the title of the future Saint Lord Lady of Cloud City.
Mu Yunxuan's eyebrows twitched. Did a certain woman feel jealous again?
He thought so, assuming his wife was jealous.
"Darling, shall I kill them for you?" Li Zifu rolled his eyes, realizing that Mu Yunxuan had become completely different in front of this woman, completely spineless. Was this woman's charm truly that great?
"Don't say it so nicely. It's better for you to kill for me than for yourself," Su Zimo responded unappreciatively, wanting to take Xin'er back to the villa.