"Brother, sister, I understand that people can be terrible, but there's no need to worry. These rumors are like flies to Momo, she doesn't pay them any mind!"
Ji Rui and Ji Yu looked on with glee, and Su Zimo knew without a doubt that these rumors were orchestrated by the two siblings.
"Brother, I'm certain that the Ji siblings are somehow connected to my mother's true identity," Su Qi angrily whispered to Su Li.
"It's fine. Let them enjoy their arrogance a bit longer," Su Li's eyes emitted a cold and icy killing intent. If looks could kill, everyone around them would have dropped dead.
At that moment, Murong Shaofeng and Mu Yunxuan, along with their entourage, arrived in their carriages one after another.
The repugnant rumors naturally reached their ears.
Murong Shaofeng was filled with anger upon hearing them. "Tell me, am I mistaken? How can these baseless rumors tarnish our Lady Yuncheng's reputation?"
"Mother, please say something! The attacks against sister-in-law are already hurtful enough. Don't join in on mocking her. Li'er made a valid point earlier. Six years ago, people only remembered and ridiculed sister-in-law for her faults. Who can understand the pain and helplessness she felt?"
Mu Yunhan vehemently defended Su Zimo. Six years ago, he was young and full of energy, and he too thought Su Zimo was a worthless woman. But who stopped to consider things from her perspective?
"Are you putting yourself in her shoes? Have you personally witnessed what she has endured?" Jun Zixi's face contorted with anger. Su Zimo had been cunning, and now her family was turning against her.
Mu Yunxuan furrowed his brow, feeling the pain in his heart. He simply wanted to rush to Su Zimo's side, but he didn't argue against Mu Yunhan and Jun Zixi's words. He didn't want to, nor did he see the need to, refute them. All he wanted was for Su Zimo to be free of these rumors.
"See, it's no wonder she hides her face behind a mask. She must have something to hide. She's too afraid to show her true self and face people," someone commented.
"Exactly! If she's engaged in unsavory activities, of course, she won't dare to show her real face. So she hides behind a mask, avoiding people's gazes," another added.
"I wonder who the father of her three children is? All three kids are quite good-looking."
"Of course, the person she snared for herself must know who the father is. And just by looking at those three children, it's clear their father must be handsome too."
The air was filled with such ugly words.
The anger emanating from Mu Yunxuan turned the surroundings cold and gloomy, making those around him involuntarily tremble.
"Bright Moon Villa Master, I never expected you to be Su Zimo. Did you think that by wearing a mask, no one would recognize you? Is there such a thing as an eternal secret, or do you have secrets that no one knows, like your three children?" Ji Rui's lips curled into a smug smile, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she coldly stared at Su Zimo.
The smugness on her face twisted slightly because of her excessive delight.
Su Zimo narrowed her stunning eyes. Clad in a purple dress, she exuded an air of cold elegance amidst the crowd, appearing ethereal with every movement.
Upon seeing her exquisite figure, Ji Rui couldn't help but feel jealous in her heart, her eyes growing increasingly vicious.
Ji Rui's words resonated with most of the people present who knew her. Those targeted by Ji Rui's mockery naturally held grudges against her. Everyone watched with a desire to see a good show.
"So, Miss Chicken is quite interested in the owner's identity, huh? It seems you've put a lot of effort into this, haven't you?" Su Zimo said with a faint smile.
That beautiful smile stirred envy among the women around her. Even a slight smile from her could make people feel as if they were beholding a fairy-like beauty.
Ji Rui's face changed upon hearing this. Did Su Zimo suspect her as the source of the rumors? But what proof did she have? Just like last night, she could only suffer a loss.
"Huh!" Ji Rui let out a soft chuckle and continued, "Su Zimo, anyone with secrets naturally piques curiosity in the world."
"Momo." Murong Shaofeng went straight to Su Zimo's side as soon as he alighted from his carriage, arriving a step ahead of Mu Yunxuan.
He was like a jade tree swaying in the wind, gentle and refined, his appearance exuding the grace of an elegant individual. The instant he appeared, everyone couldn't tear their eyes away.
"Hmm!" Su Zimo nodded.
The gentle "Momo" reached Ji Rui's ears, causing her eyes to quickly flash with resentment. She then covered her gloomy expression with a soft smile and gently said, "Su Zimo, you are quite remarkable, aren't you? You even know the Crown Prince of the Xingyue Kingdom?"
It appeared that Su Zimo was quite remarkable, but upon reflection, it caused people to doubt. Ji Rui secretly felt that there must be someone influential behind Su Zimo, and it would be better to use this opportunity to tarnish her reputation and see how she would fare in the capital of Haoyue Country.
Murong Shaofeng's gentle eyes momentarily darkened, and he wanted to teach Ji Rui a lesson, but Su Zimo stopped him silently.
"The prince of Haoyue Kingdom?"
"Is it really the prince of Haoyue Kingdom?"
The crowd became agitated upon hearing this, and the women, in particular, looked at Murong Shaofeng with admiration. Even if it was just a fleeting glance, they felt fortunate to have witnessed such a sight.
"Miss Chicken, it seems you have a great interest in the affairs of the estate owner. However, the owner doesn't have time to entertain a noisy chicken," Su Zimo replied calmly.
"Su Zimo, how dare you call me a chicken!" Ji Rui was furious, her face turning red and white.
"Su Zimo, think twice before speaking. My sister is the queen of the dynasty," Ji Yu couldn't help but glare angrily at Su Zimo. She found Su Zimo incredibly arrogant to openly shout at them in front of so many people.
"Please think twice before acting, as the owner kindly advises. After all, your sister is indeed the queen. Even if it's not for the sake of your Zhenguo Mansion, you should consider your sister's position in the palace. What do you and your siblings gain by revealing my identity as Su Zimo? Would you care to explain to the people of Haoyue Country what you hope to achieve?" Su Zimo looked coldly at Ji Yu. She wasn't afraid of her secret being exposed. If she could transcend time and space, what were mere rumors to her?
Ji Yu's eyes revealed a trace of panic under Su Zimo's gaze. She stared back at Su Zimo, realizing that Su Zimo had changed significantly. She used to be a pitiful person whom everyone could trample upon, but now, with just a single glance, she exuded an aura of strength.
Su Zimo's words also triggered a reaction among the crowd, and those with sharp minds could guess the truth.
"Although I am Su Zimo, it hasn't affected anyone's life. Wearing a mask, I didn't intend for such a commotion to happen today. Six years ago, I was abandoned by Jun Lin Tian, who mistakenly thought that I couldn't cultivate. He discarded me, Su Zimo, and my sister secretly monitored me. Today, the two of you revealed my identity as Su Zimo. Is it just to make the world laugh at me? The so-called strong do not bully the weak, and the crowd should not bully the vulnerable. Are you two siblings bullying an orphaned widow like me, Su Zimo?" Su Zimo openly admitted her identity. It would be known sooner or later, so why care about the timing?
Ji Rui and Ji Yu were momentarily stunned, as Su Zimo gradually shifted all the blame onto them. The crowd began to taunt the siblings, but due to their identities, they dared not speak too loudly.
"Su Zimo, don't spout nonsense! If you have the guts, tell everyone who the father of those three bastards is!" Ji Rui shouted angrily.
"Snap!" Mu Yunxuan's hand struck Ji Rui across the face.
"Ah!" Ji Rui was sent flying.
"Poof!" Blood spurted from her mouth.
Ji Rui looked up sharply, her eyes filled with a deadly glare.
"The Emperor has arrived!" A sharp voice echoed.
The crowd automatically made way, kneeling respectfully on either side.
"Greetings to Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!" The people knelt and saluted loudly.
"Rise, all of you!" Haoyue Emperor's deep gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Mu Yunxuan and Su Zimo's group.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for gracing us with your presence. Long live Your Majesty!" The emperor's arrival brought a cheerful atmosphere to the crowd, as they anticipated an entertaining spectacle.
"Rui'er, what happened to you?" Ji Wu'er, sitting beside the Haoyue Emperor, looked at Ji Rui, who was spitting blood.
Her brows furrowed deeply.
"Sister, you must seek justice for Rui'er!" Ji Yu helped Ji Rui up from the ground.
"Explain to me what happened," the queen's eyes turned sharp. Her own sister dared to fight back, and that person didn't even regard her, the queen, with respect.
"If you dare utter another word, Mu Yunxuan, I will ensure you never see Que'er again for the rest of your life," Su Zimo warned Mu Yunxuan secretly when he wanted to reveal that Su Li was his son.
Mu Yunxuan glanced at Su Zimo, puzzled by her warning. Unafraid, he wanted the whole world to know that Li'er was his son, once and for all.