Ling Qingwan is different from other ladies. Her reputation has spread since she returned to Tokyo City. She has been criticized and criticized several times since then.
Coupled with her relationship with Wei Xun, Ling Qingwan is also considered one of the most influential figures in the capital.
Some people hate her, but naturally there are others who admire her. Zhang Shuying is one of them.
"I am just an ordinary girl, how can I deserve Miss Zhang's love?" Ling Qingwan responded politely. Facing Zhang Shuying's praise, she did not show any pride at all.
Zhang Shuying suddenly opened up and started chatting with Ling Qingwan.
Gu Zhi was also very friendly, and the three of them quickly became friends, sitting in a group and talking and laughing.
Not far away, Wei Xun, who was chatting with Lord Sima, saw this scene and the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose.
It looked like his little girl had made a new friend.
Soon, everyone went to the open space in the back garden to watch the show.
The stage had already been set up, and for today's birthday banquet, Wei Xun had invited the most famous opera troupe in Da Yue. As the saying goes, once a teacher, always a father, this could be considered Wei Xun's birthday gift to Lord Sima.
"Ms. Ling Er."
As soon as Ling Qingwan sat down, she heard a familiar voice.
That’s right, it’s Sima Yan.
Although Ling Qingwan didn't want to see her, she didn't show it on the surface. After all, today was Sima Yan's grandfather's birthday.
"I had something urgent to do just now, so I left first. I didn't have time to say more to you." Sima Yan smiled gently, looking embarrassed.
"It's okay. Business is more important." Ling Qingwan nodded and responded politely.
"It was my negligence in the first place, Miss Ling, please don't speak for me." Sima Yan said as she picked up the teacup and poured a cup of tea. "Why don't I use tea instead of wine and toast you a glass as an apology to you."
Seeing Sima Yan offering the teacup with both hands, Ling Qingwan would feel bad not to take it.
She was just reaching out her hand, when suddenly, perhaps because Sima Yan didn't hold it firmly, the cup fell over. Seeing that the scalding hot tea was about to splash onto Ling Qingwan, Hong Chang, who was standing by, quickly pulled Ling Qingwan back half a meter.
The teacup fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
"Miss!"
Cui Tao shouted hurriedly and supported Sima Yan.
Ling Qingwan then discovered that Sima Yan's hand was accidentally splashed with tea and instantly scalded and formed blisters.
Lord Sima and Wei Xun were originally sitting in the first row, so they had no idea what was happening behind them. Upon hearing the noise, not only Wei Xun and Lord Sima, but all the guests present looked towards Ling Qingwan.
Wei Xun immediately stood up and ran straight to Ling Qingwan without saying a word.
At this time, Sima Yan was lowering her head, leaning on Cui Tao's shoulder and crying.
"Are you okay?" Wei Xun asked Ling Qingwan.
Ling Qingwan shook her head, then she looked at Sima Yan.
She was fine, after all, she had Hong Shang there, but Sima Yan was not so lucky.
The tea was freshly brewed and still very hot. It splashed on Sima Yan's hand. Ling Qingwan was worried that Sima Yan's delicate skin would not be able to bear it.
Lord Sima quickly ordered his servants to take Sima Yan back to the room for treatment, and comforted the guests to sit down and continue watching the performance on stage.
Wei Xun was worried about Ling Qingwan, so he sat next to her.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here." Wei Xun saw that Ling Qingwan looked worried, so he whispered to comfort her.
Ling Qingwan nodded and forced a smile.
She was not afraid, but she felt uneasy.
Ling Qingwan thought back to the scene where Sima Yan made tea for her just now, and felt even more strange.
How could the teacup just happen to fall when she was about to take it? But if Sima Yan did it on purpose and wanted to teach her a lesson, why did she stop the teacup in the end and rather get burned herself
If Sima Yan suffered this disaster because of her, Ling Qingwan would definitely feel guilty.
What she likes most is to owe favors to others.
When Ling Qingwan was upset, she glanced at Gu Zhi and Zhang Shuying from the corner of her eyes. Both of them looked a little ugly. Especially Zhang Shuying, when she noticed Ling Qingwan looking at her, she lowered her head unconsciously.
Ling Qingwan suddenly remembered that when Sima Yan served tea just now, Gu Zhi and Zhang Shuying were sitting next to Sima Yan.
If Sima Yan had made any small movements, the two of them would have seen it.
"Wanwan." Zhang Shuying leaned over and called softly.
Ling Qingwan turned her head.
"Look at the waist." Zhang Shuying reminded Ling Qingwan.
Ling Qingwan reacted and touched her belt, and sure enough, there was a bulge.
She took off a jade pendant from her waist.
Holding the jade pendant, Ling Qingwan seemed to understand something.
"Give it to me." Wei Xun said to Ling Qingwan.
Ling Qingwan handed the jade pendant to Wei Xun and watched Wei Xun put it into his pocket.
He patted the back of Ling Qingwan's hand, signaling Ling Qingwan to be at ease.
Ling Qingwan turned around and nodded to Zhang Shuying as a thank you.
After a while, Sima Yan's personal maid Cui Tao came from the backyard and walked to the bottom of the stage to look around.
Ling Qingwan looked at Cuitao, waiting to see what tricks she was going to play.
As expected, the moment Cui Tao's eyes met Ling Qingwan's, her face suddenly fell.
"Miss Ling Er, please return my lady's jade pendant."
Cui Tao's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for everyone present to hear. No one was in the mood to watch the show on the stage, and they all looked at Ling Qingwan.
"The jade pendant was given to my young lady by my master before he died. It is my young lady's only wish and is more important to her than her life. I beg Miss Ling Er to show mercy and return it to me, considering that the jade pendant is my master's deceased possession."
Seeing that Ling Qingwan didn't say anything, Cuitao raised her voice, and this time, she made the matter sound even more serious.
Wei Xun was about to speak when Ling Qingwan stopped him.
There were many people present who were prejudiced against her. Even if Wei Xun stood up for her, her reputation as a thief would still spread as long as she failed to prove her innocence.
Not to mention that she has a close relationship with Wei Xun and will most likely become the future Seventh Princess. Even if she doesn't have this relationship with Wei Xun, a girl who is labeled a thief will never be able to hold her head up in the capital again.
"You mean, I stole your young lady's jade pendant?" Ling Qingwan stood up and asked Cui Tao.
Beside her, Wei Xun stared at Cui Tao with a sharp gaze.
Cui Tao felt uneasy when she was looked at and couldn't stop shivering.
"No, I'm borrowing it." Cui Tao knelt down. "Second Miss Ling has already seen the jade pendant. I think you are no longer interested in it. Please return it to my young lady."
First she stole, then she borrowed. Cui Tao's change of words at this time not only failed to help Ling Qingwan restore her reputation, but instead made her be accused of bullying by taking advantage of her power.
With the support of the Seventh Prince, she could just say that the theft was borrowed. Wei Xun was completely unable to speak for Ling Qingwan this time.
The more he helps, the more it proves that Ling Qingwan is bullying others by taking advantage of her power.
"If I really took Miss Sima's jade pendant, I would definitely return it to you. But now I don't even know what the jade pendant looks like, how can I know where it is."