Ruined Reputation

Baili Jia Jue's narrow, demon-like eyes gleamed with indifference as he looked at her, seemingly unaffected by the situation. He casually remarked, "Then let's commit a capital crime."

A capital offense? Helian Weiwei gripped her hand, feeling disappointed by the ungratefulness of the Third Prince. She had roasted all that rabbit meat in the Spirit Forest, and now it was all wasted!

How could he be so heartless?

Hold on a minute.

Helian Weiwei raised an eyebrow. He mentioned the death penalty, so why was he reaching out to her?

Just because he had good-looking hands didn't mean she would forgive him...

Helian Weiwei's eyes shot up, intending to slap him, but she found herself falling into the deep, black eyes of the man. They were like ancient inkwells, seemingly enchanted and capable of drawing her in.

Helian Weiwei was taken aback. Wait a minute, didn't he want to sentence her to death? Why would he reach out to her before she died?

She thought that the Third Prince was trying to be kind, offering her a sweet date before she reached the end. That way, she wouldn't resent him in the afterlife!

But she couldn't deny that she had a soft spot for him...

However, he underestimated her. Did he think she would easily give in just because he was handsome?

Sun Gonggong, driven mad by Miss Helian, lowered his voice and urged anxiously, "Miss Helian, the master is helping you. Why don't you hand it over? How long are you going to keep him waiting like this?"

Helian Weiwei hadn't expected the Third Prince to help her. As she reached out and placed her hand on the man's fingertips, a tingling sensation spread through her. It seemed he didn't like her dirty hand, as he quickly let go after a single shake. His handsome face carried a blend of righteousness and wickedness, devoid of worldly elegance, with picturesque eyebrows and an inscrutable expression.

She realized that she couldn't see through this Third Prince.

Then, she heard him say, "As the acting dean of the academy, taking the lead in framing the descendants of Zhongliang is undoubtedly a capital offense."

His voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling coldness that seemed to constrict one's throat.

A shiver ran down everyone's spine, and their blood seemed to freeze, the sound of its flow coming to a halt...

In front of the palace gate, a terrifying silence fell.

Even the air seemed to stand still.

Jing Wu Hopeless turned pale in an instant and stood there stiffly before dropping to his knees with a thud.

Perhaps overwhelmed by the forcefulness of the situation, even Helian Jiao'er trembled, her palm sweating and dampening the cloth she held. She looked at Baili Jia Jue and opened her mouth, but didn't dare to speak.

Murong Changfeng didn't anticipate things to escalate to this point, and a trace of astonishment flashed across his handsome face. He didn't expect the Third Prince, who had always been aloof and mysterious, to intervene in this matter and deliver such a powerful blow.

Murong Changfeng wanted to argue, but he couldn't find an excuse.

"Framing the descendants of Zhongliang," such a serious accusation, even with many supporters, would still be a capital offense!

Only Helian Mei refused to back down.

Or rather, it wasn't that she refused to back down.

She simply didn't believe that the Third Prince, with his lofty position, would come to the aid of a worthless person like Helian Weiwei!

"Your Highness, did you misspeak? How can the person who should be sentenced to death be Master Hopeless!" Helian Mei pointed angrily at Helian Weiwei. "It is clear that this woman harbors evil intentions. She saved the prince of the cat clan without saying a word, only to frame Master Hopeless in the end!"

Helian Jiao'er knew things had taken a turn for the worse upon hearing this. She stepped forward and scolded hastily, "Sister, please hold your tongue!"

"Why should I keep quiet, sister? Look at this woman, is she the same as before? No! She's nothing but a cunning snake. Whenever we deviate from her plans, she strikes. And who knows what foxy tricks she has learned recently? Even your beloved Highness..."

Snap!

Helian Jiao'er looked at the gradually revealed gazes around her and the icy eyes of the man beside her. She couldn't take it anymore and slapped Helian Mei across the face!

The slap stunned Helian Mei, and even Helian Weiwei raised an eyebrow in surprise. She then stroked the white cat, a wicked smile playing on her lips.

Helian Jiao'er's chest heaved as she suppressed her anger. She knew full well what kind of person he was. Countless women had been rejected by him, and someone of his high status detested being manipulated and schemed against.

So for all these years, she had kept her distance from him. Even when she heard news about him, she maintained a smile befitting a lady. And when she learned that the Third Prince was coming to select a concubine, she never showed her emotions to anyone.

She pretended not to care much about him. When other noble ladies came to inquire, she made an effort to suppress the pride and joy in her heart so as not to evoke his disgust.

But now, Helian Mei had exposed the deepest secrets of her heart in front of everyone!

She could almost imagine what those who usually befriended her and praised the Third Prince would think of her!

This Third Sister was just foolish, dragging her into this mess. Helian Jiao'er couldn't bear it!

"You dare to hit me? Second Sister, you actually dared to hit me!" Helian Mei's voice was piercing, full of anger and hot as fire. She seemed ready to pounce and grab Helian Jiao'er's hair, unable to accept the fact that she had been slapped by her own sister in front of so many people!

Helian Jiao'er saw that she couldn't restrain herself and grabbed her wrist, suppressing her voice as she said, "You stop right there, Helian Mei. Do you want everyone to witness our family's disgrace?"

"Let them witness! Let them witness!" Helian Mei seethed with anger. Compared to her usual self, she seemed even more unruly now, exposing all her ugly sides without any regard for the public. "Aren't I a laughingstock in front of you since childhood?"

Helian Jiao'er paused. "Why do you think that?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Helian Mei shouted, her demeanor becoming even spicier. She shamelessly revealed all her weaknesses in front of everyone. "All those evil deeds you ordered me to commit—I was your pawn. Whenever you said fight, I fought! But what did I gain? Your reputation soared while I was left with nothing. Even Grandfather favors you more! They should have taken a good look, but you are the one who has achieved nothing!"

"Helian Mei!" Helian Jiao'er trembled as she scolded, "What has gotten into you today?"

Helian Mei sneered, her eyes red with rage. "Me? I was merely awakened by a slap from you, you heartless wretch!"

Everyone was shocked by this scene. These two sisters who were usually adored by everyone—the older one gentle and beautiful, the younger one lively and charming—what had become of them?

Helian Mei appeared like a street scold, defying all expectations!

As everyone stood there in shock, only Baili Jia Jue glanced at Helian Weiwei beside him. His eyes were faint, deep, and as cool as an ancient well...

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