Volume One, Chapter 14: Encountering a Fraudulent Claim

“Help me wrap up this headpiece,” a gentle voice whispered near Song Shuning’s ear.

The maid, who had been eager to strike a deal with Song Shuning, immediately brightened and agreed, then carried away the headpiece in front of Song Shuning.

Seeing this, Song Shujun stepped forward to block the maid, glancing at the newcomer with a stern voice. “We had our eyes on this headpiece first.”

The delicate-faced woman smirked provocatively, staring directly at Song Shujun. “I noticed Sister Song and this lady hadn’t made a move, so I thought you couldn’t afford it and bought it myself. Or did Sister Song want to buy it?”

Sister Song?

Startled, Song Shuning’s gaze flicked between the two women. Was this some kind of setup?

Just as Song Shujun was about to nod, Song Shuning quickly pulled her back. Smiling gently at the lady, she said to Song Shujun, “Since this lady asked the maid to wrap the headpiece, let’s look at something else.”

The main reason was that the design was too extravagant—no one could wear such a piece casually. Spending so much just to have it gather dust at home was something she couldn’t bear.

Song Shujun frowned, looking at Song Shuning. “Don’t you like it?”

Turning back to the lady, she said coldly, “Zhao Linyu is deliberately competing with us. If you like it, then we’ll buy it.”

Zhao Linyu?

This seemingly delicate soft girl was Zhao Linyu—the notorious manipulative cousin of Lu Shiyan from the original story?

Catching Song Shuning’s gaze, Zhao Linyu curled her lips into a smirk and, accompanied by her maid, approached them. She said to Song Shujun, “When Sister Song left the sect, I didn’t even know you had come to the capital. Had I known earlier, I would have asked my cousin to bring me back sooner.”

“That way, I could visit Sister Song often, so she wouldn’t be so lonely as an outsider with no friends here.”

Song Shujun’s expression darkened. “Thank you for your kindness, Miss Zhao, but Sister Song and I are not alike; we likely cannot be friends.”

Zhao Linyu arched an eyebrow, offering a half-smile. “Is that so?”

Not wanting to waste words, Song Shujun grabbed Song Shuning’s hand to leave, but Zhao Linyu stepped forward and caught Song Shujun’s hand, eyes glistening with tears. “Sister Song, I’m sincere. Why do you hate me so much?”

Song Shuning frowned, a sudden ominous feeling rising in her chest. Just as she was about to warn Song Shujun, the latter instinctively shook off Zhao Linyu’s hand.

Zhao Linyu, who had been standing firmly, suddenly fell to the ground!

Song Shuning: “!!!”

A fake fall?

Song Shujun: “......”

---

Just outside the door, Lu Shiyan strode in. He pushed Song Shujun aside, helped Zhao Linyu up, and glared at Song Shujun. “Song Shujun! Why did you push Yuer?”

Song Shuning nearly applauded. This was the classic scene of a scumbag defending a manipulative woman and making things difficult for the heroine!

She never thought she’d witness such melodrama in her lifetime!

Song Shujun looked up at Lu Shiyan but remained silent.

Zhao Linyu wiped her tears lightly and whispered, “Don’t blame Sister Song; I was the one who reached out to her. Maybe Sister Song found me annoying and so…”

“Stop!” Song Shuning raised her hand to cut off Zhao Linyu, smiling sweetly as she stepped forward. “Miss Zhao, if you’re going to lie, at least do it where there are no witnesses. With so many people here, do you really expect us to believe your story?”

“Ning’er, why waste words on them?” Song Shujun pulled Song Shuning back, casting a cold glance at Lu Shiyan. “I have a clear conscience; I’m not afraid of baseless accusations.”

“Precisely because we are innocent, we cannot let others stain our names!” Song Shuning disagreed with Song Shujun’s meekness.

If Song Shujun had spoken up back then, she wouldn’t have felt so stifled reading the novel! She felt half of her sudden death was from being so infuriated!

Zhao Linyu shrank behind Lu Shiyan, whispering softly, “Yes, with so many people here, they must have seen Sister Song push me…”

“Don’t think you can cry your way to justification!” Song Shuning interrupted again. “You barged in, trying to snatch the jewelry my sister and I had our eyes on. We gave it to you without a word, yet you keep pestering us. You grabbed my sister, and the moment she raised her hand, you fell. You’re so good at playing the victim—why don’t you try this on the street?”

“You’re Sister Song’s sister, so naturally, you’ll defend her,” Zhao Linyu said, tilting her head toward Lu Shiyan and whispering, “Cousin, don’t you believe Yuer’s words either?”

Lu Shiyan frowned at Song Shujun. “No matter what happened, as a martial artist, your strength far exceeds Yuer’s. You may have pushed her lightly, but she did fall. Apologize to Yuer, and this will be over.”

Hearing this, Zhao Linyu’s eyes gleamed with triumph, as if to say, “See? No matter the truth, cousin always stands with me.”

Song Shujun suddenly found it laughable and sneered, “An apology? Never.”

She turned and walked away.

Lu Shiyan, enraged by her attitude, strode forward and grabbed Song Shujun’s arm. “Song Shujun, I’m telling you to apologize!”

“Why should I apologize?” Song Shujun raised her head defiantly. “What did I do wrong?”

Song Shuning nodded in agreement and stepped forward to pull her sister’s hand from Lu Shiyan’s grasp. Lu Shiyan shoved her harshly; unprepared, Song Shuning stumbled back several steps and fell.

Song Shujun called out anxiously, “Ning’er!”

Song Shuning closed her eyes, bracing for the pain, but instead found herself securely held in someone’s arms. She looked up to see Shen Qiyuan, seated in a wheelchair.

---

Shen Qiyuan steadied Song Shuning, helping her to stand, then coldly glared at Lu Shiyan. “A man bullying two weak women in broad daylight—well done, sir.”

Song Shujun shook off Lu Shiyan’s hand and hurried over to check on Song Shuning. “Ning’er, are you alright?”

Song Shuning shook her head.

Song Shujun then turned to Shen Qiyuan, eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my sister just now.”

Shen Qiyuan did not reply but fixed Lu Shiyan with a cold stare. “No apology?”

“I didn’t mean to,” Lu Shiyan frowned. “Besides, this is a personal matter among ourselves. Who are you to interfere?”

Shen Qiyuan chuckled dryly, turning to the stunned Zhao Linyu. “Do you know who I am?”

Lowering her head, Zhao Linyu knelt before Shen Qiyuan and saluted. “Greetings, Prince Rui.”

Shen Qiyuan snorted. “You were once willful and spoiled, delighting in mocking others. I advised your grandmother to send you away for training, but it seems it was all for nothing.”

Zhao Linyu remained kneeling in silence.

Song Shujun quickly pulled Song Shuning down to kneel and saluted Shen Qiyuan with earnest eyes. “Thank you, Prince Rui, for your timely rescue.”

Song Shuning looked at Shen Qiyuan curiously. He had only introduced himself by name earlier; now he had revealed his identity?

Seeing that Song Shuning was not surprised, Shen Qiyuan’s expression softened slightly. She truly was different from other women.

Much steadier than her sister.

However...

Shen Qiyuan glanced once at Lu Shiyan before fixing his gaze on Zhao Linyu. “Will you confess to me, or shall I investigate this matter myself?”

Zhao Linyu sneered, “Your Highness, my grandmother is your aunt! Won’t you stand by me?”

“Zhao Linyu!” Shen Qiyuan’s eyes darkened, his tone icy. “Do you want me to investigate?”