She accidentally flirted with the villain and was fiercely criticized as the regent for forcibly mar

If you don't apologize, it will seem like you're not sincere.

If she apologizes, Xie Qinghe's reputation will be irreparably damaged!

Xie Qinghe wanted to run away.

Madam Xie grabbed her and pulled her in front of Madam Zheng, forcing her to kneel down: "Because of her brother's matter, the family took their anger out on her. She was upset and then provoked by someone, so she said some outrageous things. I specifically asked her to come and apologize to you and Lingyi."

"We've known each other for a lifetime. You've seen how I've treated Lingyi all these years. How could I possibly say such things as those rumors circulating outside?"

He pulled Xie Qinghe along.

Xie Qinghe cried and apologized reluctantly.

Madam Zheng didn't question, wasn't angry, and didn't even glance at Xie Qinghe. She simply sighed wearily and disappointedly, "Well, now we can only hope that Hengge'er can be rescued soon, otherwise Lingyi will be heartbroken!"

Madam Xie then seized the opportunity to plead with her, "Su Yue, I'll take Qinghe to apologize to the county princess right away. Please come along and plead with her on our behalf!"

The other women present looked at the mother and daughter with disdain: "Only Madam Zheng and your daughter Lingyi are kind-hearted and sentimental. If it were anyone else, who would even give you a second glance! You don't know what's good for you!"

Mrs. Xie felt ashamed, but she endured it so that her son could be released smoothly.

Xie Qinghe was quick to anger and wanted to argue with people.

She was firmly held down by Madam Xie, who gave her a sharp warning look.

Xie Qinghe was indignant, but ultimately she held back.

Madam Zheng got up and walked out.

Mrs. Xie breathed a sigh of relief and immediately followed, pulling her daughter along.

The others also came out of the tent.

Watching the Xie mother and daughter walk away, everyone felt nothing but contempt: "Disaster really does expose a person's true nature. The Xie family is utterly despicable!"

Wan Yi stood among them and said quietly, "The only family the Xie family can hold onto now is the Zheng family. Why would they let go? If Xie Lanheng is really sentenced to death or exile, the Xie family might blame Lingyi for everything."

"They say her future daughter-in-law's birth chart is bad, that she's bringing misfortune to Xie Lanheng!"

Upon hearing this, everyone wholeheartedly agreed: "You wouldn't believe such foolish things the Xie family would say! It's such a pity that such a good girl like Lingyi is being held hostage by this family!"

Wan Yi chimed in, "Who says otherwise! Such a lovely girl could have a better marriage, but expecting the Xie family to voluntarily break off the engagement is simply impossible!"

Zheng Lingyi is likable, simple-minded, from a good family, well-mannered, and beautiful. Many prominent families want to marry her.

If it weren't for the fact that Madam Xie and Madam Zheng were very close friends, their family wouldn't have gotten a chance!

After this incident, the Zheng family must have seen through them.

If public opinion is strong enough to force the Xie family to break off the engagement, wouldn't the opportunity arise?

The woman with this thought laughed after considering it: "As long as we're not married, nothing is impossible!"

On the grassland.

Jiang Ruining and a group of people are setting up animal traps.

July glanced around and reminded her, "Miss, Madam Xie has brought Miss Xie with her."

Jiang Ruining refused to watch the Xie family put on a show, and simply sent someone to deliver a message: "The Xie family should handle Xie Lanheng's matter themselves. I have no obligation to meddle in their affairs!"

The message was relayed.

Madam Xie's face turned pale.

Xie Qinghe's anger seemed to have found an outlet, and she gritted her teeth as she roared, "She never intended to help at all; she was just deliberately playing us all for fools! She makes it sound so nice that she considers Lingyi her best friend, but she really just wants her to suffer! How can she be so selfish!"

Madam Xie did not stop her.

He deliberately wanted Madam Zheng to hear it.

Madam Zheng looked at the mother and daughter expressionlessly: "No wonder no one is willing to help you!"

Madam Xie was startled and quickly reached out to pull her: "Su Yue..."

Madam Zheng dodged the outstretched hand: "We know Ningning better than you do. Keep your divisive words to yourselves! The engagement is off! My daughter will never marry into a family like yours!"

Madam Xie was greatly alarmed.

Xie Qinghe screamed, "Impossible! This engagement can't be called off!"

Madam Zheng gave her a cold glare: "If you still want to save face, think carefully about what excuse you'll use to back out. Otherwise, I don't mind making a scene and ensuring that none of your Xie family's daughters can get married!"

"With your whole family jeopardizing my daughter's future, this deal is a bargain!"

After saying that, she turned and left.

Snapped!

Xie Qinghe was slapped again, blood spilled from the corner of her mouth, her ears rang, and half of her face was numb with pain.

Madam Xie trembled all over: "Disaster! Everything has come to this because of you, you jinx!"

Xie Qinghe's bloodshot eyes were brimming with tears: "What I said was exactly what Mother was thinking, otherwise you would have stopped me from speaking long ago. Who are you putting on an act for now! Why are you calling me a jinx!"

"It's clearly your incompetence as parents that prevented you from saving my brother, so why are you shifting all the blame onto me! Don't you want me as your daughter? Then I don't want a mother like you who only knows how to blame the child!"

After she finished speaking, she ran away crying!

Madam Xie was trembling violently, and her vision was blurring.

At this point, what else could she not understand?

It was the Zheng family who wanted to annul the engagement, so they deliberately had Jiang Ruining and those gossipy people work together to slander and smear the Xie family!

However, once the Zheng family, a close friend and in-law, is no longer involved, the Xie family's situation will likely become even more difficult.

No refunds!

Absolutely no refunds!

But if she doesn't back down, Su Yue's temper might really cause trouble for her other children!

"What to do? What to do..."

His panicked eyes darted wildly around in their sockets.

Jealousy and fear breed evil!

Destroy her!

Once Zheng Lingyi is ruined, filthy, rotten, and her reputation is tarnished, she will have no right to clamor for annulment!

If the Xie family is at worst, they can seek refuge with the Empress Dowager!

Although I have no choice but to fight for the Empress Dowager, at least I can save my son!

As long as the master's son can achieve merit, the Xie family can gain a foothold in the Empress Dowager's camp!

Once Heng'er is released from prison unharmed, Zheng Lingyi will have to fulfill her marriage obligations and marry into the Xie family... She has plenty of ways to torment this disgraced woman! No one will be able to say a bad word about the Xie family!

I don't believe the Zheng family would dare not be afraid to act against her and obediently kneel down and beg for an apology for her sophistry!

Correct!

Just do it!

Jin Yu, who hadn't gone far, gave Madam Xie a cold glance as her expression kept changing, and quickly returned to her mistress's side.

Without deliberately lowering her voice, she replied, "This servant will go and tell the Xie family that you will no longer interfere in their affairs. I didn't expect that Miss Xie to be so ill-mannered."

"They accused you of being selfish for not caring about their lives despite your abilities, and maliciously sowed discord between you and the Zheng family, saying that you just wanted to see Miss Yi make a fool of herself and deliberately ruined her life as a widow."

"Madam Xie watched the whole thing with a cold eye and didn't say a word to stop them. But fortunately, Madam Zheng didn't listen to their provocations and even scolded them for going too far."

The boys and girls, being the most passionate of people, were all indignant upon hearing this: "This is unbelievable! How could there be such a despicable family!"

Jiang Ruining pulled back Xiao Qing, who was rolling up her sleeves and ready to fight: "Don't pay any attention to those petty people. If we get angry, wouldn't that just embolden them and affect so many people? It's best to ignore them!"

"Keep building the animal traps!"