Almost all of the people who were leading were from the Peony Courtyard.
It made sense that they came in such an overbearing manner.
Some people from the Orchid Courtyard were scared, but most of them showed angry expressions in their eyes.
âIsnât the Peony Courtyard crossing the line to be stirring troubles at our Orchid Courtyard?â
Fang Muxue and the rest stood up. They had a rather complicated attitude toward Xie Qiao. Although they despised the Xie familyâs reputation, Xie Qiao was really sensible at the academy. Master Lu doted on her. Indeed, she was the most focused in classâ¦
Although nobody knew whether she understood the teachings or not, they could feel her respect for the teachers.
Regarding the giftâ¦
Naturally, they were rather upset.
However, that did not mean that they would tolerate people from the Peony Courtyard coming to bully her in their courtyard.
âYoung Lady Fang, Iâm sure you donât want a person without integrity staying in the academy?â said someone. It was uncertain whether he was smiling.
Xie Qiao knew none of them.
âIf Xie Qiao forged the painting, the teacher would definitely punish her. What does that have to do with you guys?â asked Fang Muxue.
âWho knows how her eldest brother threatened the teacher?â A man stood out. âHe bullied Young Lady Dong earlier. Howâs the sister of such a person anything good?â
When the man said that, Xie Qiao saw a strange hint of shame and anger on the young ladyâs face who spoke earlier.
Can it be thatâ¦
She was Young Lady Dong who had rejected her eldest brother?
However, it was not the time for her to satisfy her curiosity.
âGuysâ¦â Xie Qiao said, âThere has got to be proof to accuse me of forgery, right?â
âIt was your sister who said it herself,â a young lady said immediately.
Xie Qiao could not help but smile. âI only have one sister, her nameâs Xie Xi. Did she tell you that?â
âNo, it was Young Lady Peiâ¦â That young lady responded immediately. The crowd pushed Pei Wanyue out as soon as she was done speaking. âThis is your sister, right? She saw it herself that you showed off the forged painting. You were arrogant!â
Arrogant?
Xie Qiao thought she had always been reserved.
âYou guys say it yourself that her family name is Pei, so how is she my sister? Did you make a mistake?â Xie Qiao sounded casual, and there was even a faint smile on her face. She exuded a slow and relaxed vibe as she glanced at Pei Wanyue. âSheâs a young lady from the Pei family, and she has nothing to do with my Xie family. No matter what she does, itâs terrible to smear her filthy doings onto my family.â
The onlookers could not help but smirk when they heard that.
âYoung Lady Xie, it was you who did something shameless, is it not? You even bullied Young Lady Pei to the point that she was chased out of the house. Are you proud of that?â said someone as if seeking justice.
Pei Wanyue held her head low. She looked very humble.
âOur Xie family canât afford to raise a person whose character is flawed and imperious to her family,â Xie Qiao said in sarcasm. âYou guys have crossed the line. I want the teacher to claim my innocence.â
She would be a fool to fight 100 people on her own. It was useless to say so much. It would be better to get the teacher to claim her innocence.
âEldest Sister, I think you should leave the academy yourself. Why are you doing this? Everyone will be even angrier if you do this,â Pei Wanyue said immediately.
âI guess youâve been struck by lightning to be saying something so foolish.â Xie Qiao glanced at her with disgust.
Pei Wanyue was stunned. She felt embarrassed and furious a moment later. âEldest Sister, I know I shouldnât have spilled this. But itâd be exposed sooner or later! Youâre at fault. How about this? Iâll get Father to send some silver⦠Weâll make it right!â
Xie Qiao was irritated upon hearing that.
She was eager to burn this young lady together with incense.