From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

As Yan Rugo listened to the rumors that spit out their tongues like venomous snakes, she felt an inexplicable anger rise to the top of her head.

She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails almost dug into her palms.

Those once clear and bright eyes were now burning with raging fury, as if they wanted to burn away all the filth in the world.

She's no longer that poor little thing crying under the covers!

Today, Yan Rugo will make those who spread rumors and cause trouble pay the price!

She paced back and forth in the room, each step seeming to tread on the gossip and rumors.

The delicate embroidered soles of her shoes rubbed against the polished floor, making a "tap-tap-tap" sound that resonated deep within her, amplifying her inner anxiety.

On the table were scattered the books she had read the night before, along with a few crumpled pages, all hinting at her turbulent state of mind.

"Granny Zhao, prepare the horses!" She took a deep breath and looked firmly toward the door.

Zhao Mama entered in response to the call, and a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes when she saw her like this.

"Madam, where are you going? You should stay home and reflect on the rumors going around you. Don't go out and embarrass yourself."

Yan Rugo sneered; she knew these people would be like this.

"Granny Zhao, today I'll show you who's really making a fool of themselves! I, Yan Rugo, am upright and honest, and I will never allow you despicable people to slander me!"

Granny Zhao crossed her arms, rolled her eyes, and her face was full of disbelief, as if to say: I don't believe you!

She curled her lip and said sarcastically, "Oh, Madam, who doesn't know that you are in the manor..." She deliberately dragged out the tone, "Anyway, flies don't land on eggs without cracks."

"Shut up!" Yan Rugo slammed her hand on the table, startling the maids around her, who all shrank back and lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.

Her gaze was like a knife, piercing Zhao Mama's heart, her tone icy and chilling: "Whether I did it or not, I know it in my heart. You believe everything you hear, it's laughable! Today I'm going to show you all who's really behind this!"

She took out some evidence that she had prepared beforehand and threw it in front of Granny Zhao.

"Open your dog eyes and look carefully! This is all evidence, enough to prove my innocence!"

Looking at the evidence, Granny Zhao's face showed obvious wavering, but she still retorted, "Hmph, who knows if you forged these?"

Yan Rugo was too lazy to argue with her anymore. She looked around at the whispering servants and a cold smile appeared on her lips.

"Listen up, everyone! I, Yan Rugo, will get to the bottom of this and clear my name!"

She turned and left, leaving behind a room full of people looking at each other in bewilderment, and Zhao Mama's extremely complicated face.

Yan Rugo walked to the door and glanced back.

She saw that Granny Zhao's lips moved, as if she wanted to say something, but then she swallowed it back.

Seeing the wavering in Zhao Mama's eyes, Yan Rugo's lips curled into a smug smile.

She knew that these old guys were the most opportunistic. If she didn't show them something real, they would really think she was a pushover who could be easily manipulated.

"Bang!" Another stack of letters was slammed onto the table. The paper scraped together, making a crisp sound, as if announcing the arrival of the truth.

"Open your dog eyes and see clearly! These are not some forgeries, but ironclad evidence that Young Master Zheng and Madam Lan colluded with foreign enemies in an attempt to overthrow my Yan family!" Her eyes were sharp, and her words were powerful and resounding, like sharp swords piercing the hearts of those with ulterior motives.

Granny Zhao picked up the letter and carefully read it with trembling hands.

The more she looked, the paler her face became, cold sweat poured down her forehead, and she almost crushed the letter in her hand.

She never imagined that this seemingly gentle lady could uncover such a shocking secret!

The letter was so full of the despicable and scheming faces of Young Master Zheng and Madam Lan that it practically overflowed from the page!

She instantly realized that she had probably been used as a pawn, a tool in someone else's game—how incredibly foolish!

With a thud, Granny Zhao knelt on the ground, her face contorted with grief, and begged for mercy repeatedly: "Madam, this old servant deserves to die! This old servant was blind and misled by slanderous words, please spare my life, Madam!"

The servants around were all dumbfounded, their jaws practically dropping to the ground.

They looked at each other in disbelief; none of them had expected such a dramatic reversal.

Those who were previously pointing fingers at Yan Rugo now wished they could bury their heads in the ground, afraid of being resented by her.

Just then, a gentle yet firm voice rang out: "Ru Ge, I have always believed in you."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Xu, dressed in white, slowly approaching. He was handsome and dashing, like an immortal descending to earth.

He walked to Yan Rugo's side, looked at her with deep affection, his eyes full of doting and love.

That look in his eyes was so gentle it could melt your heart.

"No matter what happens, I will stand by your side and face it with you. My heart is as clear as the sun and moon." His eyes were piercing and his tone was firm, as if he were declaring to everyone his unwavering love for Yan Rugo.

Looking into Xu's sincere eyes, Yan Rugo felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

She knew that this man truly cared for her.

Her eyes felt slightly warm, and tears welled up in them, but she tried hard to hold them back.

She finally understood that she was not alone in this world; she had him, and that was enough.

The servants around them looked at the two of them with envy that was practically overflowing in their eyes.

A perfect match, a match made in heaven, they are truly a divine couple!

Yan Rugo took a deep breath, turned her head, and her gaze sharpened again.

She looked at Zhao Mama kneeling on the ground, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "Zhao Mama, now that you know you've made a mistake, shouldn't you do something to make amends?"

She gave Granny Zhao no chance to catch her breath, then changed the subject and said to the servants around her, "Now that the truth has come out, it's time for reckoning." With that, she smiled slightly, a smile full of confidence and power.

Yan Rugo led Zhao Mama and other influential people to the main hall of the mansion, where many servants and nobles had already gathered.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window frames, casting dappled shadows on the floor, and a tense atmosphere filled the air.

The crowd whispered amongst themselves, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation, as if waiting for a grand spectacle to unfold.

Yan Rugo stood in the center of the hall, her gaze sharp and resolute.

She took a deep breath and slowly began to speak: "Today, in front of everyone, I will expose a colossal conspiracy!"

Her words struck like a heavy hammer blow to the hearts of everyone present.

The servants held their breath, and the noble ladies held their breath even more, as if the air itself had frozen.

“These people,” Yan Rugo pointed at Granny Zhao, Young Master Zheng, and Madam Lan, “deliberately spread rumors, intending to kill me. But today, I will reveal the truth to the world!”

She pulled a stack of letters from her sleeve, held them high, and the handwriting on the letters was clearly visible in the sunlight.

She showed the letters one by one, each page recording the ugly truth of Young Master Zheng and Madam Lan colluding with foreign enemies in an attempt to overthrow the Yan family.

"This is the evidence!" Yan Rugo's tone was firm and powerful, as if every word echoed in the air. "Young Master Zheng and Madam Lan, what else do you have to say?"

Young Master Zheng and Madam Lan's faces were ashen, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on their foreheads.

Young Master Zheng opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word. He could only stand there stiffly, like a fox that had been caught.

Madam Lan's face turned pale, and her eyes were lifeless, as if she had been completely crushed by Yan Rugo's words.

"We...we just..." Young Master Zheng tried to argue, but he was speechless under the questioning gazes of the crowd.

Yan Rugo sneered and continued, "The facts are right in front of you. What do you have to say for yourselves? Your actions are clearly recorded on this letter. The evidence is irrefutable!"

As Yan Rugo spoke, the surrounding crowd began to erupt in excitement.

The servants whispered among themselves, and the noble ladies' gazes gradually shifted from astonishment to admiration.

Granny Zhao knelt before Yan Rugo, her face filled with shame as she lowered her head, not daring to look her in the eye.

Madam Lan finally collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face like broken beads.

She cried out, "We were wrong, please spare our lives, madam!"

Yan Rugo ignored her pleas for mercy, turned to face the crowd, and said with a smile, "There is only one truth: justice will ultimately prevail over evil!"

The surrounding crowd erupted in cheers, with someone leading the applause, which surged like a tide, filling the entire hall.

The noble ladies stepped forward one after another to express their respect to Yan Rugo and praise her wisdom and courage.

Just then, the lady beside Madam Lan slowly stepped forward. She walked up to Yan Rugo, bowed deeply, and said, "Rugo, I was blinded for a moment. I feel deeply ashamed and hope you can forgive me."

Yan Rugo smiled slightly and nodded: "Madam, it is my greatest honor to have your trust."

The servants and noble ladies around her admired Yan Rugo even more upon seeing this.

In an instant, praises and congratulations rose and fell, and the entire hall was filled with a festive atmosphere.

Yan Rugo stood in the center of the crowd, feeling extremely gratified and proud.

However, at that moment, a faint sound caught her attention.

She turned around abruptly, her gaze sweeping across the crowd, only to see a blurry figure flash by in the darkness.

With a sudden tightening in her heart, Yan Rugo's brows furrowed slightly. What new challenges would this unknown danger bring her?

She firmly told herself: no matter what, she must overcome each obstacle and move forward.

The sunlight shone on her again, and Yan Rugo stood tall with a confident smile on her face.

She knew that she would have to use her wisdom and courage to continue on the road ahead.