From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

Yan Rugo took a deep breath, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.

Mrs. Lan?

Just in time!

She quickly put away the evidence, hiding it in her sleeve, her fingertips gently caressing the piece of silk, already having made up her mind.

Although the room was simple, her presence added a touch of solemnity to it.

She stood in the center of the room, like a sharp sword about to be drawn, its edge concealed, yet poised to strike.

As soon as Madam Lan entered, she adopted a confrontational stance, her bright red nail polish almost poking Yan Rugo's nose: "Yan! How dare you stand here? Seducing Young Master Zheng, disgracing the family, you are utterly shameless!"

Yan Rugo smiled slightly, unmoved: "Madam Lan, one can eat whatever one wants, but one cannot say whatever one wants. I have acted uprightly and honestly, so how could I be accused of seduction? As for you, Madam, why did you rush here in such a hurry? Could it be that there is some misunderstanding?"

Madam Lan sneered, "Misunderstanding? Everyone in the capital knows, and you still want to deny it? I'll see what kind of nonsense you can come up with today!" Behind her, Granny Zhao looked suspicious, her eyes darting back and forth between the two of them, clearly still not understanding the truth of the matter.

“Madam, please calm down,” Yan Rugo said calmly. “Since I dare to stand here, I naturally have my reasons. Why don’t we sit down and talk things out?” Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

Madam Lan scoffed dismissively, "I'd like to see what you're really up to!"

Yan Rugo raised her hand to signal the maid to serve tea, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "Madam, please don't be impatient, the real show is just beginning..."

Yan Rugo slowly took out a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and gently unfolded it. Several lines of ink were clearly printed on the handkerchief. Although the handwriting was messy, it was clear that it was written by a man.

She held up the silk handkerchief and gently waved it in front of Madam Lan, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "Madam Lan, look, what is this?"

Madam Lan, who had been holding an arrogant posture, changed her expression instantly upon seeing the contents of the silk. As if struck by lightning, her rosy lips trembled slightly, her nails dug into her palms, and her fingers, painted with bright red nail polish, began to turn white.

She widened her eyes, trying to snatch the silk handkerchief from Yan Rugo's hand, but Yan Rugo nimbly dodged her.

"Oh? Madam Lan seems quite nervous? Does what's written here have anything to do with you?" Yan Rugo's smile widened, a hint of mockery in her eyes, as if she were looking at a clown. "This is evidence of Young Master Zheng's crimes—colluding with a mysterious figure in an attempt to overthrow the court. Tsk tsk, Madam Lan, you'd better be careful. Associating with such a person is a sure way to lose your head!"

Madam Lan trembled at Yan Rugo's words, her face turning ashen instantly. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and large beads slid down her cheeks. Her eyes flickered, and she tried to defend herself, but found that her throat was blocked by something, and she couldn't utter a single word.

Zhao Mama, who had previously held prejudices against Yan Rugo, couldn't help but have some doubts when she saw Madam Lan's reaction.

Her gaze swept suspiciously back and forth between Madam Lan and Yan Rugo, her shrewd eyes filled with inquiry. Years of experience told her that things didn't seem as simple as the rumors suggested.

All of this was captured in a pair of tender eyes hidden in the shadows.

Xu, the male protagonist, stood behind the artificial hill not far away, gazing at Yan Rugo from afar. The love in his eyes was like melting snow in spring, gentle yet passionate.

Watching Yan Rugo calmly deal with Madam Lan, his admiration for her grew like a surging river, never-ending.

He clenched his fists tightly, a protective instinct welling up within him, as if he were about to rush out and shield Yan Rugo in his arms at any moment.

The surrounding air seemed to heat up because of his love, and even the surrounding plants were bathed in a gentle glow.

"Madam Lan, look, the evidence is right in front of you. Are you still going to deny it?" Yan Rugo's voice rang out again, breaking the delicate silence in the air. She looked at Madam Lan with a meaningful smile on her lips: "I guess you played a part in those rumors, didn't you?"

Madam Lan's face was ashen, her lips trembled, but she could not utter a word.

"Madam, you...you..." Granny Zhao looked at Madam Lan in shock, but before she could finish speaking, Yan Rugo took over.

“Granny Zhao, there are some things you need to see clearly, don’t let certain people blind you,” Yan Rugo said slowly, her eyes like sharp swords piercing Madam Lan. “Next, I have even more good shows to show you…”

Yan Rugo's voice was like a sharp sword, piercing through the oppressive atmosphere in the room and striking at Madam Lan's weak point: "Granny Zhao, what kind of intentions are hidden behind these rumors? Madam Lan, don't you think it's going too far to let an innocent woman bear such a crime?"

Zhao Mama's expression quickly changed from confusion to shock, and then to guilt, as if Yan Rugo's words had pierced the depths of her heart.

A complex light flickered in her eyes as her gaze shifted between Yan Rugo and Madam Lan, finally settling on Yan Rugo's face with less suspicion and more admiration.

Her withered hands trembled slightly, as if she regretted her misunderstanding.

"Madam, you...you're framing me!" Granny Zhao's voice trembled, but her tone held a firmness, as if she had finally seen the truth.

The servants around her also cast admiring glances at her. At this moment, Yan Rugo was no longer the woman who had been hurt by rumors, but a hero in their hearts.

She stood there, like a gentle breeze piercing through the dark, cloud-covered sky, bringing sunshine.

When Madam Lan saw that her conspiracy had been completely exposed, her face turned ashen, and her eyes flashed with anger and resentment.

She tried to find a way to escape, but Yan Rugo was not about to let her go so easily.

She stepped forward, blocking Madam Lan's path, her posture firm and unyielding: "Madam Lan, things have come to this point, do you still intend to walk away? Let me be fair, if you don't give me an explanation today, this matter won't end so easily!"

Madam Lan was filled with shame and indignation, beads of sweat rolled down her forehead like pearls, and her fingers gripped the hem of her clothes so tightly that she almost tore the fabric apart.

The surrounding crowd erupted in cheers, as if celebrating a victory for justice.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Madam Lan finally lowered her proud head, her voice low and trembling: "I...I apologize..."

Yan Rugo's lips curled up slightly, her eyes filled with pity.

She turned to face Granny Zhao, her voice gentle yet firm: "Granny Zhao, you see, there's only one truth. I hope you can be more rational and less prejudiced in the future."

Granny Zhao nodded heavily, her eyes filled with even more guilt, and her tone was tinged with self-reproach: "Yes, Miss Ruge, I was wrong. I will never believe rumors again."

However, Yan Rugo's mood did not lighten as a result.

She frowned, gazing thoughtfully out the window.

The atmosphere in the room gradually quieted down, as if waiting for her next move.

She knew that to completely dispel the rumors, she needed to gain the lady's trust.

The lady's attitude remained unclear, which plunged her into deep thought.

Yan Rugo sighed softly, her gaze fixed firmly on the distance, having already made her decision.

She will not back down, no matter what thorns or obstacles may lie ahead.

She clenched her fist slightly, a confident smile playing on her lips: "No matter what, I have to do it..."