From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

Yan Rugo's eyes were like sharp blades tempered with ice, their cold light chilling.

She sat at the carved wooden table, the dim light casting a long shadow of her on the scattered papers.

Each sheet of paper contained fragments of information about the rumor, scattered like jigsaw puzzle pieces, yet subtly pointing in a certain direction.

"The Liu family..." Yan Rugo murmured softly, her fingertips tapping lightly on the table, one tap after another, rhythmic and steady, as if tapping on someone's heart.

She suddenly stood up, her skirt fluttering like butterfly wings, and headed straight for Liu's residence.

"Knock Knock-"

The knocking broke the tranquility of the courtyard. When Madam Liu opened the door, she saw Yan Rugo standing there. A hint of panic flashed across her face, but she quickly concealed it and put on a fawning smile: "Oh, Madam, what brings you here?"

"Let me ask you, how much do you know about the rumors surrounding my background?" Yan Rugo cut to the chase, her tone icy and devoid of any warmth.

Madam Liu's face stiffened, her eyes flickered, and she stammered, "Madam... this servant... this servant doesn't know what you're talking about..."

"Don't know?" Yan Rugo sneered, pressing closer and closer, forcing Liu to retreat repeatedly. "Liu, you'd better think carefully before you speak. You can't bear the consequences of deceiving me."

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Liu's forehead. Her forced composure could no longer be maintained, and her eyes darted around, glancing frequently at the servants who were secretly watching her.

"I...I..." Liu stammered, her panic becoming increasingly apparent.

Yan Rugo's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Liu, do you think I can't find out if you don't talk?" Yan Rugo's voice was low and dangerous, like a growl before a storm. "I advise you to confess obediently to avoid suffering."

"No...it wasn't me...it really wasn't me..." Liu's voice trembled, her face as pale as paper.

"Oh? Is that so?" Yan Rugo pressed on, her gaze sharp. "Then tell me, who ordered you to do this?"

Liu's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she dared not speak, her eyes filled with fear.

"It seems you're going to refuse a polite offer and then drink the penalty shot." Yan Rugo's eyes suddenly turned cold. "Guards!"

Liu stared in horror, her eyes wide. She was about to speak when Yan Rugo interrupted her: "Take her away and give her a proper 'welcome'."

"Madam, spare me! This servant...this servant will tell you..." Liu was terrified and finally broke down, "It's...it's..." Liu's lips trembled as she finally uttered the truth: "It's...it was Young Master Zheng who instructed me to do this..."

Yan Rugo's face suddenly turned ashen, her eyes flashing with a cold light, like sharp ice blades.

She took a deep breath and said calmly, "Take her away and interrogate her thoroughly. Don't let her hide anything." After saying that, she turned and left, her skirt fluttering lightly like a black butterfly in the cold wind, sending chills down one's spine.

Liu's ashen face appeared even more desperate under the dim light. Her body slumped limply on the threshold, her eyes filled with fear and resentment.

The servants around looked at each other, some of them silently lowering their heads, secretly glad that they had not colluded with Liu.

Yan Rugo walked out of Liu's room, only to run into Xu, the male protagonist.

His gaze was intense, filled with love and admiration.

His voice was deep and gentle: "You are truly remarkable, Ruge. Your courage and wisdom make me admire you even more."

Yan Rugo felt a warmth in her heart, and the icy look in her eyes seemed to melt a little.

She smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for your support, Xu Mo. With you by my side, I have even more confidence."

The surrounding air seemed to soften because of the two people's emotions, and even the dim lighting seemed to gain warmth.

At that moment, their eyes met, as if all the rumors and disturbances had been temporarily forgotten.

However, just as Yan Rugo was about to continue investigating the source of the rumors, a servant rushed over, his face filled with panic: "Madam, something bad has happened! The rumors have spread outside, and many people are talking about you..." Yan Rugo stood alone in the courtyard, her back view lonely and forlorn.

All around, the night was deep, and the dim yellow lights swayed slightly in the night breeze, as if they might go out at any moment.

She took a deep breath; the air was filled with a faint scent of grass and trees, but at that moment it made her feel a little depressed.

The servants around her either whispered or secretly peered at her, their eyes filled with suspicion and hostility, as if the whole world was pointing fingers at her.

She looked up at the sky, where the sparse stars reflected her face coldly like a broken mirror.

A sense of confusion flickered in his eyes, and unease and worry gradually accumulated in his heart, like a thick layer of haze shrouding his mind.

She knew that although the source, Liu, had been found, the rumors had already spread, the lady's suspicions had not been dispelled, and even the servants around her were casting strange glances at her.

Xu Mo's appearance broke the monotony.

He stood at the other end of the courtyard, his gaze burning, as if it could pierce through the darkness and warm her heart.

"Ruge, you did a great job, but what should we do next?" His voice was deep and gentle, with a hint of concern.

Yan Rugo turned to face Xu Mo. "I think evidence alone is not enough. I need to start by improving my reputation among the servants in the mansion." Her words revealed a resolute determination, as if she had already made up her mind.

Xu Mo was slightly taken aback, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

He hadn't expected Yan Rugo to make such a decision, but he immediately smiled with understanding and support.

"Ru Ge, you always manage to surprise people. But whatever you do, I will support you."

Yan Rugo smiled slightly and nodded in thanks.

The servants around her exchanged bewildered glances, but she paid them no heed and strode forward with unwavering resolve.

Just then, a servant rushed over, his face filled with panic.

"Madam, something terrible has happened! Young Master Zheng has made a new move and seems to be planning an even more intense attack on you."

Yan Rugo's eyes instantly became wary, her gaze sweeping across the surroundings like a sharp blade.

The air suddenly became tense, and she felt a sense of vigilance, as if a storm was approaching.

"What exactly is Young Master Zheng's new plan?" she asked in a deep voice, her brows furrowed with determination and resolve.