After the mind-reading and gossip-eating incident, officials in the imperial city were demoted one a

"The scholar has arrived."

Zhang Zhuo, with disheveled hair, a dirty face, tattered clothes, and staggering steps, ran to the front of the group with a reckless madness in his eyes.

"The second prince must not marry a poisonous woman."

The wedding party pulled on the reins to stop the horses, and the guards quickly surrounded Zhang Zhuo and arrested him.

"Who is so audacious as to intercept the Second Prince's wedding procession?"

Upon hearing that it was the Second Prince's residence, Zhang Zhuo's eyes filled with vengeful excitement, and he immediately shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Zhao Qingrou, you heartless woman, you are not worthy to marry the Second Prince!"

Sitting in the bridal sedan chair, Zhao Qingrou, who was immersed in the joy of marrying the second prince, turned pale instantly upon hearing Zhang Zhuo's voice.

My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of my throat. I never imagined that Zhang Zhuo would be so lucky to still be alive.

What to do? Zhao Qingrou's mind was in chaos, and cold sweat kept seeping from her forehead.

The onlookers were in an uproar, pointing and whispering about Zhang Zhuo.

"Isn't that Zhang Zhuo? He disappeared about ten days ago, and his family is still looking for him!"

A middle-aged man pointed at Zhang Zhuo, looking surprised.

"How did a perfectly healthy person become like this?"

"Isn't he going to take the imperial examination? He's offended the Second Prince, so he probably won't be able to even get into the examination hall."

A scholar-like man shook his head; clearly, the people speaking were Zhang Zhuo's neighbors.

"Quickly drag her away!" the wedding party shouted.

Zhang Zhuo struggled desperately, trying to get closer to the bridal sedan chair, his eyes filled with resentment, and he shouted loudly:

"Zhao Qingrou, with me here today, you venomous woman, you can forget about marrying into the royal family!"

Zhao Qingrou's personal maidservant quickly stepped forward, her face full of anger, and shouted:

"Where did this madman come from? Our young lady doesn't even know you, yet you dare to spout nonsense and slander our young lady. Take him to the authorities immediately."

Zhang Zhuo was held tightly by the guards, and he struggled even more desperately.

"Zhao Qingrou, we once made vows of eternal love. You said you would marry no one but me. Now that you've married the Second Prince, you've abandoned me, and why did you have to try to kill me?"

During Zhang Zhuo's struggle, the scabbed wound on his chest burst open, staining his clothes with blood.

The bright red bloodstains seemed to tell everyone that what he said was true.

Zhao Qingrou's personal nanny was terrified; this scholar was so outspoken and was about to cause trouble.

"You madman spouting nonsense, you're ruining my young lady's reputation! Gag him!"

"My lord, this woman cannot be brought into the Second Prince's residence. She and I have an affair. I'm telling the truth. Don't let the Second Prince be deceived by this femme fatale."

Zhang Zhuo shouted desperately, his voice almost hoarse.

The streets were bustling with noise, and the people who heard it all started discussing it.

Is this person telling the truth or not?

"Regardless of whether it's true or not, I think Miss Zhao is going to have trouble getting into the Second Prince's residence.

“Miss Zhao, I’ve met her a few times. She’s well-educated and reasonable. Where did this person come from, slandering her reputation here?” A young man said indignantly.

"Miss Zhao is a good person. I think this scholar is being deliberately smeared by someone behind the scenes!"

Several sons of officials who had arranged to have breakfast at the inn stood at the door. One of the young men spoke, and the others nodded in agreement.

"This person has arrived at just the right time," Ye Yaoyao said with a smile.

"Host, your older brother is amazing! He calculated the timing perfectly." The system couldn't help but praise Ye Li'an.

"Yes! Big brother is indeed amazing." Ye Yaoyao felt a surge of pride.

Ye Li'an's lips curled up, and Ye Jingyang glanced at him. The boss was being praised by his little sister again.

"Master, the Second Prince has lost face this time, and the Zhao family is doomed."

Lian Jin watched the events unfolding downstairs with astonishment, his face filled with the excitement of watching a show.

Qin Jingyu, who was drinking tea to the side, remained silent and quietly looked down.

Lian Jin was used to his master's taciturn nature. Knowing that Ye Yaoyao would come, the two of them came out early to watch the show.

I really don't know why he suddenly became so interested in Ye Yaoyao.

"Wait, this concerns the Second Prince's reputation. Explain yourself clearly."

The second prince's confidant realized something was wrong and had no choice but to ask questions on the street; otherwise, things would get even more complicated once inside the mansion.

"Sir, this man is talking nonsense. Our young lady doesn't know him at all."

The old woman was sweating profusely with anxiety; what should she do now?

Inside the bridal sedan chair, Zhao Qingrou kept twisting her handkerchief, her heart pounding like a drum, her chaotic thoughts racing as she tried to find a solution.

"Whether it's true or false, I will ask. You may leave." The man's face was serious, and his gaze was sharp.

The man dismissed the old woman and looked at Zhang Zhuo, who was being carried over. At this moment, the street became extremely quiet, everyone waiting to hear what Zhang Zhuo would say next.

"What is your name? Do you know what crime it is to disrupt a royal wedding and slander an innocent young woman?"

The person receiving the family spoke in a deep, authoritative voice.

"Your Excellency is wise. I, Zhang Zhuo, would not dare to slander others' innocence, nor could I bear to see the Second Prince being deceived."

The students survived by the skin of their teeth, intending to expose the crimes of the Zhao family.

Zhang Zhuo stared at the man with a firm expression, neither humble nor arrogant.

The man looked at the dried bloodstains on Zhang Zhuo's chest and forehead, and the resentment on his face seemed genuine.

He summoned a guard, whispered a few words in his ear, and the guard nodded and ran away quickly.

Tell me about your story.

"Yes, sir. I met Zhao Qingrou at the lantern festival a year ago. At that time, there was a riddle-solving event where you could win a lantern. I guessed a few riddles and won a lantern."

As I was leaving, I noticed a young woman standing next to me. She really liked the lantern I was holding, so I gave it to her.

We met twice more at poetry gatherings later, and I developed feelings for her. Once, when she left, her handkerchief fell to the ground.

I picked it up and returned it, but she didn't take it. That's when I realized my feelings weren't unrequited. After asking my fellow poets, I learned that she was Zhao Qingrou, the daughter of an official.

I was originally a poor scholar, waiting for this year's imperial examination. Later, we met in private more often, and I became obsessed with romantic relationships, neglecting my studies. I even developed the idea of ​​currying favor with the Zhao family.

As Zhang Zhuo spoke, he was filled with shame and regret.

"Perhaps seeing that I was no longer discussing poetry with her as before, Zhao Qingrou gradually became indifferent to me, and later told me that she wanted to cut off all contact."

I naturally disagreed. I tried to meet her several times but couldn't. Later, I learned that the Zhao family had arranged a marriage for her with the Second Prince.

I went to the Zhao family again. Madam Zhao had me arrested, mocked me, and then ordered my parents to be killed.

We were thrown into a mass grave, and I miraculously survived, crawling out of there.

He secretly returned home, thinking that the most dangerous place was the safest, but unexpectedly, he was captured by the Zhao family again that very night.

Zhang Zhuo burst into tears, filled with remorse for ruining his family.