Otherworldly Companions: Every Handsome Man is Extraordinary

"In Lord Jiangyu's eyes, being of humble origin is equivalent to being of low character, is that right? Are the lives of servants not worth cherishing, and their wishes not worth respecting?" Lady Tini retorted.

“That’s not how it is.” Jiang Yu was a little annoyed. Why didn’t this lady give him a chance to speak? “I just wanted to explain it to you in detail.”

"Madam, could you please be patient and let Xiaoyu finish speaking?" Fan Qingyin could see that Madam Tini and Zhong Qin were simply working together, one framing and distorting the truth, and the other blindly following and unable to distinguish right from wrong. Xiaoyu was actually trying to reason with these two people.

"Zhong Qin and I can't out-argue you two. Lord Jiang Yu is sharp-tongued, and I didn't expect the Divine Envoy to be just as sharp-tongued." Lady Tini had no desire to listen any further. She was used to being high and mighty, accustomed to her own arbitrary and dictatorial style. As the wife of the de facto ruler of the empire, she possessed privileges and resources far exceeding those of other women.

Years of pampered life had distorted her mind, turning her into an arrogant and tyrannical monster.

"Fortunately, I had a backup plan, otherwise wouldn't you guys have twisted the truth and disregarded me, even trying to kill Zhong Qin!" Madam Tini's words were full of extreme slander, yet she didn't seem to care.

"It seems we've come back just in time." A clear female voice came from behind. It was Ren Kecheng, who had just stormed off in anger, with a bewildered Kong Yiche beside her.

Ren Kecheng still acted as if she had her head on the top of her head. She looked at Jiang Yu with a hint of schadenfreude, showing no surprise at the scene before her. Even the stunned Chen Xin and the tearful Zhong Qin failed to attract her attention.

She just stared intently at Jiang Yu and said teasingly, "Oh, what's wrong with Lord Jiang Yu? Why are you so angry? Did you get caught doing something wrong?"

Jiang Yu knew from her reaction and tone that she was in cahoots with Lady Tini. Ren Kecheng was also part of this trap, and Kong Yiche was just an excuse. No wonder she was able to find such a hidden place. She had been too careless and too kind-hearted. She thought this was the royal palace and lost her guard, falling into their trap.

Kong Yiche was truly kept in the dark. He looked around, wondering why something so big had happened just because he went out.

"Heh." Jiang Yu actually laughed out loud at this point. She looked at Ren Kecheng's face and said, "I take back my previous assessment of you."

"You're not just stupid, you're both stupid and wicked."

"You!" Ren Kecheng shouted angrily, but quickly smiled indifferently: "Arguing with Lord Jiang Yu is really not my forte. Say as much as you want, let's see if you can extricate yourself from this today!"

"It's not me who's furious, after all, you've even abandoned honorifics and aristocratic etiquette. How incredibly noble!" Jiang Yu rarely spoke so sarcastically, but these people were just too much of a bully. In the 21st century, who doesn't argue? Seriously.

“Zhong Qin, there must be some misunderstanding here, right? Just explain it to me and I’ll believe you.” Chen Xin said softly, seemingly unconcerned about anything else that had happened. Her heart and eyes were completely focused on that dashing man. Her helpless yet affectionate eyes were fixed on Zhong Qin, and anyone with a conscience would not remain unmoved by such a gaze.

But some people have long lost their conscience; they have no heart and no true feelings.

Zhong Qin didn't even spare a glance for Chen Xin, but obediently held onto Mrs. Tini's skirt, as if relying on her completely.

"Alright, I'm tired of listening to all this. But everyone who's supposed to be here should be here by now. Ke Cheng, where is he?" Mrs. Tini seemed annoyed and pulled Zhong Qin back to sit on the sofa, making the scene suddenly quite ridiculous.

Several noble lords were still standing, but a gardener's apprentice was pulled by the First Lady of the Empire to sit on the most luxurious sofa at the head of the table.

Ren Kecheng tugged at Kong Yiche, but not only did she fail to move him, she was also shaken off by the other party with an ugly expression. She snorted coldly and sat down on the sofa herself.

"Madam Tini, His Majesty the Emperor and his entourage will be arriving soon. The attendants are all in place, and I've also sent someone to invite some of the relevant relatives over," Ren Kecheng said obsequiously to Madam Tini.

Only then did everyone realize that, without them noticing, a respectful servant with bowed head had already taken up a spot in the corner.

Fan Qingyin and Jiang Yu were shocked once again. Had Lady Tinie's keeping of a lover become so blatant? Did she not even care about His Majesty the Emperor's reputation and face? Lady Tinie already had five lovers and three children. Could it be that her sordid behavior in the palace had long been tacitly approved by the royal family?

Jiang Yu and Fan Qingyin exchanged a glance, and Fan Qingyin gently shook her head, indicating that it was impossible.

Almost as soon as Ren Kecheng finished speaking, His Majesty the Emperor's deep, resonant voice rang out: "Why go to such lengths to bring everyone to this remote little courtyard?"

Then a group of people, led by the emperor, turned through the corridor and came over.

When the emperor arrived, everyone stood up and bowed, but they returned to their original posture after the emperor waved his hand.

The Emperor first looked at Lady Tini, then glanced at Zhong Qin beside her, and said casually, "Isn't this your nephew whom you haven't seen for many years? Why is this child crying like a girl?" Then he sat down in the seat that Lady Tini had just been sitting in.

Lady Tini quickly nestled close to the Emperor and sat down, looking up at Jiang Yu with a smug expression, while Zhong Qin obediently stood behind the sofa with his hands at his sides.

Indeed, they've really gone to great lengths; they've devised a very elaborate scheme. They even managed to include His Majesty the Emperor in their calculations.

At this moment, the clues in Jiang Yu's mind finally came together. Chen Xin had said that Zhong Qin was coming to the capital to find his relatives. Whether it was true or not, he actually found them, and they were even the First Lady. The two had been secretly having an affair, ostensibly relatives, but in reality, lovers. They had deceived the Emperor and were just waiting for this day.

"Xiaoyu, what's going on?" Jiang Yu had just seen her father and mother standing in front of her. Her mother's eyes were filled with anxiety and worry, while her father's expression was unreadable. At this moment, Jiang Ren finally spoke, asking Jiang Yu, but looking at Fan Qingyin instead.

"Reporting to Father, it seems that Lady Tini has some misunderstanding about us," Fan Qingyin replied, taking Jiang Yu's hand and bowing her head slightly.

"What misunderstanding could warrant such a fuss?" It was the emperor who spoke, somewhat impatiently, and beckoned to his servants: "What's so good about this sticky flower juice? Quickly bring me some Burche wine."