The beloved is reborn as a substitute, and the tyrant begs for forgiveness every night.

The crowd whispered even louder as they listened to the fake Taoist priest's lament.

No one knows whether what they say is true or false, but who can escape the gossip in their heart?

Moreover, there were quite a few young masters and noblemen standing in the crowd.

The inclusion of Xu Leyao in the family genealogy primarily infringes upon their interests.

Although it's just one more name on the family tree, it signifies that Xu Leyao has the right to inherit the Jiang family's property.

If all women could obtain this right like Xu Leyao, wouldn't the family property they receive be less?

That's why their heckling at this moment is even more excessive.

"If you ask me, this Miss Jiang doesn't seem like someone who's going to stay put. Otherwise, how could she have managed to seduce that person who specifically issued the imperial decree?"

As soon as he said this, others immediately agreed.

Xu Leyao glanced at the young men over there, then looked away.

They're just a few spoiled brats from the capital; we'll find a chance to deal with them later.

Xu Leyao calmly looked at the fake Taoist priest, and then asked another question.

"Since you said I gave you a handkerchief and then took it back, did you see what was on the handkerchief?"

Faced with Xu Leyao's question, the fake Taoist priest panicked and then shook his head.

"It was only a fleeting moment, how could I possibly see it clearly?"

Xu Leyao sneered upon hearing this.

"If that's the case, could the Taoist priest possibly tell me what color the handkerchief is?"

It can be said that Xu Leyao set extremely broad conditions for her inquiry.

The fake Taoist priest realized he could no longer gloss over the matter, so he pretended to think it over.

"That handkerchief was white."

Thinking that women in the secular world often used white handkerchiefs, the fake Taoist priest spoke with more confidence.

However, as soon as these words were spoken, both Mr. and Mrs. Jiang, as well as Jiang Xiuxiu who was watching from the sidelines, changed their expressions.

Seeing this, the fake Taoist priest thought he was right and felt even more confident.

“Miss Jiang, this was originally a promise between us. Why are you going back on your word now? Since you promised me your lifelong commitment, you should come with me.”

The fake Taoist priest, speaking with an air of self-righteousness, was completely oblivious to the increasingly strange looks on everyone's faces.

"Gentlemen, now that things have come to this, is there anything else you need to ask?"

Xu Leyao shook her head, then turned to the crowd and asked softly.

Although her voice was soft, it was extremely clear in the crowd.

Those in the crowd who understood the situation shook their heads, their gazes towards the fake Taoist priest filled with disgust.

Those who didn't understand started asking questions privately.

"Stop asking. Miss Jiang has never carried a handkerchief with her. It was a big joke in the capital. Everyone said it was because Miss Jiang came from a common background and was a peasant girl in her childhood, so she didn't have the habits of a well-bred lady."

After this explanation, the others nodded in agreement.

Habits cannot be changed overnight.

Furthermore, this fake Taoist priest made up all sorts of things, like the color of the handkerchief, but he couldn't produce any evidence whatsoever. On the contrary, he had a history of deceiving people.

In this way, it becomes clear whose side people's hearts are leaning towards.

"I implore Father, Mother, and the elders of the Jiang family to severely punish this madman! If he dares to ruin my reputation today, he might very well do the same to other young ladies tomorrow."

Xu Leyao's words not only prompted Jiang's father, mother, and elders to express their opinions, but also served as a warning to the onlookers.

If this fake Taoist priest can leave this place so easily today, it will prove their incompetence.

In this way, what wouldn't he dare to do to other women in the future?

But the daughters carefully raised by every family and clan in the capital are not meant to be ruined by such a madman!

They all have big ambitions!

Everyone was lost in thought, but they all agreed with Xu Leyao's statement.

In this way, the fake Taoist priest was instantly isolated and helpless.

He couldn't help but turn his gaze to Jiang Xiuxiu, who was huddled up to the side.

However, Jiang Xiuxiu acted like a quail, refusing to make eye contact with him at all.

In that case, how could the fake Taoist priest not understand?

He has already been abandoned.

That being the case...

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in the fake Taoist's eyes, but he then gave the crowd a fawning smile.

"I must have mistaken you for someone else, Miss Jiang. The one I met with in secret back then was clearly the second young lady of the Jiang family."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent instantly.

Did this fake Taoist priest really think they were fools?

First it was Xu Leyao, then it was Jiang Xiuxiu. Does he really think everyone will believe whatever he says, which is why he's so reckless?

Just as someone was about to expose his lie, Xu Leyao asked calmly.

"Do you have any evidence to support your claims? You slandered my innocence in front of everyone just now, which already deserves death. Now you've implicated our Jiang family's adopted daughter. Don't you think you have any respect for the Jiang family?"

Xu Leyao's voice wasn't loud, but it exuded authority.

The fake Taoist priest naturally understood that no one would believe him if he spoke at that moment.

However, he had indeed met Jiang Xiuxiu.

This gave him more confidence, and he bowed respectfully when facing Xu Leyao.

"I was truly blind to your greatness just now, and I mistook you for Miss Jiang. I thought it was because Miss Jiang had abandoned our vows of eternal love that she was so angry and embarrassed, but when I saw the Second Miss sitting at the table, I realized that I was simply blind to your true worth."

After this explanation, everyone's attention turned to Jiang Xiuxiu.

Xu Leyao was no exception.

She turned to look at Jiang Xiuxiu and couldn't help but laugh when she saw her pale face.

If Jiang Xiuxiu were smarter, she would know that she absolutely cannot lose her composure now, otherwise she would be nailed to the pillar of shame.

Jiang Xiuxiu looked flustered and pale, clearly showing her guilty conscience.

Xu Leyao shook her head helplessly, not expecting Jiang Xiuxiu to be so stupid.

Such an opponent would never have been able to compete with her in the former imperial harem.

However, Jiang Xiuxiu is not entirely a fool.

A ruthless glint flashed in her eyes as she looked at the fake Taoist priest, but then she put on a pitiful expression.

"Master, although you are in dire straits yourself, why drag me into this? We have clearly never met before. Your words are surely meant to put me in an unjust and immoral position."

Jiang Xiuxiu's words are absolutely correct.

If it is confirmed today that she knows the fake Taoist priest, then everything Xu Leyao has encountered today, even if not Jiang Xiuxiu's doing, must have been her doing.

How could Jiang Xiuxiu not panic?

But now she has to calm down.