Chapter 31: The Showdown Comes Early

"What..."

The bailiff, seeing Sheng Mingyue’s unwavering confidence, suddenly found himself in a difficult spot, exchanging uncertain glances with his men.

"She’s just a mad girl! How can you actually believe her?" Yang Zhiwen stomped her feet in frustration and cried out indignantly, "A moment ago she claimed to be Princess Jia’an’s maid, and now she’s a servant of the Ninth Prince? It’s utterly ridiculous!"

Hearing this, the bailiff’s expression soured instantly. He glared at Sheng Mingyue with a livid face and growled, "I never expected that someone so young would be such a habitual liar!"

Jia’an let out a mocking laugh, unable to contain herself any longer. She demanded, "Is this magistrate’s office specifically designed to house fools? You believe every word a stranger says, yet you ignore anything useful, choosing only to fawn over the powerful!"

The bailiff’s face flushed with alternating shades of green and white. Humiliated, he drew his blade and pointed it directly at Jia’an’s face. "How bold! Insulting the magistrate’s office is a crime in itself!"

Sheng Mingyue instinctively stepped in front of Jia’an, spreading her arms to shield her. "If you wish to know the truth, you have only to send someone to the Prince Jing’an Estate to ask, rather than wasting time here. Besides, there are many of you, and it’s pouring rain outside; we aren’t going anywhere."

"But if you pass judgment without checking, how will you face the Grand Princess and the Ninth Prince when my words prove true?"

The bailiff’s hand, gripping the sword, faltered. He snorted coldly, "I see you won't give up until you hit a wall. Fine. Zhang Qiang, go to the Prince Jing’an Estate. If this girl is lying, a hundred lashes won’t be enough to satisfy me!"

The junior bailiff who was addressed acknowledged the order and hurried away with his sword in hand. Sheng Mingyue remained fearless, standing by with a calm, composed demeanor.

Jia’an lowered her eyes, staring blankly at the woman standing before her.

Her back was so slender and fragile, her arms appearing as though they might snap with the slightest pressure. Yet, with a blade pointed at them, she had shielded her without a moment’s hesitation.

Even Ana had never protected her like this.

Jia’an bit her lower lip tightly, her gaze resting on the other woman’s profile. Unbidden, the words she had overheard in the corner yesterday echoed in her mind: "Likely... someone who cannot bear to see you wronged and will protect your safety at any cost—that is a friend."

Jia’an hesitantly reached out. After a moment of hesitation, her fingertips gently hooked onto Sheng Mingyue’s sleeve, and she fell silent.

She was typically impulsive and fiery; rarely was she this quiet.

Sheng Mingyue turned her head back. Seeing Jia’an with her head bowed, she assumed the girl was frightened by the standoff and smiled to reassure her. "Don’t be afraid, Your Highness. I will certainly get you home safely. If they cause trouble, you run first, and I will handle the rest."

Jia’an looked up at her, her eyes sweeping over the wound on Sheng Mingyue’s left hand. She murmured, "You are wounded. How will you handle anything?"

Sheng Mingyue smiled, a small dimple appearing on one side of her face. "They wouldn’t dare beat me to death. Just run back and bring reinforcements."

Jia’an watched her silently, a hint of softness—unnoticed even by herself—creeping into her gaze, though her words remained sharp. "I haven't sunk so low that I need protection from a frail girl of the Chu Kingdom."

Sheng Mingyue merely smiled, offering no comment.

Before long, the bailiff who had left returned in a hurry. As soon as he entered the shop, he dropped to his knees.

The bailiff closest to Sheng Mingyue frowned in annoyance and scolded, "You useless fool! I sent you to gather information—why are your legs shaking now?"

Yang Zhiwen cast a side-eye at him and said unhurriedly, "Well? Did they lie? Quickly, arrest them!"

The junior bailiff trembled uncontrollably, bowing repeatedly toward Jia’an. "Princess Jia’an, we had eyes but failed to recognize greatness! Please, I beg you, do not hold this against us!"

The head bailiff froze on the spot. Even Yang Zhiwen lost her composure, stumbling backward. "W-what... Princess Jia’an?"

Once Yang Zhiwen regained her senses, she rushed behind Yun Shengsheng, gripping her arm tightly, her body shaking violently. "Sister Yun, didn't you say the Grand Princess was in the Northern Desert? How... how is it actually Princess Jia’an?"

Yun Shengsheng’s face drained of color. She looked at Jia’an in disbelief, brushed Yang Zhiwen’s hand away, and knitted her brows into a tight knot.

How could it be... how could it be Princess Jia’an!

She frequented palace banquets and had once seen the Northern Desert envoys visiting Chu. The attire of those envoys was clearly different from what Jia’an was wearing!

A moment later, the felt curtain at the door was pushed aside again. Yun Lai strode into the room, followed by a group of guards from the Prince Jing’an Estate.

Yun Lai scanned the room, his gaze finally resting on the two women opposite. He bowed respectfully and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, the Prince has ordered me to escort you back to the estate."

With that, his face darkened as he looked at the others, declaring loudly, "I convey the words of the Ninth Prince: whoever dares to show disrespect to Princess Jia’an or the Prince’s savior will be arrested without exception. We will not be lenient!"

Jia’an finally let out a breath of relief. She glanced sideways at Yun Shengsheng and said in a low voice, "Now, tell me, who is the one who has committed a crime?"

Yun Shengsheng’s face was deathly pale. She couldn't help but retreat, her lips curling into a forced, stiff smile. "So it is Princess Jia’an. We were blind not to recognize you, but surely ignorance is no crime..."

Yun Shengsheng slowly lifted her eyes, her tone as calm as she could manage. "I am Yun Shengsheng, daughter of Chancellor Yun. Since we have met today, allow me to apologize on their behalf."

"You apologize on their behalf?" Jia’an scoffed, returning to her usual arrogant and overbearing self as a Northern Desert princess. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who do you think you are, trying to act tough in front of me?"

"You neatly distance yourself with a few words and even make others feel like they owe you a favor. Should I praise you or curse you for that!"

Publicly humiliated, Yun Shengsheng could no longer maintain her smile. Her chest heaved, and she gritted her teeth. "I am not a mind reader; I could not have known when the Princess would arrive in our Great Chu."

"As the saying goes, ignorance is no crime. I suppose the Princess hasn't studied much, so you wouldn't understand such principles."

Yun Shengsheng curled her lips in a cold sneer and whispered, "Even if this matter were blown out of proportion, no one would truly hold us accountable. But if the Princess insists on pressing the issue, it would show a lack of social grace."

"Don't forget, Princess," Yun Shengsheng tilted her head slightly, feigning innocence. "This is our Great Chu, not the Northern Desert. Naturally, we follow the rules of Great Chu here."

Jia’an laughed in anger, asking with disdain, "Are you provoking me?"

[Why is the showdown between the heroine and the third female lead happening so early?]

[According to the original plot, they shouldn't have met for another half a year!]

[I'm used to it by now. After all, with that bug-like character, the small cannon fodder, present, the plot points have all been scattered.]

[Princess Jia’an still has the temperament of a child; she's easily triggered. How will she ever win against Yun Shengsheng, who has the protagonist's halo?]

Yun Shengsheng stared at her, her expression arrogant. "I am merely showing goodwill toward the Princess. How can you call that provocation?"

"You..."

"Miss Yun is truly as kind-hearted as she is beautiful, wanting to take responsibility for everyone’s mistakes." Sheng Mingyue stopped Jia’an, who was about to strike, and gave a harmless, innocent smile. "Our Princess is also a kind soul, so there is no need for beatings or punishment."

"Just a period of confinement as a lesson, Miss Yun... surely you won't refuse?"