Chapter 110: Misfortune Befalls Those Who Seek to Harm Others

Wei Ruo was also looking at Madam Yuan; she recognized her—the woman she had saved during childbirth in the countryside that day.

Realizing this, Wei Ruo spoke first before Madam Yuan could say anything: “Madam, this is our first meeting. I apologize for any disturbance.”

Madam Yuan looked into Wei Ruo’s clear eyes, puzzled for a moment before understanding.

“It’s quite all right, you haven’t disturbed me at all,” Madam Yuan replied with a gentle smile.

Wei Ruo’s gaze was bright, and she seemed to have something to say. It was clear she had recognized Madam Yuan but chose to say “first meeting,” likely to conceal something.

Though unsure what she wanted to hide, Madam Yuan played along.

“How should I address you?” Madam Yuan asked warmly, taking Wei Ruo’s hand.

“My father is Wei Mingting, the commander of the Anti-Pirate militia in Xingshan County. I am Qing Ruo,” Wei Ruo answered.

“So you are the eldest lady of the Wei family,” Madam Yuan said softly, her expression kind. “I find Miss Wei quite familiar, as if we met long ago, which fills me with joy.”

Madam Yun stepped forward, apologizing again on Wei Ruo’s behalf: “Madam Yuan, my daughter was reckless and offended you. Please forgive her.”

She then shot Wei Ruo a sharp glance, signaling her to apologize quickly.

Before Wei Ruo could speak, Madam Yuan interjected, “It’s nothing serious; such a small matter hardly offends me—I am not made of porcelain. Besides, Miss Wei must have had no choice. Did you encounter some danger just now?”

Madam Yuan’s eyes softened with tenderness as she looked at Wei Ruo.

Her attitude surprised everyone. They had expected that even if Madam Yuan did not blame Wei Ruo for the offense, she would hardly show much warmth.

Unexpectedly, Madam Yuan had taken a sudden liking to Wei Qing Ruo.

Not only the onlookers but even Madam Yun and Wei Qing Wan could scarcely believe it.

Before answering Madam Yuan’s question, Wei Ruo glanced toward Wei Qing Wan in the crowd.

Wei Qing Wan trembled, lowering her head in fear, unwilling to meet Wei Ruo’s gaze.

Then Wei Ruo replied to Madam Yuan: “I was admiring the withered lotus by the pond when suddenly a force struck me from behind. I stumbled toward the water, stepping into the pond. To avoid falling in completely, I grabbed a branch on the bank, but in my panic, I exerted too much strength.”

After hearing this, Madam Yuan’s expression shifted, becoming sterner and colder. “Who pushed Miss Wei just now? To lay hands on my guest in my own residence—do they take me seriously?!”

At this, everyone’s faces changed.

Wei Qing Wan trembled uncontrollably.

After a brief silence, someone stepped forward and said, “I saw it—it was the young lady in pink who bumped into Miss Wei.”

The speaker did not know who Wei Qing Wan was but recognized her attire.

Upon hearing this, all eyes, including Madam Yuan’s, turned to Wei Qing Wan.

Madam Yun looked at Wei Qing Wan in shock—was it Wan Wan who had pushed Ruo’er?

Wei Qing Wan was terrified and hurriedly explained, “I didn’t mean to bump into my sister. I was coming over to find her and accidentally tripped as I approached, losing my balance and unintentionally bumping into her. It was not deliberate!”

She had prepared these words in advance but had not expected Madam Yuan to pursue the matter, which made her extremely nervous.

Madam Yuan’s face was serious as she asked the accuser, the third Miss Zhang of the Zhang family, “Miss Zhang, is what Miss Wei says true?”

Miss Zhang thought carefully and replied, “It seems so. I saw her trip over something and then fall into Miss Wei’s direction.”

Wei Qing Wan breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yun quickly said, “So it was a misunderstanding. Wan Wan, apologize to your sister and Madam Yuan immediately.”

Wei Qing Wan hurriedly said, “Sister, I’m sorry. It was my fault that you were hurt.”

Then she turned to Madam Yuan and said, “Madam Yuan, it was my fault. I apologize for disturbing you and disrupting your garden party.”

Madam Yuan’s tone toward Wei Qing Wan grew colder: “If it was your fault, why didn’t you come forward immediately to explain? Why wait for someone else to accuse you?”

Wei Qing Wan quickly explained, “This is my first time attending such an occasion. When I bumped into Madam, I was so frightened that my mind went blank, and I couldn’t explain right away. Please forgive me.”

Madam Yuan’s expression remained stern: “Miss Wei, as the daughter of the Wei family and granddaughter of the loyal and righteous lord, you lost your composure at the slightest disturbance, causing your elder sister distress and blame without speaking up. Is this not utterly disgraceful?”

Her words were sharp and decisive, defining Wei Qing Wan’s character in front of the many noble ladies attending the city’s first gathering that day.

With Madam Yuan’s verdict, who in the city would still regard the second Miss Wei highly?

Wei Qing Wan’s face turned pale, her body chilled.

Madam Yun’s face also drained of color.

Madam Yuan’s words carried weight—not just in Taizhou Prefecture, but even in the capital.

Her daughter was now thirteen; if such a reputation spread, how could any suitor be found in the future?

Madam Yun wanted to defend Wei Qing Wan but, seeing Madam Yuan’s solemn expression, feared that pleading might backfire and provoke her wrath, so she swallowed her words.

After admonishing Wei Qing Wan, Madam Yuan looked down and noticed the dirty hem of Wei Ruo’s dress. “Miss Wei, your clothes are soiled. Come with me inside to change.”

“Thank you, Madam,” Wei Ruo replied.

Madam Yuan turned to the others and said, “Excuse me, ladies. I will take Miss Wei to change her clothes and will return shortly.”

The crowd watched Madam Yuan and Wei Ruo leave, their curiosity deepening.

Madam Yuan’s kindness toward the Wei family’s eldest daughter seemed excessive. Sending a personal attendant to help change clothes would have sufficed—why did she insist on accompanying her personally?

Madam Yuan led Wei Ruo inside the room.

Once inside, she changed her address: “My savior, you have made it easy for me to find you!”

Wei Ruo felt a little embarrassed, “That day I was rushing back. A young maid at my home was waiting for me. If I was late, she would have worried herself sick.”

Madam Yuan said, “Since then, my husband sent people several times to inquire and search nearby, but there was no news of you. I never thought I would meet you here today.”

Then she asked, “We met in Huzhou Prefecture that day. How is it that you are now the legitimate daughter of the loyal lord’s household?”

Madam Yuan had heard about the Wei family’s affairs, especially the land reclamation in the southern outskirts, in which the Seventh Prince was involved. Because of this, she and her husband had paid some attention.

Yet she never imagined that this Miss Wei was the very divine healer who had saved her and her child’s life that day.