The Host Has Fallen for the Second Female Lead Again - Chapter 93

Ever since Wen Yue entered the courtyard, many people had been praising how beautiful her headdress was. She was already the center of attention, but now even more so, with everyone’s eyes fixed on her.

The more people who noticed her, the more people could spot the problem with what she was wearing.

Those who didn’t get along with Wen Yue had already exchanged glances and were whispering to each other.

Wen Yue noticed the gossiping people. She knew it wasn’t a good idea to wear a princess’s headdress, but she didn’t think anyone would dare to make a fuss about it.

Even if they did, what of it? She wasn’t afraid.

Ji Mingxiao was counting on this mentality of hers. She took a sip of fruit wine and chatted with the people around her.

The Emperor wouldn’t stay outside the palace for too long, and Ji Mingxiao also returned with Zhaoxun.

“Many people noticed her headdress. It’s normal for an article to come out criticizing it tomorrow,” Ji Mingxiao smiled. “She was quite pleased with herself today.”

“I remember you two used to have a good relationship,” Zhaoxun said, looking at Ji Mingxiao.

“So you knew there was a problem but didn’t tell me?” Ji Mingxiao looked at Zhaoxun with a hint of helplessness. “Since we’re family, is there anything you can’t say? Or are you afraid I’ll scold you?”

Zhaoxun said nothing. He had heard a little about his sister’s relationship with Wen Yue before.

He hadn’t quite understood it, but later he went to ask and felt a bit awkward after hearing the explanation for “grinding a mirror” (a euphemism for lesbianism). He had just managed to accept that his sister was with another woman, but now it seemed their relationship wasn’t so great.

The emotions between women were truly strange.

Ji Mingxiao noticed Zhaoxun’s strange look and looked back at him, causing him to quietly avert his gaze.

“Imperial sister, I understand now.”

Ji Mingxiao said no more, just waiting for the next day to arrive.

That evening, Prime Minister Wen and Wen Yue returned home together. The Prime Minister immediately saw Wen Yue’s headdress and frowned, “What’s going on?”

Wen Yue was taken aback, “Dad?”

“Your headdress!”

“I asked the Princess for it,” Wen Yue was startled by the Prime Minister’s tone and took a step back.

“And you wore it out?” Prime Minister Wen looked at Wen Yue with a cold expression. “Didn’t I tell you to be extremely careful in everything you do now? What if someone uses this to make a fuss?”

“The Princess gave it to me, after all. She just needs to say a word to explain it.”

Prime Minister Wen raised his hand and slapped Wen Yue directly, “Idiot.”

Wen Yue was stunned. The Prime Minister had already left, flicking his sleeves. She just couldn’t understand. It was just a set of headdress, after all. Who would dare to say anything?

Her relationship with Zhaoyan was so good. Even though Zhaoyan had been acting a little strangely lately, there was no way she wouldn’t help her.

Early the next morning, someone discovered an article posted on the street corner. It criticized Wen Yue for wearing the Princess’s headdress and questioned whether the Prime Minister’s family had ulterior motives. The article was very long, and to help it spread, Zhaoxun had even arranged for people to read it aloud so that those who couldn’t read could also understand.

Wen Yue was mortified when she found out. She wanted Ji Mingxiao to come out and explain, but the article stated that the Princess had been beguiled by Wen Yue for many years.

She thought that such an article, which damaged the Princess’s reputation, would quickly disappear. To her surprise, it didn’t. It spread faster and faster, and more and more articles appeared, criticizing Wen Yue and then questioning the Wen family.

Wen Yue finally started to panic. She was waiting for Ji Mingxiao to say something, and she finally did.

“Miss Wen asked me for it, and it was difficult for me to refuse.”

Too many people heard this sentence.

Difficult to refuse?

Why couldn’t she refuse?

All sorts of thoughts popped into people’s minds.

The Prime Minister’s power was already too great, having already subtly overshadowed the imperial family. Now, Wen Yue wanted something from the Princess, and the Princess found it difficult to refuse. Some people speculated that Ji Mingxiao was seeking help from the public, while others thought that Wen Yue had become so arrogant that she had revealed the Prime Minister’s true intentions.

Of course, many of these speculations were deliberately spread by Ji Mingxiao’s people, and new branches of speculation appeared in the crowd.

After hearing Ji Mingxiao’s response, Wen Yue’s mind was a mess.

“Zhaoyan did this on purpose. She must have done it on purpose!” Wen Yue said, taking a deep breath and slamming her hand on the table.

“Miss, the Prime Minister wants to see you.”

Wen Yue’s expression froze for a moment. She took a deep breath, having a very bad premonition.

As soon as she entered the study, Prime Minister Wen threw a stack of papers at her. “Look at what people are saying outside! I told you not to leave any leverage for others, and to keep a low profile. Did you even listen?!”

Wen Yue trembled, unsure of what to say. The thick stack of papers in front of her were all articles.

There were so many after just one day.

“Looking at how fast these articles came out, they must have been preparing for a long time. Only an idiot like you wouldn’t know!” Prime Minister Wen took a deep breath. He could now clearly see that this was a trap. It was an opportune leverage point, and only a fool wouldn’t use it.

Wen Yue’s body trembled slightly. “Dad, I told you earlier that the Princess is different from before. Didn’t you also say it was nothing?”

“How dare you talk back?!”

Wen Yue bit her lip and dared not say another word.

“I underestimated this Princess,” Prime Minister Wen said, looking at Wen Yue.

Wen Yue hated that look from her father, as if she were a commodity, an item to be sold at a good price.

She couldn’t imagine how her family would treat her if she lost her usefulness.

“Dad, what should I do now?”

“Act as if nothing happened and continue to be on good terms with her. What else do you want to do? Tear off the disguise and fight?” Prime Minister Wen frowned and waved his hand. “You can go back for now. Next time you do something, use your brain!”

Wen Yue felt a sense of relief. At least there were no other demands, but just acting as if nothing happened and continuing to be on good terms with Ji Mingxiao was already very difficult for her.

Just thinking about Ji Mingxiao now made her feel cold.

They had been together for so long, and she had never noticed that this person’s mind was so deep.

She was so good at pretending.

Wen Yue twitched the corners of her mouth. Of course, a person born into the royal family wouldn’t have a simple mind.

The incident at the other residence was obviously arranged by Ji Mingxiao on purpose as well.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

“After this incident, you should be completely exposed,” Xi Ruan said, looking at Ji Mingxiao.

Ji Mingxiao nodded. “But, if I’m exposed, then I’m exposed. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

She looked toward the courtyard. “It’s also a good time to clear out the spies in the courtyard.”

“Will they become desperate?” Xi Ruan asked.

Ji Mingxiao smiled, taking a handkerchief to wipe a drop of juice from Xi Ruan’s lips. “They will, but not yet.”

She had other things planned, such as establishing a new “idol” for the scholars to replace Prime Minister Wen’s status in their hearts.

She had brought up the idea of a replacement figure the first time she and Zhaoxun talked about serious matters, and they had now found the right person.

If all went as planned, the article from this “newcomer” would be spread throughout the capital tomorrow.

Prime Minister Wen came from an aristocratic family, and the person they found was the top scholar from a few years ago. He was from a humble background and was currently serving in Jiangnan, right on Ji Mingxiao’s fiefdom. This person would soon be transferred back to the capital.

Most people who participated in the imperial examinations were from humble backgrounds. The existence of this top scholar would resonate more with those students than Prime Minister Wen. He was the embodiment of a dream, and with the guidance of public opinion, any image could be created.

Zhaoxun had already contacted that person. According to the system’s observation, this person was loyal to the royal family and could be used.

System A felt that it had gone from a good system that followed the rules of the main system to Ji Mingxiao’s cheating machine.

It felt pained by its own moral decline.

“Host, why do you like to fight a war of public opinion everywhere you go?”

“It’s useful.”

“But it’s too uncontrollable. What if things go wrong?” System A asked.

“If things go wrong, then they go wrong,” Ji Mingxiao replied.

System A: ???

Ji Mingxiao held Xi Ruan’s hand. Xi Ruan leaned against the soft couch, looking at her. “Wen Yue is coming over soon.”

“Do you want me to turn her away?”

“No need,” Xi Ruan narrowed her eyes and looked at Ji Mingxiao.

Ji Mingxiao suddenly felt that this system was very detrimental to her relationship with Xi Ruan.

When Wen Yue arrived, she saw Xi Ruan standing beside Ji Mingxiao. She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but she felt that Xi Ruan’s entire demeanor had changed.

“Why have you come?” Ji Mingxiao looked at Wen Yue, a gentle smile on her face. If one looked closely, they would find that her smile held a hint of amusement.

Wen Yue looked at Ji Mingxiao. “Are you mad at me?”

“Hmm?” Ji Mingxiao laughed. Wen Yue’s actions were not much different from what she had anticipated. “Mad? Do you think I’m mad? And why would I be mad?”

Wen Yue held the cup, unsure of how to answer.

Why was this person not following the usual script?

Ji Mingxiao looked at Wen Yue. “Do you think I’m stupid, or are you?”

Wen Yue looked up at Ji Mingxiao in surprise.

Ji Mingxiao was not afraid of getting into an open conflict. It would obviously benefit her more than it would harm her.

Getting into a conflict with Wen Yue would basically confirm the rumors that the Wen family had disloyal intentions, so Wen Yue didn’t want to fall out with Ji Mingxiao.

The Wen family’s affairs hadn’t been fully arranged yet; they lacked a suitable reason and the right time.

Regardless of what Wen Yue thought, Prime Minister Wen himself probably didn’t want to be publicly criticized, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so careful in his efforts with Zhaoyan.

The room was quiet.

Ji Mingxiao smiled at Wen Yue. “If you want to be a princess, you might have to be reborn.”

Wen Yue stood up from the soft couch and looked at Ji Mingxiao. “Yanyan! What are you saying? Do you also believe those things people are saying outside?”

Ji Mingxiao stood up and walked out. “Please take away all the spies you have planted here today, Miss Wen.”

The people in the courtyard were stunned and immediately knelt down.

“Or you can voluntarily leave with Miss Wen. For the remaining spies who don’t follow her, I will have them all executed, not one left alive,” Ji Mingxiao’s voice was cold. She looked back at Wen Yue. “Miss Wen, who do you think is the fool?”

The four words “have them all executed” made the palace maids tremble and dare not speak.

“How could I have planted spies here? Yanyan, you have to believe me!” Wen Yue knew that if she took these people back today, Prime Minister Wen would definitely not spare her.

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