After Refusing to Be a Substitute, He Was Taken by the Eldest Princess and Bestowed in Marriage - Chapter 34:

Chapter 34: Framed, and Still Trying to Step on the Corpse?

“This bastard is going too far.”

“You need to consider the host before slapping someone in the face. No matter what, Qin Yan used to be part of the Princess’s Residence. How could he be humiliated like this?”

“This won’t do. I have to step in and teach him a lesson.”

Xiao Wanyu watched as Tu Dahu humiliated Qin Yan right in his face. She didn’t know why, but even though Tu Dahu’s words didn’t directly offend her and were clearly aimed only at Qin Yan, she still felt deeply uncomfortable and anger welled up in her heart.

At once, Xiao Wanyu was about to step in and stand up for Qin Yan.

Seeing this, Ji Yuanyi burned with jealousy inside. He could tell that even though Xiao Wanyu claimed she didn’t care about Qin Yan, her actions clearly said otherwise. She still cared about him—she just hadn’t realized it herself.

Seeing that Xiao Wanyu was about to go downstairs, how could Ji Yuanyi let her do as she wished?

“Princess, you mustn’t,” Ji Yuanyi stepped forward to block her path, preventing her from going down.

“Brother Yuanyi, why are you stopping me? Didn’t you see how outrageous they were? They’re clearly making things difficult for Qin Yan on purpose.”

“Brother Yuanyi, you don’t think I still care about Qin Yan, do you? I don’t, really. That’s not it. I just think what they’re doing is too much. Even if it were someone else, I’d still stop it. Don’t overthink it.”

Caught off guard by Ji Yuanyi blocking her, Xiao Wanyu spoke in surprise, then quickly explained herself as if realizing something. She was afraid Ji Yuanyi would misunderstand.

“Of course I know it’s not like that. Your Highness is simply kind and generous.”

“That’s not why I stopped you either.”

“It’s just that the matter of your divorce with Qin Yan has already spread throughout the Capital. Everyone knows about it. If you suddenly reveal your identity at this moment, I’m afraid it might cause unnecessary trouble. Rumors may spread in the Capital that would damage Your Highness’s reputation.”

Ji Yuanyi’s heart was filled with hatred, but his face remained gentle and refined as he spoke to Xiao Wanyu.

“You mean, you’re worried people might think I still have feelings for Qin Yan and that there are lingering ties between us?”

Xiao Wanyu calmed down instantly after hearing that. He was right. She had already divorced Qin Yan. If she were to stand up for him now, who knows what kind of gossip might spread?

If it really came to that, what would Ji Yuanyi do then?

“It was my oversight, Brother Yuanyi. I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through.”

Now composed, Xiao Wanyu looked at Ji Yuanyi apologetically, her eyes showing a trace of guilt.

“It’s fine. I’m only concerned about Your Highness’s reputation.”

“But Qin Yan…”

“Princess, since it’s not convenient for you to show yourself, why don’t I send my people instead? If we act in the name of the Minister of Revenue’s Residence, even the Left Street Officer of the Jinwu Guards wouldn’t dare disrespect us. We’ll be able to help Qin Yan without affecting Your Highness. What do you think?”

Seeing that Xiao Wanyu was still concerned about Qin Yan, Ji Yuanyi quickly devised a plan.

If Xiao Wanyu didn’t want Qin Yan to be humiliated, that was fine. He could have his people resolve the situation. As Xiao Wanyu’s childhood friend, stepping up to help her former Prince Consort would only raise Ji Yuanyi’s own reputation—he would be praised by everyone.

At the same time, Xiao Wanyu would admire him even more and find him magnanimous. The effect would be just as good. In fact, it served Ji Yuanyi’s purpose even better.

“Really? You’re willing to help him?”

“Of course. If it concerns the Princess, it naturally concerns me too. I’ll send someone right away to tell those Jinwu Guards not to make things difficult for Qin Yan.”

Ji Yuanyi nodded with a smile.

“That’s wonderful. Brother Yuanyi, you’re so kind.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wanyu immediately smiled. She had thought that Ji Yuanyi might feel uncomfortable helping her former husband and wouldn’t get involved. But hearing that he was willing to help, she felt he was truly a good person.

“It’s just a small matter, no need to worry, Princess.”

“You, go tell Tu Dahu not to trouble Qin Yan.”

Seeing Xiao Wanyu looking at him with admiration, Ji Yuanyi felt much better. He immediately instructed one of his attendants to handle the situation.

“Tu Dahu, you’ve gone too far…”

Inside the main hall, Zhou De’s face was dark with anger. He hadn’t expected Tu Dahu to not only know Qin Yan’s identity but also expose it in public like this. This was clearly a deliberate attempt to stomp on Qin Yan’s pride. Now, Zhou De was certain—this incident was absolutely orchestrated.

“So he’s Qin Yan, the former Prince Consort of Princess Changning?”

“Ai, a dignified former Prince Consort, reduced to a mere inn servant. That’s so pitiful.”

“What’s pitiful about it? He’s already had enough luck. Didn’t he enjoy three years as a Prince Consort?”

“I heard Princess Changning only married him because he looked a bit like Ji Yuanyi. So when Ji Yuanyi returned, she kicked him out of the Princess’s Residence.”

“Is that so? Then how could he compare to Ji Yuanyi? Ji Yuanyi is one of the most talented scholars in the Great Phoenix Empire, while Qin Yan was kicked out and now works as a lowly servant. The difference is like heaven and earth.”

As soon as Qin Yan’s identity was revealed, the onlookers began whispering. Gossip, after all, was always popular no matter the era.

“Yeah, I’m being excessive—so what? I’m telling you now, unless we get an explanation today, don’t even think about running this inn.”

Tu Dahu didn’t care about Zhou De in the slightest. In the past, he had shown some respect because Zhou De was from the Princess’s Residence. But now, he was acting under orders from the Minister of Revenue’s Residence, and Ji Yuanyi was set to become Princess Changning’s new Prince Consort.

To serve Ji Yuanyi was to align himself with both the Minister of Revenue’s and the Princess’s Residences. Tu Dahu’s future was boundless. Why would he care about someone like Zhou De, who was no longer relevant?

This time, he was absolutely determined to disgrace Qin Yan.

Seeing Tu Dahu’s attitude, no one in the inn dared speak out anymore. After all, no one wanted to provoke this group of troublemakers.

“Hey, you filthy inn servant, hurry up and lick it clean, then crawl through my legs. Don’t expect someone else to do it for you.”

Tu Erhu grinned viciously, looking at Qin Yan as if waiting for a good show.

“What do we do, Young Master? Maybe you should ask Her Highness for help. After all, you were once the Prince Consort. She wouldn’t just watch you be humiliated like this.”

Zhou De whispered to Qin Yan. He knew Xiao Wanyu was in the inn right now. If Qin Yan went to ask her, she surely wouldn’t just sit and watch.