Chapter Six: The Legend of Zhen Huan, Xia Dongchun 5

Xia Dongchun: "......"

Originally, she was merely angry, but seeing the other girl’s state, it was clear she couldn't afford to pay, so she was prepared to just count it as a loss.

Who would have thought that someone would intervene?

She looked up. A "sentimental-looking ghost" had emerged, and that... that made things much easier.

Xia Dongchun stared with a blank expression at the girl before her, who was wearing an indifferent, pretentious air. "So, you intend to pay her debt?"

Zhen Huan: "......"

The others: "......"

The conversation was stuck on the money.

Zhen Huan froze for a second. She neither expected nor understood why this stunningly beautiful woman would fixate so intensely on such trivial, worldly possessions. She didn't look like someone who lacked money, either.

Of course, she only felt a flicker of confusion before quickly answering, "This... I originally thought it was no great matter, but if you, sister, are so concerned about this garment, I can pay on behalf of this younger sister."

Xia Dongchun felt something was off as soon as she heard this, but after thinking for a long time, she couldn't pinpoint what exactly was wrong.

"Fine. What is your name, and whose daughter are you?" Regardless of what the girl meant, it didn't stop her from wanting her money.

Zhen Huan froze for another second. "I am Zhen Huan. My father is Zhen Yuandao, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

"Alright. I am Xia Dongchun, daughter of a banner officer. I will have someone come to your residence to collect the money. Make sure you don't welch on the debt."

Almost as soon as the words left Zhen Huan's lips, Xia Dongchun spoke, rushing to get the words out, terrified that if she waited even a second, the money within her reach would vanish.

Without waiting for a response, she turned to leave.

Just as she turned, she seemed to remember something. Xia Dongchun spun around abruptly, eyes wide. "It’s you! The devotee at Shangshan Temple who was praying and kowtowing, saying she didn't want to enter the palace and wanted to marry the best man in the world!"

She let out a sharp scoff, her tongue ruthless. "I was wondering who was being so deceitful. She clearly bumped into me, yet it was twisted to make it sound like I was the one refusing to let it go. And the point is, this isn't just about a piece of clothing; causing a disturbance before the palace is a major crime that implicates one's entire family."

"But seeing it's you, I understand now. To be able to speak so shamelessly before the Buddha, you certainly have thick skin."

"Twisting black into white is nothing for you; I’m sure you could talk the dead back to life."

Xia Dongchun’s words came one after another, each striking home. She gave no chance for rebuttal, her speech blunt and direct.

Zhen Huan had sensed something was wrong the moment the other girl turned back. After hearing what followed, her entire face turned deathly pale. She opened her mouth to retort, "I..."

"You what?" Xia Dongchun cut her off directly. "I saw and heard it myself. I was right next to you, and my two maids heard it too. You’re going to deny it in broad daylight? You really are just as two-faced as you were a moment ago."

Having said her piece, she snorted and walked away.

As she passed the girl, she didn't forget to add, "Remember to pay. It’s very expensive."

Zhen Huan felt the surrounding gazes, both subtle and overt. No matter how resilient she was, she couldn't remain calm. Fortunately, although Shen Meizhuang was somewhat stunned, she was a friend of many years and pulled the nearly rigid Zhen Huan away.

Meanwhile, An Lingrong, who had been quiet all along, cast a light glance at them before walking toward a corner, where she stood still and began to search for a certain vibrant red figure.

Shen Meizhuang looked at the grim-faced Zhen Huan. "Huan'er..." She felt distressed seeing her like this, yet whenever she tried to speak, those words—*to marry the best man in the world*—kept popping into her head.

No matter the depth of their lifelong friendship, she could not defend the idea that saying such things was acceptable.

Zhen Huan was, after all, a composed person. She knew what she needed to do at this moment. Sister Mei was her dear friend; she could not let her... misunderstand.

"Sister Mei, you know me. I truly did not want to enter the palace, so I went to make a vow. I never thought it would be such a coincidence that she would twist it into something like that."