But she didn’t notice that hidden beneath his pale complexion was Xie Yi’s venomous gaze.

Scholar Li’s wife’s gaze towards Xie Yi was also very unfriendly. She really didn’t expect this little scoundrel to be so skillful. Even with a brand on his body, there was still a woman willing to sacrifice for him. If she had known earlier, she shouldn’t have let jealousy cloud her judgment and done such a rash thing.

She should have just used some trick, falsely accusing him of stealing people or money. Beating him to death would have saved all this trouble.

Su Mu was unaware of what these two men were thinking at the moment. She gathered the surrounding neighbors and, in front of everyone, had Scholar Lin’s husband clarify that he hadn’t branded Xie Yi.

After all, as a scholar’s husband, his words were still believable to some.

But Yang Shu wasn’t willing to let the matter end like this. If they settled it now, how would Xiaoxing marry in the future?

So he walked over to Uncle Wang and whispered in his ear: “This Madam Li really knows how to talk. Who doesn’t know about her sharp tongue? Scholar Li hasn’t dared to take a male concubine for years because of his wife’s family’s influence. But look at Xie Yi’s seductive appearance. He served in Scholar Li’s house for half a year. How could she not be tempted?”

Uncle Wang heard this and thought, that’s right.

Just then, someone in the crowd said, “Since Madam Li has clarified, let’s disperse.”

“What disperse!” Uncle Wang said loudly, looking suspiciously at Scholar Lin’s husband: “You say there’s no brand and that settles it?”

With Xie Yi’s beauty serving in Scholar Li’s house for so long, it was inevitable that the mistress would be tempted, so branding was not impossible. And the reason why Madam Li was willing to come and clarify was probably because she feared the matter would escalate and affect her own reputation.

Thinking of these things, Uncle Wang was even less likely to let Xie Yi off. He walked over to Xie Yi and was about to pull up his sleeve, but fortunately, Xie Yi dodged quickly, shrinking behind Su Mu.

“What are you trying to do?” Su Mu stood in front of Xie Yi.

Uncle Wang smiled: “Words alone aren’t enough proof. In my opinion, the best way to prove Xie Yi’s innocence is to have him take off his clothes for inspection.”

“How is that possible? Xie Yi is a pure and innocent man, how can you publicly humiliate him like this?”

“How can this be called humiliation? Su girl, don’t be angry. We’re not unreasonable people. We won’t make Xie Yi strip in public, but rather have him go into the room and let Yang Shu check, just to put our minds at ease.” Saying this, Uncle Wang turned to face everyone and said: “After all, we’re thinking about our own sons’ futures. It’s better to be certain about some things.”

At the mention of their sons’ futures, people looked at each other, and no one objected anymore.

“What Uncle Wang says makes sense.”

“Yes, yes, what if Xie Yi really is… my second son is about to be engaged.”

“That’s reasonable. It’s better to be sure. If Yang Shu checks and there’s no brand, we’ll apologize to Xie Yi.”

Everyone chimed in, and they all started to agree to have Xie Yi’s body examined.

“Miss Su, what should we do?” Scholar Lin’s husband, seeing the scene before him, was already so scared he didn’t know what to do.

“Vulgar fellows, your actions and deeds are so despicable.” A cold, mocking voice suddenly emerged from behind the crowd.

Everyone turned back in surprise. A pristine white robe, made of the finest silk, stood out starkly among the coarse clothes. The superior features, skin like soft jade and condensed cream, appeared even more like a fragrant and melting tea rose among the already aging middle-aged men.

“Yan Jiyue… it’s actually him!”

“He actually came back to find Su Mu? Didn’t they separate?”

Everyone was extremely surprised, and Yang Shu’s eyes widened even more.

Yan Jiyue passed through the crowd to Su Mu’s side: “Wife… Ah Mu.”

Hearing this address, Su Mu slightly furrowed her brow, but now was not the time to focus on this point.

“What are you here for?” she asked.

“To help you, of course.” Yan Jiyue stepped forward. Since their last parting, he was finally side by side with her again. Feeling the faint fragrance from her body, it was like parched, cracked earth finally tasting sweet rain, greedily absorbing the fragrance from her body to fill the emptiness in his heart.

Su Mu didn’t believe him, and the people around even less so.

Who didn’t know that when Su Mu first married into the family, the Yan family’s eldest young master had made a big scene, and now they had hastily separated. It seemed the marriage had been unhappy.

Now, not causing trouble for Su Mu or kicking her while she’s down would be good enough. How could he possibly come to help Su Mu?

“Young Master Yan, what a grand gesture. This is our Luoyan Lane’s own business. What does it have to do with you?” Yang Shu spoke softly.

A hint of disdainful laughter overflowed from Yan Jiyue’s phoenix eyes: “Indeed, it has nothing to do with me, but I just can’t stand you people bullying others with your power.”

“Bullying with power? We just want to verify if Xie Yi is pure, is this called bullying?”

“Xie Yi is a pure person, why should he have to strip because of a rumor? Is stripping the only way to prove one’s innocence?” Yan Jiyue leisurely glanced at Yang Shu, his slender eyes lifting at the corners: “Coincidentally, I’ve also heard that your Lin Xiaoxing doesn’t seem to be pure either. He’s been hiding at home these days, not because of an injury, but because he had a miscarriage and is recuperating at home.”

“You— you’re talking nonsense!” Yang Shu was instantly enraged and lunged at Yan Jiyue.

“Uncle Yang, don’t— don’t get excited!” Everyone hurried to hold him back, knowing that the Yan family’s young master was powerful and influential, someone they couldn’t afford to offend.

Unable to break free, Yang Shu could only shout angrily: “My son is pure and has never been entangled with any woman, how can you spout such lies?”

“Oh? This is considered spouting lies?” Yan Jiyue smugly hooked the corner of his lips.

Yang Shu’s face turned red as he screamed: “You have no evidence! You’re slandering!”

Yan Jiyue laughed arrogantly: “Then do you have evidence to prove what I said is false? Can you prove that your child is pure? Why not strip him and let everyone verify?”

“You—”

“It’s so easy to smear a man’s reputation, all it takes is one mouth, and rumors will spread throughout the city on their own. No matter how you clarify, others won’t believe. Madam Li has already said Xie Yi is pure, why do you all need to keep pressuring him? Does Xie Yi have to die to prove his innocence?” Su Mu seized the opportunity to say.

Everyone was speechless.

“Uncle Yang, let’s go back,” Uncle Wang persuaded.

Yang Shu looked at Yan Jiyue and Xie Yi hatefully, resentment in his heart but helpless. If they continued to entangle, his own son’s purity would be ruined.

The crowd finally dispersed, and this storm finally passed.