Madame Xu trembled uncontrollably when she saw Mu Jiuchen.
After all, they were speaking ill of her and her husband. Mu Jiuchen would surely be angry if he were caught red-handed, especially for something so embarrassing. What was Jin Yan thinking?
Jin Yan pointed at Madame Xu and said, “She claimed Nuan Nuan was having a clandestine meeting with another man here, and she even brought a video as proof. Look, Nuan Nuan is your wife. You know who the man in the video is. My Nuan Nuan would never do anything to betray you. They slandered my Nuan Nuan in front of everyone, so I will clear my daughter’s name in front of everyone.”
Jin Yan’s resonant voice caused the expressions of the other ladies to turn grim. Jin Yan knew her daughter’s temperament. Without meeting Mu Jiuchen, she might have remained single her entire life. Her cold personality was a result of her icy upbringing. Every time she thought of the hardships her daughter had endured, her heart felt as if it were being sliced. Her daughter’s family was pitiful, yet these people couldn’t stand to see her daughter marry well, always finding ways to ruin her. They used her past to humiliate her! Her daughter’s excellence was something these people could never achieve in their lifetimes.
Madame Xu anxiously explained, “Ninth Master, Madam Lu, everyone was just joking. Why must you take it so seriously? Besides, it’s your daughter. If this matter escalates, won’t it be your daughter and son-in-law who are embarrassed?”
Madame Ye knew that Mu Jiuchen was not to be trifled with, and Jin Yan was equally formidable. After all, she had been clashing with Jin Yan for years and had rarely won. At this moment, she dared not speak up to invite trouble. Madame Xu simply couldn't stand Jin Yan’s three sons being outstanding and handsome, and her daughter finding such a good son-in-law, which made her unable to resist courting disaster.
Jin Yan looked at Madame Xu and smiled confidently, “Madame Xu, rest assured, my daughter would never cheat on my son-in-law. On the other hand, your son-in-law has mistresses swarming around him.”
“You…”
“Apologies, Madame Xu, may I see the video?” Mu Jiuchen interrupted Madame Xu’s words with a deep voice.
Madame Xu’s hand trembled slightly, and she tapped the video to show it to Mu Jiuchen. At that instant, she felt as if she had lifted a rock only to drop it on her own foot. She felt like she was slapping herself in the face! The good show she had hoped to see had not materialized, and she might end up covered in trouble. She had only filmed the video while passing by, and there were many uncertainties. However, for someone with a weak psychological state, one video was enough to destroy a person. She had also gambled her reputation on this matter. She wasn't afraid of offending the Lu family, but she was afraid of offending Mu Jiuchen. This man’s methods were extremely cruel. However, some things were like a desperate gamble at the edge of a cliff. If she failed, at worst, she could claim she was mistaken. After all, everyone made mistakes sometimes.
Watching Mu Jiuchen view the video, Madame Xu couldn’t help but speak, “Ninth Master, I know you love your wife very much. I just happened to pass by and saw it; I’m not sure about anything. But if Miss Lu has done anything to betray Ninth Master, I hope Ninth Master will be lenient and not make things too difficult for Miss Lu.” Madame Xu’s words, while seemingly excusing Jiang Nuan, were actually adding fuel to the fire. If Jiang Nuan had truly wronged Mu Jiuchen, given Mu Jiuchen’s personality, how could he easily forgive Jiang Nuan!
Mu Jiuchen watched her finish speaking and then looked sharply at the scheming Madame Xu with his deep, dark eyes. “Madame Xu randomly filming a video of my wife meeting a friend and then trying to frame my wife for infidelity – isn’t Madame Xu’s purpose in doing this to damage the relationship between my wife and me?” A fearsome accusation bore down, leaving Madame Xu somewhat flustered.
“Ninth Master, please calm your anger. As I said earlier, I just passed by and saw it; I have no proof. However, I didn’t want to embarrass Ninth Master…”
“This isn’t embarrassing me? You simply wanted to ruin my wife’s reputation with that video, didn’t you?” Mu Jiuchen suddenly exploded in anger. “The gentleman you mentioned earlier is a friend of my wife’s from Qiguo. We all know each other. How did it become that my wife was having an affair in your eyes?” His sharp tone, as cold as if carrying frost, made Madame Xu shiver involuntarily. She looked at Mu Jiuchen helplessly.
“Ninth Master, I was mistaken; I misunderstood Madam Mu. Ninth Master, please don’t be angry. I apologize!” Madame Xu knew when to retreat. Since she had taken the initiative to apologize, if Mu Jiuchen continued to pursue the matter, he would appear too graceless.
Mu Jiuchen’s cold gaze rested on her without any warmth. “You should apologize to my wife. I will bring her here. You will apologize to my wife in front of everyone, just as you slandered my wife in front of everyone.” With that, Mu Jiuchen turned and left.
Madame Xu: “…” She bit her lip. With her countless experiences, how could she have made a mistake this time?
Jin Yan looked at the pale Madame Xu, her expression darkening. She angrily questioned, “Madame Xu, did my daughter offend you?” Madame Xu was taken aback and quickly shook her head, “No, I was just worried about Ninth Master.”
Jin Yan pressed on, “Is Ninth Master your son?” Madame Xu: “…” She knew Jin Yan was furious and that her attempt at flattery had backfired. “Madam Lu, there’s no need for you to be angry. An upright person does not fear a crooked shadow.” “Yes, an upright person does not fear a crooked shadow. My daughter lives with a clear conscience. On the other hand, you, who used a video to try and ruin my daughter’s reputation – I’ve noted this grudge. You can bully me, but you must never bully my daughter.” Her words were forceful and unwavering.
Madame Xu: “…” She suddenly felt the situation had become serious. “Madam Lu, I…” “You don’t need to say anything more. The slander is plain for everyone to see. When my daughter comes in later, if you don’t apologize sincerely, I will naturally make you apologize publicly tomorrow.” The Xu family was not clean! Her husband was well aware of the dealings in the business world. It was just that they were living and letting live, and her husband was not inherently evil. He merely possessed some business secrets to leverage commercial matters. Madame Xu was so angry that her breathing became ragged, and she was unable to speak. Meanwhile, the other ladies wisely fell silent, not daring to provoke Jin Yan.
By the floor-to-ceiling window! Jiang Nuan had finished chatting with Han Yifan, and Han Yifan had updated her on recent events. Seeing Mu Jiuchen approach with heavy steps, Jiang Nuan’s gaze flickered. Her husband had found her. Han Yifan also heard footsteps and turned around, looking at Mu Jiuchen with a lazy smile. “Ninth Master, we meet again. I had a private chat with Nuan Nuan. You won’t be angry, will you?” Han Yifan emphasized the word “private,” as if deliberately stressing it. Mu Jiuchen walked to Jiang Nuan’s side with a stern expression, naturally extended his long arm, and embraced his beloved before looking at Han Yifan. “You are friends, and it’s fine to chat privately. What do I have to be angry about? However, your private chat has caused my wife a lot of negative influence. Everyone inside is now saying that you are the person my wife is having an affair with.”
Jiang Nuan: “…” Han Yifan’s gaze flickered, and he smiled, saying, “Should I go in and explain to everyone then?”