"Once the cold enters the body, it takes at least half a year to expel it. She's not a fool; she's doing this on purpose."
The clear, cold female voice flowed from Feng Ninghe's lips. Her beautiful face was icy, and a chilling aura gradually spread from her eyes.
Her words also enlightened Xiao Zhao at this moment.
Its round eyes widened, and it kept exclaiming.
Master, she wants to frame you! But why would she treat you like this when you have no past grievances?
"Feng Ninghe, what are you doing!"
Suddenly, a sharp female voice rang out from not far away.
Bai Qianqian, her face stern, arrived with a large group of Bai family disciples.
Relying on her status as the adopted daughter of the Bai family head, she often formed cliques with the Bai family disciples.
When she arrived, it was a whole crowd.
In the spiritual pond, the struggling Bai family disciple was still crying out, "Sister Qianqian, hurry and save me!"
Bai Qianqian rushed over and quickly ordered the Bai family disciples to rescue the person.
Before long, they pulled Bai Jingjing, who had fallen into the spiritual pond, out.
The icy pond water seeped into her bones. Bai Jingjing shivered uncontrollably, a layer of frost already forming on her temples. She stammered, her lips trembling, "Sister Qianqian... I... I almost lost my life!"
Bai Qianqian stood in front of Bai Jingjing with a righteous expression, shielding her. She glared at Feng Ninghe indignantly, "In broad daylight, why did you attack my Bai family disciple?"
Bai Jingjing's body trembled violently. She lowered her head, appearing timid and subservient, her hands tightly clutching a torn piece of cloth.
"Why would I attack your Bai family disciple? She jumped into the spiritual pond herself. What does that have to do with me?"
Feng Ninghe's expression was as cold as ever, a few days' chill appearing on her face.
Bai Qianqian's brows furrowed. She pointed at Feng Ninghe fiercely, "Bai Jingjing's cultivation is shallow and she cannot withstand the cold in the spiritual pond. How could she have jumped in herself? You must have pushed her!"
"Miss Bai, there must be some misunderstanding!"
Feng Tongtong and Madam Zhang arrived in a hurry.
Their appearance successfully made Feng Ninghe raise an eyebrow.
She didn't believe their arrival would bring anything good.
Feng Tongtong's beautiful eyes, visible outside her veil, flashed with a barely perceptible ruthlessness. She apologized from the side, "Miss Feng would never do it intentionally. She must have accidentally pushed her into the spiritual pond."
"Indeed."
Madam Zhang, with an appearance of kindness and benevolence, was actually pushing Feng Ninghe into a fiery pit. "Tongtong is right. Ninghe is now the head of the Feng family, and her actions represent the Feng family. I believe she didn't do it intentionally; it must have been an accident."
Bai Qianqian was relentless. She specifically looked at Bai Jingjing, "Tell us, what exactly happened?"
Bai Jingjing tightly clutched the torn cloth, looking around timidly.
In just a moment, quite a few people had gathered around.
The guests who were originally in the front courtyard rushed over. Old Master Bai and Madam Bai were also attracted by the commotion and quickly arrived.
Seeing the growing crowd, Bai Jingjing finally moved her lips and said, "I accidentally offended Miss Feng just now. Who knew she would push me into the spiritual pond! This is the piece of cloth I tore from her sleeve."
As soon as she spoke, everyone turned their gaze to Feng Ninghe's torn sleeve.
"Miss Feng is not that kind of person!"
Bai Niannian spoke first, quickly stepping out from the crowd. "There must be a misunderstanding. Let's not jump to conclusions."
Feng Ninghe hadn't expected this little girl to trust her so much.
Seeing Bai Niannian step forward, Bai Qianqian's anger intensified, and her voice rose slightly. "Bai Niannian, don't be biased and get deceived without realizing it. Feng Ninghe hasn't even spoken yet, and you're already rushing to defend her."
"I believe Miss Feng."
Bai Niannian's expression was firm as she spoke her mind. "She is clear about her grievances and grudges. A person like her, even if she were to teach someone a lesson, would never be secretive about it, nor would she deny it."
Everything that had happened at the city gate had already changed Bai Niannian's attitude towards Feng Ninghe.
This woman acted decisively and was not afraid of Bai Qianqian's status. Such a free-spirited woman would never do such a thing.
Xiao Zhao nodded repeatedly, looking at her with admiration, and occasionally praised her.
Master, this Bai Niannian is a sensible girl.
Perhaps we can really consider taking her as a disciple.
Feng Ninghe's gaze towards Bai Niannian subtly shifted. She smiled and her sharp eyes immediately locked onto Bai Jingjing. "Are you sure I pushed you into the spiritual pond?"
This cold glance seemed to see through people's hearts, causing Bai Jingjing's face to suddenly panic. She involuntarily took a step back.
Bai Qianqian, fearing exposure, quickly stood in front of Bai Jingjing and sternly reprimanded, "Jingjing, don't be afraid. The Bai family will stand by you!"
Bai Jingjing then nodded blankly, clutched the torn cloth, and stammered, "Yes... it was Miss Feng who pushed me into the spiritual pond."
Hearing this, Bai Qianqian looked at Feng Ninghe triumphantly, her eyes full of provocation. "Feng Ninghe, the evidence is irrefutable. Do you still want to deny it?"
Madam Zhang's eyes darted around. She then smiled apologetically at Madam Bai. "Madam Bai, this matter should not be blown out of proportion. Why don't we find a less crowded place to discuss it?"
Guests had surrounded them.
Madam Zhang, concerned about the Feng family's reputation, wanted to resolve it privately and not make a scene, which was understandable.
Old Master Bai nodded in agreement. "Perhaps there's a misunderstanding. Having too many people around is not good for the Feng family's reputation. Let's handle it in the back hall."
"No need, we can resolve it right here."
Feng Ninghe spoke. After calmly scanning the surroundings, she looked at Bai Jingjing. "A single person's word is not enough to prove the truth. If..."
Before she could finish, Bai Qianqian interrupted her. "Feng Ninghe, the evidence is irrefutable, and you can't escape. Don't try to shirk responsibility. The cold in this pond harms the body. Jingjing wouldn't have jumped in herself. Do you have a witness to prove she jumped in herself?"
Feng Ninghe naturally had no witness.
Earlier, there was no one around, only her and Bai Jingjing who had fallen into the spiritual pond.
"I am the witness."
Suddenly, a deep male voice rang out from the crowd.
The man was tall and straight, his black hair tied up high. His chiseled face was exceptionally handsome. He held a bone fan in his well-defined hand and slowly walked out from the crowd.
The man's appearance made Feng Ninghe raise an eyebrow in surprise.
Su Hongxiu?
There were clearly no others in the shadows just now. Could it be that she hadn't detected anyone?
Su Hongxiu's appearance caused a stir among the surrounding onlookers.
They hadn't seen Su Hongxiu at the banquet and were surprised to find him here.
Bai Jingjing's face instantly turned pale. She trembled like a sieve, her body shrinking back, afraid of exposure.
Bai Qianqian also became fearful, but her expression remained unchanged. She pretended to be calm and looked at him. "Sixth Master, as the pavilion master of Liu Mian Pavilion, you have considerable prestige. Please do not speak carelessly."