62: Debunking Rumors

He rose quietly, threw on an outer robe, and walked to the window.

Gazing at the fish-belly white sky in the distance, scenes of last night's intimacy with Cherry replayed in his mind, filling his heart with tenderness.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

"Steward Situ! Steward Situ!"

It was the voice of a young servant from the manor, his tone thick with urgency as if something momentous had happened.

Situ Jun frowned slightly and walked quickly to the door to open it, only to see the young servant panting heavily, his Face pale, and fine beads of sweat hanging from his forehead.

"What has happened?"

Situ Jun asked with a solemn expression, a faint sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

The young servant calmed his breathing and said with a trembling voice:

"Steward Situ, this is bad! Rumors are spreading everywhere in the manor about you and the abandoned women of the North Courtyard, saying... saying you have an improper relationship with them and ill intentions! Now Madam Liu and Madam Su are waiting in the hall for you to come for questioning!"

The servant's words were like a heavy hammer, smashing hard against Situ Jun's heart.

Upon hearing this, Situ Jun's heart sank abruptly, and his Face instantly turned ashen. He clenched his fists, fury burning within him.

"It must be that old scoundrel Zhu Changpo's doing!"

He spoke through gritted teeth, his eyes flashing with the light of anger.

He hadn't expected that even while trying to lure him to the Mine Tunnel to be killed, the other party would still try to ruin his reputation before he left; the anger in his heart burned like a raging fire.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"I understand. You may leave now."

He turned back into the room, quickly dressed, and said to Cherry:

"Cherry, stay here for now. I'll be back soon."

Cherry looked at him worriedly, her eyes full of concern:

"Young Master, please be careful." Situ Jun nodded and strode out of the small courtyard.

On the way, he opened his Storage Pouch, and several silver-glowing sound transmission talismans appeared in his hand.

Some of these sound transmission talismans had already been activated inside the Storage Pouch last night. Situ didn't even need to think to know what was in them, yet he still sighed and used a special technique to activate them, causing the transmissions to play one by one.

There were messages from Wang Decai, as well as from Liu Xuaner and Su Yunniang, all regarding the rumors about him currently circulating in the manor.

After a moment's thought, he muttered a few words into the sound transmission talismans for Liu Xuaner and Su Yunniang, and they instantly shot through the air and vanished.

A moment later, he headed straight for the East Courtyard, wanting to use the Eye of Detection to see why Zhu Changpo had orchestrated this.

East Courtyard Military Affairs Office.

Zhu Changpo was leisurely sipping tea. Seeing the dark-faced Situ Jun walk in, a strange smile appeared on his Face:

"Oh, isn't this Steward Situ? Why such a sour Face?"

Zhu Changpo spoke in a Yin and Yang tone, his voice tinged with mockery.

Situ Jun suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Commander Zhu, isn't it beneath your status to pull these petty tricks behind my back? Such rumors will only damage the prestige of the North City Manor."

Situ Jun's voice was cold and firm, his eyes revealing a hint of dissatisfaction and anger.

Zhu Changpo was taken aback and feigned innocence, a look of surprise appearing on his Face:

"Steward Situ, what are you talking about? How could I do such a thing? These are things everyone has seen with their own eyes; don't go making baseless accusations."

His words were full of sophistry, as if he were truly an innocent victim.

Situ Jun didn't bother with further nonsense, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "Eye of Detection"

[Name: Zhu Changpo]

[...]

[Recent Evaluation: Originally intended to create rumors to disgust Situ Jun, but the rumors escalated to involve the Madams of the manor. He now intends to use the rumors to suppress several of the City Lord's concubines in the West Courtyard and reorganize neutral personnel within the manor to consolidate power in his own hands.]

Seeing this information, Situ Jun suddenly understood everything and gave a cold laugh:

"Commander Zhu, you'd better know when to stop. Otherwise, if the City Lord's Face is lost, you won't escape the suspicion of dereliction of duty either."

Having said that, he turned and left.

A flash of anger crossed Zhu Changpo's Face as he cursed inwardly:

A mere steward; if not for Liu Xuaner and the others backing him, I would have killed him by now.

His eyes flickered as he realized Situ Jun had a point. If things went too far and the City Lord's Face was lost, it would be a major issue, and he wouldn't be able to avoid responsibility.

After thinking it over, he waved over a confidant and said:

"Give the order to tell our people to restrain themselves; do not let the rumors spread any further."

The confidant left to carry out the order. Zhu Changpo stared in the direction Situ Jun had departed, his eyes filled with resentment and hatred.

Leaving the Military Affairs Office, Situ Jun immediately headed toward Liu Xuaner's courtyard.

At the courtyard gate, Chun Hua saw Situ Jun arrive and said with a worried expression:

"Steward Situ, the Madam and Madam Su are waiting for you in the back courtyard's guest hall. Please go in quickly."

Chun Hua's voice carried a hint of anxiety, as if she too were worried for Situ Jun.

Situ Jun nodded and hurried toward the far end of the back courtyard.

Dew from last night still lingered on the bluestone path, reflecting tiny glints of light in the morning sun like shimmering pearls.

From inside the room came the sound of Liu Xuaner's anxious pacing, accompanied by Su Yunniang's soft words of comfort, her voice full of concern and worry.

As soon as Situ Jun stepped through the door, Liu Xuaner was the first to turn around, her expression anxious:

"Situ Jun, what is going on? Those rumors..."

Before she could finish, Su Yunniang raised a hand to signal her to stay calm. Her gaze, both concerned and composed, fixed on Situ Jun as she said:

"Sit down and tell us first. What was the result of your meeting with Zhu Changpo?"

Situ Jun took a deep breath and detailed Zhu Changpo's underhanded schemes, including the true intentions he had learned through the Eye of Detection.

"That old scoundrel Zhu Changpo wants to use the rumors to suppress you and gather power within the manor."

Situ Jun's voice was calm and steady.

Liu Xuaner's Face flushed red with anger:

"This Zhu Changpo is simply too much! I must go to the City Lord and have him see that justice is done!"

Liu Xuaner's words were full of fury, as if she wanted to settle scores with Zhu Changpo immediately.

Su Yunniang, however, gently held her back:

"Wait, sister. If we go to the City Lord now, I fear there is insufficient evidence, which might only complicate matters. We need a well-thought-out plan."

She pondered for a moment, then turned her gaze to Situ Jun:

"Zhu Changpo's ambition is growing. This was merely a test; if we don't strike back, he will only become more aggressive in the future. Steward Situ, what do you think we should do?"

Situ Jun murmured thoughtfully:

"Before coming here, I already warned Zhu Changpo. He should realize that if things escalate, it might provoke the City Lord's anger, so he has told his subordinates to restrain themselves.

But since the rumors have already started, I must ask the two Madams to help me spread some news—say that the so-called rumors are actually because my maidservant Cherry and I are truly in love."

Situ Jun's words carried a hint of helplessness, but also revealed his decisiveness and wisdom.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xuaner and Su Yunniang remained silent for a moment before nodding.

This method was indeed the most suitable for clearing up the current rumors in the manor, but Su Yunniang felt a bit uneasy. With a look of slight resentment, she gazed at Situ Jun and said:

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Situ Jun secretly gave her a meaningful look and said:

"For the sake of our future, let's let Zhu Changpo gloat for a while. Clarification alone isn't enough; I also need to leave the manor and go outside, making Zhu Changpo think I'm afraid so that he'll look down on me. This way, he won't stir up any more trouble before I head to the mining area."

Liu Xuaner agreed that this was feasible and put him in full charge of the manor's shops outside.

After the three of them chatted for a while, Liu Xuaner began ordering the manor's attendants to spread the news of the love between Situ Jun and his maidservant, proving the rumors to be false.