When Jing Hongchen heard the steward say that Wang Chen had been in contact and flirting with another young girl, his first reaction wasn't anger, but happiness.
Every time he thought about how his precious granddaughter Meng Hongchen had lost her appetite and sleep because of that brat Wang Chen, and even talked back to him, her grandfather, because of him—
Jing Hongchen felt so furious he wanted to break that brat Wang Chen's legs.
In any case, everything was Wang Chen's fault. His granddaughter Meng Hongchen used to be so well-behaved. Now she had become so rebellious—this was definitely the fault of that brat Wang Chen corrupting her.
Looking at the steward, Jing Hongchen asked, "Where did this information come from?"
The steward bowed and said, "Patriarch, the news was passed up by the gate guards after being bribed by Sun Yu, the son of Count Sun Jing.
Originally, the house stewards planned to ignore it. But since it involved Wang Chen, it was reported to me."
The steward continued, "However, the report was filled with too many personal opinions, lacking accuracy.
So I took the liberty of sending someone to interrogate Sun Yu, compiling a detailed account of the incident."
With that, the steward handed over a document to Jing Hongchen.
Hearing his words, Jing Hongchen nodded in satisfaction. To serve as steward of the Hongchen Family, ability was naturally required.
Opening the file, Jing Hongchen browsed through it. It described the entire incident in great detail—even the words spoken by Wang Chen, Sun Yu, and Ye Guyi were clearly recorded.
Most importantly, the file contained only the development of the events, without any personal commentary.
It was practically like reliving the entire scene as it had happened.
After reading, Jing Hongchen realized the matter wasn't as he had first imagined.
Wang Chen and that girl named Ye Guyi had only met by chance. They had nothing to do with each other—not even friends.
Inwardly, Jing Hongchen thought, That brat Wang Chen, was he striking against the Crown Prince Xu Tianran's faction?
An ordinary person might think Wang Chen was acting out of lust, or playing the hero to save the beauty.
But Jing Hongchen had met Wang Chen and knew he wasn't the kind of person who liked to meddle, nor someone who would intervene just because he saw a pretty face.
And given Jing Hongchen's cunning nature, always inclined toward overthinking and conspiracy theories, he ended up misinterpreting the whole thing.
Still, though he thought this way, it didn't stop him from telling his dear granddaughter that Wang Chen was interested in another girl.
Jing Hongchen: (´▽`) That brat Wang Chen, how dare you corrupt my granddaughter.
This time, I must make Meng'er realize that all men outside are liars and scoundrels. Only her grandfather truly has her best interests at heart. Then she'll return to being the obedient and sensible granddaughter she once was.
Turning to the steward, Jing Hongchen instructed, "Arrange for Miss to 'accidentally' learn that Wang Chen was flirting with another girl."
The steward nodded to show his understanding, then withdrew to carry out the order.
This old fox Jing Hongchen knew one truth very well: what others tell you, you may not believe. But what you discover for yourself, you often believe without doubt.
——————————————
That afternoon, after finishing her day of lessons, Meng Hongchen happily walked out of the classroom. She was planning to go shopping and play, to relieve her weary spirit.
But going alone was too boring, so Meng Hongchen decided to drag her older brother, Xiao Hongchen, to go out with her.
On Xiao Hongchen's delicate and fair face was an expression of great reluctance. To his sister, he said, "Go by yourself. I still need to study soul tools."
Xiao Hongchen had no desire to accompany his sister shopping. Saying "shopping" was just a disguise—what it really meant was being her wallet and servant.
Meng Hongchen puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction and said to him, "Brother, if you don't come with me, I'll tell Grandpa you secretly drink his wine whenever he's not home."
The moment he heard this, Xiao Hongchen's reluctant expression vanished without a trace. With a forced smile, he said, "No, no, no, don't tell Grandpa. I'll go with you, alright? You really love tattling, I'm terrified of you."
Hearing him say that, Meng Hongchen snorted proudly. "Then hurry up. And today's expenses are on you."
Xiao Hongchen cried out, "Why is it always me paying again?"
Meng Hongchen gave him a calm sideways glance. "If you don't want to pay, then I'll do it myself. But…"
Xiao Hongchen quickly cut her off: "Fine, fine, I'll pay. But let's agree—this is the last time. Even if you tell Grandpa I drink his wine, I won't do it again."
Hearing her brother agree to pay, Meng Hongchen beamed happily. "Deal."
In truth, Meng Hongchen didn't care about this little bit of money. But seeing her brother's unwillingness when he paid always amused her.
So, the cheerful Meng Hongchen and the utterly resigned Xiao Hongchen set off toward Mingdu's busiest commercial district, guarded in secret by a Soul Sage-level protector.
"Brother, this looks so pretty." Meng Hongchen entered a jewelry store, gazing at sparkling gems.
"Buy it." Xiao Hongchen glanced at the price—ten thousand gold soul coins—and twitched at the corner of his mouth, comforting himself inwardly: It's fine, this gem is worth the price. Not only beautiful, it can also serve as a material for a Rank Five soul tool. Not a loss, not a loss.
"Brother, this thing is so fun!" Meng Hongchen exclaimed, staring at a peculiar soul tool toy.
Rolling his eyes, Xiao Hongchen said, "Buy it…"
"Brother, look at this outfit. Isn't it pretty?"
"It's alright…"
"If it's alright, then buy it. And how dare you roll your eyes at me!!"
As Meng Hongchen bustled happily through the district, entering store after store, her shopping spree was suddenly interrupted.
She overheard someone say the name "Wang Chen."
Like a radar triggered, Meng Hongchen pricked up her ears and listened closely.
She then heard two people chatting, saying that Wang Chen, the young master of the Wang Marquisate, had fallen for a beauty named Ye Guyi.
And because of her, he had even quarreled and fought in public with Sun Yu, the son of a Count.
Of course, those two people had been arranged by the Hongchen steward to talk deliberately where Meng Hongchen could hear. Otherwise, who would discuss such a trivial matter as Wang Chen's?
Meng Hongchen: (゚Д゚)!!
Struck like thunder, Meng Hongchen froze, her big eyes wide, her mouth open in disbelief.
What? I haven't seen Brother Wang Chen for just a few months, and someone's already stolen him from me?
Impossible! I don't believe it! How could Brother Wang Chen like another woman?
Who is this Ye Guyi? She must have seduced Brother Wang Chen!
Beside her, Xiao Hongchen saw his sister frozen in place, listening intently to others' words, and curiously listened too.
After hearing it all, Xiao Hongchen exploded with anger. "That Wang Chen, how dare he flirt with another woman! Outrageous! Just wait until I deal with him!"
Though he sometimes found his sister troublesome, he cared deeply for her.
Hearing that Wang Chen might be unfaithful, his rage flared, ready to stand up for her immediately.
Turning to his sister, Xiao Hongchen said, "Come, sister, let's go to the Wang Clan. I want to see what that brat Wang Chen has to say for himself!"
At that moment, Meng Hongchen lowered her head, her bangs hiding her blue eyes. Her martial soul unconsciously possessed her, her entire body radiating an icy aura that made Xiao Hongchen shiver.
Worried, he asked, "Sister, are you alright?"
Meng Hongchen suddenly raised her head. Her once beautiful blue eyes were now sharp and cold.
Seeing her expression, Xiao Hongchen was startled. The mischievous, cute sister he knew now looked chillingly unfamiliar.
Inside, Meng Hongchen was burning with rage.
While she hadn't been by Brother Wang Chen's side, this Ye Guyi dared to steal him?
She would see for herself what this Ye Guyi was worth, to dare compete with her!
Coldly, Meng Hongchen asked the two people chatting, "Do you know where this Ye Guyi is?"
The two men, carrying out the steward's orders, shook their heads. "We only heard rumors. We don't know the details. Little miss, you'll have to ask elsewhere."
With that, their mission complete, they left to collect their reward.
Seeing they didn't know Ye Guyi's whereabouts, Meng Hongchen immediately headed home.
She would use her family's power to investigate this Ye Guyi and track her down.
Shopping? Her Brother Wang Chen was being stolen—how could she still think about shopping!
Xiao Hongchen saw his sister storm off and quickly called after her, "Wait for me, sister!"
————————
A short while later.
Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen returned home and went together to find their grandfather.
At that moment, Jing Hongchen was in his study, leisurely sipping tea while holding an intricate soul tool blueprint.
The sound of the door opening made him look up to see his granddaughter walking in, expressionless, followed by Xiao Hongchen.
Seeing his dear granddaughter so unhappy, Jing Hongchen instantly understood.
Feigning ignorance, he asked, "What's wrong, dear granddaughter? Who upset you? Tell Grandpa, and I'll make it right."
Beside her, Xiao Hongchen said, "Grandpa, you must take justice for my sister. That Wang Chen… blah blah…"
He recounted everything they'd overheard on the street.
When he finished, Jing Hongchen turned to Meng Hongchen and asked, "Meng'er, is it true? Did Wang Chen fall for another girl?"
Hearing her grandfather's words, Meng Hongchen felt a lump in her throat. She hadn't felt aggrieved in front of her brother, but in front of her grandfather, the grievance overwhelmed her.
Like a child who falls down—if no one sees, they get up on their own. But if their parents are watching, they burst into tears.
Tears welled in her eyes as she cried, "Grandpa, it's all your fault! If you hadn't forbidden me from seeing Brother Wang Chen, how could he have liked another woman? Wuwuwu, Grandpa, it's all your fault!"
Jing Hongchen's eyes widened in shock. He had thought that upon learning Wang Chen liked someone else, his granddaughter would angrily want to break up with the brat.
Never had he imagined his dear granddaughter would say this instead!
For all his cunning, he still didn't understand a young girl's heart.
When a girl truly likes someone, she can't bear to part with them. Sometimes, she even deceives herself.
For example, even if her boyfriend doesn't love her anymore, she convinces herself he still does.
That's why many girls, after learning of their boyfriend's cheating, don't beat the scumbag, but instead attack the "other woman," accusing her of stealing their man. And if the scumbag repents, they might even forgive him.
Watching his granddaughter cry pitifully, Jing Hongchen rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache. He had completely miscalculated.
How could things turn out so differently than he expected?
It made no sense! What was so good about Wang Chen that even knowing he liked another girl, his granddaughter still couldn't let him go?
Just as Jing Hongchen was lost in thought, Meng Hongchen said, "Grandpa, I want to see Brother Wang Chen. If you stop me again, I'll jump from the tallest building in Mingdu!"
Jing Hongchen twitched at the corner of his mouth. If she saw Wang Chen, she'd definitely learn the truth—
That the truth was, Wang Chen and Ye Guyi had only met once. There was no talk of liking or not liking.
Quickly, Jing Hongchen soothed her: "Good granddaughter, don't cry. Don't cry. Grandpa will investigate this for you.
What people said might not be true. It could just be hearsay, slander against Wang Chen.
Think about it—do you believe Wang Chen is that kind of man who falls for every girl he sees? Of course not! Those people have no proof.
Remember, seeing is believing, hearing is not."
Though he didn't understand a girl's heart, Jing Hongchen was still a seasoned old fox, his words highly persuasive.
After a stream of comforting words, Meng Hongchen stopped crying and smiled again.
"Grandpa, you're right—hearing is false, seeing is true.
Then hurry and find out where Ye Guyi is. I want to ask Brother Wang Chen in person what's going on between them."