The Prime Minister’s Little Wife

Chapter 59: Being Framed

Early in the morning, Xu Honghua, dressed to the nines, arrived at the entrance of the new house.

Upon learning that Xiao Jingheng had gone to the old house to pick up Xu Zhizhi for breakfast, she stood at the gate, waiting.

“Second sister, it’s time to eat,” Xu Erhu called out.

Xu Honghua didn’t respond, nor did she go in to eat.

Her mind was racing with thoughts.

Why haven’t they come back yet?

How could that dashing man possibly be waiting for my cousin?

He was so cold to me yesterday. How could he possibly like my cousin?

She refused to believe it.

It must be that stupid cousin of mine, using some kind of seductive trick to lure that handsome man.

The more Xu Honghua thought about it, the uglier her expression became.

It wasn’t until Third Aunt Xu came out to drag her inside to eat that Xu Honghua reluctantly followed, eating while she waited.

This was probably the most agonizing meal she had ever eaten!

On one hand, she kept wondering why they hadn’t come back yet. What were the two of them doing together?

On the other hand, she ate her food as if it were tasteless.

After breakfast, everyone went about their own tasks.

Xu Honghua didn’t do any work. Growing impatient, she dawdled her way toward the old house.

By the time Xu Honghua arrived, Xiao Jingheng and the other two had already finished cleaning the kitchen.

Xu Zhizhi was tidying up the room. She couldn’t stand the mess, and last night it had been too dark to do anything about it, so she had just endured it.

Naturally, Xiao Jingheng followed her around.

“Honghua, what are you doing here?” Xu Xiaowu greeted her half-heartedly.

He hadn’t forgotten how this cousin had chased after his brother-in-law yesterday.

“Where is that young master?” Xu Honghua asked instead of answering.

The clever Xiaowu immediately understood that she had come specifically to see his brother-in-law.

Xu Honghua glared at her cousin, who remained silent, and without waiting for an answer, she walked in. She saw Xiao Jingheng and Xu Zhizhi inside the room.

The room had been turned upside down by Li Sunshi, and even though Xu Zhizhi was working quickly, she had only managed to clean up half of it. There were some patched clothes that the Li family girls had scorned.

There was also the bedding that the Li family children had slept on, which Xu Zhizhi had thrown on the floor, planning to toss it out once she was done.

Xu Honghua’s eyes immediately fell on the bedding on the floor and the pile of torn clothes…

And the way Xiao Jingheng was looking at Xu Zhizhi with such focus, the picture of a loving couple…

Xu Honghua’s mind conjured up a vivid, colorful scene…

Her expression slowly cracked, and she tightly gripped the handkerchief hidden in her sleeve, her face twisting in anger.

She had been putting on an air of elegance, but now her face was contorted with rage, and a flash of resentment crossed her eyes.

Xu Zhizhi, you bitch!

A rejected, stupid, ugly old woman—how could she deserve this?

When she looked up, Xu Honghua’s eyes were soft and filled with admiration as she gazed at Xiao Jingheng, saying in a low voice:

“Young Master Xiao, you must have been bewitched by my cousin. She’s a stupid, ugly old woman who isn’t worth your responsibility. This isn’t the first time she’s been rejected. I’ll tell my uncle and the others that it’s all her fault…”

Xiao Jingheng immediately understood that this idiot had misunderstood, but he couldn’t figure out what there was to misunderstand about him watching Xu Zhizhi clean the room!

He frowned, displeased to see Xu Honghua.

But that didn’t stop him from enjoying the sweet misunderstanding!

What a delightful misunderstanding!

He narrowed his eyes, his thin lips parting as he spoke in a cold, icy tone:

“I’m happy to do this, and I’m doing it willingly.”

“I…” Xu Honghua lost her composure and shouted.

“I’m a thousand, no, ten thousand times prettier than my cousin! I’ve even been educated. She’s illiterate, arrogant, selfish, and only cares about herself. If she stays by your side, she’ll only embarrass you. She’ll only drag you down.”

Xiao Jingheng’s eyes darkened, as if he could see through everything. His words were enough to give Xu Honghua a stroke.

“I’m happy to be dragged down by her. It’s an honor.”

Xu Honghua: “My cousin isn’t just ugly—she’s also black-hearted. She used to chase after her fiancé, serving him good food and drink while her own brother starved to skin and bones. You two aren’t suited for each other. Don’t get engaged to her. Look at how Jin Zijun dumped her after becoming a scholar…”

“Where did this crazy woman come from? Get lost!” Xiao Jingheng’s voice was so cold it could freeze someone to death.

Xu Zhizhi: “…”

Xu Xiaowu: “…”

The phrase “ten thousand deaths without resignation” probably meant being angered ten thousand times a day but still refusing to leave.

Like Xu Honghua right now.

She was so angry she could vomit blood, but she didn’t want to leave. She was determined to show the man her good qualities.

“Cousin, you won’t blame me for telling the truth, will you? I really didn’t mean anything by it. I was just being honest. Please forgive me…”

Her eyes darting around, Xu Honghua walked up to Xu Zhizhi in a delicate manner, pretending to take her hand.

Xu Zhizhi stopped what she was doing and was about to pick up a small stool.

She had been watching her pampered cousin’s performance from beginning to end.

At that moment, Xu Honghua suddenly let out a scream and fell to the ground.

“Cousin, you… even if you don’t like me, you didn’t have to push me! What did I do to make you hate me so much? How could you push me like a vicious woman!… Wuwuwu…”

As she spoke, Xu Honghua wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

Xu Zhizhi’s mouth twitched slightly, and a row of black lines appeared above her head.

You can do that?

I’m being framed again?

I was enjoying the drama, so how did it suddenly turn on me?

She had been wondering where this little girl got the courage to belittle her, Xu Zhizhi?!

But then she remembered the original host’s actions, and half of what Xu Honghua said was actually true!

How did it suddenly turn into her pretending to be weak and framing me?

Does she think I’m too kind? That I’ve been too nice to her?!

With a look of utter speechlessness, Xu Zhizhi narrowed her eyes and was about to say something when she heard the man beside her coldly speak up:

“When did Zhizhi push you? You sat down on your own. Don’t frame her. Crazy woman.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Xu Honghua’s crying stopped abruptly. She stared at Xiao Jingheng in disbelief.

This man isn’t defending me, a beautiful flower, but instead protecting that stupid, ugly cousin of mine?

Does he really like her?

Xu Zhizhi had initially thought Xiao Jingheng might be fooled by Xu Honghua!

Hearing Xiao Jingheng mercilessly expose Xu Honghua on the spot, Xu Zhizhi’s rising anger subsided, and her mood improved. She almost burst out laughing on the spot.

She held back her laughter, thinking she should spare the little girl some face and not drive her to despair.

Seeing Xiao Jingheng’s cold, fierce expression and Xu Zhizhi’s barely suppressed smile, Xu Honghua, furious, got up and ran off, sobbing.

There’s plenty of time. I refuse to believe I’m worse than my cousin.

If I can’t have him, neither can Xu Zhizhi.

(End of Chapter)