Chapter 70: Frightening Rumors
Without another thought, Wang Gege hurried out of the courtyard.
The moment she stepped outside, a wave of scorching heat rushed toward her face.
The towering blossom tree standing just beyond the courtyard entrance was already engulfed in bright orange flames. Thick smoke billowed upward as servants hurried back and forth carrying buckets of water, desperately trying to keep the fire from spreading to the nearby buildings.
"What happened?" Wang Gege asked as she quickened her pace.
Just as she was about to step forward to help, several servants from the main courtyard noticed her arrival.
Their movements paused almost instantly. One servant instinctively took half a step backward.
Another exchanged a glance with the person beside her before quickly lowering her voice.
"It’s the Young Madam."
"I heard the Taoist Master say there was an unclean presence in the residence yesterday."
"And now..." Her eyes drifted toward the burning blossom tree before returning to Wang Gege, "The fire started outside her courtyard."
Although the voices were deliberately hushed, the surrounding chaos failed to conceal them completely.
Wang Gege heard every single word.
She slowly came to a stop, her gaze sweeping across the servants gathered around the burning blossom tree. Some deliberately avoided meeting her eyes. Others looked at her with unconcealed suspicion.
No one openly accused her. Yet the atmosphere had already changed. It was as though an invisible wall had quietly formed between her and everyone else.
[Host.]
[They’ve already begun doubting you.]
Mini’s voice, now concealed in its Hidden Mode, quietly echoed inside her mind.
Wang Gege’s lips pressed into a thin line. She had expected as much.
After all, the Taoist Master’s words from yesterday were still fresh in everyone’s minds.
Now, with the blossom tree outside her courtyard suddenly engulfed in flames, it was only natural that the servants would begin drawing their own conclusions.
Pushing out the thought, Wang Gege immediately stepped forward.
"Bring me a bucket!"
Just as she was about to join the servants putting out the fire, Qing’er hurriedly blocked her path.
"Young Madam!" Qing’er’s expression was filled with worry. "Please don’t go any closer. The fire is still too strong. If a branch falls, Young Madam could be injured."
Wang Gege looked toward the burning blossom tree. "I’ll be careful."
Before she could move another step, a maid from the main courtyard suddenly spoke.
"Young Madam." She lowered her head respectfully. "It would be better if Young Madam remained here."
Wang Gege frowned slightly. "Why?"
The maid hesitated before speaking in a lowered voice. "This servant merely fears that if Young Madam approaches now..." She glanced around at the other servants, "Everyone may become even more unsettled."
Although she carefully chose her words, the implication was obvious. She was saying Wang Gege’s presence itself would make the situation worse.
Several nearby servants unconsciously lowered their heads. No one dared agree aloud.
But, no one refuted her either.
Just as Wang Gege was about to speak, a gentle female voice interrupted from behind.
"Enough."
The crowd immediately made way.
Xie An’an walked over with composed steps, her beautiful face carrying a faint smile.
Her gaze swept across the kneeling maid before she sighed softly, "You’ve served the Xie family for many years. So why have you suddenly forgotten your manners today?"
The maid immediately knelt lower.
"This servant spoke without thinking. Please forgive me, Young Lady."
Xie An’an smiled faintly, "The Sister-in-law has only just entered the Xie Residence, the Taoist Master’s words yesterday were merely his own opinion. Until there is evidence... No one should casually link today’s fire to her."
She then turned toward Wang Gege and smiled apologetically. "Second Sister-in-law, please don’t take their words to heart. They’re simply frightened. An’an is sure they meant no harm."
Wang Gege remained silent. Instead of replying immediately, she quietly looked at Xie An’an.
The gentle smile, concerned tone and everything seemed perfectly appropriate.
But there was an indescribable sense of unease quietly crept into her heart. It was a feeling she couldn’t quite explain. Years of navigating the corporate world had taught her one thing.
Sometimes, when everything looked perfectly reasonable, that was precisely when one should be the most cautious.
Her brows knitted together almost immediately, "Does every servant in the Xie Residence know about yesterday’s incident?"
Her question was calm, sounded casual yet the moment those words fell, the surroundings grew noticeably quieter.
Xie An’an’s smile did not falter in the slightest. Instead, she let out a soft, almost helpless chuckle, "Sister-in-law, you know how servants are. They may not have witnessed something with their own eyes, but once one person hears a rumor, it quickly spreads throughout the entire residence."
She glanced at the gathered servants before looking back at Wang Gege, "Especially after the Taoist Master’s visit yesterday. It would be impossible to keep something like that from reaching their ears."
Her tone remained gentle, free of the slightest hint of impatience.
"Sister-in-law, they are merely servants." She smiled apologetically. "They’ve never encountered anything like this before, so it’s only natural for them to become frightened and speak without thinking."
Several servants immediately lowered their heads.
"This servant spoke carelessly."
"This servant begs Young Madam’s forgiveness."
Xie An’an sighed softly before turning back to Wang Gege. "Sister-in-law is the Young Madam of the Xie Residence. I’m sure Sister-in-law wouldn’t lower herself to argue with a few frightened servants."
She smiled warmly. "Once the fire is extinguished, I’ll personally remind everyone not to speak carelessly again."
Her words sounded considerate.
But every sentence quietly painted Wang Gege as someone who might actually hold a grudge against insignificant servants.
If Wang Gege pursued the matter further, she would appear petty.
If she let it go, the rumors would remain exactly as they were.
Wang Gege’s eyes narrowed as she felt as though she had just walked into a conversation where every answer she gave would somehow become the wrong one.
A moment later, the corners of her lips slowly lifted. "You’re right."
Xie An’an’s smile remained gentle. "I’m relieved Sister-in-law understands."
Wang Gege nodded lightly.
"After all..." Her gaze slowly swept across the surrounding servants before returning to Xie An’an, "Rumors truly are frightening... They spread so quickly that, before anyone even knows what really happened someone has already decided who should bear the blame."
The smile on Xie An’an’s face remained unchanged but her eyes could be seen flickering slightly.
Wang Gege smiled faintly. "I simply hope... the person who started the rumor doesn’t end up believing it themselves."
After saying that, she turned and walked toward the burning blossom tree without waiting for a response.
Behind her, the smile on Xie An’an’s face remained as graceful as ever but the moment Wang Gege had walked away her eyes gradually darken.