Zhang Wanning's Self-Righteousness

Just as the bailiffs were carrying Zhang Heng and Brute Bull away, and the Zhang family was preparing to flee in disarray, Zhang Wanning suddenly stopped.

She spun around abruptly, staring intently at Zhang Yu, who had already sat back down in the cell. "Zhang Yu, what's the point of you doing this?"

This question halted everyone in their tracks.

Zhang Wanning's chest heaved, as if she had grasped the "truth." She spoke at an extremely rapid pace:

"Don't think we're all fools. This was all a play you directed and acted in yourself. A despicable and ridiculous drama to attract Mother, to attract all our attention."

Her voice grew agitated:

"First, you devised a scheme to plunge the Marquis Estate into massive debt, thereby showcasing your own capabilities and importance.

Then, by whatever sordid means, you found someone to defile Xiao Heng.

You wanted us to see the disgusting sight of Xiao Heng being violated by a man, to make us despise and distance ourselves from him because he lost his purity and his honor.

That way, you could regain the attention of Mother, Father, and Sister Jiang, and myself."

"And then."

Her voice suddenly rose, her eyes flashing with a light that suggested she believed she had seen through everything.

"You colluded with that 'Brute Bull,' and staged this subsequent scene.

You had him pretend to attack you, and then you suddenly 'erupted,' displaying your so-called 'profound cultivation.'

You wanted us to be shocked, to think you were hiding your true strength, to make us regret underestimating you before, and instead value you, perhaps even... beg you to return to the Marquis Estate?"

"Zhang Yu, your schemes run deep, your calculations are venomous.

To vie for favor, for that pathetic sliver of existence, you would harm your own brother, concoct such a base and sordid drama. You are simply... simply unfit to be human."

Zhang Wanning's astonishing deduction, which was "well-reasoned" and "logically consistent," was like a massive stone thrown into an already murky pond, instantly stirring up even greater chaos.

Everyone inside and outside the cell, including the members of the Zhang family, was stunned.

Qin Xuehua's previously fearful eyes, after hearing Zhang Wanning's words, first showed confusion, then gradually began to flicker with a hint of doubt.

Yes... Yu'er had indeed been willing to endure any hardship, to do anything absurd, just to please them before.

If he were to stage such a calculated act of self-harm followed by a reversal to regain attention, it seemed... to align with his past obsessive "pleasing" personality?

Moreover, how could Yu'er suddenly possess such power overnight?

If it was an act, if it was staged, then it would make sense.

Jiang Luohan's furrowed brow also relaxed slightly.

She had already found it difficult to accept the reality of Zhang Yu suddenly possessing power that crushed Sixth Rank, and she was even more unwilling to admit she had misjudged him and made the wrong decision to break off the engagement.

Zhang Wanning's "acting" theory, though far-fetched, inexplicably offered her psychological comfort.

It wasn't that Zhang Yu had truly become strong, nor that she was blind; it was that he had used despicable means to put on a show.

Thinking this way, her fear of Zhang Yu instantly turned into deeper contempt and disgust.

She let out a cold snort and added, "Zhang Yu, even if you've schemed everything, even if Xiao Heng truly... has a stain, I will never look at you again.

A person like you, with such base methods, makes me sick.

I, Jiang Luohan, the biggest regret of my life was ever being engaged to you."

Zhang Qingyue also nodded inexplicably.

She looked at Zhang Yu, her eyes filled with disappointment and a condescending pity. "Eldest Brother, to vie for favor, you actually used such base and shameful methods, harming your own kin, directing and acting in this yourself.

This will only make us see your narrow-mindedness and worthlessness more clearly. Not only will you not succeed, but it will also make us... never forgive you.

Moreover, don't think too highly of yourself. The Marquis Estate's businesses have their own foundation. Even without you, under Xiao Heng's leadership, they can still prosper. Don't think of using this to curry favor or to threaten us."

The servants of the Zhang family and the wet nurses who had accompanied them naturally believed whatever their masters said, and they all cast looks of contempt and condemnation at Zhang Yu.

Even some of the onlookers, after their initial shock, hearing Zhang Wanning's "reasonable" deduction, and then recalling Zhang Yu's previous reputation as a "pleasing expert" and "simp," actually believed her by seven or eight parts.

"So that's how it is, he staged it himself."

"To vie for favor, he'd even harm his own brother. Truly a scumbag!"

"I knew it, how could a waste suddenly be so strong? Turns out it was all planned!"

"Tsk tsk, this Eldest Young Master of the Marquis Estate will do anything for attention!"

Heir of Prince Jing, Xiao Sheng, from the next cell, did not laugh this time. Instead, he stroked his chin, a look of extreme amusement on his face, and muttered in a low voice, "Interesting... very interesting... how is this young lady of the Marquis Estate's brain wired?

To say such bizarre words.

But... it seems everyone else believes it?

Hahaha, this 'simp' persona of the Eldest Young Master Zhang is truly deeply ingrained, causing endless harm!"

Facing Zhang Wanning's wild, self-absorbed accusation, and the subsequent contempt, condemnation, and "sudden realization" from the Zhang family and the onlookers, Zhang Yu felt an overwhelming sense of absurdity surge to the crown of his head, his skull buzzing.