"First, let's establish the victim's identity. It wasn't what I did to Senior Sister White Phoenix—it was what she did to me."
Seeing that he could no longer muddle through, Xiang Yuan decided to omit certain rather bull-like details and tell the truth. After clearing his throat, he said, "It's a long story. Let's start from the beginning. After you returned to Unrivaled Palace, I continued traveling the world. Then the Shangyuan Li Clan of Southern Jin suddenly came looking for me, asking me to help suppress the floods..."
"You know me, Lingyue. I've been softhearted since I was little—I can't bear to see suffering. Besides, the Shangyuan Li Clan paid far too well, and I happened to be saving up to marry you, so I took a boat to Southern Jin."
"Hold on. What does this have to do with Master?"
Xiao Lingyue cut him off. Considering the scent on Xiang Yuan, saying he had been thoroughly pickled in it would not have been an exaggeration. How could she possibly be in the mood to listen to this nonsense?
Get to the point. What exactly had happened between White Tiger and White Phoenix? Why did White Tiger carry White Phoenix's scent?
Confess everything truthfully!
That would not do. From the perspective of reading comprehension, laying the groundwork for the early plot could reinforce the character setting that her husband was uninterested in women. Beginning by stating the topic and presenting the central argument, then using it to highlight Master's uncouth image of looking down on everyone and doing whatever she pleased—it served as both a contrast before and after, and factual evidence. It could not be omitted.
"Don't rush, Lingyue. This concerns the common people of the world. I have to make things clear."
Xiang Yuan's expression turned solemn