"Wouldn't that be the same?" Zhuzisu's chest ached with anger as she was rebuked by several juniors. Her fury boiled over: "What qualification does Li Panpan have to compare with our patriarch? She should look in the mirror..."

The moment these words left her lips, it was like a clay figure gaining earthy resilience. Lipanpan's face turned crimson from rage: "Then what qualification does Qinyi have to compete with me? He should also examine his own reflection and see on what basis he dares..."

Zhuzisu hadn't anticipated such boldness and erupted instantly: "How could he not compare with you? Everyone knows about the incident when you were kidnapped. How many men had... touched you?"

The second she spoke, Zhuzisu suddenly realized Lipanpan's ashen face. Regret washed over her but was quickly drowned by her senior status: "Since we're equally matched in our circumstances, our Qinye hasn't disowned you even after what happened. I've remained silent before to preserve your dignity. You may have a high status, but you're still a woman who experienced such things. Our Yie hasn't annulled the betrothal, so why do you dare propose breaking it?"

Had it not been for her upbringing that prevented Li Panpan from striking Zhuzisu, she might have lunged forward to deliver several slaps already.

"Mrs. Qin," said Du He's voice cutting through the tension. "You're an outsider with no firsthand knowledge of those events. I know better than anyone whether anything truly happened to Panpan. Moreover, your son has now entangled himself with that woman who Panpan once risked her life saving - nearly at the cost of her own safety. But my husband arrived just in time. Please refrain from spreading falsehoods about what never occurred."

This was news even Du He hadn't known before. The women's disdain for Qin Yie deepened, particularly toward his new paramour they'd never met but suddenly hated.

Li Panpan's kind nature made this evident to most people who had known her years. Since the young Ninyuhan had become acquainted with them all and was recognized as a truthful person, their collective trust in Li shifted immediately. The sight of Zhuzisu spreading such venom to pressure Li into marrying Qin caused universal disgust.

Zhuzisu's mouth opened then closed. Though she knew Li Panpan's character and secretly believed Ninyuhan somewhat about the incident, she still maintained her obstinate denial: "Who's to say you're not colluding together to cover up..." With her son's disgrace now public knowledge and Qin Yie's prospects ruined, Zhuzisu felt she had no choice but to cling to the Li family for his future. The thought of other possibilities sent chills down her spine.

Ninyuhan smiled coldly at her absurdity: "Everyone heard clearly what was said. I'll demand an explanation from the Qin household. Attempting to ruin my reputation is tantamount to wanting me dead."

She knew Lanlingyan genuinely believed in her, just as he stood by her unhesitatingly when Lin Min accused her before. Now with Zhuzisu deliberately defaming her, Ninyuhan felt no need for further confrontation.

"Restrain her and bring her directly to the Qin residence," a calm male voice commanded.

Lanjiu leaned against the office doorway, his presence unnoticed until now. Though he had been standing there some time, only when he spoke did others acknowledge him.

Though Ning knew Lanjiu believed in her, watching him publicly defend her still filled her with warmth. She hurriedly approached: "How did you know..."

Their days together had grown scarce as Lanjiu's responsibilities expanded over these years. As Lanlingyan took her hand and pulled her close, he glanced at Zhuzisu coldly: "Hope the Qin household is willing to pay for this mistake." His voice dropped into a shadowy timbre beneath his smile.

"Still don't understand your position?" Zhou Yuan chuckled from where she sat. For true elite society members, flaunting status was beneath them - especially when addressing inferiors who would only diminish their own dignity with such crude displays.

Lanbiao wasted no time knocking Zhuzisu unconscious. The women present, particularly the ones who'd witnessed her earlier condescension toward Lanbiao, now viewed him with renewed wariness rather than his usual affable demeanor.

As Ninyuhan was swept into the elevator by Lanjiu's possessive grip, she struggled briefly but stopped when he gently restrained her. His hand brushed through her hair as they departed: "Since business is settled, let's go on our date."

Their voices faded into the elevator's hum as the women watched enviously at the couple's unapologetic affection.

Lanjiu delivered the disheveled Zhuzisu to the Qin residence where Old Master Qin personally received them. This was Ninyuhan's second encounter with the family patriarch, whose prematurely gray hair bore witness to decades of burdening his descendants' failures. She observed many such dignitaries in high society - men of exceptional character often forced to clean up their wayward juniors' messes.

"Morning's magpies weren't wrong," Old Master Qin rasped, now leaning on a cane though he'd been vigorous during her last visit. "I've long wished for the opportunity to host Mr. Lan..."

"I'm returning your wife to you," Lanjiu interrupted. Though Zhuzisu's accusations about Ninyuhan's past had enraged him into murder fantasies, he granted leniency due to the Qin family's previous decency.

After delivering his ultimatum, Lanjiu whisked Ninyuhan away before Old Master Qin could recover from seeing his comatose daughter-in-law. The patriarch collapsed after learning of Zhuzisu's reckless accusations against Li Panpan, effectively ending the marriage negotiations between their families.

With this resolved, Ninyuhan felt her burdens lift. Her TV ventures were thriving under Lanbiao's management when Lanjiu finally took her on a vacation to the Aegean Sea. Upon arrival at his family's private hotel chain, she found an unexpected congregation waiting in the lobby - all her parents, Lin Yi now two years old with a toddler's perfect little suit and bow, even Mr. Lin from her father-in-law.

"Uncle Lan," tiny Lin Yi reached for her as Lanjiu transferred him to Ninyuhan's arms. Her heart clenched at seeing everyone she'd evaded all these months.

"We're getting married today," Lanjiu declared simply, pulling her close while cradling their son in one arm and holding hers with the other. As family friends gathered around - even Lin Min among them - his voice softened into a tender finality about claiming her forever.

"Don't cry." Lan Jiu gently yet resolutely transferred the reluctant child from his arms to Ning Fu Ren's outstretched hands, her face a mask of conflicted tears. He gathered Ning Yun Huan into his embrace now, one finger already brushing away her tears even as he lowered his forehead to rest against hers. "I know I was flawed before. I understand it all started with my failures. And yes, you're still not fully trusting me yet - that's okay." His voice wove around the words like a lullaby. "All I'm asking for is one chance. Just let me prove we can truly grow old together."