My Dragon Baby and Billionaire Husband-Chapter 697: Lovesickness for Red Beans 2

The original owner of the vase indeed dared not bluster, swallowing his loss while repeatedly and respectfully explaining.

"Your Majesty the Queen, I had no idea there was a ruby inside the vase. I certainly did not partake in any theft, and no one in our family knew. If we had known, we would never have sold it. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"

Ye Xinguang waved it off magnanimously. "As it was originally property of the Royal Family, it has now rightly returned to its original owner. Let us consider the matter closed."

The vase’s original owner wiped the cold sweat from his brow, filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty the Queen. I will donate all of today’s earnings to charity, contributing my part to the cause."

The proceeds from today’s charity auction were all meant for educational institutions in remote areas, with this vase being the sole exception. Now, its owner dared not keep the money and painfully donated it.

Ye Xinguang said, "There’s no need for that. Take the money back for your own use."

The vase’s original owner couldn’t believe it. The intense regret he had felt was immediately soothed by Ye Xinguang’s generous words.

"You may step down."

Not wanting the attendees to focus all their attention on the "Acacia Red Beans," Ye Xinguang signaled the auctioneer. "Let the auction continue."

"Yes, Your Majesty the Queen."

Following procedure, the auctioneer gestured to the staff to bring up the next item, and the charity auction continued.

Later, at the suggestion of Su Chaoyang, the tomboy, Ye Junqing successfully bid on two collectibles, feeling quite pleased with himself.

「After the charity auction concluded, there was a cocktail party.」

The influential guests who participated in the auction were all invited. Everyone moved to the cocktail hall, gathering in small groups and engaging in the social ritual of business flattery.

The noble ladies from the five major families stood together, conspiring to use this opportunity to pressure the Queen.

The incident involving Ying Qiao—who was nearly poisoned by Mo Yinhe and was now hospitalized with his personal freedom restricted—demanded an explanation from Her Majesty!

A few of the noble ladies had already planned it all out. They decided the women would initiate the confrontation, and then the men from their families would continue the pressure in a more formal setting, executing their plan in two steps.

"Where is Mrs. Quan the Third? She should be the one to lead this. After all, Ying Qiao’s sister is her daughter-in-law. If she doesn’t step forward, it would be improper and out of place for us to take the lead!"

"After Mrs. Quan the Third questions Her Majesty the Queen, we’ll echo her concerns, making the stances of our families clear. This matter absolutely cannot be downplayed. Otherwise, the Ying Family’s fate will serve as a cautionary tale for all our clans. We must stand united and make Her Majesty the Queen understand that without the support of our six major families, she wouldn’t hold her current position!"

"Her Majesty the Queen intends to marry the Second Princess off to Mu Continent—this is simply outrageous! Anyway, our family absolutely, one thousand percent, disagrees with this..."

The noblewomen huddled together, indignantly expressing the stances of their respective families.

Just then, someone announced, "Mrs. Quan the Third has arrived!"

Upon entering the banquet hall, Mrs. Quan the Third quickly scanned the room, spotted Ye Xinguang conversing with others, and headed straight for her.

The other noblewomen, seeing this, stepped forward to support Mrs. Quan the Third, but unexpectedly...

Upon reaching Ye Xinguang, Mrs. Quan the Third not only refrained from initiating a confrontation but instead suddenly fell to her knees, repenting.

Mrs. Quan the Third cried out, "Your Majesty the Queen, I am guilty! I have sinned!"

Ye Xinguang looked down at Mrs. Quan the Third, her eyes narrowed as she waited for her to make a move. Seeing Mrs. Quan the Third suddenly fall to her knees and repent, Ye Xinguang was also bewildered. Though her guard remained up, she made a show of helping her to her feet and asked, "Mrs. Quan, what is this? If you have something to say, please stand up and speak slowly."