sneaking

After the exchange meeting, Zhong Ningning and Song Xi did not go back. Before the exchange meeting, Lin Yan had agreed with them to go to Mingju Building for dinner after the meeting.

Lin Yan looked around and saw Xiao Yue preparing to get on the carriage. He walked quickly towards her and said, "We are going to Mingju Tower for dinner. Would you like to go with us and celebrate your winning the first place?"

Xiao Yue subconsciously wanted to refuse, but when she met Lin Yan's expectant eyes, she nodded for some reason.

At the enthusiastic invitation of several people, Xiao Yue got into Song Xi's carriage.

The carriage was very large, and Xiao Yue saw Zhong Ningning and Song Xi greeting her warmly. She felt a little uncomfortable and nodded awkwardly.

Zhong Ningning noticed her embarrassment and congratulated Xiao Yue on winning first place.

Xiao Yue thanked Zhong Ningning sincerely: "Thank you for applauding me."

Zhong Ningning was stunned for a moment, then remembered that she took the lead in applauding when Xiao Yue hit the target, and touched her head: "What's the big deal? It's what I should do, it's what I should do."

The carriage returned to silence.

"Is Master Lin your biological sister?" Xiao Yue hesitated for a long time and finally asked the question she had wanted to ask for a long time.

"No, I was lost when I was a child. It was my sister who saved me, raised me up, and helped me find my family. Let me tell you, my sister is simply the most powerful woman in the world." When Zhong Ningning mentioned Lin Yan, she had so much to say that she couldn't stop.

"Thinking back to when my elder sister took me on a journey through the martial arts world..."

Xiao Yue watched Zhong Ningning describing Lin Yan in vivid detail, and listened attentively with shining eyes.

Song Xi had never asked about Zhong Ningning's stories in the martial arts world, so he found it curious to hear it now and listened attentively.

At this time, Lin Yan regretted very much that he had beaten the martial arts master from Chongming Academy too harshly. Not only was the other party not angry, he also sincerely asked Lin Yan for advice on martial arts.

Since the other party was so sincere, Lin Yan couldn't refuse. After being dragged for a long time, he found a chance to escape and hurriedly got into the carriage.

Thinking that Xiao Yue and Aning were not familiar with each other, Lin Yan felt a little annoyed and worried that it would be embarrassing for them.

As soon as I entered the carriage, I saw Zhong Ningning speaking passionately about Lin Yan's great achievements in the martial arts world, while Song Xi and Xiao Yue beside her had admiring looks on their faces.

Lin Yan held her forehead helplessly. Okay, the little girl was bragging about her again.

Song Xi and the other person were so engrossed in the story told by Zhong Ningning that they didn't notice Lin Yan at all when he opened the curtain, let alone Zhong Ningning.

"Zhong Ningning, don't exaggerate," Lin Yan's weak voice sounded.

"Sister, are you okay?" Zhong Ningning touched her nose, feeling a little guilty, and quickly changed the subject: "I'm so hungry, let's go eat quickly."

Lin Yan didn't bother with her. Seeing that Xiao Yue didn't look nervous at all, he breathed a sigh of relief, got into the carriage and asked the driver to set off for Mingju Tower.

On the way to Mingju Tower, the carriage stopped next to Zhang's Pastry Shop. Zhong Ningning got off the carriage to buy some. A'niang liked this shop, so she happened to pass by and brought some back for her to eat.

Lin Yan accompanied Zhong Ningning out of the carriage. While they were waiting for the pastries, Lin Yan saw a familiar figure walking stealthily not far away.

It was almost dark at this moment. Why was Zhong Yuxi here?

Soon, Zhong Yuxi’s inner voice came: “Didn’t the book say that the Prince of Loyalty and Righteousness would appear in Tianshui Lane? Why haven’t I seen him yet?”

"The Prince of the Marquis of Loyalty" Lin Yan frowned and said, "Why is Miss Tang's brother here? What does Zhong Yuxi want to do?"

Lin Yan thought about it and decided to find out.

"I have to leave first because of something. You guys go to Mingju Tower first." Seeing Zhong Yuxi walking away, Lin Yan said this and followed him.

Zhong Ningning looked in the direction Lin Yan was going, and saw that Zhong Yuxi was blocked by someone. Without thinking much, she took the pastries and put them on the carriage. She said to Song Xi and Xiao Yue, "My sister has left for something. Let us go first, and she will follow."

Although Song Xi and the others were curious about where Lin Yan had gone, they didn't ask too much and nodded to show that they understood.

Lin Yan followed Zhong Yuxi all the way around alleys. Zhong Yuxi was anxious: "Didn't they say we were in Tianshui Alley? There's no one in Tianshui Alley, and we've almost walked through all the alleys nearby. If this goes on, the son of the Marquis of Zhongyi will be crippled and discovered, and I'll miss it."

"Miss Tang's brother will be in danger." Lin Yan simply climbed onto a nearby roof and had a clear view of the situation in the surrounding alleys.

In the westernmost alley, a group of people indeed appeared, but there were two groups.

One group should be the people who would severely cripple the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness as mentioned by Zhong Yuxi, and the other group was actually Miss Tang.

Lin Yan quietly climbed over the roof and lay on the roof closest to the alley to listen to their conversation.

The young man in gorgeous clothes behind Tang Yuelin should be her younger brother Tang Jiu.

"You bully my brother, and my Loyalty Marquis Mansion will not let you go. I'll see you in court tomorrow." Tang Yuelin's voice was sonorous and powerful, but also frightening.

After saying that, Tang Yuelin took Tang Jiu away.

In her previous life, before Tang Yuelin got married, her younger brother died in an accident. She was heartbroken. The Marquis' Mansion had no heir, and her parents only had two children, her and her younger brother. If this continued, the Marquis' Mansion would decline sooner or later.

A'niang knew that the Marquis' Mansion could not protect her for the rest of her life, so she cried all day long and threatened to commit suicide, begging Tang Yuelin to agree to marry her.

Tang Jiu died because of a girl. It rained heavily in the capital that day. A'di received a letter and ran out in a hurry. The next day, A'di's cold body was carried back to the Marquis' Mansion.

Tang Yuelin read the letter. It was about the girl that A-di always talked about but never dared to tell. That night, the girl suddenly sent a letter saying that she was in danger.

Even though it was pouring rain, Tang Jiu went there without hesitation, but ended up being shot through the heart by an arrow.

Everyone in the Marquis' Mansion blamed that girl. If it weren't for her, Tang Jiu might not have died.

Until Tang Yuelin was reborn, the girl was Zhong Yuxi. In the previous life, Zhong Yuxi knew that she had killed Tang Jiu, so she changed the handwriting, and Tang Yuelin failed to discover it.

After being reborn, Tang Yuelin recalled the details of her previous life and became suspicious. She got Zhong Yuxi's article and found out that she was the one who killed A'di.

There was another account to settle between her and Zhong Yuxi.

In this life, Tang Yuelin sent someone to follow Tang Jiu very early to prevent him from getting acquainted with Zhong Yuxi. The group of people who bullied A-di were classmates in the academy. They bullied him in the academy on weekdays, so Tang Yuelin had never noticed. Now she knows what A-di has experienced. If she hadn't come today, Zhong Yuxi might have come. Fortunately, everything has changed. A-di must not repeat the mistakes of his previous life.

Lin Yan looked at the other group of people with bruised faces, and it seemed that the matter had been resolved.

On the other side, Zhong Yuxi finally found the right place, but all he saw was an empty alley and a mess. He knew what had happened at a glance.

Zhong Yuxi stomped her feet in anger, "In the book, Tang Yuelin is Lin Yi's sweetheart. If I want to get Lin Yi's help, everything will be simple if I establish a good relationship with Tang Yuelin. But Tang Yuelin is too difficult to approach. If I save Tang Jiu, maybe I can get closer to Tang Yuelin. I finally discovered this point, but failed again."

Lin Yan finally understood what Zhong Yuxi had in mind. Seeing that the matter was resolved, Lin Yan glanced at the sky and flew to Mingju Tower to prevent Aning and the others from waiting anxiously.

The few people who were waiting for Lin Yan in Mingju Building were continuing the previous topic and chatting enthusiastically.

Xiao Yue no longer felt uncomfortable as before and gradually became familiar with Zhong Ningning.

When Lin Yan arrived, all the dishes that had been ordered in advance at Mingjulou had just been served.

Seeing Lin Yan pushing the door open, Zhong Ningning hurriedly ran over and pulled Lin Yan's arm and acted coquettishly: "Sister, you are finally here."

When Xiao Yue saw this scene, although she already knew why the relationship between the two was so good, she still couldn't help but feel envious.

Lin Yan was pulled by Zhong Ningning to sit down and stared at Zhong Ningning's face. He was used to it and didn't think anything of it in normal times, but now when he took a closer look, he found that she really had the demeanor of the stunningly beautiful heroine in a storybook.

If Zhong Yuxi had not intervened and if he had not come to the capital, Aning's experience would have been like that of the heroine in a storybook.

Zhong Ningning felt scared when Lin Yan stared at her, "Sister, why are you looking at me?"

"I was distracted for a moment and suddenly thought that our Aning is pretty." Lin Yan poured a cup of tea and took a sip.

Zhong Ningning was very touched by her elder sister's sudden praise.

The people eating at the table today were all teenage girls. Lin Yan didn't drink any wine, but picked up the teacup and said, "Congratulations on winning first place in the exchange meeting."

Zhong Ningning also agreed, "Let's replace wine with tea, let's do it!"

Song Xi and Xiao Yue smiled at each other, raised their teacups together and clinked glasses with them.

After the meal, Lin Yan sent Zhong Ningning and Xiao Yue back to the mansion one by one. Song Xi had special guards to escort him back to the palace, so there was no need for him to accompany her.

In the carriage, Lin Yan asked her to stretch out her hand.

Xiao Yue was puzzled and hesitated for a moment, but she still stretched out her hand obediently, but she stretched out her left hand.

Right Hand

When Xiao Yue heard Lin Yan say this, she knew that she knew. She felt a little embarrassed and hid her hands behind her back, "My hands are fine."

Lin Yan sighed helplessly, took Xiao Yue's hand out, and sprinkled medicine powder on the wound on her finger.

Xiao Yue winced in pain, but fortunately Lin Yan was prepared and had grasped her wrist tightly in advance.

After Lin Yan bandaged Xiao Yue's hand, when Xiao Yue was about to pull her hand out, Lin Yan pressed it down and said, "Your wrist doesn't hurt anymore."

After saying that, Lin Yan used his internal energy to massage Xiao Yue's wrist.

A warm feeling surged in Xiao Yue's heart. Master Lin was a rare person who treated her so well.

"Go back and apply a hot towel for another half an hour," Lin Yan instructed carefully, taking out a bottle of medicine from his sleeve, "This is a wound medicine, applying it on your hands will help recovery."

Xiao Yue lowered her eyes, nodded, and hurriedly got off the carriage, not letting Lin Yan see the tears in the corners of her eyes.

"I'm going back home. Hello, Master Lin." Xiao Yue waved to Lin Yan.

Seeing the little girl so eager to leave, Lin Yan thought she was shy and said goodbye to her with a smile.

Xiao Yue stood at the gate of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, watching Lin Yan's carriage leave, and the smile on her lips could not be taken off.

At this moment, a cold voice came from behind Xiao Yue, instantly washing away the joy.

The man asked, "Why are you coming home so late?"

It was obviously a normal greeting, but Xiao Yue couldn't help but tremble. She turned around and replied cautiously: "It's the academy competition, I forgot the time."

"Let's go to the ancestral hall." Mrs. Qu carelessly stroked the red nail polish on her fingertips, but her words were frightening: "You will be punished according to the family rules and will have to kneel for three hours."

Madam Qu is the current mistress of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion and Xiao Yue's sister-in-law.

Xiao Yue bit her lip tightly, trying hard to keep her voice from trembling, and said, "Yes."

Outsiders only know that Mrs. Qu dislikes Xiao Yue, but they don’t know that Mrs. Qu hates Xiao Yue to the core.

The Duke of Zhenguo has been on the battlefield all year round and has hardly ever returned to the capital. Outsiders would probably never believe it if they were told that Qu and the Duke of Zhenguo have been married for nearly ten years, but he has yet to consummate the marriage.

Only Qu knew that the Duke of Zhenguo did not want his child to be born and let his sister suffer.

Qu has been criticized by outsiders over the years, saying that she is a hen that can't lay eggs, so she vents all her resentment on Xiao Yue.

In recent years, beating and scolding Xiao Yue was common. When he was in a bad mood, he would whip her. Xiao Yue was living in dire straits.

Isn’t Qu afraid that Xiao Yue will accuse her? Of course not.

Not to mention that the Duke of Zhenguo has not returned to the capital for many years. Even if he came back, Xiao Yue had been raised by Qu Shi to be so timid and cowardly over the years that she would not dare to sue him.

Not to mention Xiao Yue's mother, Madam Gu. Outsiders only know that she is frail and sickly and never goes out, but they don't know that Madam Gu went crazy when she learned that the second young lady was switched, and she had no time to care about Xiao Yue.

Zhenguogong Mansion Ancestral Hall

Xiao Yue was kneeling on the ground, and Qu's maid was standing guard beside her, not giving her any chance to relax.

Looking at the plaque of her father at the top of the ancestral hall, Xiao Yue tried hard not to let her tears fall.

The maid was watching by the side, and Xiao Yue could only say what she wanted to say in her heart, "Dad, Yue'er misses you so much. If you are still in heaven, can you bless my mother to get well soon, bless my sister to be alive in this world, and let me find my sister?"

As she thought about it, Xiao Yue could no longer control her tears, which fell like a river bursting its dam.

The maidservant beside her was not surprised. She yawned, glanced at Xiao Yue, and said disdainfully: "Miss Third, please kneel down properly. Don't be lazy and make the Madam unhappy. I will withdraw."

Seeing the maid leave, Xiao Yue could finally take a breath and began to cry loudly.

After kneeling for three hours, Xiao Yue limped out of the ancestral hall. Her maid Xiaochun hurried forward to greet her, tears streaming down her face, "Miss, the Madam asked you to kneel for three hours, and you really did. You don't need your knees anymore."

"If she knew, she would only punish me more severely," Xiao Yue said expressionlessly.

The master and servant returned to the yard. Xiaochun took off Xiaoyue's shoes and socks, lifted her skirt, and saw her bruised knees. She gasped and couldn't help crying, "How could Madam be so cruel?"

Xiao Yue's helpless voice sounded: "Xiaochun, it's been so long, why are you still not used to it? She has always been like this."

Xiaochun cried breathlessly: "How can I get used to this?"

Xiao Yue sighed helplessly, accidentally touched the medicine bottle in her sleeve and took it out.

Xiaochun asked in confusion: "What is this?"

"Golden Medicine" Xiao Yue's mouth curled up, and she thought of Lin Yan's caring words again.

"I'll apply medicine for the young lady," Xiaochun said hurriedly.

After applying the medicine on the knees, a cool feeling surged over the body, and Xiao Yue felt unprecedented comfort.

Xiaochun felt that this medicine was a good thing and asked curiously: "Miss, where did this medicine come from?"

"It was given to me by a very good person," Xiao Yue replied, but she couldn't help thinking that it would be even better if that person was her elder sister.