Chapter 31 Changing Excuses

She was too tired and fell asleep. Zhu Xuanning mouthed in response.

Yan Hengdan nodded, and the usually lazy young man stood there for a long time.

Only after Wei Mingzhu woke up did he dare to open his mouth and call out "Sixth Sister".

Wei Mingzhu was stunned for a moment, then stood up and returned Yan Hengdan's greeting.

Zhu Xuanning saw Yan Hengdan's sleeves twitch slightly, but he did not step forward. He simply stayed under the shade of the tree and politely declined Wei Mingzhu's greeting.

"My maid is knowledgeable in medicine; I'll have her come over and massage your shoulders later," Wei Mingzhu said apologetically to Zhu Xuanning, then whispered a few more words in her ear affectionately.

Before leaving, she left a maid to keep watch. As Wei Mingzhu passed by Yan Hengdan, she deliberately stopped and smiled at him, saying, "The fish in this pond are so much fun. The fish food is on this stone table. Why don't you go and play with them?"

After Wei Mingzhu finished speaking, she took a few steps, then turned back and winked playfully at Zhu Xuanning.

The weather in mid-spring was rather muggy, and the muggy feeling was even more intense when it was just the two of them.

Yan Hengdan glanced sideways and watched Wei Mingzhu walk away before lowering her eyes and slowly walking forward.

He actually went to Zhu Xuanning's side on his own initiative.

Yan Hengdan extended her pale, jade-like fingers, broke off a small piece of fish food, and tossed it down.

The fish vigorously swung their tails to snatch the food, the splashing sound breaking the silence.

Zhu Xuanning turned her head and watched the fish struggling to break through the calm water. Inadvertently, a few drops of water splashed onto her.

As Zhu Xuanning took out a handkerchief and bent down to wipe herself, she heard Yan Hengdan suddenly ask her, "You lost your mother when you were young, but your father is still alive, right?"

Zhu Xuanning's heart skipped a beat, and her fingers, gripping the handkerchief, trembled uncontrollably.

In just a few days, how far has he gone in his investigation?

What else could he possibly want? What else could I possibly give him?

In that instant, Zhu Xuanning felt a surge of horror and regret.

Zhu Xuanning looked at it and thought for a long time, but in reality, it only took a breath.

Since she didn't answer immediately, Yan Hengdan felt that her guess was about 70% true.

The boy's gloomy gaze fell on her. He shifted his languid posture, moved closer, and then offered her a delicate hand.

Zhu Xuanning's thoughts raced as she calculated, and she was genuinely taken aback when she saw the hand reaching out.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her, and she recalled Wei Liuniang's meaningful words.

"Zhu Wu," Yan Hengdan called her softly, her voice unusually tender.

Zhu Xuanning, who had never been treated with such an attitude by Yan Hengdan, trembled slightly and felt uncomfortable all over.

Yan Hengdan noticed this, and he forced a smile, saying, "Sixth Sister seems to like you a lot. Don't take what happened before to heart."

Zhu Xuanning crossed her hands, which were holding a handkerchief, on her lap, raised her head, and looked at him calmly with her gaze turned to the side.

Yan Hengdan was sensitive and arrogant, and what he said next was no different from what he considered an apology.

However, Zhu Xuanning didn't like it. This kind of "force first, then courtesy" approach was so condescending and disgusting, but now, she had no choice but to accept it.

"Sixth Sister is very good, and I like her too," Zhu Xuanning said softly with a smile.

She suppressed her emotions, revealing only what Yan Hengdan wanted to see.

Upon hearing this, Yan Hengdan's expression softened, and she proactively broke off a piece of fish food for Yan Hengdan to feed the fish together.

"Your matter is almost resolved. I'll let you know as soon as I've found out." Yan Hengdan flattered her, glancing at the girl quietly feeding the fish before quickly looking away.

Zhu Xuanning gave a soft "hmm," and seeing that the fish food in the silver plate was almost gone, she decided not to stay any longer and made an excuse to take her leave from Yan Hengdan.

Yan Hengdan verbally agreed, but after Zhu Xuanning left, the spirit he had been putting on vanished.

A servant carefully stepped forward to fan him and cool him down. Yan Hengdan leaned wearily against the balustrade, his unfocused eyes staring at Zhu Xuanning as she left for a while before he closed his eyes.

When Zhu Xuanning went out, she spoke a few words to the maid left behind by Wei Liuniang. The maid understood and went to Zhu Baoyue's side. Not long after, Zhu Baoyue came out.

Her expression remained unchanged, without any hint of girlish shyness. Zhu Xuanning could tell at a glance that this matter was truly not to Zhu Baoyue's liking.

Zhu Baoyue was in a bad mood, so she didn't speak to Zhu Xuanning. It wasn't until the banquet ended and she got into the carriage to go home that she suddenly asked Zhu Xuanning, "Sister, I don't like that person, but he said he wants to invite me to go hunting, and I really want to go."

"Did you agree?" Zhu Xuanning asked.

Zhu Baoyue nodded, her voice low and somber: "I agree."

I'm unhappy because I agreed.

She had no interest in Wei Xiuqi, but Wei Xiuqi happened to have a good personality and a good sense of propriety, and even the banquet invitation she received hit the mark, making it hard for her to refuse.

Zhu Xuanning saw the shame in her younger sister's innocent eyes. She lowered her eyelashes, touched the bright pearl in her sister's hair, and said, "Since you've already agreed, then don't think about it so much. He likes you, but you don't like him. It's not your fault, and you don't need to feel guilty about it."

"What kind of person do you think he is?" Zhu Xuanning asked again.

"They all look good, but I just don't like them," Zhu Baoyue replied somewhat innocently.

Zhu Xuanning understood: "Then let's spend more time together, maybe we'll develop feelings for each other over time? You didn't like me at first, but now you're getting along well with me, aren't you?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Baoyue recalled the first time the sisters met, and her face turned red.

Seeing that she had calmed her down, Zhu Xuanning said no more.

Not long after, they returned to the manor. Madam Zhu was concerned about her daughter's marriage, so she excused Zhu Xuanning from paying her respects.

Zhu Xuanning felt a sense of relief and went back to remove her hairpins and ornaments, intending to read for a while until it was time for dinner.

Unexpectedly, not long after, Hua's mother came to invite them in person.

She bowed to Zhu Xuanning, her hands clasped at her sides, her face respectful, but her lowered gaze held a complex expression: "Is Miss feeling much better?"

Zhu Xuanning had some doubts, but she still answered.

Then Madam Hua continued, "I heard that Miss often reads books while staying at the temple. Master and Madam have recently become interested in Taoist books, and the mansion is currently lacking in Taoist books. Madam asked me to ask Miss if she took any books with her when she left."

When Zhu Xuanning was recuperating at Taiqing Temple, she never mentioned to anyone in the household that she loved reading. Therefore, when Madam Hua asked her this question, she understood the implied meaning.

Ji Yucheng came to visit, and Zhu Yuli asked her to bring the book with her.

Zhu Xuanning was filled with mixed emotions. She told Hua's mother to wait a moment, and then asked Po Mo to find the book.

Zhu Yuli was an official who came from a proper imperial examination background. Such officials naturally found it difficult to associate with nobles who enjoyed the merits of their ancestors.

Therefore, Zhu Yuli was extremely surprised when he heard that the marquis who had inherited the title and entered the Taoist path had come to his door.

But when Zhu Yuli thought of the events surrounding Zhu Xuanning's recent stay at Taiqing Temple, and how the abbot personally sent a young boy to deliver a message, he understood.

He personally welcomed Ji Yucheng in, and then instructed his trusted confidants to have Madam Zhu deliver a message.

Logically speaking, Ji Yucheng was a very aloof person, and because he had previously devoted himself to the Dao, he was covered with a refined and detached coldness. Yet, this very person took the initiative to talk to Zhu Yuli.

Although the marquis appeared very calm and spoke in a steady tone, he would touch the sandalwood bracelet on his wrist every time he spoke.

Zhu Yuli understood everything. He calmly observed this renowned young marquis, and couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.

Zhu Yuli did not receive Ji Yucheng in the East Hall, but instead led him to the Flower Hall.

While the two were drinking tea in the pavilion, a servant came to announce their arrival, carrying a wooden box filled with books.

Jingxin took the box of books, and Xiyin handed over another wooden box.

Ji Yucheng suppressed her cold tone and said with her ears turning red, "I am sorry to have bothered Scholar Zhu today. My master said that Miss Zhu is very intelligent. Please ask Scholar Zhu to pass these books on to Miss Zhu on behalf of my master."

Zhu Yuli naturally accepted with a smile. Ji Yucheng had achieved her goal for this trip, so she did not force herself to socialize with Zhu Yuli any further, and got up to say goodbye.

As he left the flower hall, he couldn't help but glance around, but he didn't see the corner of clothing he was looking for.

Ji Yucheng boarded the carriage somewhat dejectedly, hanging her head listlessly and sitting in a small corner.

Seeing this, Xi Yin was truly distressed. She racked her brains for words to comfort him, saying, "My lord, there's no need to be sad. The Fifth Miss is struggling to move around in the manor. How could she dare to make an exception and go to the flower hall to see you?"

Ji Yucheng was well aware of this principle. He pursed his lips and thought of another matter: "Did she take the initiative to write to Jiangnan?"

Although Ji Yucheng heard Zhu Xuanning say that she disliked Song Ming, he still couldn't help but think about the relationship between Song Ming and her.

Song Ming was good with words; winning a girl's heart was just a matter of a few words, unlike him, who was cold and sullen.

"No," Xiyin replied, adding at the end, "There has been no news from Jiangnan either."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yucheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Ming is probably just impulsive. There are many beautiful women in Jiangnan, and he is the emperor's nephew. He probably got blinded by the flowers as soon as he entered Jiangnan.

That's fine too.

Ji Yucheng fiddled with the sandalwood beads on her wrist, revealing a faint smile.

However, Ji Yucheng's guess was wrong this time.

When Song Zhaohan arrived in Jiangnan, the officials who were there to greet him had already inquired about his preferences. After treating him to fine wine and food, they invited several beauties to sing and play music.

The beauties were all chosen based on Song Zhaohan's past preferences. After a few rounds of drinks, Song Zhaohan was a little drunk. Then, a beautiful woman singing a song came over to Song Zhaohan with a pipa in her arms.

Before he could even touch the hem of his clothes, Song Zhaohan became furious. He smashed a wine glass next to the host, sneered, said "I'm not worthy of such a treat," and then stormed off.

The hosts of the banquet were terrified. After being carried back to their residences, they heard a few days later that the young master from the capital had personally led troops to besiege the city and arrested many people.

As dawn broke, Song Zhaohan sat cross-legged on a low stool, flipping through the accounts. Her eyes were dark and bluish, and she looked as haggard as a withered flower that had lost its moisture.

He hasn't slept for two days because of this job.

When Song Zhaohan heard Wei Ying speaking from afar, it sounded like the voice was floating down from the sky. He couldn't hear it clearly, so he asked again.

Wei Ying simply wrote down what she wanted to say and showed it to Song Zhaohan.

Song Zhaohan's gaze shifted to the paper, and she paused for a moment before letting out a vague "oh."

It turns out the results of the palace examination are out, and Yu Er lived up to expectations by becoming the top scholar.

He then told Wei Ying and the others to prepare a congratulatory gift when they had some free time, and to bring it all back to the capital once everything was settled.

"Have you received any letters from the capital?" Song Zhaohan asked, closing her eyes and rubbing her sore eyes.

"Never," Wei Ying replied.

Hearing this, Song Zhaohan couldn't help but feel a little wronged. He really was a heartless little brat; if he didn't send a letter, the other person wouldn't write back.

"Does the young master want to send a letter?" Wei Ying asked upon seeing this.

"Wait a little longer, I'm busy right now." That's what Song Zhaohan said, but he was actually a little sad and resentful. He made up an excuse for himself, thinking he would wait until he finished checking the accounts before sending the letter.

But plans don't always go as expected.

Just as they finished checking the accounts, an even bigger secret was revealed through torture.

One of the imperial censors, appointed by the emperor, nearly fainted on the spot. His lips were so hot from the stress that he developed blisters. In the middle of the night, he stormed into Song Zhaohan's courtyard, banging on his door. As soon as Wei Ying opened the door, the two censors recounted the information they had been forced to reveal.

It involves a power struggle within the imperial court and even directly targets the princeling faction.

Song Zhaohan's expression changed, and he completely forgot about any sentimental feelings. The candlelight burned until dawn that night.

Author's Note: This is just a transitional chapter in the plot. [Pity][Pity]