Xu Xiaoxiao put the book aside and said softly, "Now that you're awake, go to bed and rest. Don't get yourself tired before the assessment even begins."
Mu Chen rubbed his brows and said, "Okay, it's still early, you should go back and have some rest."
Seeing that he obediently went to rest, Xu Xiaoxiao left the room and closed the door gently.
Returning to her room, she sat in front of the bronze mirror for a while, then called the maid in to help her wash and change her clothes.
The maid tidied her dress while saying, "Young Madam looks much better after returning home. Are you going out later? I'll go get the carriage ready."
"No, I want to walk alone, you don't have to follow me."
The two secret guards waiting beside the Mu Mansion saw Xu Xiaoxiao coming out, looked at each other and followed each other.
I thought to myself that the emperor had really planned everything out.
I actually knew that Xu Xiaoxiao would go out today.
Xu Xiaoxiao didn't know that someone was following her. She walked while looking for the location of the stone mansion.
I haven't found the Shi Mansion yet, but I met Yang Xin.
"Sister Xin'er."
When Yang Xin heard someone calling her, she turned her head and noticed Xu Xiaoxiao sitting diagonally opposite her. She handed the things in her hand to the maid and walked up to Xu Xiaoxiao.
"Sister-in-law, why are you out here alone? Don't you bring anyone with you?"
Yang Xin called out the name with difficulty and breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't see Mu Chen.
I think what she said that day has made the other party completely give up hope, so it's good not to see each other again.
"No, is Sister Xin'er out shopping too?"
Yang Xin smiled and nodded. She wanted to say a few words and leave, but Xu Xiaoxiao took her hand and took her to a shop with fewer people.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing her like this, Yang Xin asked in confusion.
"Sister Xin'er, do you know where the Stone Mansion is?"
In fact, Xu Xiaoxiao could go find the Shi Mansion by herself. After all, the residence of a scholar from the Hanlin Academy must be very easy to find.
But for some reason, she wanted to ask Yang Xin, perhaps it was the jealousy in her heart, or perhaps it was some other inexplicable emotion.
Yang Xin was stunned when she heard this, then lowered her voice and asked, "Sister-in-law, is there something going on at the Shi Mansion?"
Xu Xiaoxiao pursed her lips and smiled, not hiding it.
"My cousin was able to participate in this assessment thanks to Lord Shi. I want to go to the Shi Mansion to thank him."
She knew it was not appropriate to go to the Shi Mansion now, but she didn't want to see her cousin working so hard and wanted to do something for him.
Yang Xin frowned slightly when he heard this. The test would be tomorrow. Wouldn't Xu Xiaoxiao be giving someone a handle if she went to the Shi Mansion now?
Smart people know to avoid the Stone Mansion these days.
"Sister-in-law, if you want to express your gratitude, wait until Brother Mu passes the exam. You absolutely cannot go to the Shi Mansion at this critical moment."
Yang Xin stopped talking at that point. She believed that Xu Xiaoxiao was not stupid and could understand the interests involved.
The relationship between the two of them was already delicate. If she said too much, it might cause Xu Xiaoxiao to misunderstand and have the opposite effect.
"I understand everything." Xu Xiaoxiao was silent for a while, then grabbed Yang Xin's hand and said, "Xin'er, I won't let anyone see me, and don't tell anyone that I've been to the Stone Mansion."
She understood the reason, but she didn't want her cousin's will to be worn down by the test.
My cousin has already lost the person he loves. If he fails in the assessment again, he will be devastated by the double blow and will never be able to recover.
So she thought carefully for a long time before making this decision, and wanted to see if she could help her cousin in any way under the pretext of expressing gratitude.
"Sister Xin'er, please just pretend you didn't see me today."
Xu Xiaoxiao let go of Yang Xin's hand and looked at her pleadingly.
Yang Xin was silent for a long time and nodded in agreement.
"I promise you."
I added silently in my heart, I just hope you don’t regret it.
Brother Mu is such a proud man, he would definitely be unhappy if he knew what Xu Xiaoxiao did.
But this is their family affair, and she has no right to interfere.
"Thank you, Sister Xin'er."
After Xu Xiaoxiao finished speaking, she turned and left. Yang Xin looked at her departing back, feeling extremely complicated.
If she didn't agree to Xu Xiaoxiao, Xu Xiaoxiao would definitely think that she didn't want to wish Brother Mu well.
Now I just hope Xu Xiaoxiao doesn't find the Shi Mansion, otherwise the consequences will be serious. Not only will it ruin Brother Mu's career, but it will also implicate the Marquis' Mansion.
…
Unfortunately, Yang Xin was destined to be disappointed.
After crossing the street, Xu Xiaoxiao saw the conspicuous stone mansion.
The two secret guards following her once again marveled at the emperor's foresight.
Xu Xiaoxiao looked at the deserted stone mansion, walked around to the inconspicuous side door, and when she saw that there was no one around, she raised her hand and knocked on the door.
"Here I come."
A servant opened the door, looked at Xu Xiaoxiao at the door, frowned and asked, "What's the matter?"
"I'm here to look for Madam Shi and thank her. Please tell her."
Remembering his master's instructions, the servant said directly: "The Shi Mansion will not see any guests for the next two days."
Seeing that the servant was about to close the door, Xu Xiaoxiao didn't care about anything else and stepped over the threshold and entered the side door.
“You are…”
Before the servant could finish his words, he was interrupted by the maid who came over with Madam Shi.
"What are you arguing about so early in the morning?"
"Old lady."
Madam Shi looked at Xu Xiaoxiao and said with a smile, "Miss, if you have something to say, please come inside and talk."
Xu Xiaoxiao nodded and followed Mrs. Shi across the bluestone path into the house.
"Mrs. Shi, I'm here to thank Mr. Shi."
Mrs. Shi looked puzzled, and Xu Xiaoxiao hurriedly explained it to her.
"So that's how it is. I heard the master talk about Lord Mu. The master said he is not impetuous, calm, and a good person."
Xu Xiaoxiao didn't want to make her intentions too obvious, so she thought about chatting with Mrs. Shi first and then asking about the assessment indirectly.
Unexpectedly, before she mentioned this, footsteps were heard at the door, and then Lord Shi walked in with his hands behind his back.
When Lord Shi saw the person in the room, he felt that he looked familiar, but he couldn't remember who he was.
"Greetings, Master Shi. I am Mu Chen's wife. Today..."
Before Xu Xiaoxiao finished speaking, Lord Shi's expression suddenly changed and he said in a deep voice, "Someone come here."
Madam Shi stood up and asked, "Master, what are you doing?"
Lord Shi did not answer Mrs. Shi's question. Instead, he looked at the servant who ran in from the door and pointed at Xu Xiaoxiao, "Did you let this person in?"
"I failed to stop him," the servant knelt on the ground, his face pale.
"Get up, get him out of the house immediately and don't let anyone see him."
The servant quickly stood up and looked at Xu Xiaoxiao.
"Master, you..."
"Shut up," Lord Shi scolded Madam Shi, then looked at Xu Xiaoxiao, who was still standing there in a daze, and said coldly, "Why aren't you leaving? Why did Mu Chen marry such an ignorant wife like you?"
The servant led Xu Xiaoxiao out, and Lord Shi walked to the armchair and sat down.
"Madam, I told you not to let anyone into the house, why did you let anyone in?"
Seeing how angry he was, Mrs. Shi poured him a cup of tea.
"It's just to see someone, why are you so angry, sir?"
"Why get angry?"
Lord Shi frowned and put the teacup heavily on the table.
"Stupid woman, stupid woman."
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