Encountering the Opera Boy Again
"I didn't expect to see Lady Sui here?" Liu Xi stood tall and turned around, a smile on his lips, to face Sui Zhixu.
She moved gracefully forward, wanting to take Sui Zhixu's hand.
Sui Zhixu dodged her outstretched hand, saying, "Madam Liu seems to be in a good mood. I never knew we had become so close."
Liu Xi's smile was gentle and appropriate, neither ostentatious nor pretentious. "I apologize, I was impetuous. I didn't know that my wife dislikes being touched by others."
She seemed completely oblivious to Sui Zhixu's veiled sarcasm, maintaining her gentle and dignified demeanor, kindly tolerating Sui Zhixu, while her eyes still held a hint of doubt and hurt.
Sui Zhixu's voice was indifferent, keeping people at arm's length, "I really don't like it, perhaps you can stay away from me."
Upon hearing this, the man next to Liu Xi couldn't help but jump out and shout, "Madam Sui, don't bully others by relying on your power! Madam Liu has been kind to you, and you not only don't appreciate it, but you're also being so aggressive!"
Liu Xi's brows were furrowed with worry, "Young Master Zhao..."
"If I am being aggressive, then what were those words spoken behind my back by Young Master Zhao just now?" Sui Zhixu walked towards him step by step, his steps steady and slow.
"Speaking nonsense? Being sarcastic and mean? Or being rude?"
"Since when have you ever had the right to decide matters concerning your family? Are you curious about my knowledge? Then let me ask you, where do you rank in the academy?"
He knew Xu Li was standing in front of him until Zhao Langjun leaned against the railing with nowhere to retreat.
"I ranked fourth in Class B in this quiz! You haven't even been to the academy, so you probably don't know what kind of ability this is, right?"
Sui Zhixu shifted her gaze elsewhere, too lazy to look at his smug expression. "Oh? Can you compare to the mountain chief?"
He immediately started yelling and screaming, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
"I'm asking you a question, why aren't you answering?"
Seeing him stammering, Xu chuckled, "Wasn't this suitor of Madam Liu just fighting for your sweetheart, the first to jump out and say I'm not worthy of my family's position? Why are you silent now?"
"Who came from, meddling in our family affairs? Mind your own business. So what if she's the number one lady in Chang'an? Who cares?" Dan Hong rushed out and made faces at him, her bared teeth scaring him so much that he backed away.
"Besides, if my lady could snatch the title of the most beautiful lady in Chang'an with just one coming-of-age ceremony, then forgive my bluntness, but the ranking is really hasty. This is not about talent and ability, but clearly just parroting what others say. Our young master doesn't care. Does the young master understand? The young master that the head of the family has chosen may not look big, but he is big-hearted and even interferes in the affairs of Jingzhou."
Zhao Langjun was not tall, and what bothered him most was what others said about his height. His face turned red as he shouted, "Nonsense! The headmaster is a disciple of Master Ni and the Imperial Preceptor. How can I compare to him? Besides, I'm not short. You're the short one!"
"I thought you didn't know."
Sui Zhixu took a few steps back, not wanting to see his weak, red-faced appearance. He had so little courage, yet he dared to stand up for others.
"If you know you're not as good as others, and you're not the best, then don't start doubting others. You even doubt your master's ability to accept disciples? Should I send you to the Imperial Preceptor's Hall, or will you go there yourself?"
"The Imperial Preceptor's Hall? You're the Imperial Preceptor's disciple? Were you the lady from the Imperial Preceptor's Hall on New Year's Eve? No, no, no, I won't go, I won't go."
Seeing that he was so frightened that he was completely at a loss, Liu Xi thought to himself that he was an idiot and was about to speak with a smile.
"Shut up too. Do you want me to make a big fuss about what happened at the last banquet? The number one lady of Chang'an," Sui Zhixu said, picking up on Dan Hong's words.
Mentioning this matter, Liu Xi's smile gradually disappeared. "My lady, it's nothing serious between us. Why ruin our harmony over someone so insignificant? There has never been any conflict between the Prime Minister's Mansion and the Duke of Liu's Mansion. There's no need for us to start another dispute. Why not turn hostility into friendship? The Cheng and Liu families have a close relationship, and I also greatly respect Brother Zhijie's teacher."
"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together." Although Xu knew he was not a good person, he was too lazy to hurt innocent people.
She is different from Liu Xi.
The sound of clapping echoed from the stairwell as the young man in purple robes stepped onto the wooden stairs, gradually revealing his figure.
Xi Yushao?
Su Zhixu became wary. How annoying! He hadn't checked the almanac before going out today, and he'd run into a bunch of monsters and demons.
She glanced at Liu Xi, and since she was near the innermost part of the room, she knew that Liu Xi was doing this on purpose when she heard his voice.
Dan Hong has recently become famous; even the noble Lady Liu remembers her.
"Good Dan Hong, it must be because of your greedy behavior the other day that caught someone's eye," Sui Zhixu whispered to Dan Hong.
Danhong was shocked: "What is your wife doing? Danhong is already very famous. Back then, she fought alongside Second Madam against Madam Liu and won a complete victory. Danhong was already very famous in Chang'an."
Sui Zhixu: "..."
Okay, you, the very famous Dan Hong Niangzi, could you please handle this as well?
"May you be well, my lady."
Xu nodded slightly, not wanting to say a word.
Xi Yushao exudes wealth and luxury, made of superior grape-purple fabric with a smooth texture, embroidered with delicate cloud patterns.
Sui Zhixu glanced down at the cloud pattern on his cuff. He had even bought a piece of cloth from Fan Lingzhang's shop. It seemed he was doing quite well in Chang'an.
Fan Lingzhang's high-end businesses mostly made money from aristocratic families and wealthy merchants.
For example, Yunlailou Restaurant features calligraphy and paintings by famous artists on its walls, tables and chairs made of precious wood, exquisite dishes, and fine wines and delicacies including wines from Gaochang, Persian Sanlejiang, and Longgao wine.
What they sought was the refined sentiments and unique aesthetics of literati.
"This must be Lady Liu. I've attended a poetry gathering once or twice and had the pleasure of reading your poems. They have a unique style and are quite masterful." Xi Yushao said with a smile, his praise sincere and genuine.
Liu Xi calmly accepted the compliment and then praised Xi Yushao's status as a third-ranked scholar, and they talked endlessly about poetry and literature.
It's truly rare to find a true friend in life.
It's time to let Cui Wan see what kind of person she's taken a liking to—this seemingly refined gentleman is clearly a womanizing liar.
Xu remained expressionless. Two people blocked her path, especially Xi Yushao, whose eyes were practically blind, precisely blocking her next step.
"Since you two are so obsessed, why don't you find a place to talk properly?" At the end of the dappled corridor, Sui Zhixu stood in the crowd, seemingly surrounded by an invisible layer of frost, completely separating her from the bustling world around her.
Sui Zhixu simply turned around and went back into the house. "Danhong, book a private room for Madam Liu and Mr. Xi, so they won't have to chat in front of my door."
"Yes, this servant will go right away. I will make sure that Lady Liu and Young Master Xi have nowhere to sit. They've been talking for so long and haven't even had a sip of tea." Dan Hong bowed to accept the order and made a move to push aside the two people blocking her way.
"I'm afraid you've misunderstood, Madam. I came here specifically to see you, but I happened to get engrossed in talking about poetry with Madam Liu. It was my fault, and I hope you will forgive my rudeness." Xi Yushao bowed and apologized, leaving Liu Xi standing aside.
Sui Zhixu: "..."
Liu Xi: "..."
They truly treat everyone equally.
Su Zhixu stopped closing the door. "Did you need something?"
"I have come because of my younger sister's kindness in saving me."
"No need, Miss Xi, stay away from the river so you don't fall in."
Xi Yushao suddenly laughed and reached out to stop Sui Zhixu from closing the door.
In an instant, Liu Lü's sword was placed against Xi Yushao's neck, but the young master still smiled brightly, his beauty mark captivating, and Sui Zhixu remained unmoved.
Unnoticed by anyone, Liu Xi clenched the handkerchief in her hand. Not long ago, Cheng Zhijie denied his engagement to her and instead sought to marry Xu Mingyi, that impoverished woman.
A lowly commoner girl, having gained the favor of the princess, dared to try and climb above her; she was utterly audacious.
it turns out……
Liu Xi's face was ashen. No longer maintaining her dignified and elegant demeanor, she glared fiercely at Sui Zhixu when no one was around.
If her marriage falls through, it's certain that Sui Zhixu will interfere. Xu Mingyi is just as despicable as her uncle's lowly illegitimate daughter.
Despite being so lowly as to be in the dust, he still tried to dance in front of her.
She wouldn't let them get away with this. She whispered to the maid beside her, "Why aren't you leaving? What are you doing here making a fool of yourself?"
Liu Xi turned and left, while the two men at the door refused to give in.
As soon as Xu Yuguang saw her leave, he felt even more annoyed with Xi Yushao, who was unable to leave.
She said coldly, "Does Master Xi think I have a good temper, that I can be so indifferent to the fact that you and your sister caused me to fall off a cliff? It wasn't me who saved your sister, but my maid."
Dan Hong blurted out, "That's because I thought she was dirtying the Prime Minister's residence."
Xi Yushao glanced at Danhong seemingly unintentionally, and a chill ran down her spine, startling Danhong so much that she quickly stepped behind Liu Lü.
"Ha." Xi Yushao released the wooden door, his smile undiminished. "I also want to explain that misunderstanding to Lady Sui."
"Misunderstanding?" Sui Zhixu suddenly laughed, a dangerous and arrogant laugh, his upturned peach blossom eyes full of sarcasm.
"Was stealing my horse a misunderstanding, or was cutting the ropes on the carriage a misunderstanding? Young Master Xi has been wearing this outfit for so long he doesn't even remember where he came from? Willow Green, kick him out. If he gets hurt, it's on me."
Xi Yushao's smile was still on his face when Liu Lü kicked him off the second floor.
The railing snapped, and Xi Yushao, along with several pieces of broken wood, crushed the wooden table in the hall.
The people downstairs witnessed this horrifying scene.
In an instant, the crowd began to discuss the matter.
"Pah! That scoundrel from who-knows-where harassed my wife, he deserves it!" Danhong shouted downstairs and slammed the door shut.
"So he's a playboy. He's dressed quite well, another young master from some family out partying. He's run into a tough one, looks like he's done for."
"Tsk, he looks so decent, how could he do such a vulgar thing?"
"That's right, that's right."
...
The crowd buzzed with discussion. Xi Yushao stood up, dusted off the sawdust from his clothes, looked up at the closed door of Sui Zhixu, and smiled faintly.
The servant boy beside Xi Yushao arrived late, saying, "Go and fetch a doctor; the bill will be settled at the Prime Minister's residence."
The young master suddenly burst into laughter, and the servant was so frightened that he dared not look up and simply retreated.
"Are you crazy? You fell down and instead of rushing to find a doctor, you're still laughing?"
"Let's go, let's go, don't act like a madman."
"He looks very familiar to me."
"What do you think you look familiar? How many people have you actually met, you bookworm? Don't catch your madness from this lunatic." The man pushed the scholar out.
"I'll take you to other places today to broaden your horizons."
"No...no need."
"Hurry up and follow."
crazy?
Xi Yushao wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, thinking to himself that it suited him perfectly; it was truly a good word.
Now that I know this, it's no wonder that Prince Xuanping has been investigating her so thoroughly lately. It's quite an eye-opener to find a woman like this in Chang'an.
Xi Yushao laughed loudly as he walked out of Yunlai Tower. Passersby pointed and whispered, but he didn't care at all.
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