Chapter 48 Engraving
Hongzhu hesitated, then shook her head.
No, I don't think so.
After entering the girls' school and finishing her first class, Zheng Yanling rushed over from Class A with a gloating expression.
"Sister Yuxuan, something funny has happened, guess what?"
Zhao Mei also came over; she never missed any gossip or interesting tidbits.
Xiao Yuxuan waited for her to speak, and smiled in support:
"What happened to Class A?"
Seeing that the people around her had also inadvertently perked up their ears, Zheng Yanling raised her voice:
"It's your older sister, Xiao Yuyao from Class A. Did she steal the writing set your second brother gave you? She displayed it so openly today, and when her classmates saw it, it turned out to have your name engraved on it."
"Sigh, she even said it was given to her by your second brother. She's so shameless. If she's going to lie, she can't even come up with a better reason. Now that she's been caught, she's crying on the table."
"It's a pity. From now on, Qi Wenyue will not come to the girls' school, and there will be no one to support her."
Xiao Yuxuan had already anticipated what was said earlier.
With Xiao Yuyao's personality, if you take anything from her, you'll definitely show it off in front of others, whether ostentatiously or discreetly.
However, she was too hasty. Perhaps the events that had occurred recently made her realize that things were out of control, which is why she panicked and made a series of foolish moves.
But Zheng Yanling said that Qi Wenyue was no longer coming to the girls' school?
Zhao Mei asked the question before she could:
Why does Princess Wenyue no longer come to the girls' school?
Several girls around her also came over and looked at her curiously.
Zheng Yanling shrugged:
"I don't know the specifics, but I guess she's almost of marriageable age, and Prince Duan has other plans?"
Qi Wenyue's birthday is in May, and there's still more than a month to go. Besides that, she couldn't think of any other reason.
Most of the classmates didn't have a good impression of Princess Wenyue. At most, they would put on a show of flattery. Several of them had been ridiculed and targeted by the princess in the past. Now that they learned that she would no longer be coming, they were secretly delighted.
However, that wasn't the main point. Some people were more concerned about the situation regarding the "Four Treasures of the Study" and pressed for details:
"I don't understand why Xiao Yuyao would want to snatch the Four Treasures of the Study. They're not valuable items, so why would she need them?"
Seeing that the person who asked the question was young and looked confused, the older girls exchanged glances and almost all understood.
They all have many older sisters or younger sisters in their families.
People of their status and position sometimes fight over things not because they truly lack them, but more for things that are best left unsaid—
The attention of their parents, the respect among their sisters, and the servants were the foundation for their survival at home.
It's impossible not to compete or fight. Haven't you heard the old saying, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease"?
The words may be rough, but the principle is sound. It seems that the only daughter of the Xiao family, now their adopted daughter, is not as indifferent to fame and fortune, nor as gentle and dignified as the rumors suggest.
Everyone had their own thoughts, and seeing that the next class was about to begin, they saw no need to make things awkward by bringing it up, so they stopped asking questions and dispersed.
However, the girl who had asked the question earlier stayed behind and asked it again with a naive look on her face.
Zhao Mei looked at her with a hint of surprise. She thought she was already the most carefree person, but she didn't expect there to be such an extraordinary person in Class Ding.
"If you don't understand, then forget it; it's not a good thing anyway."
Seeing that Zhao Mei had taken the initiative to speak, the other party was pleased and offered to exchange names to get to know her.
As the two hit it off and chatted happily, Zheng Yanling noticed something was off about Xiao Yuxuan.
But the teacher was almost here, so she didn't say anything more and went back to Class A.
The seat in the middle of the first row of Class A, which belonged to Qi Wenyue, was completely empty. Since the princess wasn't there, no one else dared to sit there.
Meanwhile, in the seat next to her, Xiao Yuyao had already washed her face and was calmly organizing her notes. If one ignored the red marks at the corners of her eyes, she looked no different from usual.
She could faintly hear whispers behind her, but they didn't speak too loudly because Xiao Yuyao was still there. Even so, she could guess what they were saying.
It's nothing more than mocking her for being two-faced, or ridiculing her for shooting herself in the foot.
She couldn't hold back her tears earlier, but now that she's thought it through, she no longer feels embarrassed or sad about it.
This must not be a coincidence.
Xiao Yuxuan definitely knew that the name was engraved in a hidden place on that set of items, which is why she was so generous in giving it to her that day.
They were just waiting for the day when they would embarrass themselves in front of everyone.
That's not enough. The person in charge of keeping and checking the writing materials has always been Mu Jin by her side. Maybe that shameless Mu Jin has also been bribed, which is why she can't even do such a small thing carefully and makes her lose face!
Thinking about it carefully, Mu Jin has become quite strange since Xiao Yuxuan returned to the Xiao residence. She used to be an honest and quiet person, but lately, when faced with her orders, she often seemed hesitant to speak, probably harboring a lot of resentment towards her mistress.
Xiao Yuyao felt increasingly uneasy and wished she could go home immediately to deal with Mu Jin and then follow the clues to see if she had been bribed.
After the girls' school let out, Zheng Yanling finally had time to find Xiao Yuxuan, observe her expression, and ask:
"Yu Xuan, what's wrong? You seemed downcast just now."
Xiao Yuxuan then pretended to be worried and said:
"After all, family scandals should not be aired in public. She has lost face today, so how can I be proud? The honor and disgrace of a family often have far-reaching consequences."
She appeared concerned about the family's reputation but indifferent to personal gain, which won Zheng Yanling's favor once again.
"I was being narrow-minded again, Sister Yuxuan. I would never have any ill intentions towards you because of her, nor would I make fun of the Xiao family because of her. You and Xiao Yuyao are two completely different kinds of people in my heart!"
Zheng Yanling was afraid that Xiao Yuxuan would think she was also laughing at their family, so she hurriedly explained a few things.
Xiao Yuxuan nodded sincerely:
"Of course I believe Sister Zheng. Maybe, maybe it's just because I've only been back for a short time and I'm not familiar with my family's personalities yet, which is why I'm particularly anxious. I'm also worried that when I go back, my father and mother will both give me a stern scolding."
She blinked, made a couple of witty remarks, and the matter was thus smoothly resolved.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Zheng Yanling and was just putting on an act; rather, she had to make her words have an effect. Zheng Yanling and she hadn't known each other since childhood, so every word she uttered at the beginning of their relationship had to be carefully considered.
Being able to befriend the Zheng family was also a stroke of luck for her.
Seeing her serious expression, Zheng Yanling's heart softened completely.
Compared to Xiao Yuyao's self-centeredness, Xiao Yuxuan's consideration for the greater good is more in line with the virtues of a woman from a noble family.
In the west of the city, someone knocked on the door of a narrow courtyard.
Who is it?
A series of hurried footsteps sounded from inside, and then a young girl in simple clothes with flowers in her hair, and a delicate face, opened the door.
"Is this another one looking for my older brother?"
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