Chapter 59 Xu Chumian enrolls, class begins!
Zhao Yu returned to the Zhao residence and summoned Guan Yan.
"How's the investigation into Zhao Ying's case going?"
"Third Aunt was still investigating during those years in Jiangnan, but things in the capital have already made progress."
Zhao Yu slightly lifted his eyelids. "Speak."
"Third Aunt and Consort Ning in the palace were childhood best friends. The maids who served Third Aunt in her courtyard all went to Jiangnan with her, and later they died in an accident. The subordinates had no choice but to start with Consort Ning. One of the maids who used to serve Consort Ning had long since married and revealed that Third Aunt used to like... Prince Ding."
"Furthermore, when Xu Yubai went to the capital for the imperial examination, he was already over thirty years old, while Third Aunt was only ten years old at the time. Although Xu Yubai was handsome, elegant, and generous, the two were more than ten years apart in age. According to the information I found, it seemed that Third Aunt was in a hurry to marry into the Zhao family, as if she wanted to get away from the Zhao family as quickly as possible and hide some secret."
After the case, Zhao Yu casually leaned back in his chair, absentmindedly turning the white jade thumb ring on his finger.
"Find out exactly what happened at that New Year's Eve banquet back then!"
Guan Yan was startled, but quickly replied, "Yes... However, it has been a long time, and it will probably take time to investigate."
This New Year's Eve banquet was Zhao Ying's last public appearance before outsiders; not long after, she married and moved to Jiangnan.
As the only daughter of her generation, Zhao Ying was originally very favored in the Duke's mansion. Even Old Madam Zhao was fond of her. However, since the New Year's Eve banquet, the attitude of the Zhao family elders has changed drastically. Now that they are still alive, only Old Madam Zhao and Duke Zhao know the truth.
After Mu Mu's death in his previous life, Zhao Yu discovered this place. Later, it was found that Prince Cheng, who was in the capital, had raised a large number of private soldiers in an attempt to force the emperor to abdicate. He was demoted to a commoner by Emperor Mingde, and Consort Ning committed suicide. The clues were then lost.
Zhao Yu nodded, "Take a set of writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone from my private treasury."
"yes."
Guan Yan went out of the house and ordered someone to fetch his things. He stood under the eaves, puzzled. How did the young master know that his third aunt had attended a palace banquet?
-
After studying for the exam for several days in a row, Xu Chumian felt exhausted. After returning from the shop in the morning, she took a nap in her room.
The room was lit with fine charcoal. Xu Chumian's black hair was spread across the brocade pillow. She turned slightly to the side, revealing her jade-like face and neck. The wide, soft robe clung softly to her body.
Zhao Yu intended to put down his brush, ink, paper, and inkstone and leave.
But by some strange twist of fate...
Zhao Yu came to the bedside, his eyes lowered to see the woman's sleeping face.
Well-behaved and quiet.
It was the look that Zhao Yu was most familiar with.
Only at this moment did Xu Chumian not treat him with indifference or coldness.
Zhao Yu's fingers twitched slightly, but in the end he didn't disturb her sleep and quietly left.
...
Inside the room, Xu Chumian had a good sleep. When she got up and got out of bed, she saw the things on the table.
Xu Chumian frowned and called Xiao Tao over.
"Miss, no one has been here just now."
Xu Chumian's eyes instantly became complicated, filled with barely concealed anger.
Zhao Yu, that bastard.
What's the difference between his actions and those of a womanizer?
Xu Chumian tightened her little face: "Now we'll have Liu Da take turns guarding the yard every day, standing in the southwest corner of the yard."
From this vantage point, you can see the entire yard, and even from the doorway to her bedroom, you can see right by her window.
Besides doing chores in the yard, the two brothers, Liu Da and Liu Er, also occasionally had to help out at the shop, so they couldn't keep an eye out for anyone breaking in all the time.
Xiao Tao quickly realized what was happening and looked at the things on the table. "Miss, could it be that someone came just now? Was it Zhao—"
Xu Chumian interrupted her, "Take the things out and throw them away."
Xiao Tao: "...Yes."
As Zhao Yu emerged from Doctor Chen's courtyard, a chill ran down his spine upon catching a glimpse of the things at the Xu family's gate.
Voices could be heard coming from the courtyard.
It's Xu Chumian.
“Thieves are rampant these days, I’ll go to the brokerage tomorrow and buy a few more guards.”
A cold smile appeared on Zhao Yu's lips.
One month.
He'll endure it for another month.
Just then, a figure quietly appeared in front of Zhao Yu.
It's Zhao Nai.
The two walked to a secluded spot, and Zhao Yu narrowed his eyes slightly: "What is it?"
Zhao Nai recounted the incident of the second branch of the Xu family spying on them yesterday: "My subordinates sent a coded message to other guards to investigate Xu Songbai's family. It turns out that the eldest son of the Xu family colluded with Qian Zhuo to buy the imperial examination papers, and Qian Zhuo has even developed feelings for Miss Xu..."
Zhao Yu's eyes were extremely dark.
"Keep an eye on Xu Chumian; we can't afford any mistakes. Also, give Qian Zhuo a hand."
The Vice Minister of Rites was known for his incorruptibility and integrity.
His son did all the bad things.
Xu Chumian's grades for her girls' school came out quickly.
He ranked first in his class.
That very night, Xiao Qingyan came to the Xu family's courtyard to celebrate.
Xu Chumian also bought a few bodyguards.
At that time, Zhao Yu was outside the courtyard, listening to the laughter inside.
He pursed his lips, his tall, slender figure turning and leaving.
...
Soon it arrived that Xu Chumian was to start school.
Xiao Qingyan said that it was Xu Chumian's first day at the academy, and he had to personally see her off.
The two were a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, attracting the attention of passersby.
Xiao Qingyan: "Chumian, I'll come to the academy to pick you up this afternoon."
Xu Chumian stopped in her tracks, while Xiao Qingyan still had a smile on his face.
Xu Chumian gently touched the corner of his eye.
"Qingyan, what's wrong with you these past two days?"
The man paused, his smile freezing in his eyes.
Xu Chumian: "Don't rush to deny it. Is there something tricky going on at the yamen?"
Meeting the woman's concerned gaze, Xiao Qingyan looked away and said gently, "Chumian, it's alright, you should go inside first."
Xu Chumian moved her lips, then turned and entered the school.
When she looked back, Xiao Qingyan was still in the same spot, waving at her.
Xu Chumian smiled slightly and went inside.
The Luming Academy occupies a vast area. Regular students like Mo Zhen usually attend classes in the West Courtyard, while the East Courtyard is used for archery, horse riding, and music practice.
Their lectures were held in the Mingshan Pavilion in the East Courtyard.
There were quite a few people who came with her to learn how to do business, about twelve in total, of varying ages.
When Xu Chumian stepped into the lecture hall, almost all the students had already arrived. Various curious gazes fell on her, and Xu Chumian responded with a gentle smile.
Only an empty table remained in the corner.
Xu Chumian walked over with her cloth bag, and a young man sat in front of her.
Upon seeing her arrive, he raised his eyebrows at her.
"So you're a little girl. My name is Yu Shan."
This young master was about the same age as Xu Chumian, with youthful features and expensive clothes. His hairpin was made of crystal-clear white jade, of exceptional quality. Not only him, but the other students in the lecture hall were also like this.
Each of them had a calm expression and shrewd eyes.
Xu Chumian said gently, "My name is Xu Chumian."
Yu Shan smiled and turned around.
The crowd quieted down and waited for the Master to appear.
A moment later, there was a commotion at the door.
First, a young gentleman dressed in a blue brocade robe tidied up the teacher's desk, placed the books on it, and then stood at the door.
Xu Chumian looked up and saw a young man in a blue robe slowly walk into the lecture hall.
The crowd was stunned for a moment, then quickly began to whisper among themselves.
"It really is Young Master Qin Hua who is giving the lecture. I've hit the jackpot this time."
"Being able to establish a business relationship with Young Master Qinhua means I won't have to worry for the next five years."
The man on the stage had eyebrows like a gentle breeze, a graceful and elegant appearance, and his every move was gentle and natural.
Xu Chumian had heard of Qin Hua Gongzi's reputation. He was a business prodigy in Daliang. When he was only ten years old, he was able to lead a caravan to open up trade routes in the Western Regions and sell cloth and tea. Now, the trade between the Western Regions and Daliang was facilitated by Qin Hua Gongzi.
She just didn't expect the real person to be so young.
Perhaps sensing Xu Chumian's gaze, Young Master Qinhua looked up at her, his eyes completely unmoved.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
