Chapter 77 Attending the Banquet, Shen Lingyin Drugged Him
The next morning, Xu Chumian and her companions set off for the plum garden.
Xiao Tao and Zhao Nai accompanied her, while Liu Da drove the carriage.
There were many students going today, and the main gate of Plum Garden was blocked by carriages. Xu Chumian had to ask Liu Da to stop in an empty spot, and the three of them prepared to walk over.
Some young men and women on the roadside were unwilling to get out and continued to park on the side of the road.
Shen Lingyin said there was a play to watch at the Plum Garden today, and begged the King of Qin to come. Since she said it in bed, the King of Qin was so happy that he agreed.
However, the road ahead was blocked, and he was feeling annoyed. He casually lifted the curtain and saw a graceful figure walking away in the distance.
The woman wore a cloak and moved gracefully. Her slender figure and cool demeanor made her appear elegant and refined even without a clear view of her face.
The King of Qin scanned the area up and down, a look of interest in his eyes.
Inside the plum garden, the students who arrived early were playing games like pitch-pot and chess, or playing musical instruments and reciting poems. Today, there were no school rules, and as long as they were in the plum garden, they were not restricted from going anywhere.
It was very lively inside.
Zhao Lingyao and Mo Zhen were in a pavilion not far from the entrance, their eyes glancing out from time to time.
"Lingyao, who are you looking at?"
It was Qin Ruoyu who spoke.
Zhao Lingyao replied calmly, "It's Sister Chumian."
During dinner last night, the second madam casually mentioned the snow-viewing banquet. Seeing that Qin Ruoyu had been depressed lately, Madam Zhang suggested that Qin Ruoyu go out for walks more often.
Qin Ruoyu immediately looked at Zhao Lingyao, who could only say, "Then you can come with me tomorrow."
During this period, Zhao Lingyao felt that Qin Ruoyu was acting strangely.
That day, I brought Qin Ruoyu some incense, one of which was Mo Lin incense.
Qin Ruoyu once said, "Big brother likes the fragrance of ink," which made Zhao Lingyao suspicious.
Especially after hearing that Qin Ruoyu had approached Zhao Yu several times in her name, Zhao Lingyao became unwilling to have any contact with Qin Ruoyu.
She considered Qin Ruoyu a good friend, but Qin Ruoyu wanted to use her to become her sister-in-law!
There were other young ladies from prominent families in the pavilion, all of whom were classmates from the West Courtyard. They also followed Zhao Lingyao's gaze.
A slender figure slowly appeared in everyone's sight.
She has a beautiful face, eyes like autumn water, eyebrows like distant mountains, and a light and graceful gait.
One glance is enough to make you unable to look away.
Zhao Lingyao: "Sister Chumian, I'm here."
Xu Chumian curved her lips into a smile.
This was the first time Qin Ruoyu had seen Xu Chumian, and just that one glance made Qin Ruoyu feel uneasy.
People were whispering among themselves.
"This Miss Xu is so beautiful, no wonder Young Master Xiao is so infatuated with her."
"Ah, not to mention Young Master Xiao, I spoke with Lord Zhao the last time I saw him, and he was even gentler with her than he was with Miss Zhao."
"But she's just a merchant's daughter. What good is a good relationship with her? Even if she's as beautiful as an angel, I wouldn't marry her as my principal wife."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Lingyao frowned.
Big Brother's feelings for Chu Mian...
At this moment, Zhao Lingyao suddenly realized!
Her older brother rarely asked about her studies before, no wonder he's been picking her up from school so often lately!
However, Sister Chumian likes Brother Qingyan...
Seeing Zhao Lingyao frowning, Qin Ruoyu immediately composed herself, concealing the jealousy in her eyes, and asked with concern, "Lingyao, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Then, Zhao Lingyao said to the newcomer, "Sister Chumian, over here."
Mo Zhen left a spot for Xu Chumian next to him.
Xu Chumian took her seat, and a cool fragrance wafted over. Her gaze paused slightly when it fell on Qin Ruoyu.
Xiao Tao followed behind Xu Chumian, while Zhao Nai stood guard outside the pavilion.
Mo Zhen said, "Chumian, there are copper pots at the dining hall later, let's go eat there."
Xu Chumian hummed in agreement.
The three girls were talking, and Qin Ruoyu would occasionally chime in, but Zhao Lingyao didn't really pay any attention to her.
Qin Ruoyu blamed everything on Xu Chumian, and after Xu Chumian appeared, Zhao Lingyao became less close to her.
Xu Chumian glanced at it indifferently out of the corner of her eye.
Just then, Xingyang and Shen Lingyin arrived, followed by several maids, one of whom was carrying a pot of wine.
Xu Chumian remained calm.
The area inside and outside the pavilion became a little quieter.
Shen Lingyin was dressed in a soft blue dress today, her eyebrows and eyes were gentle and charming, and her temperament was elegant. She had a smile on her face: "Today is really lively."
Xingyang snorted and gave Xu Chumian a meaningful smile.
Xu Chumian did not respond.
Mo Zhen spoke in a distant tone, “Miss Shen, Princess of Xingyang County.”
Shen Lingyin came to Xu Chumian's side and said, "Actually, we came here because we have something to say to Miss Xu."
Everyone perked up their ears.
Xu Chumian smiled faintly, "What is it?"
Shen Lingyin sighed softly, "What happened that day was indeed a misunderstanding. It was Yu Shan who had malicious intentions. Xingyang and I had some unpleasantness with Miss Xu before, which is why we were prejudiced. I hope Miss Xu won't take it to heart."
"These past few days, Xingyang and I have been unable to eat or sleep properly. It was only today that we finally had the opportunity to meet and exchange a few words with Miss Xu."
After speaking, Shen Lingyin wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.
Xu Chumian smiled faintly, but there was a deep chill in her eyes.
Xingyang also said, "I won't hold a grudge against you anymore."
Xu Chumian's gaze fell on the tray in the hands of the maid behind the two, which contained a wine pot and several small wine cups. She smiled slightly and said, "You two are too kind. Since it's a misunderstanding, it's fine as long as it's clarified."
Shen Lingyin's smile deepened.
"Now that we've laid it all out, we can't have any other thoughts in the future. I'd like to offer a toast to Miss Xu from Xingyang."
Xingyang also said, "Drinking wine in winter is just right."
Xu Chumian frowned. "That's really unfortunate. I went to see a doctor a couple of days ago, and he said I shouldn't drink alcohol these days. How about I offer you both tea instead of wine?"
Inside the pavilion, three people share a pot of tea.
It just so happens that Mo Zhen, Zhao Lingyao, and Qin Ruoyu shared a pot.
After Xu Chumian arrived, the little maid in yellow who was serving in the pavilion immediately brought over a pot of tea and a cup, and waited a step away to serve her.
Throughout the conversation, Xu Chumian kept her eyes fixed on Xingyang's face.
Sure enough, the next moment, a smug smile appeared in Xingyang's eyes.
Shen Lingyin said softly, "Miss Xu, please feel free to do as you please."
Zhao Lingyao also said, "I'll drink too."
Xu Chumian looked at Zhao Lingyao and said with a light laugh, "Lingyao, that tea is black tea. Don't you usually dislike black tea? Have someone bring you a pot of white tea later."
Zhao Lingyao was quick-witted.
Zhao Lingyao enjoys drinking black tea, and Xu Chumian even brewed black tea for her specially.
Seeing this, it was indeed a ghost!
Xu Chumian was well-prepared and acted cautiously when the snow appreciation banquet arrived.
Xu Chumian glanced at the little maid in yellow on the side and breathed a sigh of relief.
The maid in yellow was caught off guard when she met Xu Chumian's gaze, and her hand trembled again, almost spilling the tea.
"Miss Xu, please."
Xu Chumian thanked her and accepted the gift. She looked up and exchanged a glance with Zhao Nai outside the pavilion.
Zhao Nai nodded at her.
Shen Lingyin and Xingyang raised their wine glasses. Shen Lingyin said, "Miss Xu, please."
Xu Chumian brought the teacup to her lips, her eyes slightly narrowed.
The next instant, a scream rang out.
Suddenly, the maid behind Xingyang lost her footing and swayed forward uncontrollably, falling towards Xingyang.
That scream came from Xingyang.
Xingyang immediately fell flat on his face.
The wine was spilled all over Xingyang.
All eyes fell on Xingyang, who was lying on the ground.
My foot!
Shen Lingyin immediately looked at Xu Chumian and saw that the woman was coughing incessantly, her face was flushed, and the teacup in her hand was empty.
She must have drunk it, Shen Lingyin thought.
"Sister Chumian, did you choke on water?"
"Miss, are you alright?"
Xu Chumian wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed twice. "I'm fine, Princess Xingyang, are you alright?"
Xingyang only tripped and fell, but didn't hurt her foot. She got up and slapped the maid.
"You blind fool, drag him away and give him a beating."
The maid cried out, "Princess, please forgive me! I didn't mean to!"
Xingyang sneered, "This is flat ground, no one else falls, but you do! I think you did it on purpose!"
Mo Zhen looked thoughtful.
Feeling sticky and uncomfortable in the damp and cold weather, Xingyang angrily went to change her clothes.
The maid was dragged away crying.
Xu Chumian glanced at it calmly, her expression revealing nothing unusual.
Shen Lingyin smiled. She wasn't in a hurry; the substance would take effect soon.
Just then, there was a noise at the door.
The King of Qin has arrived.
Shen Lingyin exchanged a glance with the King of Qin from afar, but the King of Qin's gaze shifted to another woman.
The King of Qin had a dashing appearance; it seems we were destined to meet.
He whispered a few words to the servant beside him.
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