Chapter Sixty-Two: Xu Chumian and Shen Lingyin Confront Each Other
Songchi Courtyard, Study.
The young master returned today and seemed to be in a better mood, which brightened the atmosphere in the courtyard.
A black-clad bodyguard climbed in through the window.
"My lord, the assassin from the Wenju dungeon has been delivered to His Highness the Crown Prince, and he has begun to suspect Shen Lingyin."
Zhao Yu leaned back casually in his chair, the collar of his black robe slightly open. He grunted and his eyes turned cold: "Tell the people from Jiangnan to hurry up."
"yes."
After that guard left, another one quickly arrived.
"My lord, I personally witnessed Doctor Chen delivering charcoal to Miss Xu. He selected small pieces, so Miss Xu shouldn't notice. It should be enough to last through the winter."
"Go down."
Zhao Yu was left alone in the study, while faint cries could be heard from outside the courtyard.
Zhao Yu frowned, his eyes filled with impatience. "Ling Yao is here again?"
Guan Yan touched his nose. "The Third Miss is sitting in the Plum Garden crying. It seems she was scolded by the Second Madam again."
Ever since Second Master Zhao said he was going to take his concubine back to the capital, Second Madam has been unable to control her temper. Zhao Lingyao is playful and doesn't like going to school. She is also stubborn. Every time she argues with her mother, she comes to Plum Garden to sit and cry.
"Let her in."
Zhao Lingyao's courtyard was actually quite a distance from Songchi Courtyard, but she didn't want to go anywhere else. Whenever she was sad, she would walk along a less crowded path, which led to the Plum Garden.
Zhao Lingyao came in, sobbing.
"Big brother."
Zhao Yu pinched the bridge of his nose. "What is it now?"
“I failed my quiz, and Teacher Yu slapped my hand. I never want to go to school again.”
"Where do you want to go?"
Zhao Lingyao suddenly sat up: "Big brother, I want to go to Luming Academy to study!"
"After three days of separation, I will make Master Yu look at me with new eyes!"
Zhao Yu refused outright.
"Luming Academy starts classes at 9:00 AM every day. Can you even get up?"
Zhao Lingyao bit her lip, "...Then let's forget about it."
"I'll have Guanyan take you back."
Zhao Lingyao walked to the door and said, "Brother, it's not that I can't get up, it's just that winter is here now, and if I catch a cold on my way to school, it would be a loss."
Zhao Yu raised an eyebrow, but did not reveal her true thoughts.
"Let's go back."
The next day.
Xu Chumian went to Luming Academy as usual. After everyone got to know each other today, Qin Hua Gongzi's lecture pace was a bit faster than yesterday, and the class went on for a while, not ending until 1:45 pm.
Light snow was falling from the sky as Xu Chumian and Xiao Tao walked side by side.
It was noon, and many students were leaving the school, including Shen Lingyin.
Meanwhile, on the street, Xingyang was talking to Xiao Qingyan.
Xiao Qingyan's brows furrowed slightly with impatience. He took a step back, intending to create some distance.
Xingyang, with red eyes, reached for Xiao Qingyan's sleeve, but he instinctively swung his arm away and threw Xingyang to the ground.
Quiet murmurs could be heard from those around them.
Xingyang burst into tears immediately.
Xiao Qingyan was taken aback and immediately went to help her up.
Xingyang wiped away her tears, stood up, and said, "Xiao Qingyan, I hate you so much."
Xingyang hurriedly ran away, and when he saw Xu Chumian, he deliberately bumped her shoulder hard.
Xu Chumian was holding an umbrella, but fortunately she walked slowly and quickly regained her balance.
Xiao Tao got angry: "How do you walk?"
Xingyang sneered and raised his hand to strike Xiaotao, but Xu Chumian grabbed it firmly.
Xu Chumian lost her usual gentleness; her gaze sharpened, and she lowered her voice: "Xingyang, the censors are currently watching your father. You don't want to further jeopardize his career, do you?"
The news of Prince Chen being demoted to Prince Chen of the Commandery was being discussed everywhere. Xu Chumian went to the shop every day, so it was impossible that she didn't know.
Xingyang was speechless for a moment. She bit her lip and said, "Xu Chumian, are you very proud of yourself now? Don't think I don't know that my father was demoted because of you. You are a vixen. You not only seduced Xiao Qingyan, but even Zhao Yu became your lover."
Xingyang's voice wasn't quiet; everyone around heard it and was stunned.
Xiao Qingyan immediately pulled her away, his face fierce. "Xingyang, if you don't know the rules, go back and learn them properly. Your father's demotion is based on solid evidence of his crimes. What does it have to do with Zhao Yu? Zhao Yu has absolutely nothing to do with Chu Mian. If you continue to spout nonsense, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Shen Lingyin then came up to mediate.
Shen Lingyin said with feigned difficulty, "Miss Xu, I apologize on your behalf. Xingyang is just outspoken and has no ill intentions."
Xu Chumian curved her lips into a smile, her eyes cold. "Is it just being outspoken, or is it hurtful words? Princess Xingyang knows the answer. Besides, this matter has nothing to do with Miss Shen, so why bother apologizing?"
Shen Lingyin did not expect Xu Chumian to dare to directly break off relations.
Sure enough, with a powerful backer, they felt much more confident.
Suppressing her anger, Shen Lingyin sighed and said, "Miss Xu, you misunderstand. It's just that Xingyang and Qingyan grew up together and were once very close. It's truly a pity that they've fallen out because of you..."
Shen Lingyin spoke vaguely.
Xu Chumian smiled and said, "I don't understand what Miss Chen is saying. You should explain it clearly so as not to damage the reputation of the Princess of Xingyang."
The students in the school had all vaguely heard that Xingyang liked Xiao Qingyan.
But the two of them were never engaged.
Xingyang couldn't help but glare at Shen Lingyin.
Shen Lingyin's composure was about to crumble.
Xiao Qingyan: "Xingyang, that's enough."
With red eyes, Xingyang quickly boarded his carriage.
Shen Lingyin was furious but had nowhere to vent her anger. Her voice was extremely low: "You're sharp-tongued and quick-witted. Do you think you can stay lucky forever?"
Xu Chumian ignored her, took Xiao Tao and left, getting directly into the carriage.
Xiao Qingyan followed.
The students who stayed at the gate listened to the gossip and left reluctantly.
"Who is Xu Chumian? I've never seen her before."
"The girl who just entered the girls' school is a perfume shop owner, and her perfumes have recently become very popular in the capital."
"Oh, a female student, huh? She's quite pretty. No wonder Xiao Qingyan fell head over heels for her."
"Tsk tsk, he even left Shen Lingyin speechless."
Shen Lingyin boarded the carriage amidst the hushed whispers of the crowd.
She bit her lip until it turned white, maintaining her last shred of dignity.
Once she was in the carriage, her face darkened completely, and she swept away all the tea and pastries on the small table.
"That bitch."
The maidservant asked cautiously, "Miss, are we going back to the manor?"
Shen Lingyin forced herself to calm down, "Where is he?"
"His Highness the Prince of Qin just sent word that something came up at noon and that Miss should make her own arrangements."
Shen Lingyin's face darkened even more.
It's just that she's on her period, and she just stood him up like that.
"Where is the Crown Prince?"
The maid shook her head.
The Crown Prince has claimed to be unwell these past two days and has not seen her.
Shen Lingyin felt a growing unease.
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