Chapter Thirty-Nine: Zhao Yu Breaks Through Defenses
Zhao Yu lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions within them.
He said in a nonchalant tone, "A real man has nothing to worry about, not having a wife."
Xiao Qingyan raised his eyes, looking at Zhao Yu with utter contempt.
“You don’t understand. There will never be another woman like her, gentle, kind, proper and interesting. She is quick-witted and easily sentenced me to death.”
The more Xiao Qingyan spoke, the darker Zhao Yu's expression grew, but he seemed oblivious, continuing, "When I was in the capital, Chu Mian would prepare meals for me every day. Even if she didn't have time, the maids in the courtyard could make something that tasted almost the same, and she was never late—"
Suddenly, something broke.
Zhao Yu's voice seemed to be forced out of his throat, exuding a chilling aura.
"She even cooks meals for you?"
Xiao Qingyan hummed in response, his handsome face showing a hint of confusion. He frowned and asked, "He'an, what's wrong with you? If you're not feeling well, go see a doctor."
Zhao Yu's eyes were throbbing, and his fingers holding the teacup were turning white.
"Is that all you can't forget about it?"
Zhao Yuru listened to Xiao Qingyan's next words with a self-destructive attitude.
"Chu Mian never covets anything from me. If I treat her well, she will do everything she can to repay me."
"If she hadn't discovered it in time, the tassel on the sword my mother left me would have broken."
"She also gave me a personal seal..."
“He’an, I can’t live without her. During the time I’ve been away from the capital, my mind is filled with her voice and smile.”
“She is an orphan raising her younger sister in the capital, and I cannot stand idly by.”
The atmosphere grew increasingly cold. Zhao Yu narrowed his eyes and smiled cruelly: "You know she comes from a humble background. Do you really think Uncle Ding will agree to your marriage proposal? Even if he does, can she handle a high-ranking family like hers?"
After he finished speaking, not only Xiao Qingyan was stunned.
Even Zhao Yu himself felt a dense, aching sensation in his heart.
He said Xiao Qingyan was like that, but wasn't he himself the same?
Chu Mian had just married into the Zhao family. He left early and returned late every day, and she suffered countless hardships.
Zhao Yu felt a tightness in his chest, and his face looked pale.
Seeing Xiao Qingyan's absent-minded appearance, Zhao Yu pursed his lips: "Since she has already said it, it must be the result of careful consideration. There is no use in forcing it."
“I haven’t done my best yet, and the outcome is still uncertain. I have already told my father that I will not return to the North. I promised Chu Mian that I would stay.”
“I will stay by her side as long as she doesn’t agree. There will come a day when she will give in.”
After saying that, Xiao Qingyan suddenly stood up and left.
Zhao Yu remained motionless, his anger deepening. He gripped the teacup tightly with his left hand, and as the porcelain shattered, the wound that had scabbed over yesterday began to bleed again.
Guan Yan entered the house with something in his hand.
"Master, Zhao Zhou and the others have found out about Young Master Xiao and Miss Xu's affair."
The Embroidered Uniform Guards are well-informed, but Zhao Yu's network of secret guards is no less formidable. He was careless in not keeping an eye on Xu Chumian earlier.
Zhao Yu coldly said, "Zhao Nai will stay by Xu Chumian's side and protect her."
Guan Yan: "Yes."
Zhao Yu then opened the letter and read it line by line, even noting that the two people had gone to buy agarwood the day before.
Zhao Yu suppressed his raging anger.
The person in the inn yesterday was undoubtedly Xu Chumian.
Is he really that terrifying?
...
After finishing lunch with Mu Mu, Xu Chumian planned to take Qiu Yu and Liu Er to Luming Academy to inquire about it.
The headmistress of Luming Academy is the only daughter of the former Minister of Rites, who founded the academy after her husband's death.
The academy was divided into two parts. The larger part was the formal school, which was set up for the sons and daughters of noble families. It covered music, chess, calligraphy, painting, the six arts of a gentleman, and strategies for governing the country.
The girls' school that Xu Chumian planned to enroll in was a charity school, established by the headmistress's wife for women in the capital. It did not restrict whether the students were married or not and was divided into three disciplines: medicine, commerce, and agriculture. Naturally, the curriculum was not as rich or long-lasting as that of formal schools.
It's simply about giving women more skills.
"Young lady, our girls' school is tuition-free, but you must bring your own books, writing materials, and meals. There will be a small exam in ten days. Only those who pass the exam can formally enroll."
"Oh right? You're going to learn how to be a merchant, right? Let me see. Oh, you all have to learn the map of the Great Liang region first, to understand the geography and customs of trading cities, in preparation for traveling all over the country in the future... You also have to study the Book of Lord Shang, Ji Ran's Seven Strategies, and Market Trends..."
"You are the first cohort. After you complete your studies, if you demonstrate good character and talent, perhaps the Master will even guide you in business..."
Quite a few women come here to consult about business.
There were people of all ages, but they were all well-dressed. Whether they could learn anything was another matter, but if they could make connections here, that would be a good thing.
Xu Chumian wrote down the books for the quiz and planned to buy them at the bookstore.
But someone patted her on the shoulder.
Xu Chumian turned around and was surprised to find it was Mo Zhen.
Mo Zhen: "Chu Mian, it really is you. I stared at your back for quite a while."
Xu Chumian smiled slightly, and seeing that Mo Zhen looked well, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sister Mo, what a coincidence."
Mo Zhen's gaze shifted. "You're planning to study girls' education at the academy?"
Xu Chumian nodded, "I plan to learn business."
Mo Zhen exclaimed, "Why don't you come to our school? You'll learn even more here, and we can see each other more often."
Xu Chumian walked outside with her. She shook her head and said softly, "Those things are too far away for me. Right now, I only want to focus on what's in front of me."
The Xu family was once a well-known wealthy merchant family in the Jiangnan region. After Xu's father married his fiancée, they had a daughter, Xu Chumian. However, Xu's mother was frail from a young age, and Xu Chumian passed away when she was only two years old.
Xu's father loved his daughter but did not spoil her. He was very strict with Xu Chumian. Her calligraphy was taught by a master who lived in seclusion in Jiangnan. The woman was graceful and her every move was no less than that of a noble lady in the capital.
Later, Xu's father passed the imperial examination and met his stepmother Zhao Ying in the capital. However, for some reason, he did not stay in the capital and the two returned to Jiangnan together.
Her stepmother, Zhao Ying, treated her very well. The two had a relationship like that of a biological mother and daughter, and this affection remained unchanged even after her younger sister was born.
Later, her father and Zhao Ying both died, her second uncle seized the family property, and Xu Chumian escaped from the Xu family with Mu Mu.
Mo Zhen realized he had spoken out of turn.
Xu Chumian smiled and said, "Sister Mo, don't overthink it. By the way, how are things at home?"
“That scoundrel has been kicked out by my father and dares not cause any more trouble. He has been trying to find time to look for you these past few days, but he has been too busy with his studies to have the opportunity.”
Xu Chumian hummed in agreement. Changing Mo Zhen's fate was a great joy. Her eyebrows curved slightly, and she wore a crescent-white cloak, making her whole body seem to be coated with light, making it impossible for people to look away.
Mo Zhen coughed lightly, thinking to himself that Xiao Qingyan was truly blessed.
"Why not celebrate today instead of another day?"
Xu Chumian nodded, "Okay."
The two found a restaurant with a good view nearby.
During the meal, Mo Zhen talked about her family affairs. Mo's father was surprised to find that his daughter had reached the age for marriage, and Mo's mother had been busy selecting young men in the capital these past few days.
After finishing her homework each day, Mo Zhen would listen to her parents' gentle nagging.
It was absolutely unbearable.
Mo Zhen rested her chin on her hand. "Chu Mian, what about you? How are things going between you and Xiao Qingyan lately?"
Xu Chumian paused slightly, her throat tightened, and she couldn't speak.
Mo Zhen opened his mouth, sighed inwardly, and seeing this, did not ask any more questions.
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