Chapter Seventy-Eight: Falling into the Water in Xingyang, Reaping the Bitter Fruit
Seeing that it was almost time, Zhao Lingyao suggested that the three of them go have a meal first.
Although it was a snow appreciation feast, the school only allowed students to dine at their own pace and did not require them to do so.
The students who arrived early had already gone deep into the plum grove, each occupying a pavilion in the corridor to warm themselves and eat.
Xu Chumian hummed in agreement, but as soon as she stood up, her body swayed slightly.
Zhao Lingyao: "Sister Chumian, what's wrong?"
Xu Chumian smiled faintly: "I'm just a little dizzy, I'll be fine after going for a walk."
Shen Lingyin said meaningfully, "Then why don't we go to the guest courtyard to rest for a while?"
Xu Chumian: "No rush."
Xu Chumian and the other two left and headed deeper into the plum garden.
The scenery inside is superb, and there are only a few people around.
Mo Zhen asked, "Chu Mian, was there something wrong with that wine just now?"
Xu Chumian smiled: "Perhaps, but there must have been something added to that tea."
Zhao Lingyao, being less mature than the other two, couldn't help but ask, "What was added? Sister Chumian, didn't you drink it?"
Xu Chumian shook her head.
"Don't worry, I'm done."
Mo Zhen laughed and said, "You're so clever."
Zhao Lingyao was slow to realize what was going on. Occasionally, her mother would tell her about the affairs of the inner courtyards of prominent families in the capital, and she couldn't help but feel disgusted: "They have no bottom line."
She decided to write about the two of them in her book when she got home tonight!
Xu Chumian took Zhao Lingyao's arm and said, "Just deal with whatever comes your way, don't worry."
Xu Chumian is kind, but kindness needs to have its edges.
Since that stuff was prepared by Shen Lingyin, it was naturally meant for her to drink.
The boomerang ended up hitting her.
But they hadn't gone far when they saw a maidservant standing guard at the crossroads.
Upon seeing the woman in the moon-white cloak, the maidservant curtsied and asked, "Are you Xu Chumian, Miss Xu?"
Xu Chumian stopped, her gaze lingering slightly. "Who are you?"
The maid smiled and said, "Miss Xu, Young Master Xiao has come to the Plum Garden and would like to invite you to have tea with him."
Xu Chumian raised an eyebrow slightly. "No need. Let him come find me."
"But... Young Master Xiao seems to be drunk, and he wants you to come and take a look."
“There are maids and servants to take care of him, so I don’t need to go there. Go back and tell him that if he’s angry, let him come to me himself.”
Zhao Lingyao: "Why is Brother Qingyan here?"
Mo Zhen covered her mouth and laughed: "It's fake."
They're trying to trick Xu Chumian into leaving.
Seeing that she couldn't take Xu Chumian with her, the maid caught up with her and tried to grab her.
Xiao Tao grabbed her hair and pulled her to the ground.
"Get lost, you dare touch my young lady."
The maid twisted her ankle after being thrown by Xiao Tao and couldn't stand up.
The three of them walked away.
Mo Zhen couldn't help but say, "Chumian, it seems your guard has disappeared."
Xu Chumian frowned: "He just said his stomach was upset."
Mo Zhen smiled and said nothing more.
The dining area is by the lake. In spring and summer, the lake water is emerald green, and the willows along the shore sway gently. In winter, the lake begins to freeze over, and the plum blossoms planted along the shore emit a faint fragrance, creating a unique scene.
After the meal, the three of them took a leisurely stroll along the lake to admire the plum blossoms.
Suddenly, a furious figure from Xingyang appeared ahead. She had changed her clothes and was heading towards Xu Chumian.
Xingyang stared at Xu Chumian and lowered his voice: "Xu Chumian, you caused my maid to hurt her foot. Come with me and apologize."
Xu Chumian said coldly, "What does your maid's injury have to do with me?"
"She just came to ask you to see Xiao Qingyan. Come with me now!"
"Oh? She's your maid. Why is she calling me on behalf of Young Master Xiao? Qingyan said she won't be coming to the plum garden today. Princess Xingyang, don't be fooled by your maid."
Hearing Xu Chumian's eloquent words, Xingyang became anxious and reached out to grab Xu Chumian's wrist.
Xu Chumian swung the sword away, and Xingyang lost his balance and almost fell.
Zhao Lingyao frowned: "Xingyang, what's gotten into you?"
Xingyang sneered: "Zhao Lingyao, we've only known each other since we were little, while you've only known Xu Chumian for a few days, and you're already taking her side."
Zhao Lingyao also did not want to save face for Xingyang.
"You have questionable character and ulterior motives, yet you turn around and blame me? That's utterly unreasonable!"
Xingyang gritted his teeth, "Zhao Lingyao, you!"
Some students who were still eating couldn't help but peek over to take a look, and quite a few people were scattered around looking in this direction.
Even Xu Chumian's patience ran out.
She immediately turned cold and said, "If you're sick, go get treatment."
Xingyang: "How dare you insult me?"
Xu Chumian approached with a cold smile, "Xingyang, Heaven is watching what people do."
Xingyang took a step back, startled by Xu Chumian's gaze. "What do you mean?"
Only then did Xingyang realize what was happening.
Xu Chumian didn't use any Chinese medicine at all!
A surge of resentment and anger welled up inside her; how dare Xu Chumian play them for fools!
Xingyang was furious and raised his hand, but Xu Chumian grabbed it.
"It seems your father's lesson wasn't enough."
Xingyang's eyes widened.
Xu Chumian usually does spice and kitchen work, and she is stronger than most young ladies. When she tightened her grip, Xingyang's face turned pale with pain.
"Let go!"
The woman's porcelain-white, delicate face was covered in frost. "Are you angry because you're embarrassed? Get out."
Xu Chumian released Xingyang and left with Zhao Lingyao and Mo Zhen.
Xingyang stomped his feet in anger.
A maidservant suggested in a low voice, "Miss, why don't we go back?"
Xingyang: "Go back? I won't leave until I kill Xu Chumian today."
Suddenly, Xingyang had an idea.
She stepped forward and called out to Xu Chumian, "Stop right there, I have something to tell you in private."
Xu Chumian kept walking.
Xingyang followed behind until the group gradually disappeared into the plum grove, then Xingyang strode forward.
Xu Chumian heard footsteps behind her.
Just as Xingyang's arm was about to touch Xu Chumian's shoulder, Xingyang suddenly swayed and fell to the side.
There was a crash——
The ice was smashed, and Xingyang plunged into the frozen lake.
A gasp came from behind.
"The Princess of Xingyang has fallen into the water!"
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