As expected, there is a lot of gossip in the capital. Back in Tianxiang County, no one ever said anything, but not long after arriving in the capital, Song Ning has already been involved in a scandal.
Xie Linzhou has been visiting more frequently lately, and some rumors have been circulating.
Song Ning didn't care, but she just couldn't stand Xie Linzhou's smug look.
"General Xie, you don't have to come every day to teach me calligraphy."
"How can you not come every day? I'm your teacher now, and I have to keep an eye on you to prevent you from slacking off."
"Don't you know who you are? And you've probably already thought of names for our child."
Xie Linzhou was taken aback, then lowered his head and coughed lightly: "You're still young, don't talk about children."
All the officials in the capital knew Xie Linzhou. She had many visitors every day, and Xie Linzhou didn't like to use the back door; she preferred to come in through the front door.
As more people come, they'll naturally run into each other. Just last time, Jiang Shuyue told her that the news had spread throughout the homes of all the officials that Xie Linzhou had a girl he liked.
Many officials' children are eyeing Xie Linzhou. He was just clueless before, but now that he has, they're going to do everything they can to get him in.
If word gets out, won't those girls come after her and cause trouble?
Now people are even starting to give her gifts.
She glanced up at the person beside her, sighed slightly, and thought, "Fine, they won't listen anyway."
This person is used to doing things his own way, and even his own mother can't control him.
Forget it, if he actually comes, let him handle it himself.
He came every day like this for almost a month, until Xie Linzhou finally took a few days off due to court affairs.
I thought it would be quieter without him, but it turns out there are even more troublesome people coming from outside.
This time, it was Xie Linzhou's admirers, the young ladies from prominent families in the capital.
Song Ning slumped into a chair. Sure enough, she knew it.
Not daring to approach Xie Linzhou directly, they could only turn to her, an ordinary, powerless, and unassuming commoner.
But we can't refuse to see them, since they're all prominent figures; refusing to see them would offend them.
He instructed Xiao Cui, "Let them in, arrange a private room for them, and don't neglect them."
"yes."
As soon as Xiao Cui left, Song Ning also stood up and tidied her appearance. These people came while Xie Linzhou was away, weren't they just here to make things difficult for her?
The first one was the daughter of the Minister of Works, a pretty girl.
Without beating around the bush, he went straight to the point and asked, "What is your relationship with General Xie?"
Song Ning smiled politely: "We're friends."
"Impossible. I heard that General Xie has been coming here a lot lately, just to see you. It can't be that you're just friends."
......
He comes here so often, couldn't it be because the food at her restaurant is attracting him?
After thinking about it, okay, this person always comes in the morning and leaves at night. Who would eat at someone's house and stay all day?
“We really are friends. You can ask General Xie if you don’t believe me.”
Ask Xie Linzhou? That's impossible.
They came today while Xie Linzhou was away.
Who is Xie Linzhou? Asking him about something like this to his face won't kill him, but it will certainly make him lose face.
Many had been publicly humiliated by Xie Linzhou before, and although they coveted Xie Linzhou, they still dared not.
Young women are easily embarrassed and can't bear to lose face like that.
Song Ning gave a long explanation, and finally, he wavered.
"Is everything you're saying true?"
Song Ning nodded solemnly: "It's true, absolutely true. General Xie and I are completely innocent. We just met Princess Xie in Tianxiang County before. She liked the pastries I made, so we had some contact."
This is true; everything else is true except for the fact that it concealed Xie Linzhou's true intentions.
Her Xiangyunlou pastries are now famous throughout the capital, and there are queues every day to buy them.
Not to mention Princess Jianing, many officials' residences would receive messengers almost every day.
The girl across from me nodded: "That's true. Your pastries are really delicious. Have someone prepare some so I can take some back with me when I leave."
Song Ning immediately said, "The snacks will be ready in no time, and Miss Zhang can take them away right now."
Hurry up, hurry up, the faster the better.
After the Minister of Works' daughter left, another Minister's daughter arrived. In short, Song Ning did nothing else all morning but sit there receiving distinguished guests.
Around noon, the young lady from the Grand Tutor's family arrived again.
Xiao Cui whispered in Song Ning's ear, "Master, this is the girl who went into General Xie's private room the other day."
Song Ning was taken aback. Looking down from upstairs, it was indeed a beautiful sight.
That figure, that appearance, and that overall aura—yes, they're definitely different.
The Grand Tutor of the court, as far as she knew, should be a very high-ranking official in the court.
Mu Xueyun entered, supported by her maid, and immediately declared that she wanted to see her.
Song Ning came downstairs, and Mu Xueyun looked her up and down before turning her face away.
Although it wasn't obvious on his face, Song Ning could still sense that this person was more troublesome than the previous ones.
Mu Xueyun casually pointed at Song Ning and said indifferently, "Come up with me."
Her tone made it seem as if she were the master here, and Song Ning was merely her servant.
Once inside the private room, Xiao Cui served tea and snacks, then left and closed the door.
Only Song Ning and Mu Xueyun were inside.
"Tell me your conditions."
Song Ning was puzzled. What did that mean?
Seeing that Song Ning didn't understand, Mu Xueyun suddenly laughed.
"Don't worry, I'm not asking you to leave General Xie. The general likes you, and once I enter the Duke's mansion, I will naturally reserve a place for you as a concubine."
"Tell me how you became friends with General Xie and how you caught his eye. I'll agree to any conditions you set."
That's outrageous! She never wanted to be someone's concubine.
“Miss Mu, you have misunderstood. There is nothing between me and General Xie.”
"There's no need to lie. I've already investigated what happened between you two."
"General Xie has never been so patient with any other girl in the capital, yet he comes to your Xiangyun Tower every day."
Countless eyes in the capital were watching him, so his every move was closely watched.
But you also know his status. No matter how much he likes you, you can only be a concubine.
I know that now that I've finally climbed onto a high branch like Xie Linzhou's, I naturally want to hold on tight. Don't worry, as long as you're on my side, even after you enter the manor, I won't make things difficult for you."
Song Ning laughed; she should thank her for her generosity.
"Miss Mu, please forgive me for not being able to agree to what you have asked for."
Mu Xueyun's brows furrowed with displeasure, and she sneered, "Could it be that you still want to be the Xie family's legal wife? Ha, I really underestimated you. I thought you just wanted to climb the social ladder, but I didn't expect you to actually be thinking about Xie Linzhou's legal wife. You're just dreaming."
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