Chapter 130 But my fiancé understands.
As soon as Xiao Jingheng stepped out of the courtyard, his usual cold expression vanished.
He instructed Changfeng: "During the autumn hunt, send someone to keep a close eye on her and make sure she is safe."
He was worried that Su Xiaoyu would sneak out when he wasn't looking.
Changfeng glanced at the small courtyard not far away. "Yes, sir."
-
The following day, the weather was sunny and the breeze was gentle.
The annual Liushang Poetry Gathering is being held in the Liushang Garden in the west of the city.
These poetry gatherings differed from formal banquets held by wealthy families. They emphasized the refined pleasure of "making friends through literature" and were not strict about the social status of the participants. As long as one had talent and refined taste, whether one was a poor scholar or a scion of a prominent family, one could attend.
In addition, the current dynasty has an open social atmosphere, and such gatherings also allow men and women to sit together. Talented men and beautiful women can come together to compose poems, exchange ideas, and hone their literary skills, making it a rare annual event.
The poetry gathering was held in a garden, with winding streams, pavilions, and scholars of various attire, as well as young men and women in fine clothes, all gathered together, laughing and chatting in a relaxed and casual atmosphere.
Xiao Lingxi, accompanied by Zisu, appeared in the garden dressed in bright and charming colors, like the most vibrant splash of color in spring.
Shortly after arriving, a familiar yet annoying voice rang out from the side:
"Oh, isn't this the famous Miss Xiao the Second?"
Du Tingting walked over surrounded by a group of her girlfriends, a fake smile on her face, her tone sarcastic: "What? Did the sun rise in the west today? You actually came to such an elegant gathering? Did you suddenly have a change of heart and want to try your hand at being cultured? Too bad, this is a competition of real talent and ability, not something you can get away with by being clever."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingxi retorted without any politeness: "Du Tingting, you're so nosy, what right do you have to tell me where I'm relaxing? Do you think Liushang Garden is your private property?"
She raised her chin slightly, looking down at Du Tingting with disdain, and sneered, "You say I'm illiterate, but do you think you are? All you do is stare at other people's clothes, jewelry, and accessories and criticize them, or follow Lin Wan'er around like a little shadow. I bet you can't even recite the first line of the Book of Songs, can you?"
“You…” Du Tingting’s face stiffened as she was hit where it hurt.
Thinking of something, his eyes darted around, and he immediately became smug, raising his chin even higher:
"Yes, I'm not like some people who think they're superior, but my fiancé understands!"
Du Tingting proudly boasted, "You must have heard that my fiancé, Shen Lang, is the newly appointed top scholar, personally selected by His Majesty. We're getting married soon, and he'll have plenty of time to teach me. It's much better than that other girl... who once eagerly approached him, only to be rejected by Shen Lang, who then turned around and proposed to me. Isn't that much better?"
Du Tingting deliberately brought up Shen Moyan in order to provoke Xiao Lingxi and see her regret, embarrassment, or disappointment.
After all, many people knew that Xiao Lingxi and Shen Moyan were very close back then.
After high school, Shen Moyan abandoned his old love and married Du Tingting instead. In Du Tingting's eyes, this was the best proof that she was better than Xiao Lingxi.
Seeing her smug and boastful appearance, Xiao Lingxi felt a little itchy to touch her.
In the past, she would have already launched a counterattack. But today, thinking of her plan, Xiao Lingxi forcibly suppressed her impulse.
Not only that, she tried her best to look like she had been defeated by Du Tingting, her face turned pale, and she staggered back two steps.
"You...you two are really getting married?"
Seeing her so devastated and on the verge of collapse, Du Tingting felt incredibly pleased.
Then, her smile grew even more blatant, "Of course, the top scholar chosen by His Majesty, the future pillar of the nation, will soon be my husband, Du Tingting! What? Miss Xiao, are you... having second thoughts?"
"What a pity, it's too late!"
Xiao Lingxi seemed to be completely devastated by her words. She lowered her head abruptly, her shoulders trembling slightly. From an outsider's perspective, it looked as if she was trying her best to suppress her sobs.
Meanwhile, not far away, in a slightly elevated pavilion half-hidden by several clumps of green bamboo, a pair of deep eyes were taking in the whole scene.
Today, Chu Yu was dressed in a moon-white casual dress with dark patterns, with only a plain jade pendant tied around his waist. He had completely shed the majesty of a crown prince and looked more like an elegant young master from a noble family.
Behind him stood several plainclothes guards and personal attendants.
The Third Prince Chu Yan has been making increasingly frequent moves lately, maintaining close relationships with some newly appointed scholars and literati. He needs to personally gauge the prevailing winds.
His vantage point offered an excellent view, allowing him to clearly see Xiao Lingxi's lowered face through the gaps in the bamboo leaves.
The eunuch Deng, who was behind him, also witnessed the scene and couldn't help but sigh softly, "Your Highness, isn't that Miss Xiao, the second young lady of the Yongning Marquis's residence? She looks like she's been bullied... Should this servant go and take a look, or perhaps Your Highness..."
Chu Yu raised her hand, stopping Eunuch Deng from speaking.
He had practiced martial arts since childhood and had excellent eyesight. Just now, when Xiao Lingxi lowered her head, he clearly caught the triumphant smile on her lips.
Where is there even the slightest bit of sadness?
This girl is clearly putting on an act, and her acting is quite skillful. At least the group of people opposite her believe it.
"No need. If you go up now, you might spoil her fun," Chu Yu said with amusement.
...
On the other side, Xiao Lingxi pretended to be sad and walked away, quickly finding a secluded spot to let her emotions show.
"How was it? How did I perform? Did Du Tingting believe me?"
Seeing her young mistress's rapid change of expression, Zisu twitched her lips in exasperation and honestly replied:
"They believe it, Miss. Not only does Miss Du believe it, but I'm afraid everyone around her believes it too. I guess by now, everyone here should know that you still have feelings for Young Master Shen and are heartbroken after hearing about his marriage to Miss Du."
"That's exactly the effect I wanted." Xiao Lingxi snapped her fingers, her face full of satisfaction at her successful scheme.
"What's a temporary damage to one's reputation? It's worth it to keep those two bastards firmly under control."
Zisu was still somewhat puzzled: "Miss, why do you have to damage your reputation like this? Even if you don't do this, isn't Miss Du going to marry Young Master Shen anyway?"
"You don't understand." Xiao Lingxi snorted coldly: "That bitch Du Tingting is vain and competitive. She snatched Shen Moyan mostly to compete with me and prove that she is better than me. If I act indifferent or even applaud, she might find it boring and even suspect that Shen Moyan has some kind of problem that I don't know about. This marriage might even cause unexpected complications."
“But if I act so ‘concerned’ and so ‘heartbroken’ now, she will definitely think that Shen Moyan is a hot commodity, something I can’t have. In order to prove that she has won against me, and to see me continue to be ‘suffering’, even if she finds out that there is something wrong with Shen Moyan, she will grit her teeth and continue with the marriage, and may even hold on to it even more.”
"What I want is to lock them up tightly, so that neither of them can harm anyone else!"
"I see! So that's how Miss was trying to provoke Miss Du."
Zisu suddenly realized what was going on and was full of admiration for her young mistress's scheming.
"Alright, now that we've achieved our goal, this quaint place isn't all that great. Let's go back to our residence."
Xiao Lingxi was in a good mood. She straightened her clothes and prepared to go home.
Unexpectedly, after walking only a few steps, she ran into the person she least wanted to see at that moment on a quiet path leading to the outer courtyard.
Shen Moyan.
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