Chapter 42 Xiao Lingxi actually gave her leverage over his weaknesses.
Inside the carriage, Qingdai asked softly, "Miss, do you suspect that Miss Xiao the Second...?"
A cold glint flashed in Lin Wan'er's eyes. "Something unusual must be going on. Xiao Lingxi hates reading and calligraphy. She couldn't possibly be buying Huizhou ink for herself. Let's follow her quietly; we might discover something interesting."
The carriage slowly started moving, gradually merging into the crowd, and heading in the direction where Xiao Lingxi had disappeared.
Xiao Lingxi's carriage eventually made its way through many twists and turns to a quiet teahouse in the south of the city called "Tingzhuxuan".
The environment is quiet and peaceful, with few guests.
Behind him, Lin Wan'er's carriage stopped not far away, the curtain was lifted a crack, just enough to see the scene outside the teahouse.
Xiao Lingxi, wearing a cap, got out of the car like a thief and slipped up to the second floor of the teahouse.
Not long after, a slender, handsome scholar in a blue robe also entered.
He naturally exuded a refined, scholarly air. Although his clothes were unassuming, his composed gait revealed the demeanor of a learned man.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the two of them came out of the teahouse one after the other.
Xiao Lingxi was still the same as when she arrived, walking hurriedly, getting into the car with her head down and driving away quickly.
When the scholar in the green robe came out, he had a rectangular brocade box in his hand, which was just the right size to hold an ink stick.
Upon seeing this, Lin Wan'er's eyes flashed with shock!
As the legitimate daughter of a marquis, how could Xiao Lingxi engage in such a private affair?
But what one sees before one's eyes makes one think more.
Seeing that Shen Moyan was about to leave, Lin Wan'er didn't have time to think and quickly instructed the coachman, "Follow that scholar."
Soon, the carriage started again, following Shen Moyan at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
He walked through the streets and alleys and finally entered Qingsong Academy.
"Qingsong Academy..."
Lin Wan'er pondered for a moment, then instructed Qingdai: "Go and find out who that scholar in the blue robe who just went in is."
"Yes, Miss."
Qingdai accepted the order and left, returning in less than a quarter of an hour.
"Miss, we've found him. His name is Shen Moyan. He's from Jiangnan and was originally from a prominent family of scholars. However, his family has declined in recent years. He's come to the capital to participate in the autumn imperial examination."
Upon hearing this, Lin Wan'er's lips curved into a smile.
What a golden opportunity!
Xiao Lingxi, this spoiled girl who longed to break free from constraints, actually gave her a handle to use against her.
Private dealings!
The other party was a fallen aristocratic scion eager to revive his family fortune through a marriage alliance...
This is the perfect breakthrough.
Thinking of this, Lin Wan'er's smile deepened even further.
"Qingdai," she instructed her maid, "send someone to keep a close eye on them and see when they meet again."
"Yes, Miss."
——
Xiao Lingxi remained completely unaware of Lin Wan'er's suspicions. She continued to use various pretexts to leave the manor every day, creating opportunities to be alone with Shen Moyan.
Gradually, she discovered that Shen Moyan was not only a gentle and refined scholar, but also a very understanding person.
He seemed to be born to be the best listener. Whenever Xiao Lingxi complained about her older brother's strictness and constant scolding, or her mother forcing her to learn housekeeping and social skills, Shen Moyan could always accurately comfort and empathize with her.
This made Xiao Lingxi feel that he was the only person in the world who truly understood her and stood by her side.
What captivated Xiao Lingxi even more was the scene of "the grass growing and the orioles flying in Jiangnan in March" that Shen Moyan inadvertently described to her.
When she was tired from practicing calligraphy, he would describe the gentle beauty of the Jiangnan water towns to her: "If we were in Jiangnan right now, we could rent a small boat and float on the blue waves. We could see the small bridges and flowing water, the smoke rising from the chimneys, and hear the clear and melodious songs of the lotus-picking girls. That would be the real 'stealing half a day of leisure from a busy life'."
Gradually, Xiao Lingxi began to yearn for the Jiangnan region he described, a place without formalities or strict rules, where one could freely enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains and rivers.
A seed of escaping the status quo and striving for freedom quietly sprouted in her heart.
...
That day, Xiao Lingxi returned from outside, her steps noticeably lighter, her lips upturned, and her cheeks still flushed.
Because she received a gift from Shen Moyan today, a love knot.
Although it wasn't worth much money, the symbolism it carried made Xiao Lingxi very happy.
"Tongxin" (同心) means "to be of one heart and mind" or "to be of one heart and mind," signifying that the two people will be forever united in heart and mind.
Just as Xiao Lingxi was immersed in sweet memories.
"Good morning, Second Miss." A voice suddenly sounded from behind.
Xiao Lingxi was startled. She turned her head and saw that it was none other than Su Xiaoyu.
Su Xiaoyu also looked up at that moment, her round almond-shaped eyes darting around curiously, with a hint of obvious doubt in them.
What joyous occasion has the Second Miss encountered? Why is she smiling so... uh, is she smitten?
The idiom suddenly popped into her mind.
"Su Xiaoyu? Why aren't you serving in your elder brother's study? What are you doing here?"
This girl must be slacking off again.
"Reporting to Second Miss, the Young Master has gone to Jiangnan to investigate a case and has not been in the manor for the past few days. I have finished all my chores and am just about to return to my courtyard. What brings you here, Second Miss?"
Xiao Lingxi felt a little guilty under her probing gaze, as if someone had seen through her secrets.
She immediately put on a stern face and adopted her usual arrogant demeanor.
"Why are you, a mere maid, asking so many questions about your master's affairs?"
After saying that, she rolled her eyes at Su Xiaoyu and turned to leave.
But after taking a step, he stopped.
"Su Xiaoyu!" Xiao Lingxi raised her voice, her tone tense.
"Don't think that just because you stumbled upon a lucky break at the banquet last time, I'll be grateful to you."
She recalled the scolding she received from her older brother last time, and she was still angry about it.
"Hmph! Last time you got sick from eating too much, and I got a good beating from my brother because of it! I haven't settled that score with you yet. You're so clumsy, all you ever do is eat!"
After saying that, he seemed afraid that Su Xiaoyu would notice something else, or perhaps he was afraid that he would lose his composure and not be able to maintain the stern expression on his face.
He quickly snorted coldly, raised his chin, and walked away from Su Xiaoyu.
Even after Xiao Lingxi's figure had disappeared into the distance, Su Xiaoyu remained standing there, stroking her chin and pondering for a long time.
"strangeness……"
"Second Miss, you seem a little strange today?"
However, she was never one to dwell on things, so after she couldn't figure it out, she put it aside and went back to her place.
In two days it will be Zhao Yueru's birthday, and she had already planned to go out of the mansion to buy some fine leather to make her a warm and decent scarf.
It just so happens that Xiao Jingheng is away on business these days and not at home, so she, as his maid, has some rare free time, which makes things convenient for her.
The next morning, Xiao Lingxi dressed up and left the mansion carrying a food box.
The carriage came to a slow stop halfway through its journey.
"Second Miss," the coachman announced from outside, "that's the carriage of Grand Master Lin."
Lin Wan'er?
For some reason, Xiao Lingxi felt her eyelids twitch and had a strange, bad feeling.
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