Chapter 70 You've had so many misfortunes in the Marquis's mansion, come with me from now on.
“Jingheng, you have always been the most sensible and know how to weigh the pros and cons. Your mother has always trusted you! I don’t believe you would be so blinded by a maid and do something so foolish as to blur the lines between public and private matters!”
"Rumors are spreading like wildfire in the capital, saying that you risked everything for a mere maid, even mobilizing troops without authorization, and were impeached by three emperors."
Liu's voice suddenly rose a few decibels, her eyes filled with incomprehension and disappointment.
"Your mother would like to hear your explanation for this matter."
Facing his mother's sharp scrutiny, Xiao Jingheng remained unmoved.
He first lifted his robe, knelt down properly, and met Liu's gaze with an open and honest look.
"Mother, please understand that my actions were indeed ill-considered, and I am willing to accept your punishment."
"But if you say that your son disregarded the law for personal reasons, I dare not admit it!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingxi's eyelids twitched involuntarily.
She couldn't help but recall how her older brother had spurred his horse and galloped away the night before after hearing that Xiaoyu was still on the mountain.
She also heard from Changfeng that her elder brother was willing to exchange himself with bandits in order to save Xiaoyu.
Then, recalling how he had jumped into the water without hesitation to save Su Xiaoyu, Xiao Lingxi instantly understood.
If you say there wasn't any personal motive involved, even a dog wouldn't believe it.
My brother's ability to lie through his teeth is getting better and better...
"Then why do I hear that the whole capital is saying that you risked your own safety for Su Xiaoyu? These rumors are so detailed and convincing, they can't be baseless, can they?"
"You and her... are you really just in a master-servant relationship?"
This was what Liu was most worried about; she had to make sure that her son didn't have any improper thoughts about that girl.
A maid who can make her son break the rules repeatedly, and may even influence his judgment, must not be kept!
Faced with Liu's questioning, Xiao Lingxi's heart was in her throat, and she dared not breathe as she looked at her elder brother.
Xiao Jingheng's expression remained calm, his tone carrying a perfectly measured hint of helplessness and resentment at being misunderstood.
“Mother! This is precisely the malice of those behind this! Unable to attack me on the matter of ‘bandit suppression,’ they can only make a fuss about this, trying to use such despicable rumors to smear my character, ruin my reputation, and then attack the Marquis’s mansion and the Crown Prince’s palace.”
He looked up, his eyes clear and focused.
"I have absolutely no intention of overstepping the bounds of the master-servant relationship with Su Xiaoyu! I saved her firstly because she had rendered meritorious service in protecting her master, and secondly for the sake of the reputation of the entire Marquis's mansion. If Mother does not believe me, I can immediately send her out of Moyunzhai and bring her back to Mother's side to prove my innocence!"
These words, delivered with a strategy of retreating to advance, dispelled most of Liu's doubts.
"Alright, since you say so, I will believe you. As for that girl, I have already ordered someone to send her to her mother. Let her take good care of herself and she doesn't need to serve me closely anymore unless necessary."
After all, he was the benefactor who saved Lingxi, so they couldn't be treated too harshly, lest outsiders say that the Marquis's mansion was ungrateful.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Xiao Jingheng lowered his head and agreed, concealing the complex emotions in his eyes.
Afterwards, Lady Liu gave further instructions regarding the approaching year-end and the upcoming return of Marquis Yongning to the capital. She urged Xiao Lingxi to behave herself and avoid causing any more trouble, lest her father be displeased upon his return.
Xiao Lingxi cautiously agreed, and then followed her elder brother out of Yilan Garden.
After walking a short distance, Xiao Lingxi suddenly quickened her pace, walking alongside Xiao Jingheng, and whispered:
"Big brother, don't worry too much. I'll visit Xiaoyu often and make sure she doesn't suffer any injustice."
Xiao Jingheng did not stop walking, but glanced at his sister.
Seeing the genuine concern in her eyes, he remained silent for a moment before finally raising his hand and gently patting the top of her head.
"Um."
A simple head pat brought tears to Xiao Lingxi's eyes.
She suddenly realized that the burden her elder brother carried was far heavier than he had imagined. Family, the court, and those unspoken emotions…
Thinking back to his calm words to his mother just now, what kind of helplessness must have been behind them?
Xiao Lingxi nodded vigorously, as if making a solemn promise.
"Yes, big brother, don't worry. I will never tell anyone about you and Xiaoyu. I will help you!"
Just then, a servant rushed in to report:
"Young Master, Second Miss, the Second Young Master has returned to the manor. Hearing that Miss Xiaoyu was injured, he went directly to visit Zhao Mama's courtyard."
Xiao Jingheng frowned slightly.
Xiao Lingxi was also taken aback: "Second brother is back? Come on, eldest brother, let's go see him too!"
Without a word, Xiao Lingxi pulled Xiao Jingheng towards Su Xiaoyu's courtyard. As soon as they entered, they heard Xiao Jingxuan's excited voice coming from inside.
"...Little Fish, look at you! You've been constantly falling into the water or being tied up in this manor. It's been a series of misfortunes for you! Is the feng shui of this manor somewhat incompatible with yours?"
"If you ask me, why don't you go somewhere else to stay? I happen to need a clever pageboy. Once you're healed, you can take on the role and come with me to the academy. I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury and see the world. Isn't that better than living in fear in this backyard?"
The tone was clearly one of seduction, as if they were about to pry someone away from right under their noses.
Xiao Jingheng paused outside the door, his face instantly darkening!
Xiao Lingxi couldn't help but chuckle, then quickly covered her mouth and secretly glanced at her older brother, whose expression was displeased.
Seeing that her second brother was still talking incessantly to Xiao Yu, Xiao Lingxi rushed into the room before her eldest brother could speak, quietly tugged at Xiao Jingxuan's sleeve, and lowered her voice.
"Second brother! Stop talking!"
But Xiao Jingxuan was in a bad mood when his sister pulled him, and he then noticed that his older brother had also arrived.
He completely missed his sister's hint; instead, as if he had found a supporter, his eyes lit up, and he said to Xiao Jingheng as if seeking praise:
"Brother! You've come at the right time. I was just discussing this with Xiaoyu. You see how much trouble she's suffered in the manor. Why don't you come with me from now on and be my page? I promise to show her the world and never let her suffer again. What do you say, brother? Give her to me, okay?"
He got more and more excited as he spoke, completely unaware of Xiao Jingheng's darkened expression.
His face, which was already expressionless, was now covered with a layer of frost, and his eyes were so cold they could freeze a person to death.
Lying in bed, Su Xiaoyu sensed something was wrong and her heart started pounding.
She quickly spoke, her voice still weak from her illness.
"Thank you for your kindness, Second Young Master! This servant...this servant feels very comfortable in the Marquis's residence, and will follow the arrangements of the Heir Apparent and Madam. This servant is of lowly status and I am afraid I am not fit to be the Second Young Master's page."
After saying that, she quickly glanced at Xiao Jingheng, whose face was gloomy.
Xiao Jingxuan panicked upon hearing this and tried to persuade her further: "Hey? Xiaoyu, don't be afraid. What's wrong with coming with me? I..."
"Xiao Jingxuan!"
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a cold voice.
Xiao Jingheng stepped into the room, his gaze as sharp as an icicle as he fixed it on his unreliable younger brother.
It's a game-changer from the start.
"Father will be returning to the capital soon, and I imagine he will personally test your studies."
He paused, looking at his younger brother's instantly frozen expression, and slowly added:
"You must already be familiar with the annotations of the 'Strategies and Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government' and that set of Xiao family boxing techniques. As your elder brother, I am very much looking forward to it."
One sentence, like a bolt from the blue, left Xiao Jingxuan completely stunned, and the excitement and enthusiasm on his face vanished instantly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com