Chapter 40 They're just jealous of your talent
"Huh?" Su Xiaoyu was stunned!
"Young Master, this...isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
It would be so unseemly for a maid to personally hang a sachet on the young master's arm!
"What's inappropriate about it?" Xiao Jingheng raised an eyebrow. "You made the sachet, so naturally you should hang it. Do you expect someone else to do it?"
Su Xiaoyu was speechless at his question. She blinked her almond-shaped eyes, which were still a little watery, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly stepped forward.
"Yes, Your Highness."
She reached out her slightly trembling hand, carefully bent down, and approached his waist, searching for the ribbon next to the jade pendant.
The man's cool, refreshing scent enveloped her, making Su Xiaoyu's cheeks flush and her fingers become clumsy as she awkwardly tried to thread the ribbon through the jade ring.
Xiao Jingheng lowered his eyes, looking at the top of her head so close to his own, feeling her slightly nervous trembling, and her small, fair fingers busily working on his waist.
An indescribable sense of satisfaction and excitement welled up inside me.
He waited patiently, without urging her, and even hoped that she could stay a little longer.
With great difficulty, Su Xiaoyu finally managed to securely tie the sachet to his jade pendant.
The dark sachet, set against the white jade pendant and the purple official robes, surprisingly created a harmonious and pleasing sight.
"Alright, Young Master." Su Xiaoyu breathed a sigh of relief, took a step back, and widened the distance again.
Xiao Jingheng looked down at the extra embellishment on his waist, and an indescribable sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.
He suppressed the smile on his lips and casually instructed, "Hmm, acceptable. From now on, you will be responsible for wearing and maintaining these personal sachets and pendants."
Upon hearing this, Su Xiaoyu suddenly raised her head, her eyes widening in shock.
【Huh? This…isn’t this the kind of work only a personal maid or…or a future wife would do? You want me to do it? Is this appropriate?】
Su Xiaoyu opened her mouth, as if to say something, such as "This servant is foolish" or "I'm afraid there's something inappropriate."
As a result, Xiao Jingheng did not give her a chance to refuse.
"Aren't you leaving? What are you standing there for?"
Su Xiaoyu saw that he had already walked a short distance, and then looked down at her hands, feeling a mix of emotions.
This job... it feels like it's getting weirder and weirder.
But does she dare to say no?
Don't dare?
Poor working class!
...
In the following days, while working at Moyunzhai, Su Xiaoyu could always feel Xiao Jingheng's gaze falling on her, especially when she got close, his gaze was very strong.
Su Xiaoyu often gets so nervous that she doesn't know what to do with her hands and feet.
How should I put it? It felt like I was prey being targeted.
Meanwhile, Xiao Lingxi was running out of the mansion more and more frequently.
Today I went to the bookstore to buy my second brother's newly published collection of essays; tomorrow I'll deliver the tonic soup my mother prepared to him; and the day after tomorrow I'll go to the academy to learn new needlework patterns from the needlework master...
In short, the reasons are endless.
But there was only one goal: the "Green Pine Academy" in the south of the city.
Moreover, every time he went to see Xiao Jingxuan, it was just an excuse; his real purpose was to 'accidentally' meet Shen Moyan.
After several encounters, Xiao Lingxi developed an extremely positive impression of Shen Moyan.
He always spoke politely and maintained a just-right distance.
Not overly enthusiastic, nor deliberately ingratiating.
Moreover, he speaks with elegance and has unique insights; when he occasionally talks about the scenery and customs of Jiangnan, he is even more captivating.
Most importantly, he never inquired about Xiao Lingxi's family background, as if he only treated her as a friend with whom he could have an equal conversation.
This made Xiao Lingxi, who was used to being flattered, feel incredibly vibrant and comfortable.
In her eyes, Shen Moyan was like a bright pearl in a turbid world, completely different from those纨绔 (wan ku, spoiled brats) and hypocritical young masters in the capital.
That day, she found another excuse to come to Qingsong Academy.
As she walked familiarly toward Xiao Jingxuan's schoolhouse, she passed a small bamboo grove and overheard several students discussing something:
"See that? That's Shen Moyan, from Jiangnan. I heard he made quite a splash at the Princess's banquet, even outshining Brother Zhou."
"Pshaw, you poor, pretentious bastard! All you can do is write a few pretentious poems to attract attention!"
"Exactly! Don't they know their place? How dare they show off in that kind of setting? Do they really think they can climb the social ladder and rise to the top in one step?"
"I heard that his family is so poor that they can barely afford to eat. He had to scrape together the money to come to the capital. He's hoping to pass the imperial examination this time so he can go back and bring honor to his ancestors."
The jealous and malicious speculations of a few students instantly ignited Xiao Lingxi's anger.
She was just about to teach these people a lesson when she saw Shen Moyan suddenly walk out from the other side of the bamboo forest.
He had clearly heard those words, and his expression was not good.
"Gentlemen, the level of one's learning is determined by the examinations. Mo Yan's family background seems to have nothing to do with your diligent study of the classics."
"Whether one is poor or not depends on one's heart, not on material possessions. Clothes can be washed, but one's aspirations must not be tarnished. My purpose in coming to the capital this time is solely to seek knowledge and exchange ideas, hoping that one day I can serve the country and live up to all the learning I have acquired in my life."
"Words of currying favor and thoughts of instant advancement are not the behavior of a scholar. Please refrain from making any further speculations, lest you unjustly disgrace the teachings of the sages."
After saying this, he cupped his hands in greeting again, turned and left, his posture elegant and composed.
Upon hearing these words, Xiao Lingxi, who was hiding behind the bamboo forest, gradually relaxed her tense body.
Young Master Shen is an upright person; how could he possibly be the kind of person these students claim to be who "climbs the social ladder"?
These students must be jealous of Young Master Shen's talent, so they deliberately fabricated rumors to slander him!
Several students were caught red-handed and given a lecture by Shen Moyan, and in the end they all walked away sheepishly.
At this moment, Xiao Lingxi stepped forward and said, "Young Master Shen, please wait."
Shen Moyan stopped upon hearing this, turned around, and upon seeing her, a perfectly timed hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. "So it's Miss Xiao!"
Xiao Lingxi walked up to him, paused, and said, "Don't take those people's nonsense to heart. They're just jealous of your talent, that's why they're spouting such arrogant words!"
As she spoke, she looked intently at Shen Moyan: "Young Master Shen is a man of great ambition, a true man of integrity and talent. He has established himself in this world through genuine ability and learning. How could these sparrows possibly fathom his true worth?"
Shen Moyan showed gratitude, but also a slightly distant expression: "Miss Xiao is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise. It was just a passing breeze and I didn't take it to heart. It is you who has troubled me with your concern, Miss. I am truly sorry."
The more nonchalant he appeared, the more Xiao Lingxi felt he had suffered a tremendous injustice.
My protective instincts surged, and I wanted to do something for him.
"Oh, by the way, I brought some snacks for my second brother today, and I also brought some for you. Would you like to try some?"
As she spoke, she took out an oil paper package from the food box and handed it to Shen Moyan.
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