Chapter 110 Taking advantage of her vulnerability, making her regret it deeply.
Xiao Lingxi clenched her fists so tightly that her nails almost dug into her palms.
Although she did not concern herself with court affairs, she knew that the Third Prince had always been the opposite of her father and brother.
This time, Chu Yan deliberately played the role of a fair and impartial peacemaker in front of everyone, which not only enhanced his reputation for valuing and cherishing talent, but also added an advantage to himself in the court.
She suffered this injustice in silence, which made her feel suffocated, but she had no choice but to accept the situation.
"Your Highness is too kind," Xiao Lingxi took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in her heart.
"Since Your Highness has personally mediated, this humble woman... will obey."
Chu Yan smiled with satisfaction: "Miss Xiao is indeed sensible and considerate of the big picture."
Seeing this, Shen Moyan immediately stepped forward and thanked Chu Yan, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness, for helping me out of this predicament. I will do my utmost to share Your Highness's burdens in the future!"
Chu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this and waved his folding fan lightly: "It's good that Scholar Shen has this intention. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come to me at any time."
Now, Shen Moyan was essentially forced onto the Third Prince's ship in public.
At this moment, Shen Moyan bowed to Lingxi again: "Thank you for your magnanimity today, Miss, for not holding a grudge."
Xiao Lingxi didn't want to give her a single extra glance. She quickly curtsied to Chu Yan, then turned and got into the Marquis's carriage.
After the Marquis's carriage left, the surrounding people praised the Third Prince for upholding justice and valuing talent.
Chu Yan accepted the compliments with a smile.
Not far from the street corner, a pair of eyes took in everything.
Du Tingting had just come out of the jewelry shop. She had also come to see the results today, as her brother was also participating in this year's autumn examination.
Unfortunately, from a distance, they witnessed Shen Moyan entangled with Xiao Lingxi.
After thinking for a moment, she summoned her trusted maid and instructed her, "Go and find out when Xiao Lingxi met Scholar Shen and what their relationship is."
Not long after, the maid returned and reported in a low voice:
“Miss, I’ve heard that Scholar Shen seems to have a good impression of Miss Xiao. The two of them were quite compatible and had some contact. But I don’t know what happened later, but Miss Xiao gradually distanced herself from Scholar Shen and has been avoiding him lately. There are rumors circulating outside, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
Upon hearing this, Du Tingting frowned slightly.
She knew all too well how arrogant and spoiled Xiao Lingxi was.
As for Shen Moyan, she had just seen him from afar. He was indeed handsome and had a certain integrity. He had even become the top scholar in the imperial examination in the capital, enjoying unparalleled fame.
Logically speaking, since Xiao Lingxi had taken a liking to Shen Moyan and had spent some time with him, she shouldn't have distanced herself from him after he passed the high school entrance exam.
Could it be...?
Suddenly, as if she had just thought of something, Du Tingting let out a cold snort.
"It must be that Miss Xiao Lingxi's temper has flared up again. Relying on her family background, she treats Scholar Shen like a servant, and throws tantrums at the slightest provocation. How can a proud and aloof scholar like Scholar Shen tolerate this for long?"
The two must have developed a rift because of a misunderstanding.
The maid also felt that this made sense.
"If that's the case, wouldn't Miss Xiao's actions just now be pushing Scholar Shen further and further away?"
“Of course,” Du Tingting said confidently. “Xiao Lingxi might be regretting it and heartbroken right now in the carriage.”
The more she thought about it, the more she realized it made sense. Looking at Xiao Lingxi's icy demeanor just now, and then thinking about Shen Moyan's restrained yet affectionate attitude after being rejected, a scenario of 'a devoted scholar being betrayed by a spoiled noblewoman' took shape in her mind.
"Miss, what should we do next? Scholar Shen just said that he would visit to apologize on a chosen day. What if the two of them clear up their misunderstanding and make up by then?"
Du Tingting frowned.
Make up?
That won't do.
Xiao Lingxi made her look bad at the banquet, and she hasn't gotten revenge yet.
A thought, like a vine, quietly sprouted and quickly entwined around her heart.
If... she were to seize this opportunity and show some concern for this 'devastated' new top scholar, with her family background and appearance, she might be able to move Shen Moyan.
When Shen Moyan becomes Du Tingting's devoted follower, wouldn't that idiot Xiao Lingxi regret it to death?
The thought of Xiao Lingxi's potential shock, resentment, and jealousy upon learning that she had completely lost Shen Moyan filled Du Tingting with a surge of pleasure.
The man who could steal Xiao Lingxi away, especially a talented and handsome scholar with a promising future, would be even more fulfilling than simply outshining her at the banquet.
Du Tingting adjusted her temples, revealing a determined smile.
"As you just saw, when the results of the imperial examinations were announced, many families were eyeing these newly appointed scholars, especially this top scholar, Shen, who was highly sought after. It's quite a custom to find a son-in-law after the results are announced."
The maidservant was startled upon hearing this; "Miss, are you going to...?"
“After returning to the manor, I went to tell my father that our Minister’s manor should also go and join in the ‘fun.’ This newly crowned top scholar… I think he’s very good, and we should ‘bring him’ back to our Du family.”
Upon hearing this, the maid understood.
“Miss is wise. It is a blessing for Scholar Shen to win your favor. With the prestige of our Minister’s family and your talent and beauty, this matter will surely succeed.”
Du Tingting smiled with satisfaction, as if she could already see Shen Moyan becoming her fiancé and Xiao Lingxi's exasperated expression.
She turned gracefully: "Let's go, let's congratulate my brother first, and then tell Father the good news."
——
Meanwhile, Xiao Lingxi sat angrily in the carriage. After walking for a while, she felt increasingly irritated.
"What bad luck! Why did it have to be that troublemaker, the Third Prince, who had to come out and act as a peacemaker!"
"And then there's that hypocrite Shen Moyan. He pretended to be so loyal and righteous before, but then he turned around and clung to the Third Prince's leg, claiming him as his patron. His sycophantic face is disgusting!"
Su Xiaoyu sat to the side and sighed helplessly: "The Third Prince is, after all, a member of the royal family. His status is what it is. No matter how powerful our Marquis's Mansion is, we can't embarrass the prince in public. If things really get out of hand, it will only give others a chance to gossip and say that our Marquis's Mansion is arrogant because of the prince's favor."
"I know! I just can't swallow this!" Xiao Lingxi's voice was full of resentment.
"I was the one who was wronged, but in the end it's as if I was the one who bullied others by abusing my power."
Seeing that her mood had calmed down a bit, Su Xiaoyu gently advised, "Second Miss, instead of feeling stifled in the carriage, why don't we go for a walk? The moat in the west of the city is not far ahead. It's the time when the willow leaves are turning yellow, and the scenery is beautiful. Maybe a walk will make you feel better."
Xiao Lingxi thought about it and agreed to the proposal.
"That's true. If I go back to my mother now, I definitely won't be able to hold back my temper."
The carriage then changed course and headed towards a secluded lakeside. Here, willows swayed gently, and the water was still; it was indeed much quieter than the bustling streets.
Xiao Lingxi got out of the car, her anger still simmering. Every few steps, she couldn't help but kick a small pebble at her feet, muttering to herself:
"Serves you right for putting on airs! Serves you right for bullying others!"
She grew angrier the more she thought about it, and kicked hard with her foot—
"call out!"
A pebble, neither too big nor too small, seemed to have eyes; it flew out with a 'whoosh' and landed squarely next to a carriage parked quietly not far away.
The carriage was decorated in a low-key yet luxurious style, with black curtains embroidered with dark gold cloud patterns, clearly not the ride of an ordinary family.
"Oh no!" Su Xiaoyu exclaimed, but it was too late.
With a "thud," the stone hit the horse pulling the cart right on the rump.
"Whoa—"
The horse, in pain, let out a loud neigh and charged forward like a madman, causing the carriage behind it to shake violently.
Fortunately, the coachman was clearly a skilled driver; he reacted extremely quickly, gripping the reins tightly and bringing the frightened horse under control in no time.
"Whoa—!"
Xiao Lingxi and Su Xiaoyu were both stunned. Looking up, they saw that although the carriage looked simple, the materials used were extremely exquisite, and the horses pulling the carriage were one in a million.
Several guards with sharp eyes and calm demeanor stood beside them, holding swords and looking at them warily.
We've messed up! And it's a huge disaster!
This was Xiao Lingxi and Su Xiaoyu's first reaction!
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