Chapter 50 Dust and Light (Nine) I fear Zhi Rou will take it seriously.
No one expected that this story would be distorted in Sheng Xingyun's words in such a way.
Zhi Rou felt a strange mix of emotions, which she couldn't understand or deal with. Perhaps due to her still-naiveté, upon hearing Sheng Xingyun's words, she subconsciously thought that this person was ill.
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Zhi Rou scolded.
She wouldn't admit it, but Wei Yuanzhan was indeed her best friend. She was already upset that he had been unfairly stigmatized, and with this latest incident, Zhi Rou simply couldn't face him anymore.
The girl's voice was clear and bright. As soon as she spoke, everyone around her was stunned, including Wei Yuanzhan.
Before he could utter a word, Song Zhirou was even more anxious than he was.
Sheng Xingyun had seen Zhi Rou angry before, but never at him, so he didn't respond immediately. After a moment, he said, "That's not what I meant. I just blurted it out, really, I...t..."
Zhi Rou coldly cut him off: "I don't want to hear it." Then she pushed him far away, tidied the table, and stopped looking at him.
Sheng Xingyun was used to speaking without restraint, and he didn't behave properly in front of Zhi Rou either. Seeing that she was really angry, he panicked and wandered over to Wei Yuanzhan, wanting to ask Wei Yuanzhan for help.
The sunlight was perfect, and the young man sat motionless in the golden glow, his eyes sweeping over him with a chilling gaze: "If you want her forgiveness, you don't need to ask me for it?"
Sheng Xingyun choked. Comparing the two, Wei Yuanzhan's face was calm and composed, while Song Zhirou's face was frosty!
The urgency and the timeliness will become clear immediately.
Sheng Xingyun hurriedly ran back, squatted down beside Zhi Rou's desk, and kept calling her, "Song Zhi Rou, Zhi Rou, I really didn't mean it that way, Zhi Rou, Zhi..."
"Sheng Xingyun, what are you doing?" A hoarse voice came from the doorway, and the owner, with thick eyebrows, slowly stepped in.
When Sheng Xingyun saw that Master Du had arrived, he jumped up and, even after taking his seat, still glanced at Zhi Rou with lingering reluctance.
I thought this little thing wouldn't make a difference, but today after school, Zhi Rou didn't wait for Wei Yuanzhan, and he didn't go to find her either.
Song Hanjin sensed something was wrong and quickly caught up with Zhirou, stepping into the courtyard together.
"What's wrong? Sheng Xingyun was just whispering with you... did he make you angry?"
Zhi Rou didn't want to recount yesterday's events in detail. She shook her head and asked, "Sister, do you think I shouldn't always wear men's clothes?"
Song Hanjin disliked her fourth sister always wandering around outside, but seeing her expression, she couldn't help but raise her eyebrows: "Who is gossiping about you again?"
"Nobody."
The two walked side by side; Zhi Rou rarely had such a quiet moment.
Song Hanjin's mind raced, and she asked with a slight smile, "There's a Cuju (ancient Chinese football) match at Tingsong Academy today. Would you like to go?"
"Is big brother here too?"
"Of course, with my brother being so capable, he would definitely be there."
The scent of orange blossoms lingered in the courtyard. When Zhi Rou smelled it, she couldn't help but recall that her older brother always had a similar scent, very refreshing, like a long breeze.
She couldn't help but purse her lips and mutter, "I really envy my older brother. He also leaves early and returns late, and you never see him at home, yet my mother and grandmother never discipline him. I wish I were a man; how carefree that would be."
Upon hearing this, Song Hanjin smiled and said, "Second sister also said that you were born into the wrong family. With your temperament, you should have been a mischievous boy."
Mentioning Song Hanyin inevitably brings to mind another matter: "By the way, your second sister might send you over tonight; she's going to pierce your ears."
Knowing she couldn't escape this fate, Zhi Rou pinched her earlobes with both hands, looking dejected. Song Han Jin chuckled and said, "Didn't you want to wear it too? It'll only take a blink of an eye, it won't hurt."
Meanwhile, back in Jiayang, ever since she was spotted in the alley yesterday, she had been feeling uneasy, wondering how much the girl disguised as a boy understood or guessed.
With unrest at the border and the arrival of envoys, His Majesty, now in his prime, desires no further conflict. He has only one princess, who is already married. The Empress, who is not usually friendly to the Prince You's household, has suddenly bestowed this imperial favor—how can one not be wary?
Jia Yang tried countless methods to protect herself. Her father was useless to her, and her mother did not believe her premonitions. She had done all this all by herself and could not afford to fail.
After returning from the alley, Jia Yang pondered for a long time before finally sending someone to the Song residence to invite Miss Song Si to the Prince You's residence for a chat.
Sheng Xingyun's unintentional remark had already made Wei Yuanzhan irritable for the entire morning.
Although he appeared outwardly composed and without any flaws, his inner world was in turmoil, fearing that his pent-up emotions would surface and leave him bewildered.
After the class ended, Wei Yuanzhan went straight to the front courtyard, mounted his horse, and headed to Qiyun Garden.
Changhuai's robe caught his eye, and he said anxiously, "My lord, the Marquis has asked me to invite you back to the manor."
Wei Yuanzhan frowned, guessing that the rumors had already reached his father's ears: "Did Father say anything?"
"The Marquis and his wife are in the inner hall. They haven't said anything, but they told the master to go back quickly."
Wei Yuanzhan paused for a moment, then said, "Understood." He spurred his horse and galloped towards the Marquis of Yining's residence.
Upon entering the corridor, I bumped into Wei Mingying, who had been waiting for a long time.
She looked at him with a half-smile, crossed her arms and asked, "Do you want your sister to get you a couple of soft armors? Those military sticks hurt."
Wei Yuanzhan ignored her sarcasm, saying, "Sister, you should mind your own business."
"What do I have to say?" Wei Mingying glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "But you, don't argue with your father."
The tone softened in the second sentence, revealing a hint of concern.
Wei Yuanzhan did not respond, but continued to pace towards the inner hall.
Wei Mingying followed in his footsteps, like a shadow, not too far behind. He stopped and half-turned around: "Why are you following me, sister?"
"You only have me as your brother. If I don't collect your body, who will?" Wei Mingying tugged at her skirt and muttered to herself.
Wei Yuanzhan sneered inwardly. She was so eloquent when it came to disciplining him, but when it came to himself, she couldn't see anything clearly. He then ignored her.
Upon entering the inner hall, Wei Yuanzhan bowed as usual: "Your son greets your father and mother."
The two of you must have heard it, but you only stroked the rim of the cup and did not respond for the time being.
Wei Yuanzhan had no choice but to stand and wait.
He stood up straight, showing no sign of self-reproach, and even had a youthful, adventurous spirit in his eyes.
Xu Yueqing was troubled. Why hadn't her son inherited even a fraction of the Marquis's composure? If the old Marquis were still alive, would this boy be a little more docile?
Wei Jingfan glanced at Wei Yuanzhan for a moment, then picked up the teacup and said, "Don't rush, think it over before you speak."
Wei Yuanzhan was somewhat annoyed: "There's no kid here."
"You admit that this happened?" the head of the table asked again. Wei Yuanzhan lowered his long eyes, neither denying nor refuting.
They knew exactly what kind of son he was. It was just that the rumors were rampant outside, clearly someone was stirring things up. If Wei Yuanzhan continued like this, constantly causing trouble, how could his career possibly progress?
Therefore, today, Wei Jingfan is determined to give him a warning.
"If it's not a kid, then tell me, who is it?" His tone was gentle, but his eyes were as sharp as ice, and no one in the room dared to move.
Wei Mingying observed for a moment, then suddenly spoke up: "Father, Yuanzhan goes to the Song residence or Qiyun Garden all day long. What young men or women could he possibly be with? He wouldn't do something so indecent. It must be someone else slandering him..."
Halfway through his sentence, Wei Yuanzhan frowned: "Sister."
“He’s not willing to accept your favor.” Wei Jingfan put down his teacup and glanced at Wei Mingying.
She suddenly realized something, her gaze sweeping over Wei Yuanzhan's face in astonishment before she fell silent.
Wei Jingfan tucked his sleeves in and glanced at the two people standing behind him: "Changhuai, Lanye."
Chang Huai's eyelashes trembled. Who else could it be? He had already betrayed the Fourth Miss once and refused to speak again.
Lan Ye obeyed the Crown Prince's orders without uttering a sound.
The atmosphere inside the hall was heavy, as if steel was pressing down on one's heart.
"What a fine example of 'following the example of superiors,' so loyal indeed." Wei Jingfan's patience wore thin. "Guards, administer the cane."
"Who dares?" Wei Yuanzhan immediately turned around, and the servants standing below him paused, unable to advance or retreat.
Wei Yuanzhan continued, "What does Father's question about me have to do with them? They were sent to Qiyun Garden yesterday and did not follow me. Father's questioning is pointless. It would be more swift to punish me directly."
His words and actions were outrageous; he even dared to contradict the Marquis's orders, which greatly alarmed Changhuai and Lanye.
Wei Jingfan chuckled: "With your grandfather gone, no one can control you, is that right?"
"Yuan Zhan, why aren't you kneeling down?" Wei Mingying urged in a low voice.
Wei Yuanzhan glanced at her, still with that "I did nothing wrong" attitude: "Why should I kneel?"
He looked up and said respectfully, “Father, I am upright and honest, and I am not afraid of what others say. If you are punished because of me, I will accept it.”
These words only elicited an even more contemptuous laugh from Wei Jingfan: "Punish you? Do you think I dare? Do I still hold any power over you, Wei Yuanzhan?"
At the height of his anger, his breath trembled and burst from his chest.
Wei Mingying glared hatefully at Wei Yuanzhan, then rose and knelt in the hall: "Father, please calm your anger."
Immediately, Changhuai and the others knelt down, their foreheads touching the ground: "My lord, please calm your anger."
Wei Yuanzhan gritted his teeth and slowly clenched his fists.
Wei Jingfan stared at him for a while, knowing in his heart that his skin and flesh were not afraid of being beaten. He had been disciplined since he was a child, and he never even had a chance to breathe before he went against his father.
After a moment's consideration, Wei Jingfan made a plan and said slowly, "You are responsible for dealing with the rumors circulating in the capital this time. If the rumors are still spreading in half a month, you should go back to Jiangdong to serve your grandmother. Besides, aren't you unwilling to take the imperial examinations and only want to spend your days with swords and spears? Your grandfather's old subordinates are all in Jiangdong. Go and see who can submit to you with your character?"
After she finished speaking, Xu Yueqing's eyes widened slightly, and she almost asked the Marquis to retract his order, but Wei Yuanzhan readily agreed, "Thank you, Father."
"Fourth Miss has really ruined my life." Back at Zhuoyun Courtyard, Lan Ye was still muttering to himself in frustration.
The person strolling with Master yesterday, who else could it be but Fourth Miss? As he pondered this, he asked Chang Huai, "Do you think Master really intends to go to Jiangdong?"
"What's wrong with your brain? Who said Grandpa is definitely going to Jiangdong? Can't you wish him well?"
"Alright," Wei Yuanzhan stepped into the room, "No one is to come in without my permission."
He closed the door, collapsed onto the bed exhausted, spread his hands, and stared thoughtfully at the engraving.
Recalling the day at the Song family school, he was actually a little flustered, afraid that Song Zhirou would take Sheng Xingyun's words to heart.
Those rumors about his homosexuality... He had expected that people would criticize him, but the speed of these rumors was really too fast. Who was stirring up trouble behind the scenes?
That night, for some unknown reason, Wei Yuanzhan dreamed of a day four years ago.
It was also June, his birthday was approaching, and Song Qizhang was ten days younger than him. As soon as he arrived at the family school, Song Zhirou prepared many birthday gifts for Song Qizhang. Her ideas were always different from others. Song Qizhang was both surprised and delighted, and called out "Fourth Sister" countless times with a smile.
He watched from the side, utterly disdainful, then turned his gaze back with a reserved air and began to play with his dagger.
Just then, Song Zhirou suddenly pounced on her like a nimble little animal. Her voice was playful as she turned out what she had hidden behind her back and said crisply, "I just heard you were also born this month. Happy birthday!"
He stood there stunned for a long time. He finally understood why Song Qizhang and the others always liked to surround her.
Because he wanted to too.
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