Chapter 41 Dispute
"After Qingfeng left, I stayed behind to keep an eye on that person."
He was very scared at first, but after a while, he took out a whistle from his pocket and prepared to blow it.
But as soon as the whistle entered his mouth, he suddenly collapsed and died, bleeding from all seven orifices.
I rushed down to check on him, but he was almost dead.
I saw the poison on that whistle; it's lethal upon contact with blood.
Xiao Ling scoffed and said, "This Ye Jing really has some tricks up his sleeve. It seems he has big ambitions for the Xie family."
After saying that, he turned to Qingquan and said, "Go and investigate this Ye Jing carefully, and see what he's up to."
"Here you go."
After Qingquan finished speaking, he turned around and left.
After Qingquan left, before Xiao Ling could even speak, someone came in to announce that Xie Yuntang had arrived.
Xiao Ling quickly stood up.
Xie Yuntang appeared at the door, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."
"No need for formalities. What brings you here, Brother Xie?" Xiao Ling said politely.
"I apologize for not sending a formal invitation beforehand and for my unauthorized visit, Your Highness," Xie Yuntang said.
Xiao Ling smiled and said, "Brother Xie, you're too kind. There's no need for such formalities between us."
He then gestured for Xie Yuntang to sit down and asked Qingfeng to serve tea.
Xie Yuntang waved his hand repeatedly and said, "A message just came from home saying that my grandfather has invited the Prince to meet at the old place, Tianxing Tower, at 5 pm today."
They asked me to convey a message to the Prince.
Xiao Ling was taken aback when he heard this. The old tutor invited me?
Later, when he heard about the old place, Tianxing Tower, he knew that Xie Yunyu had invited him.
His mood immediately improved, and he smiled and said, "Since it was the Grand Tutor who invited me, then I will certainly arrive on time."
Xie Yuntang nodded, then said apologetically:
"I still have official business at the government office and have asked for leave to come out. I cannot stay any longer. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Xiao Ling laughed and said, "Next time something like this happens, just have your servant deliver the message."
There's no need to make a special trip over during your shift.
As he spoke, he looked at the servant standing at the door behind Xie Yuntang.
"His name is Jixiang, right?"
The servant immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness, my name is Jixiang."
Xiao Ling pointed to Qingfeng behind him and said, "This is my servant, named Qingfeng."
If you need anything in the future, just come to Qingfeng.
Jixiang nodded in agreement.
Xie Yuntang laughed and said, "Wouldn't that seem very rude?"
Xiao Ling said amiably, "Alas, Brother Xie is overthinking it."
He took two steps forward and stood in front of Xie Yuntang, saying, "Since Brother Xie has official business, I won't insist that you stay."
Xie Yuntang replied, "Farewell."
Xiao Ling saw Xie Yuntang off at the gate of the government office courtyard, and only turned back after watching him walk away.
The guards at the gate muttered, "Who is this? Why did the Prince personally escort him out?"
"Judging from the official robes, he's from the Hanlin Academy, so his official rank probably isn't very high."
Another person said.
"Oh, I remember now, isn't it that Xie family member who was personally selected by His Majesty to enter the Hanlin Academy because of his excellent handwriting?"
The other person nodded and said, "Yes, I guess it's him. The Prince has been learning calligraphy from him recently."
"I see. It seems the Prince values him highly. Next time, keep your eyes peeled and promptly inform him when he arrives."
The other person nodded in agreement.
As soon as Xiao Ling returned, Qingfeng said with a smile, "It's obvious that Miss Xie invited you over."
Xiao Ling nodded.
Qingfeng chuckled slyly from the side: "Look at this Miss Xie, she keeps saying she won't marry you, but when trouble comes, isn't she the first person she thinks of?"
Xiao Ling glared at him: "What are you trying to say?"
Qingfeng suddenly realized he had said the wrong thing and quickly tried to make amends:
"Hehe, what I was trying to say is that you should make a good impression today, young master. Who knows, maybe the young lady of the Xie family will soften her stance?"
Xiao Ling shook his head and said, "You don't understand her."
Even if she really wanted my help, she would rather offer other benefits than budge on this matter.
Qingfeng maintained his signature pose, one hand crossed over his chest, the other stroking his chin, and said:
"From what you're saying, sir, this young lady from the Xie family is completely unyielding, neither to be persuaded nor to be deterred?"
"Yes, you could say that."
"So you've never tried using your good looks? I don't believe that trick doesn't work?"
Qingfeng, however, had considerable confidence in Xiao Ling's charm.
Xiao Ling replied, "It works quite well, but its effect is too short-lived. She is a determined person."
Upon hearing this, Qingfeng scratched his head.
"Oh? Is it that difficult to handle?"
Xiao Ling nodded: "She is special, unlike other women."
When Qingfeng heard Xiao Ling say this, he thought to himself: Anyone who can catch your eye must have something special.
After Xie Yuntang delivered the message, he sent someone back to his residence to report it.
After receiving the message, Xie Yunyu thought that it would be dark by the day after tomorrow after they finished their business, so she dressed in men's clothing and went out.
Arriving at Tianxing Building a quarter of an hour early, I entered room number two, as usual.
No sooner had she stepped inside than Xiao Ling arrived.
When Xiao Ling entered and saw Xie Yunyu's attire, he was slightly taken aback, but was relieved after seeing her appearance.
The man was also well-dressed, looking quite like a scholar from Nanshan Academy.
Seeing that Xiao Ling had come alone this time, Xie Yunyu stood up and said:
"Please sit, Your Highness."
After saying that, he waved to Gu Yu, who then stepped out and stood at the door.
I saw a man standing in front of the railing at the entrance. He didn't look like a scholar, but rather like a guard from some household.
Gu Yu examined the man's clothing more closely and finally confirmed that he was a member of the Prince of Shou'an's faction.
Inside the room, Xie Yunyu looked at the person in front of her and asked without any politeness:
"Does Your Highness know about what happened at the Kyushu Pastry Shop today?"
Xiao Ling was stumped for a moment. Should she say she knew or not?
But judging from Xie Yunyu's tone, she seemed certain that she knew.
He nodded and admitted, "I know."
Upon hearing Xiao Ling's admission, Xie Yunyu's anger flared up.
"Is the Prince behind this? Is he trying to force me to submit?"
Xiao Ling originally thought Xie Yunyu had come to ask him for help, and thought that the two of them would definitely be able to have a good talk today and ease the tension between them.
He had no interest in handling official business all afternoon, and as soon as he left the office, he went straight to Tianxing Tower.
But then he heard Xie Yunyu's question, realizing that she thought he was the mastermind behind it all.
Xiao Ling's anticipation for the entire afternoon instantly turned into a bucket of cold water, dousing her completely and thoroughly.
"Is this the kind of person you see me as?" Xiao Ling asked, frowning.
Isn't that so?
My grandfather and I were doing well in Jiangnan. Wasn't it you who instigated the Crown Prince to speak to His Majesty, forcing my grandfather to return to the capital?
He went to great lengths to get close to my older brother, hoping to harm my family.
Isn't this your usual style?
Xiao Ling felt very upset after hearing Xie Yunyu's questioning, and immediately put on a stern face.
"Xie Yunyu, watch your words."
Who is Xie Yunyu? When she gets angry, she fears nothing and no one, yet she's afraid of Xiao Ling's roar.
"I am careful with my words, but why are you so careless with your actions?"
Gu Yu listened to the two arguing inside and looked very nervous.
Qingfeng stopped standing by the railing and stood at the door, pressing his ear against the door to try and hear more clearly.
"How do you know I did this? What evidence do you have?"
“Evidence? If I had evidence, I wouldn’t be here talking to you right now; I would be going straight to the Dali Temple.”
The two continued arguing, neither of them calming down.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling stood up abruptly, walked to the window, looked at the street scene, took a few deep breaths, and calmed herself down.
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