Before she finished speaking, Duan Lan said coldly, "Don’t evade me by bringing up my parents!"
Li Junyan had been married for six years, and Duan Lan hadn’t had a moment of affection for her. However, she was very adept at establishing a good image of a dutiful daughter-in-law in front of his parents. Duan Lan almost guessed that Li Junyan must have wanted to come here herself, and then she beseeched their parents to send her to him.
By doing this, she could maintain her status and use his parents as an excuse to persuade him.
Did this woman really think he was stupid? Could he really be deceived so easily?
Li Junyan’s hands clenched tightly within her sleeves, her face changing several times before she finally said, choked with tears, "I shouldn’t have come here on my own, but both my parents and I were worried about you. Whenever you leave, Qingyun is your only personal servant, and you bring with you this man who is indifferent. My parents...they are..."
"Enough!" Duan Lan didn’t want to listen anymore to her making up stories here. He interrupted her sharply, "I am here for formal business this time, and I don’t have time to sort out this mess with you. We will discuss it when we return to the capital. Since you’re here, you will stay in the mansion and not leave. If you dare mess up my business, think about whether I can afford to spare you!"
Duan Lan gave her a cold glance, and then he was going to turn around and leave.
Li Junyan bit her teeth in anger, crying, "I won’t go out, then. Who would want to go out in such a backward place as Yu State?"
Listening to her ignorant remarks, Duan Lan couldn’t bear it. Yu State was backward? What did she think of the capital?"
Seeing his face darken, Li Junyan hurriedly said, "Even if I don’t leave the house, you should at least get a doctor for me. Today, I was smacked in the face without reason. I fear it might not heal for half a month."
As she spoke, she touched her swollen right cheek with an aggrieved tone.
Duan Lan let out a cold laugh, "So what are you trying to tell me? That you’ve provoked Ji Xinhe, but he didn’t give in and you were slapped instead? Or do you want me to return the slap for you?"
His voice carried a hidden voice of mockery.
He remembered a harsh remark Ji Xinhe once aimed at others, "If you don’t have the confidence to contest me, don’t provoke me."
Li Junyan’s face turned white instantaneously, she was tongue-tied.
Duan Lan didn’t feel like wasting time on her anymore, "Stay in the mansion and don’t go anywhere."
Having said that, he turned to leave.
Li Junyan hysterically yelled, "Why are you still protecting such a vixen?! What is she to you?"
"That’s not for you to question," Duan Lan responded with a cold laugh, "Have you lost yourself in your act, truly believing you’re Madam Duan? Behave yourself, I’ll let you keep the title for a few more days. But bear in mind its consequences."
He immediately left, not lingering for another second.
Li Junyan pointed at his receding figure, tearfully screaming, "Duan Lan, I pity you! Are you waiting for something from her? She’s already borne child and raised daughter for another man. Besides staring at the dead portraits in your study, what else can you do?"
Duan Lan’s figure jerked faintly, his hand in his sleeve clenched into a fist, but he did not hesitate and walked away decisively.
Qingyun, following behind Duan Lan, couldn’t help feeling a chill. He almost kept his head down to his chest. Her words had indeed hit Duan Lan hard.
"Keep a good eye on her. Don’t let anything go wrong," Duan Lan ordered.
"Yes," Qingyun responded in a rush.
——
In the blink of an eye, it was already the day of the Autumn Examination. Xin He got up early and took Ah Guai with her to send Xiao Bei and Xiao Chai Hu to the examination hall.
Over the years, whenever it was their examination, it was always Xin He who sent them off. After Ah Guai came along, he would come along to see them off.
"Although I hope you can succeed this time, if you cannot, I won’t force you. Don’t be nervous, just perform steadily, understood?" Xin He said as she took a large package from Shulan and handed it to Xiao Bei, "You need to stay in the examination hall for three days, the conditions there are not good. There are thick blankets, clothes and food in the bag, enough for three days."
Xiao Bei nodded excitedly, receiving the large package from Xin He’s hand, "Don’t worry, sister! I will do my best!"
Xin He smiled and patted his shoulder, "Our Xiao Bei has grown up. He’s even taller than I am. Now you’re an adult, the reward I give you this time should be different. If you pass this time, on the day when the list is posted, I will arrange a marriage proposal for you." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
Xiao Bei’s eyes lit up instantly, "Really?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Xin He chuckled, "But you must pass the exam, otherwise, you won’t get a wife."
Xin He laughed, clearly teasing him. In fact, she had already prepared the betrothal gifts and marriage contract for Xiao Bei. After his exam, she would head directly to the prefecture city to propose to the Song family.
Xiao Bei blushed, laughing and said, "Then I must pass the exam!"
He then patted Xiao Chai Hu’s shoulder, beaming, "Right, Little Nan? We must both become Scholars. Let my sister find a wife for you as well, so we can get married together!"
Xiao Chai Hu expressionlessly shrugged him off, "You get married on your own. Don’t drag me into this."
Xin He laughed and handed over a package to Xiao Chai Hu, patting his shoulder, "Do your best and don’t make mistakes. The examination is very rare, if you fail, you’ll have to wait another three years. Remember what I told you before?"
Xiao Chai Hu nodded, "I remember."
Xin He finally relaxed and smiled, "That’s good. Go in now. The sooner you go, the sooner you can prepare yourself mentally, so you won’t be nervous during the exam."
"Okay!" Xiao Bei happily agreed and pulled Xiao Chai Hu towards the examination hall.
Just as Xiao Chai Hu turned around, he seemed to notice something unusual, he suddenly looked in a particular direction.
Xin He followed his gaze and saw an elegant horse carriage. There was no emblem on the carriage body. It was obviously trying to avoid attention. The gently swinging carriage curtain indicated that someone had just been watching them.
Xin He watched the horse carriage with sharp eyes. Just as she was deciding how to coax the person in the carriage to show themselves, the curtain was lifted by a folding fan, revealing a tall figure.
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