Shen Jinhua thought smugly, unaware that when she looked up again, Song Zhiyu had already walked far away, leaving her only with a cold back view.
Instead of going back to the Marquis's mansion to get the money as she had said, Song Zhiyu turned a corner and headed towards the Yuelai Inn.
"Miss, do you think Miss Jinhua will really take the bait? What if she can't come up with that much money?" Lu Bai was worried that Chen Jinhua wouldn't be able to come up with the money, and her young lady's plan would be ruined.
Song Zhiyu wasn't worried; it all depended on whether Shen Feng was willing to spend a lot of money. "The estates and shops under the name of the Marquis of Chengen's mansion have a revenue of at least three thousand taels this month, which is just enough to buy this jade ruyi."
Thinking about today's surveillance, Song Zhiyu couldn't help but connect it with yesterday's events.
As for Shen Jinhua's purpose, she didn't know for the time being, but it certainly wasn't anything good, so it was always better to be careful.
Lu Bai nodded, carefully keeping the IOU that Shen Feng had written. "The Marquis still hasn't paid back the money he owes you. The longer he delays, the more interest he'll owe."
Shen Feng had already decided not to repay the money the moment he borrowed it, using the tactic of "delaying" to try and get rid of the matter of the money, thinking that Song Zhiyu wouldn't dare to ask him for it back.
Shen Feng had planned it all out perfectly; Song Zhiyu was, in name only, his biological daughter.
It's only a few thousand taels of silver; it's only natural for a daughter to be filial to her father.
But he clearly underestimated Song Zhiyu's methods. If he wanted to get an advantage from her, he would have to suffer a lot.
Song Zhiyu has plenty of ways to make Shen Feng obediently pay back the money.
*
Yuelai Inn, Top-Tier Private Room.
Song Zhiyu handed the bundle to Ye Linxi and couldn't help but ask, "Have you already decided to leave tonight?"
"There are ships heading to Yunzhou outside the city today, and I plan to leave on one." Ye Linxi was worried that something might happen if she didn't leave the capital soon.
“I’ll go with you.” Song Zhiyu stood up and opened the door ahead of Ye Linxi, not giving her a chance to refuse.
She couldn't rest easy until she saw Ye Linxi leave with her own eyes.
Seeing this, Ye Linxi shook her head helplessly and followed after him.
She knew that Song Zhiyu was worried about her safety and that's why he wanted to take her to the shore, but she also had her own considerations.
If she fails to escape the capital, or is captured and brought back by Xiao Xun, it will inevitably implicate Song Zhiyu.
She didn't want Song Zhiyu to offend Xiao Xun because of her; it wasn't worth it.
*
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the three of them left the city and arrived at the shore where the boats were set off.
At this moment, an old-fashioned wooden boat was already quietly moored on the shore, surrounded by people taking turns waiting to board.
"I'll leave you here. I'll write to you once I'm settled." Ye Linxi stopped and turned to look at Song Zhiyu, a faint smile curving her lips, clearly in a good mood.
She was finally leaving the capital, leaving this place that caused her so much pain, and leaving that person behind.
Song Zhiyu nodded slightly and watched Ye Linxi leave.
"Miss Ye has boarded the ship. Miss, let's go back first."
Before Lu Bai could finish speaking, Song Zhiyu's expression changed, and she suddenly looked up at the flames burning not far away.
"He's here..."
"Who? Who's here?" Lu Bai scratched his head, puzzled, but seeing Song Zhiyu's furrowed brows, he realized something was wrong.
The sound of galloping hooves grew closer and closer, startling the people on the nearby boats.
Ye Linxi's face turned pale instantly, and the bundle in her hand fell to the ground. The moment she looked up, she met the man's dark eyes.
Xiao Xun sat high on his horse, his dark and unfathomable gaze fixed on Ye Linxi in the crowd, never looking away for a moment.
"Xi'er, come back with me. I can let bygones be bygones for what happened today." Xiao Xun dismounted and extended his hand to Ye Linxi.
Clearly, he was waiting for Ye Linxi to make a choice.
"Why won't you let me go?" Ye Linxi unconsciously took two steps back, biting her lower lip until it turned white.
Ever since she caught Xiao Xun's eye, she was no longer herself.
Ye Linxi did not want to be Xiao Xun's concubine, nor did she want to be trapped in the backyard for the rest of her life, only able to yearn for a man's favor.
She wanted freedom, and she also wanted dignity.
But the current situation is no longer something she can control.
Looking at the dark mass of Xuan Tian Guards behind Xiao Xun, Ye Linxi smiled mockingly.
Xiao Xun even mobilized the Xuan Tian Guards to capture her; she really has a lot of influence.
Sensing Song Zhiyu's worried gaze, Ye Linxi shook her head at Song Zhiyu, then walked step by step towards Xiao Xun, the coldness in her eyes seeming to transform into a tangible blade, deeply piercing Xiao Xun's heart.
He could no longer suppress his impulse. With a long stride, he pulled the person into his arms, his warm breath brushing against Ye Linxi's ear, "You'll never leave."
After saying that, he picked Ye Linxi up in his arms, mounted his horse, and rode away.
Song Zhiyu stared intently in the direction the two had left, and did not look away until their figures had completely disappeared.
Ye Linxi was caught and brought back by Xiao Xun this time, so it will be even more difficult for her to escape next time.
"Let's go." Song Zhiyu sighed, watching the boats that had already sailed away from the shore, and turned to return to the city.
*
The Marquis of Chengen's Residence.
Shen Jinhua stood at the gate, glancing outside every now and then, but she still couldn't see Song Zhiyu. Her impatience gradually became uncontrollable.
Finally, just as her patience ran out, Song Zhiyu slowly walked back.
But her expression was clearly much worse than when she left, probably because she hadn't bought the jade ruyi and was still sulking.
Shen Jinhua was somewhat pleased with herself, and reached out to gently stroke the jade ruyi held in the maid's hands.
Fortunately, she had the sudden idea to follow Song Zhiyu, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to get such a treasure.
"Second sister has finally decided to come back. It's getting late. Second sister, you're a woman, so you shouldn't stay out too late, lest you ruin your reputation." Shen Jinhua pretended to pass by, showing off the jade ruyi she had snatched from Song Zhiyu, and didn't forget to make a few sarcastic remarks.
Song Zhiyu forced a smile. She wasn't in a good mood, and yet someone had to come looking for trouble.
"Don't worry, no matter how bad my reputation is, it can't be worse than someone who made things difficult for my elder sister, caused a scene at the auction, and ended up being kicked out of the Treasure Pavilion. Don't you think I'm right, Fourth Sister?"
With a single, decisive blow, Song Zhiyu knew exactly how to hurt people.
“You…” Shen Jinhua’s face turned pale and then red with anger as her old wounds were reopened.
She always came out on the losing end in front of Song Zhiyu.
Shen Jinhua's ashen face instantly brightened when she caught a glimpse of the jade ruyi in the maid's hand out of the corner of her eye. She then pretended to adjust the pearl hairpin in her hair.
"So what if it's the Treasure Pavilion? Can it compare to Master Qian Yuan's original works?"
"Miss, isn't this the jade ruyi we've been eyeing? How did it end up in Fourth Miss's hands...?"
The two spoke at the same time.
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