Chapter 25 Clash with Yu Danshu: Just consider it as me, Ji Yucheng, begging you...
The moment she stepped out of Yan Hengdan's courtyard, Po Mo immediately stepped forward to support Zhu Xuanning. She concealed the worry in her eyes, but Zhu Xuanning just smiled at her and walked away as if nothing had happened.
But Po Mo felt the trembling in her palm, a sensation she had never experienced before from her composed young lady.
"Miss, shall we go back to the courtyard?" Po Mo asked Zhu Xuanning.
"Just wander around as you like," Zhu Xuanning said with a gentle smile.
The answer to whether or not to go back to the courtyard was obvious. She was unwilling to spend two days carefully dressing up and still not run into her target. She still had to go to Yu Xuan's place.
Moreover, after reaching a cooperation agreement with Yan Hengdan, Zhu Xuanning is not worried that the other party will interfere. On the contrary, she believes that the other party is even happy to see the cooperation go through.
Zhu Xuanning's movements naturally reached Yan Hengdan's ears. The servants trembled with fear, heads bowed, waiting for Yan Hengdan to erupt. Unexpectedly, after a long while, they heard Yan Hengdan sneer, then order the pairs of eyes that were staring at Zhu Xuanning to be withdrawn, and then there was no further reaction.
Zhu Xuanning originally intended to use the excuse of seeking advice to see Yu Xuan, but when she touched the book bag at her waist, she vaguely remembered that the "Classic of Filial Piety" with annotations had been left in Yan Hengdan's study.
The purpose of leaving empty-handed is too obvious, and Yan Hengdan has already used this excuse there. If he uses it again, it will seem that Yan Hengdan lacks knowledge. If he offends both of them, then things will be difficult.
Zhu Xuanning could only sigh and decided to use the reason she had never used before. She whispered to Po Mo, "Go and get the Bagua lock that I hid in my clothes box."
"Isn't that Sister Pomo?" Jingxin was walking along the road carrying a pile of books when he inadvertently glanced at Pomo on another main road. Just as he was about to take a few steps forward to call out to Pomo, he was pulled back by the more composed Xiyin.
"Look at what she's holding, isn't that a Bagua lock?" Xiyin asked.
With a determined effort, he stretched out his other hand and pressed down the asparagus fern branch in front of him, instantly clearing his half-obscured vision: "Yes."
Xi Yin stared at the departing figure of the ink-splashed figure, lost in thought: "That wasn't the direction to go find the young marquis, was it?"
Jingxin was stunned: "Are you stupid? The courtyard that the young marquis chose is right next to the fifth young lady. How could Sister Pomo have gone in the direction she was going to find the young marquis?"
Xi Yin glanced at Jing Xin with a complicated expression, put the scroll in her arms to Jing Xin, and said without turning her head, "You go and report to the master alone. I have something to do."
"Miss, it seemed like someone was watching me when I was on the road." Zhu Xuanning heard the sound of ink splashing after she got the Bagua lock.
Zhu Xuanning stopped fiddling with the Bagua lock. She had a guess in her mind, but she smiled lightly and didn't take it to heart: "It's okay, we'll go openly and honestly, and he won't be able to find anything wrong with us."
If you don't go during the day, but go at night, and do it secretly, it will only arouse more suspicion.
It's just a matter of making the other person angry for a moment, and then coaxing them will make them feel better; if that doesn't work, then we'll talk about it another way.
Once she's detached from her thoughts, Zhu Xuanning is always terrifyingly cold-hearted.
After Zhu Xuanning finished speaking, she sat on the stone bench, rubbing her eyelids until they were red, adjusting her expression until a satisfactory look appeared in the small bronze mirror. Only then did Zhu Xuanning stand up, holding Kongming Lock: "Let's go."
As they approached their destination, Splashed Ink quickened her pace, while Zhu Xuanning trailed far behind.
As Pomo trotted along, he wasn't stopped by the servants guarding the courtyard. He ran into the courtyard and his eyes lit up when he saw Shuqing, who was personally airing out his books: "Brother Shuqing! I'm so glad to see you!"
The ink splashed out with a crisp sound, and a bright, sparkling light shone in her clear, dark almond-shaped eyes.
Shuqing paused, her hand pressing down on the book, straightened her posture, and then stood up. Following her master's example, she was gentle in every way: "What brings Miss Pomo to me?"
With a sigh, her beautiful face showing distress, she gestured for Shuqing to come over and look out into the courtyard: "Look, my young lady is trying to solve the Bagua lock that your young master gave her to play with. She can't solve it, and she hasn't even eaten breakfast this morning. She's so distressed that she's even crying. I told her to come and find your young master, but she just won't, saying that she can't disturb Young Master Yu's studies."
Splashing ink, her tone rising and falling, finished speaking and carefully closed the distance between herself and Shuqing.
Shuqing was about to take a step back, but Pomo had already moved closer: "I led my young lady by the hand. Wherever I go, my young lady goes. Now I've tricked her into coming to Young Master Yu's place."
As she spoke, Po Mo naturally tugged at Shu Qing's sleeve, looked up at him with a pitiful expression, and pleaded softly, "Brother Shu Qing, please inform Young Master Yu. My daughter has a silly temper, and I'm really afraid she won't eat all day."
Shuqing had a plan in mind, and her attitude softened: "Wait a moment, I'll inform the young master."
He gently pulled his sleeve away, without telling Po Mo that the young master had been waiting for his young lady to come to see him.
When Shuqing handed the news to Yu Xuan, Yu Xuan put down the paper in his hand. He looked dazed for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.
Shuqing suddenly felt that the young master was being a bit unfair. The Zhu family's daughter hadn't eaten all morning, and when the young master heard the news, he wasn't heartbroken, but rather delighted.
“Nothing has changed.” Yu Xuan’s lips curled up slightly.
What hasn't changed?
Just as Shuqing was wondering, she heard the head of the table say, "Tell Chef Chen to prepare the dishes, the same ones I made at the manor last time. It needs to be quick."
After giving his instructions, Yu Xuan got up and left the study. He did not immediately have the maid bring Zhu Xuanning in, but instead turned to the mirror to check if there was anything wrong with his appearance today.
After changing his clothes, burning incense, washing his face, and applying lip balm, Yu Xuan smiled at himself in the bronze mirror before pushing open the door and going out.
And all of this takes only a quarter of an hour to complete.
Zhu Xuanning was already immersed in the world of unlocking the Bagua lock. When a faint fragrance wafted by and a gentle, heavenly voice called her, Zhu Xuanning's furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
Her vision first caught the light blue satin, and then her slender, bamboo-like fingers rested on the Bagua lock that Zhu Xuanning was holding.
Yu Xuan easily took the Bagua lock from Zhu Xuanning's hands and held it up with both hands: "I'll teach you."
His voice was gentle, straightforward, and without any pleasantries.
Zhu Xuanning finally raised her head, and when she met Yu Xuan's gentle, spring-like gaze, her heart skipped a beat.
A strange and peculiar feeling rose from the bottom of Zhu Xuanning's heart.
Yu Xuan glanced at the girl who was multitasking and said gently, "What are you daydreaming about? Watch carefully, learn it, and then go back after you eat. I don't want to be questioned by Xiao Ming later."
"I still need to review."
Yu Xuan fiddled with the Bagua lock as he walked, with Zhu Xuanning following closely behind.
The slight sense of unease that had just arisen dissipated because of Yu Xuan's words.
Zhu Xuanning then turned her attention to the Bagua lock.
She watched Yu Xuan's movements intently, but gradually her gaze was drawn to Yu Xuan's fingers.
Yu Xuan's hands are beautiful, but what caught Zhu Xuanning's attention was not that, but the thin calluses on Yu Xuan's hands.
"Did you understand?" Yu Xuan stopped both his hands and feet, turned his gaze, and asked.
Zhu Xuanning's eyelashes trembled slightly, then she nodded and naturally raised her hand.
Upon seeing this, Yu Xuan handed the Bagua lock to Zhu Xuanning.
The Bagua lock was too small, or rather, Zhu Xuanning's hands deliberately took up too much space. Even though Yu Xuan had subconsciously tried to avoid it, their hands still inevitably touched.
Zhu Xuanning lowered her head slightly, and the rising sun cast a soft glow on her snow-white neck. When Yu Xuan looked away and turned his head, he felt that the touch between them was magnified infinitely.
The touch was brief, yet it left Yu Xuan momentarily stunned.
cannot.
Reason calmed his emotions, and the slight restlessness in Yu Xuan's heart was instantly extinguished.
He then turned his gaze back to the white jade Bagua lock, which had already formed a beautiful arc in Zhu Xuanning's hand.
Yu Xuan gazed quietly at the focused and earnest girl, his eyes filled with light.
From the moment they met, the two had been focused solely on the Bagua lock, and thus, they hadn't yet ventured into the courtyard to rest. As the early spring temperature gradually rose, Zhu Xuanning, under the blazing sun, inevitably felt a heat rumble on her cheeks, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on her face.
Yu Xuan took a few steps forward, changing from being side by side with Zhu Xuanning to facing her.
The scholarly young man was very tall, like a strong and resilient pine tree. Although he had a gentle and gentle appearance, he exuded a sense of pressure when facing the girl who was bowing her head and focusing intently.
He shielded himself from the scorching sunlight, and his shadow fell on Zhu Xuanning. Yu Xuan thought for a moment, and finally raised his hand slightly, pulled open the wide, flowing plain satin sleeves, and gently fanned himself like a fan.
Such an action appears inelegant and ridiculous.
Shuqing saw it, but didn't even dare to laugh. He quickly gestured to the servants behind him.
Well, it was nothing more than fanning Miss Zhu without any regard for appearances. Compared to what the young master did, it was simply not worth mentioning.
But Po Mo had never seen Yu Xuan like this before. She looked a little dazed and even pinched herself.
Miss said that Young Master Yu is well-read, adheres to the principles of a gentleman, and is the toughest nut to crack, right?
By the time Zhu Xuanning finally untied the Bagua lock, she was drenched in sweat.
"It's solved!" Zhu Xuanning looked up in surprise, the iridescent pearls in her black hair shimmering, and the girl's face, flushed with rosy cheeks, was more beautiful than the azaleas in mid-spring.
Yu Xuan smiled gently, "That's great, Fifth Miss can finally eat properly now."
Zhu Xuanning's eyes widened slightly, a flush of heat spreading to her ears, and her moist, spring-like eyes revealed a hint of shyness and annoyance unique to young girls.
This was a completely different expression from the previous ones; it was vivid and lively, as if the distance between the two had long since become intimately close.
Yu Xuan felt a surge of joy in his heart, and even his eyebrows were softened with a gentle spring breeze.
But he still maintained a careful distance, neither daring to nor overstepping it.
“However, before you eat, Miss Zhu, please wipe your sweat first.” Yu Xuan handed over a neatly folded handkerchief.
Unlike Song Zhaohan's lingering affection, unlike Yan Hengdan's aloofness, and unlike Ji Yucheng's careful cherishing.
He was gentle and courteous, yet he gave Zhu Xuanning the most comfortable feeling.
Only with him could Zhu Xuanning sense no ulterior motives towards her, whether it was desire or malice.
Zhu Xuanning accepted the handkerchief and thanked her softly.
"Has Second Brother not eaten yet?" Zhu Xuanning tilted her head back, the pearls in her hair shimmering, revealing the most perfect angle and carefully crafted expression.
She thought that even the most upright gentleman would be captivated by her beauty, and even a fleeting ripple would be an opportunity for her to open Yu Xuan's heart.
But Zhu Xuanning was disappointed. There was no surprise or dazed look in the other person's eyes, and even the gentle curve of his lips remained unchanged: "Yes, why don't you have your meal here?"
“I need to go to the study to review my studies. Shuqing will bring my meals to the study, so you don’t need to worry.” Yu Xuan took two steps back, increasing the distance between himself and Zhu Xuanning.
Zhu Xuanning clenched the hem of her clothes, her face slightly flushed as she responded, but her heart sank.
Before long, Po Mo ran forward with an umbrella to shield Zhu Xuanning from the sun.
The master and servant followed Yu Xuan into the courtyard.
“Miss, Young Master Yu is a very considerate and thoughtful person.” Po Mo sensed Zhu Xuanning’s emotional change and whispered in her ear, “If he didn’t care about you, why would he go out of his way to fan you and shield you from the sun?”
"This umbrella was also prepared by Young Master Yu."
Zhu Xuanning was so engrossed in her performance that she didn't see Yu Xuan's reaction when she unlocked the Kongming Lock. Only now, with the splash of ink, did Zhu Xuanning realize with surprise that she had loosened her grip on the hem of her clothes.
She opened her mouth as if to ask about the splashed ink, but then immediately pursed her lips, her eyes sparkling.
To avoid suspicion, Yu Xuan only sent Shu Qing to ask Zhu Xuanning if the food suited her taste after she finished her meal, and did not ask her anything else.
"Young Master said that since you like this chef's skills, he will send Chef Chen to teach the cook that the young master gave you." Shuqing conveyed Yu Xuan's message to Zhu Xuanning.
Zhu Xuanning pursed her pearly teeth, revealing a captivating smile, and then rose from her seat: "Please ask Brother Shuqing to thank your young master for me. I am sorry to have troubled you so much today. I wish Second Brother Yu all the best in achieving his goal and rising to the highest ranks of the imperial court."
Shuqing immediately relayed Zhu Xuanning's congratulatory message to Yu Xuan. Yu Xuan moved his lips but did not speak, instead continuing to read the policy essay he had flipped through countless times.
Zhu Xuanning did not hide the fact that she had met and interacted with Yu Xuan. On the contrary, Shu Qing deliberately spread the story about how the two met and how they ate, only omitting details such as Yu Xuan fanning himself to shield himself from the sun.
After learning about Zhu Xuanning's schedule, Xi Yin showed a strange expression.
At this moment, Jingxin had finished her task and strolled out of Ji Yucheng's courtyard.
"What are you doing? The young master just asked you about it." Jingxin came closer, curious to see what Xiyin was holding, but Xiyin stepped aside, blocking Jingxin's view, and then put the item away.
"What kind of person do you think Miss Zhu is?"
Jingxin didn't quite understand why Xiyin suddenly mentioned the young master's sweetheart, but she still thought about it seriously and showed a little sympathy on her face: "She is a pitiful person who has no choice in what she does."
Xi Yin clutched the paper and fell silent. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something in rebuttal, but couldn't utter a word.
"Fine, I'm not talking to you anymore." Xi Yin was inexplicably angry and annoyed. She shook her hand and walked into the courtyard.
A piece of paper with Zhu Xuanning's itinerary written on it was then presented to Ji Yucheng's desk.
Ji Yucheng's gaze swept indifferently over Xi Yin's head, then he lowered his eyes and asked, "What do you want to say?"
Ji Yucheng remained expressionless, ignoring Xiyin, and stubbornly began casting a divination using copper coins.
One divination after another, even the fingertips began to tremble slightly uncontrollably.
Suddenly, he crumpled the papers on the desk into a ball and threw it at Xiyin's feet as if venting his anger: "Get out."
Ji Yucheng had his back to Xiyin, and his voice, suppressed in his throat, was cold and hoarse.
Xi Yin kowtowed, picked up the crumpled paper at her feet, and retreated with a bitter expression.
When the room returned to silence, Ji Yucheng had slumped into a chair, her gaze unfocused and lost in thought, revealing a hint of painful bewilderment.
As the sun set behind the western mountains, the courtyard, which had been as still as stagnant water, finally stirred with a sound. Ji Yucheng changed her clothes and knocked on Yu Xuan's courtyard gate.
Upon hearing Shuqing's report, Yu Xuan was somewhat surprised. He put down his pen, straightened his clothes, and got up to go out to greet him.
The embers of the setting sun shone through the half-open door, casting a long, narrow, gray shadow on the floor. Ji Yucheng stood outside the door, her figure aloof and distant, like a solitary jade statue.
"Why is Jingzhi here?" Yu Xuan put on a gentle smile, concealing the emotions in his eyes, his gaze only sweeping over Jingzhi's purple official robes.
Ji Yucheng's expression remained as indifferent as ever. The deep purple python robe with only a few gold brocade outlines on the cuffs and hem made his face look like frost and his eyes like cold pools even more.
Upon noticing Yu Xuan's arrival, Ji Yucheng slightly raised her chin, her robes fluttering gently, and said, "Let's go inside and talk."
Yu Xuan poured a cup of tea, but Ji Yucheng didn't drink it.
"I've come here today only to ask you for a favor." Ji Yucheng looked at Yu Xuan, her tone cold and indifferent, and then took out three contracts with dried ink from her sleeve: "Be a middleman and sign them."
Yu Xuan was not angered by Ji Yucheng's attitude. He took the contract, read it quickly, then looked up and stared at the arrogant young man in front of him. He maintained a faint smile on his face and said gently, "Jingzhi, are you ordering me around?"
The clash between the cold and warm attitudes actually made the atmosphere somewhat tense.
Yu Xuan seemed rather puzzled, perhaps because his attitude was too calm, which left Ji Yucheng speechless for a moment.
After a moment, he said, "Just consider this my rudeness."
Yu Xuan sat upright, the gentle curve of his lips gradually drooping. He remained silent, only fiddling with his cup.
The air grew increasingly still.
Although they are all from the same circle, even among friends, there are degrees of closeness and distance. For example, Yan Hengdan's closest friend is actually Song Zhaohan; and although Yu Xuan treats everyone with the same gentleness, if you observe carefully, you can see that he often sits at the same table with Ji Yucheng.
Now that Ji Yucheng has changed into official robes and raised his status to suppress him, it would be impossible not to feel some disappointment.
Ji Yucheng sat silently, his mind far from calm. He looked at Yu Xuan and remained silent for a long time.
But feeling the gaze like a thorn in his back, Yu Xuan still spoke up: "Jingzhi."
"The ink on this contract is old; it must have been written several days ago. Since you've waited for several days, it means you don't want to bother me and want to come back to discuss it with me after I've ridden through the streets on horseback."
"Is it because of what happened this morning that you misunderstood me, causing you to lose your composure, disregard our friendship, rush over, and try to intimidate me, right?"
When Yu Xuan looked at him again, Ji Yucheng's expression remained unchanged, but his lips were already pursed white.
Ji Yucheng tried to speak several times, but repeatedly buried her voice in her mouth.
What should he say? Should he tell Tan Shu directly that he treated him this way because of the divination? Tan Shu never believed in these mystical arts, and his actions had already damaged their friendship. If he were to say it out loud, Tan Shu would probably only think it was an excuse and become even angrier.
"Then consider this my plea to you, Yu Er." Ji Yucheng's voice was as cold as falling jade, her emotions far from calm.
beg?
Upon hearing this word, Yu Xuan almost laughed, but he only managed a slight twitch of his lips. When he saw Ji Yucheng lower her magnificent travel crown adorned with pearls and jade, Yu Xuan suppressed his laughter and lowered his gaze: "Do you really intend to use up the bond between us because of this matter?"
Ji Yucheng knew what Yu Xuan was asking. He had been kind to Yu Xuan when Yu Xuan was still a nobody, and that was the beginning of their friendship that had lasted until today.
Favors are the hardest to repay. He could have used them wisely, but now he's foolishly wasting them here.
Yu Xuanren was righteous, so he asked him again.
Ji Yucheng smoothed his sleeves, a hint of warmth in his eyes, and said, "Yu Er, I have never asked for anything, but she is an exception. I cannot bear to part with her now."
Ji Yucheng only wanted to achieve enlightenment. If he had tried every means possible and still couldn't get what he wanted, perhaps he could let go.
Yu Xuan nodded and said nothing more. He reached out and retrieved the contract, then got up, sat down at his desk, and began to write.
"You'll regret this." Yu Xuan swept the dried ink on the contract back to Ji Yucheng's side, sat down at the table, and looked at him indifferently, his smile gone.
Ji Yucheng paused for only a moment as he put away the contract, then said in a low, calm voice, "Jingzhi has never regretted it."
Yu Xuan nodded slightly, and did not get up to see Ji Yucheng off until he pushed the door open and left.
Only when Ji Yucheng was far away from Yu Xuan's courtyard did she stop and look back. Her indifferent, glassy eyes showed only a slight ripple before returning to calm.
At this moment, the last ray of light was swallowed up on the horizon. Jingxin, holding a lantern, inquired about his master's next move.
“Miss Zhu has been in the sun for quite some time; she might be suffering from heatstroke. Let’s go to her courtyard and take her pulse.” As she said this, a faint smile appeared on Ji Yucheng’s lips.
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