Chapter 36 Turning Against Each Other
After bandaging Yu Xuan's wound, Zhu Xuanning pondered for a moment before making a decisive decision.
She decided to strike while the iron was hot and risk spending more time with Yu Xuan.
But Yu Xuan didn't think of this immediately; he only saw Zhu Xuanning stand up without stopping.
Yu Xuan subconsciously reached out his hand. Perhaps it was because he was thinking of his past memories, but his gentle tone revealed a vulnerability that he couldn't even control.
Yu Xuan suddenly came to his senses, swallowing the rest of his words, but his hand, wrapped in cloth, still clutched Zhu Xuanning's dress, refusing to let go.
When his gentle face revealed this expression, it evoked a sense of pity in people.
Zhu Xuanning lowered her gaze, momentarily lost in thought, feeling a strange sense of familiarity with the scene.
It was as if someone else had grabbed her dress, revealing an expression that moved her.
Zhu Xuanning suppressed this feeling of familiarity and then sat down next to Yu Xuan.
“Yes, go ahead.” She turned her head to the side, adopting a listening posture.
Yu Xuan was taken aback; she hadn't expected her to stay.
He felt a warmth in his heart, his previous demeanor vanished, and then said, "I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted Fifth Miss to sit with me for a while longer."
Zhu Xuanning naturally agreed, then turned her gaze back, leaning forward slightly, one hand supporting her snowy cheek, her eyes unconsciously looking towards the night sky adorned with silver stars.
The stars and moon were bright, and the night breeze carried a faint, elegant sandalwood scent. Zhu Xuanning inexplicably relaxed her heartstrings.
She cupped her face in her hands, gazing at the sky in a rare, dreamy state.
Zhu Xuanning didn't react until Yu Xuan called her.
The women in the building love flowers, so Zhu Xuanning has seen some varieties of flowers and can recognize most of the flowers in front of her.
Yu Xuan was holding a pot of crimson crabapple blossoms and smiling at her. The dim light set off the lush crabapple blossoms, and a touch of vibrant color spread across the young man's gentle features.
"Among these flowers, is there one you like?" Yu Xuan asked her.
Zhu Xuanning glanced around at the various blooming flowers, then pointed to the peony, which was the most beautiful and magnificent.
Yu Xuan understood. He put down the small potted begonia he was holding, and then, to Shu Qing's astonishment, broke off a snow-white peony and pinned it in Zhu Xuanning's hair.
"Let's go back." Yu Xuan bent down and gently touched the flower he had personally pinned in his hair.
Zhu Xuanning looked up, her face slightly flushed, but she pursed her lips.
Seemingly sensing the girl's worry, Yu Xuan said, "Don't worry, just wear the flowers back home."
After receiving Yu Xuan's words, Zhu Xuanning nodded, bowed to her, and left.
When she returned to the courtyard, Zhu Xuanning was sitting in the room. She raised her fingertips and touched the peony hairpin in her hair. Her eyes sparkled, and then she smiled.
After she left, Po Mo found out everything that happened and reported it to Zhu Xuanning.
Ji Yucheng and Yan Hengdan were both held back by Wei Xiuqi's matter. After visiting Wei Xiuqi, each of the noble ladies and gentlemen who attended the banquet returned to their respective courtyards.
"Suizhu has already gone to visit them on behalf of the young lady. The eldest young lady and the young master are still with the fourth young master Wei. Not only the young lady didn't come, but several other young masters and noble ladies also didn't go because they haven't returned." Pomo is a reliable person when it comes to doing things.
Suizhu was originally a second-class maid in Zhu Baoyue's courtyard. She was quite clever and had a sweet tongue. Later, Zhu Xuanning took her over because she felt more at ease using her because she had something on Suizhu. Now, Suizhu has become Zhu Xuanning's head maid.
The other noble ladies and gentlemen didn't go either, but their servants all went to visit Wei Xiuqi on behalf of their masters, so Zhu Xuanning didn't seem out of place.
"Do you know why Young Master Wei fell off his horse?" Zhu Xuanning asked Po Mo.
She still remembered the banquet at Rongguo Mansion, when Zhu Baoyue dragged her to watch Mei Jiashan and Wei Xiuqi play pitch-pot. The girl casually remarked that the Fourth Young Master Wei was very impressive.
The rest is self-explanatory; Zhu Xuanning already knew what was going to happen.
This matter should be related to Zhu Baoyue, but Wei Xiuqi only took the blame upon herself.
This was a very effective self-inflicted injury tactic.
Zhu Xuanning thought of Wei Xiuqi's upright and handsome face, which seemed devoid of guile, and fell silent for a moment, which was unusual for her.
"Madam Zhu's plan is probably about to succeed." Although Zhu Xuanning and Zhu Baoyue had only known each other for less than a month, she had already figured out her younger sister's personality. She was somewhat naive and somewhat presumptuous, but she was also very sincere. After this incident, even if she didn't have any feelings for Wei Xiuqi, she would most likely nod her head in gratitude for being saved.
Po Mo also thought this made sense, and as she thought about it, she began to worry.
"Now that the young lady has given you a definite answer, shouldn't you start on your side as well? Lord Zhu, although you are a cousin, you have the advantage of seniority, so you will definitely not let the young lady get engaged before you."
Given the high social standing of the Yu family, even if Young Master Yu truly harbors feelings for Miss Yu, it would take him three to five years to defy his parents' wishes. Madam Zhu is eager to marry off her daughter and fears that the marriage might change; how could she possibly wait so long for Miss Yu?
Zhu Xuanning lowered her eyes; she naturally understood what Po Mo was worried about.
Wei Xiuqi's self-inflicted injury disrupted her plans, and it would be impossible for Zhu Xuanning not to be troubled.
While the master and servant remained silent, they heard Suizhu announce from outside that Young Master Yu had sent someone to deliver flowers.
"It is indeed Yulouchun. My young master brought a lot of flowers. He originally intended to use the flowers in the manor as prizes for the pitch-pot game tomorrow. Now, he simply brought out the flowers to calm the young ladies and gentlemen. My young master drew lots to distribute the flowers. I wish the Fifth Miss and the Fourth Miss Cheng good luck, as they have won one of the only two pots of peonies."
Shuqing explained, and Suizhu was overjoyed. After carefully listening to the techniques for cultivating Yulouchun, she took the flower inside.
Suizhu knew that her mistress had taken Pomo out fishing, and she was worried that her mistress would come back empty-handed without catching any fish, so she kept an eye on the cooks in the kitchen.
When Zhu Xuanning and Pomo returned, Suizhu was still in the kitchen. She had rushed back and soon encountered Shuqing who came to deliver flowers, so she did not see the flowers in Zhu Xuanning's hair.
When Suizhu happily brought in the flowers, bowed to Zhu Xuanning, and then excitedly relayed Shuqing's words to her mistress, she slowly opened her eyes wide, her peripheral vision shifting between the flowers her mistress was wearing and the flowers she was holding, both in shock and subtlety.
Suizhu was quick-witted; she immediately connected the two events. Thinking of the Second Young Master Yu and her own young lady, who had both remained silent, a storm raged within her.
Good heavens, could it be what I'm thinking? All that talk about calming down and good luck, is it all just Young Master Yu trying to cover up his secret of giving flowers to a beauty?
"Place the flowers out and come with me." Without Zhu Xuanning even needing to signal, Po Mo stepped forward on his own.
Somewhat dazed, Suizhu arranged the flowers, then left with Pomo.
The two went to a secluded place, where Po Mo picked out most of what he could say and spoke to Sui Zhu, and then gave her some subtle and overt hints.
When the two returned, Zhu Xuanning clearly saw Suizhu looking at her with an admiring and awe-inspiring gaze, her face beaming with a smile, before she tried her best to show her loyalty to Zhu Xuanning.
The spring hunt ended in a disappointing fashion due to the host's injury.
Knowing she had let everyone down, Wei Xiuqi gave away many of the prizes she had originally set out for the noble ladies and gentlemen who participated in the spring hunt.
Although they felt a little regretful, they all told Wei Xiuqi to rest well and promised to play together again next time.
The day before his departure, Yan Hengdan received news from Lingchuan Prefecture. He listened to his confidant's report, feeling both silent and awkward, but ultimately decided to personally visit Zhu Xuanning.
There was a secluded path leading to the courtyard where Zhu Xuanning was staying. As Yan Hengdan walked along this path, she couldn't help but wonder about the meaning behind Wei Xiuqi's arrangement of this courtyard.
Is she receiving this treatment because she has the lowest social status?
Yan Hengdan felt inexplicably angry and casually plucked a small leaf from a nearby shrub.
"What are you doing here so late at night?" Before Yan Hengdan could even ask, Ji Yucheng spoke up with a cold face.
His eyes were like frost, and even though he was usually aloof, Yan Hengdan, who had been friends with him for many years, still knew that her friend was angry.
Yan Hengdan's face immediately darkened. He had a bad temper, and thinking of Ji Yucheng's inexplicable hostility earlier, he sneered, "What am I here for? Go ask Zhu Wu."
Upon seeing Ji Yucheng staring coldly at him, Yan Hengdan continued to smile. He raised his pointed chin arrogantly and ordered Qiu Man, his red lips parting slightly as he said, "Go, go and see Zhu Wu. Tell her I have something to discuss with her. See if Zhu Wu sees me first or you first."
Yan Hengdan's next words were clearly directed at Ji Yucheng.
Ji Yucheng pursed her lips and remained silent, but her aura grew even colder.
“Song Ming and I have a deal. I have to take care of her. She fell and injured herself a few days ago, so I just came to see her again.” Ji Yucheng’s tone was flat and somewhat dry when she explained.
Yan Hengdan stared at him, and when she heard the second half of his sentence, the cold smile on her lips faded slightly. She simply said, "When did you become so talkative? Do you need to explain your actions to me? Are you so afraid that I'll misunderstand how you take care of her?"
That's not a nice thing to say.
The coldness in Ji Yucheng's eyes was almost tangible, and her voice became heavier: "Shut up, Yan Hengdan. Is this how you treat your upbringing—to speculate about others and ruin their reputations?"
Ji Yucheng's words were like stabbing Yan Hengdan in the lungs. His face darkened, and before he could explode, he heard the usually taciturn Ji Yucheng continue.
"Isn't it enough that Song Ming has turned against you?"
After saying this, Yan Hengdan suddenly trembled and stared at Ji Yucheng's face with an extremely terrifying gaze.
He saw the indifference and disgust in Ji Yucheng's eyes, and that extreme feeling of nausea instantly surged towards Yan Hengdan.
He couldn't control his temper and wanted to smash things to vent his complex negative emotions.
Qiu Man supported Yan Hengdan, whose hands were trembling, and looked at Ji Yucheng with a hostile gaze.
"Young Master, how dare you!" He felt sorry for his master and, for the first time, put on airs towards his master's friend, angrily rebuking him.
Ji Yucheng watched coldly. After hearing Qiu Man's rebuke, he gave a half-bow, but did not apologize. He wanted to nail Yan Hengdan to the spot in this misunderstanding first.
The atmosphere fell into a deathly silence until Suizhu arrived, respectfully bowed to the two of them, and conveyed Zhu Xuanning's words.
Yan Hengdan managed a smile, his anger having mostly dissipated. He took Qiu Man's hand and led him inside, glancing down at the person with their head bowed in front of him: "Useless defeated opponent."
Just one sentence was enough to bring tears to Ji Yucheng's eyes.
After Yan Hengdan left, Xiyin silently went to help Ji Yucheng, who was still maintaining a half-bow posture.
He raised his face, a faint red tinge beneath his cool eyes, giving him a broken appearance.
"Why?" Ji Yucheng was a little confused.
He could have taken all the blame himself while he was outside, so why did Fifth Miss still have to see Yan Wu first?
Is he not even as good as Yan Wu, who slandered her and ruined her reputation?
"Master." Xi Yin looked at his master, whose eyes were red and swollen, and felt a pang of pain. He gritted his teeth and said what he had said before: "Master, Miss Zhu Wu is not worth it at all."
He would rather his master remained as detached as before.
Ji Yucheng's gaze shifted to Xiyin. Just as Xiyin was about to bring up the past, Ji Yucheng raised his fingertip to suppress his tears. He had figured it out.
"She must have her reasons," Ji Yucheng murmured, then turned cold and warned Xiyin.
Xi Yin dared not say anything more. He felt sorry for his master and disliked Zhu Xuanning even more in his heart.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
