Chapter Eleven She's Here, It's Great
Fang Xiaoling had been wandering around the old mansion for four or five days, and she was almost growing mushrooms on her body. She had also been bothering Boss and Ah Zi a lot, but those two were even more cunning than each other - either they stuffed her mouth with strange pastries or used teaching Xun Qing as an excuse to slip away.
Xun Qing has been busy for the past two days, with the Spring Imperial Examination approaching, he had to follow Old Lady's instructions and intensify his studies, so much so that even Boss was busy to the point of being invisible.
Zhang Zuoyan has also been more restrained lately, but he is still very diligent in sneaking into Xun Qing's class, saying "Mr. Left" and "Mr. Right" one after another, scaring Xun Qing so much that his eyes widened in shock.
This humble and polite appearance is indeed not the style of the young master of the Zhang family. Xun Qing was still more accustomed to seeing him being arrogant and domineering, with an air of a refined and elegant young master. She always felt that his usual self was more pleasing to the eye, although... well... in Grandma's words, he was ill-mannered and unreasonable, but... habits are indeed terrifying.
Fang Xiaoling had secretly observed Zhang Zuoyan more than once, and apart from his abnormal attitude towards the boss, everything else was within normal limits. He would either go to a brothel or go to a tea house to gossip for half a day without leaving. He would also flirt with girls without any reserve. The women who came to his mansion asking to be his maid could circle around the city twice, and the more straightforward ones who came to propose directly could line up from his door all the way to Luocheng East.
Of course this routine is still from rumors and hearsay in the streets. What if this was his disguise?
The little house was eerie and gave her goosebumps. A chill slowly crept up her back, and she couldn't help but shudder.
It seems it's time to take a look at the old mansion, after all, hearsay is always better than seeing for oneself, isn't it?
Embracing the fragrance of Xizi's tower, don't say that the jasmine is in Luocheng East.
Zhang Zuoying's romantic affairs filled the entire city, and the most legendary one was with Liu Yingying. The talented scholar and beautiful woman, a classic tale of a hero rescuing a beauty, with the beauty pledging her heart to him, due to Liu Yingying's unconventional style and stunning beauty, has been embellished by scholars into multiple versions, becoming the most popular topic in tea houses and restaurants.
Later, it led to the fact that in the following three years, all major tea houses and restaurants offered Zhang Zuoyan's portrait, in reverence for this most handsome god of wealth, who created a new performance in this unlucky year with severe illness and low yield, and supported many runners and mouthpieces.
Version one: Zhang Zuoyan was teasing a little girl when he was unexpectedly caught by Liu Yingying. Liu Yingying was actually a heroic woman, and she argued with Zhang Zuoyan on the street to save the little girl who seemed like an ordinary passerby. As a result, they became acquainted through their argument, and on a certain dark and windy night, Liu Yingying accidentally fell into the water and was rescued by Zhang Zuoyan. From then on, the two of them promised to be together forever, becoming a divine couple that made others envious.
The house was small and Ling hummed disdainfully. If they were really divine companions, Liu Yingying shouldn't still be in the Fragrant Pavilion, and Zhang Zuoyan wouldn't still be a single golden bachelor - First book, crossed out!!
Version two: Zhang Zuoyan saw Liu Yingying being harassed by a rascal, and he drew his sword to help her. The beauty fell in love with him at first sight, and every day she expressed her feelings through music. However, the flower had intentions but the water was unfeeling, Zhang Zuoyan had someone else he loved, and the beauty's heart shattered into pieces...
“……”
Fang Xiaoling couldn't help but want to slap her forehead after reading halfway, what kind of chauvinistic idiot wrote this nonsense? Zhang Zuoyan's behavior was already not good enough, and now he's flirting with beautiful women again... In reality, the world still judges people by their looks... Those who are handsome are called charming, while those who are ugly can only flirt with and rob famous women... - Second book, trash!!
Version three: Zhang Zuoyan and Liu Yingying fall in love at first sight...
The third dialogue, cut it off!!
Version Four: ……
Forget it!!
Version Five: ……
Get lost! Get lost!!
………
It wasn't until the third watch of the night that Xiang Qing finally managed to shake off Zhang Zuoyan. He slowly made his way back to his bedroom, occasionally glancing around, hoping to catch a glimpse of that familiar figure.
I've been busy for several days and haven't had time to look for her yet. She's probably going to be angry with me...
Xu Qing forced a wry smile, at this time even demons would rest, what was he still expecting?
Not far away, the study was still bright and warm, with an orange glow that seemed to be beckoning people to come and touch. Xun Qing pressed down on his overactive heart, could it be Father? But wasn't he supposed to still be in the Imperial City undergoing interrogation, unless...
As the saying goes, being with a king is like being with a tiger. Xun San Ye was impeached for abusing his power for personal gain two months ago, and the emperor ordered the Supreme Court to investigate, but unexpectedly, this investigation has lasted for more than two months. Xun Ye has been detained in the imperial city, with an uncertain fate, which makes the old lady increasingly irritable. No matter who it is, when their own son gets into trouble, they won't be doing well, especially an elderly person. At home, everyone knows what's going on and tries to appease her.
Xu Qing's mind, already somewhat muddled by the night wind, became even more confused at this moment. He quickened his pace and walked over, fearing that if he was late, the rare visitor to his study would fly away, despite reason telling him that the person in the study room absolutely wasn't his father.
As if sensing something, Fang Xiaoling suddenly lifted her head from a pile of miscellaneous documents, with dark circles under her eyes that were almost as black as incense ash. She couldn't help but rub the painful spot between her eyebrows.
From formal written records to rough drafts, she almost turned everything upside down, with useless parts being the majority, and only two useful ones - Liu Yuanyuan and Zhang Lao Taitai Fu.
The rest was filled with his romantic affairs, and in the end, Fang Xiaoling only had one sentence left in her mind - it's a miracle that he didn't die in a woman's bed...
The urgent footsteps in the quiet night became clearer. Fang Xiaoling whispered "not good", waved her sleeve to extinguish the candles on both sides, and put away all the documents she had taken out. As for the words of praise that came easily on the road - she tightened her fingers slightly, dozens of blue books directly turned into powder, rolled into the lamp holder, and played the role of lamp ash quietly.
"Ouch~~~~"
Since the Third Master Xun's incident, the study had not been used again. Xun Qing pushed it open with force, and the dust that fell down immediately came into his face, a burst of musty air made him cough continuously.
Is it really too tired and having hallucinations?
He walked away dejectedly, shutting the door behind him. In the instant he was leaving, his nostrils caught a faint scent of grass and wood, a familiar smell that inexplicably lifted his weary mood.
She is here, it's great.
In the darkness, those ink-colored eyes quietly watched as the man walked further and further away. After a moment, the delicate and soft eyelashes, like butterfly wings, slowly fell, covering up the unpredictable thoughts.
