Chapter 755: A Stopgap Measure

Chapter 755: A Temporary Measure

Someone of the Magistrate's Wife's standing would never dream of dining downstairs in the common hall.

Instead, she had her maid fetch the meal from the kitchen.

However, before heading to the kitchen, the maid made a special trip to the hall to greet Xingxing with a curtsy, smiling as she said, "Good morning, Miss Feng. My lady has been quite worried about your friend’s health and specifically sent me to check—has your friend improved at all?"

Xingxing’s eyes curved into crescents. "I haven’t had the chance to thank your lady yet. Thanks to the physician she recommended, my friend has improved greatly since yesterday."

The maid’s gaze briefly settled on Wei Shiyan before she replied cheerfully, "Indeed, your friend’s color has improved markedly. That’s wonderful—it eases our lady’s worries."

Xingxing's round eyes twinkled. "Please relay to your lady that if she’s free after breakfast, we’d like to visit and express our gratitude in person, to put her mind at ease."

The maid smiled. "I’ll certainly convey your message, Miss Feng."

From his corner, Pang Jinkang felt his pulse quicken slightly.

His gaze burned with desire as he stole glances at Xingxing.

Though she noticed, Xingxing pretended otherwise.

She believed she'd been crystal clear to this young master Pang.

Yet, accustomed to running roughshod over Anjiang, his family seemed to dismiss her rejection outright—even her ruse of presenting Wei Shiyan as her fiancé had failed.

Frankly, Xingxing thought they were all touched in the head.

At a time like this, it was best not to engage too much with such unreasonable people.

After breakfast, Xingxing shared a look with Wei Shiyan, and with silent understanding, they rose to return to their rooms for a short rest.

Outside, the rain had lightened further, and the sky brightened—it seemed the rain would let up soon.

Xingxing planned to take Wei Shiyan to meet the Magistrate's Wife shortly, getting this obligation over with before making their exit.

Yu Yonggui snorted. "Given their attitude, I doubt they’ll back down easily. They might even try to take her by force… We should prepare for the worst."

His hand brushed the flexible blade at his waist—the message was clear: he was ready to fight his way out if necessary.

Wei Shiyan’s sword lay beneath his pillow in his room.

They were all prepared for trouble.

...

Xingxing and Wei Shiyan came to Madam Luo’s quarters.

Xingxing knocked.

A servant girl answered, her tone earnest and apologetic. "Miss Feng, sir, please wait a moment. Our lady isn’t feeling well and is currently taking medicine."

Xingxing understood—this was Madam Luo’s deliberate snub.

She found it increasingly absurd, she thought wryly.

After all, it was the Magistrate's Wife who had pulled so many strings to get her here.

She had indeed come, yet she was playing hard to get again.

It was really quite petty.

Xingxing wasn’t having it either and immediately put on a "concerned" expression, saying, "Since the Magistrate's Wife is unwell, my friend and I shall head out and not disturb you further. We’ll visit another time when the opportunity arises."

With that, Xingxing took Wei Shiyan’s hand and started to walk away.

The maid freaked out at once, instinctively turning to glance at a certain spot in the room.

Xingxing paid her no mind and had already taken two steps forward.

Perhaps having received some signal, the maid hastily forgot her manners and rushed forward in a panic, reaching out to grab Xingxing’s arm. "Miss Feng, please wait!"

Yet a cold gaze suddenly fell upon her, an overwhelming pressure bearing down on her.

The maid’s outstretched hand froze in fear, not daring to actually seize Xingxing’s arm.

She instinctively looked toward the source of that gaze—only to see the "fiancé" standing beside Miss Feng, whose complexion had improved slightly compared to yesterday.

But now, the fiancé looked no different from any ordinary young man. Where was that terrifying pressure?

The maid figured to herself that she must have been rattled by Miss Feng’s unpredictable behavior.

Fortunately, Xingxing stopped as she wished, turning back with a smirk. "What is it? Didn’t you say the Magistrate's Wife was taking her medicine?"

The maid broke out in a sweat as she forced a smile. "Our mistress has just finished her medicine. Let me show Miss Feng and this gentleman inside."

Lowering her eyes deferentially, she gestured respectfully.

Xingxing knew this was all arranged by the Magistrate's Wife, Luo Shi. She wasn’t about to blame a mere maid and, after a pause, smiled. "Well then, alright."

Xingxing and Wei Shiyan entered the room and, upon seeing Luo Shi, gave the customary bow. "Greetings, Magistrate's Wife."

Luo Shi lounged on the daybed, her smile faintly mocking. "It’s truly difficult to get an audience with Miss Feng."

Xingxing smiled gently. "You jest, madam. Someone of your standing is of noble status and incomparable importance—naturally, your well-being comes first."

Luo Shi gave a dry laugh.

This little girl surnamed Feng had quite the mouth on her.

Her gaze shifted to Wei Shiyan, who stood half a step behind Xingxing.

"And this is…?"

Xingxing glanced back at Wei Shiyan, her smile warming slightly. "This is my fiancé, Shiyan."

Xingxing had explained to Wei Shiyan the day before that this was a matter of expediency.

Wei Shiyan had no objections.

Thus, Xingxing confidently used the fiancé label.

Luo Shi dragged out the word. "Oh?..."

She looked Wei Shiyan over, that trademark smirk playing on her lips. "So this is the one you chose over my son?"

Bringing this up deliberately in front of a girl’s fiancé—with regular folks, it would surely cause tension between them.

Xingxing felt even more disdain for Luo Shi.

Always resorting to such underhanded tricks.

Just then, Luo Shi feigned concern: "Did you take the medicine yesterday? I heard you did, and you're looking better than yesterday. But since I didn’t see you both yesterday, is it really better now?"

Luo Shi’s insinuations were clear—first subtly implying Wei Shiyan’s poor health, then bringing up how Xingxing and Wei Shiyan didn't come to greet her the day before.

Wei Shiyan replied coolly, "Thanks to your help in calling for the doctor, I’m feeling better today than before. Thank you, Madam."

Xingxing just stood by with a quiet smile.

Luo Shi’s expression changed slightly.

This Shiyan was rumored to be a merchant’s son, yet he spoke and carried himself quite well.

"Mother!"

A voice called breathlessly from outside.

The maid hurried to open the door.

It was Pang Jinkang.

When he heard that Xingxing had brought her fiancé to pay respects to his mother, Pang Jinkang had rushed over.

Seeing her son panting, his face flushed and forehead beaded with sweat, Luo Shi stood up, concerned. "You were still ill yesterday—why run so fast today?"

Pang Jinkang said "It's nothing," though his gaze couldn't help looking at Xingxing.