Chapter 81: Is He Your Schoolmate?

Chapter 81: Is He Your Schoolmate?

"You've changed quite a bit in demeanor," Lu Yao teased with a hint of implication.

Xie Yan pretended not to catch the underlying meaning in Lu Yao's words and replied with a smile, "After Second Brother marries, his demeanor will change too."

Lu Yao: Change isn't always necessary.

Behind the Lake Pavilion, a vast plum grove was in full bloom, standing resolutely under the frost and snow, with a faint, delicate fragrance blending into the wind and snow, permeating the air.

The magistrate's wife had organized a grand and exquisite plum-viewing banquet.

On the stone benches inside the Lake Pavilion, warm brocade cushions were carefully arranged.

In a quiet corner, maids were diligently burning incense and brewing tea, their movements skilled and meticulous.

Additionally, on the corner of each table, there were delicate white porcelain vases, each holding a few branches of plum blossoms, standing elegantly in the vases, exuding a unique charm.

When the time arrived, the magistrate's wife clapped her hands softly, and the maids entered in a procession, bearing various dishes.

One dish was translucent stewed pork, melting in the mouth, making mouths water.

Another dish, "Auspicious Bird Presenting Blessings," was carved so vividly it seemed ready to take flight, with the sauce drizzled over it emitting a fresh and sweet aroma.

...

The remaining dishes were also crafted with great ingenuity, perfect in color, aroma, flavor, and presentation.

Magistrate Xu and his wife held jade cups, the warm wine swirling inside, reflecting the snowlight that filtered into the Lake Pavilion, resembling shimmering light leaping gold.

On both sides of the screen, they raised their cups in unison.

Lu Mingchao did the same.

The warm wine in her cup emitted a wisp of steam, misting her clear and bright eyes, with a smile continuously spreading in their depths.

Well, being a lover of beauty didn't stop her from also loving fine food.

Beauty and fine food, different paths to the same end.

With such delicacies and fine wine, Lu Mingchao suddenly felt that the ordeal of riding a carriage through the snowy weather had disappeared.

As for Madam Sun's crude words, they were like the wind and snow outside the window, passing by without leaving a trace.

At the men's table.

Xu Qingxing and Sun Zhiye sat side by side.

Xu Qingxing swirled the warm plum wine in his cup, leaning slightly towards Sun Zhiye, "Brother Sun, the Lu family is being too aggressive."

"As a woman, she shows no thought of being gentle, obedient, respectful, or chaste."

"The past is unchangeable, no matter how extraordinary the Lu family once was, it's all in the past, yet she seems unable to recognize the situation, unwilling to lower her head or bend her back. You personally apologized, and she dared to counterattack."

"If the Yongning Marquis family cherished the decade-long nurturing affection for the Lu family, how could they bear to let her leave the capital in disgrace?"

"I've heard that the Lu family cried, made a scene, and even banged her head against the wall to stay in the Yongning Marquis family, but what was the result?"

Xu Qingxing's voice carried more indignation than mockery, but it was still unpleasant to hear.

Sun Zhiye's hand, holding the chopsticks, paused briefly. A cold glint flickered in his downcast eyes, then, unhurriedly, he set down the chopsticks and sipped some light wine. "The mistake is Zhipeng's. As the eldest brother, I have an unavoidable duty."

"Qingxing, a true gentleman praises others' good points and doesn't gossip about their flaws."

"You're set to take the imperial exams next fall. Scholars care about their good name, follow proper manners, and build strong character. You need to watch what you say and do in public. If this backbiting gets out, it could really hurt you."

His deputy sent to the capital also sent back a letter. Word was spreading fast about Lu Mingchao, the Yongning Marquis family's fake daughter, threatening suicide.

At the same time, the Yongning Marquis Madam openly showed her sympathy for Lu Mingchao.

Even if it was just for show, it meant the Yongning Marquis family wanted to keep up appearances and wouldn't bother Lu Mingchao right now.

As long as they didn't cut ties completely, Lu Mingchao could still lean on the Yongning Marquis family's clout.

In addition, Lu Mingchao had once been engaged to Gu Huai, the heir of the Duke's family. Rumor had it that the Duke's family heir treated Lu Mingchao with cold indifference.

The person who drove to Changxi Village that day was likely Gu Zhen, the Duke's family's true daughter.

People said Gu Zhen and Lu Mingchao didn't get along and often butted heads.

Now it looks like those rumors were just idle gossip to entertain folks.

Whether it was the Yongning Marquis family or the Duke's family, as long as they were willing to extend a bit of their influence to Lu Mingchao, then Lu Mingchao was worth his careful consideration.

Xu Qingxing frowned, downed the plum wine in one go, and said, "Brother Sun, you're like family. We've known each other for years, and what bugs me most about you is how you always take the blame."

"You're always off on business trips. What's Sun Zhipeng's problem got to do with you? Even if someone needs to apologize, it shouldn't be you."

Sun Zhiye smiled easily, casually pouring wine for Xu Qingxing, and said, "Qingxing, I've noticed your mom treats Xie Lu really well. Seems like your mom really likes Xie Lu. Don't let any hard feelings towards Xie Lu because of me make things tough for your mom."

Xu Qingxing let out a scoff, his young face twisted with disdain and arrogance. He glanced around and leaned closer to Sun Zhiye, lowering his voice, "Honestly, Brother Sun, if Miss Gu from the Duke's family hadn't asked my mom to look out for her, my mom wouldn't have bothered."

"Does she think that with just a word from Miss Gu of the Duke's family, she can do as she pleases and look down on others?"

Sun Zhiye's eyes flickered, and the scattered beads in his heart finally came together.

No wonder he felt that Magistrate Xu's attitude towards him was becoming more and more ambiguous.

"Then we must not trouble your mother," Sun Zhiye said without showing any emotion.

A shadow flashed in Xie Yan's deep and cold eyes.

The Sun family's jade string is nothing more than this.

Every word and sentence seemed casual and harmless, but in reality, they were all probing, fishing for information, and trying to win him over.

Sun Zhiye's mind was spinning non-stop, while Magistrate Xu's son was still indignantly pouring out his heart.

Lu Yao keenly sensed the change in Xie Yan, as if frost had descended upon him. His cool eyebrows couldn't help but lift slightly, and his fingers bent slightly, lightly tapping the table.

The sound was very soft and would not disturb anyone.

"What's the matter?"

It is said that martial artists have sharp ears and eyes. With Xie Yan's level of effortless skill, he must be close to having the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a wolf.

Xie Yan glanced sideways, his thin lips parting slightly, "Is Xu Qingxing your classmate?"

"Sort of," Lu Yao replied, puzzled.

"Idiot."

"..."

Lu Yao was momentarily stunned.

He subtly glanced at Xu Qingxing, not far away, whose lips were moving with a mocking and hostile expression.

It seemed Xu Qingxing had just spoken some harsh words.

Lu Yao swirled his wine cup lightly, a cold smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He exchanged a glance with Xie Yan, "Brother-in-law, out of both courtesy and principle, we should toast Xu Qingxing, don't you think?"

Xie Yan nodded, "I was thinking the same thing."

Xie Yan and Lu Yao stood up together, wine cups in hand, and walked side by side towards Xu Qingxing.

Magistrate Xu, seated at the head of the table, felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Xu Qingxing, however, felt a knot in his stomach, eyeing the approaching figures with a mix of fear and panic.

After all, he had just been badmouthing Lu Mingchao behind her back.

"Lu Yao, what brings you here?"

Lu Yao replied coolly but politely, "To propose a toast."

Xu Qingxing remained tense. Before studying under a renowned scholar in the prefecture, he had attended Qingyun Academy, where he was barely considered Lu Yao's classmate.

Yes, a classmate as cold and distant as snow on a mountain peak.

Even if he was being pushy, so what?"