Chapter 23: Identity Exposed (2)

  The atmosphere in the room suddenly became heavy, because no one had expected that on the second day of going down the mountain, Lu Weijie would have already discovered everyone's identities. After a long time, just as Xiao Chengyan was about to take a step forward and admit this matter, Ling Yuanshuang on the other side silently pushed open the door and stepped forward, saying "We... I..."

  She plucked up the courage, originally intending to say something, but as soon as she came out, she felt her mind was empty, and she didn't know what to say at all. She could only stand there blankly, not even knowing where to put her big eyes.

  Xiao Chengxian saw her like this, and in her heart, she couldn't help but find it quite amusing. Just as she was about to speak up, however, she heard Yuanyan from the other side interrupting her by speaking first: "No matter what it is, isn't it more suitable to discuss inside? What do you all think?"

  As soon as the words came out, several people couldn't help but glance at each other. After a pause, Lu Weijie was the first to speak without saying a word and went straight to the small flower hall in front of the Cui Bamboo Garden. As he moved, everyone else also let out a sigh of relief and followed him into the flower hall.

  Or perhaps it was because he felt that standing in the hall was quite awkward, so as soon as they entered the flower hall, Lu Weijie silently sat down beside a table inside. The others also came forward and sat down, but still no one spoke up. According to this situation, the ones who should have spoken up were Xiao Chengye and Ling Yuqing. However, for the time being, they couldn't think of how to explain things. If they told the truth, it would be unavoidable to mention Lu Weiyin. Mentioning Lu Weiyin would also inevitably bring up the fact that he was currently bedridden in Lüyun Peak due to illness. The two of them absolutely wouldn't be foolish enough to mention the cause of this illness, but no matter what, at a time when Lu Weiyin was bedridden, the people from the other courtyard going down the mountain and having fun wasn't a justifiable reason.

  There was a faint sound of footsteps at the door, and it was Ling Yu Xuan who brought in the tea tray with a gentle pace. Unintentionally raising her eyes to sweep over Yan Liu's somewhat timid face, Yuan Dai suddenly understood in her heart.

  She didn't believe that Lu Weijie could recognize them in disguise, and now seeing Yan Liu, she finally understood that it was Yan Liu who leaked the information. She thought to herself here, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw Xiao Chengyan wink at her, apparently Xiao Chengyan also thought of it.

  She pursed her lips unintentionally, and Yuandai had something in mind to say, but she was restrained from having only met Lu Weijie once, and Lu Weijie was also Ling Yuansen's fiancé. If she spoke out casually, it would inevitably appear that she was showing off, and there was a suspicion of forcing herself to take the lead.

  She couldn't help but exchange a glance with Xiao Chengyan. Yan Dai was not surprised to see the same helplessness in Xiao Chengyan's eyes as her own.

  This matter is quite unsuitable for her; as for Xiao Zhengyan, it's no different.

  After a moment of silence, Lu Weijie was the first to speak up: "How is Weiying doing now?" he asked in a low voice.

  Suddenly hearing this, Ling Yuancheng, who was sitting on one side, couldn't help but change his expression. After a long time, he suddenly spoke up and said: "Speaking of Weiying, I have a few words to say, and I'd like to discuss them with you alone, Weijie!"

  His lips, neither thin nor thick, suddenly pursed into a straight line. Lu Weijie nodded slightly and said, "Good!" After saying this, he stood up, bowed to the remaining people, and walked out of the flower hall in big strides. Ling Yuqing followed closely behind him.

  The two of them had left, and in the flower hall. Xiao Cheng Ye looked at the three women with a glance, waved his hand and said: "This matter will be explained by us! You three, go back to your rooms and rest!" There was no anger in his tone, only deep helplessness.

  When he said that, Yuan Dai and Xiao Chengyan were delighted to leave. Ling Yuexuan, however, looked hesitant and asked: "Xiao Da Ge... they... won't..." She was worried in her heart but didn't know how to ask.

  Xiao Chengye smiled and shook his head. After all, he comforted her by saying: "Don't worry! Nothing will happen!"

  Ling Yuexuan wanted to say something else, but Xiao Chengyan was already a bit impatient. She reached out and pulled Ling Yuexuan, saying "Come! Let's talk about it inside!" Only then did Ling Yuexuan reluctantly move forward, following the two into the house, with Yan Liu quietly trailing behind them.

  The flower hall of Cuizhu Garden is close to Yuandai's house, so the three people came all the way and entered Yuandai's house without hesitation. After they sat down, Wensheng had already quickly brewed tea and served it.

  Didn't go to see Ling Yuanyuan in a flurry, Yuan Dai smiled and looked at Yan Liu, asking: "Yan Liu, tell me, what's going on?"

  Without saying a word, he knelt down on the ground. Yan Liu said: "This matter is indeed my doing! If Miss wants to punish me, just go ahead and punish me!"

  Ling Yuexuan suddenly heard this and widened her eyes in surprise, exclaiming: "Yan Liu!" Yan Liu had been by her side since childhood, serving her with a closeness that rivaled even Ling Daiyu and Lin Daiyu. Moreover, having just learned that Lu Weijie was aware of their identities, Ling Yuexuan's mind was in great turmoil, so she hadn't noticed anything unusual about Yan Liu.

  "Miss..." Yan Liu suddenly raised her head and called out urgently: "No matter what you think in your heart, Lu Jia Si Ye is the one who has been betrothed to you since childhood! He... is the ideal son-in-law in Master's and Madam's hearts!" At this point, she had no more reservations and spoke freely: "I know Miss doesn't like him because of his dull and taciturn nature. But with Miss's temperament, how could those frivolous and dissolute men be a good match for you?"

  Ling Yuexuan stared at Yan Liu in shock, her pretty face alternating between pale and flushed, her expression extremely strange.

  Yuandai, who was standing nearby, also didn't want to listen anymore and pulled Xiao Xian along with her. She made a gesture to Wenping on the other side, and the three of them quietly retreated without making a sound. Once they were out of the room, Yuandai let out a long sigh and smiled, saying: "This little servant girl Yanliu is indeed loyal, she didn't disappoint Third Aunt's trust in her!" Flattery and sycophancy, catering to one's master's intentions, almost every servant girl can do it. The difference lies only in their ability to guess thoughts and handle matters. And Yanliu's actions today, although a bit rash, were well-intentioned.

  Xiao Chengxian couldn't help but smile upon hearing this, yet suddenly asked: "The reason you want to move into the Wen Xuan Pavilion, isn't it for the sake of tenth sister?"

  A faint, enigmatic smile spread across her face as she said, "I won't deny it, sister. I do have such intentions!" Seeing Xue's pleased smile, she continued with a hint of amusement, "However, today's incident with Yan Liu was not part of my plan." When it came to Ling Yuexuan, she didn't mind giving her a push or pointing out a few things when the opportunity arose, but she wouldn't go out of her way to do so. It's easy to change one's circumstances, but difficult to alter one's nature; and she was even more reluctant to interfere excessively in other people's lives, especially when that person themselves didn't want her interference.

  Xiao Chengyan nodded slightly and didn't ask anymore.

  Turning her head to glance at Wenjing, Yuandai smiled and said: "It's not convenient for us to go home now, why don't you go sit with Chulan for a while?"

  After sending away Wenping, Yuan Dai set out on her own and strolled with Xiao Chengyan in the bamboo forest outside the Emerald Bamboo Garden. Although the winter emerald bamboos were still green and upright, due to the extreme cold of the Beijing winter, the branches were inevitably covered with a layer of white frost, which was quite different from the lush greenery of spring that seemed to drip with dew.

  After walking slowly for a moment, Yuande suddenly smiled and said: "I think sister's heart is not so anxious to choose a husband."

  Xiao Cheng smiled and said, "What's the hurry with this kind of thing?" As she spoke, the corner of her mouth suddenly curled up into a mocking arc: "Fortunately, I have a good father and mother, so it's not like I've reached the point of being anxious to get married!"

  Yan Dai nodded slightly and said: "After all, this matter still depends on each person's fate, it can't be rushed!"

  The two of them were chatting as they strolled along. After walking a few more steps, the voices of two men could be faintly heard up ahead. Almost subconsciously, the two of them stopped in their tracks and listened intently.

  A clear and angry male voice came from behind a bamboo grove, from a stone about the size of two people embracing: "Wei Ying... He's really got a lot of nerve, he actually dared to take on this kind of thing!" It was Lu Weijie's voice.

  "Vijay, every family has its own unspeakable sorrows. I'm telling you this only because I don't want to hide anything from you. As for Vijay's illness, when he recovers, you must have a good talk with him..."

  After a moment of silence, Lu Weijie responded, "When do you plan on returning to Lü Yuè Lǐng?"

  It was unexpected that he would suddenly say this, Ling Yuancheng was taken aback and couldn't help but ask in confusion: "What's going on..."

  Lu Weijie said calmly, "I'll go to Lüying Ridge with you! Once he's a bit better, I'll immediately send someone to escort him back to Tanzhou. Fortunately, the matter in Tanzhou has now subsided, and it's time for him to return!"

  Yan Dai suddenly heard these words, but after hearing this, she really didn't need to listen anymore. At the moment, she exchanged a glance with Xiao Chengyan and they both lightened their footsteps, quietly retreating. It wasn't until they exited the bamboo forest that the two of them let out a sigh of relief.

  Xiao Chengxian thought about the few words she had just overheard, but couldn't help losing her train of thought for a moment. Suddenly, she burst out laughing and said: "I didn't expect him to be so protective of you, even going so far as to expose his own mother's shortcomings! He really is deeply devoted to you."

  Although they didn't hear much, it was enough for them to roughly know how Ling Yuqing and Lu Weijie spoke.

  Her heart was fluctuating, and she suppressed the faint warmth that rose to her forehead. She suddenly smiled at Xiao Chengyan and said, "If sister really thinks my sixth brother is good, it's still not too late now!"

  As for what she meant, Xiao Cheng was naturally not unaware. After a smile, she said: "Sister, haven't you ever heard the saying that a good horse doesn't eat retrograde grass?" She said, but couldn't help raising an eyebrow and saying: "Besides, even if I wanted to turn back now, he might not be willing!"

  Yuandai heard a smile, and didn't say much more, just shifted her gaze to scan the surroundings. As she looked around, her eyes suddenly fell on a small door beside her. She raised her hand and pointed at the small door, and Yuandai suddenly laughed and said: "I wonder where this door leads?"

  Xiao Chengxian heard this and suddenly her eyes lit up, smiling happily: "Maybe it's also possible that it leads to the outside of Wenchuang Pavilion?"

  The two exchanged a glance, but what they saw was the cunning glint in each other's eyes.