Chapter 29 After the Panic

  Wen Ping listened in shock, and after a long while, she bitterly smiled and said: "Miss is joking! The Empress Dowager, what kind of status is that? How can I, a humble slave, be compared to her?" She changed the subject hastily and asked: "However, Miss, if that person really ends up in a desperate situation, what do you plan to do then?"

  With a slight raise of her eyebrow, she said indifferently: "If he can't even pass the martial arts exam, then going to the Xiao estate as a house servant wouldn't be a bad path. Why bother repeatedly rushing to the capital for the exams and end up losing face?"

  Compared with the civil service examination, the martial arts examination is much simpler.

  The Grand Zhou Wu was divided into two exams: the outer court exam and the inner court exam. Candidates first entered the outer court to take a reference test, where they were tested on martial arts, including sword, spear, horseback riding, and archery. Those who excelled in horsemanship and martial arts were considered superior. The inner court exam tested military strategy and tactics. To prevent candidates from taking advantage of the system by repeatedly failing the civil service exam and then switching to the military exam, it was stipulated that those who failed the outer court exam would not be allowed to participate in the inner court exam.

  The two test scores were added together, and the person with the best results was appointed as the champion of martial arts.

  But also because the Great Zhou has always valued literature over martial arts, many martial artists are skilled in combat but not proficient in literary theory. In recent years, this inner court examination has almost become a mere formality. The questions asked were extremely simple, requiring only a basic understanding of military rules and recognition of a few characters to pass.

  Wenjing heard this and knew that Yuandai had no intention of continuing the conversation. She smiled slightly and said in a soft voice, "There's something I almost forgot to tell you, miss. Just now, Big Madam sent someone over and said that although Green Hill is nice, the wind on the mountain is strong, and since the children are still young, they might not be able to withstand it. Therefore, Big Madam plans to take them back to the manor first."

  Yan Dai smiled upon hearing this, knowing that Guo's hasty departure was likely due to being intimidated by Lu Weiying's so-called "heavenly flower". Moreover, with Lu Weijie now also at Qing'e Ridge, Lu Furen's plans had completely fallen through, and staying behind would be pointless. Not to mention that Guo had always been insincere in her obedience to Lu Furen, and now that she had the opportunity, she was not about to let it slip away.

  "Xiao Jie must have received the news too, I wonder if she said anything?" She asked casually.

  Wen Ping nodded and said, "Just now, Xiao Shi had sent Cui Lan to ask about Miss's intentions. Since Miss was still sleeping, Cui Lan waited for a moment, but couldn't wait any longer, so she said she would go back and report, and then come over again after a while!"

  Yuan Dai smiled and was about to speak when Xue Chengyan's voice came from outside: "Sister, you're finally awake!" As she spoke, she had already stepped into the inner room. Yuan Dai saw her come in and couldn't help but get up to greet her.

  Xiao Chengyan walked into the house and sat down. She and Yuan Dai's relationship had become increasingly close, and their conversation was also more casual: "I just came from your sister-in-law's place. These past few days she hasn't been doing very well. When I saw her, I felt that she had lost a lot of weight!" As she spoke, her face couldn't help but reveal a hint of guilt. After all, Guo Shi was like this also because they wanted to go down the mountain.

  Yuan Dai suddenly realized her thoughts and couldn't help but smile: "Sister, why think so much! Everything has a cause and effect. In the end, it's all because of Eldest Sister's own doing. If she had politely declined to come to Green Lotus Ridge that day, even if Madame was unhappy in her heart, she wouldn't have been able to blame her for anything. Since she didn't distinguish right from wrong, nor asked what was good or bad, it's only natural that she should bear some worries!"

  Xiao Chengxian listened to these words and also felt that they made a lot of sense. She didn't notice her heart feeling slightly more at ease, and nodded saying: "Sister, your words are indeed correct!"

  No need to say more about Guo's family. Yuandai changed the subject and asked: "Where is tenth sister living now?"

  With a smile, Xiao Cheng said: "The tenth sister originally wanted to go back and accompany Ling's wife, but I persuaded her to stay. She doesn't know the inside story of this matter, if she sees Ling's wife's worried appearance, she might accidentally say something wrong, and it's likely that some misunderstandings will arise!"

  After some thought, Yuandai said: "If you want to avoid trouble and eliminate future worries, it's actually quite simple!"

  With a thoughtful gaze, he looked at her and sighed, "I sometimes really can't understand why these things that I think are difficult, become just a few words when they're in front of my sister!"

  A faint smile, Yan Dai calmly said: "The reason is actually quite simple, because my sister encountered something, and soon found someone to share the burden with, but I couldn't! So, it's me who should be envious of my sister!"

  Xiao Chengxian heard the sound and didn't realize she was silent for a moment, after a while she forced a smile and said: "Sister, let's talk about how to get out of here?"

  Yan Dai smiled: "Sister, didn't you think that tenth sister has been a bit strange lately?"

  She slightly nodded her head, and Xiao Cheng said: "Ever since Lu Weijie came to the door, she has been a bit strange, speaking less, and being more quiet and calm on ordinary days, completely unlike her usual self!"

  She winked at her and said with a mischievous tone: "Come to think of it, doesn't sister want to play matchmaker for them?"

  Xiao Chengxian was shocked: "The two of them are about to get married, it seems they don't need anyone else to matchmake for them?"

  "Sister, you're wrong." Yuedai raised an eyebrow: "Don't you think, sister, that getting married and being in love are actually two different things?" Ling Yuexuan's thoughts, Yuedai could guess a few parts of it.

  At first, when comparing with Lu Weiying's free and easy demeanor, Lu Weijie's calmness and few words were naturally overshadowed. However, after going through so many things, and also seeing another side of Lu Weijie in the Wenxuan Hall, Ling Yuexian's thoughts about him had changed. And her current behavior was what people called "the more one knows a place, the more timid one becomes", where deep emotions turned into shallowness.

  But if Lu Weijie is still as muddle-headed as he is now, Ling Yuexuan will probably be secretly resentful again.

  However, all of this has nothing to do with Yuandai. The reason she brought it up with Xiao Chengyan was that she wanted to shut Ling Yuexian's mouth, and the best way to do that was to let Ling Yuexian and Lu Weijie's relationship progress further.

  As for matters concerning her own love life, Ling Yuexuan would naturally not go around talking about it randomly.

  Helpless, Xiao Chengyan shook her head and said: "Sister says that it's not unreasonable." After saying this, almost subconsciously, she blurted out: "Sister plans to arrange..." The word "arrange" was about to come out when she suddenly realized what she was going to say, and immediately swallowed the last word back, looking at Yu Yan with a helpless smile: "Look at me, relying on others' old habit has relapsed again!"

  Yan Dai heard a burst of laughter: "Sister, rest assured, this matter will be entirely arranged by you, I will definitely cherish every word!"

  After a moment of laughter, Xiao Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Hmm, I don't know why, but I suddenly remembered the time when Lu Weiying intercepted my sister. Why don't we collude with your sixth brother and reenact that incident?"

  She said so, and Yuandai had no objection, and nodded in agreement with a smile.

  After settling the matter, the two of them thought of Guo Shi and couldn't help but get up, planning to go over to Guo Shi's place to say a few words. For a moment, they also thought that if they didn't invite Ling Yuanxuan to go together, in case she got angry again, it wouldn't be good. Therefore, after the two of them went out the door, they first headed towards Ling Yuanxuan's residence. When the two entered the house and looked around, Ling Yuanxuan wasn't inside, and Xiaolan also followed along. Xiao Chengyan asked the Shao Fu servant girl who was serving in Ling Yuanxuan's room, only to find out that Ling Yuanxuan had already gone over to Guo Shi's place earlier.

  Since they knew this matter, the two of them didn't delay and hurriedly rushed straight to the small courtyard where Guo's family lived.

  A few days ago, the news of Lu Weiyin's smallpox spread throughout the other mansions, and people from different courtyards stopped visiting each other. Even family members were on edge, not daring to take an extra step unless absolutely necessary. It wasn't until today, after everyone returned to their respective homes, that the news was released that Lu Weiyin's illness was not smallpox, but just a common skin condition. Upon hearing this, people from the other mansion finally let out a sigh of relief, and their anxiously suspended hearts also settled down. With the ban lifted, the maids and young servants began to gather at the gate again.

  Xiao Chengye also knew that everyone had been worried and frightened for the past few days, so he didn't dare to blame them too much. He could only pretend not to see it by closing one eye. As a result, along the way, Yan Dai and Xiao Chengyan saw people whispering in twos and threes in every corner. Xiao Chengyan shook his head with a wry smile and said, "If my mother were here and saw them like this, she would be angry again!"

  Yan Dai smiled leisurely and said, "We sneaked out to have fun, but worried them for several days. Shouldn't we let them relax properly? If I were the sister, I'd rather let them return home and reunite with their families for a few days!"

  As soon as these words came out, not only did Xiao Chengyan smile, but also Wenping and Qiaolan couldn't help laughing. After laughing, Xiao Chengyan said: "With my elder brother here, I can't make decisions on this matter. However, it's not bad to discuss this with my elder brother, maybe he'll agree too!"

  Several people were talking when Cai Lan suddenly exclaimed: "Miss, Ninth Miss, look over there!"

  The two of them suddenly heard this sentence and naturally looked over. As far as the eye could see, they were both stunned for a moment. After a while, Yuandai smiled and turned her head to look at Xiaochengxian, laughing softly: "This time, sister can be considered to have saved trouble!"

  Xiao Chengxian couldn't help but laugh: "To be honest with you, sister, I really don't want to get involved in this matter!"

  She said, and didn't say much more, then pulled Far Dai away, but went around from one side, not disturbing Ling Yuanshuang and Lu Weijie who were talking in a low voice behind the fake mountain.

  As soon as the two entered the main courtyard, someone by Guo's side had already seen them and shouted to inform her. Before long, Guo herself hastily came out to greet them. Compared to four days ago, Guo had clearly lost a circle of flesh, and her normally slightly plump face was now slightly sunken, with an even more haggard look in her eyes. Not to mention Xiao Xian, even Yu Dai felt a slight pang of guilt when she saw her. The three entered the house and sat down, and after some small talk, Guo got straight to the point and expressed her desire to return home.

  Xiao Chengyan hastily pulled him back and said: "Now that the matter of Lu's brother has been confirmed, it was just a misunderstanding, so why must Big Sister..."

  Guo shook her head and didn't say much, insisting on going down the mountain. Xiao Chengyan wasn't really trying to persuade her to stay either, so after a polite exchange, she agreed to go along with it.