Chapter Twenty-Four: Discord

  Xiao Chengye dismounted in front of the Ling mansion, casually tossing the reins to a groom who came up to lead the horse away, and asked, "Is Sixth Master currently at home?" The Xiao and Ling families were related by marriage and had been friends for generations. Xiao Chengye was a frequent visitor to the Ling household, and almost all of the Ling family's servants knew this young master of the Xiao family.

  Nanmao took the reins in one hand and, smiling, bowed to say: "Sixth Master hasn't gone out today, Master Xiao can just go on in!"

  Xiao Chengye nodded slightly and stepped into the Ling Mansion. As soon as he entered, he couldn't help but pause, his feet also stopping for a moment, and he turned back to look at the groom with a hint of surprise. "What's this smell?" Xiao Chengye asked, "Why does it smell so good?"

  It was as if it were floral fragrance, but the subtle and elegant place was far superior to all the floral fragrances he knew.

  That little fellow doesn't know! Probably the plum blossoms in the mansion have bloomed!

  Xiao Chengye raised an eyebrow, and stopped asking. He was certain that this fragrance was not the scent of plum blossoms, but judging from the groom's expression, he didn't seem to know where it came from either. There was no need for him to waste his breath. Besides, he had come here today to find Ling Yuqing, and this groom wouldn't know that Ling Yuqing, the sixth young master of the Ling family, would surely not be completely unaware of this matter.

  It was decided, and Xiao Chengye didn't say much more. He strode towards the Wutong Temple where Ling Yuqing lived. The further he walked in, the stronger the fragrance became, and Xiao Chengye's astonishment deepened. The scent seemed to penetrate every pore, entering his limbs and bones, making his entire body feel extremely comfortable.

  Xiao Cheng Ye's heart was filled with curiosity, and his feet seemed to move even faster. However, in just a moment, he saw the Wutong Institute where Ling Yuanqing lived in front of him. The Wutong Institute, as its name suggests, had a large wutong tree that was four people around, over 100 feet tall, with lush green leaves in summer that almost covered the entire institute. At this time, it was winter, and the wutong leaves had fallen, but it still had an elegant appearance, making people feel happy when they looked at it.

  Xiao Chengye hastened his pace and was just about to enter the courtyard when he unexpectedly ran into Ling Yuqing, who was also walking out. The two of them happened to meet face-to-face. As soon as Xiao Chengye saw Ling Yuqing, he smiled and walked up: "Yuqing, what a coincidence!"

  He was very enthusiastic, but unexpectedly Ling Yuancheng didn't even glance at him, let alone look at him. After a cold hum, he walked away, seemingly intending to brush past him. Xiao Chengye had come over today specifically because of yesterday's matter. Although he reluctantly told Ling Yuancheng about Xiao Chengyan's intentions due to her repeated requests, in his heart, he was actually somewhat unwilling.

  He and Ling Yuanching were originally very good friends, and in his heart, he actually hoped that Xiao Chengyan could marry Ling Yuanching. However, Xiao Chengyan was not a woman who could be controlled by others. Yesterday, Ling Yuanching went to the Xiao residence for a drink, left in high spirits but returned disheartened. After thinking about it, Xiao Chengyan couldn't put his mind at ease, so he hurriedly came to the Ling residence early this morning.

  Watching Ling Yuancheng already bypass him, Xiao Chengyan hurriedly raised his hand to block him, and the smile on his face was even more filled with helplessness: "Yuancheng, I am me, she is her, you can't blame me together with her because of her reason, right?"

  Ling Yuancheng hadn't planned on paying attention to him, but after hearing these words, he couldn't help but retort a few sentences. He let out a light snort and said: "You Shao siblings have already divided the family property, but my Ling siblings haven't yet. My younger sister can't climb up to your Shao family's level, I also feel that it's hard for me to climb up. Master Shao should be mindful of his status in the future and not run around randomly, or else he'll degrade his own status without even realizing it!"

  When he first learned that Xiao Xian had rejected him, he was both annoyed and felt embarrassed in front of Xiao Xian. He couldn't hide it and made an excuse to hurry back to the mansion. However, after a long conversation with Yuan Dai in the garden, looking back on the situation, he realized that his unwillingness and annoyance were actually greater than his heartache. He wasn't someone who would dwell on things, once he understood, aside from still being somewhat embarrassed, he was fine.

  Compared with this matter, what he cared more about was still Xiao Chengye's disdain for Yuan Dai.

  Xiao Chengye was inexplicably rebuked by him a few times, and he was stunned for a moment. It wasn't until after a while that he frowned and said unpleasantly: "Yuan Qing, where did this come from? Could it be that someone is stirring up trouble?" Almost immediately, he thought of Yuan Dai.

  Ling Yuancheng knew he had understood, and coldly snorted, saying: "You'd better say it, is this thing true or not?"

  Xiao Chengye smiled wryly, and after a while said: "I just feel that she has some heart, and some things seem to have been calculated in advance. Not to mention my sister's attitude towards her is almost sincere, even Baili, because of those two pots of flowers, also looks at her with different eyes. Don't you suspect that everything she does is deliberately catering to their tastes?"

  Ling Yuancheng furrowed his brow slightly as he listened, but after a moment, he shook his head and said, "What you say makes sense, but I don't think she's that kind of person!" As he spoke, he lowered his head in thought, then continued, "There are some things I know about, but you may not. In my opinion, even if everything was intentional on her part, she didn't harm anyone. And her goal was simply to make life better for her and her mother - isn't that right?"

  Xiao Chengye furrowed his brow, and it wasn't until half a day later that he said, "If everything ends here, then I have nothing to say. But who can guess what her next move will be?" This was the real reason he didn't want Xiao Chengyan and Yuan Dai to continue getting close.

  Ling Yuang Qing opened his mouth, but in fact, he didn't think much of Xiao Cheng Ye's words. If he had to give a reason, he would be at a loss for words. After a moment's pause, he only managed to squeeze out one sentence: "We'll just wait and see!"

  Xiao Chengye heard this and knew that although Ling Yuancheng still had some discontent in his heart, he would no longer be as angry as before. He was also a person who understood the principle of knowing when to stop while ahead, so he smiled and asked: "Where are you going?"

  Ling Yuancheng gave him a slanted glance and said, "I was originally going to my uncle's place, but since you're here now, I won't go anymore!"

  Xiao Chengye smiled and said, "The Lu family is currently in a state of turmoil, so it's best to visit less often!" He said this as he pulled Ling Yuqing along, "Since I've come, I must go pay my respects to the young lady. You might as well accompany me!"

  Ling Yuqing nodded in agreement, what Xiao Chengye said was actually not bad, the Lu family had been a bit messy lately, and he didn't want to go either, but was forced by Mrs. Lu's order, now that Xiao Chengye had come, he was happy to avoid this trip.

  The two of them changed direction and headed straight to Chunhui Garden. As they walked, Xiao Chengye asked, "Is there some rare flower blooming in your manor? I felt a fragrance as soon as I entered the gate, but after careful consideration, it didn't seem like plum blossoms, which left me quite puzzled!"

  In winter, if we talk about fragrant flowers, the first one that comes to mind is plum blossoms.

  Ling Yuancheng was taken aback by his question, and after a moment's pause, he sniffed and frowned, saying: "Is there? I don't think so!"

  Xiao Chengye never thought that Ling Yuqing would answer him like this, and he was stunned for a long time before suddenly slapping his palm and saying: "I had forgotten the truth that one who has lived in a room with orchids for a long time doesn't notice their fragrance. However, there is indeed a strange fragrance in your mansion, that's for sure!"

  Ling Yuancheng listened to what he said with such certainty, but couldn't help feeling stunned. At this moment, a maid was rushing over, her face showing a hint of anxiety. Ling Yuancheng beckoned to her and asked, "Is there anything strange happening in the mansion today?"

  That maid saw that Ling Yu was clear, and hurried over to pay her respects, saying: "Sixth Master doesn't know yet? Yesterday, several night watchmen's wives started shouting early in the morning, saying that last night, the incense in the mansion suddenly became fragrant. No one knows what kind of flower bloomed. The fragrance is particularly strange, and it can be smelled throughout the entire mansion. Now even Old Madame has found out about this matter, and she is sending people to investigate everywhere!

  Ling Yu nodded slightly, waved his hand to dismiss the maid, and stood still for a moment. For some reason, a figure of Yuan Dai appeared in his mind, along with a pot of flowers that was about half a person's height and not particularly eye-catching. He remembered clearly that when he went to Miao Feng Mountain Villa to pick up Yuan Dai, she had been unusually careful with that pot of flowers. The two maids by her side had also carefully protected the flower all the way, and now that he thought about it, there were indeed several flower buds on its green branches.

  Xiao Cheng Ye heard that even Old Lady Xiao didn't know about this matter, and he immediately thought of Yuan Dai: "It's her!" He blurted out, while looking at Ling Yuan Qing with a hint of mockery in his eyes.

  Ling Yuqing didn't have the mood to bother with him at this time, and his footsteps suddenly quickened as he rushed towards Chunhui Garden. Xiao Chengye hastily followed closely behind. The two of them walked for a short while before arriving at Chunhui Garden.

  The maids in Chunhui Garden saw Ling Yuancheng and Xiao Chengye coming, and had already reported it. Therefore, the two of them did not encounter any obstacles and walked straight in. The two entered, each paying their respects. Old Lady Xiao hurriedly asked them to sit down, and looked at Xiao Chengye with a smile: "Why have you only come alone today? Where is Xiao'er? If she misses out on today's excitement, she will be unable to forgive you!"