CHAPTER 231: CHAPTER 231 BURIED

Agarwood Pavilion, backyard.

Inside the bamboo house, Su Jin was preparing medicine.

The sound of pounding medicine echoed particularly far in the tranquil backyard.

She walked out with a stone ladle, gazing at Xie Jingchen practicing martial arts beside the bamboo grove.

Isn’t this rascal a bit nuts?

He’s been practicing martial arts for half an hour already; doesn’t he know to take a break?

He just detoxified, and his body is still very weak.

Inside the bamboo house.

The Hidden Guard woke up, shaking his dizzy head, and stood up from the chair.

His head was heavy, feet light, and the world spun around.

Quickly, he sat back down.

After resting a bit, his mind cleared, and he realized why he had fainted.

Fainted foolishly.

The Eldest Young Madam had already told him it was an anesthetic, yet he still sniffed it...

Seeing Xingxing lying on the small couch, the Hidden Guard felt a tiny bit relieved.

While the Hidden Guard observed Xingxing.

Xingxing turned over.

She turned inward, but her head knocked against the small couch.

In pain, she turned outward.

Then—

She rolled off the small couch.

The Hidden Guard, "..."

The Hidden Guard was speechless.

But what left him even more speechless was yet to come.

Xingxing awoke from the pain and, seeing the Hidden Guard staring at her, glared at him fiercely without second thought.

The expression looked as if she suspected he caused her fall.

The Hidden Guard, "..."

Does this have anything to do with him?

Not daring to provoke her, the Hidden Guard jumped out of the window and fled.

Su Jin heard the commotion inside, walked to the window, and saw Xingxing sitting on the ground rubbing her head.

"What’s wrong?" Su Jin asked.

"Miss, my head feels dizzy," Xingxing said.

"Rest for a while, it’ll get better," Su Jin said.

Xie Jingchen sheathed his sword, casually tossing it back into the scabbard.

In the sunlight, the sweat on his forehead and nose shimmered.

His eyes, vast like the stars, shone brilliantly.

"The Eldest Young Master’s poison has truly been cleared," the Hidden Guard said excitedly.

After the excitement came the fear.

Fear that such doubts would be overheard by Su Jin and Xingxing.

He looked back several times to ensure no one was there before breathing a sigh of relief.

...

The next day was a sunny day.

Xingxing helped Su Jin dress, her eager eyes sparkling.

"Miss, where are we going for fun today?" Xingxing asked.

"Let’s go to the Great Buddha Temple," Su Jin said.

"Madam originally wanted you to go the other day, but unfortunately, we didn’t go," Xingxing said regretfully.

Previously, when Dongxiang Marquis Mansion held a housewarming banquet, Mrs. Tang instructed Xingxing to take Su Jin to the Great Buddha Temple for incense, specifically on the fourth of April.

Because that day was Manjushri Bodhisattva’s birthday.

Su Jin had planned to go.

However, Xie Jinyu and the others were going to the Great Buddha Temple to offer incense and pray for the Old Madam.

Last time they went to the Great Buddha Temple, they caused some unpleasantness, and Su Jin didn’t want to go with them.

Besides, Xie Jinyu and the others were praying for the Old Madam’s foot to recover soon. It was Su Jin and Xingxing who swollen it, so if they were going to pray now, why didn’t they go easier on her in the first place?

To not give them leverage against her, Su Jin decisively changed her mind.

"As long as the heart is sincere, any day is the same for incense," Su Jin said.

"Will we be going to pay respects to the Old Madam today?" Xingxing asked.

"Not going. The Old Madam’s probably just able to get out of bed; better not disrupt her good mood," Su Jin said considerately.

Xingxing, "..."

Lying in bed with swollen feet for so many days, can the Old Madam really have a good mood?

Not knowing if the Old Madam feared seeing them, Xingxing was certainly afraid of paying respects to her.

Political Discussion Hall.

The Emperor seated on the Dragon Chair, deliberated state affairs with the officials.

He glanced several times towards the spot where Marquis Dongxiang usually stood.

The position was empty.

Marquis Dongxiang did not come to morning court.

The officials were all puzzled as to why Marquis Dongxiang missed the morning court.

Ever since moving into Duke Chong’s Mansion, Marquis Dongxiang had been punctual for court.

Today, court was almost over, and he hadn’t shown up; could something have happened?

Then—

Duke Chong’s faction stood out to impeach Marquis Dongxiang.

The Emperor sipped Bi Luo Chun tea, listening to one impeachment after another.

After wetting his throat, he unhurriedly said, "I gave him a problem to solve for me; he can enter the palace when it’s done."

The few ministers who impeached him turned red.

"I’m a bit headachy, let’s call it an end to court today," the Emperor said.

"..."

The officials were bewildered.

The Emperor just being the Emperor, how could anyone look so radiant and vigorous while claiming to have headaches?

Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.

Inside the study.

The floor was covered with crumpled paper.

Marquis Dongxiang sat in the chair, headache looking at four big words on the desk—

Lead by example.

Steward Lin walked in, casually picked up a crumpled paper, opened it, and saw a line of words: Emperor, one shouldn’t be too petty...

Steward Lin, "..."

Wouldn’t submitting this memorandum to the Emperor be asking for trouble?

Steward Lin looked at Marquis Dongxiang, "Marquis, perhaps ask the son-in-law for help?"

"Have him write it well and bring it back," Marquis Dongxiang said.

"..."

Afraid that the Eldest Young Master would know and not study seriously?

The Marquis is truly thoughtful.

In front of Duke Zhen Mansion gates.

Xingxing supported Su Jin onto the carriage, then climbed in herself.

Xie Jingchen mounted his horse.

The carriage slowly moved forward.

They traveled for a quarter of an hour.

Steward Lin, riding a horse, stopped in front of Duke Zhen Mansion.

Manager Li recognized him, eagerly said, "Steward Lin is here to see the Eldest Young Madam?"

"Come to see the son-in-law," Steward Lin said.

"..."

"The Eldest Young Master accompanied the Eldest Young Madam out of the mansion."

"Unfortunate timing, do you know where they went?" Steward Lin asked.

"I don’t know, but they left just a quarter of an hour ago. If you pursue now, you’ll surely catch up," Manager Li said.

Steward Lin mounted his horse and chased forward.

After half a cup of tea’s time, Steward Lin caught up with Su Jin and Xie Jingchen.

Xingxing opened the carriage curtain, and cheerfully called, "Uncle Lin."

Steward Lin smiled and said to Xie Jingchen, "The Marquis has something to ask the son-in-law for help."

Xie Jingchen, "..."

Xie Jingchen had a dark expression.

"What is it?" he asked.

Steward Lin invited Xie Jingchen to the side to explain in detail.

Xingxing poked her head out, "Surely it’s asking the son-in-law to write a memorandum again."

Xie Jingchen returned on his horse.

Su Jin looked at him, "Is it really for writing a memorandum?"

Xie Jingchen didn’t speak, but tacitly agreed.

Su Jin felt a bit sympathetic, comforting him, "With my father around, your talents won’t be buried."

Xie Jingchen almost spit out a mouthful of old blood.

Is this woman comforting or pouring salt on the wound?

Not just pouring salt.

Furthermore, it’s pouring salt and then running off.

"You go write the memorandum first, we’ll wait for you at the Great Buddha Temple," Su Jin said.

Xie Jingchen, "..."

Never seen such a heartless person.

The Hidden Guard looked at Xie Jingchen, "Eldest Young Master?"

What can Xie Jingchen do?

He can’t write a memorandum while sitting on horseback.

"You take them to the Great Buddha Temple first," Xie Jingchen said.

The Hidden Guard climbed on the carriage shaft, and drove it away.

Xie Jingchen entered the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

It was still early for lunch; early breakfast was a little late too, the Pavilion’s shopkeeper greeted him.

"Bring brush, ink, paper, and inkstone,"

Xie Jingchen ordered, and found a place to sit.

Steward Lin sat far away, sipping tea and waiting.

As for Su Jin, she and Xingxing were laughing and talking as they rode the carriage towards the Great Buddha Temple.