CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 102: FAUX PAS (PART 2)

Xiqiu exhaled, praying for Xiao Yanyi to appear quickly!

Suddenly, her arm hanging by her side was gripped tightly by a pair of large, powerful hands. Startled, she turned her head to look at the person and saw a pair of narrow, stern phoenix eyes gazing at her doubtfully...

"It’s you!" Fourth Master Xiao’s hand jerked as if it had been burned upon recognizing the person in front of him, releasing Xiqiu’s arm.

Xiqiu was stunned, not because he knew who she was, but because he had clearly left through the main gate. How did he silently appear beside her without her noticing!

Her eyes moved up and down as Xiqiu re-evaluated him. He was just taller with a more upright posture, nothing particularly special. She recalled what Tong Quanzi had said: "I learn martial arts to fight enemies on the battlefield, just like the Marquis Xuanning to protect and serve the country! But you don’t know, the one with the strongest martial arts isn’t the Marquis, but that notorious Fourth Master Xiao..."

At the time, she merely smiled, but thought to herself: "Marquis Xuanning can go to fight the enemies not because he is patriotic or has strong martial arts, but because ever since the Empress Dowager’s death, although his title was not revoked, his power has greatly declined. The Marquis had no choice but to fulfill the sacred command!"

"What are you doing here?" Fourth Master Xiao didn’t know how much she had thought of in a blink, only raising his sword-like eyebrow and glancing at the First Master’s study: "Waiting for someone?" After speaking, he seemed to understand her intention, showing a mocking expression.

Xiqiu’s gaze shifted, unprovoked by his mocking expression. She looked at Fourth Master Xiao with a smile, calmly saying: "And what is Fourth Master Xiao doing here?!" Without retaliating or responding with anger, Xiqiu’s face remained composed with a gentle smile.

Fourth Master Xiao raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of surprise, suspicion flickering in his long phoenix eyes: "You’re not afraid of me?"

He was tall, and Xiqiu could only look up, but there was no fear on her face. She raised her eyebrows and said: "Fourth Master Xiao is neither a tiger nor a leopard, why should I be afraid?"

His eyes moved slightly, and Fourth Master Xiao looked at Xiqiu with interest. The girl before him seemed to be only eleven or twelve years old, skinny as if a gust of wind could topple her, yet she stood her ground without retreating, challenging him even in this awkward situation without showing any panic.

He thought of what Ren Jun had said, the Tong Mansion wanted to marry off their daughter as a second wife... Then he recalled the scene he saw that day at Taohuawu... He initially thought that the sisters were fighting over the marriage, willing to resort to actions, but later when he went to Wujin Bo Mansion, Ren Jun mentioned that the Countess intended to withdraw her proposal for Sixth Miss and choose Third Miss instead!

For some reason, he suddenly understood her intention at that time!

The little girl, to have such cunning and tactics, Fourth Master Xiao’s lips curved into a faint, noncommittal smile: "This isn’t Taohuawu... though this is your home, it may not be convenient!" His words seemed to carry an undertone.

Xiqiu only noticed that he mentioned Taohuawu, a look of surprise flashed across her face. Was he also there at Taohuawu that day? Did he see her arguing with Tong Xiyang, even to the point of physical confrontation, hence showing a mocking expression upon seeing her?

Xiqiu smiled helplessly, but she didn’t want to explain, just someone irrelevant, no need to waste her breath, moreover, everything had already achieved the result she wanted, whether others knew or not, what difference would it make!

Understanding the implied meaning in Fourth Master Xiao’s words, Xiqiu smiled and said: "Thank you for Fourth Master Xiao’s concern, but it’s certainly more convenient at one’s own home!"

"Is that so?" Fourth Master Xiao snorted lightly, giving Xiqiu a long, deep look, then said: "Or is it Third Young Master Ren? I’m afraid you won’t need to bother yourself..."

This time, even Xiqiu couldn’t help but show a shocked expression. What did he mean, was he implying something?

"What does Fourth Master Xiao mean?"

Fourth Master Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at her with a meaningful expression, and said lightly: "Better think of how to get out of here!"

After saying that, he walked away boldly without looking back, striding out from the thicket!

His tall figure, as soon as it appeared from the bushes, the little servants guarding the courtyard all looked at him in surprise, each one shocked with wide-eyed astonishment!

They clearly saw Fourth Master Xiao leave from the gate, how could he now emerge from the bushes?!

However, the culprit seemed completely unaware, and left with his hands behind his back, unruffled by others’ reactions.

Frowning, Xiqiu just felt this person was very annoying, still amiable earlier, yet turned around to undermine her, walking out like that was equivalent to exposing her hiding place!

The little servants’ eyes were once again suspiciously cast towards Xiqiu, some even began to push each other, urging someone to investigate.

She could no longer wait for Xiao Yanyi, for she might get discovered by the little servants before he arrives, then by tomorrow, the whole Capital would know Sixth Miss of the Tong Mansion disregards etiquette, secretly lurking in the outer courtyard to meet a man...

She sighed, and slowly moved, planning to open the side door and leave through Madam Xia’s courtyard.

At that moment, Xiao Yanyi’s figure conveniently appeared at the courtyard gate, causing the little servants to immediately lower their heads, standing respectfully to the side in greeting: "Second Young Master!"

Xiao Yanyi nodded slightly: "Go about your business!" Everyone quietly dispersed to their tasks.

Xiqiu let out a breath of relief!

Then she saw Xiao Yanyi calmly ascend the steps, soon his faint voice came from the study: "Father and Lord Zhou are at the bank of the Tongji River, asking me to invite several lords to join them!"

A somewhat rough male voice said: "Oh? Lord Tong and Lord Zhou have already gone? Then why don’t we join the fun!"

Xiao Yanyi then looked at Second Master: "In the courtyard of Second Master Tong, there is a rod iron crabapple tree, I heard it’s blooming profusely these days, with a delightful fragrance..."

"Good, good! Today we shall indulge in the appreciation of fragrance and elegance... Lord Tong wouldn’t mind?!" This was directed at Second Master, who saw Tong Zhengchuan say: "It’s our honor, please!"

Immediately, several lords exited together, Second Master, Tong Shen Zhi, Xu Tianqing, and Jiang Shilin, along with an unfamiliar gentleman, seven or eight people chatted and laughed as they walked out.

Jiang Shilin said: "I’ve long heard that Second Master has planted a few rod iron crabapple trees in his courtyard, and I have always wanted to admire them, but there was no opportunity, today is thanks to Lord Liu’s favor!"

Second Master was all smiles: "Third-Ranked Scholar Jiang is too kind!"

The man called Lord Liu, about in his forties, wore a maroon robe, walking in front with his hands behind his back, and upon hearing Jiang Shilin, he laughed: "Third-Ranked Scholar Jiang needs not to be modest, you move freely in the back gardens of all the elite in the city, far beyond my league!"

Jiang Shilin smilingly waved his hand!

Another gentleman in a blue long robe said: "You two need not be modest, both are role models for us scholars, nowadays we mostly talk about and admire none other than the lords!"