CHAPTER 116: CHAPTER 116: FEELS LIKE GETTING CAUGHT CHEATING

No matter whether the little ancestor cares or not, Tang Xiaobai has already decided: "You must take the exam, because I am going to take it too!"

Because of this decision, she was scolded by her sister: "You are the Second Miss of the Duke Yan Mansion. It’s only right for you to directly enter the top class. How could you even refuse? Could it be that when Ah Xiao fell off the cliff, it was your brain that got damaged?"

But Tang Xiaobai had her reasons.

Although she wholeheartedly wanted to send the little ancestor into Huntian Academy, she also sincerely wanted to study well herself.

At her level, she wasn’t fit for the top class, and even if she got in through connections, it would be hard to keep up. It’s better to go based on her actual level.

Since she was going to take the exam, it didn’t make sense for Ah Xiao to get into the top class through the back door, so they might as well take the exam together.

After hearing her say this, Li Mu no longer objected.

Since she wanted to take the exam, then let them take it together.

However, after the young girl pushed him into the Book Collection Pavilion, she suddenly remembered something and tossed out a sentence: "You read first, I’ll be right back!" Then she ran off hurriedly.

Li Mu glanced around the Book Collection Pavilion briefly and asked, "Where did she go?"

Behind him, there seemed to be the sound of wind, and Mo Ji left as swiftly as ever.

"Your Highness—" someone said leisurely in the dark, "The Second Miss has only left for a moment."

Li Mu remained silent.

They were supposed to take the exam together, yet she left him alone to read. Who knows who she went off with...

...

Tang Xiaobai went to her brother’s place.

Tang Ziqian had returned to the capital for more than half a year and had stayed in the capital because there was no warfare at the border.

Other than attending court sessions on the first and fifteenth of the month, he was mostly free.

He did hold a post, Left Guard Middle General, ranked fourth, and theoretically was supposed to work, but Mr. Tang frequently skipped it, and no one dared to say anything.

When Tang Xiaobai went to find him, he was practicing swordsmanship in the yard.

Upon seeing her enter, he stopped his form and raised his hand, ordering Ah Yuan to present the scabbard.

Tang Xiaobai inadvertently glanced at Ah Yuan.

She had seldom seen Ah Yuan these days.

Ever since Ah Yuan had been by Tang Ziqian’s side, he was responsible for carrying Tang Ziqian’s sword and followed him around.

This was both convenient and presentable, much more dignified than Ah Xiao driving her carriage.

But she didn’t know when it started, Ah Yuan no longer accompanied Tang Ziqian on outings.

When she asked several times, Tang Ziqian always deflected by saying Ah Yuan was ill.

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t ask much more, since Ah Yuan had voluntarily followed Tang Ziqian, and she no longer had a say in his matters.

She hadn’t seen Ah Yuan in several days, so she looked at him a bit more.

His chin was sharper, his complexion pale, and there seemed to be a gloomy look between his brows, appearing not very cheerful.

Tang Xiaobai, watching, felt something was not quite right.

Could he have fallen out of favor?

"Go fetch a basin of water!" Tang Ziqian instructed.

Ah Yuan put down the sword and walked away.

Tang Ziqian turned to ask Tang Xiaobai: "Weren’t you supposed to be studying hard for the exam? How come you have time to visit me?"

Tang Xiaobai withdrew her gaze and said, "There’s something I wanted to discuss with brother—" she paused, then glanced again in the direction where Ah Yuan had left, "Previously, Ah Yuan studied with me too. Brother, shouldn’t you let him also take the exam?"

Tang Ziqian laughed: "Just take care of your Ah Xiao, I’ll handle Ah Yuan myself."

Tang Xiaobai blushed slightly and stammered, "I was just asking—"

Tang Ziqian patted her on the head and laughed: "He’s with me, he hasn’t missed out on studying, so don’t worry! He won’t be neglected!"

Tang Xiaobai nodded, said her goodbyes, and left.

As she reached the door, she just happened to see Ah Yuan returning.

Tang Xiaobai unconsciously looked back, witnessing Ah Yuan wringing a cloth from the basin of water and handing it to Tang Ziqian, then also giving her a glance.

His gaze was bright, somewhat captivating—

Tang Xiaobai suddenly widened her eyes.

Could it be...

...

Li Mu waited in the Book Collection Pavilion for less than a quarter of an hour before receiving a signal from the Shadow Guard that the Second Miss had returned, so he casually picked up a book and began to read.

But when the young girl returned, her expression didn’t look right, as if she had been startled by something.

"What happened?" Li Mu asked, frowning.

Didn’t she go to Tang Ziqian’s? Did Tang Ziqian bully her?

Tang Xiaobai snapped back to reality, looked at him, and suddenly asked: "When you used to stay with Ah Yuan, did you ever feel that he... seemed off?"

Li Mu’s heart inexplicably tightened, and he immediately replied: "No, although we lived in the same courtyard, we rarely interacted, we didn’t even talk much." He paused, then added, "He often joked around with the maids in the mansion, which I did not like."

Tang Xiaobai nodded thoughtfully.

"Did Second Miss go looking for Ah Yuan?"

Tang Xiaobai instinctively nodded: "Originally, it was the four of us together. This time—" She suddenly noticed the little ancestor’s face wasn’t right, and quickly changed the subject, "This time I just went to deliver a message, but the elder brother has other plans for him, so it’s not our concern!"

Li Mu acknowledged with a hum, handed her the book in front of him, and said flatly, "Since Second Miss wants to take the exam, it’s best to focus and read more books!"

Tang Xiaobai looked down and her face changed.

I haven’t even finished reading the Four Books as a poor student, and you’re giving me a volume of the "Great Dai Rites", what’s that supposed to mean?

...

Although Tang Xiaobai also knew she should concentrate on studying now and read as many books as possible.

But the suspicion regarding Ah Yuan lingered in her mind and wouldn’t go away.

Two days later in the afternoon, hearing that Tang Ziqian had gone out and confirming Ah Yuan wasn’t with him, Tang Xiaobai quietly made her way to Tang Ziqian’s residence.

However, she was stopped at the gate of the courtyard.

"The Eldest Young Master ordered that when he is not around, no one is allowed inside." Unexpectedly, even though Tang Ziqian wasn’t there, he left personal soldiers to guard the door.

Could there be military secrets inside?

Of course, Tang Xiaobai wouldn’t force her way in; she kindly asked, "Is Ah Yuan here?"

The two personal soldiers exchanged a glance, then one of them nodded in response: "Yes." His expression seemed hesitant.

"Then could you have Ah Yuan come out? I’d like to say a few words to him." Tang Xiaobai asked.

"This..." The soldier at the gate showed a troubled expression.

"It’s okay, if it’s not possible, then never mind." Tang Xiaobai didn’t make things difficult and left.

But her mind was full of questions.

Tang Ziqian ordered that no one was allowed inside when he wasn’t there, yet Ah Yuan was inside.

If it were something confidential, wouldn’t Ah Yuan be the more trustworthy one?

Could it be...?

Or maybe Ah Yuan was the secret himself...

"Where did Second Miss go?"

No sooner had Tang Xiaobai stepped into the Book Collection Pavilion than she heard a faintly jealous question.

Looking up, the little ancestor was staring at her coolly, with faint reproach in his beautiful eyes.

In that moment, Tang Xiaobai felt like she’d been caught cheating.

After shaking off this inexplicable feeling, Tang Xiaobai truthfully said: "I had some business with Ah Yuan, unfortunately, I didn’t meet him."

"The Eldest Young Master wouldn’t let you see him?"

"Yes."

The little ancestor lowered his head, saying nothing more.

Tang Xiaobai also returned to her seat to continue her exam preparations.

She originally thought of their past camaraderie and wanted to personally ask Ah Yuan.

Since her brother was so tight-lipped, it seemed that there might be an issue with Ah Yuan himself. So, it would be better to ask her brother directly—

That was her thought, but before she could confront Tang Ziqian, Ah Yuan was sent right to her.