CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 126: THE CP SHE SHIPPED IS GONE

"Brother, have you considered letting Ah Yuan learn martial arts as well?" Tang Xiaobai asked.

Earlier, she wanted Ah Yuan to attend school together, but her brother refused. Otherwise, they could have spent time with Ah Xiao too.

However, learning martial arts together would be excellent!

"She’s just a girl; what’s the point of learning martial arts?" Tang Ziqian refused again.

Tang Xiaobai wasn’t pleased with these words: "Why can’t a girl learn martial arts? She can protect herself! Ah Yuan is all alone; having more skills is always beneficial!"

Tang Ziqian smiled slightly: "Alright, I’ll ask her later. If she wants to learn, I’ll find her a master."

Huh?

"Isn’t there already Master Yuan? How can she bond without having the same master?"

"Yuan Xing is a grown man; it’s inconvenient," Tang Ziqian said.

Tang Xiaobai was at a loss for words.

"Anything else?" Tang Ziqian asked as he noticed her hesitating.

Tang Xiaobai nodded: "Since Ah Yuan is a girl, why not let her stay with me?"

Previously, with her brother keeping Ah Yuan close, she didn’t dare to mention it. Now that she’s free, Tang Xiaobai wants to take the chance.

Tang Ziqian looked at her for a while.

The young girl was growing quickly, seemingly maturing more since he returned to the capital, with increasingly defined features.

The sister is growing up; he can’t always brush her off.

"Ah Yuan’s background has some unclear points; I need her by my side to observe," Tang Ziqian said.

Tang Xiaobai was startled: "What unclear points?"

"She and her widowed mother settled in Fengxian County during the second year of Taixing; however, Fengxian County’s records don’t have their settlement documentation, despite the peaceful time when migration required official proof and government offices leave records."

"Could it have been lost over time?" Tang Xiaobai speculated.

Tang Ziqian didn’t deny it, only saying: "It’s also possible someone deliberately destroyed it."

"Given that, how can we investigate?"

Tang Ziqian smiled: "There are always ways to find out."

The conversation ended there.

Tang Xiaobai was still a bit regretful. She thought for a while and asked, "Since you’re willing to let Ah Yuan learn martial arts, do you think she doesn’t have any major issues?"

Tang Ziqian did not commit.

"Actually, there’s no need for another martial arts master; it would be nice for her to train with Ah Xiao. Having company makes it less inconvenient."

Tang Ziqian detected something unusual: "What are you planning?"

Tang Xiaobai chuckled: "Nothing really, they used to study together, and now learning martial arts together makes sense. Don’t their names, Ah Yuan and Ah Xiao, match well?"

Tang Ziqian laughed: "Weren’t those names given by you?"

Tang Xiaobai nodded: "Yes! Sister said they should be a pair, so I named them as a duo!"

After saying that, she suddenly felt the atmosphere was off.

Looking at Tang Ziqian, she saw he was looking over her shoulder, the corners of his mouth curled up in a playful manner: "Anything wrong?"

"Hm." A cool, indifferent voice.

Tang Xiaobai turned around.

A young man stood silhouetted against the light, still as handsome and tall as ever, but his face...

Tang Xiaobai suppressed her guilt, lowered her head, and brushed her clothes, nonchalantly saying: "You chat; I’ll leave first!"

With that, she walked away without looking back.

The young man stood in the doorway; normally, upon seeing her, he should have stepped aside respectfully.

But he stood there, his gaze following her, cold and chilling, making Tang Xiaobai want to shrink.

Still, she couldn’t act guilty!

When she reached him, Tang Xiaobai paused and looked up.

Eye contact.

Tang Xiaobai pretended to be puzzled.

He withdrew his gaze, ultimately stepping aside...

...

Afraid of being confronted, Tang Xiaobai hid in the rear courtyard, knowing the young master generally couldn’t enter.

Unless he was with Tang Ziqian.

So, when she ran into Tang Ziqian the next day at the Gu Family’s place, she nervously peeked behind him.

Didn’t find the young master, but saw an unexpected figure.

Gu Family and Tang Jiaojiao noticed it too, showing surprise.

"This is Ah Yuan—" Tang Ziqian glanced back, "Have you met the madam and the miss yet?"

The girl in a new green skirt, fair-skinned and slender, had a gentle, refined profile. But when she stepped forward, she made the servants’ gesture, neither here nor there.

Tang Xiaobai had known about it earlier, thus only felt surprised, while Gu Family and Tang Jiaojiao’s expressions were quite unpleasant.

A family suddenly having a cross-dressing servant isn’t a joyful situation, especially someone mingled with the household heir.

"What’s going on?" Gu Family rarely showed a stern face.

Tang Ziqian smiled slightly: "She was always a girl; from now on, she’ll dress as one and won’t be called Ah Yuan but by her real name Xin Yi—" he glanced at Tang Xiaobai at this point.

Tang Xiaobai was momentarily stunned; what did it have to do with her?

"In that case, let this girl stay with me from now on." Gu Family said coldly.

"Xin Yi will still follow son—"

"Ziqian!" Gu Family’s voice was now stern.

Tang Ziqian said warmly: "Jiaojiao, lead your sister out first; let me speak with mother in detail."

...

As soon as they retreated to the yard, Tang Xiaobai was held in front by her sister: "Did you already know!"

"Not that early, less than a month ago?" Tang Xiaobai said.

"Why didn’t you say?" Tang Jiaojiao glared unkindly at the silent girl beside.

Tang Xiaobai boldly stated: "Didn’t you teach me not to meddle with people around brother?"

Tang Jiaojiao was momentarily speechless.

Seemed she had indeed said something like that...

Tang Xiaobai turned her head to examine Ah Yuan in her first female outfit and asked: "Which Xin Yi?"

She replied softly: "Xin Yi from ’The magnolia reveals, and dies in the thicket.’"

Tang Xiaobai instantly furrowed her brow.

That line is from "Crossing the River," meaning the magnolia reveals and dies where plants thicken.

"It’s Xin Yi flower’s Xin Yi!" Tang Xiaobai corrected.

Xin Yi was momentarily shocked, then laughed: "Second Miss is right."

Looking at her refined smile, Tang Xiaobai suddenly recalled her brother mentioning her background.

Xin Yi...an elegant name...

...

Not sure what Tang Ziqian said to Gu Family, but when entering again, Gu Family returned to her gentle demeanor.

Kindly instructed Xin Yi and rewarded her with many items.

Tang Xiaobai watched smilingly; once she heard Gu Family call "Xin Yi," she froze.

Hold on! Her newly shipped Yuanxiao couple was gone!

...

"Hey!" Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help leaning out of the carriage, asking, "Why did Ah Yuan change her name abruptly?"

Today’s the first day back to school after the Mid-Autumn holiday; it’s been two days since seeing the young master, who’s sitting outside the curtain, driving the carriage as usual.

As she leaned out, she saw the youth’s distinctively handsome profile.

But he didn’t glance over as usual, continuing to sit upright, focused, and driving the carriage straight.

Not acknowledging her...