CHAPTER 157: CHAPTER 157: I WON’T EAT YOU

This hesitant, peeking maid is someone close to Tang Jiaojiao.

The eldest miss can’t stand timid and lacking demeanor in those around her. This maid was usually quite bold. Today, however, she seemed troubled and only entered after being reprimanded by Tang Jiaojiao, nervously handing over an invitation.

"The eldest daughter of Vice Minister Ye from the Ministry of Rites in Xinchang Village sent an invitation—"

"Ye Qingrong?" Tang Jiaojiao’s voice suddenly rose.

Tang Ziqian also looked over but said nothing.

"Why bring an invitation from the Ye family? Do you think I would go to the Ye family’s banquet? Throw it out! From now on, throw out anything sent by the Ye family! Even the people, throw them out!" Tang Jiaojiao fumed.

"Yes, yes! Throw it out!" Tang Xiaobai hurriedly agreed.

The maid nodded in a panic and retreated.

"Wait," Tang Ziqian called out, glancing at the two with a smile, "why such a big temper?" Saying this, he gestured for the maid to bring the invitation.

Tang Xiaobai said seriously, "Why shouldn’t I be angry? Brother, you don’t know. Previously, Prince Jin was always being nice to Big Sister, pretending to speak well of her—"

He emphasized the words "pretending".

"He just happened to save Big Sister several times—"

Emphasizing "happened".

"This time, just for a Ye Qingrong, he was so bewitched that he pleaded with the Imperial Concubine to have Big Sister confined!"

Emphasizing "bewitched".

"It’s as if he’s stepping on the face of our Duke Yan Mansion, rubbing it in!"

This time, emphasizing "face of Duke Yan Mansion".

Indeed, this hit the mark, and the eldest miss’s pretty face turned black.

But that wasn’t enough.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at his brother, seeing his indifferent expression, continued with more fervor, "Big Sister is the legitimate daughter of Duke Yan Mansion, the personal granddaughter of Princess Ji, even the Princess gives her some deference. Yet Prince Jin, for the daughter of a mere Assistant Minister of Rites, embarrasses Big Sister in such a way—"

"Miss Ye invited Xiaobai." Tang Ziqian nonchalantly turned the invitation, casting a teasing glance at Tang Xiaobai.

The eldest miss’s murderous gaze immediately swept over.

"Even if it were me, I wouldn’t go!" Tang Xiaobai immediately stated his stance, "Ye Qingrong and Prince Jin teamed up to bully Big Sister, I can’t show her face!"

Tang Jiaojiao withdrew her anger, looking at her suspiciously, "Why did Ye Qingrong send you an invitation?"

"She must have realized her mistake, wanting to curry favor with our Duke Yan Mansion, yet feeling ashamed to approach you, Big Sister!" Tang Xiaobai righteously declared, her heart also puzzled.

Last time she clearly refused, why did Ye Qingrong still send an invitation?

She only wanted to gain some goodwill from the protagonist for future encounters, but why was it so easily exchanged for goodwill?

Worry!

Could she really be that charming?

Ah...

The protagonist actively extending an olive branch, and she still had to refuse, it was heartbreaking!

Tang Xiaobai clutched her own aching heart, swore, "No matter how she repents, I won’t go!"

...

Tang Xiaobai stayed true to her word. On the sixth day, after school, she didn’t linger a moment, quickly got into the carriage and went home.

However, the next day, she was blocked by Ye Qingrong at the school gate.

"Why didn’t the Second Miss come yesterday?" Ye Qingrong, still dressed as a young man in white today, held a folded fan, looking dashing.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at the fan, said, "In the Capital City, we don’t play with those."

It’s only March, what’s with the fan?

Ye Qingrong smiled slightly, closed the fan, tapped it in her palm, said, "We in Suzhou do."

Tang Xiaobai pouted, "This is the Capital City."

"So... is that why the Second Miss didn’t come to the banquet?" Ye Qingrong smiled slightly, seemingly gentle, but giving Tang Xiaobai a lot of pressure.

"I’m not that familiar with you, why should I attend?" Tang Xiaobai tried to remain calm, "Besides, I have homework to do when I get back!" Having said that, she regretted it again.

Explaining too much made her seem guilty, she shouldn’t have said so much...

Seeing Ye Qingrong about to speak, Tang Xiaobai quickly signaled to Li Mu with her eyes.

Quick, manage your sister, I can’t hold on!

The moment the signal was sent, the small ancestor with a thoughtful expression immediately sharp-eyed: "Move aside!"

Ye Qingrong was slightly taken aback.

In that moment of surprise, Li Mu’s hand had already touched his waist.

Only then did Ye Qingrong step aside.

Seeing Tang Xiaobai and Li Mu walk past her, she turned her feet and followed.

Just one step—

"Snap!"

Li Mu swung a whip backhand, directly striking toward Ye Qingrong’s face.

Ye Qingrong hastily retreated, barely avoiding it, breaking out in a cold sweat.

This young man was too fierce!

Recovering her breath, she proceeded into the academy.

Even though separated by about ten steps, Li Mu seemed to hear her footsteps, suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at her coldly.

Ye Qingrong helplessly said, "Mr. Lin agreed to admit me, I’m here to attend school today."

Tang Xiaobai heard, whispering to the small ancestor, "Didn’t Mr. Lin say he only admits students once a year? How did he accept Ye Qingrong so easily?"

...

"It should have been once in August," Lin Xujiji lowered his voice, "but—" she claimed she was Miss Qin!"

"What’s her intention in entering the academy?" The Crown Prince’s expression didn’t lighten from confirming Ye Qingrong as Miss Qin.

Lin Xujiji looked at him with surprise, said, "Ye Qingrong came to the Capital for two reasons: to investigate the old Qin Family treason case and to search for her brother who has been missing for years. Alone and weak, she wants to seek refuge in the Eastern Palace."

The Qin Family is a natural ally to the Crown Prince, and they’ve been searching for the Qin Family’s orphan. Hence, Miss Qin entering the Capital and trying to get close to the Eastern Palace was only natural.

Lin Xujiji didn’t quite understand why the Crown Prince would ask such a question.

However, the Crown Prince didn’t clarify for him, only murmured an "um" before leaving with a book, like a student who had just sought knowledge.

As soon as he stepped out, Li Mu’s eyebrows furrowed again.

Even if entering the academy was to seek reliance on him, what’s with the enthusiastic invitation to Miss Tang to attend a banquet?

The Qin Family’s daughter... the Qin Family’s daughter can’t deliberately approach and use his family’s Second Miss either!

...

Night falls, in the backyard of Ye Mansion.

The bronze mirror reflects a face of unparalleled beauty, without a trace of makeup, dark hair draped, a plain inner garment wrapping around delicate aromatic shoulders, alluring.

Ye Qingrong gazed at her reflection for a long time, a smile curling at her lips.

"Everyone leave." She lazily ordered.

Once all the maids retreated, and the door was closed, she continued gazing into the mirror, lightly brushing her brow with slender fingers, softly murmuring, "What do you seek from me?"

The voice had barely settled when a familiar voice emerged from a corner behind her, "Miss Qin, why have you come?"

Ye Qingrong kept looking into the mirror yet didn’t see anyone’s reflection. Upon hearing the voice from the direction, she turned with a light laugh, "Why hide so far? I’m not going to eat you!"