When Ji Huaishan heard Ji Xingxuan's speculation, he did not think much of it and only thought that Xue Rui's visit today was a coincidence. However, when he arrived at the entrance of the teahouse in the garden and saw Yu Shu drinking tea with Xue Rui, he realized that he had underestimated this girl's temper.
Although Ji Xingxuan had her suspicions, when she saw that Yu Shu had really invited Xue Rui to visit with her, she was somewhat surprised and could not help but take a few more glances at Yu Shu.
Ji Huaishan was older after all, and he was a fourth-rank official as well, so Xue Rui stood up to greet him. Because it was the New Year, both parties first congratulated each other and greeted each other. After both of them sat down, Ji Huaishan swept a glance at Yu Shu, yet he acted as if he didn't see her at all, and he said to Xue Rui in an amiable manner, "May I know why Young Master Xue has come here today?"
Xue Rui was not in a hurry to mention Yu Shu's matter and said, "A few days ago, I happened to see the unusual phenomenon of the night stars. I did not understand its meaning and could not sleep well at night. Yesterday, I went to the Celestial Commissioner Xing Lou to ask but did not get an answer. Today, I took the liberty to come and ask the Right Judge to dispel my doubts. "
"Oh?" Ji Huaishan looked curious, "What kind of unusual phenomenon is it? Please explain. "
Xue Rui then described it to him, as if he was here today to ask for an answer.
Yu Shu looked at Ji Huaishan who was listening attentively and her mind was filled with the image of him bullying others yesterday. She could not help but reveal a trace of mockery. Suddenly, she felt a gaze on her and turned to see Ji Xingxuan sitting opposite her. The other party only glanced at her for a few moments before looking away.
Every time Yu Shu saw the veil on Ji Xingxuan's face, she would mutter to herself. It was understandable for a beauty to cover her face, but she always felt that there was another reason why Ji Xingxuan always covered half of her face.
At the time of Xia Jiangying's death, she had seen Ji Xingxuan's true appearance. She was beautiful, but not to the point of being peerless. Among the people Yu Shu knew, Xia Mingming did not lose to her. She also did not see Mingming always covering her face with a handkerchief, afraid to meet anyone.
No matter how she thought about it, Ji Xingxuan might not have been hiding her face, but her physiognomy.
This was even more strange. It was rumored that Ji Xingxuan was born in a starry summer night, accompanied by cicadas chirping for a hundred miles. It was a sign of great fortune. Naturally, her facial features were excellent. Why was she still hiding her face?
Unable to figure it out, Yu Shu withdrew her thoughts. At this time, Xue Rui and Ji Huaishan had already reached the end of their conversation. Yu Shu only heard the end.
"… So that's how it is. This is an auspicious sign. Thank you, Right Judge daren, for dispelling my doubts," Xue Rui had a smile on his face. He did not look at all like he had brought Yu Shu here to pick a fight.
Yu Shu did not know what he was selling in his gourd. She only waited for him to continue.
Ji Huaishan originally thought that Xue Rui had been instigated by Yu Shu to question him about yesterday's matter and denounce him, and he'd already prepared a method to deal with Xue Rui in his heart. But when he saw Xue Rui was amiable and didn't have a single nail in his words, Ji Huaishan couldn't help but be suspicious of the reason Xue Rui came here today.
Could it be that he did not come to stand up for this little girl?
While he was still guessing, he heard Xue Rui say, "It's the New Year's Day, it's not good to come empty-handed. Here, I have a treasure that I just obtained this morning. I'll take it as a meager gift to thank Right Judge daren for dispelling my doubts. I hope you will kindly accept it."
Following that, Ji Huaishan saw an attendant walk out from behind Xue Rui. The attendant took out a slender embroidered box from his bosom and offered it to him. Ji Huaishan said, "You're too polite." He received the embroidered box. Originally, he wanted to hand it over to the steward behind him, but he heard Xue Rui say, "There's no harm for daren to open it and take a closer look. See if it's to your liking."
Ji Huaishan felt that there was something wrong with his words, but it was not good for him to refuse to give him face. Therefore, in front of him, he opened the embroidered box.
Yu Shu and Ji Xingxuan both looked at Ji Huaishan's movements. They saw him take out a folding fan from the embroidered box. He slowly opened it, revealing the painting on the back of the fan. The painting was green, red, and green. It was very beautiful.
However, when Ji Huaishan looked at the fan, for a moment, it was as if he had seen a ghost.
This time, Yu Shu was very curious. She really wanted to know what was inside the fan that could make this old thing from the Ji family change his face.
Ji Huaishan's expression changed. A moment later, with a 'shua' sound, he closed the fan and put it back into the box. He raised his head and looked at Xue Rui. In a stiff voice, he said, "Mr Xue, this gift is too heavy. I'm afraid this old man cannot accept it."
Xue Rui was calm and composed. He said, "Why can't I accept it? I still have a matter that I would like to ask Right Judge daren to take care of."
"Mr Xue, please speak."
Xue Rui maintained a smiling face. He said, "Half a year ago, I went to the south. By chance, I met a friend. After that, I didn't say anything. Who would have thought that a few months ago, we would meet again in the capital. We hit it off very well. Because of my age, I recognized a younger sister. I was about to bring her back home to report to the elders when I suddenly heard her say that she was invited to stay for a period of time at another residence. She couldn't go with me, so I had to put this matter aside for the time being. Today, I brought her here to ask Right Judge daren to find some convenience. My younger sister will be disturbing your residence. I hope that daren will take good care of her for me. If she is naughty and causes trouble, please don't blame her. "
This was the reason why he came today.
After listening to Xue Rui's explanation, Ji Huaishan knew that half a year ago was referring to the time when the Xue and Ji Families were discussing the marriage. Ji Huaishan coldly looked at Yu Shu, who was grinning at him. He suddenly wondered if he had caused trouble for his family.
Because he was stifled, his chest suddenly rose and fell twice before he said, "I thought it was something important. Sir Xue, you don't need to worry. This old man invited Miss Yu to temporarily stay at the residence in order to exchange knowledge with my granddaughter. I will definitely treat her as a guest and won't neglect her."
"With Right Judge daren's words, I can rest assured." Xue Rui turned his head and said to Yu Shu, who was grinning and teasing Ji Huaishan, "Shu, did you hear that? Quickly thank Official Ji for taking care of you."
Yu Shu immediately stood up obediently and bowed to Ji Huaishan. She jokingly said, "Thank you for taking care of me, Great Master."
She was able to discern that because of that fan that came out of nowhere, Ji Huaishan was currently holding his breath after eating Sichuan peppers, and he didn't dare make a sound. That was why he was threatened by Xue Rui's soft words just like she was yesterday.
Although it wasn't her who had vented her anger, Yu Shu felt much better when she saw this old thing being deflated. The smile on her face wasn't fake.
"If Sir Xue doesn't have anything else to do, then please leave. This old man is not feeling well and can't accompany you. Xingxuan, send Sir Xue out for me."
"Yes."
Ji Huaishan immediately ordered them to leave. Ji Xingxuan looked worriedly at his grandfather and got up to see him out.
Xue Rui declined politely, "No need to trouble Miss Ji. Right Judge daren, I will visit you another day."
After saying that, he looked at Yu Shu. The latter understood and stood up. She obediently said, "Big brother, I will send you out."
Xue Rui nodded and left the teahouse with her. Ji Xingxuan slowly walked to the door and watched their figures disappear in the corridor. Then, she turned around and walked to Ji Huaishan. She was puzzled and asked, "Father, what is going on? Is there something wrong with the fan he gave?"
Ji Huaishan's face darkened. He took out the fan from the brocade box on his knees and handed it to Ji Xingxuan. She opened it and saw a painting on the front. She flipped it over and saw the densely packed words on the back. She was stunned.
"This, isn't this …" Ji Xingxuan showed a trace of panic. She lowered her head and said to Ji Huaishan, "Grandfather, why are my answers for this year's Yi Li test written on it?"
Ji Huaishan pressed down on his temple that was faintly aching. He was unable to figure out what channel Xue Rui had used to copy Ji Xingxuan's exam paper overnight, but he knew that Xue Rui had surely found out about the incident from yesterday, and that was why Xue Rui was like this.
"Grandfather?"
"Don't worry. He's just using it to threaten me. He won't dare to do anything. Otherwise, I won't let him go even if I have to give up my face." Ji Huaishan said coldly.
Ji Xingxuan looked at the fan in her hand and frowned. She felt that her intuition that day was correct. That Yu Shu really didn't like her.
As they walked through the Ji family's garden, Yu Shu felt like a cat was scratching her heart. She turned her head to look at Xue Rui from time to time. It wasn't until they walked down the long corridor that she couldn't help but move closer to him. She avoided the housekeeper and asked in a low voice, "What happened? Tell me quickly. Why did Ji Huaishan's face change when he saw that fan?"
Xue Rui didn't mean to make her anxious. He said calmly, "It's just giving him a taste of his own medicine."
Yu Shu thought for a moment and understood. She said in surprise, "You said that fan was … en?"
She skipped a few words in the middle and looked at Xue Rui to ask. Seeing him nod his head, her face became strange. She covered her mouth with one hand and whispered to him, "Where did you get it?"
Xue Rui smiled and shook his head. He put a finger on his lips and gestured to her not to say it.
At this moment, the gaze Yu Shu shot at him had changed. Truthfully speaking, she'd originally classified Xue Rui as a profligate disciple, and he was at most a profligate disciple that knew how to improve himself. But when she saw his ability today, she knew that she'd underestimated him in the past.
Ji Huaishan was the Celestial Commissioner's Right Judge. She didn't find it strange that he was able to copy her exam papers from the impenetrable exam room. However, Xue Rui was able to get someone to copy Ji Xingxuan's exam papers in one night. How could a playboy be able to do this?
Yu Shu thought of the words' hidden deep '. At this moment, it was very appropriate to describe Xue Rui. Yu Shu didn't ask anymore and sent him to the Ji mansion. Xue Rui got on the carriage and opened the window. Yu Shu saw him waving at her, so she walked over. There was no one on either side. She heard him whisper to her, "Ji Huaishan can rely on a small aristocratic family to sit in his current position. He isn't someone to be trifled with. Today, he can tolerate me. Half of it is because of that fan and the other half is because he doesn't want to hurt our relationship. I will temporarily help you vent your anger. During the time you live in the Ji family, you don't need to worry about him making things difficult for you. However, don't deliberately provoke him, understand?"
How could Yu Shu not understand the ways of the world? That Ji Huaishan was afraid of Xue Rui, not her. So she nodded and said, "I understand."
"As for you wanting to teach the strange technique to others, it isn't appropriate for me to interrupt. However, I will give you a word of advice." Xue Rui sternly said, "That Ji Xingxuan is indeed a rare genius. She is also very scheming. When you interact with her, you must remember to be on your guard. Be careful not to be too smart for your own good."
Yu Shu also knew that Ji Xingxuan was not a simple person. Facing Xue Rui's reminder, she didn't lower her guard and nodded to remember it.
Xue Rui was relieved. Seeing her obedient appearance, agreeing to whatever he said, he felt that his efforts yesterday were not in vain. He also owed her a favor.
"Alright, I am leaving. You can go in. Tomorrow afternoon, remember to go to Wang Ji Lou."
"En."
Yu Shu waved her hand at him and retreated back to the stairs. She watched as Xue Rui's carriage went far away. Then, she turned around and looked at the two words' Ji mansion 'above her head. She walked in with a relaxed body.
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