Chapter 29 – Not Her!

In the following days, Xie Xianyu was as busy as always. The Salt Tax case was nearly concluded, and all of the capital was in a state of panic.

“Yesterday the Li family was raided, and today the Imperial Guards sealed off the Chen family. All the great houses in the capital are trembling.”

While arranging Wanruo’s hair, Sumoon recited the latest gossip.

Wanruo, however, was not interested. Whether these noble families rose or fell was nothing more than the outcome of power struggles—none of it had anything to do with her.

The only part that mattered was that Xie Xianyu was finally too busy to torment her.

“Today is the Spring Examinations. Shouldn’t you go send Young Master Lin off?”

Wanruo shook her head. “No, the crowds at the examination gates are messy. I might be seen. Besides, he should stay focused on his exams. I don’t want to distract him. He already knows my feelings.”

“Once the examinations are over, in half a month the results will be posted. Have you truly decided you’ll leave then?”

Wanruo’s eyes were calm. “Of course I’ll leave.”

At most one more month—no matter what, she would leave this place.

After finishing her toilette, she went to Shou’an Hall as usual. Every morning, she prepared medicinal dishes for the Old Madam.

That day she had made osmanthus yam porridge. After working for half an hour in the small kitchen, she carried the dish into the Old Madam’s room.

“Old Madam.” Wanruo smiled as she entered.

“Wan girl, you’ve come.”

Wanruo placed the tray on the table, opened the porcelain lid, and ladled a bowl of the fragrant porridge.

“You’ve changed it up again? What kind of tonic is this?” The Old Madam sniffed appreciatively.

“It’s osmanthus yam porridge. Yesterday I heard Old Madam cough a couple of times. Zhao Mama told me you’ve been coughing at night. This porridge nourishes the lungs and eases coughing. Please try it.”

The Old Madam took a spoonful, nodded repeatedly. “Very good. You’re such a thoughtful child—just one cough from me and you notice. Whoever marries you will truly be blessed.”

Wanruo smiled. “As long as Old Madam likes it.”

As they ate, Zhao Mama entered to announce: “Old Madam, Fifth Young Lady and Miss Jiang have come to pay their respects.”

“From the Jiang family—the one betrothed to Xian’er?”

“Yes, she’s visiting the manor today and insisted on greeting you. Fifth Young Lady came along.”

“A dutiful child. Let her in.”

Soon, the sound of quick steps approached. “Grandmother!”

Wanruo instinctively stepped aside.

Xie Xiuzhu rushed in and clung to the Old Madam’s arm. The Old Madam scolded lightly, “You unruly girl! Don’t you have any composure as a proper young lady?”

Xiuzhu pouted sweetly. “I missed Grandmother too much, I just wanted to see you sooner.”

The Old Madam laughed and tapped her forehead.

Then Jiang Xuejun entered, dignified and proper, bowing gracefully. “I greet Old Madam.”

The Old Madam nodded in satisfaction. The First Madam had indeed chosen a flawless granddaughter-in-law.

“You are thoughtful, even coming to greet an old woman like me.”

“It is only right.” Jiang Xuejun smiled, but her eyes briefly swept over Wanruo standing by the couch.

Wanruo felt her gaze linger, carrying a trace of scrutiny.

“Now that spring has come, you young girls should go out more, not sit here with an old crone like me.”

Xiuzhu clapped her hands happily. “That’s perfect! In a few days it’s Sister Xuejun’s birthday, and I’m already planning to go.”

The Old Madam fondly stroked her head. “You’re always eager for fun.”

Then Jiang Xuejun said, “Miss Xu should come too.”

Wanruo blinked, caught off guard—she only wanted to be invisible.

“Thank you, but I don’t enjoy noisy gatherings. I also need to prepare Old Madam’s medicinal meals, so I can’t leave. I’ll pass.”

After what happened last time, she only wanted peace and quiet—no more trouble.

But Jiang Xuejun clasped her hand gently. “Miss Xu, are you still upset over last time? It was my fault for not protecting you, and you nearly suffered injustice. I’ve felt guilty ever since and wish to make it up to you.”

The Old Madam frowned. “What happened?”

Xiuzhu snorted. “Wasn’t it when that Xie Xiulin stole things and tried to frame others?”

The Old Madam turned to Wanruo. “Such a serious matter, and you never mentioned it? Silly child.”

Wanruo forced a smile. “It was a minor issue. Besides, Miss Jiang already cleared my name at the time. No need to trouble you, Old Madam.”

The Old Madam nodded approvingly. “Snowjun is sensible indeed. And you shouldn’t coop yourself up all day either. Young girls should go out and socialize. In two days, you’ll go.”

Wanruo hesitated. “But…”

Jiang Xuejun’s smile was kind, yet firm. “Even Old Madam has spoken. You must come.”

Wanruo pursed her lips, finally nodding. “Very well.”

After chatting a while longer, Jiang Xuejun and Xiuzhu left.

Once outside the Xie residence, Jiang Xuejun’s face turned cold. Inside her sleeve, her nails dug so deep into her palm they broke.

He could actually fall for such a scheming woman?

Her maid helped her into the carriage, murmuring, “Miss, if Xu Wanruo truly bewitched Young Master Xie, still—she is the one he chose. To make a move against her before marriage…isn’t it risky?”

Jiang Xuejun’s expression hardened. “If not now, then should I wait until after the wedding, when she’s raised to a concubine? Impossible.”

“It’s just one woman.”

Jiang Xuejun’s tone was icy. “Just one woman? He treats her differently. He let her stay in the Xie manor, openly broke rules to carry her back to Songhe Garden. Most importantly, in all these years, I have never seen him care for any woman—she is the first.”

How could she not feel jealous?

She knew men often had concubines, and she was prepared to be a tolerant wife. She could accept insignificant bedwarmers—
but Xu Wanruo must never be one of them!

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Two days later, Lin Han left the exam hall. After a long sleep at the inn, he finally felt rested. His first thought was to see Wanruo.

The papers were submitted; in half a month, the results would be posted. Before, he’d been too focused to think much. Now that it was over, she filled his mind.

He had planned to wait until the results, but couldn’t help himself, so he went straight to the Xie manor.

At the gates, he overheard two maids chatting as they went out:

“Today is Miss Jiang’s birthday banquet. Only Fifth Young Lady is going?”

“And that cousin girl. She’s lucky—such low status, yet still gets invited.”

“Isn’t it just Miss Jiang being kind, lifting her up? They say the banquet’s at the Creekside Villa—it’s gorgeous there!”

Once they passed, Lin Han realized: She went out?

If so, he might as well go wait by that villa. Perhaps when she returned, he could see her—and maybe speak with her.

With that thought, he set off immediately.