Chapter 53: My Girl, the Favorite of the Grand Tutor

Suddenly, the hall fell silent. Shen Luchu turned his head to look at Pei Ziye, his eyes filled with anger.

Pei Ziye also looked at him, feeling utterly confused.

What was Shen Luchu doing standing up?

What does this have to do with you?

Before leaving, his uncle had specifically instructed him to keep an eye on his aunt and absolutely not let her drink.

Not even a drop. Not even fruit wine, wine-marinated fish, or sweet wine dumplings were allowed.

Everyone looked at the two of them. Xie Jinghuai, with a playful look in his eyes, turned toward Shen Luchu: “Pei Gongzi, it’s fine if you’re protecting your family, but what about Shen Shizi? Are you trying to imply something with Miss Jiang?”

Before Xie Jinghuai could finish his words, a clear, melodic voice sounded in the hall.

“Why force her, Fifth Prince? She can’t drink. I’ll drink this cup for her.”

Jiang Shiyuan hadn’t even realized what had happened when, suddenly, the table before her was empty. A hand reached over, grabbed the cup, and drank it in one go.

“Don’t drink it.”

It all happened too quickly for Jiang Shiyuan to stop her.

Su Liluo glanced at her. “This is the last time I’m taking it from you.”

The Fifth Prince, watching as Su Liluo not only interrupted his attempt to humiliate Jiang Shiyuan but also drank the wine meant for her, felt displeasure welling up in his eyes.

So you like to show off? Fine, I’ll give you a chance.

“Miss Su has quite the capacity for alcohol! This Prince is very impressed. I’ve heard that Miss Su has been studying the guqin since childhood. Might I request a performance today?”

Xie Jinghuai directed his attention toward Su Liluo. It was still early, so he’d deal with her first, then handle Jiang Shiyuan later.

Su Liluo set her wine cup down, coldly smiling, “It would be my honor.”

At Xie Jinghuai’s command, a servant immediately brought in an ancient guqin. Under everyone’s gaze, Su Liluo stood and walked toward it.

Her slender fingers genty strummed, and the sound of music filled the air.

Her expression was solemn and focused, and her fingers danced over the strings with grace, producing a melodious tune.

“This guqin is played excellently.”

“Of course. Su Liluo’s biological mother was renowned in the capital for her guqin playing before her passing.”

A few people nearby whispered to each other. Jiang Shiyuan froze, her memory suddenly triggered.

That year, she had attended a banquet at the Minister’s residence with her mother. For some unknown reason, the hostess had suggested the children present compete in a talent show.

She had participated.

Before the competition began, Su Liluo had approached her, asking her to yield.

Jiang Shiyuan had refused.

Because she wanted to win. She wanted to prove that her mother was not the rough woman they spoke of, but a woman skilled in protecting the family and the country.

The competition started. Su Liluo played the guqin while Jiang Shiyuan performed a whip dance.

Su Liluo’s guqin string snapped.

Jiang Shiyuan’s whip dance won, and in the end, the hostess of the Minister’s residence gave her a beautiful tassel from the guqin as a prize.

That tassel…

Jiang Shiyuan seemed to understand everything in that moment. Her eyes widened in shock.

At that moment, a sharp “zheng!” echoed through the hall as another string on the guqin snapped, abruptly halting the music, just as it had during that competition years ago.

Su Liluo looked down, staring blankly at the broken string, feeling her head spin. For a moment, she couldn’t tell whether she was in reality or a dream.

“If you lose, go tell your father that you’re giving up on the guqin.”

“I told you, you’re not cut out for this. You can’t even beat Jiang Shiyuan, that little bandit.”

Why? It was just a tassel! Why couldn’t Jiang Shiyuan yield?

Why did the string snap at that moment? It had been fine before. She had checked it.

It was the guqin her mother had left her, and she checked it carefully every day…

“Hahaha, Miss Su, your guqin playing is not so special after all. This Prince thought a daughter of such skill would be remarkable, but it sounds no better than the performers in the brothel.” Xie Jinghuai mocked openly.

“Fifth Prince, watch your words.” Pei Ziye looked coldly at Su Liluo, his voice low. “Is there anything to boast about in performing at a brothel?”

Xie Jinghuai’s face darkened. Pei Ziye had already been protecting Jiang Shiyuan, but now he was speaking up for an unrelated Su Liluo.

But it didn’t matter. His goal had already been achieved. Su Liluo was now embarrassed, humiliated, and ran out of the hall in disgrace.

Xie Jinghuai immediately gestured to his servant, Lu Yuansi, who understood the signal and quietly slipped out, unnoticed by the crowd.

Before he could make it to the door, another figure had already chased after him.

Su Liluo’s public flight from the hall caused an uproar, and Jiang Shiyuan quickly turned to Xie Ruoruo. Xie Ruoruo, noticing her gaze, exchanged a look and gently nodded back.

“Hahaha.” Xie Jinghuai, seeing great amusement in the situation, laughed aloud. “Does anyone else want to perform? The night is still young, and just drinking wine is no fun.”

All the young ladies lowered their heads, afraid of being called on by Xie Jinghuai.

“No one?” he asked, clearly disappointed.

Just then, a sharp voice cut through the silence.

“Yes!”

Xie Jinghuai turned to see who spoke, and a glimmer of interest appeared in his eyes. “Oh? Miss Jiang, what do you want to perform?”

Jiang Shiyuan stood up, looking at his disgusting smile, and slowly spoke, “Playing the guqin and singing songs every day is probably boring for the Fifth Prince, so I’ll show you something new. But I have a habit—I won’t stop until I’ve finished my performance. Fifth Prince, I hope you can bear with me.”

Xie Jinghuai, eager to see her fail, leaned back in his seat, a look of disdain on his face. “Then I’m eagerly waiting. Please, go ahead.”

Everyone turned to watch Jiang Shiyuan, including Shen Luchu, who couldn’t take his eyes off her.

What was Jiang Shiyuan trying to prove?

It was clear that the Fifth Prince had sabotaged the guqin, intending to embarrass Su Liluo. How could Jiang Shiyuan not see this?

She had no sense of the situation. What could she possibly perform? What could she do?

Shen Luchu was worried, but mostly irritated by Jiang Shiyuan’s recklessness.

Jiang Shiyuan was indeed reckless.

She stood up and strode into the hall. Lifting her leg, she kicked over the guqin table and pulled out a long whip from behind her!

With a loud bang, everyone was startled.

Those who were drinking put down their cups, those who were talking fell silent, and those watching the scene widened their eyes.

Before anyone could react, Jiang Shiyuan flicked her wrist, and the long whip shot through the air like lightning.

With another flick of her wrist, the whip danced like a snake, moving through the air with grace.

The sound of the whip was like a storm, like a great wave crashing down.

The one wielding the whip was full of fiery energy, her posture commanding.

Shen Luchu had never seen Jiang Shiyuan like this before. She moved like a dragon, her eyes sharp, as if she had become someone else.

He was captivated by her performance, and even the Fifth Prince was shocked.

But the surprise didn’t stop there.

The whip, still slicing through the air, suddenly turned and flew straight toward Xie Jinghuai’s face.

With a loud “pa!” it landed across Xie Jinghuai’s face.

His wine cup fell to the ground, and before he could react, another whip came flying at him. He instinctively ducked, and his body rolled under the table.

The whip cracked loudly again, this time smashing a jade disk on the table into two pieces.

Xie Jinghuai popped his head out from under the table, furious. “Jiang Shiyuan! How dare you go against me?”

Jiang Shiyuan ignored him, sending the whip flying again.

The whip techniques her mother had taught her were not just for protecting the home but also for punishing evil and promoting good!

Another lash landed on Xie Jinghuai’s forehead. He shrieked and scrambled away, shouting, “Help! Someone, drag this crazy woman out!”

The people around finally reacted and rushed to help. Hong Dou jumped onto the table, shouting:

“Look closely, everyone! My young lady, the future wife of the Grand Tutor, the darling of the Grand Tutor, is like a golden nugget in his heart! The Grand Tutor himself has said that the skies over the capital are high—my young lady can’t be touched. Even if she can be touched, he will protect her! Let’s see who dares to disturb our Grand Tutor’s wife today!”

Bullying others with power? Who can’t do that?

Who doesn’t have someone backing them up? Hmph!!

Hong Dou put her hands on her hips, her voice like thunder, instantly spreading throughout the hall.

Those who had been about to step in stopped in their tracks. The Fifth Prince may be high-ranking, but he couldn’t compete with the Grand Tutor’s immense power.

Only the Ninth Princess shouted, “Jiang Shiyuan, you’re too bold! I’m going to tell Father now!” Then she quickly ran out, holding her skirt.

Shen Luchu, who had been about to stop Jiang Shiyuan, suddenly turned to Zhou Jingshenxiu. “What did she just say?”

“What does Jiang Shiyuan have to do with the Grand Tutor’s wife?”