Ningyuan Marchioness was startled and asked sternly: âWhat happened? Why are you this panicked?â
The servant girl was about to speak, but upon seeing the Ningyuan Marchioness was surrounded by the surprised eyes of a group of madams, she was immediately blocked, unable to speak out. She merely stammered with a flushed face, seemingly finding it difficult to say.
When Ningyuan Marchioness saw the servant girlâs attitude, her heart went âthumpâ, as if a heavy stone fell and sank down.
As it concerned her fiance, Jiang You Yao couldnât help stepping forward to ask: âWhat happened to heir Zhou?â
The servant girl seemed to have just noticed Jiang You Yao and became even more panicked. She dodged Jiang You Yaoâs question, but her sight faintly fell on Yang-shi.
Yang-shi was somewhat confused, but Ji Shuran abruptly glanced at Jiang Li. When she saw Jiang Li standing uprightly with a smile on the corner of her mouth, a terrible idea flooded her brain.
âNo matter what,â Ningyuan marchioness couldnât care less and just looked at the servant girl to say: âWhere is the young master? Take me there!â
Thereâs a sob in the servant girlâs voice as she said: âMaster and the others are all in Yu Xiu PavilionâŚâŚ. There are still a lot of other respectable adults with them. MadamâŚ.. This time the young master is not good!â
She spoke vaguely, but everyone saw the look and movements on the servant girlâs face and they understood a bit. If it was a simple ânot goodâ, why was she so secretive? Saying that it wasnât good, it was clearly scandalous. Since there were many respectable adults following and watching, itâs fine if itâs not yet known for a while. When they returned to the residence and asked the master, they would naturally know what happened.
Hearing so, in an instant, Ningyuan marchionessâs body shook and she almost fell. She was the main mistress of the Ningyuan residence and had been managing the household for many years. Based on the servant girlâs manner, she could roughly guess what had taken place. But listening that there were many people, she at once knew it wasnât good. Since it was a scandal, naturally it was best for less people to know about it. The more people who saw it, wanting to cover it up in the future would be impossible.
Jiang Li stood beside Ji Heng, a mild smile hung on her face. To say so, Zhou Yan Bang was stupid, or perhaps he was bold and lusty. Hong Xiao Emperor and the court officials were chatting about the current politics at the side palace hall, not far from Yu Xiu Pavilion. The two rooms were so close, once Shen Ruyun made noise, these respected adults would of course arrive in the shortest time and would be able to clearly figure things out.
As such, Zhou Yan Bangâs matter could be considered as known to each and every member of the court. Her painstaking effort was not in vain.
Ji Heng looked at the smile at the corner of Jiang Liâs mouth and found it amusing. He also imitated her, remaining calm and collected as he stood, and he used the handle of his fan to press against his lips to cover the smile at the corner of his mouth.
On the other hand, Jiang You Yao didnât think to that extent. She wasnât concerned about chaos, but about Zhou Yan Bang. She didnât care about anything else and merely said: âYu Xiu Pavilion? Madam, Iâll go with you. Mother,â she pulled Ji Shuranâs sleeve,â letâs go and see together, okay?!â
Ji Shuran wished she could cover Jiang You Yao the most. With the words Jiang You Yao said, other people wouldnât think like that. In the Yan dynasty, itâs understandable for a male and female who were betrothed to be a bit close. But those madams were guessing sentiments best kept secret. Their sights as they looked at Jiang You Yao contained a bit of sympathy.
Ji Shuran was made unable to decide by Jiang You Yaoâs words. Itâs not right to go, yet itâs also not right not to go. Madam Liu opened her mouth slowly and said: âHow is it regardless? Staying here is also not a solution. After a while, when the feast is over, everyone also has to return home. Itâs better for us to first go out from the water promenade. Itâs no longer early, letâs go back home.â
Sheâs actually giving the Ningyuan Marquisâs heir a step down.
Liu Xu flung her head to the side. If it were her, she would never give these people a step down and must insist on seeing for herself what had actually happened.
Ningyuan marchioness smiled gratefully at Madam Liu and said: âIndeed, itâs better to go back first.â When walking, her steps were somewhat floating.
Jiang Li took everything in but didnât say a word. On the contrary, Ji Shuran walked over to her, looked into Jiang Liâs eyes and asked quietly: âLi-er, do you know what happened?â
In the end, the suspicion fell on her.
Jiang Li timely showed astonishment. She shook her head: âI have always been with Duke Su, how would I know Zhou heirâs matter? Motherâs words are strange.â
Ji Shuran looked at Ji Heng. He was clearly born extremely good looking. Yet when those amber eyes glanced at her, it made Ji Shuran feel a burst of coolness.
She no longer said anything else, and merely smiled with reluctance. Then she walked forward to Ji Chen-shi, planning to consult with her.
Ye Shijie fell to the back, facing Jiang Liâs eyes, he wanted to say something but hesitated. Probably he saw Ji Heng on one side and felt it was inconvenient to speak. He just moved his lips, lowered his head and left following the crowd.