The teacher lived alone in a courtyard by the eastern side gate of the Marquis's Estate, next to the Outer Study.
At that moment, the teacher was reading in his room, while Gao Shou stood beneath a Chinese crabapple tree in the courtyard, doing who knew what.
Four heads poked out of the nearby bushes, lined up in order of height.
[Gao Shou was sent to investigate the deaths of the heir, his wife, and Tenth Young Miss!]
Quick on the draw, Jian Ruonan finished devouring Gao Shou's gossip and activated the Gossip Subject Mute Button, while the Marquis's Brother-in-law obligingly kicked all uninvolved parties out of the Scavenger Group.
As a well-bred young lady, Jian Xilu felt rather embarrassed sneaking into the bushes for gossip for the first time, especially in front of her fiancé.
Jian Ruonan whispered reassuringly, "When gossip is on the table, romance stays off it."
Teng added, "Don't worry, Eldest Sister. The Marquis's Brother-in-law is an old hand at gossip. He's nosy as anything! When there's gossip to feast on, he won't notice how pretty you are. He'll only care how juicy the scoop is!"
Top Graduate Hou: "..."
He had given that jade away for nothing.
Teng: You think one little piece of jade could buy Teng off for good?
"This man doesn't look like an expert," Top Graduate Hou said, hastily changing the subject.
Teng pursed his little lips. "Brother-in-law, I have an idea!"
As soon as he spoke, the little brat pulled a handful of stones from his pocket. "Watch me!"
Teng mustered all his strength to throw the stones, but Jian Ruonan stopped him. "You're throwing those at him?"
Teng looked at the stones in his hand. Each was the size of a plum, and a hit to the head might