There are also some people who don't know about Feng Bo's situation and are searching everywhere for people in the know. After they understand, they click their tongues twice, no wonder they said that in their hearts.
Some people even secretly compared the two incidents, suggesting that Feng Bo was perhaps a bit more extreme back then, with the candles involved...
Xue Xingchao had overheard about Feng Bo's situation, and he was now somewhat embarrassed, even looking at the Duke of Zheng with a hint of awkwardness.
The Duke of Zheng's face was cold, his gaze sharp, as if to say, "Are you satisfied now?"
Xue Xingchao lightly. The Duke of Zheng was out of the running, but that left only the bride's father as a suspect.
This doesn't make sense.
Even before they were married, the father-in-law was very satisfied with him as his future son-in-law. Why would he try to assassinate him?
Just as Xue Xingchao was sending his servant to find someone, an unexpected event occurred.
The bride's father was brought here bound by the servants of the manor, and walking in front of him was none other than the bride's personal maid.
Xue Xingchao frowned and asked, " Donghua, what is this?"
Donghua bowed to Xue Xingchao and Prince Liang, and said loudly, "This man sneaked into Miss's room. Miss, have me tie him up and hand him over to the young master and the prince for judgment."
The father and son looked at each other in bewilderment.
Bound up like a dumpling Fang Jianming cursed, "How could I have given birth to such an unfilial daughter?"
Donghua looked at him and sneered, "Is Miss your biological daughter?"
Xue Xingchao already knew that Lu Jingfu was not Fang Jianming's biological daughter, but now it seems there's more to the story.
[After Lu Jingfu's father passed away, her mother remarried Fang Jianming. Less than two years later, Lu Jingfu's mother also passed away.]
[ Lu Jingfu was exceptionally beautiful, so Fang Jianming conceived the idea of using Lu Jingfu to climb the social ladder. Unexpectedly, Lu Jingfu met Xue Xingchao during an outing, and the two fell in love at first sight, thus becoming engaged.]
The guests remained calm upon hearing this; after all, he wasn't their biological son, and Fang Jianming's thoughts were understandable.
How did things develop to the Fang Jianming assassinated Xue Xingchao?
Could it be that he suddenly lost his mind?
[Actually, Fang Jianming is a beast. He coveted his adopted daughter's beauty and was unwilling to let Xue Xingchao have her so easily. So he planned to take Lu Jingfu before Xue Xingchao and make Lu Jingfu his... Even a random zombie would be more morally upright than Fang Jianming, right?]
Xue Xingchao clenched his fists, his face cold as he looked at Fang Jianming, so...
[Just as Xue Xingchao went to deliver food to Lu Jingfu, Fang Jianming happened to climb into Lu Jingfu's room. Seeing Xue Xingchao about to push the door open, he hurriedly tried to climb through the window but fell and was discovered by Xue Xingchao. Fang Jianming then had to cover his face and disguise himself as an assassin.]
Xue Xingchao's face was grim; that was only the first time, but this was the second.
He almost succeeded!
No wonder Lu Jingfu couldn't take it anymore and had Donghua tie the person up the second time.
Xue Xingchao said calmly, "This is just a misunderstanding. Father-in-law is probably injured. Let's move him to the side hall first, and then have the family physician come to treat him."
Donghua panicked. "Young Master..."
Xue Xingchao's servant Donghua, with keen insight, stopped Donghua and gave her a meaningful look.
Donghua seemed to understand but not quite; could it be that the son-in-law wanted to punish Fang Jianming?
The servants were about to loosen the ropes binding Fang Jianming when Xue Xingchao said, "No need. Let's wait for the physician to arrive before untying him. Untying him hastily might not be good for my father-in-law."
Fang Jianming felt somewhat smug upon hearing this.
Lu Jingfu still wanted to expose his dirty secrets, but she didn't expect that her son-in-law would respect him so much!
[I have a feeling that Xue Xingchao is going to target Fang Jianming?]
As if echoing Tong Aning's sentiments, a scream came from the side hall a moment later, then fell silent again.
King Liang said, "I'm really sorry, everyone may leave now."
The guests left the main hall; it was a real pity they wouldn't get to see what was happening in the side hall.
The Duke of Zheng was the last to leave.
Before he left, he glared fiercely at Liang T Wang.
King Liang: "..."
Xue Xingchao emerged from the side hall, swinging his arms.
King Liang asked, "Is the fighting over?"
Xue Xingchao said calmly, "He's fainted."
"Then wake him up with the splash, and then hit him again!"
"Yes."
Looking at Xue Xingchao's arm, King Liang frowned and said, "Take it easy, the wound has reopened. Your mother and grandmother will worry if they see it."
Xue Xingchao smiled. "My mother and grandmother only ever praise me for doing well."
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he chuckled twice, "My wife will praise me for doing a good job too."
King Liang: "..."
What a waste of your potential.
*
With the imperial examinations approaching, Tong Aning, who works at the Ministry of Rites, is extremely busy.
Previously, there was an incident of impersonation during the imperial examinations, so this year's examinations will be even more rigorous. The Crown Prince has volunteered to take charge of all matters related to the examinations in order to make amends for the serious mistake he made.
The emperor agreed.
He thought that having the Crown Prince preside over the imperial examinations would allow him to gain some prestige among the students, which would also be a good thing for the Crown Prince.
That year's imperial examinations proceeded smoothly. Those with talent and learning, after years of hard work, finally passed the exams. Those who had failed repeatedly came to try one last time, only to find their names on the list, and wept with joy.
This single announcement of the results demonstrates that the Great Xia Dynasty is thriving.
This year, many girls from Wen Chensi's school participated in the spring imperial examination and achieved excellent results. Wen Chensi is very pleased that there will be more and more female officials.
Lou Yingyu and Azhu came to pick up Tong Aning, Wen Chensi nodded to each other.
To their surprise, Tong Aning, who had barely managed to keep her eyelids open just two days prior, was now full of energy.
Tong Aning sighed, "I finally understand Lord Lü's good intentions in arranging for me to post the results."
Lou Yingyu: "... Based on my experience, you must have been conscripted."
Tong Aning: "..."
[Nonsense, Lord Lü must have sent me here to experience this atmosphere.]
Azhu looked around and asked, "Wasn't it said that Heir Xue was with you? Where is he?"
Tong Aning said, "He went to the palace with the Crown Prince."
Azhu nodded, Lou Yingyu said, " Azhu and I have reserved a private room at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion. Let's go eat."
Lou Yingyu went around behind Tong Aning and Azhu and pushed them forward.
Not long after the imperial examination ended, news came that the Yu Kingdom had suffered a defeat and did not intend to continue fighting, and wanted to send envoys to the Great Xia to discuss terms.
Lou Yingyu's smile vanished.
To make matters worse, Qu Bufan assigned her to the group that would negotiate with the envoys from the Yu Kingdom.
Lou Yingyu dragged Azhu to Tong Aning to complain. The three of them, dressed in their nightgowns, sat side by side on Tong Aning's bed.
Lou Yingyu said with a bitter face, "I may be a little clever, but I'm not good at this."
Tong Aning said earnestly, "Sometimes we can't even see our own strengths. Maybe Lord Qu has discovered them."
Lou Yingyu blinked at Tong Aning, Tong Aning asked blankly, "What's wrong?"
Lou Yingyu pinched Tong Aning's cheek and exclaimed in surprise, " Aning, you can actually say such insightful things!"
Tong Aning: "..."
Lou Yingyu suddenly remembered something else and asked, "Do you two know about the beauty rankings in the capital?"
Azhu shook her head.
Tong Aning: "There's actually a beauty ranking list in the capital?"
"Yes, there are plenty of rankings in the capital, featuring not only beauties but also handsome men."
Lou Yingyu was the most knowledgeable about these things; in her father's words, she had even gotten so caught up in trivial matters while studying.
Lou Yingyu said mysteriously, "Now guess who's number one on the beauty ranking?"
This time, Tong Aning shook her head.
Azhu: "Could it be Aning?"
Lou Yingyu clapped her hands and said, "That's right, they called Aning a silly beauty."
Tong Aning: "..."
[A beauty is a beauty, why call her a stupid beauty?]
Tong Aning gritted her teeth, [I really want to beat Yingyu up.]
The three of them were positioned with Tong Aning in the middle, and Lou Yingyu and Azhu to Tong Aning's left and right. Azhu quietly moved to the side, worried that if Tong Aning hit Lou Yingyu, it would affect her.
Lou Yingyu heard Tong Aning's thoughts, but she wasn't afraid at all. Instead, a wicked thought arose within her, and she touched Tong Aning's face repeatedly, murmuring, "I still have good taste."
Tong Aning: "..."
[This guy is such a fangirl!]
Tong Aning said, "It's getting late, you two should go and get some rest."
Knowing that Lou Yingyu and Azhu would be staying at the Marquis's residence tonight, Su Zhouyue had the guest rooms prepared early in the morning.
They were talking fine, Lou Yingyu suddenly hugged Tong Aning tightly, saying, "I'll sleep with you tonight."
After hesitating for a moment, Azhu hugged Tong Aning too, saying, " Aning, I want to sleep with you too."
Tong Aning: "..."
She laboriously crawled to the inside of the bed, spread the blanket over Azhu and Lou Yingyu's heads, and said irritably, "Sleep, sleep, sleep."
*
The day after the Yu Kingdom's envoys entered the capital, the two sides officially began negotiations.
Lou Yingyu was very nervous, and she even went to Lou Ming to ask for some advice.
Lou Ming was gratified that his daughter, who had always been at odds with him, had finally bowed her head.
He told Lou Yingyu, "Just be yourself."
Lou Yingyu thought Lou Ming was trying to trick her. What kind of talk was that?
What kind of time is this to still be trying to harm his daughter? Is this really a father? So Lou Yingyu decided not to believe a single word Lou Ming.
And now.
Qu Bufan also told Lou Yingyu, "Just be yourself."
Lou Yingyu: "?"
Lou Yingyu paced back and forth, utterly perplexed. Had she been with Shan for so long at the Court of State Ceremonial that everyone assumed she was a good person?
She's the most arrogant and domineering person in the capital. She pulls his beard, kicks his father, and seems to want to tear the entire Prime Minister's residence apart.
Should we let someone like that be herself?
So, she actually did it?
To Lou Yingyu's surprise, Yu Kingdom was even more arrogant than her.
She becomes stronger when facing a stronger opponent, but loses all manners when faced with an even stronger one, single-handedly dominating the entire country and silencing the Yu Kingdom.
Lou Yingyu felt a little guilty as she sat down again. Had she gone too far?
Lou Yingyu looked at Qu Bufan sitting next to her, and Qu Bufan actually gave her an encouraging thumbs up.
Lou Yingyu: "..."