The Crow on the Pig's Back

"Xu Xi, you're so heartless." Xiao Lingyan looked at her, speechless. "Don't forget, in the novel, you're supposed to be cannon fodder too, right? Besides, we're from the same hometown. You can't just leave us without any consideration, can you?"

Zhao Ruxi was too proud to tell him about the original owner's experiences. However, Xiao Lingyan could guess that, as a contrasting character to the female lead Zhao Ruyu, Zhao Ruxi in the original novel would definitely not have a good ending.

Although he hadn't read any sweet romance novels, the plot of male-oriented novels was pretty much the same—it was all about the protagonist's halo, right? As supporting characters, their only purpose was to highlight the protagonist's intelligence and success. He and Xu Xi transmigrated at the same time; he ended up in the body of a cannon fodder character. What good could possibly come of Xu Xi?

It's impossible to be so biased, isn't it? We're all time travelers, aren't we all God's favorites?

"The original owner of this body was simply married off to a not-so-good person by the Lady Wei," Zhao Ruxi continued expressionlessly. "But the problem is, I'm here now, and I've already gotten rid of the Lady Wei. My current parents love me dearly, do you think I would still marry a scumbag? Besides, given my personality, even if I married a scumbag, would I allow myself to live a miserable life while he abuses me?"

Xiao Lingyan: "..."

He looked at Zhao Ruxi with a strange gaze. "I've noticed that you have a very deep understanding of yourself."

"Get out!" Zhao Ruxi wanted to kick him to death.

"But don't forget, women," Xiao Lingyan said in an irritating tone, "When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. Besides your family, you also have your master and senior brother. With two such major political disasters, how could your master and senior brother remain unaffected?"

Zhao Ruxi rolled her eyes at him. "Isn't it you who's here? A selfish guy like you would sacrifice yourself for others, right? He would definitely struggle to be saved, he wouldn't have died so quickly. Besides, my master and my senior brother are both painters. I can find a reason for them to go to the south at that time, and we can avoid this disaster. How stupid would I be to get involved in something like this?"

Xiao Lingyan sighed deeply, shook his head, and said, "That's why I say, it's not good for a woman to be too smart; she's too unlovable."

"It's precisely because you men think this way that naive and innocent female leads are so popular. The existence of smart women only highlights your stupidity; it doesn't allow you to be arrogant, cool, and powerful. You should just go cool off somewhere else."

"You..." Xiao Lingyan pointed a trembling finger at Zhao Ruxi, then lowered it weakly. "Forget it, a good man doesn't argue with a woman."

"That's because you can't win."

Xiao Lingyan let out a long breath and looked at Zhao Ruxi seriously, saying, "Xu Xi, you never got married in your past life. Even if you do get married in this life, your husband will definitely be driven crazy by you. That mouth of yours, tsk tsk tsk..."

"Same here, don't be like a crow landing on a pig and not seeing your own black spot."

Xiao Lingyan his hand. "Alright, I won't argue with you. Come on, tell me more details..."

"That's all," Zhao Ruxi said. "Don't forget this is a sweet romance novel; everything in the plot serves the purpose of the male and female leads' love story. It's not a strategy novel or a military/political novel, so these plot points are glossed over. You should thank me for not being love-struck and for being able to remember so many plot points unrelated to romance."

Zhao Ruxi stood up. "I won't say any more to you. Just remember, when the time comes, have someone give me the property deed for the house in Jiangnan, and then send someone to the Jiangnan government office to transfer the ownership." She pointed to the door and emphasized again, "Once we step out this door, we won't know each other."

With that, she walked out.

"Hey, you..." Xiao Lingyan wanted to call her back to say a few more words.

Zhao Ruxi simply opened the door and walked out.

"Let's go." She said to Qingfeng and Ma Sheng, and went to Shopkeeper Wang's room.

"Shopkeeper Wang, I've been busy lately and might not have time to come to the jewelry shop to draw jewelry designs, but I do have some spare moments. If the shop has any new jewelry that needs to be set into other pieces, you can put a little of each kind in and send someone to give it to me. I'll return it all to you after I've used it. I'll also have someone bring you the jewelry designs I've drawn."

Although she's not short of money now, she could easily choose not to earn this money from painting jewelry.

But Madam Xiao helped her during her most difficult time, and she would never abandon the business of Gathered Treasures Studio no matter what. No matter how busy she was, she could still find some time to design jewelry.

"That's wonderful!" Shopkeeper Wang exclaimed with delight. "Miss Zhao, please have a seat and a cup of tea. I'll have someone pack the jewelry right away."

"Not today," Zhao Ruxi said. "I have to go somewhere else later, and it's inconvenient to carry all this stuff. Pack it up tomorrow morning, and I'll have Qingfeng come pick it up."

"Alright." Shopkeeper Wang naturally had no objections.

After leaving Gathered Treasures Studio, Zhao Ruxi went directly to the Xu Family.

Xiao Lingyan waited until Zhao Ruxi had left for a while before disguising himself and leaving as well. From beginning to end, Shopkeeper Wang had no idea that the person who came was the Fifth Prince — Xiao Liuzi and Wang Tong were also disguised, and only those who were particularly familiar with them would recognize them.

Xiao Lingyan went downstairs and got into the carriage. After the carriage had driven some distance away from Gathered Treasures Studio, his Imperial Guards rode up from different places to catch up.

One of them Liu Mian, rode up and said to Xiao Lingyan, "My lord, I just saw Young General Fu's men inquiring about things in Beining."

Xiao Lingyan asked, "What are you asking about?"

Liu Mian was the head of Xiao Lingyan's Imperial Guards and knew how to act with discretion. Without Xiao Lingyan's orders, he wouldn't take the initiative to investigate Fu Yunkai's affairs. After all, Fu Yunkai was on their side.

He said, "Fearing that we might displease General Fu, we didn't dare to approach, nor did we dare to inquire."

Xiao Lingyan pondered for a moment without speaking.

Normally it wouldn't be a problem, but back then, the Cen Family was playing a power game with the Emperor, and they made Fu Yunkai Heir of the Marquis of Pingnan, Xiao Lingpu's study companion. The two grew up together and had a good relationship, so the Fu Family was naturally tied to their side.

Fu Yunkai is free to do whatever he wants. Even though Xiao Lingyan is a prince, he cannot interfere or inquire too much, lest he incur the Fu Family's resentment and cause the cooperation between the two sides to break down.

But Xiao Lingyan's mind was filled with the two political catastrophes Xu Xi had just mentioned, and he was on edge, sensitive to even the slightest disturbance.

He instructed, "Go and investigate what he's asking about, but don't alert his men."

"Yes." Liu Mian clasped his hands in a fist salute and led the two Imperial Guards away.

Xiao Lingyan wanted to wait for their news, so he let the carriage drive aimlessly through the streets.

The carriage he rode in was not the one they usually used, but an ordinary tung oil-covered carriage, which was inconspicuous. Not only the carriage, but also the horses ridden by Wang Tong and the Imperial Guards were very ordinary horses, and some of them even rode mules. Everyone was disguised and scattered around, and the group was not conspicuous.