The man had only said two words to her, and she’d already planned the whole thing.
Zhang Zhixu was thoroughly fed up, gave her a few perfunctory responses, and went back to surveying his surroundings.
Pei Ruheng had been so thoroughly derailed by Chen Baoxiang’s antics that he had forgotten entirely to pursue the origin of the rumor—while the guests at the poetry gathering continued to pass the story from mouth to mouth.
The tale of the faithless man spread from the common people into the noble households, slowly fanning out like a brushfire.
Several days later, Xie Lanting came to Xun Yuan.
At the time, Chen Baoxiang was still pestering the Great Immortal for zither lessons. She applied herself with great earnestness, yet what she produced was genuinely painful to hear.
“How was that?” She finished playing and shook her hair ornament, fishing for praise.
Zhang Zhixu calmly removed the wads of paper he had stuffed into his ears: “Quite good. I have no other expectations of you as my student—just one: in the future, when you play publicly, please do not mention my name.”
Chen Baoxiang was astonished: “You have a name? What is it?”
Zhang Zhixu coughed and changed the subject: “I think someone has arrived.”
In the distance, Xie Lanting was walking toward her, chatting with Jiuquan as they came.
Seeing this woman again—and in Xun Yuan of all places—Xie Lanting was overcome with bitter indignation, slapped his thigh, and declared: “I just knew that whole ‘never touches women’ business was a complete pretense. All these years he’s been scheming against me, yet how did I never notice he was keeping his own secret treasure hidden away?”
“That’s not it.” Zhang Zhixu instinctively denied it.
Chen Baoxiang also quickly distanced herself: “Don’t talk nonsense. Fengqing doesn’t like women, does he—he only likes you.”
Xie Lanting: ???
He clutched his chest in horror: “What?”
Zhang Zhixu was speechless: What are you babbling about.
Isn’t that the case? That’s what people outside are saying—that Zhang Zhixu never touches women and is only close with Xie Lanting.
…Outside is outside. Outside people also say Xie Lanting is mature and steady with the bearing of a chancellor—does he look anything like that to you.
Chen Baoxiang followed his reasoning and looked at the man before her. Hmm—it seemed like he was about to cry.
Xie Lanting really was on the verge of tears. Brothers for over a decade, who had grown up sharing the same clothes—and now this person had suddenly developed feelings for him?
His lips were trembling: “You—this matter—Fengqing told you this?”
Chen Baoxiang laughed awkwardly: “No, I guessed it myself. Aren’t you two always together? He’s told me a lot about you.”
“You frightened me to death.” Xie Lanting sat down at the tea table and heaved a long sigh. “Miss, he and I are only friends. Please don’t misunderstand.”
What was there for her to misunderstand.
Chen Baoxiang gave an awkward laugh and changed the subject: “What has you charging in here with such urgency, sir?”
Getting to the matter at hand, Xie Lanting finally turned serious: “The story circulating in the streets lately—someone has carried it to His Majesty’s ears. The Holy One has commanded me to conduct a thorough investigation.”
Zhang Zhixu waved a hand: “Just muddle through it.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible this time.” Xie Lanting frowned. “Cheng Huaili personally went to the palace last night to file a complaint—made a dreadful scene in front of the Grand Princess and the others, putting His Majesty in a very awkward position. Now His Majesty is demanding I solve the case within seven days.”
Both Jiuquan and Zhang Zhixu felt their hearts clench, and immediately began mentally mapping out escape routes for Chen Baoxiang.
But Chen Baoxiang was entirely unruffled. Resting her cheek on her hand with a cheerful smile, she said: “His Majesty wants the sir to solve the case, so solve it, naturally. What parents who have lost a child wouldn’t want to know who the culprit is?”
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