Female Supremacy and Rise to Power: Lin Shu's Imperial Examination Adventures

Chapter 176 The Sarcastic Little Xu

"Mmm." Lin Shu looked at the other man's smiling eyes and responded softly, but she always felt that this young master Ji was still laughing at her.

Seeing Lin Shu agree, Ji Heng's smile deepened.

In the courtyard, the two stood facing each other. A gentle breeze blew, and their hair fluttered and tangled together, as if bound by the red thread of fate.

Lin Shu gazed at the man before her and finally understood what "a clear breeze and a bright moon" meant!

Admittedly, Lin Shu was somewhat attracted to Ji Heng's appearance when she agreed to participate in his marriage contest.

Under the carved archway, Xu Jingyun, who had arrived at some unknown time, witnessed this scene. She clenched her teeth, almost crushing the fan in her hand, and cursed inwardly: "So cold and ruthless to me, yet so generous to others, showering them with gifts and gazing into their eyes with affection!"

In fact, he had arrived long ago and even met Su Mu and the others at the end of the corridor. But when he reached the carved archway, he found Ji Heng there as well.

Therefore, he naturally heard Ji Heng asking Lin Shu for a purse, and seeing the two gazing at each other affectionately, he was even more furious and gritted his teeth!

However, just as he was seething with jealousy and resentment, some unexpected situations arose with Lin Shu and Ji Heng:

Originally, Lin Shu planned to take Ji Heng for a walk around the mansion, but after only a few steps, Ji Heng suddenly fell flat on his face without warning.

Just as he was about to fall forward, Lin Shu quickly grabbed his waist and pulled him back forcefully, causing Ji Heng to lean heavily against her.

Then, Ji Heng, who should have been scared, turned his head slightly and looked at Lin Shu with a smile, showing no panic or fear of about to fall.

Lin Shu raised an eyebrow. How could she not understand that the other party was doing this on purpose? She looked at him with a half-smile. Ji Heng did not flinch, raising his eyes to meet hers. Just as their heads drew closer and closer—

"Oh! It seems I've come at an inopportune time?" A voice clenched its teeth, interrupting the two who were about to kiss.

Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw Xu Jingyun, dressed in a golden brocade robe, waving a folding fan, striding in. Upon closer inspection, his steps were fast and hurried, only slowing down when he got closer to the two of them.

When she was a few steps away from the two of them, she snapped her folding fan shut with a 'whoosh'.

Then, while tapping his folding fan on his left palm, he circled around Lin Shu and Ji Heng, his eyes fixed on the flat bluestone slab beneath Ji Heng's feet, and said in a sarcastic tone:

"Tsk tsk tsk! How could Young Master Ji fall on flat ground all of a sudden? Should I call a doctor for you?"

After saying that, Xu Jingyun looked up at Lin Shu again. Lin Shu nodded to him in greeting, and then gently released her arms from Ji Heng.

Seeing Lin Shu's rather cold attitude, Xu Jingyun felt a pang of pain in her heart, and lowered her eyes with a hurt look in them.

Ji Heng, having his little scheme witnessed by someone other than Lin Shu, was momentarily embarrassed, but quickly regained his composure, immediately reverting to his usual gentle demeanor. He smiled slightly, gave Xu Jingyun a slight bow, and said:

"Miss Xu! Long time no see! Are you here to see Miss Lin too?"

"Yes! What? You, Young Master Ji, can come, but I, this young lady, can't?" Xu Jingyun snorted, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

He was acting like he was on steroids today, his temper flaring up completely, a stark contrast to his usual frivolous and lazy demeanor.

Ji Heng smiled and shook his head, not continuing to answer. This Miss Xu was probably jealous because she saw him and Lin Shu being too intimate. If he continued the conversation now, this topic would probably be hard to end!

Thinking of Xu Jingyun's feelings for Lin Shu, he couldn't help but look up at Lin Shu's expression. Seeing that she was more polite and distant towards Miss Xu than before, he felt relieved.

"Sit down." Lin Shu looked at Xu Jingyun's pale lips and remembered that he had been injured yesterday, so she invited Xu and Ji to sit on the stone bench in the courtyard.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jingyun, feeling somewhat downcast, sat down first. She immediately spotted the purse in the sewing basket, and her eyes lit up. If Ji Heng had it, she wanted it too!

So, when Lin Shu and Ji Heng, who were a few steps behind, arrived, they saw Xu Jingyun throw all the sachet and accessories from her waist into the sewing basket, and then hurriedly pick up the white purse inside and tie it to her body...

"Tsk! Specially made for me? This white color suits me perfectly!"

After tying it up, Xu Jingyun looked up at it a couple more times, stroking the few scattered green bamboo leaves on it. The more she looked at it, the more pleasing it became, so as if seeking approval, she added:

"Ah Shu~, don't you think so?"

Lin Shu: "..."

Ji Heng: "..."

Lin Shu pursed her lips, wanting to say that it actually belonged to Amu and wasn't finished yet, but seeing Xu Jingyun's expectant eyes, she couldn't bear to say it, so she turned her face away and softly replied, "Mm."

It's just one more thing, anyway, I still owe several. As the saying goes, debts are never a burden!

Upon hearing this, Ji Heng looked at Lin Shu in disbelief. They were clearly not a good match! When did Lin Shu start lying through her teeth?

Seeing the expression on Ji Heng's face, Xu Jingyun raised an eyebrow. Instead of sitting down, she stood there, fanning herself and occasionally waving the white purse in front of Ji Heng's eyes...

This caused Lin Shu and Ji Heng's lips to twitch...

……

Finally, Xu Jingyun and Ji Heng left together, and Lin Shu escorted them to the gate of the mansion.

Xu Jingyun boarded her own carriage first, but instead of immediately having the driver drive, she lifted the curtain, her brows furrowed, and looked at Lin and Ji, who were still talking not far away.

Although Lin Shu seemed to treat me the same as she treated Ji Heng today, answering all my questions, I could still sense some differences—Lin Shu treated me more like a friend!

This thought left him feeling empty. He didn't know what was wrong with Lin Shu, since she was perfectly fine yesterday!

Ji Heng and Lin Shu were indeed discussing serious matters.

"Miss Lin! I'll be returning to the manor now!" Ji Heng, who was about to leave, suddenly turned back, as if remembering something, and said earnestly to Lin Shu:

“Miss Lin, my grandmother forbids me from attending the Empress’s birthday celebration, and you have suddenly announced that you are ‘seriously injured.’ I’m sure things will not be peaceful that day. Please take good care of yourself!”

Lin Shu nodded: "Yes, don't worry, everything is under control."

Ji Heng smiled and said, "That's good! It's just a pity that I'm a young man from a respectable family, and I can't help you with anything..."

"Young Master Ji, please don't underestimate yourself. Your talent and vision are unmatched by countless women in the world..."

"..."

After exchanging a few more casual words, Ji Heng took his leave and boarded the Grand Tutor's carriage.

After watching the Grand Tutor's carriage leave, Xu Jingyun glanced at Lin Shu from afar before lowering the curtain and instructing the coachman to drive.

Lin Shu watched the two carriages depart one after the other before turning back to her residence...

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