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"How could you make a fool of yourself?" Jiang Liuyun raised his voice. "Although your zither playing isn't pleasant, your chess skills are worrying, and you're not proficient in calligraphy or painting, with me there, I can definitely help you get that head ornament!"
Lin Zhiqing, being repeatedly jabbed: "..."
If Jiang Liuyun hadn't been smiling so genuinely, she would have suspected he was doing it on purpose.
Before she could speak, with a "pfft," Lu Huai laughed and turned back.
"What are you laughing at?" Lin Zhiqing was speechless.
Lu Huai patted Jiang Liuyun's shoulder. "Young Master Jiang, I think you have a great quality, and that is honesty. I really need to learn more from you on that point."
Jiang Liuyun immediately put his arm around Lu Huai's shoulder. "Just for that sentence, Brother Lu Huai, you and I are brothers from now on. I also need to learn more about the art of divination from you."
"No problem with that, of course." Lu Huai readily agreed.
However, Lin Zhiqing looked at the bright smile on his face and had a nagging feeling that he was plotting something nefarious.
The moment this thought appeared, Lu Huai's gaze returned to Lin Zhiqing's face, his smile even wider. "Lin Zhiqing, the Spring Banquet includes the art of divination. Take me with you, and I'll help you get first place!"
Jiang Liuyun's smile froze at the corners of his mouth, and the hand wrapped around Lu Huai's shoulder fell away. "You're going to the Spring Banquet?"
"Why not?" Lu Huai blinked, revealing an innocent smile.
"But one invitation only allows for one companion." Jiang Liuyun's voice grew louder, clearly anxious.
"Young Master Jiang, aren't we brothers? There are so many noble ladies inviting you to the Spring Banquet, you surely don't lack this one invitation, do you?" Lu Huai held a small wooden abacus in his hand, smoothly twirling it twice.
Just as Jiang Liuyun was about to open his mouth to explain, he pinched his chin. "Who was it again? Oh, right, wasn't the Censor-in-Chief's daughter looking for you a while ago?"
As soon as these words came out, Jiang Liuyun became frantic, scratching his ears and cheeks. He looked at Lin Zhiqing somewhat awkwardly. "Qing'er, the Censor-in-Chief's daughter did look for me, but I already refused her."
Lin Zhiqing didn't know what expression to make. She shot Lu Huai a look that said, 'Are you out of your mind...?'
Lu Huai understood her meaning and pointed with his abacus.
'You, Lu Huai...' Lin Zhiqing realized he was threatening her with her money-making endeavors.
But Jiang Liuyun was, after all, her nominal fiancé. If Lu Huai hadn't interfered, she would most likely have gone with Jiang Liuyun.
Seemingly sensing her hesitation, Jiang Liuyun couldn't help but take a step forward, staring at her like a wounded puppy.
Lin Zhiqing clutched her forehead. "This is a serious matter. Give me some time to think."
Trouble!
Lu Huai was simply a colossal trouble!
After returning to her courtyard, Lin Zhiqing was so angry she hammered the door. Recalling Jiang Liuyun's silhouette, turning back every few steps, and Lu Huai's leisurely stroll, she slapped her head a few times.
If Lu Huai were to attend with her, her already abysmal reputation would certainly worsen. With such a prominent fiancé like Jiang Liuyun right there, Lin Zhiqing definitely couldn't ignore him. But offending Lu Huai meant going against money, and she couldn't have nothing, especially not no money!
Lin Zhiqing had never imagined that "male competition" scenes, which she had only scrolled past on a certain short video app, would actually appear before her eyes. She was depressed all afternoon, still feeling that she couldn't offend either of them.
"Miss, please have something to eat first." Mu Shen brought in a few small dishes.
Thanks to her newfound "cash" ability, Lin Zhiqing's meals had improved significantly recently. Although she didn't have much of an appetite now, adhering to the principle of not wasting food, she decided to turn her grief and indignation into appetite.
Lately, Mu Shen was either gathering information or on her way to gather information. Lin Zhiqing didn't adhere to the notion that servants shouldn't sit at the table, so the two of them had been eating together during this period. However, every time they ate, Lin Zhiqing listened while Mu Shen talked.
"The Spring Banquet is hosted by Miss Hua's maternal grandmother, that is, the Grand Academician's wife. The Academician's wife's direct niece is none other than Consort Xian in the palace."
"Every year at this time, young masters and young ladies from various families can form teams freely. They randomly draw competitions in arts like zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, martial arts, divination, and more. The champion receives a prize..."
"Miss Yangyang woke up once this morning. When I went, Young Master Shian was also there, so I didn't want to disturb them much."
"Fourth Master..."
Wait... Lin Zhiqing paused her action of picking up food. "Has my cousin had any official duties recently?"
Lin Shian's background was not prominent. Although he wanted to join the military, since Lin Congrong's act of treason, the imperial court would certainly not trust him in a high position. Therefore, Lin Congli could only use his connections to find him a leisurely post in the Ministry of Personnel.
Mu Shen shook her head. "Young Master Shian has been on leave for a long time. He's likely worried that something might happen to Miss Yangyang."
Lin Zhiqing understood, and suddenly felt the rice in her bowl tasted much better. "Mu Shen, bring out the ginseng Young Master Jiang sent over. Since cousin has woken up, as her younger sister, I should indeed go visit her."
"Oh no, that won't do!" Mu Shen put down her chopsticks. "Miss, that ginseng was sent by Young Master Jiang for your health. It's exceptionally precious. How can you just give it away?"
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Lin Zhiqing sped up her eating, a plan already forming in her mind.
...
As soon as noon passed, Lin Zhiqing arrived outside Lin Yangyang's courtyard with the ginseng. As she approached, she heard an unfamiliar voice:
"My master has gone out to seek medicine. He asked me to inform Young Master that Miss Yangyang is no longer in serious danger and will fully awaken within half a month. You may prepare some nourishing tonics for her body in the meantime."
"Truly?" Lin Shian's voice carried a hint of pleasure.
After Lin Zhiqing entered the courtyard, she saw a person who looked like a doctor nodding. She didn't speak, quietly standing to the side.
As Lin Shian escorted the doctor out of the courtyard gate, he subtly glanced at Lin Zhiqing. Soon, he returned. "What is it?"
He had no expression on his face. Lin Zhiqing smiled. "I came to see my cousin." Saying so, she handed the box containing ginseng to a nearby servant boy. "This is high-quality ginseng."
"I thank you on my sister's behalf, but we cannot accept this." Lin Shian refused directly. "I still need to thank you for the investigation last time, but my sister doesn't like owing favors." He softened his tone, fearing Lin Zhiqing might misunderstand.
"Why speak of such things between sisters? Moreover, I have a matter to ask of you today." Lin Zhiqing pressed the box into the servant boy's hand.
After the servant boy left, Lin Shian finally spoke. "What is it? My sister hasn't fully woken up yet, so you might have to wait half a month..."
"Cousin." Before he could finish, Lin Zhiqing interrupted him. "I'd like to ask for your help."
A hint of doubt flashed across Lin Shian's face. "Me?"
Lin Zhiqing nodded. "I received an invitation to the Spring Banquet, but I'm missing a partner."
"The Spring Banquet? No." Lin Shian refused without hesitation. "I must stay and guard my sister."
The smile on Lin Zhiqing's lips vanished instantly. "Is there truly no room for discussion?"
Lin Shian's face was expressionless, his tone quite decisive. "No."
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