Chapter 295: Chapter 215: An Unreasonable Request
Cui Qingwu pretended not to hear and followed him out of the carriage, walking into Guiyun Academy.
Behind him, Huan’er and Chun Ying followed.
The four of them—masters and servants—plus the driver, Ning Yu, could be considered quite a low-key entourage.
In contrast, the belatedly arriving Chen Yi and his companions seemed like a much larger and more imposing retinue.
Besides him, Xiao Wan’er, and Xiao Wuge, their entourage included Xiaodie, Shen Huatang, Pei Guanli, and four Armored Guards from the Marquis’s Mansion.
Two carriages bearing the banner of the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion were parked outside the academy. It was hard not to attract attention.
"Someone from the Xiao Family is here. Besides Mr. Qingzhou, I didn’t expect the Young Master and the young miss to come as well."
"Miss Xiao Wan’er is truly as beautiful as the rumors say. Her looks could topple nations."
Hearing the surrounding chatter, an uncomfortable Xiao Wan’er pulled at her cloak and softly urged, "Let’s go inside."
Chen Yi smiled and nodded, entering the academy under the protection of Wang Lixing and the other guards.
Once inside, they saw a wide stone path lined with two rows of lanterns. On either side stood several students the academy had asked to help.
The one leading them was none other than Ma Guan—Ma Heming.
Seeing Chen Yi and his group approach, he hurried forward, bowed, and said, "Mr. Qingzhou, if you please, come with me first."
"The headmaster instructed me to bring you to him as soon as I saw you."
Chen Yi paused for a moment, then glanced at Xiao Wan’er. Seeing that she didn’t object, he suggested, "Let’s go together."
Xiao Wan’er murmured her assent and followed behind him, pulling Xiao Wuge along.
As they walked, most of her initial curiosity and excitement had already faded.
Especially after seeing the crowds outside the academy and the decor within, she felt a slight sense of alienation.
In contrast, Pei Guanli, who had been here once before for a poetry gathering, felt no such unease.
She was even excitedly recounting some of the things she had seen during her last visit.
But a single mention from Xiaodie about a lost calligraphy copybook was enough to make her small, round face fall.
"Last time was just an accident... It’s all my brother-in-law’s older brother’s fault. If only he had just let me poison him properly..."
As she was speaking, Chen Yi, who was walking ahead, paused. His eyes held a trace of surprise as he looked at the few people walking toward them.
It was none other than Liu Zhaoxue of the Jing State Liu Family, along with several guards and maids.
Xiao Wan’er, at his side, had the same reaction.
She looked at the approaching group and hesitantly offered a greeting, "Sister Zhaoxue."
Liu Zhaoxue’s gaze swept over the two of them. A faint smile appeared on her face. "Zhaoxue greets Sister Wan’er and Mr. Qingzhou."
After a pause, she bowed deeply and continued,
"I had intended to visit your home in a few days to offer my apologies. Since we’ve met today, the opportunity seems fitting."
"On behalf of my second brother, I ask for your forgiveness."
"I don’t dare ask for forgiveness, I only hope this will not affect the relationship between you and me, Sister."
Liu Zhaoxue didn’t mention the Xiao and Liu Families at all, speaking only of her relationship with Xiao Wan’er. It was a way of avoiding the heart of the matter.
Xiao Wan’er looked at her and considered for a moment. The hesitation on her face vanished as she shook her head and sighed. "I am sorry, Sister Zhaoxue."
Liu Zhaoxue was taken aback, clearly not expecting the ever-magnanimous Xiao Wan’er to refuse her so directly.
It left her unable to continue with the speech she had prepared.
At that moment, Chen Yi stepped forward. Ignoring Liu Zhaoxue, he addressed Xiao Wan’er and the others. "Let’s go."
"Mr. Yue Ming has invited us. It must be urgent."
Xiao Wan’er nodded and silently followed him into the building.
None of them were inclined to deal with the people from the Liu Family.
Only Pei Guanli muttered "Shameless" as she passed by Liu Zhaoxue.
Once they were in the distance,
The door closed.
Liu Zhaoxue took a deep breath, her expression returning to a calm state, and turned to leave.
A burly guard beside her gathered his qi into a thread and spoke in a low voice using ventriloquism:
"That girl from the Mountain Race... she must be Granny Shan’s granddaughter, correct?"
Liu Zhaoxue nodded subconsciously. When she realized what she’d done, she turned back to look at the speaker and was met with a pair of blood-red eyes brimming with killing intent.
"Yan Fusha, you..."
"Miss Zhaoxue, I have an impudent request."
"Heh heh... would it be possible for me to ’test’ that little girl as well?"
Liu Zhaoxue: "..."
