Ch 177: The Adopted Sister Awaits Her Birth Father, Punishment For Xu Jingyang?

Having sent Xiao Baohui to the Palace Gate, it was already late, and Xu Jingyang could not enter the palace.

Before Xiao Baohui left, she said, “Tomorrow at your Autumn Appreciation Banquet, I will also come. I will call more people for you. It’s your first time hosting a banquet, so I will definitely make sure the scene is grand.”

Xu Jingyang smiled faintly, “Thank you, Princess.”

After returning home, Xu Jingyang encountered Duke Wei in the corridor.

Duke Wei first asked her, “What time is it? Where have you been?”

Xu Jingyang calmly replied, “The Ninth Princess and I dined together; I returned late. What’s wrong?”

Duke Wei, upon hearing the words “Ninth Princess,” immediately showed a hint of a smile.

“That’s right. Don’t always be so cold. Interact more with the nobles,” he continued, “It’s nothing. I wanted to remind you that tomorrow at the Autumn Appreciation Banquet, remember not to appear alone. Have your third aunt accompany you. Understand?”

Xu Jingyang understood Duke Wei’s meaning.

He cared about appearances, fearing others would think that while there was a mistress in the house, the daughter was managing it.

But given Madam Fan’s condition, Duke Wei dared not let her be seen by others.

Therefore, although the Third Madam was not capable, she was sufficient as a facade.

Xu Jingyang nodded, “I have already made arrangements.”

Duke Wei felt relieved, and with his hands behind his back, he swaggered off.

“Father,” Xu Jingyang suddenly called out to him.

Duke Wei was somewhat surprised and turned back, “What is it?”

These days, Xu Jingyang would talk to him only when she had something to say, otherwise she wouldn’t bother.

Such instances of her proactively calling out to him were rare!

He even felt somewhat flattered.

Xu Jingyang said, “I just had dinner with the Ninth Princess at Clear Wind Residence and heard something. Second Young Master Fan was killed.”

Duke Wei was startled, then scoffed mockingly, “Serves him right! That old Fan Family, I’ve long seen they are no good. Their son used Soul-Stealing Powder and came to our house demanding justice. Their family fortune won’t last long. I’m not surprised by this Second Young Master Fan’s death!”

Xu Jingyang quietly watched him.

“I’m afraid people will connect his death to Sister Rouzheng.”

The autumn wind swirled behind Xu Jingyang, and her deep blue skirt swayed like the night sea, profound and vast.

Duke Wei was frightened into a cold sweat by her words.

“…Impossible! Xu Rouzheng, that unfilial offspring, would dare do such a thing? Impossible.”

“But they have a grudge. Sister Rouzheng lured Second Young Master Fan into using Soul-Stealing Powder, causing him to make a fool of himself in the street. It’s fine if she is suspected, but I’m afraid people will speculate that the Fan Family and our family had a disagreement, and then connect it to Second Young Master Fan’s death, and blame us maliciously.”

“Unbelievable!” Duke Wei was somewhat angry, “It’s our bad luck to be associated with them, those bastards!”

Xu Jingyang’s voice remained calm, “Don’t get too worked up, Father. If you personally send people to watch over Sister Rouzheng, and she stays safe, that’s the best.”

Duke Wei looked at her, “You handle this for your father.”

Xu Jingyang shook her head, “Many guests are coming to the Autumn Appreciation Banquet; I won’t have time.”

Upon reflection, Duke Wei accepted this.

“Alright, I’ll remember this.” He walked away with his hands behind his back, still muttering about the Fan Family being no good.

Xu Jingyang glanced at him and turned back to her room.

At this time, inside Xu Rouzheng’s room, she sat in front of her dressing table, touching her black cloud-like hair.

“Did I lose a hairpin?” she wondered.

The young maid currently serving her was Cui Mei, from the same batch as Cui Xi before.

However, Cui Mei was more loyal, and Xu Rouzheng gave her more benefits, so the other maids were dismissed, leaving only Cui Mei to serve Xu Rouzheng.

Cui Mei was seen continuously searching, turning over the clothes Xu Rouzheng had changed out of today.

Xu Rouzheng’s previous jewelry had been pawned to repay Xu Mingzheng’s debts.

Therefore, she only had one cosmetic box left, which was easy to search; one could see clearly at a glance.

“Indeed, a gold hairpin is missing.” Cui Mei, somewhat afraid of punishment, said cautiously, “Miss, please forgive me, I don’t know where it fell… Could it be on Second Young Master Fan’s cart?”

Xu Rouzheng returned on Second Young Master Fan’s cart; he sent her to the alley and left.

“Not likely,” Xu Rouzheng said.

She tried to recall. When she met Second Young Master Fan, she had dressed up specially, so she had worn three gold hairpins.

The hairpins were heavy. If they had fallen on the cart, how could she not have noticed?

Unless it fell in Clear Wind Residence!

Thinking this, Xu Rouzheng suddenly remembered that when she was leaving Clear Wind Residence, she had been bumped by a man.

The man was in a hurry, head down and didn’t look at her. He only said sorry after bumping into her and then left.

She hadn’t even seen his face.

Xu Rouzheng’s heart suddenly sank.

Could it be that it was stolen then!

It wasn’t just a pickpocket she feared, but someone with ulterior motives.

Moreover, Xu Jingyang had been to Clear Wind Residence tonight. Based on Xu Rouzheng’s understanding of her, Xu Jingyang always liked to surprise people; she was extremely deep in her thoughts.

She had to be careful!

Xu Rouzheng quickly opened the box, took out the remaining bank notes given by her biological father, Sir Sun, and stuffed them into Cui Mei’s hand.

“Take this money now and go to Jinji in the City and buy me an identical gold hairpin. The design is the magpie on the branch from their shop; remember, it must be exactly the same!”

Cui Mei was somewhat bewildered, “Miss, this is too much.”

“Take it all! Tell him to hurry, I need it the day after tomorrow—no, tomorrow!”

Urged by her, Cui Mei quickly left.

Xu Rouzheng’s heart pounded. She wanted to find out if Xu Jingyang had returned but dared not.

She would just wait. Perhaps, tomorrow morning she would hear news that Xu Jingyang had her arms and legs broken, and wouldn’t be able to hold the Autumn Appreciation Banquet!

As Cui Mei left, she unknowingly was followed from afar by a servant.

Xu Rouzheng had a night of sweet dreams.

She dreamt that her father, Minister of Rites Sir Sun, returned to the capital and came to Duke Wei’s Mansion for a glorious reunion.

She wore the finest silks and brocades and made Xu Jingyang and Duke Wei apologize, and Sir Sun, discovering her ruined face, reported it to the Emperor, who had Xu Jingyang flogged a hundred times to avenge her.

Xu Rouzheng dreamt like this and unwittingly laughed herself awake.

As the sky was beginning to brighten, she heard a commotion outside the courtyard.

“Cui Mei, what’s going on outside?”

“Eldest Miss is holding the Autumn Appreciation Banquet today, and many distinguished guests will be coming soon; the servants have been busy since early morning,” Cui Mei answered.

Upon hearing this, Xu Rouzheng abruptly sat up, her eyes widening in terror, her terrifying scar becoming more hideous.

“Xu Jingyang can still hold the banquet? She’s alright?”

Cui Mei shook her head, somewhat puzzled, “Eldest Miss has been up early preparing. What’s wrong, Miss?”

Xu Rouzheng’s heart sank.

Did Second Young Master Fan fail? Did he not manage to defeat Xu Jingyang even after using the Incense of Confusion? Or was he subdued by Xu Jingyang?

Xu Rouzheng wanted to go to the Fan Family to find out, but she was afraid that Madam Fan would find out, so she could only restrain herself, because today, she still had a very important matter to attend to—to annoy Xu Jingyang.

As dawn broke, the gates of Duke Wei’s Mansion opened, and the bluestone brick floor, washed clean with water, shone brilliantly.

Everything was ready, waiting for guests to fill the courtyard.