After Jiang Ning'an returned to the Princess Mansion, she was still lost in old memories and in a rather low mood.
Meng Chun felt heart - wrenching for her but was at a loss as to what to do.
It was not until Lin Ji came and reported, "Your Highness, when we went out earlier, Chu Yu went to the pharmacy. She wanted to get some medicinal oil for treating bruises, but the steward there ignored her. Then she went to the mansion of the son - in - law and left with the medicine."
Hearing the news about Chu Yu, Jiang Ning'an finally showed a bit of interest. "Where did she go?"
"My men failed to keep up with her."
Jiang Ning'an paused in the act of sipping her tea.
Lin Ji was a secret guard specially assigned to Jiang Ning'an by the emperor. The secret guards under his command were all top - notch experts, yet they couldn't keep up with Chu Yu?
First, Chu Yu had completely taken control of the Princess Mansion. Now, she managed to shake off the tracking of the secret guards all by herself. How on earth did she do it?
The teacup was gently placed back on the table, making a soft sound.
Lin Ji immediately knelt on one knee. "I'm guilty. I'll arrange more men right away. I won't let her out of sight next time."
Jiang Ning'an waved her hand. "Assign more people to keep an eye on her. Report to me if there's anything unusual."
Lin Ji took the order and left.
On the other side, Chu Yu had already made her way to the residence where Xu Linchuan lived with ease.
When she arrived, she saw Xu Linchuan sitting absent - mindedly in the courtyard. He didn't even notice her arrival.
It was not until she sat down opposite him that Xu Linchuan finally came to his senses and forced a smile. "Yu'er, you're here."
"She was so rough. I was worried about you," Chu Yu said, her eyes filled with concern. "Brother Linchuan, does it still hurt?"
Xu Linchuan shook his head. "It's okay. I'm not seriously injured."
Fortunately, it was already pitch - black when he was thrown out yesterday. There shouldn't have been many people noticing him. Otherwise, his reputation would have been completely ruined.
For him, losing face was far more serious than physical injuries.
Chu Yu took out a delicate porcelain jar from her sleeve. "This is the medicinal oil I specially found. It's the best for treating bruises. Brother Linchuan, let me apply it for you."
Seeing Chu Yu's care, Xu Linchuan's eyes softened involuntarily. "It's just a minor thing. How can I trouble you? I'll do it myself later."
As he said this, Xu Linchuan took the porcelain jar from her hand.
In the process, he accidentally touched Chu Yu's skin, and his heart skipped a beat. His thoughts drifted back to the first time he met Chu Yu.
At that time, Xu Linchuan was on his way to the capital for the imperial examination. But not long after he left home, his silver was stolen. That silver was what his parents had saved by living frugally. Even if he went back, they couldn't provide him with more. So, he had no choice but to keep going.
The journey was much more difficult than he had expected.
He had no money, so he could only drink spring water and eat wild vegetables. After walking only a short distance, he hardly looked like a human being.
Fortunately, when he was at his wits' end, he met Chu Yu.
Along the way, he had told many people his story in the hope of getting some food, but they all treated him like a beggar and told him to go away.
Only Chu Yu, after hearing his story, not only gave him meat and vegetables but also a large sum of silver, which allowed him to reach the capital safely and achieve what he had today.
Originally, Xu Linchuan had been wondering how to repay Chu Yu. He never thought that they would meet again in the capital. What a wonderful coincidence!
Chu Yu had helped him when he was at his most miserable. Now that she needed him, he would surely not hesitate.
He must make up for all the grievances Chu Yu had suffered over the years!
At all costs!
---
The next day.
Just after noon, it started to rain heavily again. Although there were many pedestrians on the street, everyone was in a hurry. Only one person, dressed in a cyan robe and holding an oil - paper umbrella, walked steadily without a trace of anxiety.
His behavior was so out of place that it naturally attracted a lot of attention.
"Hey, isn't that Scholar Xu?"
"It really is! It's raining so heavily. Where is he going?"
"Judging from the direction... It seems to be the Princess Mansion?"
"Wow? This is strange! Princess Zhaoyang hasn't been pestering Scholar Xu these days, but why is Scholar Xu taking the initiative to go there?"
"Let's go and have a look!"
So, some people quietly followed Xu Linchuan.
Xu Linchuan stopped in front of the gate of the Princess Mansion.
The gatekeeper was so shocked that he rushed forward to drive Xu Linchuan away.
But no matter what the gatekeeper said, Xu Linchuan seemed not to hear and just stared fixedly at the gate.
The gatekeeper looked at the crowd of on - lookers not far away and didn't dare to use force. So he rushed back into the mansion and sent someone to inform Jiang Ning'an.
At that moment, Jiang Ning'an was enjoying the rain under the corridor.
Looking at everything within sight being washed brightly by the rain, Jiang Ning'an felt extremely comfortable.
"Tell the kitchen to get ready. We'll have hot pot later."
The red hot pot would be a perfect match for this bright scenery.
Meng Chun smiled and said, "I knew Your Highness would want to have it. I've already given the order. Shall I have it served now?"
"Sure."
Meng Chun made a gesture, and someone turned around and left.
But what came faster than the hot pot was a maid from the inner gate. "Your Highness, Scholar Xu is asking to see you outside the mansion gate."
Jiang Ning'an raised her eyebrows slightly. "What does he want?"
"Scholar Xu didn't say. He just insisted on seeing you..."
"Tell him to leave," Jiang Ning'an said without hesitation.
She was the noble Princess Zhaoyang. Could Xu Linchuan see her whenever he wanted?
The maid said, "Your Highness, we really can't drive him away. And there are a lot of common people watching. The gatekeeper... doesn't dare to use force directly."
Jiang Ning'an couldn't help frowning.
She had finally got in a good mood today, but Xu Linchuan just had to spoil it for her.
"Then let him stand there," Jiang Ning'an said indifferently.
Could a man even stop her from having a meal?
The fragrant hot pot was soon served. Steam rose up, and Jiang Ning'an completely forgot about Xu Linchuan standing in the heavy rain.
---
Outside the Princess Mansion, Xu Linchuan stared fixedly at the magnificent vermilion gate not far away through the rain curtain.
He tightly grasped the handle of the umbrella, and his knuckles turned slightly white.
He didn't believe that Jiang Ning'an could resist seeing him after he came in person.
He took a deep breath and then unexpectedly threw the oil - paper umbrella aside, letting the heavy rain drench him and make him look miserable.
He stood there like a proud bamboo in the torrential rain.
The on - lookers beside him couldn't help but feel indignant for him.
"The Princess Zhaoyang is too much. Scholar Xu has come to the door, but she still acts so high - and - mighty just because she's a princess. Does she really think she's something special?"
"Exactly!"
"Scholar Xu is a scholar. How can his body withstand such abuse! All the Princess Zhaoyang can do is bully others with her power. What else can she do?"
The voices of the on - lookers were drowned out by the sound of the rain. Xu Linchuan couldn't hear anything, and gradually, his vision also became blurred.
But he still gritted his teeth and persisted.
He still remembered that once when he accidentally cut his finger on a page while reading, Jiang Ning'an had found the best medicine for him and even bandaged his finger grandly, wrapping it with several layers of bandage.
She had paid so much attention to such a minor injury. She surely wouldn't just stand by and watch now.
Maybe she was hiding somewhere, secretly feeling heart - broken.
The wind and rain became even stronger, and he swayed slightly.
At this moment, someone finally appeared at the gate with an umbrella and ran towards him.
A faint smile flashed across Xu Linchuan's pale face.
She finally couldn't resist, could she?
But when the person broke through the rain curtain and held the oil - paper umbrella over his head, Xu Linchuan's eyes widened in shock.
It... wasn't Jiang Ning'an?!