It seemed that the big brother was enjoying the attention of the crowd, standing in the center like a fighting rooster, oblivious to the displeasure of the people around him. He continued to loudly curse, “I just can’t stand seeing a pretty boy like that being praised as if he’s a God! Nonsense! What ‘First Son of the Great Liang’? Disgusting!
“He’s just relying on his Grand Princess mom and Empress aunt, right? What skill is there in depending on women!” The big brother became more enthusiastic as he spoke. He grabbed a wine cup from the table, drank a gulp, wiped his mouth, and added, “If he participates in the martial arts exam, I’ll make sure he knows how weak he is!”
Whispers started among the onlookers. Even ordinary people in the capital had some discernment; they wouldn’t believe everything they hear, especially considering they have seen Lu Zhao before and didn’t find him as repulsive as the big brother claimed.
No one dared to speak out against the big brother, but they all secretly thought he was too stubborn. Openly insulting the Duke’s mansion and the heir was very risky. If someone reported this, not only will he be disqualified from the martial arts exam, but his future prospects might also be affected.
On the second floor, Shen Qingyao listened with widened eyes, finding it hard to believe what she’s hearing.
“What did I just hear? ‘Pretty boy’? Did he just call Lu Zhao ‘pretty boy’?” Does he have some misunderstanding about this term? Shen Qingyao wondered.
Lu Zhao is indeed good-looking, with a kind of elegant grace that is not tainted by worldly concerns. But, he is not feminine but rather handsome and dignified. How can someone call him ‘pretty boy’? Shen Qingyao’s anger rose a bit.
[Calm down, Host. Every story has its abnormal NPCs. It’s normal.] The system comforted her, though it also founds the big brother absurd.
“But this is too unreasonable! He suddenly attacked Lu Zhao for no reason!” Shen Qingyao couldn’t calm down. White Moonlight her fiancé now. She could criticize him, but others couldn’t insult him!
“What does the martial arts exam prove? Lu Zhao has won several battles after that!” Shen Qingyao puffed her cheeks, wishing she could rush forward and gave spoilers of the future.
The big brother continued, thinking that the lack of response from the crowd meant they agreed with him. He became even more pleased. “Lu Zhao is just a hypocrite! What’s so special about writing a few sour articles? If he’s capable, let him participate in the martial arts exam!”
Shen Qingyao clenches her fists. In Liang Empire, there are regulations that one person can only participate in either the literary or martial arts exam during the Spring Examination. Otherwise, with Lu Zhao’s abilities, he could easily pass both!
“To blatantly shout without regard for the law, what kind of behavior is this!” Shen Qingyao murmured, very dissatisfied. With a clang, she slammed her jade fox on the table. Suddenly, she turned to Cui Qiao and said, “Cui Qiao, can you find a way to shut him up?”
Shen Qingyao regretted letting her Elder Sister go so early. If her Elder Sister was here, with her Elder Sister’s aura and abilities, her Elder Sister could easily put this person in his place. But now, beside Cui Qiao and two seemingly non-threatening guards, she had nothing…
Cui Qiao hesitates for a moment, seeming to understand her thoughts. “Miss, we do have two guards, but… the people below seem well-dressed, and we don’t know if this person has others behind him directing him. It might not be wise to act rashly…”
Since the Spring Examination is close, there were all sorts of people in the capital. Cui Qiao wasn’t worried about offending people; but she was worried about Shen Qingyao, a young girl, staying alone. If there’s any danger, Shen Qingyao might not be able to handle it.
Shen Qingyao understoods Cui Qiao’s point. As a female cannon fodder, she indeed didn’t have the qualifications or abilities to intervene recklessly. But she couldn’t help feeling angry.
“I’m so angry!” Shen Qingyao collapsed on the table as if deflated. In her ears, she could hear the big brother continued to spew vulgar language without pause. She wrinkled her face in disgust, feeling extremely frustrated. Why did it feel more uncomfortable when someone scolded Lu Zhao than when they scolded her?
“What’s making you angry? Who upset little Yaoyao?” A familiar voice sounded from behind. Before Shen Qingyao could turn around to look, a hand with distinct knuckles landed on her head, gently tousling her hair.
Shen Qingyao turned her head to find Lu Zhao standing behind her, smiling. He seemed completely unaffected by the vulgar language downstairs.
“When did you arrive?” Shen Qingyao asked, and at the moment Lu Zhao appeared, some of her frustration seemed to dissipate. However, she quickly straightened up and pointed downstairs with a puzzled expression, as if asking him if he hadn’t heard what was being said.
“Just arrived,” Lu Zhao answered with a smile and answered her first question. Then he casually glanced down, seemingly just noticed there was someone downstairs. He continued nonchalantly, “Oh, that guy? Just saw him. What was he saying? I wondered why everyone was staring at me when I came in.”
“Huh?” Lu Zhao came up from downstairs? Shen Qingyao widened her eyes and looked down again. The big brother was clearly in a good mood and didn’t seem to know the person he was talking about had arrived.
“He doesn’t know you?” How could he be so enthusiastic in scolding Lu Zhao without even recognizing him?
“Should he know me?” Lu Zhao replied with a smirk, playing along with her words. Shen Qingyao rolled her eyes; she didn’t believe Lu Zhao didn’t know what the man was saying. It didn’t matter anyway.
But Shen Qingyao was still upset. She felt it couldn’t end like this. Tugging on Lu Zhao’s sleeve, she gestured for him to sit down. She was tired of leaning back and looking up at him.
When Lu Zhao obediently sat down, Shen Qingyao leaned forward, her eyes full of seriousness. “He’s scolding you!”
Lu Zhao took over the tea-pouring task that Shen Qingli had just done earlier. He held the jade-white teapot with his slender fingers. His gestures were so elegant that he didn’t even spare a glance at the person downstairs. He nodded and said, “I know, but no need bother with him, alright?”
“Aren’t you angry? He’s slandering you without even knowing you!” Reputation before the examination was crucial, and the man downstairs was clearly maliciously tarnishing Lu Zhao’s name. Shen Qingyao stopped halfway, suddenly realizing, “Could someone be manipulating him from behind? Who could it be?”
Lu Zhao pushed a cup of tea towards her. “Eating too many sweets can be cloying. Have some tea; the newly harvested Mao Jian tea of the Xue Mountain is quite good this season.”
“…” Clearly, he knew but refused to tell her. Shen Qingyao pouted; she was genuinely angry for him, but he seemed not to care at all. She fell silent, gazing at him pensively.
This somehow pleased Lu Zhao, who laughed heartily, imitating her by leaning on the table. He suddenly came closer, with a scent of cold fragrance around him. He brought his face close to her ears and asked in a low voice, “Why is Yaoyao so angry?”
“I’m not angry.” What was there to be angry about? If the person involved wasn’t upset, why should she be? She said expressionlessly, leaned back, and sipped her tea.
Lu Zhao stifled his laughter with his fist, making Shen Qingyao want to shove the teacup into his mouth.
“This gentleman, why do you keep talking about martial arts? Everyone knows that Young Master Lu is participating in the literary examination. If you are truly interested, why not join the literary examination yourself? You can compete with Young Master Lu.” Suddenly, a voice from the crowd mocked the big brother, who had muscles but lacked literary talent. Shen Qingyao laughed.
There were many onlookers. The big brother was stunned for a moment after being interrupted. Unable to find who to speak to for a moment, he revealed a cold light in his eyes and shouted, “Who! Who is talking!”
No one stepped forward, but the voice continued, “Even if it’s the martial arts exam, Young Master Lu has been practicing martial arts since childhood. It’s not certain that he will lose.”
Shen Qingyao heard this and raised her mouth slightly, thinking that this person was indeed understanding. The eyes of the masses were truly sharp!
The big brother who was retorted by the remark suddenly stopped, his face turning red, and he cursed loudly, “Damn it! That little pretty boy, with a few tricks, wouldn’t last three moves against me!”
Shen Qingyao raised her eyebrows and looked back at Lu Zhao. Did you hear that? They’re calling you a pretty boy with just a few tricks!
Lu Zhao was pouring tea and didn’t react much to the words. His hands were steady, not even causing a ripple in the water stream. Shen Qingyao’s little expression amused him, and he chuckled twice.
“Is this White Moonlight deaf?” Shen Qingyao didn’t really want to see him angry, but she was just thinking about how good his mental strength was. He remained unmoved, and the blackening value above his head didn’t even appear. Not to mention an increase, there was no sign of any inner turmoil.
The system pretended to be profound and said, [That’s why he’s the White Moonlight…]
Shen Qingyao pursed her lips, finding it strange.
“Is Yaoyao hoping to see me angry?” Lu Zhao seemed to sense her ‘disappointment,’ smiled, and then said seriously, “I’m actually quite angry.”
Are you angry with that smiling face? Shen Qingyao remained expressionless, thinking, is he trying to comfort a child?
Just as she was about to say something, she saw the blackening value above Lu Zhao’s head slowly appearing…
…? He wasn’t lying to me? Is he really angry? Now?
This delay is long enough. Could it be that the blackening value is going to rise? Shen Qingyao stared at the number that hadn’t been seen for a long time, her expression changing several times. She thought of slapping herself in the face. Why did she expect and tease for no reason? Now it’s good! It’s happening!
Panicking, Shen Qingyao quickly shook her head, “No! No! Don’t be angry!”
In her confusion, she clenched her hand and accidentally touched the jade fox in her hand.
Oh, right! Shen Qingyao reacted and handed out the jade fox in her hand, trying to please him, “Elder Brother Lu Zhao, don’t be angry! Look! I bought a gift for you! Don’t be angry!”
Lu Zhao was stunned, suddenly seemed to understand something. So this girl cared so much about whether he was angry or not, because she wanted an excuse to give him something? He raised an eyebrow, lowered his head to look at the palm of Shen Qingyao’s hand. The little fox was cute and white, but he felt very familiar. This is…
“Did you choose this?”
Whether it was Shen Qingyao’s illusion or not, she felt that Lu Zhao’s expression became even stranger. Thinking that he might not like foxes, after all, it’s not a auspicious beast, it’s normal for some people not to like it. But she had nothing else on hand, so she had to nod her head and prepare to persuade him.
“Yes! This little fox is so cute! Don’t look at it not being a auspicious beast, it’s clever! Clever and good-looking! Just like Elder Brother Lu Zhao!” Shen Qingyao, seeing Lu Zhao’s still hesitant expression, continued, “And look how unique it is! The person who designed this pendant must be very talented! To make it so lifelike!”
The girl was praising enthusiastically, not noticing that Lu Zhao’s smile was becoming more and more intense.
“So, thank you for your praise, Yaoyao…” Lu Zhao took the jade fox, the pendant warmed by the girl’s hand, and as soon as he held it, he felt warm all over.
“Huh? Did I praise him?” Shen Qingyao complained to the system in a hurry.
Before the system could respond, Lu Zhao continued to explain, “I didn’t expect Yaoyao to like the jade pendant I made. In the future, I’ll design a few more for you!”
What? What is he designing? Did he design this fox?
Thinking of her Elder Sister’s subtle gaze when she chose the little fox and Lu Zhao’s reaction just now, Shen Qingyao understood. Today’s social death mission has been overfulfilled. She actually praised this fox for half a minute in front of Lu Zhao!
Lu Zhao held the fox as if he couldn’t bear to let it go. Shen Qingyao clenched her fist and looked over. Luo Zhao smiled while the number above his head finally changed.
[ 12 ]
Shen Qingyao endured for a long time before refraining from swinging her fist.
Indignant and aggrieved, she complained to the system, “What does he mean!? When others insult and mock him, he has no reaction! I get angry for him, send him gifts, but his blackening value increased? Is he even human? If he doesn’t like what he designed, he should have said it earlier! And why did it increase by two points?! If he doesn’t like it, just give my fox back! If he doesn’t like me, he should say so!
“Acting like he loves it while blackening! Why is he so good at acting!!!”
Thank you!