Chapter 110: Little Liar, Obsessed With Money

Reluctantly, Jiang Xuening packed up and took her qin to Xie’s residence.

She had visited not long ago, and the servants seemed to remember her.

They led her from the gate straight to the Qin Hall.

The courtyard was planted with green bamboo, and the pond’s withered lotus leaves were covered with a layer of unmelted snow. Blue fish swam beneath the leaves, occasionally moving.

The courtyard resembled those in Jiangnan, which was rare and exquisite in the capital.

However, Jiang Xuening had no mind to appreciate it. Her thoughts were filled with Xie Wei’s scrutinizing eyes. She only snapped out of it when the servant said, “We’re here.” She quickly thanked him.

Xie Wei was leisurely standing by the window with a cup of tea, having waited for a while.

Jiang Xuening hesitated outside, not wanting to enter.

Xie Wei gently placed the tea on the windowsill and said without turning, “You dared to meddle in such a big matter, but now you’re afraid to come in and learn the qin? Do you want me to invite you in?”

Jiang Xuening’s face turned slightly pale. She gritted her teeth, carefully crossed the threshold, and bowed to Xie Wei. “Student greets the teacher.”

Xie Wei finally turned to look at her.

The girl was holding a qin, her head lowered, eyes seemingly fixed on her toes, looking like a timid and obedient young lady.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t very obedient.

Today, Xie Wei was at home, wearing a loose cyan robe. He pointed to the empty qin table, indicating she should place her qin there, then asked calmly, “Do you know your mistake?”

Hearing this, Jiang Xuening understood everything.

These were the words she had written on the silver notes!

So, Xie Wei had taken her money!

Jiang Xuening screamed internally but obediently placed the qin down and stood beside it, honestly saying, “I know my mistake.”

Her attitude in admitting mistakes had to be good, no matter what.

If Xie Wei said she was wrong, then she was wrong!

Unexpectedly, Xie Wei’s next question was, “Oh, what was your mistake?”

Jiang Xuening: “……”

She vaguely felt that if she didn’t admit her mistake first, she would suffer greatly. But to articulate her mistake was difficult because she didn’t think she was wrong.

Xie Wei threw the stack of silver notes on the desk in front of her, revealing the ink marks on the back of each note.

Her eyelids twitched.

Xie Wei said, “Didn’t you do well? Even the teacher was kept in the dark.”

Jiang Xuening felt his words carried a mocking tone, making her want to retort, but considering the power imbalance, she didn’t dare.

She muttered, “The matter was so significant, I didn’t dare trust anyone else.”

Xie Wei asked, “How did you know I would get these silver notes?”

Jiang Xuening was very honest, not daring to hide anything: “I had Jinyiwei Commander Zhou Yinzhi spread the word. I knew you would know, so I guessed it was you.”

But she was careful with her words.

She didn’t say “I sent Zhou Yinzhi” or call him by name, instead referring to him as “Jinyiwei Commander Zhou Yinzhi,” distancing herself from him to avoid making Xie Wei think she was secretly building her own power.

After all, she felt dealing with Zhou Yinzhi was like negotiating with a tiger.

If Xie Wei resented her for this, it would be unjust.

Xie Wei asked, “Why spread the word to me?”

Jiang Xuening suddenly found herself speechless.

Xie Wei’s gaze fixed on her face. When she glanced up, she saw the sharp scrutiny in his dark eyes and quickly lowered her head again, saying, “I didn’t know anyone else besides you. I thought if you knew, you might find a way. It was a desperate measure.”

A desperate measure?

Just like that?

Xie Wei paced around her twice, then suddenly laughed, saying with interest, “Do I look like a good person?”

Jiang Xuening didn’t dare say she was testing him or had other plans. She continued to lie, “You are also Yan Lin’s teacher, and you even held his coming-of-age ceremony. The Marquis’ residence was wronged, and they are loyal. If there was a chance to turn things around, I thought you might help. Now it proves you are kind-hearted, a good person.”

Xie Wei said, “Little liar, you speak better than you play qin.”

Her small mouth spouted flattery, her eyes darting around, her face showing a sweet, flattering smile, but not a word could be trusted!

Jiang Xuening felt extremely uncomfortable standing in front of him, wanting to move her feet or hands but holding back.

Hearing Xie Wei call her a “little liar,” she didn’t dare refute.

She bit her lip, thinking hard about how to get out of this situation.

Xie Wei said, “You couldn’t be sure it was me, but if it was, you feared I’d find out later. So you wrote it in advance. If the person with the notes wasn’t me, they wouldn’t understand; if it was me, you gambled right and wouldn’t lose.”

He was spot on.

Xie Wei’s mind was so sharp it was frightening.

Jiang Xuening was most afraid of standing before him. Now that he had seen through her, she had to admit it, saying softly, “You see everything clearly, teacher. I can’t hide anything from you.”

At least she was honest now.

Although Ning’er didn’t like Yan Lin, feelings couldn’t be forced. Just because Yan Lin liked her and treated her well didn’t mean she had to reciprocate. Given Ning’er’s usual arrogant and difficult behavior, it was rare for her to remember Yan Lin’s kindness and sacrifice 50,000 taels to save him and the Marquis’ residence.

Even if Xie Wei had a heart of stone, he wouldn’t harm her.

He lowered his eyes and extended his hand to her. “Did you bring the letter?”

When his people came to ask her to “learn the qin,” Jiang Xuening had a feeling about what would happen. She didn’t dare say a word and took the letter from her sleeve, respectfully handing it to Xie Wei.

She had given half of it before and the other half later.

She had put it all together in an envelope.

Xie Wei took the letter and quickly read through it.

He remained silent for a long time.

His expression changed subtly, becoming much more serious, with a moment of distraction and confusion.

Jiang Xuening watched him secretly.

He silently folded the letter and asked her, “Did you read it?”

Jiang Xuening felt a chill down her spine. She had feared this question the most before coming. Now that he asked, she knew he wouldn’t believe her if she said she hadn’t read it. She had to admit, “I read it.”

The letter revealed that Yan Mu of the Yongyi Marquis’ residence had proposed an alliance with the Tianjiao!

It was shocking!

Xie Wei asked, “You said before that you believed the Yongyi Marquis’ residence was loyal and didn’t want to see them wronged. After reading this letter, do you still think they were wronged?”

What a terrifying question!

Cold sweat almost broke out on Jiang Xuening’s forehead.

Who would think the Marquis’ residence was wronged after reading this letter? If she thought they were wronged, what was her motive? But if she thought they weren’t wronged, this was Xie Wei in front of her. Saying that would be asking for death!

However…

Jiang Xuening’s heart raced. She forced herself to stay calm and stammered, “That’s why I wanted you to judge. Maybe there’s a misunderstanding. Once the letter is presented to the court, it can’t be taken back. The political situation is so complex, I didn’t dare.”

“I didn’t know there was anything you didn’t dare to do,” Xie Wei said calmly, putting the letter away but not returning it to her. “What misunderstanding could there be?”

Jiang Xuening gathered her courage and looked at him. “I heard rumors that the Marquis wanted to find out the whereabouts of the heir who should have died with the 300 loyal children twenty years ago. He took the risk to communicate with the rebels of Prince Pingnan. If the Tianjiao were treacherous and used this as bait, the Marquis might have pretended to cooperate to find out the heir’s whereabouts.”

“……”

At that moment, Xie Wei’s gaze turned icy, piercing her as if to see through her in an instant!

Jiang Xuening trembled, looking confused as if she didn’t understand why he was staring at her like that. She stammered, “I was just guessing…”

Her appearance made Xie Wei realize his loss of composure.

Yes, how could Jiang Xuening have guessed?

He shouldn’t have shown such a reaction. He calmed his gaze and said, “You’re willing to find excuses for the Marquis’ residence. The letter stays with me. Do you have any objections?”

Jiang Xuening wouldn’t dare have any objections!

She was more worried about her life.

Seeing Xie Wei place the letter on the desk, she cautiously approached and said, “Although I read the letter, don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. It’s too important.”

She implied, could he not kill her to silence her?

Xie Wei had no intention of killing her, especially not now. But her words made her seem extremely frightened, making him find her somewhat annoying.

He wanted to say: If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll have your tongue pulled out.

But when he turned back, he saw her looking at him with wet, pitiful eyes, her slightly open lips revealing white teeth and a red tongue, soft and delicate.

A fleeting thought of a seductive spirit painted on a mountain temple wall crossed his mind.

Xie Wei suddenly remembered Lu Xian’s words.

But the thought came and went quickly, not giving him time to grasp it. He put away his impatience and said, “I have no such intention.”

Jiang Xuening finally relaxed, smiling. “Thank you, teacher!”

Xie Wei pointed to the qin table. “You’ve been out of the palace for a long time. Let’s see how your studies are going.”

He wanted her to play the qin.

Jiang Xuening looked dazed, staring at Xie Wei, hesitant to speak.

Xie Wei frowned. “What is it?”

Jiang Xuening bit her lip, looking very hesitant. But thinking of her 50,000 taels, she finally gathered her courage and said, “Teacher, did you forget something?”

Xie Wei asked, “What did I forget?”

Jiang Xuening took a deep breath. “The letter I gave you cost me 50,000 taels. Now the silver notes are with you. Shouldn’t you… return them?”

She looked up at Xie Wei.

His eyes were as cold as a winter night. She swallowed the rest of her words in fear.

Xie Wei understood what she meant. He glanced at the silver notes on the desk, then looked at her and said quietly, “Hold out your hand.”

Was he going to give them to her?

Jiang Xuening’s eyes brightened slightly. Though hesitant, she extended her hand.

“Slap.”

Xie Wei slapped her hand.

It hurt a bit.

Jiang Xuening quickly withdrew her hand, looking at him in disbelief, both scared and a bit angry, her eyes reddening.

Xie Wei said calmly, “I haven’t asked yet. Where did a young girl like you get so much money, and what for?”

Jiang Xuening: “……”

Xie Wei smiled slightly. “Hold out your hand, and I’ll give it to you.”

Jiang Xuening hid her hands behind her back, not daring to extend them again, fearing more questions about the money. She quickly smiled, “No need, it’s all for you, teacher.”

Xie Wei raised an eyebrow, looking righteous. “That’s too expensive. I can’t accept it. Don’t worry, I’ll return it. But it depends on how well you do in your studies.”

He pointed to the qin table.

Jiang Xuening: “……”

She suddenly wanted to curse.

Previous

Next