Chapter 152: Repaying The Debt

Although Xiao Dingfei didn’t know how she could consider such a large sum of money to be a simple matter, he didn’t ask any further questions. Having received her request, he busily went out of the palace that very night, enjoying the excitement of stirring things up.

Jiang Xuening, after returning to Yangzhi Zhai, began to ponder over the money issue.

The solution she thought of was actually very simple, and there was no other method at present. In her previous life, You Fangyin referred to this behavior as “harvesting money from money.”

But to harvest money, she needed an initial sum of money.

During this period, although Xiao Dingfei had “respectfully” brought her many things, most of them were imperial gifts and not suitable for converting into money.

As Jiang Xuening continued to contemplate, her thoughts turned to Xie Wei.

In the following days, the renowned Lord Xie noticed that his mischievous student had suddenly become obedient and compliant, behaving almost like a sycophant, as if she had taken the wrong medicine.

In the Fengchen Hall, her eyes were always wide open, watching him.

After class, in the side hall where she learned to play the qin and chess, she was unusually attentive, frequently offering tea and passing pens;

Even when they occasionally bumped into each other elsewhere in the palace, she was respectful and showed none of her previous impatience or reluctance.

…

When something is too unusual, there must be something behind it.

Xie Wei knew her personality inside out. 

He had long seen through her “sudden diligence and courtesy” as either an attempt to gain favor or to deceive, but he didn’t expose her, enjoying the service from his once arrogant student, just curious to see how long she could keep up this “filial” act.

Soon, the time for the next palace leave was approaching.

On that day, Jiang Xuening arrived early at the side hall, carefully brewing a pot of fine tea she had obtained from Shen Zhiyi’s palace and practiced the qin piece that Xie Wei would test her on.

When Xie Wei arrived, she first served him the good tea and then skillfully played the qin piece.

Xie Wei, with rare leisure, sipped tea while listening, occasionally glancing at Jiang Xuening’s expressions, noticing that she was sneaking glances at him after finishing her piece, which amused him.

As expected, the little liar hesitantly spoke next: “Sir, considering the progress your student has made these days, would you say I have reformed and improved?”

Xie Wei intentionally responded with a nonchalant tone, “It’s nothing special.”

Jiang Xuening: “…”

She held her breath, thinking about the tens of thousands of silver she had “stored” with him, and resisted the urge to flip out. 

Instead, her smile became even more sincere as she said, “Teacher, you’ve been diligently teaching me, and it’s always been my fault for not appreciating your efforts. I now understand that your strict demands were for my own good. I realize my mistake…”

Her flattery was truly endless.

Xie Wei’s gaze wandered over her face.

Standing there properly, she appeared to be a well-mannered and virtuous young lady. However, those restless eyes carried a hint of seductive liveliness, far from the look of someone who had “turned over a new leaf.”

He smirked, “Do you need something from me?”

Jiang Xuening knew this person was difficult to deal with, but she hadn’t expected him to ask so directly. 

She replied awkwardly, “Of course I can’t hide anything from you, sir. You know exactly what I’m thinking. Actually, it’s not a big deal. Recently, Her Highness the Princess is set to marry into another sovereign. She has always treated me very well, and I want to give her some precious gifts. But I don’t have much money left and am strapped for cash. I still have some money deposited with you, sir. I wonder if I could…”

Xie Wei’s gaze grew darker as he looked at her.

Jiang Xuening, under his intense stare, felt her voice becoming smaller and smaller. 

She felt the courage to ask for money evaporate, and cold sweat broke out on the back of her head.

In that moment, she even considered giving up.

She thought about going back to tally up her belongings, or selling some of the things that Xiao Dingfei had given her, which might also gather a decent amount of silver.

But unexpectedly, after a long look at her, Xie Wei said, “Come to my house tomorrow to collect it.”

Jiang Xuening almost doubted her ears. She looked at Xie Wei with wide eyes, not daring to believe it.

Xie Wei found her stunned expression amusing. “Come after noon.”

Jiang Xuening immediately nodded vigorously.

She poured out a stream of flattery: “Thank you, Master Xie! You are truly too kind to me. As the saying goes, ‘Once a teacher, always a father…’”

Xie Wei listened indifferently to most of her words, but when she said “Once a teacher, always a father,” his expression stiffened. Seeing Jiang Xuening continue her endless flattery, he found her beaming face somewhat annoying.

Jiang Xuening was still singing his praises: “In the future, I will study even harder to repay your kindness…”

Resisting the urge to throw the cup of tea in his hand at her face, Xie Wei smiled slightly, “You may leave now.”

Jiang Xuening: “…”

A hypocrite who shows one face in public and another in private, truly capricious! But, since he was willing to return her money, she decided to be magnanimous and not hold it against him.

Jiang Xuening didn’t think there was anything wrong with what she had said earlier. She collected herself, curtsied, and took her leave.

In the afternoon, she left the palace for a break.

The next morning, she went to see Xie Wei. 

She thought there might be some obstacles, but to her surprise, he gave her the money without any hassle, leaving her somewhat puzzled.

Only when she walked out of Xie Wei’s residence with the banknotes did she remember: This money was hers to begin with. 

Xie Wei had withheld it earlier, and now that she was being obedient, he gave it to her without fuss. Wasn’t that what he was supposed to do?

So, she discarded even the slightest doubt.

Jiang Xuening took the money and secretly went to find Xiao Dingfei to plan their next steps.

In Zhuoqin Hall, Xie Wei stared at the piece of wood that Lu Xian had just delivered. 

After thinking for a long time, he laughed and instructed Jian Shu, “Ning’er has taken the money and surely won’t be honest. Secretly have someone keep an eye on her and see what she’s up to. The little trickster is probably up to her old ways again.”

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