cold clothes

One night passed—

Leng Yi spent the whole night sorting out her feelings and decided to put away her rebellious nature and be a good person from now on. However, after leaving the dance studio, she heard two maids whispering to each other.

Of course, the discussion is about her; otherwise, she wouldn't have paid attention.

Leng Yi stepped forward and asked, "Are you talking about me?"

"I...I've met Miss Ningbi." The maid was terrified when she heard Leng Yi's voice and immediately knelt down and bowed her head.

The maid said in a flustered manner, "This servant did not mean to talk about Miss Ningbi. Miss Ningbi, you may not know, but your reputation has spread throughout the entire capital in a single day. Now, whether in the streets and alleys or in the mansions, everyone is talking about Miss Ningbi's righteous and fearless deeds against the powerful!"

“Yes, Miss Ningbi’s righteous indignation and deep affection are widely praised!” another maid said.

"And there's even more exciting news! Liang Shuyun committed suicide last night out of fear of punishment, and left a confession on the wall," the first maidservant added excitedly.

"What?!" Leng Yi's eyes widened in disbelief, her surprise mixed with a hint of stunned stupidity.

Seeing Leng Yi's reaction, the maidservant thought she was overjoyed and grinned, saying, "Everything I said is true. Miss has made a name for herself, and that scoundrel Liang Shuyun is dead. It's a double blessing!"

Double happiness... but Leng Yi felt only shock and no joy. It turned out that what Mama Hu said, "From today onwards, the whole capital will know your name," was true. Looking at the maid's adoring gaze, Leng Yi felt only a strong sense of absurdity.

It's like waking up to bright sunshine after a gray sky yesterday.

Leng Yi thought about it for a moment, and realized it was probably fake. Then she secretly pinched her thigh, and it really hurt.

Just then, Lingcao rushed upstairs. Lengyi had PTSD from the scene of "Lingcao running towards her," but this time Lingcao brought good news, and what she said was almost identical to what the two maids had said.

"Liang Shuyun committed suicide?" Leng Yi asked uncertainly.

"That's what everyone's saying." Suzuka was also confused.

"Liang Shuyun had a change of heart and committed suicide? How is that possible? He had no conscience at all!" Leng Yi still didn't believe it, so shocked that she even swore.

"I heard that Liang Shuyun went mad yesterday and kept laughing. By the time the jailer found him, he was already dead. There were bloody words on the wall. Judging from the appearance of the body, he died from hitting his head against the wall."

"Gone mad? He smashed his head and died?" Leng Yi recalled the last time she saw Liang Shuyun yesterday. Liang Shuyun did laugh heartily, but it was clearly the laughter of a smug villain, with cunning and lewdness flashing in his eyes. How could he have gone mad that night? That just doesn't make sense.

Leng Yi is no longer sure about any good news. Every time she thinks things are about to settle down, reality always throws a curveball at her, as if heaven is intentionally punishing her. She even wonders if this is Liang Shuyun's trick to escape.

"Yes, Miss Ningbi." The maid answered Lengyi's question hesitantly, wondering why Lengyi didn't seem particularly happy. Miss Ningbi seemed to be preoccupied with whether Yu Liangshuyun was really dead, but shouldn't she be more concerned about her fame? To be famous throughout the capital while still in the pavilion was rare even for women in history, let alone courtesans. Miss Ningbi seemed indifferent to fame and fortune; she was truly a strange person.

"That's fine then." Leng Yi waved her hand, signaling the maid to leave. She lowered her eyes, looking very tired. Seeing her lifeless appearance, Ling Cao's shock and joy turned to worry. She asked, "Ning Bi, what's wrong? I thought you would be happier to hear this news."

Leng Yi shook her head and said indifferently, "It doesn't matter whether I'm happy or not."

That's exactly what she thought, but to others, this news so early in the morning was like a bomb. Leng Yi wanted to become a ninja and fade out of everyone's sight, but this explosion somehow raised her attention to 100%. Her previous rebellious behavior was just a minor incident.

Leng Yi suddenly froze, because she saw Xia Hua glaring at her angrily. She was speechless, thinking to herself that she hadn't offended this little princess recently. Just as she was thinking this, Xia Hua strode over and slapped her across the face.

"Snapped!"

The crisp, loud sound silenced the entire third floor of the Jade Carving Pavilion; everyone held their breath and dared not utter a sound.

Lingcao was startled. She immediately cupped Lengyi's face to check, and when she saw the bright red handprint, anger overwhelmed her fear. She shouted at Xia Hua, "Miss Xia Hua, how could you hit Ningbi, Miss Ningbi!"

"I can fight whenever I want, why do I need to ask why!" Xia Hua said arrogantly.

"How could this be..." Lingcao was about to cry, and everyone around her was trembling with fear. As everyone knew, Miss Xia Hua was the highest-ranking person in Fengxiang Pavilion besides Mama Hu. Mama Hu's favoritism towards her was obvious, and no one dared to offend her.

Xia Hua slapped Leng Yi with all her might, leaving her head dazed and her face burning with pain. True to her nature, she would have slapped back immediately, but she held back and patiently asked, "Have I offended you recently?"

Xia Hua was somewhat surprised by Leng Yi's sudden change of attitude, but her arrogance would not diminish because of Leng Yi's show of weakness. She said fiercely, "It's a mistake for you to live in front of me. I wish you were dead! Let me tell you, Ning Bi, you can never replace me." Xia Hua took a step closer and said tough words.

Leng Yi's teeth ached from clenching them, and she tried her best to speak calmly as she looked at Xia Hua's face. "To be honest, Xia Hua, you've been targeting me from the very beginning, but when did I ever say I wanted to replace you? I didn't come to Zhuoyu Pavilion voluntarily; it was arranged by Madam Hu. If you have any complaints, we can resolve them in front of Madam Hu. Why humiliate me in front of everyone and tarnish your own reputation?"

"Are you saying you have absolutely no ambition to become the most beautiful courtesan? Who would believe that? Then how do you explain your performance at the Dali Temple yesterday?"

“That wasn’t a performance, I didn’t expect it to get out…” Leng Yi immediately retorted.

Xia Hua interrupted her before she could finish: "Who would believe you if you said that?" Xia Hua sneered, "Anyway, your reputation is now greater than that of the courtesan queen. Everyone is praising you, saying that you are the next courtesan queen! Stop being so smug. I won't let your wolfish ambitions succeed!"

Leng Yi laughed in exasperation: "What can I say to you when you're so indiscriminate? You only believe what you want to believe."

Xia Hua was also furious: "Fine, I'm going to find Madam Hu right now. If you really don't want to be the top courtesan, then get out of Zhuoyu Pavilion!"

After Xia Hua finished speaking, she lifted her skirt and left. Only after she left did the maids around her dare to breathe a sigh of relief. They wanted to say something, but after glancing at Leng Yi, they pulled their sisters away and walked away. They probably wouldn't dare to gossip about Leng Yi to her face again. Soon, the people around Leng Yi dispersed, leaving only wisps of smoke.

Suzuka finally couldn't hold back her tears and said, "Miss Natsuka is really too much."

"Don't worry about her. Madam Hu just spoils her. She doesn't have much power, just like me. Besides, Xia Hua only knows how to threaten people face-to-face. She's not the kind of person who would scheme behind their backs." Although Leng Yi felt heavy-hearted, she wanted to reassure Ling Cao. Of course, there were still things she didn't say—Xia Hua was arrogant but not a bad person and not very cunning. She was beautiful but rather foolish, which was naturally because Madam Hu spoiled her too much. She had also realized that the person she couldn't afford to offend most in Fengxiang Pavilion was Xia Hua, otherwise, given how much Madam Hu spoiled her, who knew what she might do.

That situation just now can be seen as the little princess losing her temper and throwing a tantrum because she saw someone else was better than her.

Even so, Leng Yi was still seething with hatred. She wasn't some weak, innocent girl who would just endure being beaten. If open confrontation didn't work, she would resort to covert tactics.

Leng Yi had a bit of an Ah Q mentality; he thought that being slapped gave him a reason to go to the herbal medicine shop, so he could consider it a blessing in disguise.

After Liang Shuyun was arrested that night, Leng Yi never went to the herbal medicine hall again. On the one hand, she was in a state of extreme confusion and was too lazy to see people. On the other hand, she was afraid that going to the herbal medicine hall often would cause gossip. After all, there were boys in the herbal medicine hall, and she didn't know how many people knew about Yin Jiu's existence.

Upon seeing the slap mark on Leng Yi's face, Doctor Xie immediately stepped forward with concern and asked, "What happened? Who did you offend this time, little girl?"

Leng Yi said, feeling quite aggrieved, "I didn't do anything. It was Xia Hua who went crazy and hit me."

"It's summer flowers," Doctor Xie exclaimed, turning to find ointment for Leng Yi.

Leng Yi sensed the helplessness in Doctor Xie's words and became curious. She pretended to complain, "Xia Hua is so domineering. She's always disliked me. She even hit me today, but no one dares to reprimand her. Is she some kind of princess?"

Doctor Xie paused noticeably before chuckling awkwardly, "How could she be a princess? You can't joke like that. She's just a relative of Aunt Hu's, and Aunt Hu dotes on her."

Oh no, Doctor Xie's words are just too obvious. Could Xia Hua really be a princess? Leng Yi's thoughts immediately began to wander: Is Xia Hua a princess of the previous dynasty? Is she hiding in a brothel to seek revenge? Could it be one of those stories where a stunning courtesan falls in love at first sight with the emperor, only to later discover that the courtesan is actually a princess of the previous dynasty, leading to a love-hate relationship between the two? Her mind was already filled with labels like "favored," "torturous love," and "the empire as a dowry."

"Hmm." The cool touch on her cheek brought Leng Yi back to her senses. Leng Yi obediently enjoyed Doctor Xie's application of medicine. Doctor Xie was much gentler than Yin Jiu.

"By the way, Aunt Fang, where's Yin Jiu? Isn't she here?"

"I don't know. That kid is always elusive. Maybe he's out having fun."

"That's great, we can still go out and have fun," Leng Yi said enviously.

Doctor Xie smiled and said, "Boys are like that."

Leng Yi smiled and remained silent, unconsciously lowering her eyes. She felt a little lost and her heart was heavy because she couldn't see Yin Jiu. However, she couldn't understand why she felt this way.

"Is something on your mind?" Doctor Xie saw right through Leng Yi and asked gently.

Leng Yi's eyelashes fluttered hesitantly a few times, then she shook her head and said, "No."

Doctor Xie looked somewhat dejected, and knowing that Leng Yi didn't want to talk about it, he didn't ask any further.

After Dr. Xie finished applying the ointment to Lengyi, Lengyi took her leave. Dr. Xie gave her the whole box of ointment and told her to apply it three times a day to prevent bruising. Lengyi felt a warmth in her heart and smiled as she said thank you.

The afternoon was for calligraphy and painting class, and unsurprisingly, Qingchun hadn't arrived yet, so Sun Mama, who was knowledgeable in calligraphy and painting, had to teach. Lengyi was most afraid of Sun Mama, not for any other reason than that Sun Mama would puff out her chest and glare at her every time she saw Lengyi's writing.

As Granny Sun walked around the calligraphy and painting room, Leng Yi involuntarily hunched her shoulders as she approached Leng Yi.

“Miss Ningbi,” Granny Sun said sternly, her eyes twitching as she looked at Leng Yi’s writing, “How many times have I told you? The strokes of the brush should be light and even. Writing too forcefully and too hastily makes it look ugly! Look, your brush is even splitting! Your grip on the brush needs to be correct!”

"Yes, yes, yes." Granny Sun began to teach again, and Leng Yi nodded repeatedly with a pained expression, hurriedly correcting her posture while practicing calligraphy with trembling hands and feet.

Calligraphy is really too difficult to master...

Suddenly the ground seemed to shake slightly, and Leng Yi almost dropped her pen. In her panic, she heard someone outside say, "Aunt Hu is here."

Leng Yi's heart skipped a beat.

Upon hearing their voices and seeing them, Hu's mother and Xia Hua quickly came into Leng Yi's sight. Hu's mother's expression was unreadable, while Xia Hua was much calmer, probably because Hu's mother had soothed her.

"Meet Madam."

"I've met Mom."

A series of orderly sounds filled the calligraphy and painting room, and everyone instantly became extremely cautious, their words and actions revealing a sense of trepidation. Granny Sun quickly gave up the central teacher's seat to Mama Hu and stood behind her, while Xia Hua stood next to Wei Feng, forming a row with Leng Yi and the others.

Madam Hu sat down and said, "I'm not going to waste time with small talk today. I've already decided on the rewards and punishments for this year's final courtesan competition."

Upon hearing this, Leng Yi's heart clenched instantly. She believed the other courtesan candidates were just as nervous as she was. She glanced at her friends out of the corner of her eye. Nong Yue pursed her lips and clenched her handkerchief tightly. Wei Feng's eyes and mouth were slightly open, displaying her usual innocent foolishness. Wu Xue's expression remained unchanged except for a slight tremor in her eyelashes. Xia Hua, however, couldn't suppress the upward curve of her lips, looking utterly confident.

Leng Yi understood everything. These rewards and punishments were probably suggested by Xia Hua and Hu's mother. It's so nice to be a child who is loved. You can get candy by crying and making a fuss with the adults.

Moreover, Leng Yi had a premonition that this punishment was specifically targeted at her.

"The one who comes first in the grand examination will perform on Xiuyun Lake during the Lantern Festival, while the one who comes last," Madam Hu tapped her fingers on the desk, "will be expelled from Zhuoyu Pavilion and forever lose the qualification to become the most beautiful courtesan."

Good heavens, Leng Yi exclaimed.

At first, the last-place finisher only experienced physical pain—after a few months at Fengxiang Pavilion, that pain had become "only"—and Lengyi was filled with sorrow—she never expected it to become a bottom-ranking elimination system. Lengyi felt she should apologize for her previous ignorance; she shouldn't have said Xia Hua had no power. Favor is a power, otherwise how could Bao Si, Daji, and Yang Guifei have brought ruin to the country? Xia Hua said she would get her out of Zhuoyu Pavilion, and she actually made it happen—truly impressive!