cold clothes

A wise person knows when to yield, and so does a petty person like Leng Yi. If Xia Hua makes her kneel down later, she'll quickly slide in and kowtow.

What Mrs. Hu said seemed to be an order rather than a discussion. They could only accept it and could not have any objections. Leng Yi had a lot of opinions, but she only dared to say them to herself.

"The November monthly exam has been cancelled. The four courtesans have been very busy lately, and the young ladies can now focus on preparing for the big exam."

"Yes," the girls called upon by Mama Hu answered in unison.

Mrs. Hu seemed to have nothing more to say, and looked at Xia Hua with a questioning gaze, as if to ask: I've said everything you wanted to say, are you satisfied now? Xia Hua tilted her head slightly, but couldn't suppress the smugness on her lips.

"Then I'll be going now. Study hard, girls." This was the line spoken by Mrs. Hu, sounding exactly like that of a head teacher.

"Respectfully seeing off Madam."

"Respectfully seeing off Mother."

After Mama Hu left, Granny Sun returned to her seat in the center. She wanted to regain her authority and give orders to the young courtesans, but she was speechless because Xia Hua was staring straight at Leng Yi, and the two were like needles pointing at wheat awns.

Granny Sun quickly retreated, after all, the young courtesan was the master of Zhuoyu Pavilion, and no one could afford to offend Miss Xia Hua.

The atmosphere in the calligraphy and painting studio was like a frozen block of ice, with crackling gaps between the summer flowers and the cold clothes, as if the ice would shatter at any moment.

The young courtesan's winter clothes all featured fox fur collars. Summer's delicate pink face was framed by the snow-white fox fur, making her as radiant as a rose. This reminded Leng Yi of violets on a snowy plain, where the ice and snow only made her more beautiful.

Leng Yi initially thought Xia Hua was quite pretty, but when Xia Hua glared at her arrogantly, she—found Xia Hua even prettier.

Although Leng Yi disliked her, Xia Hua's face was undeniably beautiful. From a young age, one could see that her features were well-defined, elegant, and exquisitely sculpted. However, finding someone beautiful and liking someone are not always the same thing. Some people can be so beautiful that you have no temper, but no matter how beautiful they are, you won't like them. On the other hand, some people can make you feel good even if you can't see their faces.

"Ningbi, didn't you say you didn't want to be the top courtesan? You'll get your wish in a month. Get ready to get lost." Xia Hua's pink lips curled into a sarcastic smile, exuding an air of noble aloofness.

"When did I say I didn't want to be the top courtesan?" Leng Yi asked, bewildered. "Although my mother arranged for me to come to Zhuoyu Pavilion, since she was willing to cultivate someone like me, I naturally have to work hard to repay her. I just said that I didn't mean to compete with you, Xia Hua, because we could have become the top courtesan together. But now, Madam Hu says that the last place will be expelled from Zhuoyu Pavilion. Xia Hua, what exactly did you say to Madam Hu?"

She's a master at playing dumb; how could a ten-year-old possibly outmaneuver her? Watch as she uses a boomerang-like maneuver to shift the blame.

These words successfully guided Breeze and Moon, who were completely confused. Moon couldn't wait to ask Summer Flower what had happened.

Xia Hua didn't tell anyone about her entanglement with Leng Yi this morning, but just said disdainfully, "I just think she doesn't deserve to stand with us, so we should kick her out."

Nongyue stared in disbelief: "So you're just targeting Ningbi?"

Xia Hua: "That's right."

“This…” Nongyue gritted her teeth in anxiety, her face even showing a bit of ferocity. “Since it’s a grudge between you and Ningbi, why not compare it with Ningbi alone? Why do you have to go to Mother Hu to change the punishment for the big exam?”

“Yes, yes.” Wei Feng, who had been speechless, nodded vigorously. Nong Yue’s words resonated with her. “Since you want to target Ning Bi, why don’t you have a one-on-one competition? The last place in the final exam will be expelled from Zhuo Yu Pavilion, that’s terrifying… What if I, I, have to leave Zhuo Yu Pavilion and never be able to come back! That would put a lot of pressure on us!”

Nongyue and Weifeng were both worried, but Xiahua just scoffed, "What are you worried about? Ningbi has only been at Zhuoyu Pavilion for two months, and even if the big exam comes in December, it will only be three months, while you have been studying for at least three years. Ningbi still can't recite the classics, her calligraphy and painting are like insects crawling, her dancing is like a zombie, and she can't even play the zither without breaking the strings. You can't even compare to her level? Then you are even less qualified to be the top courtesan."

Xia Hua's words were too harsh, and both Nong Yue and Wei Feng fell silent. Leng Yi, watching this scene, secretly chuckled. She had initially wondered why Nong Yue had spoken first, assuming Wei Feng would be the first to lose her temper. But after hearing Nong Yue's words, Leng Yi understood: she couldn't hold back anymore because her own interests were threatened, and she could no longer maintain her composed demeanor. Truly… At first glance, Leng Yi had thought Nong Yue was gentle and refined, but she hadn't expected her to be so selfish and hypocritical. Xia Hua, on the other hand, was so overbearing that she seemed somewhat upright; at least she openly stated her dislike for others without resorting to underhanded tactics. Nong Yue was outwardly gentle but inwardly cold, while Xia Hua was consistent in her behavior, eccentric and domineering—neither of them were good people.

At this moment, Wu Xue, who was standing outside the four people, frowned and stepped forward, saying, "Xia Hua, you've gone too far. Ning Bi isn't as bad as you say. Although she hasn't been here long, her hard work and rapid progress are obvious to all. I don't agree with your opinion that she will definitely be last in the big exam."

Leng Yi glanced at Wu Xue in surprise, not expecting her to stand up for her. Leng Yi appreciated the kindness, but it wouldn't do any good to offend Princess Xia Hua now.

Just as Leng Yi had expected, Xia Hua turned her attention to Wu Xue. "You mean three years of study is not as good as three months? Even if you studied with your head tied to the rafters and your thigh pricking yourself with an awl, you might not be able to catch up. Besides, Ning Bi spent half of those three months either in the dungeon or as a maid. Don't you find it ridiculous to be surpassed by someone like that?" Xia Hua suddenly thought of something and looked Wu Xue up and down. "Oh, if it were you, it might actually be possible. After all, you're a dance fanatic. You don't care about any other subjects besides dance. But the big exam tests overall ability, and you seem to have been last every year before."

Xia Hua's voice stopped abruptly, her face turning ashen. She exclaimed in a mixture of surprise and disbelief, "Hey, don't joke with me! Don't actually come in last again!"

"Who knows? After all, I know nothing about anything except dancing." Wu Xue's tone was nonchalant, yet tinged with a hint of mockery.

"Aren't you just trying to go against me?" Xia Hua's face darkened completely.

Wu Xue coldly replied, "Are you allowed to target Ning Bi, but no one else is allowed to oppose you? Where does this arrogant and self-willed mentality come from? Do you still think you have a title?"

Title sealed? Leng Yi was shocked by this word. Could Xia Hua really be a princess?

Wu Xue's words clearly stung Xia Hua, who, despite her stern face, couldn't find a rebuttal for a moment. Wu Xue's face was also cold, and the tension between the two was palpable, ready to erupt at any moment.

Netizen Lengyi: Let's fight! Keep breaking the news!

Xia Hua, her breathing rapid and her face flushed with anger, said, "I've lost my title, but haven't you also lost your status as a princess? Have you forgotten how your family was destroyed and your life ruined!"

Wu Xue: "I haven't forgotten, but what does this have to do with you bullying Ning Bi?"

Xia Hua: "Mom wants her to replace me. With her around, I'll never become the top courtesan!"

Wu Xue was stunned, and everyone in the room was also shocked. After Xia Hua finished speaking, tears welled up in her eyes, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Wu Xue lowered her voice: "Mom never said that, you're just being presumptuous."

“Yes, she told me the night before Ningbi entered Zhuoyu Pavilion… I don’t understand, what makes her better than me? What makes her superior to me? Is it just those blue eyes?” Xia Hua turned her head and glared at Leng Yi fiercely. “She’s not one of us, so why? Why should she become the top courtesan?”

Nongyue cut to the chase: "So in the end it's still a competition between you and Ningbi, right?"

Xia Hua gritted her teeth: "Yes."

“Then you shouldn’t have dragged us into this.” Nongyue’s expression was exceptionally cold. “Xia Hua, you’re not the only one who wants to become the top courtesan, you’re not the only one with deep-seated hatred. Madam Hu wants to replace you with Ningbi. Have you ever thought about why Madam Hu is doing this? Have you ever asked her? You always act according to your own ideas and implicate innocent people. I’ve really had enough of you.”

This was the first time Nongyue had said something so harsh, and Xia Hua was completely stunned. "You mean... it's all my fault?"

"Otherwise what?" Nongyue scoffed.

"You think so too?!" Xia Hua turned to look at Wei Feng and Wu Xue.

Wu Xue had a cold face, while Wei Feng hesitated and dared not speak.

Xia Hua's body trembled. She didn't know why things had turned out this way. She just wanted to kick Ning Bi, this uninvited guest, out, but why was her friend, whom she spent every day with, treating her like this?

"Look at me however you want!" Xia Hua roared, "Mom has said it and can't change it, so you all just struggle to avoid being last! You bunch of... good-for-nothings!" After saying that, Xia Hua ran out. Leng Yi saw her tears streaming down her face like a broken dam. She guessed that she was hiding somewhere and crying secretly.

Today's drama was truly spectacular… Leng Yi thought: Xia Hua originally wanted to ostracize me, but ended up being the one ostracized by everyone, making her seem pitiful yet secretly satisfying. She'd heard the word "revenge" countless times at Fengxiang Tower, but Xia Hua and Wu Xue's identities were astonishing—one a princess, the other a county princess? Then Nong Yue Wei Feng's status couldn't be low either. Wow, this whole room is full of strong female protagonists from revenge novels! Looking at it this way, I definitely feel out of place, like a sunny, cheerful young man in a murder mystery game.

-

After that, Xia Hua was not seen all day. The others were also practicing their own things. On evenings with dance classes, the nanny was more lenient. Leng Yi thought it over carefully and decided that she should seize every second and take the initiative.

Recently, the courtesans have rarely come to Zhuoyu Pavilion to give lessons. It's fine with Qingchun, but Yunqiu, Nuandong, and Liuxia have all come less frequently. In the last seven days, Yunqiu hasn't come even once.

Leng Yi's intuition told her that Yun Qiu was up to something recently. However, she had promised to help her pass the year-end exam, and now that things had turned out this way, Yun Qiu had a responsibility to cover for her. Since Yun Qiu wasn't coming, Leng Yi took the initiative to find her.

Leng Yi asked any of the nannies, "Nanny, do you know where Sister Yunqiu lives? She hasn't come for the past few days, and I have some questions about my studies that I'd like to ask her."

"Yunqiu, the courtesan, has her Jade Steps Pavilion to the southeast of Zhuoyu Pavilion, opposite Nuandong, the courtesan, Sijing Pavilion. It's getting late, so this old servant will take Miss Ningbi there," the old woman said, bowing.

"That's wonderful, thank you for your trouble, Granny."

"No need for that, Miss Ningbi, please put on your cloak and hand warmer so you don't catch a cold."

"Okay, thank you, Granny."

Leng Yi put on her cloak, grabbed her hand warmer, and waited for her with a lantern and umbrella. She slipped under the umbrella, its surface painted with a red plum blossom, and moved slowly in the dim moonlight.

"The snowy road is slippery, Miss Ningbi, please be careful," the nanny carefully reminded her. Ningbi thanked her repeatedly, and the nanny humbly replied that she didn't deserve it, but even though she said no, she was secretly pleased. She was pleasantly surprised to find that Miss Ningbi was clearly humble and kind, completely different from the arrogant and conceited persona of the rumors. Moreover, Miss Ningbi's heroic act of taking matters into court had already spread throughout the capital. She was one of the very few courtesans in the past decade or so who had already gained a reputation before becoming the top courtesan—truly remarkable. Thinking this way, the nanny looked at Lengyi with increasing admiration; those blue eyes that had previously been described as demonic now seemed like a symbol of a celestial being descended to earth.

Upon arriving at the Jade Steps Pavilion, Leng Yi kindly told the nanny to go back first and not wait for her, but the nanny insisted on waiting. Leng Yi couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she gave up, thinking that she shouldn't need much time.

Leng Yi revealed her identity and purpose to the maid of Yu Jie Xuan, and the maid then led Leng Yi to Yun Qiu's boudoir.

Jade Steps Pavilion is much larger than Jade Carving Pavilion. There are pavilions and flowers in the courtyard. It is not surprising that the red plum blossoms, which are known for their proud character, are blooming in the winter snow. Along the way, Leng Yi could smell a faint fragrance, like the scent on Yun Qiu. The subtle fragrance was quite poetic.

The fragrance grew stronger and stronger. Leng Yi saw the carved door at the end of the corridor. Standing in front of the door was Yi Lian, Yun Qiu's personal maid. The maid relayed Leng Yi's purpose to Yi Lian. Yi Lian nodded and said, "Miss Ning Bi, please wait a moment. I will go in and inform you."

After saying that, he opened the door and was about to go in, but as soon as he opened the door a crack, he heard a woman's high-pitched moans coming from inside.

Leng Yi didn't understand what Yun Qiu was doing at first, but as strange and unfamiliar moans rang out one after another, sometimes loud and sometimes soft, Leng Yi gradually understood what it meant, and her cheeks immediately turned red with embarrassment.

She should have known that nighttime was the opening hour of Fengxianglou, and it would have been too embarrassing to bump into Yunqiu at work.

Yilian went in and came out a while later to tell her, "Miss Ningbi, you may go in now."

Leng Yi said, feeling embarrassed, "They're still operating inside, aren't they? Would it be inappropriate for me to go in?"

Yilian earnestly told her, "Miss said that this is something Miss Ningbi will experience sooner or later, so it doesn't matter if we look at it now."

Leng Yi: "..."

Leng Yi went inside with a bad feeling. Strange noises continued, and Leng Yi glanced at the bed before immediately covering her eyes.

Oh no, I'm going to get a sty!

However, Leng Yi felt something was off. She seemed to have seen the man under Yun Qiu somewhere before.

Isn't that Qingyou?