Chapter 355: Chapter 354: Oh My, This Is Serious
Aside from him, three people were absent today. The grand stage was not even set up; when he made a fuss, no one nearby was willing to join in the fun.
It’s not without reason.
Especially since Princess Consort Gong might be watching him every moment.
He kicked at the stones on the ground, following behind Princess Consort Gong, feeling utterly bored.
"Mother, I really can’t stay here; if I have free time to congratulate a little boy who hasn’t even grown all his teeth, I’d rather go drinking with Ji Ge."
Princess Consort Gong did not respond to him. At this moment, a madam came forward to strike up a conversation.
Ji Huo was about to say something else, but he looked up and saw Princess Consort Gong walking away, chatting and laughing with that person.
Just... ignoring him?
Or had she forgotten he was a complete troublemaker?
Unexpectedly, Ji Huo remembered that it was Prince Gong himself who had mentioned lifting the ban today.
This... made him unable to help but ponder deeply.
Ji Huo even suspected that this time Prince Gong intentionally let him make trouble.
This thought struck him, and Ji Huo took a deep breath.
"Princely Heir, I haven’t seen you in a long time, how have you been?" someone asked warmly with a smile.
Ji Huo was in a bad mood: "Pretty good, just really want to punch you."
The person smiled sheepishly, afraid that he might just get punched and quickly walked away.
Ji Huo felt bored, especially when he saw Wei Xiheng being pushed over in a wheelchair, pretending to be very gentle and elegant.
Wei Xiheng also saw him. Even had his attendant push him closer: "Heir Huo."
Ji Huo couldn’t help but whistle: "Limp Wei."
Wei Xiheng’s face stiffened.
The fragrance drifted by, and the conversation among the girls was melodious and sweet.
Then, Ji Huo inadvertently spotted a member of the Four People Gang not far away!
Ji Huo: !!!
He suddenly felt a surge of boldness! He even forgot to humiliate Wei Xiheng and walked over briskly.
Shen Hua had already taken her seat by this time.
Her lips pursed, it was evident that countless gazes were directed toward Cui Yun.
Cui Yun was talking with young scholars who came to seek knowledge. His tone was distant, but his guidance was on point.
Even so, the man didn’t forget to occasionally refill the teas for the girl of different ages next to him.
He seldom socialized, but couldn’t help it as too many people were looking for him.
Cui Yun, always polite and proper as a young man outside, couldn’t refuse such things.
Soon, quite a few people gathered around him.
Even though he had not glanced at those shy and timid girls, it did not stop Shen Hua from glaring at him.
Shen thought to herself, it’s one thing for Cui Yun to attract girls, but he attracts men as well.
Yet unexpectedly, he was caught staring by a man.
His speech paused briefly.
"Marquis Cui?" the people around him benefited greatly from his talk, but with no continuation, they couldn’t help but be puzzled and respectfully called out to him.
Cui Yun averted his gaze, calmly saying, "I just saw a cat waving its claws, got distracted for a moment."
The young scholars were somewhat surprised by Cui Yun’s explanation. Hastily agreeing, "The Zou Family too, the cat wasn’t watched properly, running everywhere."
Shen Hua: ...
I really deserve to die!
The girls didn’t understand.
That Jinsun hasn’t been brought out yet, and Cui Yun has already been held up like a moon, is this your show?
No! This is clearly Wei Xiheng and Ji Shimin’s show!
But soon, the girl’s attention was diverted. She carefully listened to the conversations around her.
"The Governor Mansion was robbed, who knows which reckless petty thief broke into Commander Yan’s study and left it in a mess."
Shen Hua quietly moved her stool closer to that side.
"Really? Why didn’t the Yan Family report it to the authorities?"
"They were going to report it, but it was stopped later."
"Truly detestable, nowadays all sorts of people exist, did the Yan Family lose any important items?"
"I heard that several paintings and calligraphic works are missing."
Shen Hua listened intently and leaned in closer.
"It seems the paintings are valuable, and the thief intended to sell them for money."
"Wrong."
The Purple-clothed Lady shook her head, then lowered her voice: "The several thousand taels of silver stored in the boxes in the study weren’t taken. Instead, they were torn into pieces and scattered on the floor. Even the porcelain from the previous dynasty inside was all smashed. Even the tribute carpets were burned to ashes."
As the group sighed in dismay, a small face the size of a palm came closer.
The group fell silent.
Before they came, they all received an order from the Fifth Princess, asking them to cooperate with the princess and make it awkward for the cousin from the Marquis Yangling Mansion.
To lose face in public, those with thin skin, might never dare to leave their mansion in this lifetime.
They had been waiting for a long time, and they did not expect the princess to be absent yet. Shen Hua arrived earlier.
Especially... accompanied by Marquis Cui.
It’s strange, usually at this time, it was Qiao Si who came, and Cui Yun never joined such hustle.
Shen Hua was completely unaware, instead, she nodded amiably and courteously to the group.
The group exchanged glances and reluctantly continued.
"Either way, spoiling anything valuable, this method makes the thief look less like a thief, more like someone out for revenge. Very strange."
Shen Hua listened intently.
"Strange, isn’t it?"
The Purple-clothed Lady glanced at her and didn’t speak.
Shen Hua tried hard to join them.
"Is it possible that the perpetrator is sophisticated and cultured, not enamored by wealth and despises trivial gains?"
Her words made the group ponder.
It was absurd, but it made things clear indeed.
Shen Hua continued her persuasion.
"To call her a thief would be inappropriate. Think about it, the Yan Family reported the case to the officials and then recanted, there must be a trick to it."
"Shen!" Ji Huo called out.
Shen Hua was slightly surprised to see him.
Upon Ji Huo’s arrival, the girls hurriedly dispersed.
Before she could speak, Ji Huo conscientiously added: "Today, you come, do you need to use my help?"
Shen Hua blinked.
She nodded towards a spot.
"Do you know who that is?"
Ji Huo looked over.
"I know, the concubine daughter from the Wei Family who successfully jumped ranks."
Shen Hua: "On my side, there’s no need for you to do anything."
She quickly changed the tone: "But Yingying needs it! You haven’t been outdoors these few days, do you know how she has been living? Every day she’s bullied by Wei Zhuzhu, we all hope you will stand up for her."
Ji Huo: !!!
His life gained meaning and ascended.
Ji Shimin arrived at that moment. As soon as she appeared, a group of women flocked up to her. Ji Shimin patiently sent them away, full of fighting spirit as she approached Shen Hua.
Her eyes fixed on Shen Hua, she didn’t see Cui Yun surrounded by others nearby, nor Ji Huo beside her entrapped in ’damn, I’m so important’. She also didn’t notice Xie Xun leading Xie Yinong toward them.
She walked over and looked down at Shen Hua, who was sitting demurely on a stool with both hands on the mat.
The moment she opened her mouth, it was to mock.
"Calling you here, you really dared to come? You really aren’t afraid of me dealing with you."
Cui Rong was busy searching for a cat. Seeing that something was amiss ahead, she hurried over. Before she could lose her temper, she saw Shen Hua turn her head and imperiously touch up her rouge.
That face quickly turned as pale as if it were coated with flour.
The lady then turned back, one hand over her heart, a pained expression on her face.
Cui Rong: ?? Learned.
Ji Huo: !!!
With her face ghastly white as if she might kick the bucket any moment, the lady spoke provocatively.
"Wow, this is serious."