Chapter 49: A Brilliant Counterattack (Part Three)

Fifth Miss Tantai Xuan and Wang Ziyu never expected that at the hour of the eighth, during the midday break, anyone would be wandering around the Lotus Garden, which gave them a severe start.

Turning back to look, cold sweat trickled down their spines. It was none other than a group of their classmates, emerging one after another from behind the artificial rockery, numbering more than a dozen in total.

Walking at the very front was none other than Ma Yuantong, who was currently brimming with self-satisfaction!

Coming to the Lotus Garden during the midday break was merely a sudden whim shared by a few, though this whim had naturally been stirred up by someone. Reciting poems about lotuses and lotus flowers—now that the lotuses had withered and the lotus leaves were tattered, the only topic left to dwell upon was the lotus root buried beneath the mud. The tutor was going to test them in the afternoon with the lotus root as the theme, and someone had happened to mention the Lotus Garden in the back courtyard, causing everyone to rush over, only to stumble upon this deeply affectionate scene.

Even while still behind the rockery, Ma Yuantong had already figured out who was pulling the strings behind the scenes: who had praised the third miss's skirt with its lifelike lotus embroidery, and who had sent lotus root dishes to the tutor. Naturally, Ma Yuantong had no intention of exposing the third miss. It was completely understandable that the third miss wanted to clear her own name, especially given her entanglement with someone like Wang Ziyu!

Ma Yuantong was more than happy to play the vanguard and help the third miss untangle the mystery. To avoid suspicion, Third Miss Tantai Jing had not followed them, choosing instead to rest comfortably in her own room during the midday break. However, young Mingxin could not resist her curiosity, running over to watch the excitement and returning to report every single detail back to Tantai Jing.

"Third Miss, you really didn't see it at the time. That Wang Ziyu was scolded thoroughly by Young Master Ma. He was told that if he truly held no feelings for the third miss, he shouldn't have made those remarks at the academy entrance to ruin her reputation. Ma also said that since he fancied the fifth miss, he had no business remaining entangled with the third miss. He was scolded so fiercely that his face turned crimson, and he looked as though he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. It was utterly humiliating, yet he still had to repeatedly confess his wrongs!" Mingxin was so excited she hardly knew how to express herself, gesturing wildly with her hands for fear she wouldn't describe the scene clearly enough.

Suxin listened from the side, itching to applaud, and pursued the question: "And what about the fifth miss?"

"There were also several daughters of officials who went along. Among them was one with a very straightforward temperament who held the fifth miss in utter disdain. She said that it was one thing for the fifth miss to fancy Wang Ziyu, but to drag her own third sister into it and snatch a man from her sister was completely lacking in feminine propriety. The fifth miss's expression was dreadful, but Wang Ziyu came to her rescue, declaring that everything had nothing to do with the fifth miss and that it was entirely his fault, begging everyone not to misunderstand her."

At this point, Mingxin rolled her eyes and said with a pretty air, "Wang Ziyu praised the fifth miss as if she were peerless in heaven and unmatched on earth—it was positively nauseating to hear. Yet the fifth miss listened with delight, and right up until the moment she left, she was still gazing at Wang Ziyu with such tenderness that she practically wanted to melt into him!"

Tantai Jing listened from the side with a faint smile, her delicate face blooming quietly like a white magnolia. Now that the truth was out, Wang Ziyu was bound to cling stubbornly to Fifth Miss Tantai Xuan. Tantai Jing was quite curious as to what kind of mindset Lady Ye would adopt when facing this match.

Tantai Jing still remembered in her past life how Lady Ye had praised Wang Ziyu to her face. Now that such an extraordinary and peerless marriage had fallen upon Fifth Miss Tantai Xuan, she wondered if Lady Ye would go mad.

The atmosphere in the afternoon classroom had taken on a completely different hue. The daughters of officials who had previously paid little heed to Third Miss Tantai Jing were now crowding around her. Some of the more direct ones patted Tantai Jing on the shoulder, saying that if she ever faced any difficulties in the future, she could simply send a calling card to find them. Others, with gentle dispositions, patted the back of her hand, shaking their heads with pity as they said she had been wronged.

Sixth Miss Tantai Zhizhi had remained oblivious to what had happened all morning, only feeling that everyone's gazes toward both herself and Fifth Miss Tantai Xuan were somewhat different. After asking repeatedly, her classmates only met her with sarcastic jeers. In the end, it was inside the carriage on the way back to the estate that Fifth Miss Tantai Xuan explained everything that had occurred at noon!

Tantai Zhizhi felt a bitter resentment churning within her, wishing she could shred her handkerchief to pieces. She could not comprehend how she shared blood ties with Tantai Xuan, yet even if she wanted to turn the situation around now, it was impossible.

Looking at Tantai Xuan beside her, whose face was flushed and whose eyes gleamed with joy, the sixth miss narrowed her eyes slightly. It seemed she had no other choice; she could not spend her whole life behind Tantai Xuan cleaning up her messes. From now on, she must keep her distance from Tantai Xuan and never allow herself to be dragged down by her again!

Tantai Xuan returned to the Tantai Estate bathed in a radiant spring glow, entirely unaware that within the span of a single day, she had already been discarded by Sixth Miss Tantai Zhizhi. Her heart was now completely consumed by the prospect of becoming Wang Ziyu's bride in the future. Wang Ziyu was so handsome—if he wore wedding robes, he must look exceptionally dashing!

As soon as Third Miss Tantai Jing stepped down from the carriage, she saw Sixth Miss Tantai Zhizhi walk straight toward the Refreshing Studio in the main courtyard without even glancing at Fifth Miss Tantai Xuan. Meanwhile, Tantai Xuan, still oblivious, allowed her maids Feishuang and Feixue to attend to her as she headed back to Fragrant Blossom Courtyard to wash up.

Tantai Jing returned to her own Pear Fragrance Courtyard in high spirits. Tonight's Refreshing Studio was destined to be turbulent, and though she had no intention of adding fuel to the fire, she was eager to watch Lady Ye struggle desperately for Tantai Xuan's sake. She was also curious about how Tantai Shanchang would handle such a situation—would he lend a helping hand to Tantai Xuan? Probably not!

Mingxin possessed excellent running skills, and within a short while, she returned to relay the real-time situation at the Refreshing Studio.

"Third Miss, the Madam and the Fifth Miss have gotten into a fierce row. The Fifth Miss actually told the Madam that if she doesn't consent to her marriage with Wang Ziyu, she will hang herself with a strip of white silk! The Madam is so enraged her head is throbbing, but she doesn't dare call a physician. Right now, Taohong from the Madam's quarters is brewing medicinal soup!" Mingxin thought the third miss was simply miraculous for turning the main courtyard upside down while keeping herself completely clean and detached!

Mother Xu listened from the side with a chuckle and asked, "And what about the Master?"

"The Master has just returned and has already been invited to the Refreshing Studio by Liulü. Judging by the Madam's intent, she likely wants the Master to interrogate that Wang Ziyu. This servant heard the Madam shout that she wants the Master to throw Wang Ziyu into the dungeon!" Mingxin's eyes shone brightly; she was thoroughly thrilled by such a bustling spectacle and wished she could sprint right back to the main courtyard to investigate further!

Tantai Jing took a deep breath. The autumn air was wonderfully fragrant. She slowly stood up, realizing she ought to take advantage of the time right after dinner to go for a stroll!

Mingxin pursed her lips into a smile and said, "Third Miss, this servant will accompany you out for a stroll. We can just walk toward the front courtyard; this servant can go chat with my father for a bit, and the Third Miss can exchange a few words with the Master."

Mother Xu looked at Mingxin's blinking eyes, turned around to pick up a food box from the small tea table, and said, "Take this along for the Master as well. Having just returned to the estate and then hearing so many idle rumors, his body and mind must be burning with agitation. Let him drink some lotus seed soup to calm his temper!"

Mingxin cheerfully took the food box and accompanied Tantai Jing out of Pear Fragrance Courtyard.