Chapter 61: The Double Ninth Grand Gift (Part 1)

Tantai Jing had no idea what scheme they were plotting, and could only follow along the way, feeling anxious the entire time out of fear that they might be too young and cause some trouble.

By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, Tantai Jing originally intended to return the money pouch to Ma Yuantong first, but he was nowhere to be seen. Moreover, she was continuously pulled along by Ouyang Miaoqian and Song Jiali, so she temporarily set the matter aside, thinking it would not be too late to return it when she went to see Ma Yuantong off later. What Tantai Jing did not know, however, was that Ma Yuantong had already hurried down the mountain and left earlier, boarding a carriage bound directly for the capital.

Ma Yuantong had never intended to take back the pouch from the very beginning; that was merely an excuse. It was not that Ma Yuantong had deceived Tantai Jing, but rather that he simply did not know how to express his desire to give her a gift. Inside that pouch, there was not only cornelian cherry, but also a small jade token inscribed with his date and hour of birth.

Ma Yuantong thought to himself that if he worked harder, and then worked even harder to pass the imperial examinations and become a presented scholar, he would finally be qualified to stand by Tantai Jing's side. When that time came, he could loudly voice his true feelings and tell her that as early as the Double Ninth Festival, he had already given her his birth details, and from that very moment, he had considered her to be his wife!

Tantai Jing was completely unaware of Ma Yuantong's thoughts. Had she known from the start, she would not have accepted it no matter what. As for the other young ladies in the academy, upon learning that Ma Yuantong had left, they all felt a sense of regret for not finding an opportunity to speak with him.

Ma Yuantong was currently a highly sought-after catch. Several minor officials viewed him as a person with boundless potential and naturally hoped their daughters could secure such a husband. The eligible young ladies of noble families had all been quietly instructed by their parents and knew what was at stake, but now that Ma Yuantong had left, their opportunity was lost!

At the foot of the mountain, the young ladies of various households departed with lingering regret. Fifth Miss Tantai萱 had not gotten a single chance to talk with Wang Ziyu along the way and was currently feeling quite annoyed. Naturally, she knew nothing of Wang Ziyu's intentions; ever since Tantai Jing's birthday banquet, Wang Ziyu had maintained a distant yet ambiguous relationship with Fifth Miss Tantai萱, terrified that Madam Ye would pull some strings to ruin this marriage. Until he successfully married Fifth Miss Tantai萱, he was determined to strictly observe propriety at all costs!

Sixth Miss Tantai芷 was of a delicate constitution and had originally been unwilling to climb the mountain, but she could not bear to miss the opportunity to socialize with the people from the academy. After making the round trip up and down the mountain, she was already utterly exhausted and only wished to return to the estate to rest. Fifth Miss Tantai萱, however, wanted to find a chance to exchange a few words with Wang Ziyu. Seeing a group of male classmates walking together as if they intended to head to a restaurant for a meal, she twisted her handkerchief and said to Tantai芷, "Sixth Sister, how about I treat you to a meal outside? I heard that the wine-steeped duck at the restaurant ahead is exceptionally well-prepared. Isn't that your favorite?"

Tantai芷 glanced at Fifth Miss Tantai萱 twice, knowing full well what little scheme was playing out in her mind—she simply wanted more chances to catch a glimpse of Wang Ziyu. Without exposing her, and seeing no reason to refuse someone else paying to buy her food with their own money, Tantai芷 smiled faintly, nodded, and agreed.

A surge of joy washed over Tantai萱, and she hurriedly grabbed Tantai芷's arm, following closely behind the footsteps of the male classmates.

Not far ahead of them, Tantai Jing was also being linked by the arms of Ouyang Miaoqian and Song Jiali, following the others' pace. Although Tantai Jing did not know what they were up to, she had a vague inkling that it was directed at the troubles surrounding her.

Yet she had no idea what methods Ouyang Miaoqian and Song Jiali intended to use against that pair of twins.

It was not until Tantai Jing heard the sound of a young woman crying ahead, and saw Ouyang Miaoqian and Song Jiali swiftly pulling her aside onto the steps of a nearby shop just in time to witness the scene unfolding in the crowd, that she suddenly realized with a start: they were not targeting the twins at all, but rather Wang Ziyu!

At that moment, Wang Ziyu had no inkling that he was being set up, and was engaged in a lively conversation about life with several sons of official families. Originally, after Ma Yuantong passed the scholars' examination and won the favor of Education Inspector Zheng, who specially selected him to study at the Imperial Academy, Wang Ziyu's status had plummeted.

However, because of his deeply affectionate display with Tantai Fifth Miss, he had once again been elevated by the crowd, perhaps even surpassing his former standing. After all, one was a fifteen-year-old licentiate, while the other was the son-in-law of a principal of the fifth rank. Which one was more prestigious? Naturally, the latter!

With a smug expression, Wang Ziyu was reciting a poem he had just composed. Before he could finish, a woman dressed in cherry-red garments came straight toward him, weeping bitterly in a manner that aroused immense pity. Upon a closer look, she possessed quite a fair appearance.

The onlookers paused to watch, only to see the woman suddenly drop to her knees right before Wang Ziyu the moment she recognized him, pleading desperately, "Young Master Wang, I beg Young Master Wang to leave this humble woman a path to survive! I truly am unwilling to be sold into such a place! Young Master Wang, this humble woman will act as a beast of burden to repay your kindness!"

The crowd looked on in bewilderment, shifting their gazes between the woman and Wang Ziyu. Wang Ziyu had no idea why he was suddenly being beseeched in this manner, but the thought that he was walking alongside several noble youths and yet the suppliant had singled him out instead of anyone else instantly inflated his ego. Adopting a righteous and heroic demeanor, he said, "Rise to your feet first. If there is anything I can do to help you, I certainly will."

Upon hearing those words, the kneeling woman's face immediately broke into a smile. Tugging at the hem of Wang Ziyu's robe, she loudly proclaimed, "This humble woman thanks Young Master Wang! From this day forward, this humble woman shall be Young Master Wang's bondservant, serving by his side as a beast of burden!"

Wang Ziyu had not even processed what was happening. He had merely uttered a single sentence, and yet he had acquired a pretty bondservant out of nowhere? His own father and mother could barely manage to support him alone; how could they possibly afford to keep a bondservant?

Before Wang Ziyu could issue a refusal, Fifth Miss Tantai萱 bolted out from behind the crowd, shouting angrily, "Where did this cheap wretch come from, actually lowering herself to act as a slave and maid to others? Have you no shame left at all!"

To capture Wang Ziyu's attention today, Tantai萱 had also dressed up meticulously, wearing a peach-red, gold-trimmed, front-open vest, styled with double buns, and pinned with a bowl-sized golden chrysanthemum. Paired with her bright and captivating features, she looked all the more fiery and alluring. At this moment, this young lady, as charming and fierce as a red chili pepper, pointed directly at the woman in red and hurled abuses!

Sixth Miss Tantai芷 had failed to hold Tantai萱 back before the latter rushed out into the open. Seeing that Tantai萱 had already blurted out such unseemly words, she hurried into the crowd to smooth things over. She could not afford to let Tantai萱 lose face, because that would mean losing her own face as well!

Tantai芷 stepped into the crowd, wearing a soft pearlescent-pink gown, standing as still and graceful as a delicate lotus. In a gentle voice, she said, "Fifth Sister, I can understand that you cannot bear to see a young woman fall into degradation and wish to support her. However, Fifth Sister should also inquire why this woman is acting in such a manner; perhaps she has difficulties unknown to us."

Watching from the outer fringe of the crowd, Tantai Jing gently shook her head. Sixth Miss Tantai芷 truly was a capable person; any knotty predicament could be effortlessly resolved right on her lips!

Only this time, Tantai芷 would fail to resolve it, because the woman's very next sentence left everyone utterly dumbstruck with shock!