"May I know why Miss Yang asked to see me?" Tang Xiao asked anxiously halfway through the journey. He had only met Yang Zhiyun a few times, and he was certain that she didn't know who he was. He wondered whether he was going to be rewarded or punished.
"You'll naturally find out when you're there, but it should not be a bad thing," the maid said with a grin.
Not a bad thing?
Tang Xiao relaxed a little, but at the thought that he had spent 1 mid-grade spirit stone for 500 grams of rice, he immediately panicked and felt uneasy again. He had subconsciously already reached the County Princess' room.
"County Princess, Tang Xiao is here."
As the room's door opened, Tang Xiao finally saw Yang Zhiyun, who was sitting in the room and looking incredibly gorgeous like an untainted fairy, even though she was not wearing any make-up. He couldn't help but feel ashamed of himself.
"County Princess." Tang Xiao lowered his head and bent over to bow at Yang Zhiyun.
"I heard that you bought a sack of rice two days ago at a high price. Is that true?" Yang Zhiyun asked indifferently without even raising her head.
Tang Xiao's heart sank, and he had a lopsided smile on his face. He initially thought that it was just a small matter that would not spread to the County Princess. He reckoned that she had probably noticed because it had been spreading like wildfire and that she would probably punish him.
"Yes." Tang Xiao ground his teeth and continued. "I may have bought it at a high price, but after I came back, I returned the discrepancy to the county king residence. I definitely didn't embezzle the money."
"Why would you buy rice at such a high price?" asked Yang Zhiyun.
"I bought it from my close friend. I saw that he lacked business, so I decided to help him," explained Tang Xiao.
"Your close friend?" Yang Zhiyun looked up and wondered, Since it's his close friend, Tang Xiao might know the rice's origin.
"Yeah, he used to be a handyman in the county king residence. He left a few days ago."
Yang Zhiyun asked with a frown, "Are you referring to Su Yu?"
Tang Xiao smiled wryly and shook his head helplessly, for he did not expect that Yang Zhiyun would remember Su Yu.
How could the County Princess possibly remember the name of a handyman? Could the rumors that the County Princess chased Su Yu out of the residence be true?
"Do you know the origin of this rice?"
"No, but Su Yu is an upright person, and there will definitely be no problem with the rice."
"Okay, you are dismissed. I'll go to the market with you tomorrow."
Yang Zhiyun's words made Tang Xiao's body stiffen. He raised his head in surprise and said to her earnestly, "County Princess, it's only human to be vain. Su Yu's previous actions may have been outrageous, but you've already chased him out of the residence. Please, excuse him this time and give him a way out."
Tang Xiao was panic-stricken and afraid that Yang Zhiyun would make things difficult for Su Yu.
Yang Zhiyun waved her hand and said, "You are really loyal to him. Don't worry. I won't make things hard for him this time. You are dismissed."
Tang Xiao looked anxious, but he dared not defy her orders. He had no choice but to retreat worriedly.
After Tang Xiao left, Yang Zhiyun cast her gaze back onto the table to see that there was a piece of white paper on it.
The Phoenix
I've met an unforgettable beauty whom I dearly miss whenever I don't get to see her.
The phoenix flies and soars; all covet the phoenix. It's a pity she's nowhere near me.
I shall put my feelings into words as I hope to see you again, wishing for some comfort as I linger and wait.
I hope this finds you well, and I wish that we will be together one day.
Don't fly away and make me perish.
Her eyes were glassed over as she muttered, "Su Yu is a strange man. He's extraordinarily proficient in literature, and he planted such wonderful rice too. No wonder he wants to leave the county king residence."
…
In the following morning, Bai Xiaoya washed up, dolled herself up, put on a veil, and left together with Bai Xiaolong.
The Bai Clan residence was located in the downtown area of East Delta County, and the streets outside their home were extremely crowded, bustling with traffic and the sounds of humans.
She knew that her appearance would cause a huge uproar. Hence, she chose to cover her face with a veil when she went out so as to avoid unnecessary trouble.
It was currently bright early in the morning, and the two of them were walking on the streets that street stalls were rampant. The mix of the aromas of food filled the air. However, neither of them looked at the food and simply walked through the streets. They made a turn and began walking towards the market.
"Sister, we're here. This is where that person set his stall up yesterday," Bai Xiaolong said with a tone of disappointment in his voice because he saw that that spot was empty. Su Yu had not come over yet.
"Let's wait for him," Bai Xiaoya said indifferently in an ethereal voice. Soon, she frowned and looked at the other side of the market to see that there was a huge commotion going on as if something major had occurred. Everyone was moving toward them.
Soon, Yang Zhiyun's stunningly gorgeous face appeared in front of Bai Xiaoya, and the former was surrounded by countless admirers, most of whom were young masters of wealthy families in East Delta County. Tang Xiao protected her. However, no one dared to get near her at all. She was looking at them condescendingly, and it was as if she had been put on a pedestal.
As the princess of the county king residence, her background was known to all, and she did not need to wear a veil, like Bai Xiaoya did. She kept a higher profile too, and did not have too many scruples.
"Hey, isn't this the elegant Young Master Bai? Why are you here today? Didn't you go to the Youth Literature Academy to study poetry?"
That person's tone was rather sarcastic, thus causing Bai Xiaolong's face to grow sullen as he looked over.
That person was dressed in green with a blue ribbon around his waist and had an arrogant expression. He had a buzzcut, which was rare, and a menacing gaze in his eyes. His appearance alone made him seem extremely ferocious, and clearly, he was dressed like a warrior.
He was Wu Zhangkong, the son of one of the three martial clans in the East Continent. Unlike Bai Xiaolong, he had a good reputation in East Delta County and was a prestigious martial artist too. He was definitely far superior to Bai Xiaolong.
Although he was often dressed like a martial artist, he was very wise too.
The so-called Youth Literature Academy was the only school in East Delta County where the so-called famous East Delta County children displayed their talents. They would often use spirit stones as bets to showcase their talent in reciting poems. There was also a ring in the Youth Literature Academy, thus making it a good place for fans of martial arts and literature to meet each other.
Bai Xiaolong's incompetence in martial arts and literature caused him to become a laughing stock in the Youth Literature Academy. Wu Zhangkong was extremely sarcastic with his remark.
"Wu Zhangkong, you should mind your own business," Bai Xiaolong retorted in a low voice.
"Ah, no wonder. It turns out you've brought such a beauty out—" Wu Zhangkong sized Bai Xiaoya up frivolously, but soon, his gaze froze, and his pupils dilated quickly.
He apologized with cupped fists, "Miss Bai, I didn't mean to offend you. Please forgive me, Miss Bai."
He would have never expected that Bai Xiaoya, who had always been living in seclusion, would suddenly show up at the market. Besides, she seemed to have the same intention as the County Princess. He couldn't help but turn around to look at Yang Zhiyun and wonder, Why did the two of them appear here at the same time…