ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 75
Seeing that Su Tangyu’s expression was not good, Li Zhizhi carefully comforted her, saying, “Don’t worry, for now, it’s just my word against his. There are no witnesses, and no physical evidence. If I really made a mistake and it ruins your relationship, then it’s my fault.”
Su Tangyu’s eyes turned red, she sniffed and said, “What should I do? When he said those things, I felt strange…”
“What things?”
Su Tangyu then recounted in detail the day when Song Lingyun criticized Li Zhizhi. She continued with tearful eyes, “He later admitted his mistake to me, saying he won’t easily trust others again. Now thinking about it, he must have been trying to appease me.”
Li Zhizhi didn’t expect that Song Lingyun would do such a foolish thing. In her mind, she couldn’t help but mock him, realizing that he had dug a pit for himself.
But she pretended to be surprised and said, “There’s such a thing? I can’t believe it. Cousin Song is actually like this…”
Su Tangyu became even sadder, pouting and saying, “We’ve known each other since childhood, and he confessed his love first. After so many years of friendship, how can he treat me like this now?”
Li Zhizhi continued to comfort her for a long time, being careful not to say too many bad things about Song Lingyun. After so much time together, she knew Su Tangyu very well. Despite her seemingly straightforward nature, she was actually a person with a soft heart. Even when Jiang Ziyu treated her badly, she could endure it and always indulged the other party, being careful and considerate.
It can be imagined that if Su Tangyu rashly went to confront Song Lingyun this time, that scoundrel would not easily admit it. Alternatively, he might cry and apologize to gain sympathy. Su Tangyu, being someone who values emotions greatly, might hesitate and be swayed by his actions.
Li Zhizhi does not want to do this kind of gra.s.s-startling-snake thing. She wants to stab Song Lingyun into the mud with one pole, never to turn over in this life.
Su Tangyu said angrily, “When I return home today, I will go find him and get things clear.”
Hearing this, Li Zhizhi spoke up for Song Lingyun instead, advising, “You’ve known each other for so many years. Cousin Song should not be that kind of person. If he is really innocent, aren’t you misunderstanding him?”
“He said that about you, and you’re still speaking up for him,” Su Tangyu grabbed her hand, tears welling up, “He is truly blinded by lard.”
Li Zhizhi smiled slightly and continued to apply eye medicine without changing her expression, “It doesn’t matter. After all, compared to my relationship with Elder Sister Wan’er, Cousin Song trusts her more, which is understandable.”
“But our relationship is clearly better,” Su Tangyu scolded angrily with red eyes, “He just favors that Li Suwan, he must have something to hide. Zhizhi, what should I do now?”
Li Zhizhi thought for a moment and suggested, “I think it’s better to wait and observe for now. See if he shows any unusual behavior in his daily life. If we really catch him red-handed, we can confront him later.”
Upon hearing this, Su Tangyu found it reasonable and agreed.
Li Zhizhi thought to herself that with Song Lingyun’s mentality, it would be too easy to catch him making a mistake.
As Su Tangyu lost interest in hunting due to the hidden thoughts in her heart, she appeared somewhat gloomy. At this moment, Su Qingshang suddenly waved at Li Zhizhi and pointed to the pine tree.
Li Zhizhi was slightly stunned, saying to Su Tangyu, “Your second brother asked us to go over.”
Su Tangyu wiped the corner of her eye, and the two walked over side by side. Su Qingshang saw her sister’s eyes slightly red, as if she had just cried, so he glanced at Li Zhizhi with a hint of suspicion, as if asking what happened?
Li Zhizhi spoke without sound, mentioning the three words “Song Lingyun.”
Although it was somewhat inexplicable, somehow, she was sure that Su Qingshang could understand what she meant.
Sure enough, Su Qingshang didn’t ask much, just nodded slightly, and smiled a little, very clear and light, reminiscent of the clouds in the sky that would drift away with a gust of wind.
His gaze swept past the slightly gloomy expression of the Crown Prince, and then fell on Li Zhizhi. He said, “Look at the tree.”
Li Zhizhi and Su Tangyu followed the direction he pointed, only to see something jumping among the branches, with a fast and agile speed. Su Tangyu called out, “Is it a squirrel?”
This time, Song Lingyun was completely ignored. She watched the squirrel with great interest. When Su Tangyu wasn’t paying attention, Li Zhizhi asked Su Qingshang in a low voice, “Does the second young master not like Cousin Song very much?”
“More than that?” Su Qingshang smiled with a hint of sarcasm, looking gentle and harmless, but said, “Every time I see him step into our mansion, I want someone to throw him out.”
As he spoke, his gaze fell on Su Tangyu, saying, “Unfortunately, A’yu likes him now.”
Li Zhizhi thought for a moment and said, “It may not be the case in the future.”
Su Qingshang turned to look at her, happily saying, “Then I’ll await the good news.”
The two exchanged glances, smiling at each other. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a unique kind of tacit agreement. In such a clear and sunny day, with the gentleman thanking the lady, it made others jealous.
The jealous Crown Prince sat on his horse, staring expressionlessly at Su Qingshang. His gaze was icy, and Su Qingshang seemed to sense something as he looked in his direction. He smiled provocatively, adding a hint of challenge.
Xiao Yan: …
He became even more furious.
A gentle breeze blew, rustling through the pine trees. In this early summer weather, it felt exceptionally comfortable. Li Zhizhi was feeling a bit drowsy when she heard a girl’s voice coming from the mountain, crisp and lively, calling out to her. It was Xiao Rulei.
Li Zhizhi perked up and looked up, and indeed, it was Grand Princess Yong Ning and her entourage returning. One of the guards accompanying them even held a red-haired fox in his hands.
“Sister!”
Perhaps due to excessive excitement, Xiao Rulei rushed down the slope, her speed quite fast. Li Zhizhi’s expression changed slightly, calling out, “Slow down!”
At the same time, Xiao Yan also sensed that something was wrong and sternly shouted, “Xiao Rulei, stop!”
Xiao Rulei’s face flashed with a hint of panic. She seemed to want to stop, but the speed was indeed too fast. Seeing her stagger a few steps, as if about to fall, Li Zhizhi hurriedly approached to catch her.
She did manage to catch her, and both of them tumbled to the ground. Li Zhizhi fell in a messy manner, feeling dizzy. She heard exclamations around her, and soon someone helped her up, anxiously asking, “Are you okay? Where did you fall?”
It was Xiao Yan. Li Zhizhi shook her head, not feeling much pain. She was lying on her back, and the ground was covered with a thick layer of pine needles. However, Xiao Rulei was lying on top of her like a small mountain. Helplessly, Li Zhizhi said, “I’m a bit out of breath…”
Xiao Yan lifted Xiao Rulei by the collar, his tone almost through gritted teeth, “Get off.”
As Xiao Rulei moved away, Li Zhizhi felt relieved. At this moment, the Grand Princess also rushed over, anxiously asking, “Zhizhi, are you okay? Did you get hurt?”
Li Zhizhi quickly shook her head, “Mother, I’m fine.”
Xiao Yan sternly reprimanded her, “You’re also foolish. Why did you go to catch her? She dared to rush down from such a distance; let her fall and eat dirt.”
Li Zhizhi looked at his frustrated expression, but his tone was concerned. She couldn’t help but smile slyly, “I didn’t expect the Crown Prince to care about me so much. I’m truly flattered.”
Xiao Yan: …
He really regretted it. If he had known that this day would come, he wouldn’t have said those ridiculous things to Li Zhizhi in the first place. Now, it has become a handle, and she occasionally brings it up to mock him.
In a fit of anger and shame, he coldly reproached the main culprit, “Xiao A’yang, have I been too lenient with you lately? Must you create a big disaster before you learn your lesson?”
Xiao Rulei had been silent the whole time, sitting on the side and anxiously watching Li Zhizhi. After being scolded by Xiao Yan for a while, she started to shed tears, her mouth quivering as she said, “Sister, I’m sorry… A’yang was wrong, sob, sob, sob…”
When she cried, Li Zhizhi felt a pang of heartache. She quickly pulled Xiao Rulei into her arms, comforting her for a long time. Once Xiao Rulei stopped crying and tried to stand up, Li Zhizhi felt a lingering pain in her ankle. Instinctively frowning, she wanted to take a deep breath but restrained herself.
This subtle change did not escape the eyes of Xiao Yan and the Grand Princess. Xiao Yan furrowed his brows and asked, “Did you twist it?”
The Grand Princess hurriedly said, “Let me take a look.”
Everyone turned away, and the Grand Princess removed Li Zhizhi’s shoes and socks. After a brief examination and asking if it hurt, she breathed a sigh of relief and said, “It’s not serious. Probably just a pulled muscle. Let’s go back now.”
However, the problem was how to get back. Li Zhizhi couldn’t walk, and it wasn’t appropriate to have the guards carry her. They had come out for a hunt and hadn’t prepared a sedan chair. Suddenly, Xiao Yan suggested, “Let her ride a horse.”
The Grand Princess said, “But there’s only one horse. What about you?”
Xiao Yan slightly pursed his lips and said, “I can walk.”
“Really?” The Grand Princess scrutinized him and said, “No forcing yourself, alright? If your leg isn’t healed, it’s better not to overexert.”
Xiao Yan simply replied, “Alright.”
With that, the Grand Princess said no more, instructing someone to a.s.sist Li Zhizhi onto a horse. As they set off, Li Zhizhi turned to look and saw Xiao Yan lagging behind, walking behind everyone else. His leg indeed seemed fine at a glance, but he walked slowly, resembling a leisurely stroll.
Li Zhizhi took a closer look and noticed that with each step, his figure swayed slightly. It wasn’t very noticeable, and without careful observation, one might not discern it. Xiao Yan’s left leg seemed a bit slower than his right.
The young man kept his head slightly lowered, staring at the ground, walking carefully and attentively. Consequently, he did not notice anyone observing him.
Suddenly, Li Zhizhi called out to the Grand Princess, “Mother, why not let the Crown Prince ride a horse?”