“Father, you can’t catch a wolf without risking your cub. This matter is risky, but it’s feasible. I already have someone in mind.”
“Father, have you heard of Zhang Yachu?” In order to gain her father’s trust, Cao Linglan decided to take a risky approach. “I have secretly fallen in love with him and we have pledged our lives to each other.”
She has lost her innocence and can no longer marry Zhou Baihong, so she might as well make good use of it and at least turn her life around in the Cao family.
She thought her words would make Cao Jianfeng look at her in a new light, but unexpectedly, Cao Lingyun suddenly collapsed to the ground, interrupting her.
“Father, so… that man came looking for my sister.”
“Don’t let an opportunity that’s presented to you pass by.” Cao Lingyun burst into tears, unable to utter a complete sentence.
She gave Rouge a look.
With a thud.
Rouge knelt down, tears streaming down her face, and said, “Please, my lord, do justice for the Third Miss.”
She embellished the story of Zhang Yachu’s mistaken intrusion into the room and his harassment of Cao Lingyun.
At the end, she added, “If it weren’t for Young Master Zhou’s appearance, I’m afraid the Third Miss’s reputation would be in jeopardy.”
“Is this really true?” Cao Jianfeng was furious as he watched Cao Lingyun nod vigorously.
“If Father does not believe me, he may ask the young master to come and confront me.”
Cao Lingyun was in tears, and anyone who heard her felt sorry for her.
Her pitiful appearance convinced Cao Jianfeng of her sincerity.
He glared at Cao Linglan with uncontrollable rage, snatched the riding whip from the servant’s hand, and raised it without any politeness.
“You shameless wretch! You’ve lost your innocence, do you expect your sister to follow in your footsteps?”
“I’m warning you, if the engagement hadn’t been unaffected, I would have beaten you to death today.”
The thought of the engagement being ruined sent a chill down Cao Jianfeng’s spine. He couldn’t count on Cao Linglan now, and he couldn’t let anything happen to Cao Lingyun.
If he didn’t curry favor with the Zhou family, he would probably become a laughing stock in the capital.
“My lord, please stop hitting her. Lan’er knows she was wrong.”
In desperation, Peng Xue threw herself on Cao Linglan and endured several lashes. Ignoring the pain in her back, she hurriedly begged for mercy for her daughter.
“Feng Lang, Yun’er is your precious daughter, but Lan’er is also your daughter. How could you be so cruel?”
When questioned, Cao Jianfeng remained silent, but he also stopped hitting the whip and threw it aside.
“Guards, take this wretch back to her room. Without my order, no one is allowed to let her leave the manor. Anyone who disobeys will be sold off.”
Having achieved her goal, Cao Lingyun didn’t linger and turned to leave.
The next day, she took Rouge to the school.
Sure enough, Zhang Yachu was having a lively conversation with Master Tang.
In her previous life, Zhang Yachu came prepared; wherever she went, she could see him.
This life is no exception; in fact, he is even more humble and cautious than in the previous one.
Upon seeing Cao Lingyun approaching, Zhang Yachu quickly stood up and bowed respectfully, saying, “I apologize for my rudeness to you yesterday, Miss. I hope you won’t take offense.”
“Yun’er, do you know each other?” Tang Fuzi was quite surprised to see Cao Lingyun nod, but still introduced her, “This is my newly recruited tutor, a candidate who will take the imperial examination this year.”
“The person Uncle Tang chooses is always a good one,” Cao Lingyun said affectionately, clinging to Tang Fuzi’s arm.
From beginning to end, he didn’t even spare Zhang Yachu a glance.
Zhang Yachu couldn’t get a word in edgewise as they talked, and could only anxiously follow behind them.
“Young master, is the school still hiring teachers?” The woman lowered her eyes and asked shyly, “Are you hiring female teachers?”
The woman stood quietly at the school gate, her fair face flushed, a sight that brought joy to all who saw her.
Her large eyes, like a spring, were clear and bright, bringing joy to those who looked into them.
Zhang Yachu’s eyes lit up. This girl was like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting. Her skin was as smooth as jade, her gentleness as soft as water, and she was so charming and lovely that she was very endearing.
He unconsciously lowered his voice a few decibels when he spoke.
“Are you here to interview a tutor, young lady?” he asked knowingly, walking up to the woman and flattering her, “Young lady, I’ll introduce you.”
“This is Master Tang, who is in charge of everything at the school, and this is Miss Cao, the owner of the school.”
Zhang Yachu beamed with joy, raising his eyebrows occasionally a subconscious gesture when he was excited.
In her previous life, the two spent several years together, and Cao Lingyun knew his preferences by heart.
Even the appearance of the woman was tailor-made to his liking. This time, she wanted Zhang Yachu to lose miserably and be shattered to pieces in order to vent her hatred.
“My name is Lin Yudie. I want to find a job to support my family,” Lin Yudie said softly. “I studied at home in a private school since I was a child, so teaching people to read is no problem for me.”
Her voice was as elegant and melodious as a lark’s, and her mannerisms were those of a noble lady.
At that moment, Zhang Yachu made a bold decision: he wanted Cao Lingyun’s family background to help him, and he also wanted to be intoxicated by Lin Yudie’s gentle charms.
Seeing that he couldn’t contain his excitement, Cao Lingyun knew that the plan had succeeded.
She smiled gently, “Uncle Tang, you are in charge of all the affairs of the school. I will only be responsible for playing with the children.”
Remembering Cao Lingyun’s instructions, Master Tang stroked his goatee and said with a smile, “Miss Lin’s talent is renowned throughout the capital. It is an honor for the school to have her deign to serve as a teacher.”
“Master Tang is highly praised.” Lin Yudie lowered her eyes, her humble and shy demeanor making Zhang Yachu’s heart itch.
Because Cao Lingyun was present, he had no choice but to suppress his restless heart.
Knowing she was being superfluous, Cao Lingyun made up an excuse to leave so as not to disturb someone’s sweet dreams.
She had barely stepped into the room when her mother came to greet her.
“Third Miss, Madam asked me to tell you not to forget to accompany Madam to pay respects to the Immortal tomorrow.”
“Thank you for your help, Aunt He. I’ve been running around all day and I’m exhausted.”
Cao Lingyun yawned repeatedly, her eyelids too heavy to lift, so she simply closed her eyes to rest.
She raised her hand and said softly, “Rouge, please see Mother He off for me. Don’t let my mother blame me for not knowing the proper etiquette.”
“Please don’t be so polite, young lady. I know the way.” Madam He smiled and left, lifting her skirt.
After Mrs. He left, Cao Lingyun suddenly opened her eyes, her bright eyes showing no signs of sleepiness.
“Follow her and see where she goes. Remember not to alert her.”
“Yes, sir.” Rouge curtsied and quickly walked out of the courtyard.
Cao Lingyun rubbed the jade bracelet on her wrist, her mind racing through memories of her rebirth.
In her previous life, her mother died tragically and her brother disappeared. In this life, the bird’s nest incident, all signs indicate that someone close to her betrayed her mother.
This person was cautious and never gave anything away. If she hadn’t been reborn, she probably still wouldn’t have been able to discover the loophole.
If the one who betrayed her was Mother He, wouldn’t Mother be living in constant danger…?
It’s terrifying to think about.
A chill ran down her back, startling her so much that she broke out in a cold sweat and her heart started racing.
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Rouge came running in, panting heavily. Her face was pale, her eyes were wide open, and she looked like she was still in shock, which made Cao Lingyun’s heart skip a beat.
A bad feeling washed over me.
She instinctively grabbed Rouge’s hand and asked impatiently, “How is it?”