There is a god in the sky

Chapter 294 The Broken Engagement Scandal 9

Zhao Kai struck the ground with his whip, his face grim. "Losing is losing. Instead of repenting and making up for the losses, you're still so self-righteous. No wonder Xiao Ji was willing to bear the infamy to break off the engagement."

You need to understand, Xiao Ji is successful in his career; what kind of girl wouldn't he be able to marry in the future? But what about you? Even if everyone says it's Xiao Ji's fault, you're still a woman who's been jilted, and you're still getting old. Who else can you marry?"

Zhao Xuan covered her face and cried, "At worst, I'll just cut my hair and become a nun!"

"If you really go, it will save your father a lot of trouble."

The father and daughter parted on bad terms.

Zhao Xuan has been placed under house arrest.

But confinement was a punishment that was neither too severe nor too mild, and it was not as painful as a few lashes.

“Miss, don’t cry. I heard that... Lord Xiao talked with the master in the study for a long time today, which made the master very angry. He smashed half of the study.”

Zhao Xuan was even angrier after hearing this, "He really is heartless!"

"Yes, it's actually better to break off the engagement. He treated you so coldly. Who knows how he'll treat you after you get married? He might even favor his concubine over his wife."

"He dares!"

Zhao Xuan is not someone to be trifled with. Her father is right. If she endures it and waits until after she marries into the family to retaliate against Shen Lan, there will be even more ways to ruin her reputation!

"No! We can't let this go! You two bastards, I'll make them pay!"

The maid met Zhao Xuan's sinister gaze and was terrified. She asked fearfully, "Miss, if you make a move now, there will be no room for negotiation on this marriage."

"What's there to be afraid of? If I'm not having a good time, I'll make sure they don't have one either!"

Zhao Xuan opened the back window and whistled. A hunting dog darted out of the woods, leaped high, and placed its front paws on the window frame.

Zhao Xuan placed a piece of cloth in front of its nose. The smell would be very bland to an ordinary person, but it was pungent enough to a hunting dog.

The hounds barked wildly, tearing the cloth apart with their teeth until it was shredded.

"Go on, my little darling. I've raised you for two years, all for this day."

The hound ran off with its tongue lolling out.

In the darkness, Shen Lan watched this scene unfold from the rooftop, wondering: What does this mean? Could that dog be tracking her scent to seek revenge?

But surely she can't beat a dog?

Shen Lan took the bamboo tube from her waist, put a small, bright green snake into it from the roof, and then left the Zhao residence.

In the dead of night, a scream shattered the silence.

"Oh no! The young lady has been bitten by a snake!"

The entire Zhao residence was alarmed; lights were lit in every courtyard, and people rushed towards Zhao Xuan.

Shen Lan had already returned to the Xiao family and was sleeping peacefully.

That night, she had a nightmare.

In her dream, a drooling dog charged at her, its sharp teeth sending chills down her spine.

Shen Lan tried to avoid it, but found that she couldn't move her body and could only watch helplessly as the dog pounced on her.

She felt no physical pain, but the palpitations persisted until she woke up.

She got out of bed and went out of the house, asking Xuan'er, who was cleaning in the yard, "Do you have a dog at home?"

"Yes, there are guard dogs in the backyard, they're really big, and there are a few over at the stables too. I heard they're some kind of fine breed, they can go hunting with their masters."

Shen Lan couldn't figure out what use the hunting dog that Zhao Xuan had released could be.

She ate breakfast with peace of mind and then met up with Xiao Ji at the door.

Once outside, they discovered that today's group included not only Sui Feng and Sui Ying, but also a hunting dog with a collar.

Shen Lan's expression changed. She looked around but couldn't find the dog from last night.

"What's wrong? What are you looking for?"

"Nothing much, sir. Why did you bring a dog today?"

"Go for a walk in the mountains. The hunting dogs have a keen sense of smell; they might find some surprises."

Shen Lan was still a little worried and asked again, "When did you decide to bring the dog?"

“When I came back last night, this dog was named Ah Huang. I’ve had it for several years, and it’s an old dog now.”

Xiao Ji called out, and the hunting dog quickly ran over and jumped into Xiao Ji's arms.

This is not the same one from last night, Shen Lan was certain.

But this is too much of a coincidence. How did Zhao Xuan know that Xiao Ji would take the dog out today?

"lets go."

The group left the city and took a small path up the mountain.

The hunting dogs were very excited, darting around and occasionally bringing back a few small animals.

Shen Lan was also infected by its liveliness, and even though she remained vigilant, she smiled.

Upon arriving at the academy, Xiao Ji entered by scanning his face, without disturbing Fu Qingyan who was in class, and went to his dormitory in the backyard.

The small room was spotless and everything was in perfect order, showing that Fu Qingyan was being well taken care of.

A servant from another family saw them and told them, "Brother Fu goes up the mountain at this time every day and doesn't return until noon."

The servant who took care of Fu Qingyan was named Fu Xin, the son of one of the old subordinates of the Marquis of Pingyang.

"Thank you. We'll go visit Headmaster Tong first."

Xiao Ji was unable to meet Headmaster Tong last time he came, but he was lucky this time. He was led into the courtyard as soon as he introduced himself.

He walked through the fence gate and saw the flowers blooming in the yard and the neatly growing vegetable garden. Tong Shanzhang was wearing a straw hat and weeding in the vegetable garden.

A door separates two worlds.

Rather than saying that Master Tong spent his life teaching and educating students in the academy, it would be more accurate to say that he lived in seclusion there, detached from worldly affairs.

But if one wants to be pure of heart and have few desires, why would one choose to be in this academy?

"Headmaster, I've bothered you again." Xiao Ji bowed to Headmaster Tong.

"Come in and have a seat, I'll be done in a minute."

Xiao Ji stood aside waiting for him. It was clear that he did farm work well and wasn't just putting on an act.

"What kind of vegetables does the headmaster grow? I don't think I've ever seen them before."

“How could someone from a prominent family like you recognize these things? This is called spring vegetable, a seasonal vegetable for this time of year. You must have it at home every day.”

As soon as he heard that Chun Cai was in a state of solitude, he chuckled and said, "This junior is indeed ignorant of the five grains, please forgive my ignorance."

"It's alright. You're an official in the Criminal Investigation Department, in charge of solving cases. You don't need to distinguish between these things."

After finishing weeding, Tong Shanzhang carried his hoe over, kicked aside his muddy straw sandals, and walked barefoot into his house.

The interior was just as simple as last time.

"Please sit wherever you like. I'm going to change my clothes."

There was only a screen in the room. Tong Shanzhang went behind the screen to change his clothes. In the dim light, he could see Tong Shanzhang's figure and found that he was not weak at all, but rather like a young man.

When he came out dressed in a straight-cut outfit, the loose robe concealing his figure, there was nothing wrong with him.

"Old Tong is in great spirits lately, as if he has become several years younger."

Tong Shanchang laughed heartily, "Young people have such sweet tongues. I love hearing those words; they're better than what those students say."

"This is not boasting, but comes from the bottom of my heart."

Xiao Ji did indeed feel that Tong Shanzhang looked younger and his skin was much smoother.

Although his hair and beard are white, the condition of his skin doesn't lie.