“Yin’er, are you truly not going to Lushan Academy?” Beigong Du was extremely surprised by his granddaughter’s sudden change in attitude. She had always been fond of the Crown Prince of Southern Tang; even though the instructors there held no hope for her aptitude, she had never left, all so she could catch a glimpse of him.
“Grandfather, do you think I’m jesting? Yin’er has always been one to keep my word!”
She replied with absolute certainty, carrying an unquestionable firmness. Beigong Du rarely saw such a side of his granddaughter and couldn’t help but regard her with surprise.
“If that is the case.” He pondered for a long while, then said, “If this is your wish, how could Grandfather possibly disagree? It’s just… you must personally go to Lushan Academy to handle the procedures for leaving the academy.”
“It’s no trouble. Is Grandfather worried I will be hurt again?” Xiao Qianyin arched her delicate eyebrows slightly and laughed lightly. Those pupils like ink and snow were clear and calm, vaguely carrying an oppressive might. “Rest assured, I am no longer the Xiao Qianyin of old. No one can hurt me!”
Beigong Du’s heart trembled. He had never seen such a granddaughter before; it seemed something had changed invisibly.
“Master, there is a guest visiting outside.” The old steward of the marquis estate said respectfully.
“A guest? From where?” Before Beigong Du could speak, Xiao Qianyin asked with a smile.
The old steward hadn’t expected her to ask. He was stunned at first, but when he saw her seemingly smiling expression, he quickly answered, “Young Miss, Master, it is… it is…”
His words became somewhat hesitant toward the end. Beigong Du came from a military background and had always been forthright; he couldn’t stand such behavior. His tone was cold and heavy: “It is what? Speak!”
“It is someone sent by the Crown Prince of Southern Tang. He says it is to apologize, that he should not have spoken of Young Miss in such a manner in public. He is truly sorry.”
“Hmph! A cat weeping over a mouse—false mercy!” Xiao Qianyin snorted coldly, her brows and eyes filled with an icy, haughty air. “If an apology could settle matters, what would we need the police for?”
“Yin’er, what are you saying? What police?”
Only then did Xiao Qianyin realize she had brought over a modern habit. She couldn’t help but laugh dryly and say, “Grandfather, you misheard. Let us still go meet that person!”
Beigong Du, his face full of questions, came to the main hall supported by Xiao Qianyin. A man dressed as a scholar stood with his back to them, wide robes and ample sleeves, his hair bound with a long hairpin, purple tassels fluttering gently.
“I wonder what business this gentleman has in coming to our estate?” He coughed lightly, asking the purpose of the visit.
The man turned around. His face was handsome, and his bearing was even more uninhibited and wild. He glanced at Beigong Du, then his gaze fell on Xiao Qianyin, his eyes revealing utter disdain and contempt, supremely arrogant. “His Highness the Crown Prince deeply regrets his actions from some time ago and specially sent me to your estate. This is a small token of His Highness’s sincerity.”
Having spoken, he placed a sandalwood box on the table, thoroughly arrogant, completely not putting them in his eyes. His raised chin looked especially punchable.
Xiao Qianyin couldn’t stop coldly laughing. This was an apology? She had never seen such an apology before. She had indeed never seen someone so arrogant when coming to apologize at someone’s door. A pity, but she didn’t need it!
“Oh? The Crown Prince of Southern Tang thinks an apology is enough?” Xiao Qianyin lazily looked askance at him, helped her grandfather sit, and said idly: “And he even sent over some ‘thing’ that specializes in speaking words people can’t understand. I think that master of his isn’t a thing either!”
The main hall was instantly silent. Beigong Du and the old steward exchanged glances, both gaping at her. Their gazes were as if they were seeing her for the first time.
“You… you…” The other party only reacted after a good while, so angry he could barely speak.
“You what you? Aren’t you just a lackey? How dare you act so arrogantly here, shouting orders left and right? Also, you point, point, what are you pointing at! Didn’t your mother teach you to be civilized and polite? Tell that master of yours who isn’t a thing, I feel he’s like two pigs. One pig isn’t enough to describe his stupidity!”
Here Xiao Qianyin was cursing with extreme satisfaction; there the man already had smoke rising from the top of his head. Beigong Du was even more dumbstruck. It was the first time he had seen such a… formidable granddaughter!
Only… he liked it! As expected of his granddaughter!