Zheng Xiao Mistake: The Mistake of Rebirth Provoked the Cold Master

The lover whom I have been in love with for many years?

She had never thought that these words could be applied to Rong Yan. She had only thought that it was unusual for him to be of marriageable age but never have women around him. But he was born with an otherworldly temperament and a look of no desire or desire, as if that face should not be stained by worldly affairs, let alone any hidden desires that could not be obtained.

When I heard it today, I suddenly understood the truth of which came first, the chicken or the egg. It should not be that one is indifferent to the worldly world, but that one appears to be otherworldly by remaining chaste for the sake of the one one loves.

But since he had waited for her for so many years, why did he suddenly kiss her like that in Chengxu Mountain? Was it because he was in a whim and wanted to try to transfer his feelings to someone else? Or was he confused and mistook her for the sweetheart he had been infatuated with for many years?

Fang Xichen didn't notice Zhu Zheng's depression, and continued to share, "Even worse, some people say that the Grand Tutor has a mistress in his mansion, but he just didn't give her a proper status."

"Is that so..." Zhu Zheng added with his eyes lowered.

Although this sounded a bit absurd, she inexplicably didn't want to hear any more details, or even continue listening, for fear that Fang Xichen would say a real name in the next sentence.

It felt like a ball of cotton wool was in my mouth, blocking my heart and making me feel depressed. So I simply picked up the green plum tea in my hand and drank it in one gulp.

very sour……

Zhu Zheng spat out in surprise.

Fang Xichen was startled, "What's going on?"

The sudden loss of composure brought Zhu Zheng back to her senses. After regaining her composure, she managed to curl her lips and said, "It's still early in the green plum season, so it tastes a bit sour. It should be more delicious if I drink it later."

Fang Xichen nodded, still thinking about the interruption, "By the way, it just so happens that A Zheng also went to the autumn hunt, so I just want to ask you about a rumor about this sweetheart."

Zhu Zheng didn't expect to continue talking about this "sweetheart", so she just said listlessly, "What rumors?"

"Some people say with certainty that during the autumn hunt, the master came back to the capital from Suinan specifically for this sweetheart, and brought her many gifts. He also witnessed the girl being accidentally injured by a stray arrow, and the master Taifu carried her out, looking dazed. Later, the master left the capital for half a year under the guise of the Fanlin Temple, just to accompany this sweetheart."

Zhu Zheng exclaimed, “Ah?”

She didn't understand where the substitution began. How did the "sweetheart" whom she had been "madly in love with for many years" become herself?

Although she could not verify the rumor about the hidden beauty in the golden house, this rumor was eight parts true with two parts false, and she couldn't tell which two parts were false. Zhu Zheng was frightened and stunned after hearing it.

"But since Ah Zheng has seen you at Fanlin Temple, this rumor is ridiculous and groundless." Without waiting for Zhu Zheng to reply, Fang Xichen seemed to have figured it out, "And what about the hidden beauty in the golden house? I think it's just to discredit Master Taifu. If he has a sweetheart, how could he not marry her in an open marriage?"

"Master Taifu is selfless and dedicated to his work, which is impeccable. This must have made many people jealous, so they can only make up so many nonsense." Fang Xichen said angrily, "But the emperor must know what kind of person Master is better than anyone else, otherwise he would not have changed the prince but not the Taifu..."

Zhu Zheng had already heard that it was nonsense. Seeing that the topic could be diverted, she hurriedly asked, "Are you saying that he assisted two crown princes?"

In the past, she was too far away from government affairs and had only heard a few words about the dethronement of the crown prince. However, the replacement of the eldest son with the youngest son was bound to be turbulent. Generally speaking, wasn't it best to avoid appointing the same person?

Fang Xichen guessed what Zhu Zheng was suspicious about and explained, "I heard that it was the Second Prince who requested that Lord Rong continue to be his tutor. Alas, it's a pity for the First Prince. In fact, I think his illness is really strange..."

As he was speaking, the bead curtain fluttered, and amid the tinkling of jade, he suddenly interrupted, "Our lord is thirsty from the journey, would you mind sharing a cup of tea?"

Liu Feng, who was standing at the back, bit his tongue after saying this. This excuse was too lame. Recently, adults always asked him to tell such lies that would be exposed at the first poke. It really tested his mentality...

When Fang Xichen saw who broke in, he was speechless for a moment, then stood up suddenly after a long while, "Of course! Of course!"

He moved a seat next to Zhu Zheng and gave up the seat of honor. Rong Yan did not refuse, he lifted his robe and took the seat, sitting opposite Zhu Zheng.

The original private room for two people was squeezed with four people, making it seem a little cramped.

It was then that Zhu Zheng remembered that the reason they had mentioned Rong Yan and the series of true and false rumors about him was because Rong Yan was standing outside.

It seems that the old saying "Don't talk about people behind their backs" does make sense. They had just started discussing this when the person being framed walked right in.

Zhu Zheng watched Rong Yan sit down with bated breath. These bead curtains did not block out any sound, and she wondered how much he had heard before he came in.

If the so-called "sweetheart" thing was true, then it would inevitably cause Rong Yan a lot of trouble by adding a tail to her story. If it was not true, then she would become his "sweetheart" for no reason, which would not only cause him trouble, but also Zhu Zheng would be troubled.

In short, the distress lingered, and Zhu Zheng was delayed so much that she didn't have time to even give a polite smile.

Rong Yan never followed such flattering etiquette, and of course he didn't smile.

Only Fang Xichen was happy. He quickly ordered someone to add a set of tea sets and greeted him cordially, "How come the Grand Tutor has come to visit us?"

The beaded curtain swayed, creating fragments of shadows, and Rong Yan's face was hidden in these real and unreal shadows, making it impossible to discern the expression on his face for a moment.

"Looking for someone." he said.

"Who are you looking for?" Fang Xichen asked casually.

Rong Yan did not respond. The person opposite the table lowered his head, leaving him with only the top of his black hair. His calm gaze fell on it, which seemed extremely light and yet extremely heavy.

Because of Fang Shouqian's exaggerated words, Fang Xichen was in great awe of the Grand Tutor. Even though Rong Yan's temperament was not gloomy, his silence made him feel the invisible pressure.

He immediately thought that he had said too much, wiped his forehead and said, "My Lord asked for some tea, so I'll order another pot. Just now, Ah Zheng said that the green plum oolong here is the best, but we tried it, and it happened that the green plums were not in their prime, so the flavor was not very good."

As soon as Fang Xichen finished speaking, Rong Yan's eyelashes moved, and his light eyes darkened, "A Zheng?"

"That's right... Zhu Zheng..." Fang Xichen changed his words three times, "The third... fourth young lady of the Zhu residence."

It seems like neither of them remembers each other.

Fang Xichen couldn't help but sigh. Both of them looked so unforgettable, but neither of them left a deep impression on the other.

Rong Yan frowned and pressed the celadon teapot, staring at the opposite side intently and said, "If Zheng thinks this is good, then drink this."

The tea table was narrow, and Zhu Zheng felt uneasy when he called her "A Zheng" twice. She buried her head and moved restlessly. Suddenly, she felt a hard touch under her knee, which made her heart jump. She wanted to move her legs away quickly, but the person opposite her seemed to be unaware and did not move at all.

The spring clothes were thin, and the warmth that did not belong to her penetrated through and burned up along the meridians of her five bodies.

Fang Xichen looked at Zhu Zheng helplessly, but the girl from the Zhu family just kept her head down. He had no choice but to pick up the teapot and pour the tea.

A cup of green plum tea was slowly filled.

Before he could hand it over, Rong Yan picked it up and drank it all in one gulp without frowning, as if he didn't care about the two of them being restrained and really just wanted to borrow a cup of tea.

Liu Feng saw that the master was drinking happily, and Mr. Fang happened to pour him a cup. He secretly tasted it and his facial features immediately twisted.

It’s sour! Sir, don’t you think it’s sour?

After drinking a cup of sour green plum tea, Rong Yan just sat there in silence for a long time. Finally, Fang Xichen couldn't stand the cold atmosphere anymore. He felt deeply sorry for the way the two of them socialized. If the Grand Tutor could remember their previous friendship, he might be able to leave a good impression today through Miss Zhu.

So he took the initiative to win her over, saying, "My Lord recommended Ah Zheng to go to Fanlin Temple to pray for blessings during the Autumn Hunt. Do you still remember this?"

Rong Yan's hand slowly stroked the celadon teacup, and the corners of his lips paused, "I can't forget it."

Fang Xichen suddenly felt happy and nudged him with his elbow, "A Zheng, listen to me, the adults remember you."

"..."

Zhu Zheng felt as if her whole body was being burned by fire, but she didn't understand why she had to endure this burning sensation.

She didn't understand what Rong Yan was acting out, but she couldn't sit still any longer, so she stood up abruptly and said, "I have something urgent to do. Excuse me, Mr. Fang."

Before Fang Xichen could say anything, he saw Zhu Zheng lift the bead curtain and run away.

But no matter how anxious she was, why did Miss Zhu just say goodbye to him but ignore the Grand Tutor? This was extremely rude.

Rong Yan placed the teacup on the table and looked at the figure running away outside the curtain without any hesitation, wondering what he was thinking.

Fang Xichen's alarm bells were ringing, and he quickly tried to make amends for her as the host, "Master Taifu, please forgive me. Ah Zheng just said that she never dared to look at you too much before, so she couldn't recognize you. Moreover, this was her first time to be so close to you, so she must have been too nervous."

Unexpectedly, as soon as he said this, the Grand Tutor, who was originally looking at the door, slowly turned his head and looked at him, his eyes becoming even colder and darker.

Fang Xichen shrank his neck when he was looked at. Did he say something wrong again?

I really should have brought my eldest brother with me. At the very least, I should have gone back and told Fang Shouqian everything that happened today and figured out what went wrong.

As he was thinking this, he suddenly saw Rong Yan stand up, lift the bead curtain and stride out.

Liu Feng stood up immediately and put a silver ingot on the table, "Remember the tea money, Master Fang. It's our treat."