After Rebirth, She Becomes the Revenge Queen-Chapter 190 - 189: Under the Old Clichéd Plot Section

"I don’t really appreciate what you’re saying, my lord,"

Fu Zhen said, "First of all, I am not a daughter of merchants. My maternal grandfather was the Imperial Merchant of the former dynasty, not just any businessman, and my father was a successful candidate in the Imperial Examination, once a fourth-rank official in the court.

"Secondly, a merchant’s daughter is not necessarily lacking in knowledge. My mother manages a vast business with ease. Even if Vice Minister Xu is exceptionally talented, could you manage such affairs as efficiently in this position?

"Why does Vice Minister Xu believe I have no such insight?"

Xu Yin raised an eyebrow and nodded, "Then why do you think I was waiting for you?"

"That’s not hard to discern," Fu Zhen stretched herself, "You were playing music beneath my wall, and just beyond the wall is my courtyard. Isn’t it obvious you were playing for me to hear?"

"Then why did you come out?"

"The meal time has passed, and I should have returned to my room by now. Hearing someone playing music outside the wall, and playing so well, it’s clear it wasn’t just a casual stroll. If I didn’t show any reaction, Vice Minister Xu might find it odd.

"Even if I didn’t come out myself, I would have sent someone to check. And coincidentally, I happened to step outside at that moment, so naturally, Vice Minister Xu saw me."

Xu Yin turned his head to look at the adjacent courtyard wall, said in a somber voice, "Why couldn’t it be a coincidence? Perhaps I was just passing by and got the urge."

Fu Zhen lightly curled her lips, "If it were anyone else, it would naturally be a coincidence.

"But last night, I broke into your room, and this morning, in a moment of impulse, I struck the Commandery Princess.

"Under these circumstances, it’s not likely a coincidence that you are here playing the flute.

"For someone else, finding out the orientation of my courtyard might be difficult, but for Vice Minister Xu, it shouldn’t be a problem.

"After all, my father served in the Ministry of Rites for ten years and had numerous colleagues, making it easy to inquire about."

Xu Yin narrowed his eyes as he gazed at her, "General Pei had good reason to consider you a friend."

Fu Zhen nodded, "I am merely reaching above my station."

As she lowered her head, she caught a glimpse of shadows in the distance. freēwēbnovel.com

Someone stood amidst the distant shadows.

They were two agile martial artists, armed at their waists, dressed as Xu Mansion’s servants.

The Yongping guards certainly wouldn’t accompany him for such tasks.

Given the Xu Mansion’s status, openly hiring such guards shouldn’t be necessary either.

The black-clad men who poured lamp oil on Liang Ning back then also had similar physiques and skills.

"Screech," was the sound.

Xu Yin lit a fire starter and walked down to her, already standing before her.

The firelight reflected in her eyes, illuminating her face.

Xu Yin scrutinized those eyes, not missing a single change.

They were filled with confusion.

But there was no fear.

A person who has been burned should have some reaction to approaching fire, especially when the flame is once again in Xu Yin’s hand.

The firelight clearly illuminated her skin, revealing even the subtle down and pores.

It was a body without a single scar—at least the skin that was exposed was like this.

Xu Yin extinguished the fire.

He returned to the front of the carriage, "Why would someone like Fu Ju have a daughter like you?"

"You jest, my lord. My father was merely a figurehead for me. It was entirely my mother who raised me."

Xu Yin sat back in place and asked, "Did you say just now that my flute playing wasn’t bad?"

"My lord’s talent is extraordinary, so the music is naturally good,"

"Shall I teach you?"

Fu Zhen shook her head.

Xu Yin asked, "Why not?"

Fu Zhen replied in a low voice, "I’ve been weak since childhood, lacking stamina, and learning this requires strength."

"You grew up as an official’s daughter. Didn’t you learn any talents?"

"Of course not," Fu Zhen looked up, "I can do needlework and painting, but naturally, my skills in painting cannot catch the Assistant Minister’s eye."

Liang Ning couldn’t do needlework or painting either.

Xu Yin looked steadily, "Who was your painting master?"

"The eldest son of the former city north painting master, Mr. Yi, is my teacher."

Xu Yin said slowly, "Mr. Yi’s disciple, so your foundation shouldn’t be bad."

"Ashamedly, after years of recovering from illness, my painting skills are indeed my greatest achievement."

In the darkness, someone came running, whispering something in Xu Yin’s ear.

It wasn’t those two in the shadows.

But someone who appeared out of thin air.

Xu Yin waved him away, frowning, lost in thought.

Then the person who retreated disappeared into the night again.

If Fu Zhen were not Liang Ning at this moment, she wouldn’t have noticed anything amiss.

It’s not a surprising thing for a high-ranking official to have a few shadow guards.

Yet no one knew she was Liang Ning.

These people around Xu Yin trace back to the time when he burned Liang Ning to death.

Back then, he was just a Hanlin scholar.

Why did he have such people around him?

Once, Fu Zhen believed they were people from Prince Rong’s Mansion.

Until she saw Lian Rong.

Today, when Yongping was beaten, Xu Yin did not come forward to defend him, which shows that over the years, Yongping was unable to do anything about him, and Prince Rong wasn’t someone he feared.

When Liang Xuan instructed Fu Zhen to hit the maid by Yongping’s side, Fu Zhen deliberately misled her into thinking she was one of Xu Yin’s confidantes, which the maid believed at one point.

This shows that Xu Yin likely has his own hidden power to rival the Prince Manor.

It’s probably a force Prince Rong hasn’t discovered, and Lian Rong’s origins were likely never questioned by Prince Rong and Yongping either.

Indeed, an ordinary scholar being favored by Prince Rong’s Mansion, becoming the Prince Consort, and then rising smoothly in power is a classic story of climbing to power through associations.

The oldest trick in the book can also serve as the safest disguise.

How could Yongping and his companions know that Lian Rong never appeared before? How could they know that the two, master and servant, had the same jade?

Very few Hu Ji beyond the border speak the Central Plains language.

With strict checkpoints during wartime between two armies, how many trade caravans go back and forth in the northwest?

In just three days, how did he manage to find a caravan with Hu Ji, who could speak the Central Plains language, and learn that tune at the same time?

He’s indeed smart, no doubt.

But to achieve all this in three days, his luck seems excessively good.

With Prince Rong confirmed as the mastermind behind the alley bloodshed, what about the people around Xu Yin?

"You may leave,"

Said Xu Yin after a long silence.

But Fu Zhen replied, "You’re not going to discipline me for what happened at the temple this morning?"

He cast a sidelong glance.

Fu Zhen looked perplexed, "So, you came to find me for this incident—after all, I impulsively struck the Commandery Princess, aren’t you coming to defend her?"

Xu Yin glanced at the flute in his hand.

Fu Zhen continued, "Our Ning Family’s goldsmith has recently designed several new sets of pure gold headwear. Why don’t I have a complete set made and ask the Assistant Minister to present it to Her Highness as an apology?"

Xu Yin spoke slowly, "I recall you’ve aligned yourself with the Princely Heir’s Consort."

"But last night I broke into your room and received the Assistant Minister’s protection, and this is a favor I must repay."

Xu Yin merely stroked the flute, not saying a word.

Fu Zhen furrowed her brow and spoke again, "After all, I’m not worthy to oppose the Commandery Princess, and there’s no need to say it’s from me. As long as you can take it back to appease her anger, I’d be satisfied. Do you think my token of apology is sincere enough?"

Xu Yin sat for a moment and lazily said, "As you wish."

Fu Zhen lowered her head, "Then once it’s made, I’ll hand it to you."

"No need. I’ll have Lian Rong find you." Xu Yin looked at her, "You recognize him, don’t you?"

"I do," Fu Zhen smiled, "Last time by the roadside, he even helped me pick up a pouch."

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