SHOCKING VENOMOUS CONSORT: FRIVOLOUS MISS
17. Original Or Pretense
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Most of the items the Second Elder brought this time around were basic living supplies. Of course the most important is always the book and sewing materials. After handing over all these supplies to Ling Chuxi, the Second Elder asked her to extend her wrist so that she could check her pulse. Ling Chuxi watched his expression closely and caught the glint of shock that flashed across his eyes.
'He's surprised? That the poison in me has gone?' So, the Second Elder knew he was poisoned. Why didn't he help her get rid of the poison all these years? Why let her suffer all the ridicule thrown at her?
Is the kindness of the Second Elder sincere or is everything just a pretense?
“Well, Chuxi, there's nothing wrong with you. But it looks like your body is a little hot. Do you eat a lot of spicy and oily food?” Said the Second Elder after checking his pulse.
"Ah really?" Ling Chuxi pretended not to know. He deliberately hid his abilities well. Since the Second Elder was only at Battle Qi Level 6, he was unable to detect his ability. However, her diagnosis of her hot self was accurate. She was feeling a little hot and she knew exactly why. That's what tends to happen when a person feasts meat as far as he or she does.
“So, no more health problems?” asked Aunt Wang in a hurry.
"There's no problem. No problem at all. I'll prescribe medicine for you and you'll be fine. By the way, Aunt Wang, what have you been cooking for Little Chuxi lately?” asked the Second Elder with a smile as he pulled his hand from Ling Chuxi's wrist.
"Boiled beef, meat bun, roast duck ..." The more dishes Aunt Wang caused, the deeper her brows furrowed. It's greasy food.
“Then, it must be. But don't worry, I will prescribe two doses of the drug and everything will be fine. All you have to do is boil it to drink by Little Chuxi,” Second Elder commands as he writes the recipe. “Chuxi is small, you should not be out of the house lately. Practicing cultivation at home. Don't you want to participate in the clan's assessment and attend the White Stone Academy? Practice cultivating properly and don't run around.”
"Yes I know." Ling Chuxi tried to hold back the wave of shock that flowed in her heart as she read the recipe that the Second Elder had just written. The ingredients he listed were fine one by one but were somewhat poisonous when everything was decomposed together.
The Second Elder who had poisoned him! Why?! When he suffered so much because his face was drawing wounds from poisoning, was that what the Second Elder did? Whywhy! Ling Chuxi was very curious. However, this was not the right time to ask him. Even if he managed to tear down his lies, he might not necessarily get the truth. Since he now knew that the Second Elder had poisoned him, this matter had to be resolved in an easier way. After all, the investigation became easier with the clues available.
There was no change in Ling Chuxi's demeanor as she observed Aunt Wang happily accepting the prescription and running into the medical hall to obtain the ingredients of the poisonous potion she was about to make. Ling Chuxi continued to talk and laugh with the Second Elder like he always did. Only when he saw the Second Elder leave did Ling Chuxi realize he was clenching his fists hidden in the folds of his sleeves.
He had clenched his fists so hard, his veins almost broke. There was an incredible pain in his heart. All the memories of the parody he had suffered from being poisoned overflowed within him and overflowed, overwhelming him. The feeling of being deceived and betrayed by someone so close to him made him suffer greatly. Although Ling Chuxi struggled to explain how or why, this emotional pain made it seem as if Ling Chuxi was past and she was now a single entity. He could feel the same grief as Ling Chuxi had felt in the past and it made him very uncomfortable.
'I need to find out what's going on!' Ling Chuxi swore to herself.
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The Ling clan's assessment was imminent. The clan would only decide which participants would be recommended for the entrance examination of the White Stone Academy after completing their own assessments.
After some time passed like this, finally the day of the clan appraisal arrived.
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Early in the morning, Ling Yichen looked for Ling Chuxi at her house.
"What's the problem? There's no need for you to be here so early. I refuse you to accompany me because I have no intention of being hit by a stone throw by your admirer on the way to the assessment.” Ling Chuxi continued to wash her face while throwing a dissatisfied look at Ling Yichen. What a shitty bastard. He actually thought he would fail the assessment and come to make sure he was present by showing up at this ungodly hour. If any of his admirers saw this, they might misunderstand, which would only add to the trouble for him.
"I brought you steamed meat loaf." Ling Yichen lethargicly lifted the two bulging oil paper bags with a flat expression. There is still steam coming out of them.
Ling Chuxi smirked. “Ah, you really are like that ..” She will complete her arbitrary praise spell when she remembers Ling Yichen telling her not to say it to her again. He swallowed his initial words and continued with different words, “. If you visit to talk to me, talking to me is enough. No need to bring food at any time.” Ling Chuxi said all the things a good woman should do, but her actions denied her words. He dropped his face towel at the speed of light and took the pouch from Ling Yichen's hand, quickly bringing it inside the house.
Ling Yichen was used to not expecting anything from Ling Chuxi's pretence attempt. Everyone had weaknesses, and he understood Ling Chuxi very well. Therefore, he remained unperturbed by this. His handsome face never showed any change in expression.
Aunt Wang who was waiting in the dining room quietly turned her head towards the two of them. This isn't the miss, is it? No, no. no. No way. He's too shameless, too pragmatic. He treated Lord Yichen impatiently before, but after he saw the meat bun, his attitude instantly changed.
“Don't be late. I will wait for you there,” Ling Yichen ordered with her deep voice.
"Yes yes. I know I know. I won't be late.” Ling Chuxi threw her reply casually with a look of disdain before she bit the meat bun wholeheartedly.
After securing this guarantee, Ling Yichen left with such a blank face the moment she came. This look surprised Aunt Wang. The dynamic between Miss and Ling Yichen was indeed too strange.
Although Ling Chuxi wanted to leave after breakfast, she was held back by Aunt Wang who insisted she wear a wide-brimmed hat. “Nona, I'm happy to see you beautiful now, but such a beauty can also invite bad luck. Mr. Yichen is a good man. If you feel that there is a suitable partner between the two of you, maybe you should agree to grab his hand. He is a better choice than anyone else who will just lust after you. If you wait too long, I'm afraid it might not be wise because Mr. Yichen might not feel the same way ..."
“Aunt Wang. I'll wear a hat. Okay well? I'll wear a hat. So, stop this nonsense.” Ling Chuxi's head was almost twice his size due to his frustration over this. He grabbed the hat and placed it on his head before he rushed off with Little White in his arms. For Aunt Wang, as for everyone here, marrying someone in the Ling family was fine. But, Ling Chuxi could not abide the practice of marrying her own relatives.
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The Ling family's ancestral court was more crowded than usual on this day. Everyone from the Ling family was present. They all swarmed the inner and outer space of the main courtyard. In the center of the courtyard was a stage with a milky white stone monument in the center. There was a groove carved on top of the stone monument that would be used by the participants to pour their Battle Qi. This was a method used to assess one's innate talent. There were also five chairs placed on the stage behind the stone monument. Five clan elders would fill this chair. They always sit near the stone monuments to allow them to see the ongoing process and make decisions quickly.
When Ling Chuxi arrived, the courtyard buzzed with boisterous energy. Usually, no one would notice it. But this time, someone did. His hair had already started to grow back into short pieces that grew from his bald head. When Ling Yuanhong saw Ling Chuxi, he quickly broke through the crowd to get close to her.