Chapter 386: Chapter 385: Lifting a Stone Only to Drop It on One’s Own Foot?
The Li Family is very large.
But it’s also very quiet. The Li Family now only has three daughters left.
Aside from the essential gardeners who clean, as you walk along, you rarely even see any servants.
All the way back to one’s own room.
At this moment, Daxiong is lazily lying on the bed, sprawling out in all directions, drooling in his sleep, with his tongue hanging out.
Besides acting like a cat, has he learned to stick out his tongue like a dog now...
This Ice Snow Leopard now is like a cat, a dog, and a pig, basically anything but a leopard.
Yet, Pang Hu is nowhere to be seen.
Xu Lingjun is not surprised because this place is Pang Hu’s den... It must have places it wants to go...
Just then, an anxious meowing sound arose from outside the window.
Isn’t that Pang Hu’s voice?
Looking out the window, Xu Lingjun sees a young girl in her early twenties with a braided ponytail, holding Pang Hu with delight, and Pang Hu is enthusiastically rubbing and scratching against her, looking very affectionate...
And the young girl is delightfully saying, "Pang Hu, why did you come back? Didn’t miss say she would give you away?"
While speaking, she noticed Xu Lingjun inside the window.
She couldn’t help but freeze, then exclaimed, "Are you the one aunt said was the young master?"
Xu Lingjun asked curiously, "Who are you..."
The young girl hurriedly bowed respectfully to Xu Lingjun and said, "I’m Xiaoyun, the maid responsible for taking care of Miss’s daily life. I’ve heard Miss mention the young master, saying that the young master would eventually come to the Li Family to find her, but I didn’t expect the young master to come so early."
As she said this, she couldn’t help but startle, hugging Pang Hu with concern, and exclaimed, "You brought Pang Hu here? The old lady didn’t see Pang Hu, right?"
Xu Lingjun nodded and said, "She saw him."
"What? It’s over, Pang Hu is doomed."
Xiaoyun’s pretty face turned pale as she hugged Pang Hu in panic, exclaiming, "Miss had previously been punished harshly because she only achieved second place in the Dragon Gate Examination, and the old lady thought it was because she was distracted by playthings. The old lady even wanted to destroy Pang Hu... I secretly kept Pang Hu, but if the old lady saw Pang Hu was alive, both Miss and I would be severely punished."
"She did see Pang Hu, but she didn’t say anything."
Xu Lingjun said, feeling a touch of emotion in his heart...
He didn’t expect that before Jingjun officially met him, she had encountered such things.
It’s surprising that she didn’t hold any grudge against him because of these things and instead communicated with him peaceably and made friends. If it were him, he probably couldn’t do the same.
At this time.
Li Pingting came over, her gaze complex as she glanced at Xu Lingjun, calling out, "Xiaoyun."
Xiaoyun hurriedly collected her skirt and said, "Auntie."
"Your Miss is coming out of seclusion tomorrow; this is your young master... Today, you will take care of him. Be attentive; he has received recognition from my aunt."
"Yes, Auntie. Ah?"
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyun looked at Xu Lingjun admiringly, thinking to herself, has he received the old lady’s recognition?
She couldn’t believe the young master was so capable...
Little did Xu Lingjun know, he felt puzzled in his heart, thinking, is it really difficult to gain her recognition?
But on second thought, with the few identities he garnered out of nowhere, any one of them is enough to stand on equal footing with the Patriarch of the Li Family. Although they are merely honorary titles, with Zhang Zhiheng and Sun Bumie’s high regard, these honorary titles can be transformed into official positions whenever he wants.
If one is not foolish, who would resist such a good marriage proposal entering their door?
Or if knowing so many identities, who would stubbornly insist on not allowing someone to move in?
That would be tantamount to trampling on the dignity of the Zhanzheng Academy and the Cuowu Sect; how big of a fool would one have to be to offend someone like that?
Xu Lingjun even suspected that the so-called three-year agreement was just an excuse Li Fufeng found for himself.
Li Pingting left.
She was somewhat ashamed to face Xu Lingjun, afraid he would talk about having several more partners, reciting their numbers or something, and she couldn’t bear such embarrassment.
She left Xiaoyun with eyes full of admiration, staring at Xu Lingjun, shocked, saying, "To think you can gain the old lady’s recognition, young master, you are truly amazing."
"You are even more amazing; you managed to keep Pang Hu under the old lady’s nose."
Xu Lingjun laughed, "By the way, did you watch Jingjun grow up?"
"Yes, Miss and I are almost like sisters. Aunt cherishes her dearly, but she spends nine out of ten days away from the Li Family, so you could say we rely on each other."
"Is that so? That’s great; I’m quite interested in Jingjun’s past. If you’re not busy, could you chat with me for a while?"
"Yes... yes."
Xiaoyun stared blankly at Xu Lingjun for a moment, as if remembering something, her face blushing slightly and lowering her head.
She quickly nodded and said, "Miss didn’t need much care during school or while in seclusion, so I was quite idle and have gained a lot of weight over the past year without doing anything serious. I was just thinking about getting back to work, and now I can serve the young master, which is nice. Whatever the young master needs, please let me know; I’ll do my utmost to fulfill it."
"Well... thank you for your hard work."
"No trouble at all, it’s my duty."
Xu Lingjun invited Xiaoyun inside.
Through his conversation with Xiaoyun, Xu Lingjun learned that the place he was staying was called Yuxie Pavilion, which was very close to Li Jingjun’s Jingwu Residence, otherwise, she wouldn’t have casually walked past here.
The old lady is such a cupid, is she trying to hint at something?
Xu Lingjun suddenly recalled Li Fufeng’s previous statement that he would expedite their marriage.
He then realized...
Wait, my eloquence... No, my skillful debate seemed to win, but I might have pushed the girlfriend who was almost in my grasp further away?
Since I made a three-year agreement with the old lady, what is my relationship with Jingjun before these three years are up?
A fiancé with whom I can do almost anything? Or...
Dear me, did I just shoot myself in the foot with this?
But listening to Xiaoyun’s recount of Li Jingjun’s monotonous life over the past ten years.
Xu Lingjun’s previously whimsical thoughts gradually faded, and it became clear that he did not expect someone from a wealthy background to have such a difficult fate.
Li Fufeng may appear easy-going, but that is only because Xu Lingjun’s overall performance has far exceeded her expectations. Such a rigid old lady is easy to deal with because as long as you meet her expectations, she won’t overly restrict your personal life.
But if you don’t meet them...
Undoubtedly, Li Jingjun previously didn’t meet those expectations.
But now it seems, through countless life and death battles at Bei Xuanwu Martial Mansion, she’s finally been able to satisfy the old lady... From this perspective, Xu Lingjun’s ability to receive such favor from the old lady is not solely due to his efforts; Jingjun’s efforts also undeniably contributed to it.
Thinking of this, Xu Lingjun felt a warmth in his heart.
They talked for a long time until Li Fufeng sent someone to invite Xu Lingjun to have a meal with her...
Only then did Xu Lingjun bid farewell to Xiaoyun.
He went to dine where...
She thoroughly inquired about Xu Lingjun’s family situation, especially about Wang Tiancheng’s situation, and upon learning that Wang Tiancheng was a simple businessman and that Wang Qingya was studying under Head Teacher Zhong Yuebai, she couldn’t help but nod slightly.
In her heart, she thought the future Pavilion Master of Zhanzheng Academy would match Jingjun’s status well, and also, since he’s not an equal marriage partner, in a few decades, Jingjun would still be in charge.
She thought this and looked at Xu Lingjun with more satisfaction in her eyes.
She even asked Li Pingting to bring out her treasured good wine for Xu Lingjun to drink.
Xu Lingjun felt it impolite to refuse...
Returning to his room, he collapsed into bed and immediately fell asleep...
As he dozed off, he vaguely felt someone helping him take off his coat and shoes, and then wiping him with a towel.
He slept even more soundly.
In a while, he awakened to find a beautifully elegant figure with gentle long hair not tied up as usual, but carelessly cascading over her shoulders, adding a touch of grace.
She gently stroked his face and smiled, "You’re awake."