Chapter 124: Where did you go out today!

"Heh! My grandfather and my father are, of course, both honorable officials." Fu Yan’s chest heaved with fury, and her body trembled slightly, but she managed to restrain herself.

In truth, Fu Yan desperately wanted to slap the woman across the face. However, she had assessed the situation around her and listened carefully to the final words Zhang Xiaolan had spoken. She knew she had to hold back; if she were to strike, she would be humiliating not only herself but her entire family. If her father found out, he would never forgive her. Fortunately, Fu Yan still possessed a shred of reason and was not entirely foolish.

"I am already well aware of that. Then, Miss Fu, please do enjoy selecting your jewelry. I shall take my leave now."

Zhang Xiaolan finished with a sweet smile and a nod of feigned agreement toward Fu Yan. Who knew what kind of officials her family truly were? There was no harm in speaking pleasantries; it was enough to soothe herself and irritate her opponent.

"Xiao Lian, Ling Xiao, let's go." Taking Xiao Lian by the hand and calling for Ling Xiao, the group walked out of the shop, leaving under the impressed gazes of the onlookers.

"Miss, you were truly incredible!" Once they were outside, Xiao Lian praised Zhang Xiaolan. She was deeply impressed by her mistress's wit and her rapid-fire retort; she had been terribly worried when the confrontation first began.

Ling Xiao, however, remained much calmer. Although he had frowned and felt angry at the start, he had seen Zhang Xiaolan handle such situations before, so this performance came as no surprise to him.

"We shall see... let’s return to the manor."

Fu Yan glared at Zhang Xiaolan’s retreating back and spat out the words. She had miscalculated today; she never expected this woman to be so formidable. It was no wonder Li Rui had been bewitched by her. Fu Yan would not let this go; a grudge had been firmly established. With a flick of her sleeves, she turned and stormed out of the shop.

"Yes, Miss." Her maid, seeing that her mistress had suffered a setback and sensing her rising temper, replied nervously and hurried after her.

The shopkeeper, who had been standing behind the counter the entire time, felt his legs go weak. He wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, terrified that such a scene had unfolded in his establishment. Fortunately, both parties had "gone home" without further incident. Fearing that if things had escalated, he might have become a target for their venting, the shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief as the gathered crowd dispersed.

Fu Yan returned home with a cold expression. She had just reached the main hall when she was caught by her father, Fu Shijie. Seeing her return from outside, he demanded sternly, "Where have you been today!"

"I went out to shop for some things," Fu Yan replied, quickly composing her features. She dared not tell her father what had just happened.

It was she who had provoked the trouble without cause, and she certainly could not admit it was out of jealousy over Li Rui. Every time she went to the Prince Rui manor, she was told Li Rui was not there. Today, she had happened to run into Zhang Xiaolan and intended to humiliate her, only to be outmaneuvered and left seething with resentment.

"Did I not tell you not to go out? The palace selection is approaching, and you should be at home preparing properly."

Fu Shijie frowned at his daughter’s penchant for wandering the streets. It was hardly becoming for a young lady to be out so often. With the selection imminent, she should be at home practicing calligraphy, painting, and needlework—all of which were part of the assessment. Once the preliminary selection was over, the palace selection would follow; their family’s success hinged on this single attempt.

"Father, I don't want to enter the palace to be some imperial concubine! The person I love is Brother Rui."

Hearing her father repeat these same warnings, Fu Yan grew weary. She stepped forward and began to act coy, pouring out her heart to her father about her feelings for Li Rui. She had long ago expressed her dislike for the selection, yet her father insisted she participate. Even her performance at the palace last time had been forced upon her; it was only because she had caught a glimpse of Li Rui that she had put any effort into it at all.