These days, comments are few, clicks are few, recommended votes are few, and collections have also increased less... /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~ I'm feeling very anxious, I don't know if it's because my writing is bad. Hope everyone will give more support and encouragement ~

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  Later, Lu Hong left Jizhou and went to the capital to participate in the imperial examination.

  Lu Qian's courage grew bolder, and he actually ran to her front, pouring out his heart to her. She was both shocked and angry, scolding him harshly without mercy, then sternly refused and drove him away.

  Lu Qian left in a state of extreme distress, his mind preoccupied with worries. He got caught in a heavy rain and fell ill with a high fever. For three consecutive days, the fever did not subside. Mrs. Ling was frightened out of her wits and spent her days by his bedside, wiping away tears.

  In her delirium from high fever, Lu Qian kept murmuring her maiden name, and Ling Shi naturally heard it.

  Ling's anger was beyond words. But seeing Lu Qian's life in danger, she didn't have the heart to bother her.

  Lu Qian's high fever had subsided, but he lay listlessly in bed, refusing to eat or speak.

  Ling endured the anger in her heart and softly begged her to take care of Lu Qian for a few days: "......You are Lu Qian's cousin and sister-in-law. Do you want to watch him die? Even if I beg you, take care of him for a few days, comfort him for now, when he recovers from his illness, it's up to you whether you want to avoid suspicion and keep your distance."

  Although she was reluctant, she couldn't bear Ling's crying and begging, and finally agreed.

  With her taking care of him, Lu Qian's illness quickly took a turn for the better. He obediently drank his medicine and ate his meals, and soon recovered. But she also got entangled in this trouble from then on, as the servants in the manor began to spread rumors about them. Ling Shi's gaze towards her became increasingly unfriendly.

  The news of Lu Hong's success in the imperial examination soon arrived. She was overjoyed and eagerly anticipated Lu Hong's early return, taking her and their son away from the Lu mansion.

  Unfortunately, what she got was the bad news of Lu Hong's departure with a different heart.

  She was heartbroken and desperate, crying in her room. Lu Qian suddenly rushed into her house in broad daylight, and in front of the maid, he said recklessly: "My brother is unfaithful and has someone else in his heart, he doesn't want you, I'll marry you!"

  The maids were dumbfounded and couldn't utter a word in shock.

  Ling rushed over, his face iron-green, and ordered someone to bind Lu Qian up and take him away.

  Before leaving, Ling stared at her fiercely. Like a venomous snake, it was sinister and chilling, making people feel cold all over.

  ......

  Distant memories buried in the heart surged up.

  His face, white and clean, full of smiles, quietly merged with the image of that reckless and eccentric boy in his memory.

  Ling Jingxu felt an indescribable taste in her heart. If it weren't for Lu Qian, the Ling family wouldn't have used such vicious and sinister means to harm her, and she wouldn't have ended up in that situation...

  In the painful days of being confined at home for several years, only Lu Qian dared to visit her. When she could no longer bear the humiliation and wanted to escape back to her parents' home, it was also Lu Qian who secretly helped her escape from the Lu mansion.

  After all, Lu Qian is just a stubborn young man who loves but cannot have. She hates the Lu family, but doesn't have much hatred for Lu Qian... nor does she have any good feelings towards him either.

  Ling Jingxu's thoughts were in disarray, and her expression was somewhat dazed.

  Lu Qian had been closely watching Ling Jingxiao's expression, and naturally didn't miss that hint of surprise. His heart suddenly felt a sharp pain. But he couldn't reveal even a single bit of it, and instead forced out a cheerful smile: "Sister Jingxiao, the garden only has Luoyang brocade flowers in bloom. Last time I came to the garden, I didn't have the leisure to appreciate them carefully. Today is just right for me to take a closer look. I hope Sister Jingxiao won't hide anything from me and will point out some things."

  Don't hit a smiling face. Ling Jingyu hesitated for a moment before nodding.

  Lu Qian's eyes lit up, and his right hand, hidden in his sleeve, began to tremble with excitement. Fortunately, it was well concealed, and no one noticed.

  Lu Hong watched this scene with a growing sense of discomfort in his heart.

  Ling Jingxu's gentle care for Ling Xiao is not worth mentioning, and she can also be considered polite to Lu Qian. Only when facing him, she would frown and respond coldly, with disgust and contempt in her eyes.

  Lu Hong is also a born stubborn temper. The more Ling Jingxuan is like this, the stronger his desire to get close to her becomes.

  Obviously, it's not a good idea to brazenly push your way in front of her.

  Lu Hong's mind flashed with an idea. He intentionally quickened his pace, walking shoulder to shoulder with Ling Xiao, and warmly asked him: "Ling Xiao, I saw you attending the lecture at the Ling family's home school yesterday too. Did you understand the Master's explanation of the classics?"

  Ling Xiao shook his head somewhat apologetically: "I only understood a little more than half of it, and didn't quite get the rest."

  "This is not your fault." Lu Hong comforted with a smile: "You rarely go to the family school, and only listen to the young servant read books and ponder the meaning of the classics yourself. It's natural that you can't compare to Master's meticulous teaching. If you don't mind my clumsy words, I'll carefully tell you about the classic that Master lectured on yesterday."

  So kind and enthusiastic, Ling Xiao's heart felt warm and fuzzy, his handsome face lit up with joyful light: "How can I trouble Brother Heng like this?"

  Lu Hong smiled slightly: "It's just a small matter, no need to make a fuss. Brother Xiao is being too polite, it's actually impolite."

  He paused and smiled, "I came to the Ling Mansion with my mother and second brother as guests, we will be staying for a few months. I am two years older than you, and I have also put in some hard work in studying. Last year, I passed the imperial examination and now I have the title of scholar. In terms of the Four Books and Five Classics, I still have some insights. If there's anything you don't understand about them, feel free to discuss with me. Perhaps it will be beneficial for you."

  Ling Xiao was quite surprised. However, she didn't immediately agree, but instead gently tugged at Ling Jingxuan's sleeve: "Ah Jing, is it really okay to trouble Brother Hong like this?"

  Lu Hong's thoughts were completely seen through by Ling Jingxuan.

  Ling Jingxu was about to refuse without hesitation, but when she saw Ling Xiao's excited and expectant face, her heart suddenly softened.

  Ling Xiao stays in the inner courtyard every day, and almost has no playmates of the same age. He has always been lonely and melancholy, Lu Hong's active and initiative to show his kindness, Ling Xiao is overjoyed in his heart...

  Forget it. As long as Ling Xiao is happy, that's all that matters.

  Lu Hong is a treacherous and unscrupulous person, but he has real talent and learning. He is willing to give sincere guidance, which is also a good thing for Ling Xiang.

  Ling Jingyu smiled and said, "Indeed, it's a bit of trouble for Brother Lu. However, since Brother Lu has already spoken up, he must have some sincerity. You should agree to it!"

  As soon as this was said, Ling Xiao and Lu Hong's eyes both lit up.

  Lu Hong's uncontrollably joyful appearance fell into Ling Jingxuan's eyes, exceptionally piercing.

  Ling Jing smiled coldly in her heart.

  Lu Hong deliberately tried to please Ling Xiao, with the intention of getting close to her. Unfortunately, she had already become as cold as iron. No matter how many tactics Lu Hong used, it was all in vain.

  ......

  Everyone has their own thoughts, and appreciating flowers becomes secondary.

  Lu Qian spoke more than usual today, dragging Ling Jingxuan to talk endlessly: "Sister Jingxuan, which two varieties of peony were used to graft this Luoyang brocade? How long is the flowering period? Besides these two colors, can other colors be produced?"

  "Sister, I have nothing to do every day, from now on, let's come to Peony Garden together to take care of these peonies!"

  "Eldest sister, apart from growing flowers, what else do you like to do in your leisure time? Play the piano, paint, or embroider?"

  "Big sister..."

  Like a fly buzzing incessantly around one's ear.

  Ling Jingxu's patience had been worn down, and she said irritably, "When appreciating flowers, one must be calm and serene. With you being so noisy, how can you appreciate the flowers?"

  Lu Qian was scolded but didn't get angry, instead he smiled and said: "Alright alright alright, I'll listen to you, from now on I won't speak anymore."

  "Jiūbiǎo jie, will you teach me how to grow peonies?"

  Ling Jingxu: "......"

  Still entangling people like in the previous life, putting on a cold face as if nothing is seen, not taking cold words to heart, like a hot dog skin plaster, giving people a headache.

  Lu Hong patiently explained the meaning of the classics to Ling Xiao, occasionally raising his head to see the helplessness in Ling Jingxuan's eyes and the fluttering in Lu Qian's heart. He felt a hard-to-express sourness in his heart.

  When he realized that this sour taste actually came from Lu Qian, he couldn't help but laugh at himself secretly.

  Lu Qian was still a child and didn't understand what Fang Mu Shao Ai meant. He ate Lu Qian's vinegar, which was quite laughable.

  Looking at Ling Jingxuan's breathtakingly beautiful profile again, Lu Hong felt a surge of unfamiliar emotions in his heart, with sweetness mixed with confusion and bitterness containing infinite joy.

  Is this what it feels like to have a crush on someone?

  A heart as if floating in the clouds, yearning to see her, moved by her every smile and frown, distressed by her indifference and dislike.

  Lu Hong was stunned and lost his mind.

  Ling Xiao waited for half a day and didn't hear him continue, so he couldn't help but urge: "Hong Shu, why did you stop halfway through?"

  Lu Hong finally came back to his senses, coughing awkwardly: "Nothing, I was just thinking about how to say it in a more straightforward way..."

  A small servant hastily ran over and reported to Lu Hong and Lu Qian: "Reporting to the two young masters, the old master's boat has arrived at the dock. The madam ordered the two young masters to take a horse-drawn carriage to the dock immediately to pick up the old master."

  ......