Chapter 183 - 181: No Different From Previous Years (Second Update)

Chapter 183: Chapter 181: No Different From Previous Years (Second Update)

Xiao Yi felt somewhat disappointed, but at least he had a reason for her to visit next time. He gave a slight smile and said, "Alright, I’ll see Miss Xu off."

Xiao Huai’an immediately insisted on accompanying Xu Jing as well. She was a bit helpless but let the father and son escort her to the back gate.

Before leaving, Xiao Yi suddenly called out to her, "If you plan to go out in the near future, be careful."

Xu Jing thought he was worried about the Prince Xing Faction doing something to her, and she nodded, "I understand."

"It’s not just the people from the Prince Xing Faction," Xiao Yi paused and said seriously, "Since the Smiling Killer reappeared, he kills someone every six months. The last time he killed was in January."

Xu Jing was momentarily stunned and immediately understood what he meant.

It’s now early August, and given the frequency of the Smiling Killer’s murders, he should have already acted by now.

If he strikes again, it’s likely to be in these few days.

Xu Jing’s expression naturally turned serious, "Thank you for the warning, Vice Minister Xiao."

With that, she boarded the carriage.

After Xu Jing left, the father and son stood silently together for a moment. Suddenly, Xiao Yi felt a soft little hand slip like a fish into his, grasping two of his fingers. He looked down to see a little point looking at him with a kind of pity he couldn’t understand, stating earnestly, "Dad, I’ll keep you company!"

If he missed Mom, he could still go stay with her, hold her, and sleep in the same bed with her.

But if Dad missed Mom, there was nothing he could do.

Sigh, Dad is really pitiful. Well, he decided to endure a bit more and keep Dad company for a couple more days!

Meanwhile, Xu Jing was eager to return home because she had promised Madam Cen a lavender ointment that wasn’t finished yet. Luckily, she had prepared all the materials and initial steps in advance, so she only needed to complete a few final steps upon returning.

She made a total of four jars of Purple Gromwell Ointment this time. Madam Cen would definitely want to try it out first before deciding whether to place an order; making too much at this stage would be pointless.

The next day, she brought the ready Purple Gromwell Ointment and headed to the Zhao Family.

When she arrived, Zhao Shao Hua was also there, obviously waiting for her.

Madam Cen warmly took Xu Jing’s hand, smiling, "Shao Hua told me about your recent affair at the Marquis Huaiyin’s residence. Doctor Xu surprises me with something new every day."

Zhao Shao Hua laughed playfully, "Right, aunt, I was thinking yesterday, what kind of man could be fit for a talented woman like Doctor Xu in the future."

A look of regret flashed deep in Madam Cen’s eyes. No matter how talented Doctor Xu is, she is still a woman living independently with no prominent family background, which makes it impossible for her to marry into an illustrious family.

Madam Cen doesn’t mind Doctor Xu’s background; rather, she greatly admires this independent and strong woman. However, she has to admit that many men find it hard to accept a wife who shows her face in public. That alone makes it difficult for her to marry even into an ordinary family.

Such is the harshness of the world upon women, and this is in a much more open-minded Great Chu compared to the previous dynasty.

Moreover, she always wears a veil, and they don’t know if her face is not convenient to show...

Thinking of these, Madam Cen looked at Xu Jing with more compassion. Zhao Shao Hua suddenly said, "Isn’t it Mid-Autumn Festival in a few days? Every year the city is bustling during Mid-Autumn. Many young ladies and gentlemen will hit the streets, Doctor Xu, would you like to join me and see who you might meet that day?"

Xu Jing was slightly stunned, was it almost the Mid-Autumn Festival?

The time indeed flies. When she first arrived here, it was April.

Madam Cen immediately glared at Zhao Shao Hua, "You just want to have fun. Don’t drag Doctor Xu into your shenanigans."

Zhao Shao Hua pouted playfully, her face displaying the childlike coyness typical of a pampered daughter.

Xu Jing smiled, "Let’s see, I’m not sure if I’ll be busy that day."

They chatted for a while longer, and Madam Cen said she would try out Xu Jing’s Purple Gromwell Ointment and let her know in a few days how many jars she wanted to order. Xu Jing then left.

On the way back to the residence, Xu Jing couldn’t help thinking about past Mid-Autumn Festivals. Since her grandfather passed away, she had spent every Mid-Autumn alone. Gradually, she stopped being so sensitive to the holiday, often only realizing it was Mid-Autumn when seeing all the mooncake promotions in every mall.

She leaned against the carriage wall, her eyes slightly closed.

This rare Mid-Autumn Festival, Little Point was sure to spend it with Xiao Yi.

This year’s festival, for her, was no different from previous years.

Suddenly, the carriage abruptly stopped, and Xu Jing opened her eyes sharply, raising her voice, "Has something happened?"

"Miss Xu," the coachman’s slightly tense voice came through, "someone has stopped the carriage."

After a pause, he added, "It’s the third son of the Marquis Wushun’s household."

Xu Jing was slightly startled, and her face suddenly fell.

Wu Youbing? What does he want?

Her mind quickly spun. These past few days, she had given Cheng Xianbai many tasks, so she had gone to the Zhao Family alone this time.

She had no choice but to open the carriage door herself and stepped out, looking at Wu Youbing, who was accompanied by two servants. She said calmly, "What does Lord Wu want from me?"

Wu Youbing’s expression was very strange, seemingly in disbelief and as if struggling to understand. He stared intently at Xu Jing for a long moment before gritting his teeth, "Are you really Xu Siniang?!"

Xu Jing raised her eyebrows slightly.

From Wu Youbing’s reaction, she instantly perceived a lot—

First, he previously did not know her identity.

Second, he was very surprised by her identity. It’s not surprising, really; everyone who learns she is Xu Siniang is shocked by her transformation. But judging by his level of shock, he must have only found out recently; given Wu Youbing’s impatient nature, he likely came running the moment he learned her identity.

Xu Jing quickly reached a conclusion and gave a slight smirk, with a hint of mockery, "Did Xu Ya tell you? Did you just meet with Xu Ya?"

This reaction from Xu Jing confirmed her identity, and Wu Youbing’s eyes widened with anger as he furiously said, "You woman, you’ve been hiding this from me. You were watching me make a fool of myself all along!"

The thought that she had watched him being wronged so miserably at the Wang Family estate, while pretending to speak on his behalf, made him so angry he wanted to kill.

He mistakenly thought he had found a kindred spirit who truly understood him, and even considered bringing her into his family if she wasn’t ugly!

But today, when Xu San Niang told him she was the woman who broke off their engagement, how could he not be furious!

The more Wu Youbing thought about it, the more he couldn’t swallow his anger. Unable to restrain himself, he reached out and grabbed fiercely at Xu Jing.