Volume 3, Chapter 389 – Plugging Her Ears to Steal a Bell, There’s Something Fishy

Bu Lianshuang didn’t say anything. She sniffed a few times, taking in several light breaths.

“So fragrant.” The words slipped out of her mouth before she realized it.

“…” Lu Zhuxin raised her eyes and looked at her with a blank expression.

Bu Lianshuang’s expression stiffened. She hurriedly said, “Xin’er! Don’t misunderstand! That’s not what I meant!”

Lu Zhuxin continued looking at Bu Lianshuang with a blank expression. “Then what does Your Highness mean?”

Bu Lianshuang hastily explained, “It’s not that I think you smell nice, that’s not why I wanted to sniff you!”

“So Your Highness thinks I smell bad?”

Bu Lianshuang was so anxious she nearly cried. “That’s not it either! How could I ever think you smell bad!”

Wolves and foxes did not naturally get along, and wolves had never liked the scent of foxes.

Wolves were naturally very sensitive to smell.

A scent too strong simply became a stench.

And because of their pheromones, a fox’s scent was, to a wolf, far too overpowering.

But Bu Lianshuang felt that her fox lady was completely different from other foxes.

Xin’er’s scent smelled wonderful. Even wrapped entirely in it, a wolf would feel no discomfort at all.

It was only that, just now, within that pleasant fox fragrance, she had caught a whiff of something out of place.

“It’s the clothes you’re wearing! There’s something wrong with the smell of your clothes!”

“Clothes?” Lu Zhuxin raised a finger and gave her own collar a light tug. “Did Cheng Yinyin tamper with them?”

“Was it drugged? Or was it cursed?”

“Cheng Yinyin actually dares to tamper with things in a place like this. Isn’t she afraid the Empress would have the entire Cheng family wiped out?”

Bu Lianshuang pressed her lips together. “I’m not sure.”

Her gaze drifted toward the collar Lu Zhuxin had hooked open slightly with her finger.

The collar had been pulled open just a little, and a faint glimpse of pale collarbone could be seen.

“Nngh.” Bu Lianshuang instinctively swallowed.

She looked at Lu Zhuxin with a solemn expression.

“I need to.”

“Sniff it again to be sure.”

“…” Lu Zhuxin looked at Bu Lianshuang in silence, her gaze somewhat odd.

Bu Lianshuang said urgently, “Xin’er, I’m being serious! There’s really no other meaning behind it.”

Lu Zhuxin continued watching her with a blank expression.

Just as Bu Lianshuang was growing so anxious she was about to cry, Lu Zhuxin suddenly burst out laughing.

“Your Highness, I was teasing you. Of course I know Your Highness didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Xin’er.” Bu Lianshuang stared at Lu Zhuxin in a daze.

Lu Zhuxin chuckled and shifted closer to Bu Lianshuang.

“I trust your judgment, Your Highness.”

With that, she leaned against Bu Lianshuang, tilting her head up slightly, exposing the pale side of her neck.

Bu Lianshuang felt an inexplicable warmth rise within her.

Although she knew that the fox lady was only asking her to check the clothes.

The fox lady baring her neck like this still sent Bu Lianshuang’s thoughts wandering.

Would that flawless skin look even more beautiful with a faint red mark pressed onto it.

‘No! Now is not the time to be thinking about that!’

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Bu Lianshuang bit down lightly on the tip of her tongue, forcing down the fantasies stirring in her heart.

She leaned in close to Lu Zhuxin’s neck and gently sniffed.

Lu Zhuxin felt her neck itch.

The warm breath the little wolf exhaled brushed against her neck, as though someone were lightly teasing her skin with a feather.

“Well?” Lu Zhuxin asked.

Bu Lianshuang straightened up. She looked at the clothes Lu Zhuxin was wearing, her expression thoughtful. “Something’s off. What material is this skirt made of?”

“South Sea Mermaid Silk.” Lu Zhuxin answered.

“South Sea Mermaid Silk?” Bu Lianshuang thought it over. “I don’t know what South Sea Mermaid Silk is, but it’s clear this fabric has something else mixed into it.”

She lowered her head, rubbing her chin with her fingers.

Suddenly, Bu Lianshuang seemed to remember something. She snapped her head back up and looked at Lu Zhuxin.

“That’s it, I remember now. This is Snow Serpent Weave from the northern border.”

“That kind of material can only be found in the northern border.”

She looked at Lu Zhuxin’s clothes again, her tone surprised. “Whoever wove this outfit is quite skilled. If I hadn’t grown up in the northern border and been so familiar with things from there, I probably wouldn’t have been able to recognize it either.”

Lu Zhuxin was taken aback. “Snow Serpent Weave from the northern border?”

Her eyes flickered as thoughts turned over in her mind.

Cheng Yinyin had harbored ill intentions from the very start.

She was only using Cheng Lixue to provoke Cheng Lixia. There was no way she would actually help Cheng Lixue pass the selection.

And in household drama novels, the tricks a scheming female side character commonly used were, for the most part, always the same handful.

Thinking this, Lu Zhuxin chuckled lightly. “That works out well, actually. I’d like to ask Your Highness to help me with something.”

Bu Lianshuang asked, “What is it?”

“Find an opportunity to let Chi Xiyan know about this.”

Bu Lianshuang was confused. She opened her mouth to ask why.

But then, remembering that the fox lady didn’t like her asking too many questions, she held it back.

If the fox lady wanted this done, she must have her reasons.

Bu Lianshuang nodded and said, “I’ll do it.”

She paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, “What about tomorrow’s selection round, then? What should I do?”

Lu Zhuxin looked up. “The six arts of a gentleman are etiquette, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics. Which one can you do?”

Bu Lianshuang looked at Lu Zhuxin blankly.

“Sigh.” Lu Zhuxin sighed helplessly. “None of the others suit you. Pick between archery and beast taming.”

Bu Lianshuang looked surprised. “Xin’er, does this mean you want me to pass the selection?”

Lu Zhuxin’s expression turned complicated as she glanced at Bu Lianshuang.

With the destined male lead helping her cut through the back door, it would be hard for her not to pass even if she tried.

It would be better for her to act somewhat normal, then.

“Mm.” Lu Zhuxin nodded. “I’ve thought it over. What comes next matters a great deal to me. If I have your help, it will save me a lot of trouble.”

“Besides, I looked over the jade slip you brought earlier. Among the candidates from Shuyuan Commandery, hardly anyone poses a real threat to us.”

“The chances that you and I pass the selection together are quite high.”

Bu Lianshuang looked at Lu Zhuxin, her eyes growing warm. “Okay! Xin’er. I’ll work hard!”

Lu Zhuxin smiled. “Alright, go back for now, before you stay here too long and someone grows suspicious.”

“Mm hm!” Bu Lianshuang nodded firmly.

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She pushed the window open and climbed back out.

But after only a few steps, she heard a voice call out from behind her.

“Actually, if all you needed to do was smell the clothes, sniffing the sleeve would have been enough.”

Bu Lianshuang’s expression froze for a moment. She turned to look back, only to see Lu Zhuxin leaning against the windowsill, grinning at her slyly like a little fox.

Bu Lianshuang recalled her earlier actions, and her face turned bright red.

She took off running as fast as her feet could carry her.

Lu Zhuxin sat by the window, watching Bu Lianshuang’s fleeing figure.

The faint smile at the corner of her mouth slowly faded.

She murmured to herself.

“How strange.”

[Host, what’s wrong?]

The voice of 03 surfaced in Lu Zhuxin’s mind.

Lu Zhuxin looked toward where Bu Lianshuang had disappeared and said quietly, “Since the Heavenly Dao’s power of restoration brought Bu Lianshuang here, why hasn’t Wei Ziqing’s appearance affected her at all?”

“If the male and female leads can’t even form any connection with each other, then what’s the point of forcing them together?”

System 03 fell silent for a moment.

[So, Host was just now teasing Bu Lianshuang to test whether her feelings toward you had changed.]

[You’re letting her continue in the selection so that she stays somewhere you can easily keep control of her.]

[That way, you can make sure she doesn’t cross paths with the destined male lead, Wei Ziqing, somewhere you don’t know about.]

System 03’s tone was extremely certain.

Lu Zhuxin fell silent for a moment.

“You really are much smarter than Ming Zhaoxi.”

If it had been Ming Zhaoxi, it probably would have just assumed she was keeping Bu Lianshuang close because her lustful heart had gotten the better of her.

“But there’s one thing you got wrong.”

“I wasn’t teasing Bu Lianshuang. I was seriously courting her.”

[…]

The system fell silent.

Lu Zhuxin’s brow furrowed, and she added, “More genuine than real gold.”

[Heh.]

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Bu Lianshuang covered her slightly hot face and jogged down the corridor.

What did the fox lady mean by that just now?

She already knew that sniffing the sleeve would have been enough, so why did she pull open her own collar and expose her neck?

Was she hinting at something?

Bu Lianshuang felt like her brain was overheating.

It was like a kettle come to a boil, puffing steam out in bursts.

Just then, Bu Lianshuang suddenly felt a chill run through her entire body.

Someone had locked onto her with a hostile aura.

She stopped in her tracks and looked toward the person approaching.

Then, her eyes narrowed.

It was Chi Xiyan.

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The moment she recognized who it was, a flicker of hostility flashed through Bu Lianshuang’s eyes.

But, remembering the fox lady’s earlier warning, she held it back.

Taking a light, deep breath, Bu Lianshuang forced a stiff smile and turned toward Chi Xiyan, who was slowly approaching.

“Miss, you’re here for the selection too, aren’t you.”

“It’s the middle of the night. Why aren’t you asleep? What are you doing blocking my way here?”

Crunch.

Under the moonlight, Chi Xiyan stepped over the scattered leaves in the courtyard and emerged from the darkness.

She glanced toward the direction Bu Lianshuang had come from, her gaze turning cold.

“Who are you, and why did you come out of her courtyard?”

‘Did Chi Xiyan notice?!’

Bu Lianshuang’s heart tightened.

But quickly, she calmed herself.

She chuckled lightly. “Miss, I don’t understand what you mean. Who is this ‘her’ you’re talking about?”

Chi Xiyan looked into those gray eyes.

For some reason, she kept feeling that this woman seemed somewhat familiar.

“I recognize you.” She said.

Her tone was certain.

Bu Lianshuang felt her heart skip a beat.

‘Did Chi Xiyan really recognize me? How is that possible!’

‘How could she have recognized me?’

‘Is there something wrong with the disguise the foxes made for me?’

‘No! There’s no way the foxes’ disguise could be seen through that easily.’

‘This human, she must be trying to bluff me.’

‘Humans really are treacherous.’

Bu Lianshuang let out a light, mocking chuckle.

“Miss really likes to joke. Isn’t this the first time we’ve ever met?”

“I don’t even know you, so how could you possibly know me?”

Chi Xiyan kept her eyes fixed on her face, watching her expression closely.

“During the day, you were sitting beside Little Xue’er.”

“And at that time, your gaze kept lingering on Little Xue’er.”

Chi Xiyan’s gaze sharpened.

“You know Little Xue’er, don’t you?”

A brief silence.

“Ah, so it’s her you mean.” Bu Lianshuang said, as if realization had dawned. “So her name is Little Xue’er. What a lovely name.”

Bu Lianshuang said playfully, “She really is a beautiful young lady. If it were possible, I’d love to get to know her too.”

Chi Xiyan’s expression turned even colder. “I’m not joking with you.”

“Heh heh.” Bu Lianshuang gave a couple of dry laughs.

She hadn’t expected that this woman was even capable of making such an expression.

It was ridiculous, and rather funny.

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“If the Little Xue’er you’re talking about is the young lady I’m thinking of, then you’re mistaken.”

Bu Lianshuang said with a smile, “The reason I looked at her wasn’t because I know her, but because of the clothes she was wearing.”

“Clothes?” Chi Xiyan frowned.

“That’s right.” Bu Lianshuang continued. “The main fabric of what she was wearing is South Sea Mermaid Silk, but mixed into that South Sea Mermaid Silk is some Snow Serpent Weave from the northern border.”

“That kind of material is very rare. If I hadn’t come across it before, I really wouldn’t have recognized it.”

“I never expected to see it here, so I couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.”

Bu Lianshuang spread her hands toward Chi Xiyan. “Miss, do you have any other questions now?”

Chi Xiyan’s gaze narrowed. “Then why did you come out of her courtyard?”

“I swear on my conscience, I didn’t even know she lived in that courtyard.” Bu Lianshuang said irritably. “And besides, she’s not the only one living in that courtyard. How can you be so sure I went there looking for her?”

“…” Chi Xiyan fell silent for a moment. “Was it really just because of the clothes?”

“What else would it be.” Bu Lianshuang sighed. “If you still don’t trust me, you can take me to confront her directly.”

“You can trust her word, at least, can’t you.”

Chi Xiyan fell silent for a moment.

Of course she could trust her own sister’s word.

But right now.

Chi Xiyan gave Bu Lianshuang an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Miss. It seems I’ve misunderstood.”

“It’s fine. As long as the misunderstanding is cleared up.” Bu Lianshuang waved a hand casually. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to rest. I still need to prepare for tomorrow’s selection.”

Chi Xiyan said, “Then I won’t keep you any longer, Miss.”

Bu Lianshuang shrugged her shoulders and turned to leave.

As she walked, she muttered to herself, “Archery or beast taming. Which should I pick? This is such a hard choice.”

Watching Bu Lianshuang’s retreating figure, Chi Xiyan suddenly called out, “Lan Shuang’er!”

Bu Lianshuang didn’t stop, walking off on her own as though she hadn’t heard a thing.

Chi Xiyan could only see her back, unable to see the mocking smile at the corner of her mouth.

‘Foolish woman, this consort’s name was never Lan Shuang’er to begin with!’

Mocking her in her heart, Bu Lianshuang walked away with a light and cheerful step.

Chi Xiyan withdrew her gaze, confusion filling her heart.

Lan Shuang’er was locked away within the Chi Family Grand Mansion, so it truly couldn’t be her.

But if this woman wasn’t Lan Shuang’er, then who could she be?

Chi Xiyan couldn’t figure it out.

She shook her head, ready to head back to her own room first.

After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped again.

She turned to look back in the direction Bu Lianshuang had gone, her gaze sharp.

During the daytime test, the officials of Huayue Court had called out the name of every single test taker.

That woman’s name had been called right beside Little Xue’er’s.

She had said Little Xue’er was beautiful, which meant she had been paying attention to her.

If she had been paying attention to Little Xue’er, then how could she not know Little Xue’er’s name?

“Plugging her ears to steal the bell.”

“There must be something fishy here.”