CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: THOUGHT HE WAS MORE FAVORED

However, the young man thought about how Miss Tang had repeatedly defended him and even took him out of the situation in front of the emperor. Regardless of her reasons, she had done him a great favor.

It’s just a name, there’s no need to go against her wishes.

But Tang Xiaobai was a little worried.

Naming was not her strength, and after racking her brains for quite a while, she finally came up with a good name: "That’s it! I like eating yuanxiao, how about I call you Yuanxiao?"

As soon as this idea came up, Tang Xiaobai wanted to give herself a big thumbs up.

This name was just too fitting!

It contained Qin Xiao’s original name and perfectly matched her own persona.

Didn’t you see that the maidservants around the Second Miss Tang were named things like Cheng Zi and Tao Zi, or Ah Song and Ah Kui; they were all named after foods!

Perhaps because of the comparison with "Xiao Hei," the young man was obviously much more satisfied with "Yuanxiao," and he nodded his head without coughing.

Tang Xiaobai smiled with relief and talked about the study arrangements: "I’ve thought about it, I’m barely adequate to teach you... you can go with me, although you can’t enter the room, you can stand by and listen—"

She had already observed that unless the Duke Yan Mansion was very unconventional, the popular architecture at the time mostly lacked doors except for living quarters.

Some had three walls, and more often four pillars with no walls, only screens or curtains as barriers.

If the classroom at the clan school was of this design, it would be very convenient for Qin Xiao to audit.

"Take good rest these days, studying is also quite taxing... I’ll have the doctor come to see you again. Why do you still look so pale?"

Maybe it was because his previous injuries hadn’t healed, or perhaps his constitution was just too weak; whenever she observed his complexion, he seemed so pale that it was almost bluish.

How could he be so feeble at such a young age? Better to have it checked again.

At this point, the intention to dismiss was already clear.

Tang Xiaobai saw he hadn’t moved and waved her hand.

The young man still didn’t withdraw, his dark eyes fixed on her: "Just me alone?"

Tang Xiaobai then remembered there was another: "Bing Shish also together—"

How could the Miss with an obsession for even numbers allow herself to take only one attendant student?

Besides, they were both twelve-year-old kids, both missed out on the nine-year compulsory education, and she couldn’t be partial.

Isn’t it just about taking care of kids? Taking one or two is the same!

"Go and call Bing Shish over!" Tang Xiaobai instructed, suddenly realizing Bing Shish needed a new name too!

Her brow furrowed and then relaxed.

"Then he’ll be called Ah Yuan, and you Ah Xiao, to save the trouble of thinking up another name," Tang Xiaobai cheerfully resolved the naming issue.

Young Ah Xiao looked at her in silence, a shadow of gloom flashed in his eyes.

Clearly, the name was chosen for him first, then why did Bing Shish get the first "Yuan" character in the end?

...

Leaving the Bright Moon Building, they walked several dozen paces westward with a maid leading the way and happened to encounter the boy just named "Ah Yuan" at the door between the inner and outer courtyards.

His steps paused slightly, he glanced at the other boy, and a trace of bitterness flickered in his heart.

He didn’t like this person.

...

After passing through the inner courtyard gate, one could see an independent courtyard on the west side of the covered corridor.

Though the carvings were faded and the brackets dusty, it still retained its grandeur.

"Second Miss really treats you both well, this entire building is for you and Bing Shish alone," the maid said sourly, her eyes hostile, looking at him as if he were a bewitching consort vying for the lord’s favor.

The young man said nothing, politely bade the maidfarewell.

The maid called him back, unkindly instructed: "Tomorrow you are to accompany Second Miss to attend a banquet at Pingyang Princess Mansion, be alert and don’t embarrass Second Miss!"

He agreed softly and went into the courtyard alone.

This courtyard was the closest to the Bright Moon Building outside of the inner courtyard. Second Miss Tang had stated that he and Bing Shish should live here so they could be at her disposal.

And by "at her disposal," did that mean to accompany her in her studies, help her with writing by proxy?

The young man couldn’t help but curl his lips slightly, and his cool face instantly softened gently.

"Young Master."

The young man reined in his smile and lightly uttered a response.

"The city gate bulletin says the Crown Prince was attacked, His Highness is shocked and bedridden, the whole city is now searching for the assassin, and the palace has informed, all ministers are required to visit His Highness tomorrow."

The young man slightly furrowed his brows.

The emperor was hiding the news of the assassin as he feared too much attention on the Crown Prince Mansion from the outside world.

Actually, he didn’t want the Crown Prince Mansion to attract much attention nowadays, which would be detrimental to their future plan.

But now, the emperor had to reveal the news of the assassination at the Crown Prince Mansion in order to capture the assassin.

Thus, it was only natural for the prime minister to visit, and no one could stop it.

He would definitely have to return to the mansion.

But given that little girl’s enthusiasm for him, she would surely want to take him along to the princess’s feast tomorrow...

...

Tao Zi was very happy today.

She hadn’t been this happy for a long time.

Since the Second Miss encountered danger and was saved by Ding Shiqi, she had never felt comfortable at heart.

As the most trusted maid of the Second Miss, not being able to protect her well was a concern.

Another concern was that she felt she had fallen out of favor.

The Second Miss no longer took her to admire flowers or chase butterflies; her thoughts and eyes were always on that wild boy from outside!

Whenever she thought of the Second Miss looking at that wild boy, her heart felt blocked.

But she finally didn’t have to feel blocked today!

Arriving outside that old courtyard, she had the little maid step forward and knock on the door.

The door was opened by Bing Shish, who was now called Ah Yuan.

Tao Zi smiled as she inspected Ah Yuan and praised, "Ah Yuan, this new outfit suits you well!"

Ah Yuan was slightly startled, showed a somewhat awkward smile, and thanked her softly.

Tao Zi smiled and looked past him; he stepped aside, just allowing her to see Ah Xiao walking out from the room.

Ah Yuan was also quite handsome, but compared to Ah Xiao, it was like the difference between a firefly and the moonlight.

Even a simple cyan cloth outfit was worn with an elegance akin to pine and bamboo.

Even though Tao Zi didn’t like Ah Xiao, she was momentarily dumbstruck watching him, and then disliked him even more in her heart.

They were both slaves, yet he acted so superior. Ah Yuan had already opened the door, and he walked out leisurely.

But this did not affect Tao Zi’s good mood.

For the first time, she smiled genuinely at Ah Xiao: "Ah Xiao, you don’t have to come out. Second Miss said you’re not fully healed, so you should stay at the mansion to rest and don’t need to go to Pingyang Princess Mansion today!" Turning to Ah Yuan, she warmly said, "Come with me quickly, Second Miss is thinking of you!"

Seeing the unexpected and surprised expression on Ah Xiao’s face, Tao Zi felt a surge of satisfaction.

Did you think you were that favored? Second Miss isn’t even taking you when going out!

It must have been yesterday’s behavior that offended the Second Miss.

Hmph! Second Miss was merely patting his back, and he avoided it? Such contempt!

But then again, Second Miss is just child-like; these two young boys are nothing more than temporary novelties to her. She might like one today, another tomorrow, and a new favorite the day after.

Only she is genuinely relied upon and trusted by the Second Miss!