The richest woman committed a crime with her child - Chapter 38

Xu Mei deliberately paused, tilting her head to listen for movement inside the room. Hearing footsteps approaching, she continued with feigned nonchalance, “I heard you’ve been sulking over that Shepherd God’s Chronicles? Tsk, and here I thought it was something serious—”

“Xu Mei!” Chen Jingjing stormed out from the inner chamber, her voice sharp with fury.

Dressed in a plain white ruqun—far simpler than Xu Mei’s emerald-green ensemble—Chen Jingjing had paired it with a single white hairpin. To Xu Mei, the monochrome outfit looked like mourning attire, an ill omen.

“My room isn’t open to you,” Chen Jingjing spat, jabbing a finger toward the courtyard. “Get out!”

Xu Mei glanced down at her feet, then lifted her chin, eyes glinting with provocation. “I’m not even inside. Why the hysterics? Oh, right—you’ve been scowling at everyone for days over that book. What, do you think the whole household owes you something? Wipe that sour look off your face.”

“You—!” Chen Jingjing’s hand trembled with rage. Spotting the book in Xu Mei’s grip, she snatched it away. “Don’t touch my things with your grubby hands!”

Xu Mei flinched, then recovered with a mocking laugh, fanning herself with the envelope. “‘Shepherd God’—how literal. It’s practically riding Celestial Chronicles into the dirt. I skimmed ten pages, and honestly? The imitation surpasses the original—”

“What would a money-grubber like you know about literary merit?” Chen Jingjing cut in with a sneer.

“Ah, so our family’s trade disgusts you?” Xu Mei turned to leave. “I’ll tell the steward to withhold your allowance this month. Wouldn’t want you tainted by ‘filthy lucre.’”

“You wouldn’t dare—”

Xu Mei suddenly spun back, waving the envelope. “Almost forgot! Since you despise our ‘vulgar’ merchant roots, here’s your golden ticket: an invitation from General Luo’s son. Rub shoulders with nobility, marry into an official’s family—maybe even earn a title. Wouldn’t that repay the Xu clan for feeding you all these years?”

Chen Jingjing eyed the letter suspiciously. “You’re scheming something.”

“Pfft.” Xu Mei rolled her eyes. “You’re not worth the effort. Take it or watch it drown.” She made to toss the envelope into the lotus basin.

The maid Xiao Hong lunged, catching it midair. “Thank you for delivering this, Young Miss,” she stammered.

“At least someone here has manners.” With a flick of her hair, Xu Mei sauntered off, leaving Chen Jingjing seething.

Let her prance today, Chen Jingjing thought, icy hatred crystallizing in her gaze. Tomorrow, she’ll pay.

Chen Jingjing arrived at the Fragrant Pavilion’s private chamber clad in sapphire-blue silk. The table groaned under extravagant dishes, their aromas as opulent as their price tags.

The sole diner—Luo Yangming, General Luo’s heir—fidgeted impatiently. Gold filigree crowned his brow, but the shadows beneath his eyes betrayed dissipation.

“You’re certain she’s coming?” he demanded of his page.

“The Xu household confirmed it an hour ago, Young Master,” the boy soothed, pouring tea.
A knock interrupted them.

“Is this Young Master Luo’s chamber?” Xiao Hong called through the door.

Luo Yangming bolted upright. “Yes! Is it Miss Xu? Enter at once—I’m parched with waiting!”

When Chen Jingjing glided in, his jaw slackened. “I’d assumed scribblers were plain,” he crowed, circling her. “But you’re a frost-blossom—rare and exquisite!”

Unmoved, Chen Jingjing withdrew two books from her bamboo case. “Have these staged, and your reluctant new favorite will flock to Young Master Shen.”

“That potent?” He flipped through the pages.

“Didn’t my previous work deliver her to your bed?”

Chuckling, Luo Yangming signaled his page, who produced a coin pouch. Chen Jingjing barely glanced at it before tucking it away.

“Now, Miss Xu,” he leered, “won’t you dine with me?”

“My family awaits.” She rose, then added casually, “They say you collect beauties. Have you met my sister—Yingtian’s reigning ‘First Flower’?”

“Not yet.” His pupils dilated. “Shall I visit to admire her?”

Chen Jingjing’s smile was venom wrapped in silk. “Our guards would bar you. But tomorrow, she’ll collect embroidery from your former darling’s home…”

(End of Chapter)