The Ace Bigshot Becomes A Farmgirl

As the sky grew darker, the carriage finally arrived at the small courtyard in the south of the city.

The closer it got to the courtyard, the busier the roadside became. Just as it was about to reach the doorstep, who knew there was already a carriage parked outside the door.

With Shu Yu’s carriage unable to proceed for the moment, she had to get down first.

Ying Xi stepped forward to knock on the door, but just as she raised her hand, a man suddenly sprang out from the side, blocking her path, furrowing his brow and saying, ”Wait a minute, what are you doing? Don’t you know to wait your turn?”

Wait your turn?

Ying Xi looked puzzled, ”Who are you?”

”Why do you care who I am? We were here first, it should be us seeing Young Master Meng first.”

Ying Xi looked bemused, sizing up the man’s attire — he seemed to be a servant from a wealthy household. The carriage parked at the door should belong to him, perhaps? It looked quite luxurious, suggesting some significance.

Ying Xi was unclear about the situation, wondering if the man was here to see Young Master Meng for something. Judging by his earlier words, he didn’t seem to be here to cause trouble.

Now that Young Master Meng is the Top Scorer, it’s possible his master has connections with him.

Therefore, Ying Xi said nothing. Since he arrived first, she let him have the opportunity to knock.

The man was slightly satisfied by this and raised his hand to knock on the door.

From inside came Xia Yan’s voice, ”Who is it?”

The servant, who was just glaring coldly at Ying Xi, immediately smiled and said, ”I am a servant from Uncle’s Mansion. Our Lord and Young Master Meng are old friends. Today Lord is hosting a banquet at the mansion, inviting Young Master Meng to reminisce.”

There was a pause inside, and Ying Xi thought Xia Yan would come to open the door, but to her surprise, the door remained firmly shut. Xia Yan’s voice sounded again, ”The Imperial Examination is just a few days away, and our Young Master really cannot spare the mind. He needs to study at home these days, politely declining visitors. Please convey to Lord that he will not attend the feast, but will visit after the exams.”

The servant looked a bit awkward, but Xia Yan’s words made sense. The Lord had instructed beforehand to treat politely and not to force.

With the exam so close and the message so clear, insisting any further would not foster goodwill, but enmity.

The servant could only respond with a dry laugh, ”I will inform the Lord, and wish Young Master Meng success in the exams.”

”Thank you.”

Thus, the conversation was concluded across the door.

Although the servant’s expression was not pleasant, he could only turn to leave.

Yet, as he descended the steps, he found Ying Xi still standing there, even raising her hand to knock on the door again.

He furrowed his brows immediately, speaking in a low voice, ”Didn’t you hear what was said inside? Young Master Meng is declining visitors.”

Ying Xi nodded, ”I know, but we are not visitors.”

”If you’re not visitors, then what are you?”

”We are...”

Before Ying Xi could finish, Shu Yu came over holding Little Huohuo. Seeing her still by the door, she asked curiously, ”Ying Xi, what’s going on, is no one home?”

Upon hearing the voice, the servant turned his head, and his expression slightly changed upon seeing Shu Yu.

Ying Xi promptly replied, ”Yes, yes, someone’s here.” She raised her hand again and knocked.

Once again, Xia Yan’s voice came from inside, ”Is there anything else?”

Though the tone was polite, his voice was noticeably cooler.

Ying Xi raised her voice, ”Xia Yan, it’s me. We’ve arrived in the capital, open the door quickly.”

The servant glared at her, ”You...”

Just as he spoke up, the previously shut courtyard door was suddenly opened by someone, revealing Xia Yan’s face full of surprise.