The Useless Heiress Is Actually A Bigshot
Chapter 649: Listening to Gossip

Chapter 649: Chapter 649: Listening to Gossip

As the voices of the people around her rose in a noisy cacophony, Zhong Niangyao turned her gaze to Lu Yichen sitting across from her and smiled. "What do you think? Do you feel the intense human world atmosphere here?"

"Human world atmosphere?"

Upon hearing Zhong Niangyao’s words, Lu Yichen nodded in agreement. "You’re quite right about that. Did you often do this in the past?"

"Sometimes!" Zhong Niangyao nodded, her gaze sweeping around the room before lighting up her face with a brilliant smile. "Usually, I stay inside the National Master Hall with just Han An and a few maidservants waiting for orders. It’s very quiet there on a regular day. So, when I have free time, I like to go out for a walk and enjoy the lively atmosphere."

A trace of hidden distress flickered in Lu Yichen’s eyes. After hesitating for a while, he spoke again, "Then, do you... do you regret becoming the State Preceptor of Lai Country?"

"No, I don’t regret it." Zhong Niangyao gently shook her head, then lifted her gaze to Lu Yichen with a smile. "I know you might feel that my past life was difficult. But in reality, it was quite the opposite."

"Even though I was abandoned, my Master treated me very well. As for my choice to become the State Preceptor of Lai Country, part of the reason was because of Master. But more importantly, I actually enjoy such a simple life."

Seeing Zhong Niangyao’s sincere smile, Lu Yichen knew she wasn’t just humor him. Thus, he said no more.

The two chatted idly as they ate their dinner, relaxing comfortably.

It was then they overheard people at a nearby table talking about something they had heard before.

One of the passersby began excitedly, "Have you heard? There was another commotion at Princess Mingyue’s Mansion today."

Upon hearing this piece of gossip, the person across from him perked up instantly, "What happened exactly? Come on, spill it."

"That Princess Mingyue, she’s thirty-three already, but she has never married. Do you know why?" said the first passerby with an air of mystery. "It’s because she’s keeping a man in her mansion."

"No way!" The second passerby’s face showed shock. "Where did you hear such news? You can’t just spout nonsense like that! If someone overhears it, you could be in big trouble."

"I’m not making this up." The first passerby’s face turned a bit red, probably due to the alcohol. "My cousin’s neighbor’s daughter works in the Commandery Princess Mansion, and she told me. It’s been almost ten years since Princess Mingyue kept that man, and many of Beijing’s nobles know about it. They just haven’t spoken out."

"Wow, that Princess Mingyue really is something!" exclaimed the second passerby, his face full of surprise. "After liking him for so long, why not just marry directly? Princess Mingyue is an orphan; she wouldn’t have parental objections. As for the Emperor, he would be even less likely to oppose."

"What else could it be? The man isn’t willing," the first passerby said, grinning. "I heard the man is in poor health and has been refusing Princess Mingyue, so it’s been dragging on."

"Today, that man seems to have fallen ill again, and Princess Mingyue specifically went to the palace to request an Imperial Physician for treatment. There was a huge uproar in the mansion!"

As the man spoke, his words started slurring. After finishing, he just collapsed onto the table and began to snore heavily.

The other man didn’t take his words to heart. When his companion fell over, he just continued to drink his wine and eat his food without concern.

Not far away, Lu Yichen and Zhong Niangyao had overheard the entire conversation.

"It seems that Zhong Mingxin’s situation here in Beijing isn’t too good, is it?" Lu Yichen raised an eyebrow, "What do you plan to do? Going to Princess Mingyue’s Mansion to check it out?"

"No need." Zhong Niangyao shook her head. "If it really is as they say, then Zhong Mingxin’s situation is still an unknown. Who knows if he has also fallen for Princess Mingyue."

"Are you planning to wait for news from Changsheng Hall?" asked Lu Yichen.

"Let’s wait a bit!" Zhong Niangyao nodded, thought for a moment, and then said, "Do you think, if Zhong Mingxin really has had a change of heart, should I still bring him back?"

Suddenly, she felt quite troubled.

Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong definitely hoped to see their younger son again. And even if Zhong Mingxin really had a change of heart, it wouldn’t have done them any harm.

But for Baili Lele, it was a different matter. She was still looking forward to Zhong Mingxin’s return. If she found out that Zhong Mingxin had fallen for someone else, it would probably be a huge blow to her.

"Whether he’s had a change of heart or not, he’s an adult now. Shouldn’t we let him make his own decisions?" Lu Yichen said bluntly.

"You’re right."

Zhong Niangyao nodded in agreement, and suddenly changed the subject, "Yichen, I’ll take you somewhere tomorrow!"

"Okay."

Lu Yichen didn’t even ask where and readily agreed.

"Why do you agree so readily?" Zhong Niangyao laughed. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll lead you into a ditch?"

"As long as I’m with you, I’m willing to go anywhere," Lu Yichen replied, his eyes deep with love as he looked into Zhong Niangyao’s.

Feeling his gaze filled with passion, Zhong Niangyao’s heart fluttered and her cheeks grew warm. "Sweet talker."

"You know me; I never engage in empty flattery," Lu Yichen replied, his smile tender. "Every word I say to you is the truth."

Instantly feeling bashful, Zhong Niangyao promptly picked up a piece of meat and stuffed it into Lu Yichen’s mouth, "Eat up! Stop saying such nonsense."

Lu Yichen saw that Zhong Niangyao was embarrassed and said nothing more. Otherwise, he risked truly making her angry, which would be counterproductive.

Despite the noise in the hall, Lu Yichen and Zhong Niangyao were unaffected, continuing to dine and laugh together.