Chapter 570: Chapter 570: Fondness Can’t Be Hidden

Inside the living room.

The maid carefully served the tea.

“Young Master Zhong Yi, please have some tea.” She placed the teacup in front of him, then walked over to Lu Yingxue and Qiao Xi and said, “Miss Lu, this is your tea, and this is yours, Miss Qiao.”

“Thank you.”

Qiao Xi took the tea and uttered softly in thanks.

When she arrived today, she was instructed by a servant to wait in the living room. She was told that Old Master Huang and Old Master Zhong had important matters to discuss and would come downstairs to find her afterwards.

The time Qiao Xi waited coincided with Young Master Zhong going downstairs for breakfast and Lu Yingxue coming over as a guest with great composure.

She didn’t understand why those two insisted on sitting in the living room.

Thus, the three of them sat, staring at each other.

She and Lu Yingxue had long since torn faces, and now there was Zhong Yi, who was collaborating with Huo Xingzhou.

Complicated relationships.

Qiao Xi remained cool, merely nodding as a form of greeting.

She held the teacup with both hands, using it to mask her thoughts as she slowly sipped the hot tea, waiting quietly for Huang Bingyi to come downstairs.

Lu Yingxue sat next to Zhong Yi, her curled eyelashes fluttering as her gaze shifted between Zhong Yi and Qiao Xi, her thoughts incredibly deep.

She pressed her lips together and with a smile said, “I haven’t formally congratulated Miss Qiao on becoming Old Master Huang’s apprentice yet. As a practitioner of traditional medicine, who wouldn’t admire the Gold Needle Technique? I never expected the old master, who had never taken an apprentice in his life, to take a liking to Miss Qiao. Quite impressive!”

“Thank you for the praise.”

Qiao Xi spoke calmly, with a polite but not warm smile on her face.

“Miss Qiao, have you heard about Ayi’s and my engagement? As fellow members of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, you must attend our engagement banquet.”

When Qiao Xi heard the name “Ayi,” her mind wavered.

She glanced subconsciously at Zhong Yi but suddenly locked eyes with him as he was looking her way.

That look was all too familiar.

It almost made her forget the fact that Ayi was long gone.

Steadying her heart, she said, “If Xingzhou isn’t too busy, we will attend.”

She did not directly accept the invitation, as she would have to see what Huo Xingzhou intended to do. If he had other plans, it was unlikely they would join in on the festivities.

“Others are under the thumb of their wives, but Miss Qiao seems to be strictly governed by President Huo. No one would guess that your marriage began as a hastily arranged one to avert misfortune; I hope Ayi’s and my relationship can be just as good. I will personally send someone to deliver the invitation; you must come.”

Lu Yingxue spoke candidly and generously, with a timely laughter and shyness.

She appeared very approachable, giving off a welcoming and refreshing vibe.

“Miss Qiao, do you think Ayi and I make a good match?”

Lu Yingxue’s words were probing, delicately so, not daring to reveal any of her thoughts in front of Zhong Yi, fearing this clever man might guess her plans.

“A good match.”

Qiao Xi replied nonchalantly, “A talented gentleman and a beautiful lady, a match made in heaven. I wish you a lifetime of happiness and harmony together.”

She hadn’t realized before that Lu Yingxue was so adept at enlivening the atmosphere, seamlessly keeping the conversation going without any pause.

Was she trying to show off in front of the Zhong family?

Qiao Xi felt a bit impatient in her heart and did not want to play along with this harmonious act.

Lu Yingxue stole glances at Zhong Yi’s expression.

Her eyes darted back and forth, trying to spot any irregularities.

It seemed Qiao Xi was not at all familiar with Zhong Yi.

Even strangers.

Not like old acquaintances.

Was it Zhong Yi’s unrequited love?

She would continue to observe. If Zhong Yi truly liked her, he was bound to give himself away.

Because you can’t hide true affection for someone.

Lu Yingxue tugged at the corner of her mouth and said, “Thank you for your kind words, Miss Qiao. Our wedding was not supposed to be so soon, but the Old Master of the Zhong Family wants to increase the family’s numbers. As junior members, we have to be understanding. Miss Qiao, you have been married for quite some time now, how come you aren’t pregnant yet?”

Qiao Xi slightly furrowed her brows; Lu Yingxue’s words truly made her feel uncomfortable.

Her expression grew colder as she said, “Miss Lu seems quite interested in my private affairs, though we have no close relationship. You don’t need to so eagerly show off your gentle and amiable side in front of Young Master Zhong.”

These words blatantly showed no consideration for Lu Yingxue’s feelings.

The expression on Lu Yingxue’s face stiffened.

“It seems Miss Qiao has many misunderstandings about me. I am Xiang Mingzhu’s cousin; it’s normal for you to take out your anger on me,” Lu Yingxue gave herself a way out.

Qiao Xi paid her no attention and sat upright waiting for Old Mr. Huang.

Lu Yingxue truly felt awkward; she hadn’t expected Qiao Xi to be so ruthless.

Isn’t she afraid of encountering difficulties when joining the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association?

“Have some tea.”

Zhong Yi handed her a teacup, sparing her some dignity.

“Thank you, Ayi,”

Lu Yingxue said softly, holding the teacup with both hands.

She used her hand to cover her lips as she took a sip, and then she looked at Zhong Yi with a smile in her eyes.

“You’re welcome.”

Zhong Yi’s demeanour was indifferent, and the exquisite handsome face revealed no other implication.

Footsteps came from the stairway.

Everyone turned to look and saw Old Mr. Huang and Old Master Zhong appearing together.

Old Mr. Huang’s face looked rather sour, but Old Master Zhong seemed to be in a good mood.

“Old Master Zhong,”

“Good day, Old Mr. Huang,”

“Hello, Teacher,”

The three younger individuals all stood up to greet them.

“Please, sit down,”

Old Master of Zhong Family sat down on an armchair, rolled up his smooth brocaded sleeves, and said to Old Mr. Huang.

“You promised to teach Yingxue the acupuncture technique meant for my health; you can’t go back on your word. This isn’t formal apprenticeship, just a junior showing respect for an elder. Some guidance will suffice.”

Old Master Zhong appeared completely at ease, looking comfortable both in body and mind.

A surge of joy flashed in Lu Yingxue’s eyes; she quickly said, “Thank you, Old Mr. Huang, for your generous instruction; I’m honored to learn even a little of the Gold Needle Technique.”

Old Mr. Huang’s face darkened: “Then we’re even. Whether she learns it well or not, I won’t be coming back to Imperial Capital next year.”

Those were the terms of the exchange.

He owed Old Master Zhong a favor and had promised to come to Imperial Capital every year for a month to attend to his health.

By agreeing to teach Lu Yingxue the set of health-preserving acupuncture, this debt of gratitude would be duly repaid.

“Agreed,”

Old Master Zhong said with a smile, “Lu girl, you must learn well.”

“Yes, I thank Old Master Zhong for securing this opportunity for me. I have long aspired to master the Gold Needle Technique and will certainly study hard.”

“No, it is Zhong Yi who has secured this opportunity for you. It was his idea; you should thank him.”

Lu Yingxue’s eyes flickered with surprise, and looking towards Zhong Yi with tenderness she said, “So, Ayi did all this for me. I misunderstood before, thinking Ayi didn’t like me.”

Zhong Yi smiled faintly, a smile that did not reach his eyes.

Old Master Zhong watched their interaction with an ambiguous smile at the corners of his mouth.

His keen and intimidating eyes slowly moved onto Qiao Xi and he said,

“Qiao Xi, you were apprenticed to Cheng Han, and now you have taken Huang Bingyi as your master, you must be extraordinarily talented. Zhong Yi once suffered a serious injury, with a weaker constitution; would you be bothered to have a look at him?”

His tone was firm, carrying an undeniable command.

The head of the Zhong family held undisputed power in Imperial Capital, rarely tasting the flavor of refusal.

After he spoke, everyone turned to see how Qiao Xi would react.