Chapter 29 Zhan Xuerou's Murder Plan

Early the next morning, at Yunyin Academy.

Zhan Lan could see from afar that Young Master Si Jun was walking into the main entrance with a sullen look on his face.

Her eyes dimmed; naturally, Zhan Lan understood what was troubling him.

Young Master Si Jun suffered from asthma, and only the medicine provided by Alchemist Qi could treat his condition.

Now that Alchemist Qi had disappeared, he was understandably panicked.

In her previous life, Alchemist Qi had stayed by Si Jun's side and was imprisoned within the imperial palace.

It was only because Si Jun's condition was under control that he could live so freely and comfortably.

Having been reborn, Zhan Lan intended to tie down Si Jun bit by bit, making him suffer the torment of his illness night after night!

She would take away everything he had ever possessed.

As Si Jun's gaze came to rest momentarily on Zhan Lan, he immediately turned away.

He really couldn't fathom what this woman was thinking.

In public, she would affectionately call him 'Senior Brother.'

In private, however, she treated him with stark indifference and coldness!

Si Jun helplessly shook his head; afflicted with illness, he had no energy to ponder these matters further.

Meanwhile, to avoid walking with Si Jun, Zhan Lan chose to take a side door with Dugu Yan.

They chatted as they walked.

Dugu Yan inquired casually, "Hey, does Young Master Si like the scent of gardenias?"

"Gu Yan, we need not discuss matters concerning Young Master Si," Zhan Lan reminded her.

"Oh, I understand," Dugu Yan nodded and replied.

As the two headed towards the school, a figure emerged behind them.

Chunhua clenched her teeth and glared angrily at Zhan Lan's retreating figure.

Just yesterday, she and Qiuyue were kicked by Zhan Lan, and now her knee was still sore, bruised purple.

Lady Xuerou had tasked her with monitoring Zhan Lan's every move.

Wasn't this a discovery?

It turned out that Zhan Lan was also silently paying attention to Young Master Si, and surprisingly, Young Master Si seemed to like the scent of gardenias.

Chunhua realized this in her heart.

Zhan Lan and Dugu Yan exchanged a glance; of course, they noticed that someone was following them.

It was just surveillance for now, but given the chance, Xuerou would surely take aggressive action against her!

Upon reaching the school, Zhan Lan sat opposite Si Jun and watching him occasionally cough brought her an immense sense of satisfaction.

Xuerou was the last to enter; she deliberately walked by Si Jun, and as he caught a whiff of a strong fragrance, Si Jun started coughing violently.

Xuerou asked with a look of concern, "Young Master Si, are you alright? Do you need me to call a doctor for you?"

She spoke gently as she leaned in.

Si Jun's face flushed with the coughing, and upon seeing the gardenia pinned to Xuerou's head, he seemed greatly agitated, quickly standing and retreating several steps back.

His gaze at Xuerou turned to one of disgust and aversion.

Xuerou was clueless about what had happened and why Young Master Si looked at her with such disgust and fear.

It was, after all, their first time being so close.

Could it be that Young Master Si didn't like her?

Xuerou felt her chagrin intensify; she was the legitimate daughter of the noble General Mansion, from a family hailed for its hundred years of loyalty and bravery.

Compared to Marquis Lin Yuan, her family's heritage was not far behind.

Why then did Si Jun disdain her so much!

Zhan Lan watched their first encounter with an inward chuckle: Si Jun, in order to maintain an image of robust health while outside, had always kept his illness hidden.

Now, his condition had been suddenly exposed in public by the gardenia on Xuerou's head, stirring up displeasure in his heart.

Naturally, he felt a trace of disdain for Xuerou.

Because the gardenia on her head was precisely the thing Si Jun hated the most.

His birth mother was the renowned courtesan from Jiangnan, Su Xiaoxiao, and her intimate name was, indeed, Gardenia.

Back when Emperor Xuanwu, then a Prince with emotions newly awakened, traveled incognito among the commoners.

He met the famous courtesan Su Xiaoxiao, captivated by her beauty and talent, and fell for her at first sight.

After their affair, Su Xiaoxiao became pregnant.

Initially, Emperor Xuanwu did not intend to acknowledge the child, but the matter came to light and was said to be inadmissible to let the royal progeny be lost amongst the populace.

Subsequently, Si Jun was brought back into the fold.

He harbored deep misgivings about his mother's identity.

Si Jun initially had a favorable impression of Zhan Xuerou, but the sight of the gardenia flower on her head provoked feelings of humiliation and he began to harbor a disdain for her.

He coughed vehemently several times and instructed the servant beside him, "Inform the teacher that I am indisposed, I shall return in a few days."

Having said that, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Si Jun left the school.

Leaving Zhan Xuerou stupefied, at a loss of what to do.

"What's wrong with Young Master Si?"

"It seems that Young Master Si dislikes the scent of the powder on Zhan Xuerou."

"Never expected Young Master Si Jun to have such exacting tastes, to not even fancy the General Mansion's legitimate daughter."

The mutterings of the young masters weren't loud, but they all reached Zhan Xuerou's ears, her shame unbearable, wishing she could hide in a crevice.

Zhan Xuerou contemplated their words in her heart, the scent of powder?

Her body did not bear a strong scent of powder at all!

Could it be…

The gardenia flower on her head.

She glanced back at the calm and composed Zhan Lan, already knowing the answer.

It was Zhan Lan's deliberate scheming!

Concerned for the General Mansion's reputation, Zhan Xuerou restrained herself from making a scene, her determination solidifying within.

Zhan Lan had indeed grown bold!

To dare make a fool of her like this!

Her eyes, cast downward, became enigmatically deep, if her own dog wouldn't listen, then it had to be put down!

...

Zhan Xuerou returned home accompanied by Chunhua and Qiuyue.

In her boudoir, she slammed shut the door and, in a fury, shattered two porcelain cups.

"Zhan Lan, she disdains everyone, to dare make a fool of me like this!"

As Chunhua poured a cup of tea for Zhan Xuerou, she whispered, "Miss, a few days ago, my cousin made contact with the Black Shark Gang, they are waiting for the word!"

Having been punished for previously speaking well of Zhan Lan, Qiuyue chimed in nervously, "Yes, Miss, Zhan Lan still thinks she's the General Mansion's legitimate daughter. Her last few actions were clearly aimed against you."

Zhan Xuerou's expression turned icy as she clenched the handkerchief in her hand, her voice sharpening, "Since Zhan Lan is behaving this way, she can't blame me for leaving her no way out."

"Have the Black Shark Gang beat her half to death and then throw her into the valley to feed the wolves!"

"Miss, when should we act?" asked Chunhua eagerly.

Zhan Xuerou's eyes darkened, "During Tomb-Sweeping Festival, aren't we going to the outskirts for the ancestral rites? Then."

"But Miss, Lady Li will be going with us as well," Qiuyue expressed worry.

"Then let Lady Li be buried with her," Zhan Xuerou said with a menacing look that sent shivers through Qiuyue.

Zhan Xuerou had always been like this, outwardly gentle and affable, but inherently jealous and cruel.

She once saw Zhan Xuerou caressing a kitten, and when it scratched her hand, she flayed it alive and burned it to death.

On another occasion, a child dirtied her favorite dress in the marketplace. She appeared magnanimous, gifting the child pine nut sugar.

But by the afternoon, she had the child bound and thrown into a well.

By the time the child's parents found him, he was barely alive. Though saved, he ended up with a lifelong disability.

Such incidents were numerous.

Qiuyue's heart pounded. Zhan Lan had grown up with their Miss; was she really going to be exterminated completely?

Zhan Xuerou's voice brought Qiuyue's thoughts back, heard her say softly, "Chunhua, see to it, make sure the Black Shark Gang are neat in their work and tight-lipped, they won't lack for silver."

"Yes!" Chunhua responded and withdrew, Qiuyue tidied up the broken porcelain on the floor, and retired as well.

Zhan Xuerou was left alone, gazing out of the window, her voice barely a whisper, "Zhan Lan, Tomb-Sweeping Festival will be the death anniversary for you and your mother! Worry not, your dear sister will visit you every year!"