Chapter 269 Doubts
Ye Jiayao stayed awake all night and went to the training class early the next morning. This morning was Lu Xiaotian's class.

Lu Xiaotian is very interested in this training class and is there almost every morning and evening, regardless of whether he has classes or not.

When Ye Jiayao arrived, the class had not started yet, but the students were already preparing. When Cui Dongpeng saw her, he ran over and smiled adorably, "Good morning, Second Young Madam."

Ye Jiayao nodded: "Is Shopkeeper Lu here?"

Cui Dongpeng said: "I am here, I have been here for a long time."

Ye Jiayao went straight to the lounge, where the lecturers rested and prepared.

I knocked on the door first, and a clear male voice came from inside: "Come in..."

Lu Xiaotian was still considering the lecture notes. Influenced by Ye Jiayao, everyone started writing lecture notes, making sure to combine theory and practice so that the students could better understand and master them.

"Manager Lu."

Ye Jiayao took a deep breath and walked over. Last night she had been thinking about how to ask when they met. If the note was really written by Lu Xiaotian, then it wouldn't be awkward for her to get straight to the point. But if it wasn't written by Lu Xiaotian, it would be awkward.

But she would rather embarrass Lu Xiaotian than let Chunyu misunderstand.

When Lu Xiaotian heard Ye Jiayao's voice, he looked up and a faint smile immediately appeared in his eyes: "Why is Shopkeeper Ye here?"

Ye Jiayao took out the note and placed it on the handout in front of him.

After Lu Xiaotian saw the words clearly, his expression turned cold and he looked at her intently: "Where did this come from?"

Ye Jiayao had been carefully observing his expression. After a moment of surprise, he was filled with solemnity and coldness.

"This note is tucked into my handouts, Shopkeeper Lu. Did you write this?"

Lu Xiaotian read the note again and again, took out a piece of paper from the drawer, picked up a pen and wrote the same sentence.

Then, his expression became even uglier.

"Manager Ye, I have to admit that this is my handwriting, but I swear, I have never written such words, not even to my own wife."

He already knew the seriousness of the matter, otherwise Ye Jiayao would not have rushed here so early in the morning. Yes, he really admired her, and he praised her without words in front of others. Only he knew that there was a little admiration in his admiration for her. He would never let anyone else know this subtle thought. It was just his personal matter, a secret forever. How could he possibly write such words to offend her?

But he really couldn't understand why the handwriting was exactly the same.

His eyes were open and there was no trace of hesitation.

"Are you sure you haven't written it?" Ye Jiayao actually believed what he said, but to be cautious, she still asked again.

Lu Xiaotian said: "I, Lu, may have times when I can't help myself, but I will never cross the bottom line. If I decide to say something like this, I will definitely not deny it."

Ye Jiayao breathed a sigh of relief, but then she became worried again. If it wasn't written by Lu Xiaotian, then who wrote it? Why did he imitate Lu Xiaotian's handwriting? Why did it happen only yesterday? When Zhou came to visit yesterday, who suggested playing cards? And when she was away, there was an extra note in the handout...

Is Xiangtao lying?
No, based on her long observation, Xiangtao was a straightforward person who spoke her mind. Although he was a bit reckless, he was loyal and would not frame her.

Who on earth has such magical power that he could sneak into Xiangtao's room without telling her.

But it is also possible that it was stuffed in during the training class and she didn't discover it in time.

I have many questions in my mind, but I can't find a breakthrough.

Seeing her distressed expression, Lu Xiaotian asked, "Has the note been seen by anyone?"

Ye Jiayao nodded gloomily.

Lu Xiaotian frowned and said, "Think carefully again, who else has your lecture notes passed through? Who might have framed you? Or, who would benefit from framing you..."

Ye Jiayao was silent. She had thought about this last night. In the Marquis' Mansion, the one with whom she had an irreconcilable conflict was Liuli. It was not impossible that she went to such great lengths to set up such a trap to harm her. However, to do it without anyone knowing, there must be a traitor around her. According to Ye Jiayao's analysis, Jin Yao was the most suspicious person.

It was obvious that Jin Yao had some improper thoughts about Chun Yu. Although she had tried very carefully to conceal them, her occasional expressions of emotion still revealed her thoughts.

However, this was just her guess and there was no evidence.

"I'll check too, starting with the people around me. It's not easy to imitate handwriting so similarly. There are no more than three people in the entire Jinling City who can do this." Lu Xiaotian murmured.

Ye Jiayao's eyes lit up. Yes, this was a clue.

"Manager Lu, thank you for your help. This matter is very important to me. Please help me find out the truth." Ye Jiayao asked solemnly.

Lu Xiaotian smiled bitterly. He knew that this was a serious matter that concerned both of their reputations. If this matter was not explained clearly, both of them would be in trouble.

After saying goodbye to Lu Xiaotian, Ye Jiayao immediately returned home and went to Mrs. You's place first. Mrs. You was entertaining guests, so Ye Jiayao went to ask Mother Sun about it.

"Who suggested playing cards last night?"

Mother Sun felt strange. Why did the Second Young Lady ask this? However, she answered truthfully, "It was the Third Madam. She said she wanted to play cards as soon as she arrived."

Ye Jiayao said, "Oh!" and thought, Qiao Mingxiu could be excluded. There was no difference between Zhou's proposal and Liuli's proposal. These two people often wore the same pair of pants.

Mother Sun watched the Second Young Lady leave thoughtfully, and thought to herself: Was there something wrong with last night's card game?
Qiao Xi followed behind the Second Young Madam. She had never seen the Second Young Madam in such trouble and wanted to help her.

I couldn't help but ask, "Second Young Madam, please forgive me for asking, but what is the young master angry about?"

Ye Jiayao came back to her senses and said seriously, "Qiao Xi, go ask the concierge if anyone around the Third Young Mistress has been to the Third Madam's place in the past two days."

Qiao Xi took the order and went out of the second gate.

Not long after, he came back with a reply: "The concierge said that Xiaoya went out the afternoon before yesterday and returned in less than an incense stick of time."

Ye Jiayao understood. It was true. One stick of incense time was enough to go to the street to buy a bun. Such a short time was enough to go to Zhou's.

"Qiao Xi, let Xiang Tao in and tell her that I want to ask a question. Shout louder so that everyone in the yard can hear."

Qiao Xi understood what the Second Young Madam meant, lifted the bamboo curtain and went out, standing at the door and shouted, "Xiang Tao, the Second Young Madam wants to ask you a question, where is she?"

"Hey, here I come..." Xiangtao ran out from the ear room.

After Xiangtao entered the room, Qiao Xi closed the door and then lay down through the window to pay attention to the situation outside.

Ye Jiayao stared at Xiangtao quietly without saying a word.

Xiang Tao's scalp was numb from being stared at. She couldn't stand it anymore and knelt on the ground, crying, "Second Young Madam, I lied yesterday. I didn't see anyone come in, but, but...but I went to the toilet in the middle, it was only for a while. I saw that Second Young Madam and the Young Master were very angry last night, so I was afraid and didn't tell anyone."

Ye Jiayao gritted her teeth in hatred: "Xiangtao, ah Xiangtao, you almost killed me."

Damn it, if I hadn’t told her last night, Chunyu Xiang looked at her like a clown full of lies, and it makes me want to vomit blood just thinking about it.

Xiang Tao's eyes were red as she said softly, "It's all my fault. I left my post without permission. I accept the punishment."

Ye Jiayao said angrily: "What's the point of punishing you now?"

If she didn't say it at the time, would Chunyu still believe it when she explained it later? Would he think that she threatened Xiangtao and made her say that?

The best time has been missed.

Qiao Xi suddenly turned around and gave Ye Jiayao a wink.

Ye Jiayao understood that the suspect with ulterior motives had appeared.

He continued to scold Xiang Tao: "Even if it's useless, I have to punish you, otherwise you won't learn your lesson. I still value you so much, but you just give up..."

Xiangtao had never been scolded so harshly by the Second Young Lady before, and she began to cry.

"Just kneel here and reflect on yourself." After Ye Jiayao finished scolding, she quietly walked to Qiao Xi's side and looked through the window, only to see Jin Yao hurriedly leaving.

Ye Jiayao sat down again and sighed, "Xiangtao, get up."

Xiangtao knelt there sobbing and wiping her tears and refused to get up.

Qiao Xi scolded, "What's the point of you crying now? Come here quickly, the Second Young Madam has something to tell you."

Xiangtao got up and moved over timidly.

Ye Jiayao said a little frustratedly: "I'll tell you about this too. You guys will have to contribute. You two are the only people in this yard that I can trust."

Qiao Xi and Xiang Tao's expressions became serious.

Ye Jiayao said, "Last night, Qiao Xi and I went to the upper room, and someone took the opportunity to come in and slip a note into my lecture booklet. As for what was written on the note, you can guess it by looking at the expression on the prince's face."

Qiao Xi's face changed drastically, and she asked in surprise: "Second Young Madam, did someone throw dirty water on you?"

Ye Jiayao nodded helplessly: "It's just some dirty water. If this matter is not clarified, the prince will always have a knot in his heart."

Xiangtao wanted to cry more and more. If she had known, she would rather wet her pants than leave.

"Second Young Madam, please hit me, hit me to death! I am too embarrassed to see anyone..." Xiang Tao said as tears rolled down her face again.

Ye Jiayao glared at her and said, "Hurry up and wipe your tears. Once you leave this door, don't say anything."

Given Xiangtao's personality, she might even curse in public.

"Qiao Xi, help me keep an eye on the Third Miss. If she makes any unusual moves, report to me at any time."

Qiao Xi pondered and said, "Second Young Madam, now that you mention it, I remember that Third Young Miss has been going to the Wei Residence a lot recently. She even went there yesterday."

Ye Jiayao's heart shuddered, and a depressing thought emerged. Could it be that this matter was related to Jinrong?
She originally thought that if she let Jin Yao go to Wei's house, she would let Jin Yao live there when the time comes. If her guess is true, then she is nurturing a tiger to harm herself.

(End of this chapter)