"Yes, Miss Lin had genuine feelings for Brother Shi, but unexpectedly, Miss Gong stole the march on her." Another disciple chimed in, a hint of regret in his voice.
"Hmph, a woman from a humble background daring to dream of becoming a phoenix perched high up," a disciple from a prestigious family said disdainfully, his tone full of scorn. Although these discussions were not loud, they still reached Lin Wanqing's ears.
Her body trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes once again. She struggled to suppress the sadness in her heart, turned around, and silently left the crowd, walking alone to the edge of the small lake in the courtyard. Gazing at the shimmering surface of the lake, her heart was filled with bitterness.
