“Miss, why are they gathering the male servants in the front courtyard?” Having spent the previous night at Yue Ning’s place, Qin Wan heard early in the morning that Yue Qing and Yue Jia were assembling the male servants of the Marquis Manor. Her brows furrowed slightly, “Perhaps since last night’s investigation of the Song family’s guards yielded no results, they’re now focusing on the manor’s staff.”
Thinking of the previous night, Fu Ling still felt uneasy and quietly approached, “Miss, let’s leave after we visit the Grand Princess. We’ve stayed for two days already and should return to the Qin Manor. Whether it’s the Song family’s people or the manor’s staff, since they specifically came to frighten us, they must harbor ill intentions. It’s not safe here.”
Qin Wan understood Fu Ling’s fears. “I understand your concerns. If the Grand Princess’s illness has improved, we’ll leave.”
Fu Ling nodded, but suddenly let out a surprised “Oh!” Qin Wan followed Fu Ling’s gaze and immediately spotted Huo Ning walking over with his head held high. She instantly understood why he was there.
Seeing Huo Ning looking at her arrogantly, Qin Wan slowed her pace.
“Why are you here?” Huo Ning lifted his chin, trying to appear disdainful, yet his eyes remained fixed on Qin Wan. Today she wore a sky-blue pleated dress embroidered with lotus patterns, her black hair flowing like a waterfall, her bright eyes like clear streams. Her entire being exuded an understated noble grace. In the early morning light, she appeared exceptionally beautiful.
Qin Wan looked at Huo Ning with a half-smile that bordered on mockery. Though she didn’t speak, that slightly derisive look was enough to drive Huo Ning mad.
“I’m asking you a question! Why are you looking at me like that?”
Huo Ning’s furrowed brows destroyed his attempted superiority, immediately giving way to intense agitation.
She looked at him as if he were a stranger, her expression even more cold and distant than before.
Could she not be pretending? Had she truly lost interest in him?
Huo Ning clenched his fist, feeling both furious and humiliated. He should have turned and left immediately, showing her his displeasure, but somehow his feet felt as if they were weighted down with thousand-pound anchors, unable to move even slightly.
Gritting his teeth, Huo Ning awkwardly lowered his voice, “Don’t you know this manor isn’t safe? How dare you come here at this time? Listen to me, return to the Qin Manor quickly, and don’t come back until Miss Song’s case is resolved!”
The mockery in Qin Wan’s expression partially faded, her eyes darkening. Huo Ning wasn’t an evil person, but he had been spoiled too much, with his young master’s demeanor and personality both ridiculously arrogant and conceited.
He still didn’t understand that when the Ninth Miss cared for him, he was a god she looked up to and admired, but when she stopped caring, he wasn’t even worth a wild grass by the roadside.
How could he think that just because he lowered himself to speak kindly, the Ninth Miss would be immensely grateful?
“Young Master Huo has overstepped.”
Qin Wan’s voice was cold. Huo Ning’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Qin Wan continued, “From now on, Young Master Huo should refrain from speaking such words. Qin Wan and Young Master Huo have merely crossed paths a few times. Such familiar speech from Young Master Huo seems presumptuous and offensive. If others were to see this, it would only create gossip.”
Huo Ning felt a knot in his chest. Never in his life had he felt so stifled.
“You… what do you mean by ‘crossed paths a few times’? You clearly…”
Huo Ning struggled to continue, feeling both unwilling and angry. Finally, straightening his back, he burst out, “What exactly do you want? What more do you want from me? I’m already being nice enough to you! How can you still be so ungrateful?”
Qin Wan’s gaze turned completely cold. Huo Ning was not only arrogant but also self-deceptive.
Qin Wan let out a cold laugh, “Young Master Huo’s words and actions are laughable. While you may be of high birth in Jin Zhou, in this vast Great Zhou dynasty, what amounts to being the son of a Prefecture Magistrate? Perhaps you’ve heard too much praise, leading you to believe everyone should bow to you?”
Huo Ning’s face reddened at Qin Wan’s words. She looked him up and down before continuing, “Moreover if you search your heart, do you truly deserve all that praise? Without the Prefecture Magistrate, what would Young Master Huo amount to?”
Huo Ning’s face burned while his limbs turned ice-cold.
Qin Wan’s merciless words felt like two slaps across his face as if she had stripped away his fine clothes. Without his identity as the Prefecture Magistrate’s son, could he still maintain his friendships? Would people still praise and flatter him like the center of attention?
Huo Ning clenched his fists tightly, his straight body trembling slightly. He glared at Qin Wan with reddening eyes. Fu Ling, watching Huo Ning, feared he might faint from anger and hurriedly pulled at Qin Wan’s sleeve.
Qin Wan had intended to make her point and stop there. She gave a slight curtsy and gracefully walked past Huo Ning.
Following the side corridor forward, one turn completely blocked Huo Ning from view.
Qin Wan exhaled. If Huo Ning remained obstinate, she would have to use even harsher words to wake him up!
“Hehe—”
As Qin Wan was thinking, a light laugh suddenly rang out.
Qin Wan’s heart skipped a beat. She stopped and turned toward the sound, only to see Yan Chi standing by the flower bed adjacent to the side corridor, wearing a black formal robe and a deeply meaningful smile.
Qin Wan frowned, then curtsied, “Greetings, Your Highness.”
Fu Ling, who feared Yan Chi the most, hurriedly bowed as well. Yan Chi approached slowly and waved Fu Ling away. She dared not disobey and quickly retreated to one side before Qin Wan could speak.
Qin Wan stood up and looked at Yan Chi, “Eavesdropping is not befitting of a gentleman.”
Yan Chi raised his eyebrows, “I was on my way to see Great-Aunt when I happened upon Ninth Miss and Young Master Huo. To avoid disturbing you two, I had to wait there until you finished.”
After a slight pause, Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan with a hint of sighing, “Young Master Huo is quite promising for his age. Ninth Miss’s words were rather harsh. Moreover, given the private connections between the Qin family and Prefecture Magistrate Huo, did Ninth Miss not consider this at all?”
Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi composedly. In her view, Yan Chi wasn’t the type to care about such trivial matters.
“Your Highness has also overstepped.”
Knowing Yan Chi must have heard these words before, Qin Wan simply directed them at him as well.
A sharp light flashed in Yan Chi’s eyes. He dropped his meaningful expression, though his eyes darkened, “So it seems the rumors were indeed false.”
Qin Wan’s expression remained unchanged, “What rumors?”
“The rumors about Ninth Miss attempting to drown herself over the Prefecture Magistrate’s son.”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, “Wealthy families always have some inexplicable rumors circulating. Your Highness need not take them to heart.”
“However…” Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan with a grave expression, “If Ninth Miss didn’t attempt to drown herself for Huo Ning, then what happened on the evening of July twenty-first that nearly cost Ninth Miss her life?”