Chapter 113 I Want

Xun Chen bent down and picked up the crying Xun Moli, and strode towards the carriage of the Marquis of Anping's mansion, almost as if he was running away.

Jiang Ruyi stomped her feet fiercely, glared at Jiang Qingning and her two sisters with resentment, and hurriedly chased after Xun Chen.

The noise died down and peace finally returned to the front of Ning Pavilion.

The crowd outside the door, which was packed just now, realized that the fun was over and retreated instantly.

Jiang Qingxi couldn't hold back any longer, and threw herself into Jiang Qingning's arms, bursting into tears.

Jiang Qingning took a deep breath and forced down the surging emotions in his heart.

"Okay, stop crying."

Her voice was steady. "It's not worth shedding tears for someone who has nothing to do with you."

She gently pushed Jiang Qingxi away, took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from her sister's face, then nodded to Jiang Yuerou in gratitude.

"Qingxi, Yuerou," Jiang Qingning looked at the two of them and said in an unquestionable tone, "From today on, the second and third branches of the Jiang family, and the Anping Marquis' Mansion, will no longer have anything to do with us."

"They take their Yangguan Road, and we cross our single-plank bridge. If the ancestors of my Jiang family are still alive..."

She paused, her eyes sweeping towards the Jiang family's old house, with a hint of cold determination, "It's time to open your eyes and see who is dragging the Jiang family into this quagmire of no return."

Jiang Qingxi choked up, "Sister, I'm not crying because of them. I'm heartbroken for what you've been through these past eight years. If mother and I hadn't left, you wouldn't have suffered so much!"

Jiang Yuerou observed Jiang Qingning's expression and was about to persuade Jiang Qingxi when she heard the sound of hurried horse hooves.

"Da da da, da da da..."

A burst of rapid and crisp sound of horse hooves hitting the bluestone slabs came from far away and got closer.

The three of them looked in the direction of the sound.

Qin Xiu had a face as white as jade and was dressed in a bright and eye-catching crimson official robe. On the robe was a majestic kirin patch embroidered with gold thread, indicating the owner's prominent status. He was riding a red-maned horse and was heading towards Ning Pavilion.

It won't take a moment.

In front of Ning Pavilion's gate, the horse let out a high-pitched neigh, pawed the air with its front hooves twice, and landed steadily on the ground.

Qin Xiu's figure was clearly outlined by his movements. He was extremely tall, with broad shoulders and back. The crimson official robe perfectly wrapped around his lean and upright body, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and smooth and powerful lines.

His face was extremely deep and handsome, with sword-like eyebrows slanting into his temples, a high nose bridge as if carved by a knife or an axe, thin lips tightly pursed, and a clear and hard jawline.

The most frightening eyes were now fixed on Jiang Qingning.

The corners of a pair of extremely beautiful phoenix eyes were slightly raised, and the pupils were a bottomless black. At this moment, there was anxiety and a trace of deep remorse for not being able to arrive in time.

Jiang Qingning was stunned. She could see the emotions in Qin Xiu's eyes.

"Qin Xiu? Shouldn't you be on duty at this hour? Why...why are you here?" Jiang Qingning pursed her lips and asked softly.

Qin Xiu rolled down nimbly, his movements clean and neat, his aura awe-inspiring, and stood at the bottom of the stairs somewhat at a loss.

"I was worried about you, so I came here as soon as I received the news."

Qin Xiu answered, and then he awkwardly explained, "I wasn't on duty today. I was accompanying the emperor in the palace, so I arrived a little late."

Ever since Wen Ziyi, he had sent people to guard around Ning Pavilion day and night, for fear that something might go wrong.

There was a commotion outside Ning Pavilion just now, and the secret guard notified Xun Chen as soon as he appeared, but unfortunately he was still a little late.

Jiang Yuerou quickly pulled Jiang Qingxi away: "Little sister, don't you want to eat peach blossom cakes? It just so happens that the tree that blooms the latest in the yard is in full bloom now. Come on, second sister will take you to pick flowers and make cakes."

"Ah, but I don't want to eat osmanthus cake now, wuwuwu..." Jiang Qingxi was forcibly taken away.

Jiang Qingning followed them with a doting smile in his eyes, and warned them, "Be careful, you two, don't fall!"

"Don't worry, big sister!" Jiang Yuerou said with a smile.

The next moment, Qin Xiu's unique coldness, mixed with a faint scent of pine and ink, instantly enveloped her.

Jiang Qingning felt the material of the crimson official robe in front of him shake, his waist suddenly tightened, and his whole body was tightly embraced in a solid and hot embrace.

"Have you been wronged just now?"

Qin Xiu held her tightly with his arms, with such force that it seemed as if he wanted to crush her and embed her into his bones and blood.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

A guilty voice sounded from above his head, making Jiang Qingning feel dazed.

"It's nothing. This is my Jiang family's family affair. It's right for you not to show up. Otherwise, the rumors in the capital will probably drown Ning Pavilion again."

Her cheek was forced against his chest, and she could clearly hear his heart beating violently at an uncontrollable speed, hitting her eardrums and making her dizzy.

"Qingning."

Qin Xiu's voice was low, filled with a thick layer of self-blame, "I'm late."

Jiang Qingning was completely frozen.

My mind went blank.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

The lingering atmosphere of chaos in the alley, the faint hawking sounds coming from afar, and even the slight swaying sound of the lanterns above the head in the wind, all seemed to be isolated in another world.

The only thing that was clear was that she was being held tightly by Qin Xiu.

"I've already said that you're not a member of the Jiang family, but just my ally. You shouldn't be present at this kind of event."

The disgust, aversion, and struggle that Jiang Qingning had expected did not appear at all.

Strangely enough, she didn't push Qin Xiu away immediately.

Qin Xiu's embrace was so tight that even the jade belt buckle around his waist felt a bit uncomfortable.

His breath forcefully invaded her senses, but instead of making Jiang Qingning uncomfortable, it brought with it a familiar, comforting aura.

Jiang Qingning's heart was in a panic like never before.

She could feel his muscles tense, the heat of his breath as he buried his head in the top of her head, and even more so, the unmistakable, surging heartache that emanated from his embrace.

Why is this happening?

The calmness and self-control that she was proud of seemed to be crumbling in the face of this sudden hug.

"I……"

Jiang Qingning tried to speak, but her voice was so dry, with a slight tremor that she herself didn't even notice. "I'm fine, Master Qin, please let me go first."

Qin Xiu raised his head, his deep phoenix eyes fixed on her face which was so close to him.

Jiang Qingning's face was a little pale, his lips were tightly pursed, and his eyes, which were always cold and calm, now clearly reflected his nervous expression, with a hint of confusion.

"Jiang Qingning," Qin Xiu's voice was more serious than ever before, carrying an unquestionable promise, "From now on, I'm here with you."

"The Jiang family doesn't want you, but I do. If anyone dares to bully you, humiliate you, or hurt you in the slightest..."

He paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming coldly, "I, Qin Xiu, will make him pay back a hundredfold."

Jiang Qingning suddenly raised her eyes and met his deep, yet extremely serious dark eyes.

There was no trace of frivolity or temptation in it, only a sincere heart, which was like the strongest rock, pressing down on her shaky defenses.

A warm current accompanied by a deeper panic instantly wrapped around her heart like a vine, tightening more and more.