The next day.

Fearing that Jiang Zhihui would be punished by Madam Jiang if she stayed home alone, Jiang Chuhui and Jiang Segu took her to Qingsifang together.

Qing Si Fang's location isn't great, but the items inside are inexpensive and stylish, so business is still pretty good.

As soon as Jiang Zhihui entered, she was captivated by the jewelry inside.

"Fifth Sister, see if there's anything you like. If so, I'll give it to you!"

"You said it yourself, so don't wait until I pick something expensive and then you're reluctant to spend the money!"

Am I such a petty person?

The two sisters, hand in hand, unusually amicable and tacitly left Jiang Chuhui alone!

As Jiang Chuhui looked at the jewelry in the shop, she took the opportunity to observe the people in the shop. When she saw the familiar figure wiping the stair railing on the second floor, her calm eyes welled up with tears.

Mu Ying, who was following behind Jiang Chuhui, stepped forward and helped her up, afraid that she would lose her composure. He then coughed lightly and raised his voice, "Why is no one here to greet my young lady!"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, He Quan dropped the handkerchief in his hand to the ground.

"Yuan Niang..."

The voice was murmuring, barely audible.

But Jiang Chuhui knew he was calling her.

She instinctively reached out to step forward, but Mu Ying stopped her.

"Bring me some pretty hairpins, and I'll help my young lady upstairs to her private room!"

Thus, Mu Ying helped Jiang Chuhui up to the second floor and into the private room where He Quan was.

"How can you be so insensitive? Go and bring some tea and snacks!"

He Quan then came to his senses and bowed his head in agreement.

Jiang Segu saw this and knew that Jiang Chuhui wanted to speak with He Quan alone.

She was momentarily at a loss for how to explain this to Jiang Zhihui. As her thoughts raced, she pulled Jiang Zhihui aside and said, "Fifth Sister, there's a plum blossom cake shop on this street that's especially delicious. Shall I take you to try it?"

"Then I'll go call the older sister to come along!"

"Given her status, how could she be allowed to show her face in public like you and me? We'll bring her back to her later!"

After saying that, he pulled Jiang Zhihui away.

Before leaving, she gave Qinghong, who had come with her today, a wink.

Qinghong understood and followed him out, disappearing in an instant.

When He Quan brought over the tea and snacks, Mu Ying had already sent away the person who came to deliver the jewelry, and walked to the door when He Quan came in.

Jiang Chuhui stood up, tears falling before she could speak.

He Quan panicked and wanted to wipe her tears, but then felt he wasn't qualified.

“Brother He, it’s all my fault. If it weren’t for me, Grandma He and Aunt He wouldn’t have had this accident! When I heard about their accident, I wanted to go find you, but I was afraid that if I saw you, they wouldn’t even…”

"It's not your fault, it's my fault. I couldn't protect Grandma and Mother, and I couldn't save you! It's all my fault! If only I had taken you with me back then..."

Seeing that the two of them couldn't get to the point, Mu Ying anxiously spoke up, "Miss, today's visit isn't about reminiscing about the past. Time is short, so you'd better hurry!"

Jiang Chuhui wiped away her tears, took out a purse from her bosom, and handed it to He Quan. "This is my savings. Brother He, please take it and leave the capital quickly. In the future..."

She took a deep breath to suppress the pain in her heart, "Find a good man and live a good life in the future. Forget about what happened between us!"

He Quan could hardly believe what he was hearing!

He's already lost his family, and now he's going to lose her too?

He Quan disregarded all etiquette, grabbed Jiang Chuhui's hand, and asked, "Don't you know why I came to the capital?"

Jiang Chuhui's throat tightened. She knew he had come to the capital to protect her, but it was an unrealistic plan!

He couldn't protect her, just like he couldn't keep her in the past!

He already had no family, and she didn't want him to lose his life because of her!

She lost her composure just now; she shouldn't have cried and complained to him the moment she saw him. Wasn't she here today to ask him to end their relationship?

Jiang Chuhui looked intently at He Quan, then broke free from his grasp and said in a cold, hard voice, "Brother He, I think you've misunderstood! I'm very happy that the Emperor has taken a liking to me this time. I was just thinking of giving you some money so you wouldn't reveal what happened on the estate, lest I lose the Emperor's favor because of it!"

He Quan's nerves froze, but he quickly shook his head and said, "I know you're worried that if I stay in the capital too long, my life will be in danger..."

“Brother He, you're being a bit presumptuous! Back when I was at the manor, because you were kind to me, and you were also considered handsome, while I…”

Jiang Chuhui swallowed the lump in her throat and continued, "And it's because I haven't had a man for a long time that I've developed feelings for you, a servant!"

But now that I'm back in the capital, not only can you not compare to the other powerful and influential people, but the one who now takes a liking to me is the Emperor, the master of the entire Northern Wei. What woman could refuse such an honor!

Her voice was cold and ruthless, and her eyes were even colder than ice.

Looking at Jiang Chuhui like this, He Quan suddenly thought of the girl who had just arrived at the manor and kept everyone at arm's length.

He didn't believe her and, for the first time, overstepped his bounds and pulled Jiang Chuhui into his arms.

Jiang Chuhui's heart and body warmed instantly. The icy coldness in her eyes melted into water at an extremely fast speed when it met the warmth, and it fell drop by drop!

Mu Ying felt a pang of sorrow as she looked at her daughter, who couldn't bring herself to be ruthless.

She also wanted to see the girl happy, she also wanted lovers to be together forever... but those are things that only happen in plays.

Reality is only cruel.

"girl……"

Mu Ying spoke up again to remind Jiang Chuhui, pulling her back from her brief moment of tenderness.

Jiang Chuhui was reluctant to push He Quan away, but if she didn't, perhaps there would be no one like He Quan, who was as pure as mountain spring water, anymore!

"He Quan, you are just a small farmer on an estate under my Marquis's name, yet you dare to treat me so disrespectfully! Mu Ying, go and call someone here!"

Mu Ying, having been by Jiang Chu Hui's side for a long time, understood Jiang Chu Hui's intentions with just a glance.

Without the slightest hesitation, she opened the door to the private room.

Just as the door was opened, He Quan let go of Jiang Chuhui's hand for the sake of her reputation.

Jiang Chuhui took the opportunity to spill the tea on herself.

Mu Ying stood outside and shouted, "Where is the manager? How did you train your waiter? He spilled tea all over my young lady while just bringing her some water! What use is a waiter like that!"

The shopkeeper was not here today, so the accountant rushed up.

He bowed and apologized while glaring at He Quan.

He had long harbored considerable resentment towards He Quan. If the shopkeeper hadn't said that this man knew the owner, he would have already caused trouble for He Quan!

He Quan is now facing a dead end, so he can only accept his fate!