Chapter 143 World 6 (15)

Amidst the shade of flowers and the lush greenery, a newly built swing is placed around the door.

Several strands of hemp rope were twisted into a sturdy support. Vines as thick as wrists coiled around the center of the ropes, forming small, elegant flowers on the swing's armrests. Bao Shan sat upright on a cushion made from a futon. Her slender arms, compared to the powerful vines, seemed even more frail, and the faint green of the meridians on her arms was visible.

The floor-length dress seemed to be made of piled tulle, soft and fluffy, swaying slightly with the swing.

The setting sun had not yet set, and the warm light shone through the gauze, making the fair skin exposed by the stockings almost transparent.

Upon learning that Han Wenxin was visiting, Baoshan looked at the blossoming flowers bathed in the golden afterglow, her expression indifferent. It wasn't until the maid spoke up, explaining that Han Wenxin had come to see Baoshan that a hint of bewilderment crossed Baoshan's face, her cheeks as white as bamboo shoots. Her eyes trembled slightly, her soft lips parted, and her tone was filled with confusion: "But Miss Han and I are not familiar with each other."

This was true, considering Bao Shan's status as a concubine's daughter. Even though she followed Qin Fu and attended many banquets, those of higher status would disdain to associate with concubines. And those of lower status were closely watched by the people in the mansion, watching their every move;

Their minds are completely focused on planning their own marriages and they have no time to care about socializing.

Moreover, Han's father and Qin's father were not on good terms in the court, so it was strange that Han Wenxin came to visit.

Now he has bypassed his daughter Qin Fu and wants to see the treasured fan, which makes people even more confused.

The swing gradually stopped shaking. Baoshan saw Qin Fu's figure walking towards this place.

Bao Shan stood up and, without waiting for Qin Fu to settle, hurried over to her. Her brows furrowed as she whispered, "Sister, I'm not familiar with Miss Han. We only met once at the Spring Outing Banquet. Miss Han came looking for me rashly, but...what did I do wrong to deserve her coming to question me?"

Baoshan's fair face turned a little pale because of the uneasiness in her heart.

Qin Fu was originally full of doubts, wondering when the treasure fan had anything to do with Han Wenxin, which made the Han family's eldest daughter, who was at odds with the Qin family, come to pay a visit in person.

But all of Qin Fu's doubts disappeared when she saw Bao Shan's timid expression. She thought to herself: How could Bao Shan, who is so weak in character, be related to Han Wenxin?

The situation might not be as Bao Shan guessed. She didn't know what she had done to offend Han Wenxin, which led to Han Wenxin coming to her house to question her.

Qin Fu had heard a lot about Han Wenxin's absurd behavior.

Now I feel that Han Wenxin is ignorant of etiquette and Baoshan is cowardly. What could have offended her that would be worth such a big fuss to come to the mansion and ask to see her?

But the treasure fan had to be seen.

When she learned that she was going to meet Han Wenxin, Baoshan bit her lower lip lightly, a conflicted look flashing across her brows. She hesitantly tugged at Qin Fu's sleeve and softened her voice: "Eldest sister, can you accompany me?"

Qin Fu's heart was slightly moved, but she always put the rules first. She frowned and looked at the treasure fan, saying in a calm tone: "You are not a two or three-year-old child. You need someone to accompany you in everything."

Bao Shan's eyes trembled slightly: "But... I'm afraid Miss Han will get angry and do something abrupt, which I won't be able to resist."

Qin Fu's eyes were cold, and Bao Shan's body trembled when he saw it.

"She's been with me for a long time, yet she hasn't made any progress. Even though her status is extremely noble, she's only in the Han Mansion. In the Qin family, you're the host and she's the guest. How can she bully you in public? Forget it."

Qin Fu looked up and down at Bao Shan's delicate figure and frail body, and sighed slowly. Bao Shan looked like she might really be bullied.

"I'll stay aside. If she says something offensive or behaves rudely, you can call me."

She couldn't let Han Wenxin bully Baoshan under her personal care.

Bao Shan naturally thanked him softly, which caused Qin Fu to look disgusted.

Although he was sitting on a Huanghuali armchair and holding a hot teacup in his hands, Han Wenxin's fingertips were still cool.

At this moment, Han Wenxin was as restless as an ant being roasted on fire.

Until he saw that weak figure walking towards him, Han Wenxin hurriedly put down the teacup in his hand and stood up.

At Han Wenxin's request, all the maids in the house were sent to the yard.

Han Wenxin walked up to Baoshan and suddenly grasped her slender wrist, saying anxiously, "Is it because of you that Xie Guan broke off business with the Han family?"

Baoshan's eyes were clear and filled with a hint of bewilderment. Seeing her like this, Han Wenxin thought of his father, Han, who had fallen to the ground in a rage. His brows pounded. "If it weren't for you, the two families would have been at peace. Why did Xie Guan suddenly develop a rift with the Han family?"

Han Wenxin looked anxious and used great strength to grab the wrist of the treasure fan.

Bao Shan lowered her beautiful eyes and glanced at her red wrist. She said softly, "Miss Han, you hurt me."

"I've been staying at home all day these days, and whenever I go out I go with my elder sister. How could I possibly go looking for Master Xie? And why would I cause a rift between your two families?"

Han Wenxin's eyes were red. After his father fell down, the doctor gave him acupuncture and poured medicine into his stomach, but he still didn't wake up.

Han's mother cried all day long, sitting beside Han's father's bed and refusing to eat.

Han's mother did not blame Han Wenxin out loud, but only blamed herself, blaming herself for not managing the inner house well and not educating her daughter well.

Since his rebirth, the people Han Wenxin cares about most are his parents.

How could she not blame herself seeing her parents looking so haggard?

Especially the words that Han's father said in a harsh voice before he fainted. He regretted that he had spoiled Han Wenxin.

Those few words, like a tiny thorn, pierced Han Wenxin's heart, making her feel guilty, and she finally made up her mind to come to the Qin Mansion.

Looking at Bao Shan's innocent expression, Han Wenxin said in a cold voice, "I told Xie Guan about your night meeting with your lover. You naturally resent me, but you shouldn't have implicated the entire Han Mansion."

Bao Shan opened her soft lips slightly: "How could it be... You clearly promised to keep your mouth shut..."

Bao Shan raised her face, her eyes soft and clear: "Even if Miss Han didn't keep her promise, why would she feel resentment..."

Han Wenxin's heart felt like it was burning in flames. She looked at the treasure fan in front of her, which gradually overlapped with the image of the treasure fan in the legends of her previous life.

The fact that the gentle Xie Guan did such an unruly thing as favoring his concubine over his wife cannot be explained simply by affection. Is the precious fan really as innocent and pitiful as her delicate face?

After days of mental tension, the tightly pulled string was suddenly broken.

Han Wenxin didn't think of hiding the fact that she had been reborn. She almost blurted out, "You must resent me. If I hadn't changed, you would have been saved by Xie Guan and become the only concubine in his backyard."

Han Wenxin's eyes lit up and his expression was dull. Bao Shan was so frightened by his terrifying appearance that he stepped back repeatedly.

Han Wenxin stepped forward, looked at Baoshan's eyes widened in surprise, and said in an inexplicable voice: "Xie Guan dotes on you so much that he even wants to divorce you.

If it weren't for the rules, he would have made you his wife long ago.

Even so, although you didn't have the status of a legal wife, you enjoyed immense wealth and Xie Guan's unwavering love and care. But now that you have me, everything has changed. Since you weren't rescued by Xie Guan, you naturally couldn't become his concubine, so it's only natural that you resent me."

Baoshan's hair was slightly disheveled, and she looked at Han Wenxin in surprise, full of disbelief.

Han Wenxin suddenly grabbed Baoshan's arm and said anxiously, "Go and ask Xie Guan for help. He is deeply in love with you and will definitely not reject you."

Bao Shan tried to break free from Han Wenxin, but her frail body lacked the strength to free her from his grasp. She raised her pale cheeks and said in a trembling voice, "Master Xie is already married. Don't talk nonsense and cause others to misunderstand."

Han Wenxin wanted to say something more, but was pushed away by the maid who suddenly rushed out, and fell to the ground in embarrassment.

Han Wenxin raised his eyes and saw Qin Fu, whose expression was as cold as frost and snow.

Qin Fu looked at her gently, without asking too many questions, and turned around to look at the treasure fan.

Qin Fu's gaze narrowed slightly when she saw the redness and swelling on Bao Shan's fair and delicate arm. She said in a cold voice, "Didn't I tell you to call me?"

Baoshan lowered her head, her messy hair sticking to her cheeks. She looked pitiful and replied in a low voice, "I... I forgot..."

"stupid."

Qin Fu said coldly, if she hadn't looked here on purpose and rushed over in time, Bao Shan would have really been bullied by Han Wenxin.

If this matter were to get out, it would be a shocking joke.

Qin Fu looked at Han Wenxin, without any anger in her expression, and said calmly: "If Miss Han's behavior gets out, people will probably say that she is crazy.

As for Bao Shan's marriage, the palace will make its own decision, and it definitely cannot be the Xie Guan that Miss Han mentioned."

Qin Fu chuckled, stroking the golden hairpin on her temples, and said casually, "The Duke's Mansion has already performed the ceremony of seeing each other. Oh, it's Master Lu. Miss Han should be very familiar with him.

If the engagement goes through, Baoshan and I will marry into the Duke's mansion together. If it doesn't work out—that's fine too. It was just a meeting, not a formal ceremony, and Baoshan and I aren't relentlessly pursuing, infatuated women.

Even if this marriage doesn't happen, my heart won't be broken. Miss Han, do you agree or not?"

Han Wenxin's eyes widened as he repeated the same words: "Impossible, how could Prince Lu do that? He wouldn't..."

Qin Fu leaned forward gently, looked at Han Wenxin's face, and said loudly: "Miss Han, could it be that she has really gone mad? She just said some false words and implicated the treasure fan and Xie Guan together.

Now I want to say that it is you who should marry Prince Lu...

If Miss Han really cared about the business of the mansion, she shouldn't have come to the Qin Mansion today and should have gone directly to find Xie Guan."

Han Wenxin was helped up by the maid in the mansion and escorted out of the Qin Mansion.

Han Wenxin was bewildered as he watched the people coming and going. He didn't know what to do. Was it really right to simply avoid Lu Wenhe?

Han Wenxin didn't know that instead of looking for Xie Guan, she would rather go find Lu Wenhe.

After receiving Qin Fu's instruction, Bao Shan stayed in the courtyard to reflect on himself.

After Qin Fu left, Bao Shan pushed open the door and came to the courtyard wall covered with wisteria. She found a bluestone brick and knocked gently three times.

The bluestone bricks were pushed aside, and Baoshan handed over the written paper scroll.

Before the bluestone brick was closed, Bao Shan asked softly, "Prince...are you going to marry my eldest sister?"

Not getting an answer, Baoshan's eyes dimmed. He watched the bluestone bricks closed tightly and went back to the house.