Chapter 256 Light Boat

Xue Han pointed to the red date that represented Xue Quan's return to control of the Imperial City Guard: "Although my adoptive father benefited from this, he would never spread rumors that would damage the Emperor's reputation."

Qiu Heng was just worried about not having a chance to understand Xue Quan when she heard this, and her heart stirred slightly: "So sure?"

Xue Han nodded: "My adoptive father is completely loyal to the current emperor, and everything he does depends on the current emperor."

“If that’s the case—” Qiu Heng picked up another red date, “My grandfather’s release was not a benefit to the Yongqing Marquis’s Mansion. On the contrary, his release from prison because of such rumors made the Emperor despise the Yongqing Marquis’s Mansion.”

There were only three chestnuts left on the table.

Qiu Heng smiled and said, "The person behind this is full of malice towards me and isn't very respectful to the Emperor either. It seems more likely to be a foreign spy. By the way, today is already the fourth day of the month. Have Consort Yu's palace servants gone to Taoran Tower yet?"

"No. It might be around the Lunar New Year. Let's keep an eye on it for a few more days."

Qiu Heng didn't ask Xue Han how he planned the surveillance. Instead, she picked up three chestnuts and played with them. "Xue Han, if there's no movement from Taoran Tower on the sixth day, let's go to that Taoist temple in the mountains."

"Didn't the old lady forbid you from going out?"

"You asked me out."

Seeing Xue Han's surprised expression, Qiu Heng whispered, "I'm thinking about what Grandmother is thinking. She really wants you to come and propose marriage soon. If you ask me out, she might curse you a few times in her heart for not doing your job properly, but she probably won't refuse."

While sneaking out is convenient, things are shrouded in mystery right now. Going out with an open and legitimate identity might attract fish, which could then be caught in a net.

A stagnant pool is what's truly frightening.

Xue Han's eyes lit up: "Does the old lady really hope I will propose marriage as soon as possible?"

This time, Qiu Heng asked in confusion, "Do you think the old lady will stop us?"

Xue Han lowered his eyes slightly: "I was born a beggar, and my adoptive father was a eunuch. It's normal for the old lady to have reservations."

After the treacherous minister fell from power, the old lady treated him rather coldly, and he dared not ask any questions.

Qiu Heng was even more surprised, staring at Xue Han for a long time, making him tense all over.

"What's wrong?"

Qiu Heng rested her chin on her hand, looking at the person who had gradually shed his youthful naiveté: "Xue Han, have you always harbored this kind of... self-deprecating thought?"

"It's not that I'm belittling myself, it's that many people care about these things."

“My grandmother wouldn’t. She’s quite pleased with you.”

"Really?" Xue Han couldn't help but smile. "I still can't believe it. How about I propose marriage and see?"

Qiu Heng stretched out her finger and pulled down the corners of his upturned mouth: "Are you trying it because you can't believe it?"

If the corners of her mouth hadn't been turned up so high, she might have believed it.

Xue Han grabbed Qiu Heng's hand and chuckled softly, "I really can't believe it."

Qiu Heng rolled her eyes at him and pulled her hand back: "I'll wait for your news on the sixth day of the lunar month."

After they had discussed it, Qiu Heng was about to see Xue Han out when a servant announced that the guards sent by the Prince of Kang's heir had arrived.

"Bring them over."

After the servant left, Xue Han silently looked at Qiu Heng.

"I met Brother Ling before you came, and we talked about the rumors. Brother Ling was worried that I would run into trouble again, so he gave me a guard to be my coachman."

Sure enough, the person sitting in that carriage was Ling Yun, the heir of Prince Kang.

"The Prince of Kang's son is very considerate towards Aheng," Xue Hanyun said casually.

Ah Heng and the Prince of Kang's son have known each other since childhood and have a deep friendship. Ah Heng must not be allowed to think that he is jealous.

It's just a brother-sister relationship.

Although she is good-looking, Ah Heng is not someone who judges people solely by their appearance.

There's no need to compare; Ah Heng only has eyes for him.

...

After trying to reassure himself, Xue Han couldn't help but ask, "Is one guard enough? I have a suitable candidate here—"

Qiu Heng had no idea that Xue Han had been jealous eight hundred times in a short period of time, and casually said, "We don't need two coachmen."

Xue Han sighed inwardly.

As expected, I was rejected.

"Sixth Miss, the person has arrived."

The young man led in by the servant bowed to Qiu Heng and said, "I am Wu Qingzhou, and I greet Princess Suiyun."

Qiu Heng looked at the young man who was about to become her coachman.

He was in his early twenties, tall but not muscular, with broad shoulders and long legs, and his eyes and voice were as calm as his.

"The light boat that has already passed ten thousand mountains?"

"yes."

"Just call me Sixth Miss. I'll be troubling you from now on."

"Sixth Miss, you're too kind. It's my duty."

Qiu Heng instructed someone to take Wu Qingzhou to settle in and saw Xue Han out.

"Let's stop here, it's cold outside." Xue Han stopped. "I think that new driver is very young, and his driving experience might not be enough. What if he's not comfortable driving him—"

"Probably not, Brother Ling is always very meticulous in his considerations."

Xue Han: "..."

"Then I'm off, see you on the sixth day."

See you on the sixth day.

Qiu Heng watched Xue Han walk away, then turned and went to Qiansong Hall.

"The Prince of Kang sent you a guard?" The old lady asked with a strange expression.

The two families had already exchanged New Year's gifts because of Qiu Heng, but unexpectedly, the Prince of Kang sent another person.

This is the first time I've ever heard of sending a living person as a New Year's gift.

"Brother Ling said that the guard is very skilled. He'll be the driver when we go out in the future, so we can be safe."

The old lady was quite touched by Lingyun's thoughtfulness, but thinking that no honest girl should need to be on guard against attacks when going out, she immediately felt distressed: "Then you can manage the expenses of the guards yourself."

Anyway, this girl has money.

"Then the granddaughter went back to Lengxiangju."

The old lady waved her hand.

On the fifth day of the new year, people welcome the God of Wealth and eat dumplings.

The people at Lengxiangju ate dumplings made by Fangzhou. Qiuheng specially filled a large bowl and took it to Wu Qingzhou.

Wu Qingzhou was surprised to see Qiu Heng, and greeted her awkwardly, "Sixth Miss."

Qiu Heng asked with a smile, "Brother Wu, are you getting used to it?"

Wu Qingzhou was startled and quickly said, "Sixth Miss, you are too kind to address me like that."

“I used to call my usual driver Uncle Zhang, so there’s no need to get hung up on the form of address. It’s still the Lunar New Year holiday, Brother Wu, why don’t you go back and spend a few days with your family before coming back?”

"No need." Wu Qingzhou paused for a moment. "My parents have long since passed away, and only my elder brother, sister-in-law, and nephew are not in the capital."

"If you need anything while staying at the Earl's Mansion, just tell me, or you can ask my wet nurse, Mama Wang. She's in charge of Lengxiangju." Qiuheng put down the food box. "Today is the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. Fangzhou made dumplings, which are better than those in the main kitchen. Brother Wu, you should try some too."

"Thank you, Sixth Miss."

After Qiu Heng left, Wu Qingzhou opened the food box and looked at the plump dumplings in the large bowl with a ripple in her eyes.

His mother's dumplings are also this plump.

From the familiar Prince's mansion to the unfamiliar Earl's mansion, the slight unease was inexplicably soothed upon seeing this bowl of dumplings.

Wu Qingzhou picked up her chopsticks, took a dumpling, and ate it, her eyes widening in surprise.

Why are these dumplings so delicious!

One, two... After devouring a large bowl of dumplings in no time, the reserved Wu Qingzhou patted his stomach, with only one thought in mind: if he could eat such delicious dumplings every day, he would be the Sixth Miss's coachman for life.

(End of this chapter)