Chapter Twelve: So what the master meant by "no" was actually "yes"!

Besides, Yuan Qing didn't think picking plum blossoms was anything special; eating walnuts was much more interesting.

Look at that silly girl, her cheeks are bulging from eating!

Moreover, not long ago, the master himself said that there was no need to report on Miss Qing's affairs in the future, showing that he had no interest in Miss Qing at all.

Does this mean you're not interested?

Yuan Qing scratched his head, unable to understand what his master was thinking.

Shen Qingnian and Ling'er finished picking the flowers and walked back to the path, chatting and laughing.

Xie Yanzhi suddenly appeared from around the corner.

Shen Qingnian was caught off guard and almost bumped into Xie Yanzhi, but she managed to keep her balance and avoid touching him.

As she looked up, their noses almost touched again. Shen Qingnian quickly took two steps back and curtsied, saying, "Your Highness."

Why did this person suddenly appear and scare us?

But in any case, what just happened was not her fault.

She was even frightened.

Then, Shen Qingnian stepped aside to make way, saying, "Please go first, Your Highness."

Xie Yanzhi paused as he passed by Shen Qingnian.

Seeing Xie Yanzhi staying by her side, Shen Qingnian had some doubts. She wondered what she had done to offend him again.

The two were so close that Shen Qingnian felt a chill run down her back and had difficulty breathing.

Xie Yanzhi stopped, and the familiar scent filled his nostrils, instantly making him feel refreshed. After a brief pause, he continued walking forward.

After Xie Yanzhi walked over, Shen Qingnian relaxed, but she still noticed that Xie Yanzhi was different from usual today.

It seems like I don't find her annoying like I used to.

However, he was always the type of person whose mood changed faster than turning the pages of a book, and she didn't want to understand why Xie Yanzhi was acting differently today.

She just wanted him to leave quickly!

Seeing Xie Yanzhi walk ahead, Ling'er breathed a sigh of relief.

Her young lady almost bumped into the eldest young master just now, and she thought she was going to be punished again.

Unexpectedly, the eldest son just walked over without saying or doing anything.

Then Xie Yanzhi said, "Keep up!"

His voice was authoritative and brooked no resistance.

Yuan Qing said, "Master, I'm in the back."

Xie Yanzhi glanced at him, his expression full of displeasure.

Yuan Qing instantly understood: Master was asking Miss Qing behind him to follow.

Yuan Qing's eyes darted around, and he suddenly realized!

Could it be... that when Master said no, he actually meant yes?

Then Ling'er saw Yuan Qing waving and winking at her, signaling the two of them to follow.

Ling'er was baffled and exchanged a few glances with Yuan Qing, wondering what the young master was up to.

Although Shen Qingnian didn't know why, she could only follow with the plum blossoms in her arms. Because she didn't want to get close to Xie Yanzhi, she deliberately walked slowly.

As the distance grew greater, Xie Yanzhi could no longer smell the scent, and growing dissatisfied, he turned to look.

Seeing Shen Qingnian taking tiny steps, looking extremely unwilling, he frowned.

Isn't she trying to marry into a wealthier family?

Why didn't you cherish the opportunity that was given to you?

Looking at Shen Qingnian, he suddenly came to his senses. How could he possibly be attracted to her scent! He had never looked down on women with such scheming minds.

He even inexplicably asked her to come along!

This Shen Qingnian is indeed extraordinary; she's incredibly skilled at bewitching people. Even he almost fell into her hands.

Fortunately, he regained consciousness in time.

Xie Yanzhi snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and walked away, leaving the others looking at each other in bewilderment.

Yuan Qing scratched his head. Not to mention Miss Qing and the others, even he, the personal servant, was completely baffled by his master's words and actions.

One moment he inexplicably makes people follow him, and the next he inexplicably turns and leaves.

My temper is getting more and more unpredictable.

After bowing to Shen Qingnian, Yuan Qing hurriedly chased after Xie Yanzhi.

Shen Qingnian watched Xie Yanzhi leave indifferently. She had long expected that he was the kind of person who was unpredictable and didn't need anyone to provoke him.

She should have walked slower and kept her distance from him to avoid him misunderstanding that she was seducing him.

Who knew that the young master was so bored today, he came to cause her trouble again.

I still need to find a way to survive and get out of the mansion as soon as possible. Every time I run into him, nothing good ever comes of it.

As Ling'er watched Yuan Qing's figure, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. After looking at her mistress, she sighed, "Yuan Qing's master is too difficult to serve."

Night was falling.

Snowflakes began to fall softly from the sky, and Xie Yanzhi ran happily, trying to catch them.

Suddenly, my foot slipped, and I fell to the ground. The pain brought tears to my eyes.

His mother, Madam Yang, scooped him into her arms and said, "Yan-ge'er, let your mother see where you've hurt yourself."

Xie Yanzhi nestled pitifully in his mother's arms, only thinking that the snow was so slippery.

Listening to my mother gently singing a nursery rhyme:

The moonlight shines on the windowsill.

The Jade Rabbit pounds medicine as osmanthus blossoms.

Little one, be good...

He nestled in his mother's arms, smelling the pleasant scent, and was about to fall asleep when his mother stopped reciting the nursery rhyme.

He looked up at his mother, and her face had transformed into Shen Qingnian's!

She patted him gently, just like her mother.

Xie Yanzhi suddenly woke up from his dream, his forehead covered in sweat.

What's wrong with him?

Why would I dream about that woman!

Three days later, a servant came to report: Master Lu has arrived.

When Xie Yanzhi met Master Lu in the main hall, Master Lu was leaning back in a pearwood chair, picking up the tea lid and slowly scraping the remaining leaves from the bottom of the cup. The dark brocade robe embroidered with a fierce tiger appeared and disappeared with his movements.

Upon seeing Xie Yanzhi, Second Master Lu stood up with a smile on his face and said, "Young Master!"

Xie Yanzhi walked to the chair and sat down. Yuan Qing stepped forward to pour him a drink and then stood to the side.

Xie Yanzhi frowned and asked, "I wonder what brings Second Master Lu to the mansion today?"

Master Lu glanced at Xie Yanzhi's expression and knew that Xie Yanzhi disliked him. He had long heard that this young master of the Marquis's mansion was an exceptional person, ruthless and inhumane when it came to solving cases.

Upon meeting you today, I can confirm that you have a very aloof and unapproachable demeanor.

But he was determined to come and sound out Xie Yanzhi's opinion.

The bandits in Lingnan must not be associated with the Guangde Marquis's residence.

Master Lu smiled and said, "Your Highness has done a great job in investigating the bandits in Lingnan. I have come here to congratulate you."

"Thank you very much, Second Master Lu."

Seeing Xie Yanzhi's lukewarm attitude, Lu Erye knew he was impatient, so he said, "I heard that the case in Lingnan is related to my Guangde Marquis's Mansion. My Guangde Marquis's Mansion and Jingnan Marquis's Mansion have been friends for generations, so they should know that my family could not possibly have any connection with the bandits."

"I'm really sorry, but I can't disclose details of the case," Xie Yanzhi said.

Seeing that Xie Yanzhi was unwilling to say more, Master Lu said meaningfully, "I came here today specifically to tell the young master not to be deceived by those with ulterior motives."

Xie Yanzhi sneered, "No need for you to worry, Second Master. I only believe in evidence."

Seeing that Xie Yanzhi was showing him no respect whatsoever, Master Lu cursed inwardly: "A mere brat who hasn't even given me any face."

He wanted to see how long this young master Xie could enjoy his good fortune!

Master Lu left with a cold snort and a farewell.

When Master Lu reached the moon gate, a maid called out to him, "Master Lu, my mistress invites you to come over for a cup of tea."

Master Lu's eyes darted around, recalling that Steward Wang had returned a few days ago and reported something to him.

It is said that Madam Lin, the second wife of the Marquis of Jingnan, has prepared a very rare beauty for him. Presumably, today is the day she will take him to see the beauty.

Thinking of this, Master Lu's anger subsided somewhat.

The maid led the way towards the backyard...