Chapter 120 The Unexpected Embrace
During the twenty-two days that Jiang Ling closed the shop, besides Xiao Ran, he was the only one who was most worried.
Lu Qian returned to Ping'an Town on the evening of the 15th of August, and as soon as he got back, he saw the Mid-Autumn Festival gift that Jiang Ling had given him.
He had little interest in the banquet at the palace, but this moment made him feel very warm.
It turns out there are still people in this world who genuinely consider him a friend, without any ulterior motives.
At this moment, Li Hong walked over with a hesitant expression.
The guards outside had just reported to him what had happened in Ping'an County that evening, which sent a chill down his spine.
As a prince's bodyguard, now that the eldest prince has settled in Ping'an County, he naturally has the obligation to keep a close eye on the situation in Ping'an County.
Lu Qian didn't see his expression at the moment, completely immersed in the joy of receiving the gift.
How did the image of Chang'e flying to the moon get engraved on the iron box? And how was it depicted so vividly?
This tea has a delicate fragrance, in no way inferior to the tea offered as tribute to the palace.
Autumn Moon Pear? What kind of pear is this? It's so big, and it smells so sweet.
Without looking up, Lu Qian asked, "I heard Miss Jiang also sent you mooncakes? Are they the same as mine?"
Li Hong bowed solemnly and said, "Your Highness, a major event has occurred in Ping'an County tonight."
"Something big? What's so big?"
Li Hong recounted in detail what the guard had just reported to him.
Lu Qian was initially unmoved, but upon hearing that Jiang Ling was involved, he was immediately shocked.
He had heard about the missing girl case in Beijing, but didn't pay much attention when he heard it involved Ping'an County.
Upon hearing the words "Jiang Ling" and "injured," Lu Qian's calm expression shattered instantly, replaced by immense shock and overwhelming worry!
He immediately pressed for details and learned that Jiang Ling had indeed been kidnapped by villains, but was fortunately rescued by Zhao Jingxing in time. Although she was unharmed, she seemed to have suffered some shock and minor injuries.
He couldn't sit still any longer and immediately spurred his horse to Jishui Village.
Li Hong advised, "Your Highness, it is already midnight. Miss Jiang should be resting now."
Lu Qian then looked at the sky. The full moon hung high in the sky.
If word gets out that a man and a woman meeting alone late at night, it will cause negative gossip about Ms. Jiang.
He could only suppress his worries.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, he waited at the entrance of the grocery store.
But a day passed, and the wooden door remained tightly shut.
He thought to himself that after experiencing such a terrible thing, it was only right to rest for a few more days.
But a day passed, then two, then three, four, five, ten days...
The door still showed no sign of opening.
This is the longest the grocery store has been closed in a long time!
Each day felt longer and more agonizing.
Lu Qian would take time every day to come and check on things, and his initial feelings of comfort gradually turned into unease and doubt.
In the end, it turned into deep worry and fear.
I even wondered if this shop would ever close down again!
Has she left? Is she never coming back?
Various unpleasant speculations swirled in his mind, causing him to lose his appetite and suffer from insomnia for the past few days.
I haven't even dared to come to the shop these past few days, afraid that I'll come with high hopes only to leave disappointed.
Until this morning, a pigeon brought a brief message from the informant stationed near Jishui Village: the shop is open and everyone is safe.
For Lu Qian, those six short words were like a lifeline!
He immediately abandoned all his affairs in the capital and, with Li Hong by his side, rushed over at top speed.
At this moment, after confirming with my own eyes that Jiang Ling was safe and sound, all my worries and anxieties truly vanished, leaving only the overwhelming joy of having regained what I had lost.
He let out a long sigh of relief, and a genuine smile appeared on his face for the first time in days.
When Jiang Ling saw him, her eyes lit up with joy, and she took the first step forward to greet him.
"It's been a long time. How have you been, Young Master Lu?"
Lu Qian strode into the shop, perhaps because his worries of the past few days had instantly turned into the overwhelming joy of regaining what he had lost, and his emotions overwhelmed his reason.
His actions preceded his thoughts; he involuntarily opened his arms and pulled Jiang Ling into his embrace.
"Miss Jiang, it's so good to see you're alright."
His voice was deep, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor, and it clearly reached Jiang Ling's ears.
This sudden action plunged the entire shop into an eerie silence.
Li Hong, who was standing at the door, suddenly widened his eyes and opened his mouth slightly, as if he had been frozen in place.
Xiao Ran, standing to the side, was so shocked that she forgot to close her mouth, her little hands unconsciously gripping the hem of her clothes.
Fortunately, no other villagers were present at the time, otherwise who knows what kind of gossip would circulate in Jishui Village tomorrow.
Jiang Ling's cheek was pressed tightly against Lu Qian's chest.
Through the slightly cool fabric of his clothes, she could clearly feel the still-beating heart in his chest, a heartbeat that hadn't yet calmed down from the recent gallop.
Jiang Ling then realized that Lu Qian was actually more than half a head taller than her.
The hug was actually very brief.
Almost immediately, as if he had been burned, Lu Qian abruptly released his grip and took a small step back.
His cheeks and ears flushed red at a visible speed, and the shock in his eyes seemed to be asking why he had done such a thing.
"Miss Jiang...I...I'm not..."
He spoke incoherently, trying to explain, but found himself unable to find the right words.
"I was being abrupt just now! I'm so sorry, I had no intention of offending you, it's just... it's just..."
The more anxious he became, the less words he could muster, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead.
As a modern person, Jiang Ling didn't think much of a simple hug. Instead, she could feel the genuine concern in the other person's heart.
Seeing his embarrassment, she quickly regained her composure, offering a gentle, slightly apologetic smile, and proactively changed the subject:
"I'm the one who should apologize. Something unexpected happened at home this time, and I had to leave in a hurry without telling anyone. I'm sorry for making you worry."
She appeared natural and spoke calmly, skillfully brushing aside the unexpected little incident that had just occurred.
Seeing that she was not angry, Lu Qian felt a little relieved, but the heat in his cheeks was hard to dissipate for a while.
He used the action of adjusting his sleeves to cover up his unease, coughed lightly, and tried to make his voice calm again.
"I see... Is everything at home settled? If there's anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to ask."
"It's all taken care of, thank you for your concern, Young Master Lu."
Jiang Ling smiled and nodded, walked to the counter, and picked up the teapot on the table. "Young master, you've come all this way, please have a cup of tea and rest."
At this moment, Li Hong and Xiao Ran, who had been petrified, finally slowly regained their senses.
Li Hong was still standing there, somewhat bewildered. Had he forgotten to turn his back?
You'll have to remember that next time.
Xiao Ran's eyes were devoid of joy or sorrow as her gaze swept back and forth between Lu Qian and Jiang Ling's faces.
Although he was only twelve years old, he vaguely sensed what had just happened, but judging from Sister Jiang's appearance, it didn't seem like a big deal.
Sister Jiang only sees Brother Lu as an ordinary friend, right?
That should be the case.
Should he stop it if he encounters this situation again next time?
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