Chapter 27, a captivating story with hidden secrets, is featured in "The Domineering Young Master's Gentle Pampering"...
"The courtyard is deep and secluded, with few servants or men coming and going. Does the Prince of Qin not often linger here?"
Golden bells jingled under the eaves as Xue Rongyue walked through the vermilion-lacquered corridor, her gaze sweeping over the rugged rockery on the south side.
A gentle stream flows from the artificial hill to the clear pond, where the spring breeze ripples the surface and several koi carp frolic happily.
Although the scenery was beautiful, the mansion was rather deserted.
The maidservant bowed her head and replied, "The young master used to return to the manor frequently in the past two years, but he has rarely come here in the last year. The young master prefers quiet, and the servants in the manor do not share this preference."
Pushing open the door to a warm pavilion, one finds a solitary screen with a lady's seat and a chair.
A maidservant stepped forward: "This servant will help you change, madam."
Xue Rongyue did not trust the servants in Qin Jin's mansion, so she waved them away.
After playing with the dog for a while, her clothes were already soaked with sweat, but fortunately there were clean clothes to change into in the carriage.
Picking up the willow-yellow jade pendant and the lotus-patterned blouse, Xue Rongyue could still faintly hear the sounds of Jingnu and Zhiquan playing in the distant courtyard. She lowered her eyes and pondered.
If Qin Jin really did this out of spite to retaliate against her and tricked Zhiquan away, then she shouldn't have left behind the cloth dog that Zhiquan had sewn.
Could it be that the person who informed on him to his father back then wasn't him?
Xue Rongyue had to admit that Qin Jin had taken very good care of the dog.
The mansion is filled with toys specially found to amuse Zhiquan, there are servants to groom Zhiquan's fur, and even Zhiquan's meals are specially prepared by a famous chef.
Even though he once misunderstood her for killing Yupan, he did not hold a grudge against Zhiquan, but instead took good care of him.
...Qin Jin was an even more upright gentleman than she had ever known.
Zhiquan was discovered by her father and locked in the ancestral hall as punishment. As a result, Zhiquan ended up wandering the streets. It was truly a stroke of luck that Qin Jin picked her up.
Perhaps she should thank Qin Jin.
Xue Rongyue's face flushed slightly as she hesitated, unsure how to begin. She quickly changed her clothes, and when she pushed open the door, the maid was nowhere to be found.
She didn't pay any attention and retraced her steps, carefully considering her words, but her gaze was drawn to a house on the way back.
The house was located in a secluded corner, with several lush willows planted in front of the door, blocking the view. It looked like a woodshed, but the windows were sealed with thick wooden planks, and the door was not only locked but also bound with an iron chain. Xue Rongyue took a closer look and noticed that the iron chain was secured with several locks.
Xue Rongyue felt something was off.
What exactly is hidden in this house that makes Qin Jin go to such lengths to guard against it, even in his own residence?
She walked through the corridor and stopped at the door.
Several green branches hung down, and the two windows were sealed tightly, so that no light could penetrate even though the sun was blazing. Xue Rongyue looked at the small crack in the door, hesitated for a moment, and then stopped her from going forward.
Since Qin Jin locked the doors and sealed the windows, it meant she didn't want anyone to discover what she was hiding inside, so why would she create unnecessary trouble?
Just as she was about to take a step away, a sharp shout suddenly came from behind her: "Don't move!"
Xue Rongyue was slightly taken aback.
The hurried footsteps were approaching from afar. Qin Jin frowned and quickly swept past Xue Rongyue. His tall figure blocked her from the house without warning, preventing her from taking another step.
His chest rose and fell with heavy breathing, beads of sweat rolled down his high nose, the smile on Qin Jin's face faded, his eyes darkened, and his stiff, heavy gaze stared coldly at her: "Don't touch this room."
Xue Rongyue frowned: "I was just passing by this room and took a few curious glances. I had no intention of going up to peek inside."
Gone was his previous calm demeanor; his neck and back were taut like a fully drawn bowstring. Qin Jin's eyelids were half-closed, his gaze filled with sharp vigilance as he scrutinized Xue Rongyue inch by inch. His expression was completely different from the gentle one he had shown when they were playing around.
He seemed to instantly raise a defensive line, like a ferocious beast whose territory had been invaded, sharpening its thorns, and Xue Rongyue was the suspicious person who crossed the line.
Considering the recent progress in the strategy, Xue Rong hesitated for a moment and took a step back: "I was presumptuous this time, but I had no ill intentions and no intention to spy on you."
"Xue Rongyue".
His eyes narrowed, his gaze looking down at her like an ice pick, Qin Jin's voice was cold and deep: "This is the last time. I warned you in the bamboo forest not to try to pry into my privacy again."
Xue Rongyue couldn't help but get angry: "I already said, I had no such intention!"
If she had really been spying, that would be one thing, but she had already taken a step to leave when Qin Jin arbitrarily accused her of a crime, which made her feel wronged and frustrated.
With his jaw clenched, Qin Jin was unwilling to listen to her sophistry any longer. He turned his face away and coldly gestured for her to enter.
The words caught in her throat, Xue Rongyue's breath hitched, and she was immediately enraged. She felt that Qin Jin's temper changed faster than turning the pages of a book, as if he had suddenly become a different person, and he didn't listen to reason at all.
"Who cares about your privacy!"
After saying those words, Xue Rongyue turned and left angrily, the begonia hairpin tucked into her hair trembling wildly.
With his sword-like eyebrows pressing down on his eyes and his gloomy expression still lingering, Qin Jin took a deep breath and watched Xue Rongyue's figure disappear behind the corridor. Suddenly, his tense body relaxed, and he leaned back helplessly, his body slamming heavily against the door.
The chains suddenly rattled loudly. Qin Jin leaned back against the door, closed his eyes, and felt a surge of tension and panic when he saw Xue Rongyue approaching the room. These feelings were also released as Xue Rongyue left.
His fingers continued to tremble uncontrollably, and beads of sweat poured out incessantly. Qin Jin had never experienced such panic before. His restless heart choked him, making him feel suffocated, like a fish trapped under the scorching sun, unable to escape and only able to gasp for breath.
Guang Sheng cautiously stepped forward, his eyes filled with worry: "Your Highness..."
Since being transferred to serve by the Crown Prince's side, Guang Sheng had been repeatedly warned by his elder brother that he must never approach this room, as it was a forbidden area set up by the Crown Prince. Although he was curious, he dared not disobey.
Just now, when the hidden guard in the mansion rushed to report, it was the first time he had seen the young master's expression change so suddenly and his steps so hurried that he couldn't keep up even when he was running.
Another servant stepped forward and reported, "Young Master, Lady Xue wishes to return to the manor."
Suppressing the tremor in his heart, Qin Jin straightened up, knowing that he had offended Xue Rongyue badly just now.
He was not unaware that Xue Rongyue might not have intended to spy, but he dared not gamble.
Xue Rongyue must never break into this room, and the secrets hidden within must never be discovered by her.
As if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over his head, his blood rushed to his head, and Qin Jin's face turned pale. He was pulled out of the warmth he had just felt by an invisible hand.
How could I be bewitched by Xue Rongyue once again?
After repeatedly questioning himself, he closed his eyes and commanded in a deep voice, "Guard this room well."
The servant bowed his head and accepted the order. Guang Sheng trotted to catch up with Qin Jin, carrying the heavy boxes of pastries in his arms. After pondering for a while, he finally asked cautiously, "Young Master, what about these two boxes of pastries..."
Qin Jin disliked sweets, so most of the cakes and pastries in the mansion were savory. Xue Rongyue and Zhiquan got tired of playing and said they were hungry. She tried a couple of bites of the mansion's cakes but put them down, clearly not to her liking.
Guang Sheng accepted the order and went to a nearby eatery to buy two boxes of the most popular pastries in Chang'an.
But now that Lady Xue and the young master have parted on bad terms, should we still send these two boxes of cakes to Lady Xue?
Although I have made up my mind to sever ties with Xue Rongyue and should cut off unnecessary interactions, Xue Rongyue is a guest, and there is no reason for her to leave hungry.
Qin Jin said calmly, "Take it to her... If she doesn't want it, you can keep it for yourself."
Guang Sheng quickly responded. When they arrived at the gate of the mansion, Xue Rongyue had already boarded the carriage in a huff. Adhering to the hospitality of guests, Qin Jin mounted his horse, intending to escort her back to the Princess.
The carriage slowly drove out of Yong'an Lane. Jingnu was puzzled as to why the two had been getting along so well just a stick of incense, but had fallen apart in the blink of an eye. She wanted to ask, but seeing Xue Rongyue's gloomy face, she decided not to provoke her for the time being.
Xue Rongyue was completely baffled.
What exactly was in that room that made Qin Jin feel so threatened just by her standing in front of the door?
She angrily punched the soft pillow in her arms twice. The carriage suddenly stopped, and Xue Rongyue almost fell to the ground. After regaining her balance, she angrily lifted the curtain and heard the coachman explain in a low voice: "Ahead, Prince Qin suddenly reined in his horse."
Xue Rongyue looked ahead and saw Qin Jin sitting high on his horse, his figure imposing and strong, his hand tightly gripping the reins. Xue Rongyue's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she followed his gaze—
A tall, slender figure moved among the tourists, his green robe billowing in the breeze. The man raised his hand, annoyed, to shoo away a few bees beside him.
Although the man was wearing a veil, Xue Rongyue recognized him at a glance: "Liu Ruyu".
With her eyes narrowed slightly, Xue Rongyue's lips curled into a cold smile: "It really is you. It really is you."
Meeting Qin Jin's gaze, she instantly understood, raising an eyebrow coldly: "You also tampered with things in the bamboo forest that night?"
Qin Jin raised her chin, gesturing for her to look at Liu Ruyu's arm.
As they were being driven away, Liu Ruyu's sleeve slipped down, revealing a dense array of red dots on Bai Ruyu's arm.
Xue Rongyue snorted coldly: "So you've suspected him all along too."
Qin Jin spurred his horse forward, maintaining a distant distance, and whispered, "I'll have Guang Sheng escort you."
"You're going to investigate him?" Xue Rongyue blurted out, "I'm going too!"
Qin Jin frowned: "It would be very inconvenient for you to go."
Seeing Liu Ruyu turn into a small alley, and considering that the two were still allies, Qin Jin added, "I will come to you today to report the situation after I have investigated it thoroughly."
Without waiting for Xue Rongyue's reply, he rode away.
He clearly wanted to keep his distance from her; even Jingnu could see through his current aloofness and indifference.
Xue Rongyue was so angry that she threw her handkerchief down.
As the sun set and night fell, Xue Rongyue, who had been anxiously pacing inside the house, became even more furious.
"It's already late afternoon, and curfew is about to begin. Has he not finished his investigation yet? I think he's clearly trying to shake me off!"
Xue Rongyue angrily threw the books on her lap away: "You're so capricious all day long!"
Walking quickly to the dressing table, Xue Rongyue took out the books she had bought earlier and stuffed them all into Jingnu's hands, including "The Art of Speaking" and "The Domineering Young Master's Pampering": "Right now, burn them all!"
Seeing that she was furious, Jingnu dared not say anything more and quickly left with the books in her arms.
She found a secluded corner in the courtyard, brought out a brazier, and to ensure the book burned cleanly, she tore the pages of the book into pieces before putting them into the brazier.
When Qin Jin entered, there was only one book left that hadn't been burned—
The eye-catching title "The Overbearing Young Master, Please Be Gentle" was laid out naked on the ground, the bright, blazing firelight illuminating the eight characters clearly.
Qin Jin could no longer maintain his cold demeanor; he tripped over his own feet and nearly crashed headfirst into a tree.
A note from the author:
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Qin Jin: The Cold Mask Shattered
Don't be afraid, Shizi won't be aloof for long; he's not aloof at all.
The next chapter will be available for purchase, and the synopsis and plot will be released soon. Updates will begin at midnight tomorrow (the 20th). Three extra chapters will be released after the purchase period. Thank you all for your continued support. I hope to continue witnessing Xiaoyue and Shizi turn the tide and create a bright future together. Love you all, bowing [heart eyes]
————Pre-order novel: "Weren't you dead?!"————
Copywriting:
In the spring of the second year of Jingming, Jiang Huanchun's assassination mission failed.
As she fled Chang'an by feigning death, she looked back from Tinglan Slope. Beneath the scattering of paper money, the funeral procession for her was slowly making its way out of Chang'an, accompanied by deafening wails.
In the pavilion not far away, there were four young men, dressed in brocade robes and jade crowns, their wealth evident.
The leader was eight feet tall, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a cold and stern face, and an unruly and arrogant demeanor.
The person next to him flattered him with a smile: "Young Marquis, what goes around comes around. Jiang Nu was no match for you in the end and died with resentment. We should celebrate properly tonight."
As soon as he finished speaking, the young marquis smiled and slowly looked at the person who had spoken, his smile icy.
Amidst the terrified gazes of the crowd, he suddenly kicked him violently to the ground, his expression gloomy and furious.
Seeing this, Jiang Huanchun only sneered, thinking to himself: I hope the gods and Buddhas will protect her and prevent her from ever setting foot in Chang'an again, and from ever seeing Qin Zhao's hideous face again!
To everyone's surprise, two years later, they were proven wrong.
Not only did she re-enter Chang'an, but she also unexpectedly became Qin Zhao's cousin, who had long admired him and was arranged by the Qin family elders to live in their mansion to cultivate their relationship!
On his first day in the mansion, Qin Zhao disappeared without a trace. Qin's mother summoned a servant to inquire about Qin Zhao's whereabouts. The servant replied tremblingly, "He went to offer incense to the deceased Second Madam Jiang again."
Upon hearing this, Mother Jiang couldn't help but sigh, "What a tragic fate!"
Jiang Huanchun: "???"
How disgusting!
***
A cousin came to Qingzhou, but Qin Zhao was in a hurry to visit the grave and only caught a glimpse of her from afar.
She wore a light green robe, with a jade hairpin tucked diagonally into her hair. Upon seeing him, she bowed slightly and called out softly, "Cousin."
Qin Zhao frowned, a feeling of displeasure rising in his heart.
The reason was simple: although he couldn't see his cousin's face clearly through the screen, Qin Zhao inexplicably felt that she looked familiar—
It resembles a deceased friend whom he can't forget, whose grave is now covered with two meters of grass.
*
[I was wondering why I seemed to recognize an old friend; turns out the old friend wasn't dead!!]
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