Don't

The next day.

Holding the zither, he approached the girl who was practicing calligraphy by the window and suddenly said, "Miss, why do you look a little different today?"

Mu An Ning paused with the brush in her hand, and the word "drunk" she was writing became slightly blurred. She raised her eyes and smiled softly: "Really?"

Baoqin nodded seriously. She couldn't tell where she felt, but she just felt that the young lady's whole body relaxed a little.

Mu An Ning smiled lightly, lowered his head and continued writing: When there is wine in life, one must get drunk, for not a single drop of it will ever reach the underworld.

Last night she finally made up her mind to return the contents of the box to him.

After she finished writing, she suddenly stood up from her chair and ordered, "Baoqin, get me a basin of water."

Seeing Baoqin nodded and left, she put away the two calligraphy works that she was most satisfied with and prepared to go to the bookstore she had left later to ask if they could help sell them for her.

After washing her hands, she picked up the box and walked to the west room alone.

After taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door gently, but no one responded.

She couldn't help but frown and waited for a moment, but the surroundings were silent except for the rustling sound of the breeze.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, and finally chose to push the door open and walk in.

The door hinge creaked slightly, and she looked around, only to find that the house was empty, with only empty tables and chairs and candlelight that had not yet been extinguished, without any residual warmth.

He...left?

He didn't even say a word to her.

She tightened her slender fingers around the box and for the first time felt both angry and amused.

She thought about it for a whole night before finally deciding to say goodbye to this relationship that only she cared about.

Even though she knew what he was thinking, she still felt a chill in her heart.

She laughed at herself. Forget it. She would explain it to him after returning to Beijing. By then, she would not have any hesitation.

"Miss, you are here!" Baoqin's gentle call brought her back to her senses.

Mu An Ning walked out of the room, and before she could say anything, Baoqin handed a note to her.

"Gu Ji is really something. I just went to look for him and found out that he had returned to Beijing last night."

Mu An Ning couldn't help feeling a little uncomfortable when listening to Baoqin's slightly resentful words.

Even Gu Ji knew to leave a message, but he left nothing.

In the past, she would have thought that she had not done something well enough and had annoyed him, but now she had to admit that he simply did not care about her at all.

After a moment's silence, she returned the note to Baoqin and said calmly, "Let's go to the bookstore after lunch."

Baoqin nodded in response and glanced calmly at the eight-treasure box in her hand.

She knew that what was inside was the young lady's most precious thing, but now the young lady was holding it and came to the door of the west room.

Could it be...

A hint of surprise flashed across her pretty face, and she quickly followed the leaving girl.

No wonder the young lady looked a little different today. Has she finally decided to make things clear with the prince?

But...how did the prince leave at such a coincidence?

*

In the study, Qiao Qingsheng looked in confusion at the woman who had been pushing the door open from time to time since yesterday, looking worried and hesitant to speak.

A hint of helplessness flashed across his eyes. He finally put down the book and rubbed his temples: "Aunt, just say whatever you want to say."

Aunt Fang, whose thoughts were seen through, froze when she heard this, and called out hesitantly, "Qingsheng..."

Qiao Qingsheng responded with a smile and waited for further words.

Aunt Fang coughed dryly, and finally spoke meaningfully: "You...you must not have any thoughts about Miss An Ning."

Qiao Qingsheng was slightly startled. It turned out that this was the reason why his aunt had been so worried.

He said jokingly in a lighthearted tone, "Aunt, didn't you always tell Qingsheng to get married as soon as possible?"

Although he had no such thoughts about Miss An Ning, why did his aunt act out of character today and not allow him to like someone else?

When Aunt Fang heard the answer, she paced back and forth anxiously: "You...you really like An Ning?"

It’s over, it’s over. If something so unethical happens, how can I explain this to my ancestors?

She thought about it and was about to tell the whole truth, but she heard Qiao Qingsheng smile helplessly and said, "Aunt, don't worry. Qingsheng only regards Miss An Ning as a friend and has no other thoughts."

Aunt Fang swallowed back the words she was about to say and wiped the sweat off her forehead: "Are you serious?"

Seeing Qiao Qingsheng nod solemnly, she finally felt relieved.

Before his sister-in-law and sister-in-law died, they did not have time to tell Qiao Qingsheng that Wan'er was not a member of the Qiao family.

She originally thought of telling him after he finished the palace examination.

If he tells everything at this critical moment, it might affect his exam results.

Qiao Qingsheng frowned and asked in confusion, "Why is my aunt so worried?"

...I'm really worrying too much.

Aunt Fang smiled casually: "Nothing...nothing." She changed the subject abruptly and said lovingly: "Qingsheng, you must be hungry. Auntie will make you some snacks. Just study hard. Auntie will not bother you anymore."

Qiao Qingsheng had no choice but to nod, then stood up and walked the woman out the door.

My aunt was a little puzzled. Could it be that he was going to Beijing to take the exam in two days?

Thinking of this, he felt that he could study a few hundred more pages.

After finishing the exam, he will be able to go look for his sister.

*

The midday sun shone overhead, casting a faded white.

After lunch, Mu An Ning and his servant went to the bookstore.

Uncle Li, who was sorting calligraphy and paintings, was surprised to see the arrival of the two people. He walked forward and welcomed the two in: "Miss An Ning, what do you want to buy?"

Mu An Ning shook her head slightly, turned around and handed the two pieces of calligraphy in Baoqin's hand to Uncle Li: "Yesterday I saw Brother Qiao selling calligraphy and paintings, and I wanted to give it a try."

A hint of confusion flashed across Uncle Li's face, but he didn't ask any more questions.

Although the girl was wearing ordinary fabrics and had no expensive jewelry, his intuition told him that she was not someone who was short of money.

He has been watching this person for so many years, could it be that he has made a mistake?

After Uncle Li unfolded the words, a look of praise flashed in his old eyes.

He looked at it carefully and couldn't help but exclaimed: "The girl's handwriting is really wonderful!"

The turning points of each stroke appear to be just right, just like the clouds between mountains and rivers, natural and smooth.

The handwriting was vigorous and powerful, like the towering mountains between the ridges, and it didn't look like it was written by a young girl at all.

Instead, he looks like a person who has experienced many vicissitudes of life.

Mu An Ning chuckled and said, "Uncle Li, you're right."

Baoqin behind him also laughed.

Young lady has been practicing calligraphy every day since she was five years old without slacking off. Isn't it amazing?

Uncle Li hesitated, "It's just that our boss probably won't come today..." He suddenly thought of a way: "Miss, you can give me the letter first, and I will pass it on to the boss."

Bookstores don't often accept calligraphy and paintings, but since it's written so well, Mr. Shi will definitely make an exception and accept it.

Mu An Ning's eyes moved. This Boss Shi... was really curious.

She nodded slightly and thanked him, and Uncle Li asked them to come back in two days.

After leaving the bookstore, Baoqin asked, "Miss, are you going to the Fang family now?"

Mu An Ning nodded. Yesterday, Aunt Fang invited her to have meals at the Fang family from now on, as a reward for her teaching Fang Ziweng.

The woman looked so enthusiastic and sincere that she couldn't help but be moved.

The two were walking when they were suddenly stopped.

"Girl, I think you may have a bloody disaster in the near future."