Qin Mansion.
Qin Xun was having lunch inside when he suddenly looked up and saw someone standing by the window. After a moment of surprise, he remained calm and instructed the door, "The sky is gloomy today, and it makes me lose my appetite. Close the door."
"Yes, young master."
The door closed gently, and Qin Xun immediately stood up with a cautious expression.
"Hey, wait a minute, sit down and keep eating."
Xie Lingqin walked over slowly, her gaze sweeping across the table. "Hmm, the food is pretty good. Here's eight-treasure fish, drunken shrimp, lotus-scented chicken, cabbage, assorted soup...tsk tsk tsk..."
Xie Lingqin's eyes lingered and turned slightly, like clear waves. "There's fish and meat, this is truly an extraordinary feast."
Upon hearing this, Qin Xun quickly clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xie Lingqin, "Miss Lingqin, please don't laugh at me. I'm only doing this because of you. Ever since the incident at Jinhua Tower, Madam has been much less strict about my meals. Whenever there's anything in the manor, she immediately sends it to me. It seems she's afraid of mistreating me."
Xie Lingqin nodded, walked straight over, pulled out a chair, and sat down opposite Qin Xun. "The Vice Minister's wife is trying to silence you. That day at Jinhua Tower, things were so obvious. If you were to investigate further or come back to complain to your father about hiring someone to kill your son, she would be in deep trouble. However, even though you covered for her, she is probably still feeling uneasy."
“Miss Lingqin is right. The way Madam has looked at me these past few days is indescribable.” After saying this, Qin Xun saw Xie Lingqin staring at the food on the table, and his handsome eyes were filled with a smile. “Miss Lingqin, is lunch ready? Why don’t we have lunch together?” Qin Xun’s invitation was sincere.
Xie Lingqin was truly hungry. After thinking for a moment, she didn't stand on ceremony and said, "Get me a bowl and chopsticks."
"good."
Qin Xun nodded slightly, then called out to the door, "This bowl is a bit dirty, bring me another one."
"It is you, young master."
Someone quickly went to fetch it from outside, but by the time the person brought it in, Xie Lingqin had already hidden herself.
Xie Lingqin only came out after the servants left and the door was securely locked.
"I have to sneak around like this to eat a meal. I must be doing terribly." Xie Lingqin shook her head as she picked up her chopsticks.
"No." Qin Xun looked at Xie Lingqin, his eyes filled with a mix of loneliness and complexity. "To be precise, it's because I'm not doing well. Otherwise, I should have invited you here openly and honestly."
"Even if you invite me, I can't come." Xie Lingqin chuckled as she picked up a large piece of fish and looked up at Qin Xun. "With my status, if I came, it would only cause you trouble. However, I don't think this Vice Minister's wife is someone to be trifled with. Although she greets you with good food every day, you should still be careful. Don't suddenly die a violent death one day; that would be a waste of all these years of life."
"I know, it definitely won't happen." Qin Xun's expression hardened as he ladled a bowl of soup for Xie Lingqin, a self-deprecating look suddenly appearing on his face. "It's laughable, but after all these years, this is the first time someone has dined with me."
Xie Lingqin was taken aback, then smiled, "You can think about it from a different perspective. When you eat alone, no one is competing with you for food. Doesn't that make you feel a little happier?"
Qin Xun was taken aback, thought for a moment, and then smiled faintly, "Miss Lingqin is right, it has enlightened me."
Xie Lingqin neither agreed nor disagreed, but actually started eating, her movements elegant and her demeanor graceful.
"The cooks in your Vice Minister's residence are quite good."
"It's not bad, it's a recent addition. They said they specially invited it because they saw how thin I was and how pale I looked. I can just tell them what I like to eat each day."
"Oh!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingqin sneered, "This Vice Minister's wife isn't stupid. She's managed to win you over so well. It seems the Vice Minister dotes on her quite a bit. However, has Qin Qi been causing you any trouble these days?"
"Thanks to you, I still can't get out of bed, and now I get terrified whenever I see a sharp object."
"This psychological trauma will probably stay with you for life." Xie Lingqin put down her chopsticks and looked at Qin Xun. "You know, now that Qin Qi is bedridden and unable to accomplish anything, and you are living such a good life in the Vice Minister's mansion after all your hardships, shouldn't you be grateful to your mother and father?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Xun's expression froze, clearly puzzled.
Xie Lingqin, however, raised a brow with her starry eyes and said, "I've come to see you on a serious matter."
Upon hearing this, Qin Xun immediately put down his chopsticks, his expression serious. "Miss Lingqin has helped me a great deal. Whatever you ask, I will do my best to help."
"No, it's not for me."
Xie Lingqin shook her head, looked at Qin Xun, and nodded with her chin, "It's for you."
"For me?"
"Do you want to break free from the cage of the Vice Minister's mansion as soon as possible and truly achieve your goals?"
Qin Xun's eyes narrowed slightly, and after a moment, he sighed, "All these years of caution and careful planning have been just to survive. If one day I can truly achieve something, I will do my best."
"I feel relieved to hear you say that."
After Xie Lingqin finished speaking, she gestured for Qin Xun to come closer.
After a few whispers, Xie Lingqin stood up, thought for a moment, and then patted Qin Xun's shoulder. "In this world, as long as you work hard and as long as you are alive, you will never be at your lowest point. This is also the belief that kept me alive."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Lingqin jumped out of the window and disappeared instantly.
The flowers outside the window swayed, and it seemed as if the image of that woman's cool and smiling face still lingered.
Fearing for Xie Lingqin's safety, Minglan was hiding outside the Vice Minister's residence.
Tinghai suddenly appeared, walked closer and looked at Minglan, "Chief Ming, just now, when you and Miss left the city, just in case, Miss didn't let me follow. Where did you go?"
Minglan glanced at him. "I'm sorry, Guardian Tinghai, I will keep my mouth shut."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
