"I don’t know either, this..."
Master Wang couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty, and Lady Wang turned pale, saying, "Why did she come so early today? Could she have noticed something about last night’s events?"
Master Wang glared at her, "Notice what? Those assassins were hired by us, what makes her think they have anything to do with our Wang family? You’re panicking even before anyone takes action!"
Lady Wang swallowed and nodded hesitantly.
Master Wang calmed down and said, "Please ask her into the flower hall. I’ll be there soon."
"Yes."
The servant had just left when Duan Lan walked in, "Master Wang, you have guests in your mansion?"
Master Wang hurriedly greeted Duan Lan, his posture much more humble, almost subservient, "Young Master Duan, did you have a comfortable stay in our mansion last night? If there is anything you need, please tell our servants, they will surely not slack off."
Duan Lan glanced at Master Wang and didn’t look at him again. His voice was very indifferent, "I’ve been studying abroad for many years and I don’t have many requirements."
Master Wang gave a forced laugh, "That’s good, that’s good. Young Master Duan is indeed extraordinary. Since you’re here, why don’t you stay a few more days and let me show you around Lian’an Town and take you sightseeing?"
Duan Lan didn’t want to look at his face, so he went straight to the point, "Actually, I’m passing through here on my way back to the capital from Jishan Academy. On my mother’s order, I’m stopping by for a day to visit your mansion. They are urging me to return to the capital, so I can’t stay long. I plan to leave today."
If it weren’t for his mother’s insistence on visiting the Wang family, Duan Lan would not have wanted to stay here for even one night. Staying at an inn outside would be more comfortable.
Master Wang’s smile froze a little, he forced a smile and said, "That’s a pity."
Duan Lan saw the change in Master Wang’s expression and his mood became even more indifferent, "On this visit, I also wanted to give Master Wang a message. The Wang family has been a royal merchant for more than a decade. Even if His Majesty lets the Wang family fall out of favor for a while, there will always be opportunities to rise again. Just don’t be impatient."
At these words, Master Wang’s face instantly relaxed. What Duan Lan meant was to let Master Wang rest assured!
Master Wang happily said, "Thank you for your advice, Young Master Duan."
It was only then that Duan Lan said, "Master Wang, you still have a guest waiting. Why don’t you go and attend to your guest first?"
Master Wang remembered that there was still an unresolved bombshell and hurriedly said, "Well, then I’ll go ahead."
He said and hurried out.
Duan Lan’s attendant entered the room, "Young Master, when will we leave?"
Duan Lan said, "Don’t worry, I need to go to town first."
"What are you going to town for?" The attendant asked, confused.
"To find someone."
After saying this, Duan Lan strode out. From childhood to adulthood, he had lived a peaceful and comfortable life, almost without any special impulses or ideas. Even this time, when he received a letter from the capital urging him to return for his marriage, he accepted it with some reluctance but ultimately complied. It seemed as if nothing really mattered to him.
But last night, he couldn’t sleep at all, his eyes filled with visions of that girl disappearing under the flower lanterns on the streets. For the first time, he felt an overwhelming regret, not being able to ask where she came from or where her home was. For the first time in his life, he felt an impulse from the bottom of his heart, wanting to find her, even though he knew that Lian’an Town was small, but it was not easy to find someone he knew only by name.
But he just wanted to try.
The attendant was still standing there dumbfounded when Duan Lan had already walked far away. He hurried to catch up, "Young Master, Young Master."
The doorkeeper, following Master Wang’s instructions, led Ji Xinhe into the hall.
Ji Xinhe had been in business for a while now and had met many wealthy families in the town. She had also seen luxurious mansions like the Wang family’s. So, upon entering, she neither got too excited nor surprised. Instead, she found that the overall decoration, with an excessive emphasis on ostentation, lacked depth and felt somewhat vulgar.
Ji Xinhe went through the front yard and into the courtyard, with the servant leading her and saying, "Miss, please wait in the front hall. Our master will come to see you soon."
"Okay."
"We’re almost there."
The servant led the way, and they walked around a corner and emerged from the artificial hills and bushes.
As soon as she came out, Ji Xinhe saw Duan Lan walking towards her and couldn’t help but be stunned.
Duan Lan almost thought he was dreaming when he saw her. After hesitating for a moment, he asked with some surprise, "Is it you?"
Ji Xinhe’s eyes were filled with suspicion. This man knew the Wang family? What about last night’s events?
Although doubtful in her heart, she remained impassive, "Turns out you’re with the Wang family? I must have been blind." Her tone grew colder.
But Duan Lan laughed, "I’m not a member of the Wang family. Don’t you remember? My last name is Duan. My family and the Wangs are old acquaintances. I’m just visiting here on my way back to my hometown. What brings you here, Miss Ji?"
Ji Xinhe looked at him and didn’t think he was lying. She let down her guard a little. If he was with the Wang family, he wouldn’t have bothered to help her last night.
"I came to see Master Wang for some business matters. It’s quite a coincidence today." Ji Xinhe smiled and said, "I’m going in first."
Duan Lan smiled, "Alright."
As he watched her walk into the front hall, Duan Lan stopped the servant who had led Ji Xinhe earlier, "Who is the young lady who just came in? Do you know the details?"
The Wang family’s servant quickly replied with a smile, "Replying to Young Master Duan, she is the owner of Qinghe Shop and is from Yangluo Bay. She probably has some business dealings with the Wang family, so she came especially today."
"I see."
Duan Lan couldn’t help but smile. It seemed like fate was giving him another chance to reunite with her.
Qingyun, the servant following Duan Lan, finally caught up, gasping for breath, "Young Master, do you want me to harness the horse carriage now?"
Duan Lan looked in the direction where Ji Xinhe had left, the smile on the corner of his mouth never fading, "No need, just pack up my things again."
"Are we starting our journey now?" Qingyun asked with a tilt of his head.
"I’ll stay for a couple more days."
"Huh?!"
---
When Ji Xinhe entered the flower hall, Master Wang was already waiting for her. Seeing her enter, he remained calm and composed, "Miss Ji, what brings you here all of a sudden today?"
Ji Xinhe looked at him with a teasing smile, "Actually, it’s nothing important. Why is Master Wang asking so formally? Didn’t you visit my house for no reason last time? I should return the courtesy and visit you."
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