Chapter Forty-Nine: Reaching into the slightly open collar
Shen Qingnian and Ling'er entered the Marquis's residence. Ling'er watched as her young mistress walked with her sleeves tucked in, looking somewhat nervous, and couldn't help but wonder:
"Miss, what did you just say to Young Master Xiao? Why did you seem a little nervous?"
Ling'er didn't know why her mistress was with Young Master Xiao again.
She couldn't help but worry. What about the eldest young master? What if he found out...?
Ling'er dared not think any further.
Shen Qingnian didn't know why, but her heart was pounding, as if Xie Yanzhi was chasing after her.
All she wanted was to get back to Qianyue Residence as soon as possible, close the door, and hide away.
"It's nothing, I'm just a little tired. Let's go back quickly."
The fact that Xiao Huaiyi had come to propose marriage must not be known to anyone, especially Xie Yanzhi.
There are still about half a year left, she will definitely be able to wait until then.
As the two were walking, two people came from the front. Ling'er looked closely and saw that it was Xie Yanzhi and Yuan Qing.
She was greatly alarmed and secretly clenched her sleeves, afraid that her panic would be noticed by the young master and implicate her mistress.
Upon seeing Shen Qingnian, Xie Yanzhi stopped in his tracks, standing there with his hands behind his back, his cold, hard face revealing neither joy nor anger. Yet his gaze was as sharp as a knife.
Shen Qingnian never expected that she would actually run into Xie Yanzhi.
Looking at him today, he was dressed in a purple official robe, with a black belt, and besides the emerald green jade pendant, he also carried a long sword. He was handsome and elegant, yet for some reason, he made Shen Qingnian feel a little scared.
He hadn't taken off his official robes yet, so he must have just returned to the manor. Did he see Xiao Huaiyi?
Ling'er quickly lowered her head, not daring to look at the eldest young master again. She couldn't help but worry whether he had discovered that her young mistress had met with Young Master Xiao.
Xie Yanzhi carefully examined Shen Qingnian and noticed that she was not wearing any makeup, and her plain face was somewhat pale.
Her hands, clutching the embroidered handkerchief, clenched into fists as she walked step by step, her legs appearing as if they were made of lead.
She's scared!
Xie Yanzhi snorted coldly and raised his eyelids slightly.
She even knows fear! She dares to have secret rendezvous with other men behind his back!
"Your Highness!" Shen Qingnian had already come to him and bowed in greeting.
Xie Yanzhi saw that she had her head down, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, which made her look pitiful.
His suppressed anger subsided somewhat, and he said in a deep voice, "Come with me."
Shen Qingnian's heart skipped a beat, knowing that he was not planning to let her off easily again today.
She was afraid to be alone with him in a room; it felt like someone was choking her, making it hard for her to breathe, and she wanted to break free.
Xie Yanzhi had already taken two steps forward.
Shen Qingnian knew she should follow, but her feet just wouldn't move.
Xie Yanzhi turned around and saw Shen Qingnian still standing there, pursing her lips and not moving. He walked back and whispered in her ear, "Or you can just not come along."
Shen Qingnian looked astonished, hardly believing her ears.
Is it really possible to not go?
She watched as the dim light filtered through the leaves and fell on Xie Yanzhi's face. He just stood there, as if he genuinely didn't want her to follow him.
Just as Shen Qingnian was about to perform the curtsy and leave, he suddenly reached out to stop her, "How about we carry you into my courtyard tomorrow, so you don't have to run around and tire yourself out, right?"
Xie Yanzhi finished speaking with a mocking smile on his face.
He liked seeing her take it all so seriously; she looked silly, which was kind of cute.
Looking at his hypocritical demeanor, Shen Qingnian really wanted to slap him.
Xie Yanzhi knew how to manipulate her; he knew her sore spots.
Seeing that she seemed to have a reaction on her face, Xie Yanzhi continued walking forward.
Shen Qingnian was unwilling, but at this moment she could only resign herself to her fate and follow behind him.
As she walked, Shen Qingnian's heart beat faster and faster.
There are two roads, one large and one small, leading from here to Guanlanju.
Normally, Shen Qingnian would take a small path to Guanlan Residence, where a large bamboo forest would block her view, making her difficult to spot.
Xie Yanzhi seemed to be deliberately trying to make her anxious, and deliberately took the main road today.
Shen Qingnian followed behind with her neck hunched, silently praying that she wouldn't run into anyone.
Whether it was because the Marquis's mansion was too big or something else, her journey was arduous, as if she could never reach Guanlan Residence no matter how she walked.
By the time she arrived at Guanlan Residence, her back was slightly damp.
Xie Yanzhi walked straight ahead, paused at the door of the inner room, and then stepped through the door.
Shen Qingnian's breath hitched, and she followed him in blankly.
Ling'er was about to go inside when Yuan Qing grabbed her arm, saying, "What are you doing following along? Aren't you already in the way enough?"
Thinking of her mistress's resolute demeanor just now, Ling'er said worriedly, "But Miss is all alone..."
“If we stay here and guard the place, Miss Qing will be safe.” Ling’er was interrupted by Yuan Qing before she could finish speaking.
Yuan Qing also knew that Miss Qing and Xiao Huai had met.
Even if you don't like me, you can't have your cake and eat it too!
All he can do now is guard the gate of Guanlan Residence, so that Miss Qing is not seen by others and that gossip does not spread.
As for the rest, Miss Qing can only hope for the best.
Shen Qingnian stepped across the threshold of the inner room, but did not see Xie Yanzhi.
I clearly saw him come in.
Just then, the door behind her suddenly closed. Before she could react, Xie Yanzhi pinned her against the door, pinning her hands above her head.
"What are you doing!" Shen Qingnian asked in fright.
She tried to struggle, but found that she couldn't move at all.
She felt ashamed of this position.
To make matters worse, this position left her clothes slightly open, making her afraid to open her eyes and look.
Seeing her expression, Xie Yanzhi looked up and whispered in her ear with a half-smile, "So eager?"
As Xie Yanzhi's warm breath brushed against her, Shen Qingnian felt incredibly embarrassed.
The usually clear-headed prince now resembles a vulgar libertine, his eyes filled with nothing but those kinds of things.
Shen Qingnian frowned in embarrassment and struggled with her hands, but Xie Yanzhi forcefully pressed them down.
"Where did he touch you?" Xie Yanzhi asked in a deep voice.
He rested his head on her shoulder, inhaling the unique fragrance that captivated him.
He didn't know what kind of drug Shen Qingnian had given him, making him so craving her taste.
Shen Qingnian felt a chill in her heart; Xie Yanzhi knew about her meeting with Xiao Huaiyi.
"Young Master Xiao didn't touch me!" Shen Qingnian said, turning her face to the side and gently biting her lip.
Does he think everyone is like him? Every time he sees her, he has to humiliate him like this.
"You two, a man and a woman, were alone in that courtyard. Do you think someone like him wouldn't touch you?" Xie Yanzhi said coldly.
His cold fingers stroked her face again, finally landing on her lips.
"Did he touch you here?" Xie Yanzhi asked, pressing his face against hers. His hot breath made her feel breathless.
Shen Qingnian closed her eyes tightly and shook her head.
She felt Xie Yanzhi's cold fingers leave her lips, pointing to her collar and asking:
"And here?"
Xie Yanzhi's cold voice rang out.
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