Chapter Thirty-Three: What Do You Take Me For?
Shen Qingnian picked it up and saw that it was a round jade pendant, completely translucent, and obviously priceless.
She looked up and saw that one of the people riding horses across the street was looking at her.
Shen Qingnian burst out laughing; the person in question was none other than Xiao Huaiyi.
As always, he had delicate features, a handsome appearance, and a warm smile.
But the moment the procession carrying the prisoner left, the riders spurred their horses and galloped towards the city gate. Xiao Huaiyi glanced back at Shen Qingnian before disappearing outside the city gate.
But Shen Qingnian had no time to grieve. She quickly jumped off the oxcart, ran to the clay figurine stall across the street, and took a bundle.
She just saw Xiao Huaiyi point to that bundle.
She opened it and saw that it contained purple sweet potato cake, a local snack from Jiangnan.
As soon as Jinzhu and Yinzhu saw Shen Qingnian jump down, they quickly told the driver to stop the oxcart and wait for Shen Qingnian.
Shen Qingnian hugged her bundle tightly, sitting on the oxcart with a smile in her eyes.
Xiao Huaiyi liked her. He didn't give up on her.
The scene from just now flashed through her mind.
Blocked by the group of soldiers escorting the prison van, the two could only look at each other across the street.
Shen Qingnian saw Xiao Huaiyi mouth a sentence: "Miss Shen, wait for me!"
After she finished speaking, she saw Xiao Huaiyi's warm smile, as if seeing her was something that made him feel no regrets.
The handsome young man, riding a tall horse, was so full of vigor and spirit.
When Shen Qingnian returned to Qianyue Residence, it was raining heavily.
"Miss, what happened to you?"
From afar, Ling'er saw her young mistress carrying a bundle, walking slowly in the rain. Her hair, wet with rain, clung to her cheeks, and her clothes were soaked through.
Seeing her young mistress looking so soaked, she felt extremely sorry for her.
Ling'er quickly rushed out into the rain with an umbrella to lead Shen Qingnian into the house, and handed her a towel. "Miss, wipe yourself down first, I'll go boil some water."
But she noticed that her mistress didn't respond. When she turned around, she saw her mistress sitting there motionless, holding a bundle, with a slight smile on her lips, looking completely satisfied.
Ling'er quickly lifted the curtain and went out to boil water. She then filled the bathtub with hot water and urged Shen Qingnian, "Miss, come and take a bath. Be careful not to catch a cold."
She didn't know if her mistress had seen Young Master Xiao today, nor whether they understood each other's feelings.
After setting up the screen for the young lady, she withdrew.
There were only the two of them, mistress and servant, in Qianyue Residence. When the young lady took a bath, she would always stand guard outside.
As soon as Ke Ling'er turned around, she saw Xie Yanzhi's tall and slender figure. He was wearing a black robe, his hands behind his back, standing in the rain. He was handsome and elegant, with a noble air about him. The green jade pendant at his waist accentuated his noble demeanor.
Yuan Qing held up the oil-paper umbrella for Xie Yanzhi.
Ling'er opened her mouth in surprise, clearly frightened by Xie Yanzhi. She opened her mouth and said, "Grand... Duke..."
Yuan Qing quickly made a "shh" gesture, afraid that Ling'er's voice would disturb Miss Qing.
Xie Yanzhi took a few steps and slowly approached the door, but was blocked by a hand.
Although Ling'er was very afraid of Xie Yanzhi, she still reached out and stopped him.
"Young Master, Miss is taking a bath and cannot see you at this time."
Xie Yanzhi glanced at Ling'er coldly, the chill in his eyes making Ling'er tremble.
"What kind of person do you take me for?"
Did you think he was a libertine who would barge into a beautiful woman's bath whenever he saw her?
Xie Yanzhi stood at the door and glanced into the inner room. He saw a maid's clothes draped over the screen, dripping water.
The shadow beside it was faintly reflected on the screen.
Even without seeing, one can imagine the person inside with cascading black hair, jade-like shoulders exposed, and slender hands emerging from the water, water droplets sliding down their arms...
Just then, Shen Qingnian heard Ling'er seem to be speaking and asked, "Ling'er, are you talking?"
Ling'er looked at Xie Yanzhi and shook her head: "No, Miss, I didn't say anything."
As soon as Ling'er finished speaking, Xie Yanzhi turned around and left Qianyue Residence without saying a word.
She didn't know what the eldest young master was doing at Qianyue Residence.
But Xie Yanzhi knew!
He had just received news that Master Xiao had left the capital early this morning with his three sons, without stopping along the way.
When Xie Yanzhi heard the news, his furrowed brows relaxed slightly.
He guessed that Shen Qingnian probably hadn't had a chance to see Xiao Huaiyi yet.
So he came to Qianyue Residence simply to tell Shen Qingnian that Xiao Huaiyi had already left the capital. She should stop harboring illusions about Xiao Huaiyi.
But now, I can only wait until she finishes her bath before I talk to her. It's also time to tell her about taking her in.
On the main road outside the city, Ping An asked Xiao Huaiyi with some confusion, "Young Master, why don't you talk to Miss Shen? Who knows how long it will be before you return."
Xiao Huaiyi said solemnly, "We can't let anyone discover Miss Shen. Now is not the time."
He hasn't reached the point of revealing his true colors yet. A discarded son of the Xiao family, he's not yet capable of protecting the person he loves.
If it were discovered at this moment that Miss Shen was the one he cherished most, then Miss Shen would become his Achilles' heel, and it might even cost her her life.
Xiao Huaiyi dared not take the risk. But he was willing to gamble, and all he wanted was for Shen Qingnian to wait for him to return safely.
Xiao Huaiyi now only hopes that things can be resolved as soon as possible.
He thought to himself, "It'll be soon, it'll be soon."
After listening, Ping An vaguely understood. The young master was trying to protect Miss Shen. The young master couldn't be honest with Miss Shen yet.
Ping An prayed silently, hoping that the young master and Miss Shen would eventually become a couple.
After Shen Qingnian finished bathing, Ling'er came in to help her change her clothes.
Shen Qingnian looked up at the window; the continuous rain hadn't stopped. She wondered where Young Master Xiao was now.
Their house gets damp whenever it rains, and Shen Qingnian couldn't help but cough twice.
Ling'er brought another coat and draped it over Shen Qingnian's shoulders: "Miss, please don't catch a cold."
Did you see Young Master Xiao today?
Shen Qingnian took out a jade pendant from her bosom and said to Ling'er, "I've found it. This is what Young Master Xiao gave me today."
"So what did he say to you?"
"I didn't have time to say anything before Young Master Xiao has already left the capital," Shen Qingnian said, lowering her head with a faint sorrow between her brows.
"But I will wait for him to come back." Shen Qingnian touched the jade pendant, her eyes becoming firm.
"Yes. I hope Young Master Xiao can come back soon." Ling'er said while helping Shen Qingnian twist her hair with a handkerchief.
It was late at night, and the rain outside finally stopped.
A dark figure outside the window pushed against it, but the window did not open as usual.
The dark figure lingered for a moment, then disappeared.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
