NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36: The Heart Became Even More Anxious
Chapter 36: The Heart Became Even More Anxious
Qiao Nian resumed her days of hiding in Fanghe Courtyard without seeing anyone.
Except for visiting the Old Madam, she hardly ever left her room.
Firstly, the wounds on her back needed rest, and secondly, she was truly tired of seeing other people in the mansion.
Especially Lin Yuan.
She was afraid that if Lin Yuan caught sight of her, she would come over and cause some trouble.
In fact, Lin Yuan had come by in the past few days.
She said that the largest red plum tree in Luomei Courtyard was blooming, spectacularly beautiful with an enchanting fragrance. Knowing Qiao Nian liked plum blossoms, she came personally to invite Qiao Nian to go see.
But this time, forget about informing Qiao Nian, Ning Shuang didn’t even let Lin Yuan enter Fanghe Courtyard, only saying that her Miss was still bedridden recovering from injuries and couldn’t go out.
Even Lin Yuan, as inconsiderate as she was, couldn’t possibly insist on dragging an injured person to appreciate plum blossoms, so the matter was dropped.
Later, when Qiao Nian heard about this from other maids, she specially rewarded Ning Shuang with a hairpin.
Those people who would bring her bad luck should indeed be kept out.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the Lantern Festival. Early in the morning, Ning Shuang excitedly brought a letter, “Miss, it’s a letter from Prince Ming!”
Qiao Nian was doing her hair when she heard Ning Shuang’s words and slightly frowned.
To be honest, besides the people in the Marquis’s mansion, she didn’t really want to see Prince Ming either.
There were too many people around her using her, she just wanted to be alone and at peace.
But her marriage to Prince Ming was already set in stone, and they would eventually see each other daily, so no matter how unwilling she was, she still had to read this letter.
She reached out to take it, but paused slightly when she saw the envelope.
Ning Shuang was already very curious, “Miss, what did Prince Ming say?”
Seeing her gossipy expression, Qiao Nian could only open the envelope, but said, “Prince Ming wrote me a letter, why are you so excited?”
Ning Shuang smiled sheepishly, “Hehe, this servant just thought, Prince Ming writing to Miss must be to arrange a meeting!”
Isn’t a meeting between an engaged couple something to speculate about?
Moreover, Prince Ming had protected her Miss so well at Fahua Temple before, she had a good impression of him.
Qiao Nian sighed lightly, “Yes, he’s inviting me to see lanterns tonight.”
“Oh right! Today is the Lantern Festival, Chunshan Street holds a lantern fair every year on this day. Many unmarried young men and women arrange to meet and see lanterns, and naturally a beautiful marriage is formed…” Ning Shuang’s tone became increasingly suggestive.
Qiao Nian had no interest in this now, she just picked up the envelope again and asked, “Has this letter been opened by someone else?”
Ning Shuang nodded, “Letters that come to the mansion, no matter who they’re for, have to be personally reviewed by the Marquis before being delivered.”
This was something Qiao Nian didn’t know.
After all, no one had ever written her letters before.
Or perhaps, it was because the Marquis’s mansion was now in a precarious situation, so Marquis Lin was being so cautious?
She harbored doubts but didn’t think too much about it.
After all, her relationship with Prince Ming was facilitated by the Marquis’s mansion, so even if Marquis Lin knew Prince Ming was inviting her, he wouldn’t say anything.
That day, when dusk fell, Qiao Nian set out with Ning Shuang.
Prince Ming had arranged to meet her at Fulai Teahouse on Chunshan Street.
Qiao Nian knew that teahouse, it was indeed a good place to view lanterns.
However, before the carriage could reach Chunshan Street, it was blocked by the crowd going to see lanterns.
The driver helplessly called into the carriage, “Miss, the carriage can’t go any further, I’m afraid you’ll have to walk a few steps yourself.”
It was just one more intersection to Chunshan Street.
Qiao Nian looked at the crowd ahead, which was indeed impenetrable, and responded, “Alright.”
She and Ning Shuang got off the carriage together, instructed the driver to come pick them up later, and then followed the crowd towards Chunshan Street.
Although they hadn’t reached Chunshan Street yet, there were already many small stalls along the street selling various interesting trinkets.
Ning Shuang, still young, couldn’t help but slow down when she saw these, “Miss, look, this mask is so beautiful!”
Ning Shuang quickly walked to a stall and picked up a mask painted with an opera face, “Miss would look so good wearing this!”
Qiao Nian didn’t particularly like it and frowned, but before she could speak, Ning Shuang had already bought the mask.
She excitedly came to Qiao Nian, “Miss, try it on!”
Seeing her so happy, Qiao Nian couldn’t refuse and had to put on the mask.
Unexpectedly, after putting on the mask, Ning Shuang disappeared from her sight.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she heard Ning Shuang’s voice coming from the crowd not far away, “Miss, look at this little figurine! It’s so fun!”
But there were too many people, Qiao Nian couldn’t see where Ning Shuang was at all, she could only follow the sound forward, but still couldn’t find Ning Shuang’s figure.
Inexplicably, Qiao Nian’s heart began to panic.
She didn’t know why, but a strange chill rose from the soles of her feet, making her entire being panic.
She called out loudly, “Ning Shuang, where are you?”
“Miss! Over here!” Ning Shuang’s voice came, and Qiao Nian looked in that direction, seeing a small figure waving in the crowd.
She finally felt a bit relieved and quickly walked towards Ning Shuang’s direction.
Unexpectedly, she was tripped by a passerby and fell forward.
With a cry of surprise, the mask on her face fell off.
Qiao Nian thought she was going to make a big fool of herself again today.
But the expected pain didn’t come. Instead, that familiar yet heart-pounding aura enveloped her entire body.
When she steadied herself, she realized she had been caught in Xiao Heng’s arms.
“Be careful.”
His low voice came from beside her ear, slightly hoarse, inexplicably exuding a bewitching flavor.
Qiao Nian’s heart skipped a beat involuntarily.
The image of him cornering her in the cave with crimson eyes flashed in her mind.
Her heart became even more anxious.
But quickly, a strong force pushed Qiao Nian, who hadn’t yet reacted, away.
It was Xiao Qingnu.
“I wonder which family’s young lady is so shameless, throwing herself into a man’s arms!” Xiao Qingnu glared at Qiao Nian hatefully, “So it’s the famous future Princess Ming, Miss Qiao!”
The “famous” was to mock her recent experience at Fahua Temple.
The “future Princess Ming” was to remind her to mind her status.
Qiao Nian’s brow furrowed, not wanting to engage with Xiao Qingnu, she bowed slightly to Xiao Heng, “Thank you, General Xiao, for your help.”
“Don’t give me that!” Xiao Qingnu pushed Qiao Nian again, “I saw with my own eyes that you clearly aimed for my brother’s arms! Qiao Nian, have you no shame? My brother’s rightful fiancée is right here! Are you blind?”
Hearing this, Qiao Nian was stunned, only now noticing that there was another person standing not far behind Xiao Heng.
She had a petite figure and a face like a peach blossom.
But that pair of eyes were brimming with tears, looking pitiful and delicate…