Chapter Eighty-Three

  Long Han's originally cold and stern expression softened at the moment Qing Jin spoke, his dark and profound eyes gazing at her as he calmly said: "This prince merely wanted to remind Miss Gu of something."

  "My daughter thanks you for reminding her, Your Highness the Third Prince." After saying that, she turned around and left without looking back.

  Long Han stood still in his original position, watching Qing Jin's back as she left, with an inexplicable expression.

  Anji Marquis's mansion, in Qingjin's small courtyard, flowers were blooming and butterflies dancing. Qingjin was lying on a specially made hammock chair in her own yard, listlessly staring off into space, dozing off. Next to the hammock, two little maids occasionally gently pushed it back and forth.

  At this time, Yuanyang walked in from outside and came to the swing, facing Qingjin and said: "Miss, Yuanyang is back."

  Qing Jin heard the sound of Yuanyang, originally closed eyes opened, Yuanyang walked to Qing Jin's side, with the help of two small maids, helped Qing Jin sit up, after sitting up, Qing Jin waved her hand at the two small maids beside her.

  The little maid saw Qingjin's movement and slightly bowed to Qingjin before retreating to a not-too-distant place from her side.

  Looking at the two little maidservants retreating into the distance, Qingjin finally turned to Yuanyang and asked: "How was it? Was there anything unusual about the people sent over to keep watch?"

  "In response to Miss's words, I had people keeping an eye on the Young Master's mansion day and night. The people who were watching didn't find anything unusual about the Young Master's usual behavior." Yuyang replied to Qingjin.

  "What was brother-in-law busy with during this period, and who did he meet?"

  "The young master seems to be busy with something, leaving the house early every day and returning very late. Several times, the people who followed him were shaken off by the young master, but not for long. Meanwhile, there haven't been any strange visitors coming to the mansion. Oh, and Miss, the young master did go to Banzhao Temple once during this time." Yuyang reported truthfully to Qingjin.

  "What's Bōrě Temple?" Qing Jin asked in puzzlement.

  "Yes, the person who was following him said that Master Biao met with Master Shuijingchen at Banruo Temple and they exchanged a few words, but nothing much was said. It should have been an accidental encounter. Miss, I can ask you, why did you suddenly want to have someone keep an eye on Master Biao?" Yuyang couldn't help but ask.

  Upon hearing Yuanyang's question, Qingjin's expression faltered. Why did she need to keep an eye on her brother-in-law Junmu Xiang? Was it just because of Long Han's few ambiguous words?

  “…it wasn't me who said that. Miss, you and Young Master have already been engaged, if you have any doubts about Young Master... I think it's better for you to ask him in person, rather than secretly sending someone... If Young Master finds out that you're privately investigating him, he'll definitely feel uncomfortable…”

  Qing Jin came back to her senses and heard Yuanyang's words, furrowed her brow and thought for a moment before nodding at Yuanyang and saying: "You're right, I did do something wrong this time. Alright, call the person who was keeping an eye on my brother back."

  Yuanyang heard her own words being echoed by the young lady, and immediately opened her mouth with a joyful smile: "The young lady has finally come to her senses. Yuanyang will have our people withdraw immediately." As she spoke, she turned to leave, but stopped halfway and turned back to look at Qingjin with some hesitation.

  Qing Jin saw Yuanyang's hesitant expression and spoke to her, "Yuanyang, if you have something on your mind, just say it directly. Are we still in a situation where you need to consider whether or not to tell me when something happens?"

  Upon hearing Qingjin's words, Yuanyang immediately spoke up: "Miss, it's not like that. Since you've said so, I'll be direct with you, Miss. I think Young Master Bao might have already realized someone is following him."

  Upon hearing Yuanyang's words, Qingjin nodded without any surprise, "I understand. You can tell the person who's been keeping an eye on me to stop doing so. Regardless of whether or not Big Brother knows about it, I'll explain everything clearly to him another day."

  No matter what secrets Tiao Ge Jun Mu had, Jun Mu was still her cousin and also her fiancé, how could she casually listen to a few words from others and go investigate her own cousin, fiancé?

  Thinking of this, Qingjin decided that next time Junmu Xiang came to the Anji Hou Mansion, she would tell him everything about being monitored by others. As a couple, honesty was the most important thing, and if she couldn't even do that, then after marrying Junmu Xiang, she would have to rely on guessing and suspicion for everything, which would be exhausting. Thinking of this, Qingjin made up her mind.

  The mandarin duck, who had originally wanted to persuade Qingjin a few more words, saw that Qingjin was deep in thought and knew that the girl must have figured it out. She turned around and quietly left from in front of Qingjin.

  However, Qing Jin thought so, but for the next two months, Jun Mu Xie didn't know what he was busy with. Although during this period, Jun Mu Xie also came to An Ji Hou Fu twice, but each time he left in a hurry after staying for a short while, and Qing Jin and Jun Mu Xie didn't see each other once.

  It's been two months since the two of them last saw each other, Qingjin thought about whether she should have Yuanyang specially invite her cousin Junmu to come over. However, thinking that they still had a lot of time in the future and Junmu was clearly busy with something at the moment, if she were to send someone to specially invite Junmu over just to discuss these matters with him, wouldn't it be making a big deal out of nothing?

  Thinking about it, I feel that it's better not to send someone to invite Junmu specially, let's just talk about it next time we meet!

  That afternoon, Qing Jin was leisurely tending to the flowers in the courtyard when a figure rushed in from outside, grabbed her sleeve and shouted: "Second sister, let's go."

  At this time, Qing Jin was holding a large pair of pruning shears for the orchid, and seeing Gu Ning Xuan rushing over in a fluster, she quickly turned around to avoid his grasp, saying: "Wait, I still have something in my hand, aren't you afraid of getting hurt?"

  After handing the large pruning shears to the little maid beside her, Qingjin walked over to the water brought by the little maid and washed her hands. Only then did she ask Ningxuan in a calm tone, "Xiaoqi, you rushed in so hastily and hurriedly pulled me along, what do you want to do?"

  "Second sister, let's go fishing together!" Seeing Qingjin looking at him, Gu Ningxuan immediately spoke up.

  Upon hearing Gu Ning Xuan's words, Qing Jin furrowed her brow, "Fishing? What fish are you catching? You shouldn't be in class at the academy right now, did you play hooky? Hurry up and go to the academy to follow Master Fu and study properly, that's the right thing to do." Qing Jin said with a stern expression.

  Who knew that Gu Ningxuan heard Qingjin's words, immediately puckered up his lips and complained: "Second sister, you don't care about me at all. I didn't skip school, today is a rest day, no need to attend classes. Second sister, hurry up and pack up with me to go fishing together. I want to eat the roasted fish that second sister brought back last time." When he said the two words "roasted fish", his eyes sparkled brightly.

  Upon hearing Gu Ning Xuan's words, Qing Jin was speechless for a moment. She had originally thought that Gu Ning Xuan was... but it turned out he just wanted to eat fish. Qing Jin suddenly felt some regret, thinking that she shouldn't have brought roasted fish for this kid to eat that day. As for fishing, she really didn't want to go.

  Seeing Qingjin's obvious reluctance, Gu Ningxuan immediately rolled his eyes and pleaded with Qingjin in a pitiful tone: "Second sister, won't you accompany me to go fishing? Sister, dear sister, won't you accompany Xiaoqi together?" At the same time, he sought help from Yuanyang beside him.

  Yuan received Gu Ningxuan's gaze and immediately switched sides, facing Qingjin and saying: "Miss, you have nothing to do all day, why not accompany the young master to go fishing together?"

  When Qingjin heard Yuanyang's words, she felt like rolling her eyes. What did they mean by saying she had nothing to do? She was very busy, okay? Busy sleeping, and yesterday's newly bought travel journal, she hadn't even read it yet! But looking at the two expectant gazes in front of her, Qingjin still couldn't help but nod her head.

  "Second sister, you're really great!" Seeing Qingjin nodding, Gu Ningxuan immediately exclaimed excitedly.

  Three people were about to follow Qingjin to collect things, when a little maid came running from afar and said to Qingjin: "Miss, Chuyue sister who is beside the old lady has arrived."

  Upon hearing the little maid's words, Qingjin's gaze shifted over and happened to see Chuyue following behind her. Seeing Chuyue walk over, Qingjin immediately spoke up and asked: "Chuyue, is there something Grandmother wants?"

  Ching-yüan heard this and replied: "I pay my respects to Second Young Master."

  "Firstly, no need for excessive courtesy, is there something going on with grandma?"

  "Yes, Second Miss, after Old Madam received a letter, she instructed me to invite all the masters to the Morning Dew Pavilion, saying that there is something to instruct." Chuyan said with a bow to Qingjin.

  "Alright, I know. You still need to inform others, right? Then hurry up and go, I'll tidy up and head over immediately." Qingjin said to Chuyou.

  Chu Liu heard Qing Jin's words and slightly bowed before hastily leaving.

  Seeing Yu Liu leave, Gu Ning Xuan immediately called out with a hint of grievance: "Second sister..."

  Qing Jin An comfortingly patted his hair and said, "Grandma wants everyone to go over, Xia Qi you'd better come with me to Grandma's place! Fishing, next time we can go again."

  Upon hearing Qingjin's words, Gu Ningxuan nodded reluctantly, "Then second sister, you must come with me next time."

  Qingjin arrived at her grandmother Shen's Chaoxia Courtyard with her younger brother Ningxuan, and almost everyone was already there. When Qingjin pulled Ningxuan in, Grandmother Shen sat at the top, her face filled with joy and a smile that couldn't be hidden.

  Seeing the reaction of her grandmother, Shen Shi, Qing Jin felt a bit relieved. It seemed that there was something good happening. After paying respects to Shen Shi, Qing Jin sat down beside her mother, Jun Shi, with her younger brother, Ning Xuan.