Chapter 50 : Teaching Huo Ning a Lesson, Rumors are False
50: Teaching Huo Ning a Lesson, Rumors are False
"Young Miss, why are they gathering the Marquis's estate male servants in the front courtyard?"
Having rested at Yue Ning's place the previous night and hearing early in the morning that Yue Qing and Yue Jia were summoning the Marquis's estate male servants, Qin Wan frowned slightly. "Most likely, last night's investigation of the Song household guards yielded no results, so they're now looking at the Marquis's estate people."
Thinking of last night, Fuling still felt lingering fear. She couldn't help but step closer and whisper, "Young Miss, let's leave after seeing the Grand Princess later. We've already stayed two days; it's time to return to the Qin manor. Whether it's someone from the Song household or the Marquis's estate, since they specifically came to frighten us, they must have malicious intent toward us. This place isn't safe."
Qin Wan understood Fuling's fear. "I know what you're thinking. If the Grand Princess's condition is stable, we'll leave."
Fuling nodded. Lifting her eyes, she let out a surprised "Huh?" Qin Wan followed Fuling's gaze and immediately saw Huo Ning striding over with his head held high and chest puffed out. A flicker of understanding passed through Qin Wan's eyes; she grasped why Huo Ning was here.
Seeing Huo Ning looking at her with a haughty, disdainful expression, Qin Wan slowed her steps slightly.
"What are you doing here?" Huo Ning raised his chin slightly, trying to appear dismissive, but his eyes were fixed unwaveringly on Qin Wan. Today, Qin Wan wore a sky-blue ruqun skirt embroidered with interconnected windblown lotuses. Her ink-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, her bright eyes clear as a stream. An air of restrained nobility and gentle grace surrounded her. In the faint light of dawn, she looked exquisitely pure and beautiful.
Qin Wan looked at Huo Ning with a faint, mocking smile. Though she didn't speak, her slightly derisive gaze alone was enough to drive Huo Ning mad.
"I'm asking you a question! Why are you looking at me like that?"
Huo Ning frowned deeply, the forced arrogance crumbling, replaced immediately by a clawing anxiety that scratched at his heart.
The way she looked at him was as if he were a stranger. And her expression was even colder and more distant than that day.
Was she not pretending? Had she truly lost interest in him?
Huo Ning clenched his fists, feeling both indignation and humiliation. He should have immediately turned and left, giving her a cold shoulder. Yet, for some reason, his feet felt weighted down as if by lead, unable to move an inch.
Gritting his teeth, Huo Ning awkwardly lowered his voice. "Do you know this Marquis's estate isn't safe? How dare you come here at a time like this? Listen to me, go back to the Qin manor quickly. Before the case of the Song family's young lady is concluded, don't come here again!"
The mockery on Qin Wan's face faded slightly, her eyes darkening. Huo Ning wasn't an evil person, but he was overly indulged, his whole demeanor that of a spoiled young noble. Even his temperament was an absurdly arrogant and conceited one.
He still didn't understand. When the Ninth Young Miss cared for him, he was a god she looked up to and admired. When the Ninth Young Miss no longer cared, he was less than a roadside weed.
How could he think that just because he lowered his voice, the Ninth Young Miss would be overwhelmingly grateful?
"Young Master Huo oversteps."
Qin Wan's voice was cold and stern. Huo Ning stared at her in disbelief, his eyes wide.
Qin Wan continued, "From now on, Young Master Huo should refrain from saying such things. Qin Wan has only met Young Master Huo a few times. For Young Master Huo to speak this way is rather presumptuous and offensive. If others saw, it would give rise to gossip."
A breath stuck in Huo Ning's chest. Never in his life, from childhood till now, had he felt this stifled.
"You... what do you mean 'a few times'? You clearly..."
Huo Ning stopped mid-sentence, feeling both unwilling and furious. He stiffened his spine and spoke bluntly, "What exactly do you want? What more do you want me to do? I'm already being very reasonable with you now! How can you still be so ungrateful?"
Qin Wan's gaze turned completely cold. Huo Ning was not only arrogant and conceited but also liked to delude himself.
Qin Wan gave a cold laugh. "Young Master Huo's words and actions are truly laughable. In Jinzhou, Young Master Huo's background is indeed not lowly. But the Great Zhou is vast, the world is vast. What is the status of a prefect's son? Have you received so much praise from those around you that you think everyone in the world should treat you with deference and flattery?"
Huo Ning flushed red at Qin Wan's words. Qin Wan, however, looked him up and down for a moment. "Moreover, search your conscience. Can Young Master Huo truly live up to the praises you usually hear? Without Prefect Huo, what are you, Young Master Huo?"
Huo Ning's face burned as if on fire, yet his limbs felt icy cold.
Qin Wan's utterly merciless words felt like two slaps across his face, and like tearing off the splendid robes he wore. Without the identity of a prefect's son, could he still make friends and call on them? Could he still be praised and flattered like the moon surrounded by stars?
Huo Ning clenched his fists tightly, his rigid body trembling slightly. He glared fiercely at Qin Wan, his eyes faintly reddening. Fuling watched Huo Ning, afraid he might faint from anger. She couldn't help but tug at Qin Wan's sleeve.
Qin Wan had intended to stop there anyway. So she gave a slight curtsey and walked past Huo Ning with distant composure.
Continuing along the side corridor, turning a corner, she completely blocked out Huo Ning's presence behind her.
Qin Wan let out a breath. If Huo Ning remained deluded, she would have to use even harsher words to wake him up!
"Heh heh!"
Just as Qin Wan was thinking this, a light, low laugh suddenly sounded.
Qin Wan's heart skipped a beat. She halted and turned toward the source of the laughter. Looking over, she saw Yan Chi standing beside a flower bed separated from the side corridor by a wall, clad in somber black ceremonial robes, a deep, meaningful smile on his face.
Qin Wan frowned, then curtseyed. "Greetings to Your Highness."
Fuling was most afraid of Yan Chi and hurriedly bowed as well. Yan Chi slowly approached, waving a hand at Fuling. Fuling dared not disobey. Without waiting for Qin Wan's instruction, she scurried to the side.
Qin Wan straightened and looked at Yan Chi. "Eavesdropping is not the act of a gentleman."
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow. "I was going to see my great-aunt but unexpectedly encountered Ninth Young Miss and Young Master Huo. To avoid disturbing the two of you, I had no choice but to stand there and wait for you to finish."
He paused slightly, looking at Qin Wan with a hint of sigh. "Young Master Huo can be considered young and accomplished. Ninth Young Miss's words were rather hurtful. Moreover, the Qin manor and Prefect Huo have personal connections. Does Ninth Young Miss not consider that at all?"
Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi with calm composure. In her view, Yan Chi was not someone who would concern himself with such trivial matters.
"Your Highness also oversteps."
Knowing Yan Chi must have heard that line, Qin Wan decided to offer it to him as well.
A flash of sharpness passed through Yan Chi's eyes. He wiped the meaningful expression from his face, but his gaze darkened. "It seems the rumors are indeed false."
Qin Wan's expression remained unchanged. "What rumors?"
"The rumor that Ninth Young Miss jumped into the lake because of the prefect's son."
The corners of Qin Wan's lips curved slightly. "Wealthy families always have some bizarre gossip. Your Highness need not take it to heart."
"However..." Yan Chi's expression turned serious as he looked at Qin Wan. "If Ninth Young Miss didn't jump into the lake for Huo Ning, then what happened on the night of the twenty-first of July that nearly cost Ninth Young Miss her life?"