MSBCH Chapter 16.1

“You…”

Xue Shulin had just spoken when Qi Yunchi raised his hand again.

The meaning was clear: not only was he forbidding Xue Shulin from taking another step forward, but he also didn’t want him to say a word.

At that moment, a surge of defiance rushed straight to Xue Shulin’s head.

He opened his mouth, ready to say something, but Feng Shu, who had been silently following beside them as if he didn’t exist, suddenly stepped forward and perfectly placed a hand over Xue Shulin’s mouth.

Xue Shulin: !!!

Although he couldn’t make a sound, Xue Shulin still conveyed a clear message with his eyes: Feng Shu, how dare you rebel! You actually dare to cover this marquis’s mouth!

Feng Shu remained expressionless, not even sparing Xue Shulin a glance.

Xue Shulin: “…” *So infuriating.*

Qi Yunchi paid no attention to the small commotion between Feng Shu and Xue Shulin. He knew well that such trivial matters would be handled by Feng Shu.

At that moment, Qi Yunchi was focused on peering through the intricately carved cloud-patterned window on the low wall, observing a few figures not far away.

Qi Yunchi naturally knew that the legitimate daughter of the Yong’an Marquis Manor, who had recently returned home, was also attending this flower-viewing banquet.

They had even crossed paths on the way here. However, he hadn’t expected to spot her so quickly in the Autumn Chrysanthemum Garden.

Narrowing his eyes with a smile, Qi Yunchi glanced around. This spot, though technically an entryway he had chosen for entering the Autumn Chrysanthemum Garden, is actually a secluded corner.

Compared to the others immersed in composing poems, playing music, admiring flowers, exchanging whispers, and sharing lingering glances amidst the sea of blossoms, winding streams, and elegant pavilions, this place is so remote that one wouldn’t notice it without looking carefully.

Wen Ninghan, however, was sitting here alone, entirely unbothered about appearances. She had found a reasonably flat spot on a rock formation and sat perched on it, her skirt cascading down as her legs swung gently, causing the fabric to ripple like water in motion.

She looked utterly at ease.

What is even more carefree is that, despite her unconventional posture, she showed not a trace of a refined lady’s demeanor.

Instead, she is enthusiastically munching on sunflower seeds—where she had even gotten them was a mystery—and watching the distant comings and goings of people with great interest.

A maid in a simple green dress stood quietly a short distance in front of the rock formation. Her eyes were downcast, her posture steady, as still and silent as a tree stump.

She neither obstructed Wen Ninghan’s elevated view of the scenery nor failed to be prepared to act immediately should anything happen.

For instance, if Wen Ninghan accidentally slipped and fell from the rock, she was ready to catch her.

As for Qi Yunchi and his group, who had suddenly appeared behind the low wall, the maid, Qingtuan, noticed them immediately.

She had intended to alert Wen Ninghan, but the moment she lifted her gaze, her eyes met Qi Yunchi’s through the carved cloud-pattern window.

His smile is faint, yet his eyes carried a cold, blade-like sharpness. Caught off guard by his piercing gaze, Qingtuan froze in place.

By the time Qingtuan came back to her senses, the best opportunity had already slipped away. Her young mistress’s casual and carefree demeanor had already fallen under the gaze of the onlookers. As for everything else, it seemed irrelevant now.

Qingtuan looked up, hoping to signal her mistress with a glance, only to find Wen Ninghan completely engrossed in the scene before her. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and delight, utterly unaware of the situation.

At the same time, Qi Yunchi, still hidden behind the low wall, hadn’t expected to suddenly hear a voice that seemed almost ethereal, as if carried by a mystical echo, ringing softly in his ears.

[Huh, isn’t that the Bai family’s second young lady and the Li family’s third young lady? They’re not fighting?]

Qi Yunchi was momentarily stunned.

The Bai family’s second young lady and the Li family’s third young lady?

This must be Wen Ninghan’s voice. Qi Yunchi was quite familiar with it, yet her tone didn’t seem directed at the maid in green below. It sounded more like she was talking to herself.

[If I remember correctly, these two families are practically at each other’s throats. And yet, these two young ladies seem to be on such good terms? Is it because the truth hasn’t come to light yet, or are these two well-aware but maintaining appearances so skillfully?]

Qi Yunchi: “…”

Wait, what exactly is she talking about?

His eyesight was quite sharp. Although his view is limited, by following Wen Ninghan’s line of sight, he could just barely make out the hazy figures of two young ladies from who-knows-which families.

Their tightly clasped hands and the way their heads leaned intimately toward each other spoke volumes about their seemingly close relationship.

That’s it? Fighting?

Qi Yunchi turned to look at Feng Shu, but the latter’s calm, unruffled expression seemed to indicate—he hadn’t heard anything?

Qi Yunchi was a sharp and quick wit person. In that instant, he realized something unusual about hearing this voice.

Not only had Feng Shu shown no reaction, but even the little maid standing by Wen Ninghan’s side remained unaffected.

Well, there ‘was’ some reaction, but it clearly wasn’t because she’d heard this less-than-polite commentary.

“Miss…” Qingtuan had already whispered a reminder, but Wen Ninghan seemed to be deeply distracted and didn’t hear the deliberately softened voice.

Meanwhile, after a brief pause, Qi Yunchi’s wheelchair is push by Xue Shulin through the moon gate.

“Miss.”

Wen Ninghan snapped back to her senses, and as she turned her head, she immediately locked eyes with Qi Yunchi, whose gaze held a smile.

Something flashed through her mind, but before she could think it through, an unfamiliar laughter reached her ears.

When she looked up, she saw the other person standing behind the wheelchair. His fox-like eyes, with their upturned corners, were filled with playful amusement, and he was openly sizing her up.

His gaze is far from polite, even carrying an air of curiosity as if he were watching a spectacle.

Wen Ninghan’s expression didn’t change, and she didn’t alter her posture sitting on the rock either. The only movement was the gentle ripple of her skirt, stirred by the breeze by the lakeside.

The girl on the brownish-green rock seemed like a painting, serene and captivating, full of tranquil beauty yet brimming with vibrant life.

But what Wen Ninghan was thinking in her heart was: As long as I’m not embarrassed, the one who should feel awkward is them.

If it were any other young lady from a noble family, such an uninhibited posture would likely cause some embarrassment if seen by others.

Even if they didn’t leave in haste, their expressions wouldn’t be so naturally relaxed, as though they hadn’t noticed anyone at all, right?

Xue Shulin, on the other hand, seemed to have discovered something new and is staring at Wen Ninghan with bright, curious eyes.

Qi Yunchi cleared his throat lightly.

Wen Ninghan hesitated a bit, still unsure about who these two—no, three—people were. After all, she had just returned to the capital.

Even though she was well-informed and could grasp most of the major events and connections in the city, the transmission of information in this era lacked precise visuals.

Even if there were any, they would only test one’s imagination. The true details lay in descriptions of appearance and habits, so it isn’t easy to recognize someone at a glance.

In terms of recognizing people, Qingtuan was far more meticulous than Wen Ninghan.

The glimpse she caught through the gap hadn’t been clear, but when the person walked through the moon gate and appeared before her, Qingtuan immediately recognized them.

Seeing her mistress still unmoving, though Qingtuan felt helpless, she nonetheless stepped aside and bowed respectfully to the two gentlemen.

“Servant greets Lord Xue, greets the Young Master.”

Wen Ninghan: Hmm.

Although Qingtuan hadn’t explicitly mentioned titles or positions, the key details in her brief words were enough for Wen Ninghan to deduce the identities of the two men before her. Moreover, Qingtuan had deliberately pointed out their surnames.

Given their appearance and demeanor, it was clear that in the capital, only the young Lord Xue Shulin, who had inherited the title of Marquis of Changning at such a young age, could match the description of a “Marquis.”

As for the other, with his beauty and delicate health, the only person Wen Ninghan could think of was the recently gravely injured heir to the Duke of Dingguo’s family, Qi Yunchi.

As for the person standing beside them, although Qingtuan hadn’t mentioned him, Wen Ninghan, with her knowledge of future events, could easily guess who he was.

This man is most likely Feng Shu, Qi Yunchi’s powerful assistant. Having been by Qi Yunchi’s side since childhood, he had fought alongside him on the battlefield, earning significant military achievements.

He is well-known on the battlefield in the northern regions, particularly in the campaigns in Youbei.

Of course, none of them knew each other yet. Wen Ninghan remained unusually calm, while Qi Yunchi seemed unexpectedly composed as well.

Feng Shu knew full well, but Xue Shulin didn’t. After the initial surprise, curiosity began to rise in him. Just as he was about to say something, the increasing number of people around them—especially Qi Yunchi, who, even seated in a wheelchair, carried an undeniable presence—caught the attention of those nearby.

Suddenly, there was a stir from the distant pavilion, and more and more gazes shifted in their direction, turning the air into a buzz of voices.

Xue Shulin’s attention was immediately diverted. Seeing people beginning to emerge from the pavilion, he grinned with schadenfreude and said, “Planning to slip away? It’s still not too late to run.”

Even though he knew Xue Shulin couldn’t see it, Qi Yunchi still gave him a plain, unadorned eye roll. If he was afraid of this kind of scene, he wouldn’t have returned in the first place.

Leading a group of beautiful young women, all exuding vibrant colors and floral fragrances, Princess Huiling surged forward, taking the lead.

The girl in bright red, as fiery as the sun, smiled like a blooming flower. Her bold and carefree demeanor seemed to steal all the brilliance of the autumn sun.

“Yunchi, you really came!”

When Princess Huiling sent the invitation to Qi Yunchi for the flower-viewing event, it was merely a gesture of courtesy.

She had never expected him to actually attend. In previous years, considering the relationship between her and Qi Yunchi, the young master would have certainly given her this much face. But this time was different.

Although the victory in Youbei had been significant, Qi Yunchi had been severely injured, barely escaping with his life.

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