Unlike all the flustered and panicked guests, Qin Guan appeared remarkably composed and serene.
Her ink-washed dark green skirt slowly brushed past the large clusters of wisteria on the flower trellis. In that instant, a subtle fragrance drifted under the warm yellow lantern light, unexpectedly stirring the heartstrings of Yan Chi, who stood in the distance. His shimmering eyes suddenly cleared, the grand red hall and the vast night sky fading into silence, leaving only Qin Guan's figure vividly reflected in his gaze.
Yan Chi watched from afar, initially intending to follow her, but then remembered the unexpected events at the Marquis's residence tonight. He decided to remain cautious and was about to continue heading out when his peripheral vision caught sight of a young, well-dressed man approaching from a distance.
With just one glance, Yan Chi could tell the man was heading straight for Qin Guan.
Pausing mid-step, Yan Chi decided to delay his departure for the gate.
Qin Guan walked unhurriedly toward the west, only to look up and see a man coming toward her from that direction.
While all the other guests were moving westward, this man was going against the flow, making him stand out. What struck Qin Guan as even stranger was that the man's gaze was fixed on her. Frowning, she recognized him—wasn't he the young gentleman who had bumped into her earlier?
Qin Guan noticed the newcomer, and so did Fuling. The maid let out a soft gasp and instinctively grabbed Qin Guan's sleeve.
Turning back, Qin Guan asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Fuling wore an expression of distress and tension, as if she wanted to say something, but when she saw the man approaching, she held her tongue.
The delay allowed the man to step directly in front of Qin Guan, firmly blocking her path.
Frowning, Qin Guan studied him with puzzlement.
Not only had this person bumped into her earlier, but now he was obstructing her way—what was his intention?
The man was tall and handsome, his refined features accentuated by an elegant blue robe that exuded nobility. At the moment, he was scrutinizing her with an intense gaze. A chill ran down Qin Guan's spine—could he be someone from her past?
The thought unsettled her. If she failed to recognize an old acquaintance, wouldn't it seem suspicious?
"What? Are you pretending not to know me?" the man spoke up just as Qin Guan hesitated, his words immediately deepening her frown.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his chin lifted with an unmistakable air of condescension. Qin Guan's lips tightened—this man was indeed someone Ninth Miss had known, but his attitude was unbearably presumptuous.
Who was he? Why should she be accused of pretending just because she didn't recognize him?
Though irritated, Qin Guan wasn't sure of his identity and remained silent, considering how to respond. Just then, Qin Shuang appeared not far away. Her eyes swept the surroundings before landing on Qin Guan. Then, catching sight of the man's back, her eyes widened before she stormed over with furious strides.
"You shameless Qin Guan! We've all been waiting for you, and here you are, clinging to Brother Huo!"
Qin Shuang was seething, her voice loud and accusatory. Qin Guan was momentarily stunned before realization dawned.
So, this man was none other than Huo Ning, the Prefect's son whom Ninth Miss had once fancied!
Huo Ning hadn't expected Qin Shuang to return, but upon hearing her words, he showed no displeasure. Nor did he correct her misunderstanding—as if Qin Guan really had been the one pestering him.
Qin Guan couldn't help but laugh. She rarely smiled, but when she did, her features bloomed with unparalleled radiance.
Qin Shuang and Huo Ning were stunned. From a distance, Yan Chi's eyes narrowed slightly."So it's Young Master Huo. After falling into the lake half a month ago, my memory has indeed been somewhat unclear. I still remember those I frequently interacted with, but those I didn't pay much attention to have slipped my mind. I hope Young Master Huo won't take offense."
Huo Ning's expression instantly darkened. Didn't pay much attention? Forgotten?
Qin Guan didn't pay attention to him?!
Huo Ning pressed his lips together, his tone haughty as he asked, "Why did you fall into the lake?"
He knew perfectly well—she had jumped into the lake for him!
Qin Guan looked at Huo Ning before her and felt genuinely disappointed.
This young man with good looks and family background certainly didn't lack admirers. To him, Qin Guan was merely one among many. If he truly disliked her, that would be one thing, but while he scorned her, he simultaneously reveled in her affection.
The moment Qin Guan showed him indifference, he became sulky and resentful, even taking it for granted that she would never stop liking him. That's why he assumed she was pretending not to recognize him.
Qin Guan inwardly laughed again. Ninth Miss really had poor taste.
"It was an accidental fall. It was raining heavily that night."
Huo Ning frowned slightly. "No, you clearly did it for—"
Qin Guan watched him, waiting for him to say the word "me," but her faintly mocking smile made Huo Ning's face flush slightly. He couldn't bring himself to say it.
"What does Young Master Huo think Qin Guan did it for?" Seeing Huo Ning hesitate, Qin Guan sighed and shook her head. "Qin Guan fears death. There truly isn't anything in this world that would make me willingly throw my life away."
Huo Ning's lips pressed into a tight line as he stared fixedly at Qin Guan. She had changed—her demeanor, her gaze, even the tone of her voice. Gradually, he realized the Qin Guan before him was no longer the same girl who had once looked up to him with admiration. His arrogance in front of her now seemed laughably self-important.
But how could someone's feelings for another person change so easily?
"Young Master Huo, if there's nothing else, please step aside. I need to return home."
Qin Guan felt no fondness for Huo Ning, and her tone turned cold. Huo Ning studied her, his lips twitching several times before he suddenly spoke as if bestowing a favor. "It's unsafe tonight. I—I'll escort you home."
The old Qin Guan would have been moved to tears of gratitude at such an offer.
But now, Qin Guan simply walked past him. "No need to trouble yourself, Young Master. I'll be on my way."
Huo Ning's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Then, frowning, he stepped back and blocked her path again.
He scrutinized Qin Guan closely, but her clear eyes showed no trace of the admiration or affection he was used to. A surge of irritation rose in his chest. "Is this your new way of trying to catch my attention?"
Qin Guan was momentarily stunned, torn between laughter and exasperation. The Prefect's son might indeed be one of the finest young men in Jinzhou, but the Great Zhou was vast, and the world even vaster—Jinzhou was but a tiny corner of it. This person before her was truly ignorant and arrogant!
Seeing the faint mockery in Qin Guan's smile, Huo Ning straightened his back, still holding his chin high. "This method won't work either. I only offered because I heard you jumped into the lake for me and felt somewhat guilty."
Qin Guan suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for the former Ninth Miss.
Huo Ning's certainty that she was pretending stemmed from the fact that the old Ninth Miss had genuinely adored him. Yet, Huo Ning had always looked down on her, showing neither respect nor care.Yet even the former Ninth Miss would never have taken her own life over someone like Huo Ning.
Qin Guan narrowed her eyes, her lips curling as she met Huo Ning's arrogant, self-righteous demeanor.
With a tone of exasperation, she said, "Young Master Huo, what makes you think I jumped into the lake for you? Is it your ignorance? Your stupidity? Or is it your pretty face and your status as the Prefect's son?"
As the words landed, Qin Guan watched with satisfaction as Huo Ning's expression twisted in shock.
Unless absolutely necessary, Qin Guan would never lightly trample on another's dignity. But if someone disrespected her first, she would never tolerate a shallow, conceited fool strutting before her with such arrogance.
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