Huo Ning's face flushed crimson as he glared at Qin Guan.
Didn't she like him? How dare she be so insolent!
Him being ignorant? Stupid? Only having good looks and his identity as the Prefect's son?
Huo Ning clenched his fists tightly. He had never suffered such humiliation before, and when this humiliation came from a woman—one who had once admired him no less—the fury in his heart reached its peak!
His eyes burning with rage, Huo Ning stared at Qin Guan, but before he could react, Qin Shuang, shocked, stepped forward and swung her hand at Qin Guan. "You little wretch! How dare you treat Young Master Huo with such dis—"
Before she could finish the word "disrespect," Qin Guan caught her wrist in a firm grip.
Qin Guan held Qin Shuang's wrist steadily, making her eyes well up with pain. Qin Shuang struggled with all her might, but for some reason, she couldn't budge an inch against Qin Guan, who appeared delicate at first glance.
Suddenly, Qin Shuang remembered the ruthless strength Qin Guan had used to drag her into the lake. Fear flashed in her eyes, and she immediately regretted her actions.
"Y-you... what are you doing...?"
Qin Guan didn't answer, only fixing Qin Shuang with an inscrutable, dark gaze.
Her once clear, spring-like eyes now resembled a bottomless abyss. Qin Shuang felt a chill crawl up her spine under that stare, and fear slowly accumulated in her heart, quickly overwhelming her plump frame. "I-I didn't mean to... I..."
As Qin Shuang stammered and struggled, Qin Guan suddenly released her.
Caught off guard, Qin Shuang lost her balance, staggered back two steps, and fell to the ground. Tears welled in her eyes and spilled over, but she didn't dare cry loudly, leaving her looking both pitiful and ridiculous.
Qin Guan dusted off her sleeves and walked past Huo Ning toward the west gate. "Young Master Huo need not believe those ridiculous rumors. In fact, I think you and my sixth sister are perfectly matched—both in talent and character."
As she spoke, she glanced back at Fuling, who looked utterly bewildered. "Fuling, don't you agree?"
Fuling froze for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter. "Yes, yes! Young Master Huo and Sixth Miss are a perfect match!"
Huo Ning's frown deepened, his face twisting in anger. He whirled around, trembling as he stared at Qin Guan's retreating figure.
When he looked down again, he saw Qin Shuang gazing at him with tearful, affectionate eyes. His jaw clenched—this so-called "perfect match" insulted him even more than the accusation that he was nothing but a pretty face and the Prefect's son!
From afar, beside the flower wall, Yan Chi chuckled silently. His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Qin Guan's figure disappear into the distance.
"Bai Feng, is this Miss Qin from the Loyal Marquis Manor in Jinzhou?" Yan Chi asked.
From the shadows behind him, a figure emerged soundlessly. Bai Feng bowed slightly. "She is the orphaned daughter of the second branch of the Loyal Marquis Manor. Her parents died in an accident seven years ago. After staying at the Loyal Marquis Manor in the capital for three years, she was sent to Jinzhou."
After a brief pause, Bai Feng added, "Two weeks ago, she drowned in a lake—rumored to be because of Young Master Huo. But after being dead for a full day and night, she miraculously revived and even saved her maid, who had hanged herself. This caused quite a stir in Qin Manor, though the family managed to suppress it. Three days ago, she saved Grand Princess on the brink of death on the streets, and today, she was honored as a distinguished guest by the Grand Princess."
Yan Chi's eyes narrowed further, the shimmering depths gradually replaced by something darker and more profound.
"Qin Guan..." Yan Chi murmured.
A flicker of surprise passed through Bai Feng's eyes. His master had never shown interest in women before—why was he suddenly intrigued by this Miss Qin, whom he had just met for the first time?
"Master, what about this Miss Qin caught your attention?"Yan Chi did not answer, only letting his gaze slowly fall upon Huo Ning, who was still standing there dumbfounded.
The faint smile at his lips faded, his eyes growing even darker. "Investigate why Miss Qin fell into the lake."
Bai Feng was taken aback. "Wasn't it because of Huo—"
"With just him?" Yan Chi scoffed lightly, cutting Bai Feng off. He withdrew his gaze and strode toward the manor gate.
By the time Qin Guan reached the west gate, Qin Shuang had caught up behind her, her eyes red. Jiang Shi had already boarded the carriage and was now looking out from the window. "Shuang'er, what's wrong?"
Qin Guan was just stepping into the carriage when she turned her head at the words, glancing at Qin Shuang.
Qin Shuang trembled instinctively under her gaze and quickly shook her head. "It's nothing, nothing." With that, she scrambled into her own carriage as if fleeing. Qin Guan retracted her gaze and entered the carriage unhurriedly.
As the wheels began to roll, the image of Miss Song surfaced in Qin Guan's mind once more. Neither her servants nor attendants had noticed anything amiss—how had she been killed inside that small bridal sedan? And how had the murderer silently severed her head?
At this thought, Qin Guan suddenly snapped back to reality. This wasn't the past—she could barely establish herself in Qin Manor, and the person presiding over this case wasn't her father. What was the point of dwelling on it?
"Miss, how could you speak to Young Master Huo like that just now?" Despite her words, Fuling looked at Qin Guan with admiration in her eyes. "Before, you wouldn't even dare to raise your voice in front of him."
Qin Guan tilted her head, studying Fuling. "Did I truly like Young Master Huo before?"
Fuling frowned, hesitating before nodding. "The first time you saw him, you stared for a long time. You once said in private that you admired his proud and spirited demeanor."
Qin Guan exhaled helplessly. "Perhaps I hadn't seen enough of the world back then. Now, my feelings have changed."
Fuling nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! Before, you hadn't met many young masters. Take Prince Rui's Heir who arrived today—his bearing and grace are something Young Master Huo could never hope to match. I've never seen someone so heroic, like a god of war!"
Qin Guan narrowed her eyes, the scene of her first encounter with Yan Chi that night replaying in her mind.
Yan Chi had joined the military in his youth, achieving illustrious feats on the battlefield. His noble pride transcended his identity as a prince's heir—it was forged in the fires of war, tempered by blood and sacrifice, a hero's courage honed through conquest and carnage.
As for Huo Ning? While Yan Chi was spilling blood on the battlefield, he was likely still reciting the Four Books and Five Classics under his nursemaid's care.
How could he compare to Yan Chi?
"Miss, but Young Master Huo is still the son of Governor Huo. If you act like this..."
Fuling was worried. After all, in Jinzhou, Governor Huo held an extremely high status as the local magistrate.
Qin Guan lifted her chin slightly, speaking earnestly. "I did this for his own good. If he doesn't wake up, he'll truly start believing he's some peerless dragon among men."
Fuling didn't know whether to laugh or cry at her words. "Miss, you don't sound like a young girl at all."
Qin Guan smiled without responding. Having moved around with her father since childhood, she had always been more worldly than her peers. Now, with the experience of two lifetimes, her heart had indeed weathered much. The things she had endured were beyond what most people could even imagine.
The night was as dark as ink. As Qin Guan reflected on the past, her heart ached once more. The carriage rolled slowly through Jinzhou's splendid streets, taking nearly half an hour before finally stopping at Qin Manor's west gate.
The moment the carriage halted, a servant from Qin Manor, who had been waiting for some time, rushed forward."Old Madam! Something terrible has happened!"
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