"Miss, why are the Marquis estate male servants being summoned to the front courtyard?"
Having stayed overnight at Yue Ning's place, Qin Guan frowned slightly upon hearing that Yue Qing and Yue Jia were gathering the Marquis estate's male servants early in the morning. "They must have found no leads investigating the Song family guards last night, so now they're turning to the Marquis estate."
Recalling the previous night, Fuling still felt uneasy and stepped closer to whisper, "Miss, let's leave after visiting the Grand Princess later. We've already stayed two days—it's time to return to Qin Manor. Whether it's the Song family or the Marquis estate, since they specifically tried to frighten us, they must have ill intentions. This place isn't safe."
Qin Guan understood Fuling's fear. "I know what you're thinking. If the Grand Princess's condition is stable, we'll depart."
Fuling nodded, then suddenly let out a surprised "Huh?" Qin Guan followed her gaze and immediately spotted Huo Ning striding over with his head held high. A flicker of understanding passed through Qin Guan's eyes as she realized why he was here.
Noticing Huo Ning's haughty stare, Qin Guan slowed her steps slightly.
"What are you doing here?" Huo Ning lifted his chin, trying to appear dismissive, yet his eyes remained fixed on Qin Guan. Today, she wore a sky-blue Ru skirt embroidered with lotus patterns, her ink-black hair cascading like a waterfall, her bright eyes clear as a stream. Her entire demeanor exuded restrained nobility and grace, appearing breathtakingly elegant in the morning light.
Qin Guan regarded him with an amused half-smile. Though she said nothing, her faintly mocking expression alone was enough to infuriate Huo Ning.
"I asked you a question! Why are you looking at me like that?"
Huo Ning's brows furrowed deeply, his forced arrogance crumbling as frustration clawed at him.
The way she looked at him was as if he were a stranger—her expression even colder and more distant than before.
Was she not pretending? Had she truly lost interest in him?
Clenching his fists, Huo Ning seethed with indignation and humiliation. He should have turned away immediately, refusing to give her the satisfaction, yet for some reason, his feet felt weighed down as if by lead, unable to move an inch.
Gritting his teeth, he muttered awkwardly, "Do you not know this Marquis estate is unsettled? How dare you come here now? Listen to me—return to Qin Manor at once. Don't come back until the case of the Song family's Ninth Miss is resolved!"
The mockery in Qin Guan's expression faded slightly, her gaze darkening. Huo Ning was not inherently wicked, but his spoiled, aristocratic upbringing had left him with an absurdly inflated ego.
He still didn't understand—when the Ninth Miss cared for him, he was a god in her eyes. But now that she no longer did, he was less than a weed by the roadside.
How could he possibly think that a few condescending words would earn her gratitude?
"You overstep your bounds, Young Master Huo."
Qin Guan's voice was icy, and Huo Ning's eyes widened in disbelief.
She continued, "From now on, refrain from speaking this way. Qin Guan has only met you a handful of times. Such words from you are presumptuous and offensive—others might misconstrue them."
Huo Ning felt as though the breath had been punched from his lungs. Never in his life had he been so stifled.
"You—what do you mean 'a handful of times'? You clearly—"Huo Ning hesitated, torn between unwillingness and anger, then stiffened his back and spoke bluntly, "What exactly do you want? What more do you expect from me? I’ve already been more than accommodating to you! How can you still be so ungrateful?"
Qin Guan’s gaze turned icy. Huo Ning was not only arrogant and conceited but also fond of self-deception.
With a cold laugh, Qin Guan retorted, "Young Master Huo’s words and actions are truly laughable. While your background in Jinzhou may be considered respectable, in the vastness of Great Zhou and the wider world, what does the title of a prefect’s son amount to? Have the constant praises from those around you led you to believe the entire world should bow and scrape before you?"
Huo Ning’s face flushed crimson under Qin Guan’s scathing remarks. She then gave him a deliberate once-over and added, "Moreover, if you search your conscience, can you truly live up to all the flattery you receive? Without Governor Huo, what would you even be?"
Huo Ning’s face burned as if on fire, yet his limbs turned ice-cold. Qin Guan’s merciless words felt like two sharp slaps across his face, stripping away the finery of his status. Without the identity of the prefect’s son, could he still command friends and admirers? Would he still be the center of adulation?
Clenching his fists tightly, Huo Ning trembled slightly, his eyes reddening as he glared at Qin Guan. Fuling, watching him, feared he might faint from rage and hastily tugged at Qin Guan’s sleeve.
Qin Guan had already intended to stop there. With a slight bow, she stepped past Huo Ning with cool detachment.
Continuing along the side corridor, she turned a corner, leaving Huo Ning completely behind. She exhaled softly. If he remained obstinate, she’d have to use even harsher words to wake him up.
"Tsk—"
Just as the thought crossed her mind, a soft chuckle sounded abruptly.
Startled, Qin Guan halted and turned toward the source. There, by the flowerbed separated from the corridor by a wall, stood Yan Chi in his striking black robes, his smile enigmatic.
Frowning, Qin Guan curtsied. "Greetings, Crown Prince."
Fuling, who feared Yan Chi the most, hurriedly followed suit. Yan Chi approached leisurely and waved her off. Not daring to disobey, Fuling retreated without waiting for Qin Guan’s dismissal.
Rising, Qin Guan met Yan Chi’s gaze. "Eavesdropping is hardly the act of a gentleman."
Yan Chi arched a brow. "I was on my way to visit my aunt when I happened upon Ninth Miss and Young Master Huo. To avoid interrupting, I waited for your conversation to conclude."
Pausing slightly, he regarded Qin Guan with a sigh. "Young Master Huo is considered quite accomplished for his age. Your words were rather cutting. Besides, Qin Manor and Governor Huo have personal ties—do you truly disregard them entirely?"
Qin Guan studied Yan Chi calmly. To her, he was hardly one to concern himself with such trivial matters.
"Your Highness oversteps as well."
Knowing Yan Chi must have heard her earlier remark, she directed the same words at him.
A sharp glint flashed in Yan Chi’s eyes. His meaningful smile faded, replaced by a darkened gaze. "It seems the rumors were indeed false."
Qin Guan remained impassive. "What rumors?"
"The one about Ninth Miss jumping into the lake over the prefect’s son."
The corners of Qin Guan’s lips lifted slightly. "Wealthy households always breed the most absurd gossip. Your Highness need not take it to heart.""But..." Yan Chi looked at Qin Guan with a solemn expression, "If Ninth Miss didn't jump into the lake for Huo Ning, then what happened on the night of July 21st that nearly cost Ninth Miss her life?"
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