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Listening to Qiu Mingqi's grandiose words, Qing Luan felt a mix of amusement and understanding. If she were just a fifteen-year-old girl, inexperienced and facing so many challenges, encountering a man who seemed like a celestial being, always considering her and protecting her, she would undoubtedly be moved.
But what happened after that initial spark of attraction was another matter entirely.
Unfortunately for Qiu Mingqi, the person he encountered was her—a calculating individual with the body of a fifteen-year-old but the soul of someone much older. If they wanted to scheme against her, they would have to pay the price; she was not someone to be easily manipulated.
Grinding her teeth, Qing Luan looked at him with a troubled expression, as if she could hardly resist his earnest persuasion. Finally, she reluctantly nodded, her eyes sparkling and her face flushed with shyness as she said, "Then... I will listen to you. You want to protect me; I'm afraid..."
On the side, A-Song and Qin'er, who had been secretly observing her, were nearly overwhelmed by Qing Luan's gentle demeanor. They turned away in exasperation.
Yet someone was quite pleased. Watching Qing Luan's eyes filled with delight, he thought that with his status and charm, winning her over would be effortless!
"Yes, I will come to see you and will also speak to your mother to ensure she takes good care of you," he said confidently. Huang should not be too arrogant given his standing.
"Thank you!" She glanced at him warmly before shyly lowering her head, her cheeks burning.
"Wow, I can't take it anymore," Qin'er exclaimed as she touched her pen and trembled in frustration.
"Hehe, the young lady has truly learned from my teachings," Sister Yun observed with satisfaction, nodding approvingly. Her eyes sparkled with ambition—if she could really transform the young lady, she would surely surpass herself.
"Sister Yun," A-Song shot her an annoyed glance at her self-satisfied expression. "If the young lady hears you, just wait and see how she'll deal with you!"
"Not funny," Sister Yun's expression changed as she shook her head dismissively. In truth, she was genuinely afraid of how Qing Luan would handle her—standing straight without any swaying or flirtation—if it came to that, she'd rather be killed.
After Qing Luan agreed, Qiu Mingqi eagerly wanted to take her home but was stopped by Sister Yun. She insisted that since Qing Luan was the Fourth Miss of the Chen Family, she should have suitable attendants; otherwise, people might look down on her. As a gesture of goodwill for their master-servant relationship, Sister Yun arranged for an elderly maid and a maidservant to accompany Qing Luan back to Chen Residence.
Qiu Mingqi initially wanted to say something about the Chen Residence but feared it might complicate matters, so he nodded in agreement for Qing Luan to take two people back.
At the entrance of the Chen Residence, Qiu Mingqi had someone knock on the door. Once it opened, and after revealing their identities, Chen Xiaode soon came out with Huang. Upon seeing Qiu Mingqi standing next to Qing Luan, they both looked surprised but quickly understood what had happened. Their faces broke into smiles as they expressed their gratitude to Qiu Mingqi, saying, "Young Marquis, thank you for bringing my daughter back. You've truly helped me out!"
"Exactly," Huang chimed in, following up with a sycophantic smile. "Young Marquis, please come in! Since you're here today, do stay for a meal. Don't refuse!" As he spoke, he ushered Qiu Mingqi inside, completely forgetting about Qing Luan's presence.
Witnessing this scene, Qing Luan felt no anger; instead, a barely noticeable cold smile crept onto her lips.
"Fourth Miss, please come inside," Gui Mama emerged shortly after they entered, wearing a condescending expression and casting a sideways glance at Qing Luan.
Qing Luan chose not to engage with her; she merely glanced at her dismissively, slightly lifted her skirt, and walked forward without acknowledging Gui Mama standing beside her.
After being glanced at by Qing Luan, Gui Mama felt a chill run down her neck and a sense of unease in her heart. But then she thought to herself, what was there to fear? Even if she was the Fourth Miss, the household was currently under her mistress's control—what she said was law, and even the master tread carefully around her. No matter how much the Fourth Miss returned, she would still be under the thumb of the lady of the house.
Huang and Chen Xiaode were busy flattering Qiu Mingqi with smiles plastered on their faces, eager to press their own smiles onto him. This kind of flattery pleased Qiu Mingqi immensely; he wore an appropriate smile while deflecting their praise but accepted Chen Xiaode's gratitude nonetheless. Such people were truly detestable.
Qing Luan stood silently to one side, watching them exchange compliments with cold eyes.
"Qing Luan," Huang finally noticed her and put on a gentle smile. With a friendly tone, he said, "It's good that you're back! Hehe, what a silly girl you are for letting Young Marquis take care of you. Now that you're home, there's nothing you need to worry about." As he spoke, he took her hand. "Everything is all set up for you; go take a look. If there's anything you don't like, just let me know, okay?"
"Mm!" She nodded obediently and followed Gui Mama inside.
Seeing Qing Luan's compliant demeanor made Huang nod in satisfaction. He had hoped bringing her back would yield benefits and never expected to also gain favor with the Young Marquis. He chuckled inwardly; if Qing Luan could marry the Young Marquis, it would not only provide more security for the Chen Residence but also allow her father to forge an alliance. For them, it was all advantages and no disadvantages.
"Miss, the place where you used to live was destroyed in a fire. Now, Madam has arranged for you to stay at Autumn Swallow Courtyard, which was previously occupied by Miss Yan'er. It has been vacant since she got married, so you can stay there for now," Gui Mama's tone was dismissive, almost as if she were shooing away a beggar, with an air of condescension.
Qing Luan held back her anger, but her maid and the old woman could barely contain themselves, wanting to teach Gui Mama a lesson. However, Qing Luan stopped them. It could be said that no one in Jade Pavilion was simple; all of them were individuals she had gathered from the martial world. They seemed ordinary but each possessed extraordinary skills.
"Miss," Yin Hong complained after Gui Mama left rudely, "why did you stop me? If we don't teach that old hag a lesson, she'll think there's no one around you."
Fortunately, Sister Yun had been thoughtful and insisted on sending them to the miss. Otherwise, who knew what would happen if the miss entered the residence alone?
"Let her think there's no one around me; that way they will reveal their true colors. If you confront them directly, they might resort to underhanded tactics. How can we guard against that?" Qing Luan smiled as she playfully pinched Yin Hong's nose and narrowed her eyes. "This place is not like the flames or Jade Pavilion, so be cautious. No one is allowed to act in Chen Residence without my orders, understood?"
She intended to play the long game and catch a big fish; if they ruined her plans, it would be too late for regrets.
"Yes!" Yin Hong and Aunt Lin nodded respectfully in agreement.
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