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墨書 Inktalez
"Do you remember the guest beneath the flowers? Can you recall the spring of last year?" He was asking her if she still remembered the experiences they shared.
The gathering at Shang Mei Ban lasted for most of the day, and everyone returned home in high spirits. On the way back to the mansion, Qian Ruyi was still immersed in the beauty of Xiao Zhongyan's poetry, repeatedly asking Nangong Shuang to recite it again.
"Nangong Shuang, do you think Yan Ge would like me?" Qian Ruyi suddenly asked.
Nangong Shuang was taken aback. "Miss, you and Xiao Gongzi are both talented and beautiful; you are a perfect match."
"But I heard that Father hopes my sister will marry Yan Ge instead, since she is the legitimate daughter," Qian Ruyi sighed. "I am just a concubine's daughter; my status is lower."
So Qian Ruyi was a concubine's daughter; no wonder she had such a different temperament from Qian Rulin. Nangong Shuang comforted her, "Miss, you shouldn't belittle yourself. Xiao Gongzi has been quite attentive to you."
Qian Ruyi smiled through her tears. "Really? You're not lying to me?"
Nangong Shuang nodded with a smile, but her heart was tumultuous. The relationship between Xiao Zhongyan and the Qian sisters was an unexpected variable for her. If the Xiao Family and Qian Family were to unite through marriage, her own situation would become even more complicated.
Upon returning to Qian Mansion, Qian Ruyi was called by her father, allowing Nangong Shuang to return to her own room. As soon as she closed the door, she sensed something unusual—one of the windows was slightly open, even though she had secured it tightly before leaving.
"Someone has been here!" Nangong Shuang quickly checked the hidden compartment under the bed. The Heavenly Fragrance Life-Extending Technique was safe, but the note was gone!
Her heart sank as she hurriedly searched every corner of the room but found nothing. That important note detailing the relationship between the Qian Family and Nangong Family had been stolen!
"Who could it be?" Nangong Shuang sat on the edge of her bed, pondering possible suspects. Was it someone from Qian Mansion? Someone from the Xiao Family? Or perhaps a spy sent by Shadow Pavilion?
As night fell outside, lights began to flicker on at Xiao Mansion. Standing by the window, Nangong Shuang gazed through the darkness at the plum grove beyond. For some reason, she felt that Xiao Zhongyan was also standing by a window somewhere, gazing back at her from afar.
"Are they friend or foe?" Nangong Shuang whispered to herself. Xiao Zhongyan's unusual behavior, the secret dealings between the Qian Family and Nangong Family, and that mysteriously vanished note—all seemed shrouded in mystery.
Her life of lurking within Qian Mansion had only just begun, and the road ahead promised to be increasingly perilous and winding.
Having stayed at Qian Mansion for three days now, Nangong Shuang played her role flawlessly. During the day, she diligently served Qian Ruyi, assisting with reading and grooming while maintaining proper decorum, quickly earning Second Miss's trust. Madam Qian often praised her cleverness and deemed her a suitable maid for Qian Ruyi.
However, the missing note left Nangong Shuang restless. It was a crucial link between the Nangong Family and Qian Family; its theft indicated that someone had discovered her secret. What troubled her even more was that she had no idea who had taken it—an insider from Qian Mansion? A spy from the Xiao Family? Or perhaps pursuers from Shadow Pavilion?
That evening, while massaging Qian Ruyi's legs, Miss suddenly asked, "Nangong Shuang, where do you think is the most mysterious place in our mansion?"
Nangong Shuang's heart stirred. "Why do you ask that, Miss?"
Qian Ruyi lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Today I heard my sister say that there are many secrets hidden in Father's study; even Mother cannot enter freely. I've been curious since childhood but have never had a chance to explore."
Nangong Shuang feigned ignorance. "The study is just a place for books and accounts; what could be so mysterious?"
"That's not true!" Qian Ruyi shook her head. "Father often receives mysterious guests late at night in that study. Once I happened to pass by and overheard them discussing something about 'Nanshan Secret Treasure.' Later I was caught by Chief Steward and scolded harshly."
Nangong Shuang felt a chill in her heart. The Nangong Family Ancestral Home was located in Nanshan. Could it be referring to the treasures there? Or perhaps the Heavenly Fragrance Life-Extending Technique?
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