Chapter 181: The Bell

"What are your plans after your coming-of-age ceremony?"

Lin Sangqian blinked, puzzled as to why he would ask this, but she replied anyway, "Nothing much... I'll just keep running my shops. I plan to open two more branch locations and then go to Pingci Prefecture to see if there are any vacant storefronts."

"That's not what I'm asking." Guan Yanqing chuckled, "I mean yourself."

"Myself?" Lin Sangqian was still perplexed.

Ah! She still didn't understand.

Well, never mind. At least the war was over now, and he wouldn't be forced to leave her again.

As for that Gu Zhinan, he still wanted to marry her? In his dreams.

"By the way, Gu Zhinan—ah, no, where is the Third Prince right now? I still need to go see him the day after tomorrow."

Guan Yanqing furrowed his brows and asked in a deep voice, "You want to find him?"

"Yeah, the poison in his body hasn't been completely cleared yet. You probably didn't know he was poisoned, did you? I promised to help him detoxify, so I can't break my word."

So she only wanted to help him detoxify...

Guan Yanqing's slightly oppressive mood improved a bit.

It was probably those imperial harem struggles from back then that had spilled over to affect Gu Zhinan.

He just hadn't expected anyone to be audacious enough to poison an imperial prince.

"Is his poison serious?"

"It's fine. After a few more acupuncture sessions from me, the poison will be completely eliminated."

Guan Yanqing nodded and said, "He is at the Yu residence."

"Then you were at the Yu residence earlier? Did you run into—"

Lin Sangqian originally wanted to ask if he had run into Qi Erliu.

But on second thought, what did that have to do with her?

Why was she getting so nervous?

Was she afraid that dead-tea-leaf Qi Erliu would flirt with Guan Yanqing?

Lin Sangqian felt her worldview was about to collapse.

Guan Yanqing raised his eyebrows slightly, guessing what she wanted to ask the next second.

"Are you trying to ask me if I ran into Madam Yu?"

How could he possibly know that?

Lin Sangqian nodded, feeling a little embarrassed.

"I ran into her. However, I have serious doubts about Jingxiao's taste."

Lin Sangqian abruptly looked up at him, her eyes shining brightly.

"I found out some things about his wife," Guan Yanqing said, "I'll find time to talk to Jingxiao about it."

Could it be that Guan Yanqing knew Qi Erliu used to be a courtesan?

True, with his high position and great power, there was nothing he couldn't investigate if he wanted to.

Lin Sangqian breathed a sigh of relief.

With Guan Yanqing stepping in, even if he couldn't produce any evidence, as long as he said it, Yu Jingxiao would definitely believe him.

By then, Qi Erliu wouldn't be able to quibble anymore.

Finally, Yu Jingxiao wouldn't have to be hoodwinked by that woman anymore.

Feeling a bit sleepy, Guan Yanqing seemed to notice and spoke up, "It's getting late, Miss Lin. You should go back and rest."

"Oh, right. Since it's so late, it's inconvenient for you to go back to the Yu residence. There's still a guest room empty, I'll show you the way."

"Alright."

Lin Sangqian led Guan Yanqing into the empty guest room and thoughtfully helped him make the bed.

Just as she was about to leave, Guan Yanqing called out to her.

"Miss Lin."

"Eldest Young Master Guan, is there anything else?" Lin Sangqian asked, turning around.

At that moment, Guan Yanqing actually looked somewhat hesitant.

After a moment, he handed a small box to Lin Sangqian.

"For you."

"For me?" Lin Sangqian took it in surprise.

She opened the box, which contained a small bell.

"This is..."

"I bought this in a certain town. According to local custom, giving this kind of bell to someone represents a blessing for that person to have everything go as they wish, and to live a life of joy, peace, and health."

The small bell in the box was exquisitely crafted, and Lin Sangqian's heart felt as though it had suddenly been struck by something.

She raised her head and smiled at him, "Thank you."

Seeing her smile, Guan Yanqing paused for a moment before saying, "No need to be polite with me."

"Then I'll be leaving. Get some sleep early."

"Alright, you too."

After Lin Sangqian left, Guan Yanqing closed the door and blew out the candle.

In the pitch darkness, he suddenly smiled again.

It was true that the local custom involved giving bells, but he hadn't told Lin Sangqian that this particular kind of bell was given by a man to the person he held in his heart.

The very first moment he saw the bell, he had thought of Lin Sangqian.

This was only the beginning.

In the future, he would bring all the best things in this entire world and present them to her.

In his heart, only she was worthy.

...

Everyone had slept well the previous night and gathered brightly in the dining hall early in the morning for breakfast.

"What time did you arrive last night?" Yu Jingxiao sat right next to Guan Yanqing, "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"You were already asleep, and I didn't want to disturb you."

"Then who opened the door for you?"

"Miss Lin."

Yu Jingxiao let out a meaningful "Oh" and smiled mischievously, "Then I finally know why you didn't wake me up—you were afraid I'd interrupt your time as a couple! You don't have to say it, I understand."

Guan Yanqing shoved a steamed bun directly into his mouth.

Yu Jingxiao swallowed the bun and continued, "Now Miss Lin is growing up, and her coming-of-age ceremony is just around the corner. If you really have feelings for her, you better make your move fast. Do you have any idea how many people in town have fancied Miss Lin over the past few years?"

If Lin Sangqian didn't have three older brothers watching over her, there was no telling how many love letters she would have received.

Guan Yanqing's gaze darkened slightly.

He could easily guess that.

After all, even Gu Zhinan wanted to marry Lin Sangqian.

Not to mention anything else, her face alone was enough to make countless men lose their minds.

Just as everyone finished breakfast and stepped out of the dining hall, they heard a knock on the door.

"Who could possibly be coming this early in the morning?"

Xiao Yawen muttered as she walked over to open the door.

When she saw the person outside, her face darkened, "Why is it you?"

"Miss Xiao," Qi Erliu smiled softly, "Sorry to disturb you, I'm here to see Jingxiao."

She looked thoroughly aggrieved, with tear droplets still hanging on her face.

Xiao Yawen found her expression utterly irritating and wished she could just slam the door shut.

"Why are you here?" At that moment, Yu Jingxiao walked over.

"Jingxiao!" Disregarding the others present, Qi Erliu threw herself directly into Yu Jingxiao's arms, "You didn't come home last night, I—I was so scared."

"What is there to be scared of?" Yu Jingxiao frowned slightly, "There are so many people at the residence."

Gu Zhinan and his subordinates were all staying at the Yu residence.

Fortunately, the Yu residence was large enough that they could naturally squeeze into a few rooms.

"It's those bandits staying at the residence! A few of them actually tried to bully and violate me..."

Qi Erliu was scheming deeply in her heart.

As long as she said this, Yu Jingxiao would surely feel heartache and pity for her.

If he asked which ones specifically, she would just say it was too dark and she hadn't seen clearly.

As for what happened to those bandits, she couldn't care less.

Who would have expected that upon hearing her words, Lin Sangqian's face would darken, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

She had spent a few days getting along with those "bandits" and could tell they were different from ordinary outlaws; they were not heinous villains at all.

Zhang Qianqian had been dragged up the mountain by them for so long, and yet no one had ever harbored any improper thoughts toward her.

How could Qi Erliu possibly be that irresistibly charming?

"I'm not spouting nonsense!" Qi Erliu said pitifully, "Miss Lin, how could you stay in a bandit den for a few days and actually start speaking up for them..."

At these words, the expressions of the Lin family turned very ugly. Wang Qingshi was so furious she was ready to explode, and couldn't help snapping, "What did you just say!"

"Everything I said is the truth." Qi Erliu acted terrified, shrinking even further into Yu Jingxiao's embrace.

"The truth? Then it's also the truth that you used to be a courtesan! Would you like me to discuss that thoroughly with Young Master Yu?"