Chapter 69: Dwelling in Wan Jie Valley!
Cheng Lingsu, seeing that this Madam Zhong resembled Zhong Ling by six or seven parts in appearance, was herself charmingly delicate, around thirty years of age, carrying a touch of gentle, mature grace.
When she smiled, just like little Ling’er, there were dimples in her cheeks.
It made her seem very approachable.
Cheng Lingsu returned the greeting with a smile: “Little Sister Zhong is innocent and lively, I like her very much.”
Beside her, Mu Wanqing glanced somewhat in surprise at Gan Baobao, thinking: How is it that Auntie Gan seems not to recognize me?
Her mind turned, and she understood.
She had always appeared before others veiled, and naturally Auntie Gan had never seen her true face.
Now that she saw her, it was only normal she failed to recognize her.
So she too greeted her politely: “Greetings, Auntie Gan.”
Gan Baobao was startled, blinking.
She called me Auntie Gan?
This voice… it did sound rather familiar.
Frowning, she looked more closely at Mu Wanqing, studying her carefully, then let out a small exclamation: “You… you are Wanqing?”
When Mu Wanqing nodded, Gan Baobao grew even more startled and doubtful: “Why are you not wearing your veil? Could it be… someone has already removed it from you?”
She and Qin Hongmian were fellow disciples, and occasionally exchanged letters. Naturally she knew of Mu Wanqing’s poison oath.
Now seeing her without a veil, how could she not be shocked?
Did this not mean that the oath had already been broken!?
And who was the one who broke it?
At these words, Mu Wanqing’s heart trembled, and instinctively her gaze slid toward Cheng Lingsu—only to meet those clear, starry eyes directly.
An inexplicable guilt welled up within her, and she quickly looked away.
Cheng Lingsu, sharp and perceptive, had already harbored suspicions earlier. Now, hearing Gan Baobao’s words, her heart immediately understood.
Seeing Mu Wanqing’s changing expression, she became all the more certain.
Zhong Ling, however, was confused, wondering: What is so shocking about not wearing a veil? Clearly Sister Mu is so very pretty—it would be such a shame to keep her face hidden all the time.
Just then, the maid returned to report: “Madam, outside there is a young gentleman who says he is young mistress’s friend…”
Before the words were finished, Zhong Ling was already bounding out in delight.
“Oh! It must be Big Brother who has come~”
Cheng Lingsu’s face too blossomed with a soft smile, following gracefully after.
Thus interrupted, the earlier matter was left unspoken. Mu Wanqing lowered her head, her expression complex; Gan Baobao, though eager to ask more, could see Mu Wanqing’s unwillingness to speak, and so held her tongue.
Moreover, Zhong Ling’s joyous cry had especially caught her attention.
Big Brother? Which Big Brother? Did Ling’er, while out traveling, perhaps also…
Moments later, Zhong Ling returned, laughing with delight, following Cheng Lingsu and a handsome, refined gentleman.
Her beautiful crescent-moon eyes were curved with joy, fixed entirely upon that young man.
Gan Baobao’s expression shifted subtly.
She clearly saw that serene young lady and that young man—between them their words and gestures flowed with mutual affection, like husband and wife…
Hmm?
Looking at Cheng Lingsu’s hair ornament, Gan Baobao suddenly realized.
Ah! So they are indeed husband and wife!
Understanding this, she stared blankly for a moment, unable to say what she felt.
Vaguely, past memories of her own youthful romance welled up.
Ling’er, could it be you too will…
Fang Han entered, and saw a beautiful woman, somewhat resembling Zhong Ling, gazing at them absent-mindedly, a faint blush upon her cheeks.
He felt a bit puzzled, yet still bowed with hands clasped: “I am Fang Han. This must be Madam Zhong. Forgive my sudden visit.”
Zhong Ling, smiling brightly, said: “Mother, this is Big Brother, my good friend. Let me tell you, he even saved my life!”
At these words, Gan Baobao awoke from her daze, embarrassed. But hearing of her daughter’s life being saved, her brows furrowed with concern. So Ling’er did encounter danger outside after all?
Yet now was hardly the time to question—leaving a guest standing outside was unthinkable. She returned his courtesy, and invited everyone into the flower hall, serving tea.
Within the span of a cup of tea, they had grown somewhat familiar.
Gan Baobao sipped tea, her brows knit slightly, watching this man named Fang Han. She both observed and pondered.
Seeing his upright features, his refined brows, she could not help but admire inwardly. His handsome looks were one thing, but the composed steadiness of his bearing was truly striking.
Though he seemed only in his twenties or thirties, in the very bloom of youthful spirit and vigor—
Yet in conversation with him, one could sometimes forget his actual age.
Ling’er was at the age when tender feelings begin to awaken. To meet such a man, and even be rescued by him, she could hardly be expected not to feel something.
If it were simply man unmarried and woman unwed, it would be perfectly fitting.
But alas, he was already wed, with a wife—what then?
And as for Wanqing…
Gan Baobao had paid special attention earlier, and had clearly noticed her eyes, though seemingly unintentional, often drifting toward Fang Han. And now that she no longer wore her veil, how could she not realize what this likely meant…
Sigh!
Gan Baobao worried silently. Could it be that her fellow disciple’s daughter, too, was destined to tread the same ill-fated path she herself had once taken?
To fall in love with a married man…
What good end could such a thing possibly have!?
As these thoughts passed, she could not help recalling past tender memories. Her cheeks involuntarily flushed.
Fang Han, sipping his tea calmly, felt a little bemused.
Glancing at the absent-minded Madam Zhong, he thought: Why is this Madam staring at me so directly…
He exchanged a silent glance with Miss Cheng, and each saw the same hint of strangeness in the other’s eyes.
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