Her eyes were hazy with drink, her delicate cheeks flushed, and she exuded an air of sweet, endearing innocence.
Unexpectedly, Meng Xiao’s breath caught as he beheld Qin Yiqing in this state.
Somewhere deep within his chest, he felt as if he had been struck with great force.
He knew, in that moment, that this woman had captured his heart.
However, a man was here to see her?
“I’m not seeing anyone. No one can disturb my drinking,” Qin Yiqing waved her hand dismissively, as if even the emperor himself couldn't stop her from having her drink.
She was having such a good time!
Did she intend to drink every last drop of this exquisite wine before leaving?
Therefore, no matter who came, she would not be deterred; she would drink!
Meng Xiao’s heart stirred. He nodded to his servant, gesturing for them to bring the visitor in.
He wished to understand her better. The current polite formality between them needed a breakthrough. He wanted to let her know that his affections were never for any man.
Soon, the servant brought in the person who wished to see Qin Yiqing.
When Meng Xiao saw that the visitor was a handsome and charming man with alluring peach-blossom eyes, his own gaze deepened.
Upon seeing Qin Yiqing holding a large bowl and drinking, the newcomer’s mouth twitched severely. “You told me you wanted to drink. What wine couldn’t I procure for you? Must you come to someone else’s house to drink?”
Hearing this, Qin Yiqing looked up at him, her eyebrows knitting in anger. “What are you doing here?”
Her tone was laced with a hint of disgust.
Ruan Xi rolled his eyes. “Do you think I *want* to see you?” He then looked at Meng Xiao, his heart suddenly skipping a beat. Could it be that these two were serious?
What about Ji Rong?
No wonder Qin Yiqing was so resolute; had she turned her focus to someone else?
“Then why are you here? Speak quickly if you have something to say, fart quickly if you have nothing to say,” Qin Yiqing said impatiently.
She found him so detestable. She didn’t want to see Ruan Xi. The moment she saw him, she was reminded of someone. She had come for a drink, but now her mood had suddenly soured.
Truly, Ruan Xi was unbearable!
“Are you really planning to marry someone else? Once you marry, there’s truly no turning back,” Ruan Xi warned Qin Yiqing again.
He had heard the news that Qin Yiqing had come to Meng Xiao’s again, and that they seemed to be serious!
He had discreetly had Meng Xiao investigated and found him to be a composed and cunning man, who surprisingly had no other women around him. Seeing him in person, he was also handsome and refined, and indeed could be the type Qin Yiqing liked.
After being unable to have Ji Rong, was she now throwing caution to the wind and finding a replacement?
Meng Xiao raised his eyes. As he looked at Ruan Xi, his gaze held evident depth and inquiry.
He had had some suspicions before.
It seemed his suspicions were correct. Xiaoqing was eager to marry, and there was a reason behind it. And this man here did not seem to be the one Xiaoqing cared about.
Qin Yiqing let out a snort. “I like Young Master Meng now. I’m not thinking about any turning back. Don’t you have many things to do? Don’t concern yourself with my affairs, and leave quickly!”
Ruan Xi’s lips twitched violently.
If Qin Yiqing hadn’t been heartbroken by Ji Rong, he wouldn’t have wasted his time here. Besides, it was almost evening, and she was tipsy. Wasn’t she afraid of being taken advantage of?
“I can leave, but I’ll take you with me. I have a letter here, sent by someone, for you. Don’t you want to see it?” Ruan Xi revealed his trump card.
At the same time, he said to Meng Xiao, “I apologize. She is my friend. Some things happened a while ago that caused her to make some foolish choices. If she says she wants to marry you, please consider it a joke and not something serious.”
Having known Qin Yiqing for many years, he understood her character very well.
However, after getting to know Meng Xiao today, he truly felt a sense of crisis for Ji Rong.
When Qin Yiqing heard Ruan Xi mention a letter, the haze in her beautiful eyes seemed to dissipate entirely.
Seeing this, Meng Xiao’s eyes grew colder. For the first time, he felt a sense of nervousness.
She truly had someone she cared about deeply in her heart.
He lowered his gaze slightly and said softly, “The marriage has already been agreed upon. It cannot be treated as a joke. I, Meng, rarely joke.”
Upon hearing this, Ruan Xi’s expression changed dramatically. He frowned and scrutinized Meng Xiao.
Few people could remain unfazed under his gaze.
Yet, Meng Xiao before him remained completely expressionless.
He narrowed his eyes immediately.
Qin Yiqing had lost all interest in drinking. She stood up and said to Meng Xiao, “Young Master Meng, I will come again another day to drink to our heart’s content. No, rather, my friend and I will come again in the next two days. Don’t listen to his nonsense. My marriage to you is my decision, and no one can stop us from getting married!”
With that, she staggered to leave, still tipsy.
Ruan Xi was speechless. It was raining outside!
He quickly unfurled an umbrella and chased after her.
A moment later, after the servant had seen Qin Yiqing and Ruan Xi out, he returned to Meng Xiao’s side.
Meng Xiao’s expression was now somber, devoid of any smiles.
Seeing this, the servant stepped forward and said, “Young Master, Miss Xiaoqing and that young gentleman seem to have an unusual relationship. Should we perhaps temporarily put aside the marriage preparations between you and Miss Xiaoqing?”
In the past two days, the manor had already begun preparing the betrothal gifts for Miss Xiaoqing.
Judging by the current situation, it seemed the betrothal gifts might not be needed for the time being.
Meng Xiao’s gaze was firm. “Continue with the preparations.”
Upon hearing this, the servant understood. Their young master was truly sincere towards Miss Xiaoqing! He was determined to marry Miss Xiaoqing!
However, could this marriage proceed smoothly?
The relationship between that young gentleman and Miss Xiaoqing seemed rather unconventional.
Meng Xiao lowered his gaze to the wine on the table and said in a deep voice, “Put this wine away and store it properly.”
“Yes.”
Meanwhile, after leaving Meng Mansion, Qin Yiqing and Ruan Xi boarded a carriage.
Ruan Xi, smelling the strong scent of alcohol on Qin Yiqing, immediately covered his nose. “You drank quite a bit! Can you even read the letter in this state?”
Qin Yiqing lifted her eyelids and glared at Ruan Xi. “I don’t want to see any letter. Take me to the entrance of Pingyang Prince’s Mansion. Yun Shu should have returned to Pingyang Prince’s Mansion by this time.”
“You say one thing and mean another, Qin Yiqing. How long have we known each other? I can see through your little thoughts. You say you don’t want to see it, but in your heart, you’re dying to know what Ji Rong said, aren’t you? This is a carrier pigeon message, sent with several pigeons, and every word is precious.”
Ruan Xi said this as he took out two pieces of paper from his怀.
The paper, sent by carrier pigeon, was small, and the writing on it was also small.
Qin Yiqing, being drunk, her vision was blurry, and she couldn’t clearly read the words.
Moreover, her head felt stiff, perhaps due to the alcohol.