Gu Qinghan's body was soft and warm, but Qin Ning felt the panic in her heart from her trembling, and couldn't help but hug him tighter. This time, Gu Qinghan did not push him away, and pressed her body against Qin Ning's arms. It seemed that hiding in Qining's arms could alleviate the fear in her heart.
The fragrance that diffused from Gu Qinghan penetrated into Qining's nose, filling Qining's heart with admiration for her. He couldn't help but raise his hand, caressing Gu Qinghan's soft black hair, and spoke softly Said: "Everything will be fine. I am by your side. Don't be afraid that someone will hurt you...!"
However, Gu Qinghan's fragrant and soft body trembled suddenly, as if she thought of something, she immediately broke away from Qining's arms, her face was frightened, she turned her head left and right to look at the front and rear windows, and then patted her chest lightly, and her chest shook. , but her expression was very serious, and she whispered: "Ning'er, don't stay here anymore, leave quickly...!"
Qi Ning seemed to realize something and asked in a low voice: "Is Sanniang worried that someone will snitch on you?"
"You've been in my room for too long." Gu Qinghan said softly, "Go back first and wait...I'll talk to you again in a few days."
"When?" Qining knew that Gu Qinghan was urging him to leave. Firstly, he was really worried that if the two of them stayed too long, someone would report it to the madam. Another reason was that he wanted to think about it alone.
Today, Qi Ning understood the cards and made it clear that he had understood the arrangement of the Madam. Gu Qinghan was naturally shocked and panicked. Of course, his mood at this time was very complicated, and he needed to calm down and figure it out.
Qi Ning also knew in her heart that Gu Qinghan's current mood was extremely contradictory. From the concern she occasionally showed towards him, Qining could be sure that Gu Qinghan did not have any intention of harming him. However, facing the power of the Dowager, Gu Qinghan could not help himself.
Although the old woman was indeed spooky and weird, Qi Ning still didn't understand why Gu Qinghan had such deep-rooted fear of her. It was fear from the bottom of his bones. Qi Ning showed her tricks today, hoping to win her over. On his side, he teamed up to deal with the Tai Madam, but now he was worried that once the nights were long and the dreams were many, Gu Qinghan would reveal today's events to the Tai Madam because of his deep fear of the Tai Madam.
"You should go first." Gu Qinghan said with a weak smile: "Even if you don't think about me, you should think about yourself."
Seeing her helpless expression, Qi Ning sighed softly and said, "Sanniang, don't let Madam know what we said today." He leaned close to her ear and lowered his voice: "That old lady is treating you as a spy. My object, if she knows that I already know the secret, she will be the first to become suspicious if you reveal it, and I'm afraid she will be disadvantageous to you."
Gu Qinghan's delicate body trembled, bit her lip, and said with a wry smile: "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone what happened today. You... you must remember my words, no matter what time, don't mention your mother again, a Don't say a word." Seeing Qi Ning nodding, he was slightly relieved, looked around, very wary, and then whispered: "If... if I can't tell you in person, you see someone bringing you red date porridge. , then... then that night you... you come here quietly, be careful not to be seen by anyone. "
Qi Ning nodded, knowing that the red date porridge was the signal for the next secret meeting. He knew that it was not easy to stay here for a long time. He pointed to the lunch box on the table and said: "Get up and eat something by yourself. Don't... don't starve yourself."
Gu Qinghan pushed Qining's arm and said, "Hurry up, I know."
Qi Ning then went out and entered the courtyard. He saw Bingqiao guarding the courtyard door. He thought that Gu Qinghan kept this maid by his side to serve him. This girl should be regarded as Gu Qinghan's confidant. However, people's hearts are unpredictable and they still want to Be more careful and walked to the courtyard gate. Bingqiao had already saluted: "Master Hou!"
Qi Ning put his hands behind his back, glanced at him, showed a gentle smile, and asked: "Bingqiao, how many years have you followed the third lady?"
Bingqiao lowered her head and said, "Returning to the Marquis, I followed the Third Lady to the Marquis' Mansion four years ago."
"four years ago?"
"In the past, it was the servant's cousin who accompanied the third lady in marriage and served her." Bingqiao explained: "Later, when she got older, the third lady asked her to marry someone else. My cousin was worried that there was no one around to serve the third lady, so that year the third lady When the lady returns to her hometown, my cousin asked my servant to follow the third lady."
"I see." Qi Ning nodded slightly, thinking that she had indeed brought the maid next to Gu Qinghan here herself. It seemed that Gu Qinghan had been wary of the people in the Hou Mansion for a long time, so he brought someone over from his own house. He casually took out a piece of broken silver from his arms and handed it over. Bingqiao hurriedly said: "I don't dare."
"I usually see clothes I like, so I go buy two of them myself." Qining said: "I know you are reluctant to spend the monthly welfare money. This is what the Marquis rewards you. From now on, you can serve the third lady well. As long as you serve well, you can also There will be a reward." He forced it into Bingqiao's hands.
Bingqiao held it in her hand and thanked her: "Thank you, Lord Marquis, for the reward. I will definitely serve the third lady well."
Although Qi Ning casually took out a piece of silver, it was nothing to Qi Ning, but to a maid, it was really a lot. That was several months' worth of money.
Qin Ning knows that you don't need to use sweet words to win people's hearts, but provide tangible benefits. Even if the other party doesn't do things for you, at least they will try their best not to ruin your affairs.
After leaving Gu Qinghan's courtyard, Qining put his hands on his back and walked slowly along the bluestone path. It seemed like he was walking leisurely, but he was watching all directions and listening in all directions. After walking for only a short distance, he vaguely noticed the people nearby. In the small forest and behind a rockery, there were people looking over.
Qi Ning sneered in his heart.
In the past, when he was in the Hou Mansion, he really didn't pay attention to whether anyone was watching him. After all, there were so many people in the Hou Mansion, with more than two hundred people in and out. People walked by him every day, so he couldn't pay attention to the surroundings one by one. I never paid attention to the movements of those servants.
But now he was cautious and realized that someone was watching nearby. Only then did he realize that after entering the Hou's mansion, he was probably under the eyes and ears of the Dowager all the time. Not only was Gu Qinghan coerced by the Dowager to monitor his actions, but the Hou There are other people in the house who are also paying attention to their movements.
He knew that since he was being watched, Gu Qinghan was most likely being watched as well.
I always thought it was the safest place, but now I know it is the most dangerous place. The gloomy and strange atmosphere of the Buddhist hall seems to have spread to every corner of the Hou Mansion.
Qi Ning couldn't help but wonder, since there were often people nearby monitoring his actions, would his previous ambiguities with Gu Qinghan also be known to everyone? Did the old woman in the Buddhist hall already know about her underground affair with Gu Qinghan
When he thought that he would be under surveillance in the Jinyihou Mansion in the future, Qin Ning felt angry and sneered in his heart. He thought to himself that since I inherited the title of Jinyihou, the Jinyihou Mansion naturally belongs to me. Since I have already occupied it, With the name Qining, I will completely occupy the magpie's nest, and will eventually completely control the Jinyi Hou Mansion.
In order to make the Jinyi Hou Mansion within his control, he naturally has to control that weird old woman. However, the old woman’s true identity is unknown, so he cannot act rashly at the moment. For now, he can only be patient for the time being and wait until he understands the power and timing of the Madam’s hands. Once it arrives, take action yourself.
He knew in his heart that the day when he found out the true story of Mrs. Tai might also be the day when Liu Suyi's mystery was solved. He had to be patient and didn't have to rush. Now, the top priority was to win over Gu Qinghan to join forces with him.
As the sun set, Ximen Zhanying, dressed in casual clothes, was sitting at a table in the Scallion Noodle Shop, anxiously waiting for the arrival of the old beggar.
Yesterday she made an appointment with the old beggar to meet him at the noodle shop at the same time today.
Naturally, she had received the news. Duan Shao indeed begged the emperor for a marriage in front of all the civil and military officials at the court meeting. What happened after that was just as she expected. The emperor finally made the decree. Three days later, They have to compete in martial arts in front of the palace.
After she learned the news from Ximen Wuhen, she didn't even say a word. When the time came, she immediately came to the noodle shop to wait.
She didn't know why, but in Ximen Zhanying's heart, she even felt that the old beggar was more reliable than her father this time. To get through this difficulty smoothly, she could only rely on the old beggar.
The last ray of sunshine finally set and the sky became dark. Ximen Zhanying frowned and was worried that the old beggar would not be able to keep his appointment. Suddenly he saw a beggar walking into the noodle shop with a broken bowl and a wooden stick in his hand. Looking around, Ximen Zhanying saw a beggar appear. He was initially refreshed, but when he saw that the beggar was in his early thirties and was not the old beggar he was waiting for, he suddenly felt a little depressed.
The beggar walked up to Ximen Zhanying and stretched out his hand holding the broken bowl, "Girl, do your best and enjoy your meal...!"
Ximen Zhanying was a little anxious and upset. When he saw the beggar begging for a reward, he frowned, but then he thought of the old beggar. He thought that the old beggar was the leader of the Beggar Clan, and this beggar was probably also a member of the Beggar Clan. After taking a few copper coins and putting them in a broken bowl, the beggar looked around and then said softly: "Is the girl waiting for someone?"
Ximen Zhanying was stunned. The beggar had already said: "Follow me." Without saying a word, he turned around and left. Ximen Zhanying hesitated for a moment, but when he saw that the beggar had already walked out of the door, he got up and quickly followed him.
The beggar was not slow on his feet and walked quickly along the long street. Ximen Zhanying tried to keep up several times, but the beggar turned here and there and was very flexible. After walking for a long time, he became more and more remote. Suddenly, he heard someone coming from behind. Come and yell: "Damn it, do you have eyes? You must be blind."
Ximen Zhanying immediately turned around, only to see not far behind him, a beggar appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the arm of a man in gray clothes and shouted loudly. There was another man beside the man in short clothes. The man in a brown short shirt was looking towards him. When he saw Ximen Zhanying stop and look back, the man immediately turned away.
Ximen Zhanying's eyes flashed coldly.
She was born in Shenhou Mansion, and she instantly understood the scene in front of her. The two men in short shirts had obviously been following her behind her. She had been restless, and she only remembered to follow the beggar in front of her, but ignored that she was being followed. , if the beggar hadn't jumped out, I still wouldn't know the situation.