There was a hint of doubt in Wei Xun's expression. He turned his head and looked at Ling Qingwan motionlessly.
The carriage was originally very spacious, but for some reason, it seemed particularly narrow today. Ling Qingwan felt uncomfortable being stared at by Wei Xun and almost wanted to escape.
Perhaps because she did not have much interaction with Wei Xun in her previous life, she always felt that she could see through everyone around her except Wei Xun.
Never mind. Wei Xun will die in two years anyway. Even if meeting him is a disaster, I just need to survive these two years. Becoming the Seventh Princess is better than marrying Song Zhiqing.
"Why do you know that I was poisoned? Why do you know that I suspected that my grandfather's illness was caused intentionally? And why did you help me?" Ling Qingwan asked several questions in succession.
Wei Xun raised his eyebrows slightly, but his expression remained calm.
"I know you were poisoned because I sent someone to follow you when General Shen and Ling Xiao left the city that day, and I saw you fall to the ground with my own eyes. I have seen countless poisons, big and small, and I know the difference between being sick and being poisoned. Naturally, I have the ability to find out that the old marquis' sudden illness is not that simple. The old marquis is the pillar of the marquis's mansion and has made great achievements in the court. If something happens to him, it will not only involve the marquis's mansion, but also the court and the people. I am not helping you."
Wei Xun showed rare patience and explained all the questions raised by Ling Qingwan one by one.
Ling Qingwan was stunned for a long time before she realized that she was overthinking and mistakenly thought that Wei Xun was thinking about her. Ling Qingwan felt embarrassed and her cheeks turned red.
Seeing Ling Qingwan's embarrassed look, Wei Xun couldn't help laughing.
"If you really think that I care about you, you are actually right. If I didn't care about you, why would I send someone to follow you?" Wei Xun said with a smile.
When this was mentioned, Ling Qingwan reacted, she looked up suddenly and met Wei Xun's peach blossom eyes. It was only then that Ling Qingwan realized that Wei Xun was smiling.
When Wei Xun smiled, his eyes curved into crescents, looking cute and adorable. Ling Qingwan suddenly couldn't bear to question him any further.
What am I doing! Ling Qingwan was annoyed. On the one hand, she felt that Wei Xun was deep-minded, and on the other hand, she was often obsessed with Wei Xun. What was so great about Wei Xun? He just had a nice face. She was not such a superficial person before.
Thinking of this, Ling Qingwan straightened her back and became much more assertive when facing Wei Xun.
"Why are you following me?" Ling Qingwan asked sternly.
Outside the door curtain, Wei Shi heard the conversation between the two and couldn't help shaking his head. If anyone else dared to talk to Wei Xun like this, Wei Xun would have cut off their tongue. But Ling Qingwan could do it. Why else? Because Wei Xun liked her.
"Because I like you."
Just as Wei Shi was thinking of this, Wei Xun said it out loud. Wei Shi choked and didn't notice the corner ahead. He quickly pulled the reins, and the horse was startled, raising its front hooves, causing a turbulence inside the carriage.
Ling Qingwan staggered and was about to hit the beam. Wei Xun stretched out his hand and protected Ling Qingwan's head. Feeling the softness on her head, Ling Qingwan was stunned. Before she could react, Wei Xun had already grabbed her arm and pulled her to sit next to him.
Soon, the horses stopped. Wei Shi lifted the door curtain and hurriedly apologized to Wei Xun. Seeing Wei Xun and Ling Qingwan sitting side by side, Wei Shi looked meaningful and withdrew his body as if he understood.
Ling Qingwan frowned and moved to the side uncomfortably.
Arriving at Zuixiaolou, Ling Qingwan thought she could finally have a good meal, but when she looked on the table, she saw five plates of Eight Treasure Duck.
"I saw that you liked it, so I asked the kitchen to prepare more." Wei Xun explained. He sat down by the window and took a sip of the pear blossom wine.
Without Tan Hongbo causing trouble today, this big jar of pear blossom wine is all his. Wei Xun's mouth curled slightly.
"Haha, thank you." Ling Qingwan gave an awkward yet polite smile.
What could she say? It was Wei Xun who helped her out last time. Ling Qingwan realized that she owed Wei Xun a lot of favors without realizing it.
Ling Qingwan has recovered, but there is no news of improvement from Old Master Ling. Old Madam Ling is worried, and Ling Chuchu stays with her all day, so she has less energy to cause trouble for Ling Qingwan.
I thought I could have a few days of peace and quiet, but then a letter came from the palace inviting the two legitimate daughters of the Marquis's Mansion to attend a palace banquet.
The Queen loved flowers, and the palace was filled with all kinds of flowers, plants, and trees. Even in winter, the Imperial Garden was full of life. I heard that Huairou had recently sent in a batch of tribute flowers and plants. When they bloomed, they were colorful and gorgeous, which made the Queen like them very much. Whenever she was happy, she would hold a flower viewing banquet.
Ling Qingwan knew at a glance that all the guests attending the palace banquet would be rich ladies, and she was afraid of meeting people like Ling Chuchu and Tan Jiao again. Ling Qingwan had a headache, thinking about how to refuse.
"The Queen's letter has been delivered to you. If you don't attend, wouldn't that be offending the Queen? What if you offend the Queen then?" Qiao'er thought more about rules and etiquette than Ling Qingwan.
"What should I do? I don't want to go." Ling Qingwan was dejected, supporting her head with both hands. "How about I pretend to be sick again?"
Qiao'er didn't say anything, but her embarrassed expression said it all. Ling Qingwan also knew that this trick had been used before, and it might not work again. Besides, General Shen saw through it last time, and who knows if the people in the palace are even more sharp-eyed.
It would be fine if she wasn't discovered, but if she was discovered, she would be finished.
What to do, what to do, what to do, Ling Qingwan's mind was full of solutions. The queen was also Song Zhiqing's biological mother, and Ling Qingwan was the person her son loved, so she would definitely pay more attention to her.
If Ling Qingwan performed well, she was afraid that the Queen would marry her to Song Zhiqing. If she performed poorly, she was afraid that she would lose her head. She was worried to death.
"Second Miss." The little maid stood outside the courtyard. "A teaching nanny from the palace is here to see you."
The woman, who was about 40 or 50 years old, walked around the little maid, came in front of Ling Qing, and bowed to her respectfully. Ling Qingwan looked her up and down, and from the way she was dressed, she knew she was not an ordinary palace maid.
"I am the consul nanny of the Shangyi Department. My surname is Qiu. I am here on the orders of the Seventh Prince to teach you the rules and etiquette." Nanny Qiu's voice was bright and every word she spoke was exceptionally clear.
Ling Qingwan's hand holding the teacup trembled.
It’s Wei Xun again!!!
"Um... Is the flower-viewing banquet some kind of important banquet? Why do you have to teach me the rules specifically?" Ling Qingwan hinted to Nanny Qiu that her coming to the Marquis' Mansion was unnecessary.
Besides, Ling Qingwan had no intention of attending the flower viewing banquet. After being tricked by Wei Xun, it would be a pity if she didn't show off her skills at the flower viewing banquet after learning the rules for a few days.
"The prince said that you have lived in the countryside since you were a child, and you are not as good as other noble ladies in the capital. If you don't learn, you may make a fool of yourself."