Shocking Mountain Moon

Chapter 57 Ling Yun's Request

Compared to Cheng Susu's outward expression of emotions, Fang Rui was much more reserved. She smiled faintly after hearing Qiu Fu's words: "Of course it's true. Why would Fourth Miss Qiu say that?"

"If it's true, why is Miss Cheng so surprised that we are here?" Qiu Fu clenched her fists unconsciously when she met Fang Rui's gaze.

It’s not that she wasn’t nervous, but it wasn’t Qiu Fu’s style to remain silent when being blatantly looked down upon.

Fang Rui looked at Cheng Susu with a half-smile.

Cheng Susu waved her fan leisurely and chuckled, "I didn't mention any names, and so many sisters didn't react. Why did Fourth Miss Qiu insist on recognizing it?"

"You——" Qiu Fu's face turned red and she was choked and speechless.

"Okay, Susu, they are all my invited guests." Fang Rui said lightly.

That day at Prince Kang’s Mansion, the Qiu sisters, led by Qiu Liu, stole the limelight. Do you think it will be the same today?
No matter what she and Cheng Susu do, someone will embarrass Qiu Liu.

The man soon appeared.

Princess Rongning strode up to Qiu Heng and asked without any hesitation, "Miss Qiu Liu, are the rumors outside true?"

Walking with Princess Rongning was Feng Caixing.

"Princess--" Feng Caixing called softly, and looked at the girl who was the center of everyone's attention with some worry.

She thought Ah Heng would not come to the party.

"Why doesn't Miss Qiu Liu speak?" Princess Rongning stared at Qiu Heng.

Qiu Heng looked at the imposing Princess Rongning and thought of the time when they played Cuju in Yun Garden.

That was the first time she met Princess Rongning.

When he first met Princess Rongning, she was bright, beautiful and full of vitality, and he enthusiastically invited her to join the Cuju Club.

"What rumors are you referring to, Princess?" Qiu Heng asked.

Qiu Heng's frankness softened Princess Rongning's tone: "It is rumored that Miss Qiu Liu has had an affair with Lord Yuan's concubine."

As soon as these words were spoken, the scene became even quieter. Countless pairs of eyes looked at the girl being questioned by the princess, waiting for her answer.

How could someone be so calm? If she were asked this question, she would be extremely embarrassed - many noble ladies thought silently like this.

Qiu Heng nodded gently: "Yes, we do have some contact. Lord Yuan's family likes the incense pendants I make."

Princess Rongning's uncertainty was completely gone, and she looked at Qiu Heng with disappointment in her eyes: "Miss Qiu Liu is indeed a master at making incense, but it's a pity that the quality of her incense is not her character. People are divided into groups, and our Yuantuan Society can't accommodate someone like Miss Qiu Liu who makes many friends!"

As she spoke, she took out the scent pendant that Qiu Heng had given her earlier, threw it into Qiu Heng's arms, then turned around and walked away.

Another noble lady came forward and returned the perfume pendant to Qiu Heng.

Soon Qiu Heng received several scented pendants, all of which were given out after going to Yun Garden.

At that time, these people were eager to ask for it, but now they can’t wait to give it away.

Qiu Heng looked at Feng Caixing who was standing there in a daze, and raised the corners of her lips slightly: "Second Miss Feng, are you going to return the incense pendant to me?"

Feng Caixing was shocked.

Many eyes turned from Qiu Heng to Feng Caixing.

This kind of excitement is too exciting. What will Miss Feng do?
The second Miss Feng is on good terms with Princess Rongning, and it is said that she is also close to the sixth Miss Qiu.

Being watched by so many people, Feng Caixing frowned unconsciously: "How can I ask for a gift back after giving it away? Ah Heng, I believe you are not as the rumors say. I will explain to the princess."

Qiu Heng smiled, did not respond to Feng Caixing's words, put away the perfume pendant and walked towards Fang Rui.

"What are you doing?" Cheng Susu looked wary.

Being so embarrassed in public, who knows if this country girl will go crazy.

Qiu Heng ignored Cheng Susu and looked at Fang Rui: "Miss Fang invited us sisters to play, and my sisters and I are flattered. I didn't expect to cause such unpleasantness. We won't stay here to spoil the fun."

Fang Rui had had enough of the fun, so she tried to persuade them to stay and then ordered her maid to escort the Miss Qiu out of the house.

The atmosphere was a little cold at first without the Qiu sisters, but soon became lively again with Fang Rui's warm greetings. The topic was ready, and it was Miss Qiu Liu who had just left.

On the way back, the atmosphere was gloomy. Qiu Ying couldn't help but say, "I shouldn't have come if I had known." Qiu Fu was annoyed, "Didn't you know before you went that there would be no good banquet? Is it fun to regret it now? If you don't come this time, what about in the future? Are we just not going to see anyone?"

Qiu Yun glanced at Qiu Heng, pursed her lips and said, "Sixth sister, you should stay out of the spotlight and go out less."

If Sixth Sister hadn't been there, they wouldn't have ended up like this.

Hearing Qiu Yun's little complaint, Qiu Xuan looked at her deeply but said nothing.

Everyone has their own ideas, and there is nothing wrong with that.

"I understand." Qiu Heng responded casually, not taking the huge embarrassment in the Prime Minister's Mansion seriously.

She came back not to have a good reputation or a good marriage, but to fulfill her husband's entrustment.

If it fails, most of the noble ladies at this banquet will have a tragic fate. If it succeeds, many of the noble ladies in the prime minister's mansion will see their families decline.

This incident, which Qiu Heng did not take seriously, quickly spread among the noble ladies.

Feng Caixing failed to persuade Princess Rongning, so he went to Prince Kang's mansion to confide his troubles to Princess Jiayi who was busy making incense.

"Ah Heng is clearly not that kind of person, but she refused to explain. And the princess can't stand people who don't love themselves, and this is the result..."

Princess Jiayi was a little surprised: "So many things have happened recently? I'll invite Ah Heng to come to my house and ask him about it later."

Before Lady Jiayi sent the invitation, her brother Lingyun had already gone to ask for help from Princess Kang.

"What? You want me to adopt Miss Qiuliu as my adopted daughter?" After hearing her son's request, Princess Kang felt it was too outrageous. "Yun'er, do you know what you are talking about?"

"Of course my son knows."

"Mother is not deaf. I have heard of Miss Qiu Liu's current reputation. You want mother to adopt a girl who has been in contact with the concubines of high-ranking officials as your adopted daughter. Have you ever thought about how others will talk about the Kang County Prince's Mansion?"

"Mother, Ah Heng is in trouble, so I'm asking you to lend a hand."

Princess Kang was a little annoyed: "Miss Qiu Liu saved you, so the Kangjun Palace can have whatever it wants?"

Ling Yun looked at his mother seriously: "Mother, the Kang County Prince's Mansion didn't give Ah Heng anything. If you say that the jewelry and silks you sent are a thank you, isn't your son's life too light?"

"Yun'er!" Princess Kang couldn't help but raise her voice, and finally sighed, "Okay, but only this time. Give her the status of an adopted daughter, and this life-saving favor will be repaid, right?"

She didn't want to do it, she felt uncomfortable, but who could blame her for only having this one son?

She didn't want to be separated from her only son.

Ling Yun shook his head.

"Isn't that enough?" Princess Kang was stunned.

The young man, who looked like a white crane on a snowy mountain, lowered his eyes slightly and said, "I don't want to hide it from my mother. If Ah Heng gets into trouble again in the future, I will still help her."

"why?"

"My son has feelings for Ah Heng."

"What?" Princess Kang was speechless.

Ling Yun said calmly, "I have been with Ah Heng for four years and have long treated her as my own sister. Mother, is Jia Yi in trouble? Do you think I should turn a blind eye to it?"

"How are they the same? You and Jiayi are from the same mother—" Princess Kang didn't believe it at all.

"Love is built through time. During the years when my son was away from his loved ones to recuperate, it was Ah Heng who brought me some joy."

It was four years of pure simplicity, regardless of identity or anything else.

Four years I will never forget.

These are four years that I cannot go back to.

"Yun'er!" Princess Kang called out, staring at her son intently, "Tell me the truth, do you really only have a brotherly relationship with Miss Qiu Liu?"

Ling Yun looked his mother in the eye and said calmly, "If there were any other reason, I wouldn't have asked you to take Ah Heng in as your adopted daughter."

Only after she became his adopted sister could he protect Ah Heng openly without bringing her any criticism.

(End of this chapter)