High-class Spring Joy

Little did she know, Chu Jingyu laughed after hearing her words for a moment: "Ge'er, you're not thinking that there's some kind of ambiguous relationship between Qingyuan and her brother, are you?!"

Before Jiang Qingge could speak or even have a chance to react, Chu Jingyu waved his hand almost immediately, as if he had heard something absurd, and even smiled, saying, "Gege, you don't need to worry about me. Qingyuan isn't that kind of person."

Jiang Qingge truly hadn't expected Chu Jingyu to react this way. He actually trusted that maid Qingyuan so much?!

Jiang Qingge was furious: "But... Yun'er saw it too."

"Alright, alright, Ge'er, I know you're worried about me. But Qingyuan and I didn't just meet in the last two years. She entered the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion when she was eight and has been by my side ever since. It's been ten years now. She's definitely not that kind of person."

Chu Jingyu said that this was one of the reasons, and another major reason was that he had already asked about it at the spring outing banquet.

Chu Jingxian would never be interested in a maid.

Jiang Qingge then realized that Chu Jingyu's trust in Qingyuan had actually surpassed his trust in her.

Jiang Qingge was furious, but seeing Chu Jingyu practically patting his chest in assurance, she could only suppress her anger and smiled, "Yes, Jingyu, you're right. Qingyuan isn't that kind of person. Perhaps I really misjudged her."

Her eyes crinkled with laughter, and Chu Jingyu was captivated. Sensing her emotions, he put his arm around her shoulder, letting her lean against his chest and shoulder: "Ge'er, Qingyuan has been with me for so long, I know her. She's not that kind of person."

Qingyuan, Qingyuan, his mouth is full of Qingyuan!

Jiang Qingge leaned against him, unable to smile at all where he couldn't see her, her voice still incredibly gentle: "Ah Jing, I know Qingyuan is important to you, but I don't know just how important she is. What are your plans for her?"

"Arrangements? Why arrange them?" Chu Jingyu asked without hesitation, as if he had heard something very strange. "She's going to be with me for the rest of my life. As for how to arrange it, I haven't thought about it, and I don't need to. She'll be by my side for the rest of her life."

As he spoke, Chu Jingyu grasped Jiang Qingge's shoulders with both hands: "But don't worry, Ge'er, I know Qingyuan's personality too well. She is a kind and gentle woman, not the kind of person who is calculating or petty. Don't worry, she will never compete with you in the future, you can rest assured about that."

Jiang Qingge was so angry that she almost dug the handkerchief into her palm, but she didn't show it on her face and still smiled, "Okay."

Qingyuan really is her biggest worry!

-

Although Chu Jingyu firmly believed that Qingyuan and Chu Jingxian would not have anything going on.

However, Chu Jingxian's purse reminded him that he was starting to lose control.

And so.

The second day of the spring outing banquet, early in the morning.

As Qingyuan served him food, Chu Jingyu asked directly, "Qingyuan, when do you plan to give me the sachet you made?"

Upon hearing this, Qingyuan's hand trembled, and the food she had picked up fell onto the plate. She was very puzzled.

How did he know?!

She picked up the dish and placed it on Chu Jingyu's plate, saying as usual, "Young master, are you mistaken? I haven't made any purses lately."

Upon hearing this, Chu Jingyu noticed her composure and wondered if she was determined not to give it to him.

Why?

Could it be... that he's still sulking?

Remembering how Qingyuan had almost lost her life, Chu Jingyu felt a wave of fear and guilt. He softened his voice and spoke very gently: "Qingyuan, what happened before was my fault. After that day, I swore to our ancestors in the ancestral hall that I would do everything in my power to protect you. Don't be angry with me anymore, my dear Qingyuan. Just give me that purse."

These words might have fooled Qingyuan for a while in the past.

But right now, all Qingyuan felt was nausea.

That's disgusting.

Qingyuan's expression remained unchanged: "This servant is not being stubborn. Young master really has misremembered. This servant did not make the purse."

She remained unmoved by such words. If it were in the past, Qingyuan would have blushed and eagerly offered the things!

For some reason, Chu Jingyu felt a sense of unfamiliarity when he saw her unchanging, calm expression, and his tone became harsher: "A-Yuan, what more do you want? I searched for you all night in the rain, I was so worried about you, so anxious about you, I called the best doctors, used the best medicine, and even promised you that you wouldn't have to take care of me for almost half a month, why won't you let that matter go?"

Qingyuan looked at him, "Young Master said you were worried about me. Have you found the person who harmed me? It's been more than half a month. With your abilities, have you still not found them? Is it that you can't find them, or that you don't want to?"

"Ah Yuan..." Chu Jingyu didn't expect her to ask this question in one sentence.

However, before he could explain, Qingyuan continued, "Young Master can forgive Miss Jiang Er time and time again, but I am a cowardly commoner. I cannot forget the pain once the wound has healed, and I cannot help but hate. I have not asked Young Master to do anything, but please do not force me."

After saying that, Qingyuan turned and left.

These words made Chu Jingyu feel guilty and heartbroken:

"No, that's not what I meant, A-Yuan..."

-

Qingyuan gave the purchasing servant some loose silver in exchange for the opportunity to go out of the mansion to make purchases for the next month.

There are still nearly half a month until the Empress Dowager's birthday, so she can't just sit idle.

You can't put all your eggs in one basket, and you can't place all your hopes on that one Buddhist embroidery.

Qingyuan easily completed the purchasing tasks and then went to Hongxiu Manor.

She was about to ask if there were any new embroidery jobs when the proprietress of Hongxiu Shop stopped her:

"Oh dear, my Qingyuan, you can't let your guard down right now. I know a little about the Spring Outing Banquet. There are so many young ladies from prominent families watching you. If you take on embroidery work now, and someone with ulterior motives buys it and analyzes it thoroughly, it could affect the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration, or someone might figure it out and surpass it. Wouldn't that be like picking up a sesame seed and losing a watermelon?"

After being reminded, Qingyuan immediately realized that she didn't know if others would use such despicable methods, but Jiang Qingge would definitely stop at nothing.

"The proprietress is right; it was my oversight. But what can I do now to earn some money?"

Seeing her sincerity, the proprietress of Hongxiu Manor hesitated for a moment before saying, "There is indeed an embroidery job that would be suitable, but I don't know if you'd be willing to go."

"Ken!"

-

One hour later.

Looking at the Wan Hua Lou in front of her—the largest brothel in Bianjing City—Qing Yuan regretted agreeing too soon.