Chapter 403: Chapter 390: The Old Rascal

“This…”

Staring at the bowl full of various dishes piled up like a small mountain, Fan Wenxuan’s face turned paler and paler.

Chu Jinnian going all-out to serve him dishes?

Firstly, it can be ruled out that he genuinely cares about him.

Secondly, it can be ruled out that he wants to choke him to death.

Lastly…

By bringing Chu Jinzhou up the mountain, they merely wanted to enjoy the scenery and admire the red leaves. It was purely an accident that they encountered danger, and it was not his fault. Furthermore, upon returning, Chu Jinnian did not show any signs of dislike towards him. So it probably wasn’t because of what happened to Chu Jinzhou.

Hence, Jinnian must think he was talking too much earlier and needed to stuff his mouth with more food to shut him up!

This Chu Jinnian, he is such a busybody. He just wanted to take the opportunity to chat and introduce some of his students in front of Zhuang Qingning. It would make things easier when he wants to pull the strings behind the scenes in the future. He didn’t expect that this would upset him and prompt him to interfere.

This is too much!

Fan Wenxuan was furious, but he couldn’t vent his anger on Chu Jinnian. So he had no choice but to decimate and ravage the food in the bowl before him.

Zhuang Qingning watched the scene, sighing.

Chu Jinnian had tremendous respect for Mr. Fan.

But looking at Mr. Fan’s noticeable unhappiness, she wondered what footings they had in the past that led Mr. Fan to hold strong prejudices against Chu Jinnian.

It just didn’t make sense.

Zhuang Qingning blinked and put a delicious piece of ham from the bowl into her mouth.

The meal ended under a bizarre atmosphere.

Today’s incidents frightened everyone and as it was dinner, everyone was somewhat exhausted.

Especially Chu Jinzhou and Zhuang Qingsui, two little guys who were incredibly sleepy. However, because they were worried that Zhuang Qingning was still unconscious, they dared not sleep. Now their eyelids were heavy; they couldn’t help but yawn again and again.

The servants hastily arranged for the two to have their rest separately. Particularly Zhuang Qingsui, who was placed in the same courtyard with Zhuang Qingning, in adjacent guest rooms.

After she and Gancao had packed up and saw Zhuang Qingsui asleep, Zhuang Qingning finally left the bedside.

“Miss Zhuang, you should rest. We are here to take care of her. Please be assured,” Gancao said. “I will be here keeping a night vigil, if you need anything tonight, just call me.”

“Thank you,” Zhuang Qingning politely thanked her, took a sip of the tea Gancao had handed over, and then walked into her room.

Thinking about Fan Wenxuan’s words at the dinner table earlier, inviting her to see some kingfisher paintings or something, Zhuang Qingning estimated that someone might be coming to deliver a message later, so she just waited at the table.

However, after waiting and waiting, there was no one.

It seemed that Mr. Fan just mentioned it in passing, and Zhuang Qingning didn’t take it to heart.

Although it is late into the night, the lanterns in the courtyard outside have been extinguished a couple of times, Zhuang Qingning is still very spirited.

She had slept for so long in the afternoon that she was indeed not sleepy. Zhuang Qingning took a few historical books and poetry collections from the bookshelf in the room to pass the time.

But after reading for a while, she found them boring. Although the candle was bright, the flickering candle flame was very likely to cause visual fatigue. Zhuang Qingning had to put down the book, rubbed her sore eyes, and slapped her swollen shoulder caused by the same reading posture for a long time.

She stood up and moved around. Seeing that the moonlight outside seemed to be tempting, Zhuang Qingning opened the door and went into the courtyard.

The moon of the thirteenth night, although not as round as the full moon of the fifteenth day, was still bright and clear. The silvery moonlight spilled all over the ground, making everything in sight blurry and dreamlike.

Zhuang Qingning strolled a few steps, feeling the tranquility and peace under the moonlight and the gentle breeze blowing.

Yet she gently shook her head, saying to herself, “What a pity, there are no flowers…”

If there were flowers under the moon, with a pot of clear tea or fruit wine, she could invite the bright moon and enjoy herself.

“If Miss Zhuang wishes to see flowers, although Qingzhuyuan is named for its abundance of bamboo, there is a small garden full of various flowers and plants. Many of the flowers are unnamed by the servants, but seem incredibly beautiful. If Miss Zhuang wishes to go, I will accompany you,” a voice suddenly sounded behind Zhuang Qingning, making her jump. She turned around to see another maid named Coral who was also taking care of her and Qingsui.

Like Gancao, Coral was also a very cheerful girl. When she talked to Zhuang Qingning, the corners of her mouth always curled up slightly. “I heard Miss Zhuang open her door, so I wanted to see if there was anything you needed from me, that’s when I heard the lady’s murmur.”

“Did I scare you?”

Coral looked embarrassed and quickly apologized, “Please forgive me, Miss.”

“No harm done, I’m not easily scared,” said Zhuang Qingning. She was indeed unable to sleep at the moment and was very curious about the attractive and unnamed flowers that Coral mentioned. She smiled and said, “Where is the small garden you mentioned? I would like to have a look.”

“It’s not far from here. I’ll take you there,” Coral replied, turning back into her room and returning with a cloak for Zhuang Qingning. “The wind is cool at night, Miss, be careful not to catch a cold.”

“Miss, follow me.”

Coral lit a lantern and lead the way.

“Thank you,” Zhuang Qingning tightened her cloak around her as she walked forward along with Coral.

Leaving the courtyard, the path paved with bluestone bricks was lined with stone lanterns, each illuminating brightly. The bright moonlight made it seem as if it was daytime.

Although such a light is suitable for a night stroll in Qingzhuyuan, it was only due to her inability to sleep tonight. Normally, if one is to sleep regularly, it would seem a little glaring.

Even if the courtyard wall is separating, the brightness outside could make it difficult for someone to sleep.

Are these lanterns always alight throughout the night?” Zhuang Qingning curiously asked.

“Yes,” Coral answered. “Ever since that day, these lanterns have been on all night.”

“What happened that day?” Zhuang Qingning blurted out reflexively. When she realized, she laughed embarrassedly and said, “I’m being nosy, you don’t have to answer.”

“That’s all right,” Coral smiled, revealing a sharp tip of her canine tooth. “It’s not a rare occurrence. On that day, Mr. Fan wanted to sneak out by climbing over the wall with the Third Young Master. The Eldest Young Master bumped into them. Ever since then, the yard has been brightly lit.”

“However, the lanterns are only lit in this vicinity, they are not in the courtyard where there is a night watch. There are bamboo forests around each courtyard wall, so it doesn’t feel uncomfortable.”

Zhuang Qingning blinked and suddenly remembered Mr. Fan’s matter-of-fact reaction to Zhuang Mingli drawing little turtles on Chu Jinzhou’s arm earlier.

Leading a student to sneak out by climbing over the wall, it definitely seemed like something Mr. Fan would do.

What a childish old man he is!