Chapter 404: Chapter 391: Where is the Trust between People?

Zhuang Qingning shook her head helplessly.

However, putting it another way, with Mr. Fan being such an old imp and Chu Jinnian caring so much for his younger brother, their relationship…

It suddenly hit her that their relationship might be more nuanced. Perhaps it was not as she saw it on a daily basis?

But in the end, this was other people’s business, and Zhuang Qingning did not want to think too much about it. She just continued to follow Coral forward.

During this, they ran into several patrolling servants; learning that Miss Zhuang was heading to the garden, they asked if they should prepare some tea and refreshments.

However, since Zhuang Qingning only planned to admire the flowers and didn’t intend to linger, she declined their offer.

The servants continued their patrol, and Zhuang Qingning and Coral arrived at the small garden mentioned by Coral.

Indeed, it was an exceptionally beautiful garden.

All types of plants and flowers were arranged following a highly logical and structured design, enabling blossoms to be seen all year round. It included many common, and even uncommon, types of flowers.

At this time, tall osmanthus trees, clusters of hydrangea, blazing red salvia, tender hibiscus, brilliant camellias…

Various kinds of floral congregations were evenly distributed according to the layout of pavilions, bridges, streams, and rockeries in the garden, creating a multi-dimensional effect.

It was evident that someone had used ingenuity in arranging it so cleverly.

Zhuang Qingning looked around and found that the garden was just as Coral had described: the flowers were beautifully blooming.

Except that it was not at all ‘small’.

In particular, a portion of the Bajiao Pavilion, shielded by a rockery was surrounded by various flowers, rocks, and flowing water. It was a wonderful place to enjoy the faint glow of the morning and the sunset, experiencing leisurely contentment.

It would also be a great place to admire the moon.

“Let’s check out that place,” Zhuang Qingning suggested.

“Yes.” Coral held up a lantern, leading Zhuang Qingning towards the Bajiao Pavilion.

Only when they approached the pavilion after circling the rockery did they realize there appeared to be a figure inside.

“Who could it be at this hour?” Coral was surprised. She held up the lantern, “Miss, please wait a moment, I will go and check.”

Before Zhuang Qingning could respond, the figure started walking towards them.

As the figure drew closer, they were able to clearly see his face.

“Eldest Young Master?”

“Master Chu?”

Zhuang Qingning and Coral exchanged glances.

“Miss Zhuang?” Chu Jinnian also seemed very surprised. He slightly raised his eyebrows, but then started to laugh, “I thought I was the only one lost in the beauty of the moonlight, cherishing the desire to linger and admire longer. Little did I anticipate, Miss Zhuang, that you are a kindred spirit.”

Zhuang Qingning replied with a smile, “I slept too much in the afternoon and couldn’t sleep now, so I decided to take a walk in the courtyard. Coral told me about a garden where the flowers are blooming beautifully, so I came to have a look.”

“I didn’t expect to run into Master Chu.”

“Coincidentally, I couldn’t sleep either, seeing the beautiful moon, I came out for a stroll,” Chu Jinnian said, “But it’s late now, I plan to head back.”

“Miss Zhuang, please feel free to stay.”

“Coral, take good care of Miss Zhuang.”

“Yes,” Coral bowed in response.

“Safe journey, Master Chu,” Zhuang Qingning bid Chu Jinnian farewell with a curtsy, watching him stride away before entering the pavilion and taking a seat on the stone bench cushioned with padding.

She looked up at the bright moon above, the fragrance of flowers and grass surrounding her. The whole scene was quite enchanting.

Except that Coral’s expression seemed a bit off.

“What’s the matter?” Zhuang Qingning asked.

“It’s nothing.” Coral scratched her ear. “I am not a personal attendant, so I am not entirely sure, but I heard some people mention before that the Eldest Young Master likes to read before bed. If he can’t sleep, he can read till midnight.”

“I’ve never heard of the Eldest Young Master coming out for a walk when he can’t sleep…”

Furthermore, Chu Jinnian had just returned from the capital. He must have been hurrying day and night, utterly fatigued, so it should be a time when he was extremely sleepy. How could he not be able to sleep?

Although Coral was curious, Zhuang Qingning also found it a bit surprising.

However, whether he could sleep or not, this was Chu Jinnian’s business, which had nothing to do with them, so they didn’t give it too much thought, but began to look at the flowers in the Bajiao Pavilion instead.

As for the servants who had been patrolling in the garden earlier, they were extremely surprised when they saw Chu Jinnian.

Even after Chu Jinnian had walked far away, they were still whispering to each other.

“Didn’t my eyes deceive me, was that the Eldest Young Master?”

“Definitely, it was the Eldest Young Master, but… didn’t they say he had retired to rest? Why is he coming from the garden now?”

“Yes, it’s really weird. He wasn’t even accompanied by anyone, and he was in such a hurry, as if he was on a special mission.”

“Now that you mention it, it does seem so. Hold on, wasn’t Miss Zhuang also seen heading toward the small garden earlier? Could it be that the Eldest Young Master specifically went to meet Miss Zhuang?”

“What are you talking about? Aren’t you afraid of getting scolded by Uncle Feng for spreading rumors? We can’t casually make such jokes.”

“That’s right, this concerns Miss Zhuang’s reputation. If rumors spread, how can Miss Zhuang marry again? We can’t talk about this anymore. Besides, if the Eldest Young Master truly wanted to see Miss Zhuang, would he hurry back blatantly? It’s clear that he couldn’t sleep and was just strolling in the small garden, and when he ran into Miss Zhuang, he found it inconvenient and rushed back.”

“What if the Eldest Young Master had the intention to ‘coincidentally’ meet her, but was afraid Miss Zhuang would feel uncomfortable, so he didn’t linger? Anyway, as long as Miss Zhuang feels it’s a nice coincidence, everything will be alright in the future, right?”

“The more I hear, the more outrageous it gets. Can we really say things like this so carelessly?”

“But I think there is some truth in what he said.”

“Now that you mention it, it does seem a bit plausible. When he rescued Miss Zhuang and she was unconscious all the time, the worry on the Eldest Young Master’s face… I’ve only seen it before when the Third Young Master was unwell. Also, don’t you feel that when the Eldest Young Master looks at Miss Zhuang, his eyes are particularly bright?”

“…”

What happened to not spreading rumors?

But when you started talking about it, you were even more enthusiastic than the rest!

It seems there’s simply no basic trust between people.

The other two servants sneered and, saying no more, set off at a brisk pace holding their lanterns.

Leaving behind the one who had been speaking incessantly. Only after a while did he realize he had been talking to himself and quickly shut his mouth, hurrying after the others.

Although the moon was beautiful, the night was still chilly like water.

Especially with the live water flowing through the garden, the sound of running water made the place feel even cooler. Even though Zhuang Qingning was quite interested in the moonlit night view, she still decided to head back earlier.

It would also allow Coral to rest earlier.

Back in her room, after washing up and laying down, Zhuang Qingning blinked at the faint lantern light in the corner, idly counting sheep.