Quick Wear: The male protagonists all fell in love with her at first sight

Chapter 269 The Young Master is Willing to Be a Mistress (14)

The sun slanted across the pond's surface, casting shimmering light that rolled across the lotus leaves before disappearing into the water at the edge. Startled, the red carp hiding beneath the leaves swayed their tails, their fins brushing against the mossy stones and creating delicate ripples.

Xie Jingci stood on the shore dressed in a blue brocade robe. A gentle breeze blew by, and the hem of his robe fluttered slightly in the wind, as if he had dressed up carefully, making him look like a banished immortal.

The sound of footsteps made the seemingly "leisurely" immortal freeze for a moment, a hint of helplessness flashing in his indifferent eyes, and his hands hanging at his sides clenched slightly.

The newcomer was dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, with bright, piercing eyes. The moment she saw Xie Jingci, her beautiful eyes sparkled with brilliance.

She forced herself to maintain the composure of a young girl and greeted him sweetly, "Thank you for your kindness, cousin."

The person who came was none other than Qin Xiayue, who was taking a break. She slightly raised her eyes and looked at the tall and handsome man in front of her, and an infatuated look unconsciously appeared in her eyes.

The moment Xie Jingci saw the person who had arrived, all emotion vanished from his eyes. He bowed slightly to the person and then, adhering to etiquette, did not raise his head again.

Looking at the dignified and composed man before her, Qin Xiayue felt a mixture of joy and worry. She was happy that this gentleman, as refined as jade, was the one she loved, but worried because she was already engaged and would soon be getting married.

Thinking of her mother Zhao's words when she paid her respects today, Qin Xiayue couldn't help but sigh. Her mother had doted on her since she was a child, and the husband she chose for her was a young and talented man of equal social standing.

But he never asked her feelings or cared who she truly admired.

Looking at Xie Jingci's figure, Qin Xiayue felt a little melancholy. She knew all too well that Xie Jingci's status was not good enough for her, but who could resist such a god-like figure?

Xie Jingci didn't want to stay with Qin Xiayue and cause gossip, so he turned to leave, but was stopped by someone.

Qin Xiayue disregarded her usual ladylike demeanor and reached out to grab Xie Jingci's sleeve, but he dodged her and she missed.

Feeling humiliated, Qin Xiayue's expression was unpleasant. She had known since childhood that she was a noble lady from a prestigious family, of high status, and was usually fawned over. This was the first time she had ever experienced such a situation.

Seeing that she was unwilling to get entangled with him, Xie Jingci glanced at her indifferently. If he hadn't held back his strength just now, Qin Xiayue wouldn't be standing here unharmed.

Seeing that Xie Jingci still wanted to leave, Qin Xiayue's gentle demeanor completely crumbled, and her voice, filled with her usual arrogance, said, "Xie Jingci, you are not allowed to leave."

Her voice wasn't quiet, but luckily there was no one around, otherwise it might have attracted a crowd. Just thinking about that scene made Xie Jingci's expression turn cold.

He and the Qin family were in a community of shared interests, and he still needed the Qin family's help for everything he was doing. He usually avoided his simple-minded younger sister, Qin Sheng, but he never expected to run into her here.

Seeing his cold face, Qin Xiayue shrank back a little. Her older brother often told her not to provoke Xie Jingci, but how could this be considered provoking him? She just couldn't help liking him.

"Cousin Xie, do you dislike me? Is there something I did wrong? I didn't mean anything by it, it's just... just..."

Before she could even utter a word, her face was already flushed red with embarrassment. Xie Jingci's face darkened even more; it seemed that Qin Sheng's romantic talk had completely clouded his sister's judgment.

But the next moment, Xie Jingci caught a glimpse of a beautiful figure by the tree out of the corner of his eye. He didn't know how long she had been standing there, as if she was deliberately standing behind the tree to avoid being seen.

Xie Jingci thought about the scene just now, and a trace of panic flashed through his heart. Although he had not gotten too entangled with Qin Xiayue, even flies will eventually find a way to land on someone else's door. Would that person think that he had been in contact with Qin Xiayue before?

Seeing that Xie Jingci remained silent for a long time, Qin Xiayue looked up and met a pair of indifferent eyes. The words she was about to say suddenly became stuck in her throat, and a feeling of fear rose in her heart.

Xie Jingci spoke in a clear voice, enunciating each word clearly: "Cousin Qin, I rarely leave the courtyard. Today, seeing such a beautiful scene, I couldn't help but stop to admire it. I had no intention of disturbing your enjoyment of the scenery. If you are looking for your brother, I do not know. I have other matters to attend to and will take my leave first."

After saying that, he strode away without hesitation. When he passed behind that tree, he paused for a moment but did not stop.

Qin Xiayue watched him leave, but there was nothing she could do. She could only vent her anger on the silk handkerchief in her hand. Fortunately, no one was around. In a few moments, she reverted to her haughty self and left with a large group of people.

After everyone left, Jiang Rou and her servant emerged from behind the tree, and the garden returned to its usual tranquility.

Cui Tao touched her chest, her voice still carrying the bewilderment of shock:

“Miss, isn’t the eldest young lady already engaged? But just now…”

Jiang Rou looked somewhat surprised upon hearing this, but she shook her head slightly and whispered to Cui Tao, "Don't make a fuss, it concerns a young lady's reputation."

Upon hearing this, Cui Tao immediately covered her mouth, pretending to be quiet. Her already round apple-shaped face looked even rounder and plumper, which amused Jiang Rou.

Cui Tao disliked Qin Xia Yue because she had bullied Jiang Rou quite a bit in previous years, but she listened to whatever her mistress said. However, she couldn't help but speak her mind in the end.

Seeing that no one was around, Cui Tao lowered her voice and leaned closer to Jiang Rou, saying, "The eldest young lady's future husband's family is of illustrious lineage, a marriage that all the young ladies in the manor envy. Although the young master is handsome, he does not have an illustrious background. In the end, he and the eldest young lady are not as well-matched in terms of social standing."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Rou poked her forehead and said softly, "You, I told you to read less of those storybooks."

The master and servant were chatting and laughing, while Sheng An, not far away, seemed to be in the sweltering heat, sweating profusely.

He prayed in his heart that Cui Tao would stop talking, otherwise he, Sheng An, would lose a leg.

Sheng An spoke up to defend himself: "Young master, it was my fault for not doing my job properly. I didn't expect that Miss Jiang's clothes would get wet from the tea, and I didn't inform you in time."

Xie Jingci stared at that beautiful figure, lost in thought, ignoring Sheng An's words, and said to him, "Go tell Qin Sheng that there won't be a next time."

Upon hearing this, Sheng An immediately agreed. He could hear the coldness in Xie Jingci's voice, and he vowed that he would put Miss Jiang's matter first in the future.

Looking at the fine jade pendant in Cui Tao's hand, Jiang Rou raised her eyebrows slightly. She took the jade pendant and examined it carefully. Sure enough, she saw the character "Xie" in the middle of the jade pendant.

There was only one person in the entire family with the surname Xie, and you could tell at a glance who its owner was.

Cui Tao also saw the character "谢" (thank you) and asked in surprise, "Miss, is this the young master's jade pendant?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a clear and pleasant voice rang out: "Are you two talking about the jade pendant?"

Jiang Rou turned her head and saw Xie Jingci, who had just left. He was tall and elegant, like a pine or cypress.

Seeing the amazement in Jiang Rou's eyes, Xie Jingci straightened his back even more, and his overall demeanor became even more outstanding.

Jiang Rou noticed her lapse in composure and blushed slightly. She gave a slight bow to the person who had come, and then replied gently, "Young master, is this the piece you're looking for?"

Xie Jingci took the jade pendant handed to him by Cui Tao, glanced at it, and then said, "Yes, thank you both."

He then bowed to the two of them again.

Jiang Rou led Cui Tao away, quickly declining, "Don't be so polite. Even without the two of us, this jade pendant cannot be lost."

Xie Jingci shook his head slightly, his thumb stroking the jade pendant, a hint of longing in his eyes: "This is the only thing my mother left me before she passed away. It is very important to me. What seems like a small thing to you is a great kindness to me."

Upon hearing this, Sheng An was shocked once again. He had been blind and hadn't realized that his young master was such a skilled actor.