One of them went straight to the Qing Mansion.
After returning from Lingyun Temple, the more Xiao Junhao thought about it, the more he felt that something was off.
That day, Jiang Peihuan looked at him as if she was looking at a stranger. Her eyes were full of annoyance and indifference, with a faint hint of hatred.
Not long ago, she had gazed at him with dependence and admiration. Xiao Junhao had been pondering what had changed in the past few days. In the end, he concluded that Jiang Peihuan had fallen for someone else.
He absolutely could not accept this outcome.
"What news?"
Seeing Pei Wu enter, Xiao Junhao collected his thoughts and spoke indifferently.
Pei Wu stepped forward and whispered a few words in Xiao Junhao's ear. Hearing him, Xiao Junhao's eyes filled with surprise. "Is the news true?"
"It's true. Eldest Young Miss has already taken Third Young Miss out of the city. It seems they'll be staying at the manor for a few days."
"The luck is on my side."
"Pei Wu, pack your things."
"Yes."
While Qing's Mansion was bustling, King Cheng's Mansion also received the news.
Han Feng excitedly ran into Xiao Nanye's study. He looked at the man sitting in the chair, examining a painting, and smiled, "Master, good news."
"What? Did you find money?"
Xiao Nanye glanced at him coldly and spoke unhappily.
"Master, Eldest Miss has left the city."
"Left the city?"
Hearing Jiang Peihuan's name, Xiao Nanye immediately sat up straight and looked at Han Feng. Observing his master's expression, Han Feng continued, "I've already found out. Eldest Miss brought Third Miss out to play."
"They didn't bring any elders with them. They only have Ye Xiao and a servant girl with them."
"Pack your things and head to An Mansion.
"Master, why are we going to An Mansion? Shouldn't we be looking for Eldest Miss?"
Seeing the confusion in Han Feng's eyes, Xiao Nanye replied disdainfully, "Do you have a house next to the General's Mansion?"
Han Feng was speechless.
Alright, he had been foolish.
At the An Mansion
Prince An was the youngest son in the kingdom, only twelve years old this year. When Xiao Nanye arrived, the young prince was bored in his residence.
Upon hearing of Xiao Nanye's arrival, confusion filled Prince An's eyes. By this time, Xiao Nanye had already approached him.
"Uncle, why are you here?"
Prince An, Xiao Junmo, looked at Xiao Nanye with puzzled eyes as he walked towards them. Seeing his confused expression, Xiao Nanye calmly replied, "I heard the scenery at your manor south of the city is quite beautiful."
"So?"
The doubt in Xiao Junmo's eyes deepened.
"I wish to see it for myself."
"Did you come to see me today just for this?"
"Yes."
Xiao Junmo fell silent.
Two hours later, Xiao Nanye and Xiao Junmo set off towards the manor. Simultaneously, Jiang Peihuan and Jiang Sijin arrived at the manor.
"Greetings to Eldest Young Miss and Third Young Miss."
The manor's head had already received the news and had been waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Jiang Peihuan and Jiang Sijin stepping out of the carriage, he hurried forward.
"Uncle Liu, please rise."
Uncle Liu was Deputy General Liu's father, so Jiang Peihuan showed him more courtesy.
"Uncle Liu, I'm here primarily to spend a couple of days with Sijin. Please, carry on with your duties and don't mind us."
"Yes."
"Uncle Liu, are the loquats in the manor ripe?"
"They are indeed. If Third Miss wants some, I'll have someone pick a few."
"No need, Eldest Sister and I will pick them ourselves later."
Hearing Uncle Liu's words, Sijin quickly waved her hand.
As she spoke, she took Jiang Peihuan's hand. "Elder Sister, let's go now, alright?"
"Yes."
Seeing Jiang Peihuan nod, Jiang Sijin hurriedly ran towards the hill. Observing this, Jiang Peihuan smiled and shook her head, then turned to Ye Xiao. "Follow Third Miss and ensure she doesn't get hurt."
"Yes."
"Young Miss, shall we go as well?"
Lu Er was eager to join. Seeing Jiang Sijin's retreating figure, she spoke softly. Upon hearing her words, Jiang Peihuan nodded.
The loquats were indeed ripe, and from a distance, patches of golden yellow were visible.
Jiang Sijin stood under the tree, calling out to Jiang Peihuan, "Elder Sister, come quickly!"
As she spoke, she had already rolled up her sleeves. At this moment, Jiang Peihuan approached and whispered, "Be careful not to fall from the tree."
"Don't worry, Elder Sister, I definitely won't fall."
"Meng Er, fetch me a basket to put the loquats in later."
"Yes, Miss."
Meng Er had been following Jiang Sijin the whole time and had a lively personality. In no time, she arrived at the tree with a large basket.
With the tools in place, Sijin began to examine the loquat tree before her. After choosing a relatively large tree, she leaped and climbed onto a branch.
Sijin moved swiftly, quickly reaching the tree's center where she could pick the loquats.
"Elder Sister, I'm starting to pluck them. Help me see which loquat is larger."
"Alright, be careful and stay safe."
Jiang Peihuan responded and then looked up at the loquats on the tree.
In the distance, Xiao Nanye was approaching with Xiao Junmo.
"Master, it's the Eldest Miss and her group."
Han Feng noticed Jiang Peihuan's group from afar and quickly alerted his master.
Xiao Nanye's vision was sharp, and he immediately spotted Jiang Peihuan standing under a tree.
She looked up, a faint smile gracing her lips.
Perhaps the sun was too bright, so she shielded her eyes with her hand. That's when Xiao Nanye caught sight of the ring on her finger.
Upon seeing the ring, Xiao Nanye's lips curved into a smile.
"Young Miss, someone is coming."
Hearing the voice, Ye Xiao whispered into Jiang Peihuan's ear.
Upon hearing Ye Xiao's words, Jiang Peihuan turned her head. Her eyes met Xiao Nanye, who was on horseback, dressed in white, radiating a jade-like aura.
She wondered if it was her imagination, but she thought she saw a smile on the man's face.
At that moment, Xiao Junmo looked at Xiao Nanye and asked, "Uncle, did you come here just to see that woman?"
Hearing this, Xiao Nanye's expression became neutral. "I came here to enjoy the scenery."
Xiao Junmo fell silent.
Han Feng was speechless
"Han Feng, who is that girl on the tree?"
Jiang Sijin's laughter was quite conspicuous. Xiao Junmo's eyes were filled with curiosity as he saw the girl in red.
Hearing Xiao Junmo's question, Han Feng couldn't help but reply, "Your Highness, Prine An, that's the Third Miss of the General's Mansion. She's about the same age as you."
So, it would be better not to call her a little girl.
"Sijin, come down."
As Xiao Nanye and his group slowly approached, Jiang Peihuan called to Jiang Sijin on the tree. Realizing that someone was coming, Jiang Sijin heeded Jiang Peihuan's words and jumped down from the tree.