Chapter 25

After a while, the person in her arms seemed to fall asleep. Qin Chu gently helped Qiu Jinning settle into a comfortable position, then lifted the carriage curtain and instructed Guanzi, “Go squeeze into the Qiu residence’s carriage. Miss Qiu has fallen asleep.”

Nanny Ziyun felt conflicted. Thinking of Madam’s instructions, she still disapproved. “Sorry to trouble you, Miss Qin, but please wake our Miss.” If they weren’t going to stop them, then fine, but how had Miss even fallen asleep in someone else’s carriage?

Guanzi instinctively retorted, “Forget it. With that tiny carriage of yours, can she even sleep well? Our Qin residence’s carriage is not only spacious, it’s padded with a soft quilt. Who knows how comfortable it is to sleep in? Stop being so fussy and don’t disturb Miss Qiu’s sweet dreams.”

Nanny Ziyun was choked speechless. For one brief moment, she even felt that this plump jar in front of her was the one who truly seemed like Miss’s maid, while she herself was an unreasonable outsider who did not know what was good for her.

Madam’s worries did not seem unnecessary after all. It was just that she had gotten the situation backward. From the look of things, it did not seem like the Qin family’s good-for-nothing was clinging to her Miss. Instead, it seemed more like their Miss was the one suspected of clinging to Qin Chu.

What was she supposed to do now?

Seeing that Guanzi had made Nanny Ziyun stop insisting with one sentence, Qin Chu nodded, signaling for them to set off.

After lowering the carriage curtain, she looked at Qiu Jinning, who was sleeping sweetly. Perhaps because of the phoenix painting, Qiu Jinning had not worn the red ruqun she liked today, but had changed into another outfit.

It was early summer. Qiu Jinning wore a silk white top tucked into a flowing green skirt, and a white jade tablet still hung at her waist. The pairing was simple, setting off her elegant, noble air.

At this moment, Qiu Jinning was asleep with her eyes closed. Her thick, long lashes trembled almost imperceptibly before she slowly opened her eyes. There was a trace of laziness in them, like a drowsy cat in the afternoon, making one’s heart soften.

“Qin Chu… have we set off?”

Qin Chu said softly, “We have.”

After speaking, she felt inexplicably nervous. She did not know what she was nervous about, so she searched for something to say. “Your clothes today… this outfit looks very nice.”

Qiu Jinning was silent for a moment. “Actually, I do not like red. Mother always says my temperament is too cold, and simple colors make me look unapproachable, so she suggested that I wear brighter colors.”

Perhaps because she was still a little sleepy, her tone was light and gentle, and her eyes also carried a trace of tender warmth.

Qin Chu suppressed the inexplicable nervousness in her heart and said seriously, “You are very good. Whatever color you wear looks good.”

“Mm…”

“Are you feeling better now? Has the love gu settled down?” Qin Chu asked with concern.

Hearing this, Qiu Jinning closed her eyes and slowly said, “Come closer to me.”

Qin Chu’s breath tightened. She lay down beside Qiu Jinning. The Qin family’s carriage was very spacious, almost twice the size of the Qiu residence’s carriage. It was large enough for two people to lie side by side.

Qiu Jinning turned slightly onto her side, hugged Qin Chu’s arm, found a comfortable position, and seemed to fall asleep again.

Qin Chu stiffened, trying hard to calm her breathing. But the more she suppressed it, the more chaotic it became, and her breathing gradually grew heavier.

She took a deep breath, then turned onto her side as well. She shifted the pillow upward, pulled her arm free, and placed it above Qiu Jinning’s head, gently shielding the person in her arms.

“I’ll stay closer to you, so the love gu won’t become restless again.” It was an obvious attempt to cover things up, unable [stolen content]to hide the thoughts stirring in her heart.

The person in her arms did not respond, as if she had already fallen asleep. Qin Chu smiled silently, her fingers gently hooking around Qiu Jinning’s hair as she closed her eyes to rest.

Buried in her embrace, Qiu Jinning faintly curved her lips and nuzzled closer into Qin Chu’s arms. Only then did she drift off to sleep.

The carriage traveled for another half day and stopped outside an inn in a town before night fell.

The innkeeper had a kind face. Seeing that two young ladies had arrived with servants, he hurriedly greeted them. “Guests, are you here to dine or stay the night? This humble shop has wine and dishes, clean rooms, and everything needed for resting or lodging.”

Qin Chu did not speak. She looked at the little maid rushing ahead. At certain times, Guanzi was still reliable—she just loved spouting nonsense.

“Four upper rooms. Send the wine and dishes to the rooms.”

“Very good. Guests, please go upstairs. Four upper rooms!” The innkeeper beamed and hurriedly called for a waiter to lead the way.

Guanzi looked around the hall. It was crowded and full of eyes. The rooms would be quieter. Before departure, Master had specially instructed her that she must not be stingy when it came to food and lodging, and must not let Miss suffer.

Rounded up, as Miss’s personal head maid, of course she could not suffer either. In any case, Miss doted on her.

Nanny Ziyun touched her money pouch. Upper rooms—and four of them. The Qin family was truly wealthy and extravagant. Were even the coachmen going to stay in upper rooms?

Before she could step forward and speak to the innkeeper, Guanzi looked toward Qiu Jinning. “Miss Qiu, will two upper rooms be enough?”

Qiu Jinning hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded, accepting the Qin family’s kindness.

In her heart, she resolved that once they arrived in the capital, she absolutely could not let Qin Chu pay for the rental house.

Nanny Ziyun’s hand left her money pouch again. Looking at Qin Chu and Guanzi, who had already gone upstairs, she could not help saying, “Miss, tonight you aren’t going to sleep in the same room as Eldest Miss Qin, are you?”

Qiu Jinning’s expression paused. “Nanny, why would you say that? Miss Qin means that she and I will each have one upper room, Guanzi will have one, and you and Luyao will have one. The coachmen will sleep downstairs.”

Seeing this, Luyao tugged Nanny Ziyun and whispered, “Nanny, what are you thinking? Why are you so muddled? Our Miss and Eldest Miss Qin aren’t even married yet. How could they sleep together?”

Nanny Ziyun: “…”

Fine. She was muddled. She was overthinking.

Eh, wait. Married?

Before she could ask further, Luyao had already helped Qiu Jinning upstairs.

Qin Chu’s room was beside Qiu Jinning’s, and Guanzi’s room was next to hers. Nanny Ziyun and Luyao stayed across from them.

Very soon, the waiter brought in a table full of wine and dishes. Guanzi eagerly poured wine. “Miss, try the wine here and see how it is. How does it compare to our Qin family’s wine?”

Qin Chu smiled. “Enough. You don’t need to serve me either. Hurry and sit down to eat.”

“Thank you, Miss. Then this servant won’t be polite.” Guanzi happily sat down. Miss had stolen content treated her well in the past too, but rarely allowed her to eat at the same table. Ever since Miss had gotten drunk on Lantern Festival night, she had treated Guanzi even better after waking up.

Not only did she rarely punish her, she often allowed her to eat together. Boohoo, Miss was so good.

Guanzi was deeply moved in her heart when she suddenly saw Qin Chu’s expression change. “Guanzi, did Miss Qiu’s side also receive wine with their meal?”

“Of course. It’s exactly the same as ours. This servant arranged everything properly. Miss, don’t worry.”

Qin Chu’s hand paused around her chopsticks. Properly? It was precisely improper.

Qiu Jinning’s love gu could flare up now even without smelling alcohol. If she smelled wine, how could that be fine?

Distractedly finishing her meal, Qin Chu sent the little maid away. Hearing that it had grown quieter outside, she was still worried and went next door, gently knocking on the door.

The sky had completely darkened. Lamps had been lit in the inn, and the yellowish light cast her shadow onto the door and window. Qiu Jinning’s voice came from inside. “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Qin Chu.”

The door creaked open. Qiu Jinning seemed to have just finished bathing. Ink-black hair fell over her shoulders, and her bare face seemed to have emerged from dense mist, surrounded by dampness. She truly embodied the phrase: a lotus rising from water.

Qin Chu studied her expression. She should be clear-headed. There was a faint blush on her face, but Qin Chu did not know whether it was because of the steam from the bath or the love gu.

“Guanzi didn’t know the situation and ordered wine with the dishes. You didn’t drink any, did you?”

Qiu Jinning lightly shook her head and turned sideways to let her in.

Qin Chu relaxed slightly. “Then did you smell any wine? Does your body feel uncomfortable?”

Seeing Qin Chu so worried, Qiu Jinning curved her lips in a smile. “It is fine. Although I smelled a little, I can still endure it.”

In truth, the moment she saw the wine pot, she had instructed Luyao to take the wine away and had not been affected.

However, since the person before her was so worried, she naturally could not let this kindness go to waste.

Hearing that she was enduring it, Qin Chu’s heart lifted again. She entered the room, but then did not know what to say.

Was she supposed to say, “Now that I’m here, you don’t have to endure”?

That sounded like something a lecher trying to take advantage would say.

She thought it over and spoke uneasily. “Is enduring it uncomfortable? If it’s uncomfortable, don’t force yourself.”

It was over. Once the words reached her lips, they did not follow her heart. Now she sounded even more like a lecher.

“If I do not force myself, then what? If the love gu is not removed, I fear I will have to endure it often from now on.” Qiu Jinning sat by the bed. Her tone was lonely, yet also carried a trace of carelessness.

Only the corner of her lips seemed to carry the faintest hint of a smile, light and unclear, making it impossible to be certain.

Qin Chu frowned slightly. After hesitating for a moment, she rose from the chair by the table and sat beside Qiu Jinning. Her unauthorized copyeyes stared fixedly at the candle on the table. “When I am here, you do not need to endure.”

Her tone was weak, and her gaze drifted, not daring to look at the person beside her.

She absolutely was not taking advantage of someone in distress. This was called being helpful. That was right. She was a good person who loved making things convenient for others.

She sat stiffly for a long while, but the person beside her did not move. Just as Qin Chu was about to turn her head and look, Qiu Jinning slowly hugged her arm.

She froze in place again, enduring her faintly trembling breaths. She said in a low voice, “If you are uncomfortable, you—you may do whatever you like. I’m fine with anything.”

The person hugging her arm paused, seeming hesitant.

Qin Chu stared straight ahead, letting her heartbeat lose its balance. She did not dare turn her head to look. A thread of anticipation slowly rose in her heart, complicated and hard to describe.

At that moment, a fair hand lifted slightly. The loose inner garment slipped downward, revealing a pale wrist that nearly outshone the white fabric.

Qin Chu’s breath hitched, and her eyes uncontrollably closed.

A cool wrist wrapped around her neck. The person beside her leaned over, bringing Qin Chu down onto the bed with her.

Qin Chu lay on the bed, eyes closed, hands resting on the brocade quilt and unconsciously clenching tightly.

The corner of her lips was touched lightly. It was an extremely faint, gentle touch, restrained and hesitant.

Her eyelids could not help trembling rapidly before she slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Qiu Jinning licking the corner of her lips, her eyes deep, dark, and difficult to understand.

“Qin Chu…”

“Mm…”

Qin Chu responded, the corners of her mouth drawn into a tight, nervous line, making it hard to part her lips.

Qiu Jinning did not speak again. After looking at her for a moment, she laid her cheek against Qin Chu’s neck and quietly leaned there.

“Qin Chu…” The person in her arms called softly, then fell silent again.

Qin Chu slowly raised her hand and placed it on Qiu Jinning’s back, gently stroking. “I’m here.”

After a long while, the person in her arms sighed faintly. “Qin Chu… stay tonight.”

“Mm—” Mm? Qin Chu nearly hammered the bed and sat up. She could not panic. She could not panic. Qiu Jinning must be bewitched by the love gu, enduring it so painfully that she was saying this.

She could not panic—

Qiu Jinning leaned in her arms for a while longer, then turned over and lay facing inward. “Sleep. We still have to travel tomorrow morning.”

Qin Chu was stunned. The atmosphere had reached this point—who could still sleep?

Just then, urgent knocking sounded outside.

“Miss, Miss, are you asleep? This old servant came to chat with you for a while.” Ignoring Luyao’s attempts to stop her, Nanny Ziyun insisted on knocking.

Their room was across the hall, and just now, through the window, she had clearly seen Qin the Good-for-Nothing enter Qiu Jinning’s room and remain inside for a long time.

During the day, she had failed to stop them because she had not reacted in time. At night, she absolutely had to stop them. Just as the little maid had said, they were not even married yet. How could they sleep together?

Bah. Miss would never marry Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing. Master and Madam would not agree. Otherwise, why would they have specifically sent her along?

“Nanny, sleep early. If there is anything, we can speak tomorrow.” Qiu Jinning sat up and answered toward the door.

Unexpectedly, Nanny Ziyun not only did not leave, but knocked even more urgently.

Inside the room, Qin Chu and Qiu Jinning looked at each other.

“Nanny may have seen you come in,” Qiu Jinning guessed. For Nanny Ziyun to persist like this, there was a high chance she had seen.

“Then what do we do?” Qin Chu unconsciously panicked.

Qiu Jinning slowly curved her lips. “Go open the door and return to sleep.”

Qin Chu instinctively nodded. She had just opened the door [stolen content]when she heard the room door shut behind her.

Qiu Jinning’s light voice floated from inside. “I am a little tired. I will sleep first.”

Qin Chu stood in the wind, facing Nanny Ziyun’s scrutinizing gaze with a face full of helpless confusion.

How had things developed into this? Miss Qiu was burning the bridge after crossing the river!

Nanny Ziyun stared straight at her, brows raised and eyes furious. “Why was Miss Qin in our Miss’s room? Wandering in your sleep instead of sleeping at this hour?”

Qin Chu chuckled dryly. “Well, I couldn’t sleep, so I came to chat with Miss Qiu.”

Nanny Ziyun blocked the doorway. “As it happens, this old servant cannot sleep either. Miss Qin, what did you want to chat about? This old servant will accompany you tonight.”

Heaven-killing good-for-nothing. She had actually entered Miss’s room at night. Even if Nanny Ziyun had to stay awake all night, she would guard Miss well.

The corner of Qin Chu’s mouth twitched. “No need, no need. Nanny, you are old. Please sleep early. I’ll leave now.”

Staying up late at such an age was really not healthy.

“This old servant’s energy is excellent. It doesn’t matter if I don’t sleep.” Nanny Ziyun had an expression that said she would not stop until she had a long, all-night conversation with Qin Chu, refusing to give way even half a step.

Qin Chu was immediately speechless. Luyao, who was beside them, saw this and hurriedly grabbed Nanny Ziyun’s arm. “Nanny, let’s go back quickly. We still have to travel tomorrow morning. Why are you fussing around blindly? Miss Qin doesn’t have time to chat with you. If she’s going to accompany anyone, it would be our Miss.”

“Ah, right, right. I’ll go back to my room first.” Qin Chu quickly echoed unauthorized copytwice and fled back next door as if escaping. Opening the door, closing the door—everything was done in one smooth motion, as if a tiger were chasing her from behind.

This nanny was far too frightening. She acted like she was catching a thief, scaring Qin Chu into feeling guilty.

Nanny Ziyun returned victorious and did not forget to poke Luyao’s forehead, lecturing, “You little girl, why are your elbows turning outward? I’m telling you, tonight you’re not allowed to sleep. Keep watch carefully for me.”

“All right, all right. Watch if you want to watch.” Luyao perfunctorily yawned. Nanny was far too tactless. She had served beside Madam for half her life, yet she did not even understand the principle of helping lovers fulfill a good thing. Wasn’t she ruining Miss’s good moment?

Speaking of which, Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing was no good either. What was she being so timid for? What would happen if she simply refused to come out? Could Nanny really force her way inside?

Luyao continued complaining inwardly, ignored Nanny Ziyun sitting by the window, and went to sleep early.

The next day, after resting for a night, everyone was in decent spirits. Only Nanny Ziyun kept yawning. The moment she got into the carriage, her body tilted, and she fell asleep.

Luyao whispered, “Miss, Nanny Ziyun didn’t sleep much last night. Our carriage is too small. Why don’t you go squeeze in with Miss Qin?”

Look at her. She was so understanding, accurately grasping Miss’s thoughts.

Qiu Jinning helplessly glanced at her. “Do not speak nonsense.”

Last night, in a moment of emotional chaos, she had said words hoping the other person would stay overnight. Afterward, she only felt embarrassed. She still had not thought through how to face Qin Chu, or how to be alone with that person.

Seeing that Qiu Jinning remained unmoved, Luyao silently leaned against the carriage window. Miss really said one thing and meant another. In the past, she had clearly gone to stand on the road behind the county yamen like a wife-stone every day just to see Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing once. Now she was acting reserved.

Young people these days really were not frank.

On the other side, Guanzi looked at her own young lady’s listless appearance and gossiped, “Miss, what are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.” Qin Chu’s mind was filled with last night. How could Qiu Jinning burn the bridge after crossing it? That was too unkind.

Guanzi’s eyes turned, and she whispered, “How about this servant invites Miss Qiu over?”

Qin Chu glared at her. “Speak less. Don’t act recklessly.”

Guanzi rolled her eyes. Did Miss think she didn’t know what happened last night? She had heard the commotion and pressed herself to the door, listening carefully for a long while. Miss had run to find Miss Qiu in the middle of the night and had been driven back by Nanny Ziyun. Too disappointing.

Over the next two days, Qin Chu barely managed to speak with Qiu Jinning. First, Qiu Jinning seemed to be deliberately avoiding her. Second, Nanny Ziyun was always watching like a tiger eyeing its prey, completely ruining the mood.

The carriage soon entered the towering imperial capital.

It was Qin Chu’s first time entering the capital. She lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside. She saw tall pavilions standing everywhere, pedestrians weaving back and forth, and the streets bustling with extraordinary liveliness. Prosperity was fully on display.

Under Nanny Ziyun’s directions, the carriage stopped outside a certain courtyard.

This was also why Madam Qiu had sent her along. Nanny Ziyun had been to the capital several times and knew where Eldest Young Master Qiu Shou’an was staying.

Qiu Shou’an had received the news a day earlier and specially did not go out today. As soon as he heard the young servant report that they had arrived, he hurried out to welcome them.

“Jinning, you’ve finally come.”

“Elder Brother, this is Miss Qin of the Qin family, Qin Chu. She has accompanied me to the capital this time.” Qiu Jinning nodded and introduced the person beside her.

Qiu Shou’an raised his brows. “Miss Qin?”

He looked over Qin Chu’s left leg, which stood somewhat crookedly. He had seen this woman twice before. She was the famous great good-for-nothing of the Qin family in Jiuqu County.

Qin Chu hurriedly cupped her hands in greeting. “Hello, Elder Brother—no, I mean, hello, Brother Qiu. I am Qin Chu.”

Qiu Jinning lowered her head to hide a smile. Nanny Ziyun and the two little maids all twitched at the corners of their eyes.

Nanny Ziyun: This shameless good-for-nothing!

Luyao: Miss Qin has finally improved!

Guanzi: Miss is mighty! Miss is domineering! Miss is unrivaled!