Chapter 210.4

Suddenly, distant shouts were heard. It was clearly Second Young Master Xiao’s voice.

Xiao Jirou returned to her senses with a start, pushing Qing Wang away and running off without looking back.

Qing Wang said something behind her, but she didn’t hear what he said at all.

“Where did you go? Qiong’er said you weren’t in the side room, and we got worried searching all around for you.” Seeing his younger sister coming from a distance, Second Young Master Xiao took a few big steps to reach her.

Xiao Jirou lowered her eyes slightly, saying, “I wanted to go to the bathroom, but I got lost on the way. I heard you calling me, so I followed the sound back.”

Second Young Master Xiao stared at her suspiciously, “For real?”

“Of course, in this wild and remote place, I don’t know the way. How could I dare to run around randomly?” Xiao Jirou quickly made up an excuse and changed the subject, asking, “By the way, Second Brother, didn’t you say you were going out for something? How did it go?”

As soon as this matter was mentioned, a shadow crossed Second Young Master Xiao’s face.

“Believe it or not, it’s really unfortunate. Jiang Chao accidentally bumped into someone while riding a horse outside. The other party held him responsible and insisted on having him accompany him to the clinic to see a doctor. He wouldn’t even let his attendants replace him. Just now, someone from the Jiang Family came and said that he probably won’t be able to make it today.”

Xiao Jirou’s heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t dare to express her suspicion to Second Young Master Xiao. She could only say, “If he can’t come, then he can’t. Let’s just consider this trip as a visit to the temple.”

“Indeed, there’s nothing else we can do.”

After that, the two of them didn’t have their meal at the temple and left Puyuan Temple.

Throughout the whole afternoon, Xiao Jirou was burdened with heavy thoughts.

She couldn’t sleep at night either. By the dim lamplight, she stared at the canopy above her bed.

She thought about many things, yet it seemed like she didn’t think about anything at all. The surroundings were quiet, and from time to time, the murmured words of the maids on night watch resting in the outer room could be heard.

Xiao Jirou turned onto one side, and then onto the other.

The window suddenly made a sound, unusually clear in the silent night. As she couldn’t see the southern window from her bed, Xiao Jirou didn’t think much of it, assuming it was the sound of the wind.

Only when the silhouette of a figure, evidently male, appeared outside the canopy did she realize that a thief had entered.

She was quite scared and instinctively wanted to call for help, but the gauze curtain was suddenly parted from the outside, revealing the identity of the intruder.

Who else could it be but Qing Wang?

Qing Wang was dressed completely in black, unexpectedly adopting the ways of a rogue who invades young ladies’ chambers in the dead of night to have illicit relations.

Xiao Jirou was utterly shocked. When she finally gathered her wits and intended to chase him away, Qing Wang had already approached her bedside.

“How did you get in? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?” she demanded.

“I missed you. I couldn’t sleep and I wanted to see you,” he replied.

“Now that you’ve seen me, leave quickly.” Unexplainably, she felt a sense of fear and spoke sharply.

Qing Wang glanced around and said, “I didn’t finish what I wanted to say this afternoon. If you can’t sleep, let’s talk.”

“Who talks in the middle of the night? Leave now, or I’ll call for help,” she threatened.

“Go ahead and call. Call your brother and father here to beat me up. I know you won’t feel sorry for me since I deserve it,” Qing Wang responded.

Xiao Jirou anxiously said, “Why have you become like this? Why are you acting so shameless?”

Of course, someone had taught him this, but Qing Wang definitely would not admit it.

Qing Wang pleaded, “Jirou, don’t be angry. Let’s talk, just talk.”

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Anything. Since I came to the capital, you’ve been avoiding talking to me. Unlike before, you used to have so much to say.”

Xiao Jirou’s throat felt stifled. “Why do you think I don’t want to talk to you? Don’t you know?”

“It was me who was blind and couldn’t think clearly, doing all those things that made you unhappy. Every time I wanted to explain myself, you evaded the topic, and it gradually became difficult for me to speak up.” He sighed, looking at her with a bitter smile. After a moment, he continued, “You might not believe me if I say this, but I’ve never truly liked her. I only felt pity for her…”

Xiao Jirou coldly interrupted, “You mean you felt affection for her.”

“Please let me finish. Just this once. I won’t mention her again.” Qing Wang pleaded.

Xiao Jirou pursed her lips, remaining silent.

Qing Wang continued, “The first time we did it, I said I was drunk, and you didn’t believe me. It wasn’t until our last meeting that I learned she had actually drugged me…”

That night, Qing Wang finally revealed everything to her.