Chapter 252: Chapter 252

Nanny Gui most disliked those who were sent to her for instruction and constantly emphasized their status, asking her to give them special attention. For such people, she was stricter and less amiable.

This was precisely why Heir Pei didn’t have the attendants convey a message asking Nanny Gui to give special consideration; doing so would only harm her.

It’s enough to simply mention their status; the key is learning propriety.

He knew Qu Fulan was intelligent and learned quickly, but he didn’t expect even Nanny Gui to praise her.

With Nanny Gui already satisfied, the Empress and others would hardly find fault.

However, her performance still exceeded his expectations.

For new attendees, even men, it’s often nerve-wracking meeting nobility for the first time.

Qu Fulan remained composed throughout, surprising everyone.

"The Princely Heir gives too much credit. In truth, I was nervous, just putting on a brave front," Qu Fulan replied honestly.

"Even then, you did better than the others," Pei Ji’an chuckled lightly.

Being praised in person, Qu Fulan felt a bit embarrassed. She awkwardly raised her hand to scratch her face, unknowingly smearing powder as she did.

Pei Ji’an reached out to her, "Give me your kerchief."

Though puzzled, Qu Fulan pulled the kerchief from her waist and handed it to him. He stepped forward, she instinctively stepped back, but he held her waist, "Don’t move."

Confused by the hand on her waist, she realized he was wiping her face, feeling more unnerved than when meeting the Empress and Noble Consort.

About to protest, he withdrew his hand, "There, it’s done."

Before calming down, she heard approaching hoofbeats. Looking up, who else could it be but Xiao Shiqing?

There he was, mounted, overlooking them, his expression inscrutable.

Since the winter hunt, it seemed ages since she last saw Xiao Shiqing, as if he adhered to their previous agreement by not seeking her out again.

Qu Fulan assumed he would simply dismount and enter the palace without acknowledging her.

But after dismounting, he approached her instead of heading into the palace.

Pei Ji’an narrowed his eyes and then stood as a barrier before Qu Fulan, gazing adversely at Xiao Shiqing.

Xiao Shiqing said nothing, but lowered his head, fetched something from his waist, and handed it to Qu Fulan, "Your sachet."

Qu Fulan stared at the sachet in his hand, baffled; it wasn’t hers.

"Prince Xiao, why are you giving me this sachet?"

Not only Qu Fulan was puzzled; even Heir Pei found it perplexing. Was Xiao Shiqing giving up his prized sachet so easily? Was he severing ties by returning all possessions?

Did he have such foresight?

Xiao Shiqing’s eyes flickered, then he looked at the object in his hand, realizing he took the wrong one, withdrew it, and retrieved another sachet from his waist, "Sorry, I took the wrong one, this is your sachet."

Qu Fulan gazed at it; indeed, it was the one she lost. Did Xiao Shiqing find it?

Though she now had a new sachet, reclaiming the old one, knowing it hadn’t fallen into someone else’s hands, was still preferable.

Yet, did Xiao Shiqing have to return it in front of Heir Pei? While accepting it without hesitation, she explained, "This sachet’s been lost for a while, I searched in vain; turns out Prince Xiao found it, thank you for returning it."

But, without her name on it, how did he know it was hers? Updates are released by NoveIＦire.net

Unless he saw her drop it.

Then at Yao Mountain, weren’t there many chances to return it discreetly? He could have easily had someone give it to her quietly.

Why choose today, in front of Heir Pei, to return it?

Though Qu Fulan did not accept Heir Pei, she didn’t want him upset.

Xiao Shiqing said nothing, staring at her intensely.

Pei Ji’an frowned, once more blocking Xiao Shiqing’s view, saying to Qu Fulan, "Let’s go, I’ll escort you home."

If Xiao Shiqing hadn’t appeared, Qu Fulan would have refused the entourage, but now she couldn’t reject.

The two boarded the carriage, its wheels turning, gradually leaving Xiao Shiqing’s view.

He watched the carriage depart, holding the sachet tightly.

This sachet was one she spent a month painstakingly sewing for him.

Her embroidery skills were excellent, typically it didn’t require so much time, but this was for him; she said she’d make a sachet so durable it wouldn’t tear with use.

Thus, it took a month.

Now, she didn’t recognize it.

"Why didn’t you take that sachet back when he offered it?"

In the carriage, Pei Ji’an asked.

If taken back, it’d mean severing all connections completely.

Qu Fulan was puzzled, "Why should I take that sachet?"

It wasn’t hers. Why did Heir Pei use the word ’take’? Could it be...

Qu Fulan vaguely guessed, quickly confirming.

"Isn’t that the sachet you embroidered for him? It had the character ’Li’ on it. At a palace banquet, he claimed his fiancée embroidered it for him," Pei Ji’an still harbored resentment.

Qu Fulan heard this, breaking into a cold sweat. When Xiao Shiqing showed the sachet earlier, there wasn’t any embroidery. How was she to know the original owner sewed it for him?

Such vital information left out of the book?

More importantly, when the original owner’s family had problems, she was merely eight or nine. How could a girl not yet ten know about embroidering sachets for men? Was she that eager?

Weren’t girls deemed of age at fifteen?

Her initial rejection of the Xiao Family was precisely due to her fear of a slip-up, yet still, some things couldn’t be avoided.

Contemplating these matters is futile now.

Even in that brief glance, the extravagance of the sachet’s embroidery was apparent. In contrast to the one in her hand...

Would Xiao Shiqing notice anything amiss, then grow suspicious? Though the handiwork belonged to the same person, they were worlds apart.

He must suspect something, otherwise, why would he delay returning her sachet? Perhaps always comparing it?

His decision to return it today wasn’t casual; he might have sought some confirmation.

Yet she didn’t recognize it.

Qu Fulan’s face involuntarily reflected discomfort and concern.

"Are you okay?" Heir Pei sensed something amiss.

Qu Fulan shook her head, "Nothing, I... might be busy lately; I need to go home and rest."

She needed solitude to contemplate. The sudden events had her mind in disarray.

If Xiao Shiqing suspected something, what would he do?

Would he invite some sage to cast spells upon her?

The myriad ways ancient people dealt with spirits emerged in her mind.

Her limbs grew colder still.