After listening to Madam Qin’s instructions, Qi Zhenzhen nodded in agreement.
“He…” Madam Qin hesitated, wanting to confide in someone, but then remembered Zhenzhen was her daughter-in-law and the words caught in her throat.
“It’s nothing,” Madam Qin waved her hand, signaling Qi Zhenzhen to leave.
It was already late, and any thanks would have to wait until tomorrow.
Back in her room, Qi Zhenzhen asked Chunfeng to prepare a few items and pack them, ready to be sent to Xie Chen tomorrow.
“Second Sister, is Auntie alright?” Qi Xuanxuan asked with concern.
“She’s fine, just a little startled. She’ll drink a calming soup and sleep it off. How about you, weren’t you scared?” Qi Zhenzhen asked.
The bamboo viper’s head was bloodied from being hit, a rather gruesome sight at first glance.
“I didn’t see it clearly,” Qi Xuanxuan said calmly. “Besides, I’ve always been brave, it’s nothing.”
Qi Zhenzhen was still a bit worried and instructed Ziyan, “Sister Ziyan, please keep a close eye on Xuanxuan tonight, don’t let her have nightmares.”
“Madam of the Heir Apparent, rest assured, this servant will take good care of the Third Miss,” Ziyan replied.
The mountain night breeze was cool and refreshing. Qi Zhenzhen slept more comfortably than usual.
She slept soundly and woke up as dawn began to break.
After a simple wash, Qi Zhenzhen walked alone towards the back.
Taihe Temple backed onto the forest, with fresh air, perfect for morning practice.
“You know martial arts?”
Qi Zhenzhen stopped her punch and was adjusting her breathing when a voice suddenly came from behind her.
As she turned, she quickly retreated, assuming a defensive stance, and cautiously scanned the source of the voice.
“If I were a villain, your caution would be too late,” Xie Chen, dressed in a fitted outfit, emerged from behind the bushes.
Seeing him, Qi Zhenzhen breathed a sigh of relief. “Junior greets the Earl of Ankang.”
Xie Chen raised an eyebrow slightly. “You know who I am?”
“The maids by my side are quite familiar with the noble families in the capital,” Qi Zhenzhen replied.
“I see.” A hint of imperceptible melancholy crept into Xie Chen’s voice. Of course, why would she mention his identity to others? She was trying to avoid him. Didn’t she hastily retreat when they met yesterday?
“I haven’t asked yet, what is your relationship with the Duchess?” Xie Chen asked again.
Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law? Qi Zhenzhen was surprised. She had figured out Xie Chen’s identity yesterday, but had Xie Chen not investigated her relationship with Madam Qin?
“Ah Nian’s wife?” Xie Chen looked at Qi Zhenzhen a few more times. “Indeed, Ah Nian is already twenty, it’s time he got married.”
“You know my husband?” Qi Zhenzhen asked. Although she had guessed the relationship between Xie Chen and Madam Qin, she couldn’t show it to the person involved. After all, while her maids might know his identity, they certainly wouldn’t know his personal past.
“He is the son of a dear friend,” Xie Chen said.
Qi Zhenzhen continued to feign ignorance. “Are you and my late father-in-law old friends?”
Xie Chen did not answer the question but instead said, “I was presumptuous yesterday. Did I frighten your mother-in-law? I wanted to apologize, but I was afraid of being too forward.”
“My mother-in-law is fine. I haven’t properly thanked the Earl of Ankang for his righteous intervention yesterday,” Qi Zhenzhen said politely.
As a junior, it was not appropriate for her to express herself casually regarding the matters of the previous generation.
Xie Chen waved his hand. “I saw you practicing just now. Although you have no internal energy, your every move is not mere showmanship. Even if I hadn’t intervened, that snake likely wouldn’t have posed a threat to you.”
“Provided I discovered it,” Qi Zhenzhen said with some shame. Perhaps after living a peaceful life for too long, her sense of crisis had considerably dulled. She had considered the danger of encountering ill-intentioned people, but hadn’t included venomous snakes in that scope. She truly hadn’t seen it.