Chapter 480: Chapter 467: Unpredictable Tactics

The carriage arrived at Qingzhuyuan. Ning Feng had been waiting at the gate.

Upon seeing the anxious expression on Ning Feng’s face, Chu Jinnian’s gaze deepened, “Is there a problem with Mr. Fan?”

Ning Feng widened his eyes.

It was indeed his young master who had quickly guessed that something was up with Fan Wenxuan.

“First Young Master, ever since Mr. Fan woke up this morning to find that you and Third Young Master had left, he locked himself in his room, not eating or drinking anything for a whole day. I have been persuading him for a while from the outside of the door, but he won’t open it.”

“Just when I was about to knock on the door again, there was no movement inside. I was afraid that Mr. Fan, who hadn’t had a drop of water or a grain of rice all day, might have had an accident. I was thinking of ordering someone to break down the door, but then I heard that you were back, First Young Master, so I hurriedly came to seek advice from you.”

On this cold winter day, Ning Feng was drenched in sweat from his panic. After speaking with Chu Jinnian, he quickly wiped his sweat off, then anxiously looked at Chu Jinnian.

With utter composure, Chu Jinnian adjusted his sleeve, “Jinzhou fell asleep in the carriage. Let someone take him to his room to rest for a while first.”

“As for Mr. Fan…”

“I’ll go check on him later.”

“Okay.” Ning Feng agreed, quickly arranging for someone to carry Chu Jinzhou from the carriage to his room.

Once everything was set up and people had started preparing dinner, Ning Feng was still a bit worried about Fan Wenxuan. As he was about to go check on him, he heard a servant saying that Chu Jinnian was still drinking tea in the flower hall, and hadn’t gone to check on him yet.

A worried look spread across Ning Feng’s face as he approached Chu Jinnian, “First Young Master, Mr. Fan’s situation…”

“It’s not time yet.” Chu Jinnian glanced at the sky, “We should wait for another cup of tea.”

Another cup of tea’s time…

Was he referring to the time it would take for Mr. Fan’s corpse to cool down?

Ning Feng was suddenly reminded of those scholars from operas who could be killed but not insulted.

But as much as he worried, since Chu Jinnian said the time wasn’t right, there must be a reason for it.

Ning Feng sat on tenterhooks, enduring this cup-of-tea wait next to Chu Jinnian.

It wasn’t until Chu Jinnian set down his teacup, stood up, and began walking towards Fan Wenxuan’s quarter that Ning Feng finally sprang up joyfully to follow.

Upon arriving at Fan Wenxuan’s quarter, Ning Feng quickly moved forward, about to knock on the door.

Chu Jinnian reached out to stop him, putting a finger to his lips to signal that he should remain quiet.

Only when Ning Feng backed away did Chu Jinnian approach the door and kicked it open with sudden force.

“Bang!”

The door swung open instantly.

Ning Feng was immediately frozen in place.

Fan Wenxuan, who was chomping down on a honey-roasted chicken wing, also paused for a moment. He looked at Chu Jinnian’s somewhat sombre face and chuckled, waving the chicken wing in his hand, “First Young Master is back.”

“This wing was just roasted, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, tastes just right. Would you like to try some, First Young Master?”

“Such a delicacy is better left for Mr. Fan to enjoy.” Chu Jinnian said calmly, “Jinzhou and I brought some lotus cakes with us today. I’ll have someone deliver them to Mr. Fan later.”

Fan Wenxuan, who had hoped to eat secretly in his room and feign fasting in front of others, but had been caught red-handed, felt quite awkward and wished he could find a hole to hide in. Not knowing how the vengeful Chu Jinnian would react, he was on tenterhooks.

But hearing that Chu Jinnian brought him lotus cakes instead of expressing his anger, Fan Wenxuan felt surprised and overwhelmed by the favor.

“Thank you, First Young Master, for your consideration.”

“Mr. Fan, enjoy your meal. I won’t disturb you.” Chu Jinnian left this remark and began to walk away, hands folded behind his back.

Fan Wenxuan, still chewing on the remaining chicken wing, watched Chu Jinnian’s retreating figure, lost in thought.

“What’s up with the First Young Master?” Fan Wenxuan, unable to figure it out, eventually could only ask Ning Feng.

This kindness and generosity didn’t seem like his usual style at all.

As to what’s wrong with the eldest son, Ning Feng wasn’t sure; all he knew was that he was in quite a low mood now.

He was originally quite worried about Fan Wenxuan’s condition, as restless as an ant on a hot pan. Yet Fan Wenxuan turned out to be perfectly fine, hiding in his room and secretly eating chicken wings.

And he, on the other hand, had thought Fan Wenxuan would be embarrassed and distressed because of last night’s awkwardness.

Truly naive, he still couldn’t see through Fan Wenxuan’s ways!

Ning Feng sighed helplessly without answering Fan Wenxuan; he simply took a couple steps backward and somberly left.

“Ah…”

What’s with everyone acting so oddly!

Fan Wenxuan nibbled another mouthful of the chicken wing, smacking his lips involuntarily.

In fact, the taste of the chicken wings that were roasted with honey was really good.

Lets have Chu Jinzhou try it later too.

—-

That night, thin clouds veiled the moon.

After having tossed and turned the previous night, Fan Wenxuan was exhausted. Seeing Chu Jinnian in a seemingly good mood lightened his mood significantly, so he determinedly went to sleep early.

Of course, Chu Jinzhou was always one to sleep early and rise early.

Only Chu Jinnian’s study still had its lights on.

“Master, Su Mu and Su Ye are here.” said Jing Zhao.

“Mmm, let them in.” Chu Jinnian set the scroll in his hand on the table.

Moments later, two tall, black-clad women briskly stepped in and half knelt in salute, “We are at your service, Master.”

“Rise.” Chu Jinnian lifted his gaze and swept over Su Mu and Su Ye, “The two of you are the top two secret guards. I’m assigning you to protect Miss Zhuang; do you know why?”

“Master commanded, we follow orders without need to know the reasons.” The leading Su Mu replied.

Chu Jinnian nodded, “Well said.”

Absolute obedience is something a qualified secret guard must have.

“I called the two of you here today to remind you once more, Miss Zhuang holds an important status; you must guard her carefully.” said Chu Jinnian, “Additionally…”

Chu Jinnian looked towards Jing Zhao.

Jing Zhao handed the token she was holding to Su Mu.

This is…

Su Mu’s pupils suddenly contracted.

This is a token used to assemble the other secret guards. Moreover, it had special significance in the Qiao family – possessing this token was equivalent to Miss Qiao Er herself, and it could be used to order any servants, businesses, or even subsidiary clan members of the Qiao family.

Such a token would only belong to the current and future patriarchs of the Qiao family.

However, because Mr. Qiao favored his second daughter greatly, he specially made a token for Miss Qiao Er. Later, because Mr. Qiao wanted to support Chu Jinnian, who had suffered hardship since he was young, and for the sake of his love for his daughter, he also made a token for Chu Jinnian.

And after the early death of Miss Qiao Er, her token naturally fell into Chu Jinnian’s hands.

Right now, Chu Jinnian was actually giving this token to them…

Was it to better protect this Miss Zhuang?

Before Su Mu could think any further, Chu Jinnian said, “You should understand my intent.”

“In case of an emergency, you have my permission to take the needed action.”