Chapter 37: Doesn’t That Prove You Started The Fire?
Jiang Ruanxi’s lips curved slightly, wishing she could clap for her.
After this woman spoke, everyone’s gazes turned strangely toward Lin Ningkun.
Lin Ningkun’s heart chilled, his face changing drastically, thinking someone had seen through it.
While his mind was in turmoil, a familiar voice came from the crowd.
“What nonsense are you all saying?”
As the voice fell, people turned to look at the newcomer.
They saw the elegantly dressed Jiang Xuerou approaching slowly.
She was perfectly fine from head to toe, without any trace of struggling in the fire, clearly showing she had not been inside just now.
Jiang Ruanxi was puzzled; she had clearly seen the two enter together, but why had only Lin Ningkun come out while Jiang Xuerou came from outside?
Everyone made way, and Jiang Xuerou stood before Lin Ningkun.
“Although this concubine was not in the courtyard, thank you still, Marquis, for risking your life to save me. This concubine…”
As she raised her head to speak, the words stuck in her mouth, her lips slightly parted as if she had seen a monster.
Jiang Ruanxi, standing beside Lin Ningkun, had sensed the ambiguous atmosphere between them when Jiang Xuerou spoke, but after seeing Lin Ningkun’s appearance, her lips twitched incessantly, even flashing a trace of disdain, which quickly vanished.
Jiang Ruanxi thought that if it weren’t in front of everyone now, Jiang Xuerou would probably scream in fright.
Her lover, once like a bright moon, had instantly become utterly ugly; how could she accept that?
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Jiang Xuerou kept her head down, concealing the embarrassment and disgust in her heart.
No matter how tenderly Lin Ningkun gazed at her, she never looked at him again.
Only then did Jiang Ruanxi understand that what Jiang Xuerou liked was probably only Lin Ningkun’s handsome appearance.
Indeed, there was a big difference between a swan and a toad.
One could accept a swan looking up at her, but not a toad staring at her all the time.
“You’re welcome. Our two families are originally relatives; this is what I should do.”
“Since everyone is fine, let’s go to the front courtyard. If we miss the auspicious time, it won’t be good.” To avoid complications, Lin Qingxu quickly said.
“Yes, yes, now that the fire is out, let’s go to the front courtyard. We mustn’t delay the big matter.”
At this time, Madam Wei, who had arrived with her, also said.
The people around gradually dispersed, and Jiang Ruanxi’s gaze lingered between the two.
Lin Ningkun still gazed tenderly at Jiang Xuerou, but she felt as if a ghost were chasing her from behind, her steps not stopping, even fleeing as if running away.
She had thought it was such deep affection, but it turned out to be nothing more.
Watching her back, Jiang Ruanxi’s lips revealed a cold smile.
Suddenly, she noticed a few wisps of black dust on Jiang Xuerou’s soles and skirt hem.
So she had indeed been inside earlier; most likely, when the fire started, Lin Ningkun had abandoned himself to protect her and get her out.
Jiang Ruanxi gazed deeply at the courtyard.
It seemed this courtyard had more than one door.
However, if Lin Ningkun later learned that the woman he had protected now looked at him with disdain and disgust, that would be even more interesting.
But now she needed to figure some things out.
Composing her emotions, Jiang Ruanxi put on a virtuous appearance.
“Second Sister just prepared a room for me; Marquis, why don’t you go wash up?”
Lin Ningkun looked at his filthy self; he had always been clean-freakish, so he didn’t give Jiang Ruanxi any attitude this time and soon left with the servant.
After everyone in the courtyard had left, Jiang Ruanxi’s face hardened.
“Hong Ye, what exactly happened just now?”
“Madam, Hong Ye is guilty. I did as you said, just lighting smoke to draw attention, but who would have thought it would get out of control and catch fire.”
Moreover, what shocked Hong Ye even more was that the Marquis was actually in the Heir Apparent’s Wife’s room.
“Madam, why didn’t you just say that the Marquis was actually already in the room?”
The Marquis and the Heir Apparent’s Wife in the same room—had they been together all along?
So was Lin Xiao the Heir Apparent’s or the Marquis’s?
The more Hong Ye thought, the more she felt she had uncovered something tremendous.
Jiang Ruanxi said indifferently, “If I said it, wouldn’t that prove you started the fire?”
Hong Ye hadn’t expected Jiang Ruanxi to consider her feelings, and she was deeply moved.
“Madam, this servant is fine. As long as this servant can help you vent your anger, even death would be worth it.”
Jiang Ruanxi looked at Hong Ye, who had always stayed by her side, and seeing her silly appearance, couldn’t help laughing.
“What nonsense. You are my person; naturally, I must protect you.”
Suddenly thinking of something, Jiang Ruanxi became serious. “About today’s matter, from now on, pretend you know nothing. Got it?”
She hadn’t found evidence yet; she couldn’t alert the enemy.
Hong Ye nodded vigorously. “Madam, rest assured; Hong Ye will keep my mouth shut.”
“Ah…”
As Jiang Ruanxi and Hong Ye were heading to the front courtyard, suddenly a earth-shattering wail of grief came from the guest room.
“Madam, it seems like the Marquis’s voice.”
Jiang Ruanxi’s lips curved. “The Marquis suffered such heavy injuries; it’s normal for him to be overly sad. The adoption ceremony in the front courtyard is about to begin; let’s go first.”
In the front courtyard, under the witness of the Crown Prince and the clan members, Lin Xiao smoothly completed the adoption.
Lin Ningkun, however, was venting in the guest room.
Lin Ningkun looked at himself in the mirror, disbelief on his face.
Several patches of scorched hair on his head revealed scalp, his face flushed red and stinging painfully, his clothing filthy.
No different from a toad in a well.
Lin Ningkun had always cared about his appearance; now suddenly becoming like this was worse than death. In rage, he swept the mirror off the table.
Lin Yi, waiting outside, heard the noise and thought something had happened, rushing in anxiously. “Marquis, what happened? Are you alr—”
Suddenly, Lin Yi’s eyes widened, words failing him.
Lin Yi’s expression stung Lin Ningkun; he lost his usual gentle elegance. “Get out. Get out!”
He shouted ferociously at Lin Yi.
After a few stunned seconds, Lin Yi retreated.
Once outside, his heart still raced in shock. Was that really Lin Ningkun he had just seen?
Had he seen a ghost?
The adoption ceremony ended, but Lin Ningkun never appeared.
Hong Ye looked puzzled. “Madam, doesn’t the Marquis always value Xiao Ge’er highly? For such an important ceremony, why wasn’t his figure seen?”
Jiang Ruanxi said profoundly, “Perhaps he has something even more important.”
Hong Ye was dumbfounded by her words.
Lin Ningkun had come specifically for Lin Xiao’s adoption ceremony; what could be more important than this?
Hong Ye looked puzzled. “Madam, doesn’t the Marquis always value Xiao Ge’er highly? For such an important ceremony, why wasn’t his figure seen?”
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