Chapter 52: You Really Misunderstood Me
“Of course.”
Sun Chengye was naturally pleased with his handling of the matter, but he still felt inexplicably victimized by the ordeal. He spat on the ground and cursed, “What bad luck.”
After speaking, he straightened his clothes and walked out the door.
After he left, Lin Ningkun looked at Jiang Ruanxi, quite displeased. “Mother, take Third Sister back first.”
Madam Zhou didn’t dare say anything rash and could only obediently take Lin Tingting and leave.
“There’s nothing for you here anymore. You should go back too. I don’t want anyone else to know about today’s matter. You know what to do.” Lin Ningkun directly instructed her to clean up the aftermath.
This was treating her like a tool.
Jiang Ruanxi lowered her gaze and said indifferently, “Marquis, rest assured. Besides those present today, I absolutely will not let anyone else know about this matter.”
Only then was Lin Ningkun satisfied, and he quickly left.
Hong Ye watched his back, extremely angry at heart.
“Madam, has the Marquis gone mad? This matter will inevitably be known by others. His handling is simply harming Third Miss.”
Something even Hong Ye understood—how could someone as smart as Lin Ningkun not know?
Moreover, when they came, the clothes Lin Tingting was wearing were not plain garments; she had clearly dressed up carefully to meet Sun Chengye. But why had she suddenly changed her mind?
Jiang Ruanxi smiled at the direction where Lin Ningkun had disappeared. “There must be something he’s hiding from us. Follow him and see, and we’ll know.”
Before long, Jiang Ruanxi followed Lin Ningkun to the bamboo grove in the back courtyard.
The moon hung high in the sky, and the wind blew rustling through.
Before long, Lin Ningkun entered a small house in the woods.
“Ning brother, it really wasn’t me. You’ve truly misunderstood me.”
The familiar voice reached their ears. Jiang Ruanxi was not surprised at all, but Hong Ye was shocked and astonished as if she had seen a ghost.
Her hands covered her mouth, her face full of disbelief.
Wasn’t that voice the Heir Apparent’s Wife from Zhenguo Marquis Manor?
Why had Lin Ningkun come to find her so late at night?
And why was she calling him so intimately?
“Misunderstanding? When I just went out to find you, were my eyes blind? Did I see you going to the west wing room?”
Jiang Ruanxi’s eyes flickered, and she immediately understood what was going on.
She had said Jiang Xuerou was a dog cannot change its nature. If she knew the Crown Prince was at Guangming Temple, she would definitely find a way to approach him.
But why was it Lin Tingting who ended up in Sun Chengye’s room?
“No, Ning brother, you’ve misunderstood me. I heard movement outside and knew there was an assassin. I was worried about your safety and wanted to inform you, but I got lost by accident.”
Jiang Xuerou immediately began to sob softly, appearing extremely self-blaming.
“What place to get lost but the Heir Apparent’s room in Yongning Marquis Manor?”
Lin Ningkun did not believe her words.
Hong Ye felt like she had seen something that shattered her worldview.
Although she had guessed their relationship last time, it was only a guess. Hong Ye had still held a sliver of fantasy in her heart that it was all fake. But now, it seemed real.
Jiang Ruanxi curved her lips. It seemed just as she thought—Jiang Xuerou had indeed learned that the person in the west wing room was the Crown Prince, so she went there.
“I… I didn’t know it was him inside…” Jiang Xuerou said guiltily.
“Do you know that if I hadn’t pushed Third Sister in, and if someone had discovered you tonight, your reputation would be ruined?”
Lin Ningkun thought that if he had been even a step late, the woman he loved would have been defiled, and he was so angry he wanted to hit someone.
Jiang Ruanxi was slightly stunned.
Finally, she understood why Lin Ningkun had so easily reconciled with Sun Chengye earlier.
It was all for Jiang Xuerou.
Cold smile filled Jiang Ruanxi’s eyes.
If Lin Tingting knew that her own brother, for the sake of his lover, didn’t even care about her reputation, that would be a good show.
“Ning brother, I know you’re doing this for my own good, but don’t feel too indebted about your Third Sister’s matter.” Jiang Xuerou comforted him gently.
Jiang Xuerou’s words stunned Lin Ningkun.
He didn’t know what this sudden shift meant—why bring up Lin Tingting?
“My sincerity toward you has always been true. I didn’t go to see anyone tonight. If you don’t believe me, take a look at this.”
Jiang Xuerou went to the cabinet and took out a pair of embroidered shoes, with a large rose embroidered on the surface.
“What is this?” Lin Ningkun asked, puzzled.
“Last time I got lost in the woods, I found this pair of embroidered shoes on my way back.”
Jiang Xuerou said aggrievedly, “I’ve told you I have nothing with Sun Chengye, but you refuse to believe me. This pair of shoes is proof enough that the person Sun Chengye wanted to see wasn’t me.”
Lin Ningkun believed Jiang Xuerou’s words without thinking.
Because even if Jiang Xuerou had other intentions toward him, she absolutely wouldn’t fancy Sun Chengye.
Now it seemed he had overthought it.
Thinking of how much he had doubted the woman he loved, he felt extreme regret.
What had he done?
“Xue’er, I’m sorry.”
Unable to contain his emotions, Lin Ningkun pulled Jiang Xuerou into his arms.
Whenever Jiang Xuerou thought of the cuckold on Lin Ningkun’s head, she felt disgusted, but now was not the time to tear off the facade, so no matter how much she disdained him, she endured it.
“It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have been so suspicious.”
In the corner where Lin Ningkun couldn’t see, Jiang Xuerou’s face was full of disdain, but her tone remained gentle.
Seeing this, Hong Ye was completely stunned.
They really did have an intimate relationship.
Jiang Ruanxi also fully understood Lin Ningkun’s earlier abnormality. Afraid of being discovered, she quietly pulled Hong Ye away.
The two in the room were oblivious. Jiang Xuerou finally couldn’t endure it and pushed Lin Ningkun away, retreating two steps.
“Marquis, aren’t you curious whose embroidered shoes these are?”
Lin Ningkun was somewhat displeased that Jiang Xuerou had pushed him away, his brows slightly furrowed. Pretending not to notice, Jiang Xuerou continued, “Last time I came to the manor, I saw Third Sister wearing these shoes.”
Lin Ningkun’s expression changed drastically. Jiang Xuerou noted it and smiled again. “Ah, maybe I’m overthinking it. Perhaps Third Sister just happens to have a similar pair. These shoes might not be hers.”
Everyone coming to Guangming Temple was recorded, and there were few female guests here. How could such things be so coincidental?
“It’s late. The temple is all messy now. You should go back first.” Lin Ningkun looked at the embroidered shoes in her hand, deep in thought.
“Alright. Ning brother, these embroidered shoes are useless here with me. Why don’t you help me deal with them? I’ll remember what you say.” Jiang Xuerou looked up and requested.
Thanks to book friend AChu’s reward yesterday. There will be an extra chapter tomorrow, three chapters.
