Chapter 4
Every eye was on him and Xianghe.
He could neither stay nor leave.
Mu Qingyan slowly descended from the dais, and my heart gave another heavy thump.
With everyone watching, the stage was finally set for her performance.
“Qingyan…” His gaze wavered for an instant as he tried to explain.
But a moment later,
she reached out and pulled the pink hibiscus pin straight from Xianghe’s hair.
“Ah!” Xianghe gave a small cry. Still enduring the pain, her voice was barely a breath.
“Sister, why did you take my hairpin?”
The guests looked equally bewildered.
Only the heir’s face was taut, his lips pressed into a thin line.
“Mother.” He abruptly released the girl in his arms and turned to the duchess. “Please find Xianghe a physician. I’ll go and stay with Qingyan.”
“There’s no need.” Qingyan’s voice was cold, distant yet courteous. “Why the sudden change of heart, my lord? Are you frightened?”
He forced a smile. “She’s only a cousin staying with us. Why should you be jealous of her?”
“I know you’re upset, but there are so many guests here today. Whatever you want to say, we can discuss it privately. Let’s not spoil your birthday banquet.”
Even I felt something lodge in my throat.
He was plainly afraid Qingyan would expose their affair in front of everyone and leave him utterly disgraced.
Yet every word implied that she was throwing a childish tantrum, with no thought for anyone else.
He had cast himself as the dignified one trying to preserve the occasion.
Expressionless, Qingyan raised a hand to signal the maid beside her to bring forward a tray.
His pupils contracted. He caught hold of her sleeve.
His eyes seemed to plead, Don’t.
A trace of mockery touched her lips. Then she flung his hand away!
She raised her voice. “Since today is my birthday, let’s play a little game.”
“There are two rows of ornaments on this tray. Can you guess which row contains the full-price purchases, and which the free gifts?”
The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
The lady beside me muttered under her breath,
“The top row is lavish and expensive, and the bottom one plain and cheap. It’s perfectly obvious. What is there to guess?”
After a moment’s consideration, I answered just as quietly.
“That white hibiscus pin on top looks like the one she took from Xianghe’s hair. Oh? The earrings and bracelet too? What a coincidence!”
Prompted by my words, the entire table peered closely.
“Indeed. Only the colors are a little different.”
Someone with sharp eyes spotted another detail.
“Wait! Isn’t that plain jade pin in the bottom row the same as the one Qingyan is wearing?”
“What on earth is going on? The Grand Secretary’s daughter wears freebies while a distant cousin is decked out in gold and silver? The world has turned upside down!”
The ladies’ indignation had turned opinion decisively against the pair.
I quietly shrank back into my seat, pretending to be invisible.
Miss Mu, I had done everything within my power to help.
Please make it count.