Chapter 317: Willful Promise (1/2)
“Have you heard anything suspicious?” a man asked from outside the door. “Has the lady left the room?”
“She hasn't,” answered the maid, befuddled. “What's going on? Did something happen?”
The man briefly described the situation and brought a group of men to the door, seemingly intending to enter and search around.
Jun Huang felt a headache brewing. She knew Nan Xun and Qi Yun had hidden themselves well, but she didn't dare to relax her guard. She took a deep breath and rose to her feet, calling out through the door, “What's the commotion about? Is something the matter?”
She could see the silhouette of the men outside. Her icy gaze fixed on them and her tone turned steely. “Shouldn't you notify me before barging in?”
The men were surprised. They knew there was a young mistress living in this building, but they hadn't been allowed near the area as mere guards. They heard she was beautiful and polite. Her a.s.sertive side was unexpected.
“They're just guards, my lady. They rushed in to eliminate the threat before it could scare you.” The maid had been with Jun Huang for a few days. She knew Jun Huang's true nature. She didn't want Jun Huang to take her anger out on her.
Jun Huang knew the mistress must have told them to check her place first should anything happen, but she wasn't going to let them get what they wanted. She scoffed. “No one's here. Are you not going to believe my words?”
“Of course we believe you, my lady,” a servant quickly said, worried that Jun Huang would make a scene. “I'm sure no one would have come close to your room. We'll take our leave.”
The maid nodded and led the guards away. At the door, she shook her head and added, “The intruders are unlikely to be here. We've been keeping watch outside her room. No one has entered, and she hasn't left even once. Perhaps the intruders have fled.”
The leading guard nodded, wiping sweat from his forehead. “You're right. However, the mistress has ordered us to keep her safe. That's the only reason why we've come. It may be unwise for us to leave now.”
“Still, you don't know her temper. She's not as meek as we thought she was. Although she hasn't fully recovered, she's clever. It's better we avoid offending her. Maybe one day that'll end up benefiting us. Offending her may get us killed.”
The maid's expression was grave. The guard knew the risks involved as well. He nodded and led his people away.
The maid was still a little concerned. Jun Huang's place in the manor was unclear, but she knew nothing should happen to her. Otherwise, the maid's head would roll.
After some deliberation, she decided to check on Jun Huang.
She knocked. Jun Huang got the door with expression so steely it intimidated the maid. The maid looked around and found nothing out of the ordinary. She smiled awkwardly before backing away.
Jun Huang could tell what the maid was thinking. She narrowed her eyes at the door for a long time. When she turned back, Nan Xun and Yin Yun had silently re-entered her room.
Without sparing even a glance at Yin Yun, Nan Xun walked up to Jun Huang. She knew she should put some distance between them, but her instinct told her otherwise. Staying close to the man seemed like an ingrained habit.
She looked at Nan Xun calmly. Nan Xun felt as if he was stabbed in the heart. She'd never looked at him so coldly ever since they confessed their feelings for each other.
She looked at him like he was a stranger. It worried and pained him.
“You… are you alright?” he finally managed to say.
Jun Huang frowned. What did he mean by that? She nodded and answered in a polite but aloof tone, “I'm fine. Thank you for your concern. May I ask who you are?”
Nan Xun's pupils contracted. He took a step forward and stared at Jun Huang. “You don't know who I am?!”
Jun Huang didn't answer. She had a feeling she was close to the man, but she didn't know how close. She was treading on thin ice. She must watch everything she said now.
She smiled slightly at Nan Xun and said nonchalantly, “I was sick and lost my memory. I hope you'll forgive me for that.”