Chapter 328: Near Miss (1/2)
Nan Xun's heart clenched when he saw the sweat covering Jun Huang's forehead. He wiped it off for her. “Scared?”
Jun Huang waved a dismissive hand and looked at Jun Hao silently. Nan Xun was a little worried that Jun Hao was still unconscious, but he didn't let it show. “Do you recognize him?”
Jun Huang glanced at him before carefully considering Jun Hao. She shook her head. “I do think he looks familiar. It's like we've known each other for a long time. However, I don't recall anything.”
That didn't surprise Nan Xun, but he was still a little disappointed. He sighed. “It's alright that you can't remember now. You will eventually.”
A pause, and Jun Huang asked, “Does that make you sad?”
Her tone was gentle and careful. Nan Xun gazed deeply into her eyes and chuckled, ruffling her hair. “Of course I am, but that doesn't change anything. I'm not going to leave you. I'll wait until you remember your past, or find some way to help you. I'm sure you'll recover your memory sooner or later.”
“Didn't you tell me you remembered bits and pieces? You just need something to trigger your memory. You do know Jun Hao. You simply - ” Nan Xun stopped himself and lowered his eyes, his expression a little dejected.
He was glad that Jun Huang had remembered something, but after that came a sense of loss. He wanted her to remember everything about him.
He told himself to be patient.
“Alright, let's get out of here first.” Nan Xun carried Jun Hao with one hand and took Jun Huang's wrist with the other. They made their way out of the alley and reached Nan Xun's temporary residence.
Nan Xun placed Jun Hao on the bed. Jun Huang pursed her lips staring at the pale boy, her heart aching.
Nan Xun didn't know what he could do to make things better. In the end, he left the siblings alone and ordered a shadowguard to get a doctor.
When Jun Huang came out of the room, she'd put on her calm mask again. It was as if her pain had all been an illusion.
“It's time for me to return,” said Jun Huang. “If I get exposed, it'll be troublesome.”
Nan Xun nodded and patted her shoulder rea.s.suringly. “Don't worry. It's safe here. My shadowguards will protect him. No one can take Jun Hao away. Now, we have to return to make sure those in the Grand Chancellor's manor don't notice anything wrong. The rest can wait.”
“My lady, we've been looking for you. Why are you here?” The maid found “Jun Huang” in a pavilion. She frowned and jogged up to her.
Jun Huang looked back at the maid, her eyes dark and unreadable. She lowered her gaze and smiled. “I was bored, so I came without telling you. Apologies for making you worry.”
For some reason, the maid felt there was something odd about Jun Huang today. She was usually cold and unapproachable. It wasn't like her to say what she'd said. However, She didn't look any different.
Jun Huang frowned in response to the maid's open stare. The maid quickly lowered her eyes, showing Jun Huang the utmost respect.
When no one was looking, “Jun Huang” let out a long breath. Under her sleeve, her palms were covered in sweat.
It was silent for a moment. She sat down and poured herself a cup of tea. A hint of sweetness lingered in her mouth after the bitter taste.
Catching the maid sneaking glances at her, she stared at the maid and scoffed. “What have I done to warrant such scrutiny from you?”
The maid dropped down to her knees and shuddered. Everyone knew the mistress had slapped the third young mistress for Jun Huang. In their eyes, the third mistress had done nothing wrong, and yet she was the one being punished. They knew what the implications were and considered Jun Huang someone they mustn't offend.
The maid didn't dare get up without Jun Huang's say-so. She stayed kneeling on the cold bluestone. The others watched and did nothing, too afraid to speak up for the maid.
It was getting dark. A pageboy from the front building rushed to them. “My lady, master asked you to join them for dinner. He said it was rare for everyone in the family to be here. It'd be nice to share a meal together.”