Chapter 585 - Chapter 585: Chapter 572: Teaching a Lesson (1/2)

Chapter 585: Chapter 572: Teaching a Lesson

Seeing Zhuang Qingning dressed neatly with a sizable bundle on her back, Xiangqiao was surprised. “Miss, what is this all about…?”

“I have some urgent business to handle, and will likely be away for a while. You take care of the house these days. See Mr. Fan in Qingzhuyuan tomorrow and tell him to check on Qingsui at the academy before the Dragon Boat Festival, and let her not bother to return home. If she wants to, let her go find Mr. Fan.”

“For other matters, instruct everyone to mind their business. If they face any difficult decisions, they may consult the village chief uncle in the village, or Uncle Zhang in the town.”

Zhuang Qingning did not have time to talk to Xiangqiao much and simply entrusted her with the matters that needed attention.

To Xiangqiao, whatever Zhuang Qingning was about to do must be extremely important, and if she didn’t find it necessary to mention what it was, then Xiangqiao had better not ask. She simply nodded. “Rest assured, Miss, I have made note of everything.”

“Although the weather has warmed up, it could still be cold at night. You should take a cloak with you.”

Xiangqiao fetched a cloak from the cupboard.

It was freshly made, using fabric from Cheng Ruize. The fabric shimmered in the light, making it look beautiful and eye-catching whether worn day or night.

Zhuang Qingning considered it, put the cloak on, took the water bag that Xiangqiao had just filled, and hastily left the house.

Xiangqiao stood at the door, feeling a bit uneasy as she watched Zhuang Qingning depart. Once she was out of sight, Xiangqiao closed the door and returned to her own room to lay down in bed.

Zhuang Qingning was setting off late at night, and being just a girl, Xiangqiao couldn’t help but feel worried. She tossed and turned without being able to sleep, so she decided not to sleep at all. She lit a candle and an oil lamp, illuminating her room, and continued sewing a summer dress for Zhuang Qingsui, only half completed, in order to calm herself.

Zhuang Qingning left the house in quick strides, and heading in the direction of Chu Jinnian, as instructed by someone.

When she was far from the village and could no longer see the faint light in the village, she stopped.

“Come out.” Zhuang Qingning said in a deep voice.

After a moment of silence, Su Mu, dressed in a black uniform, bowed to Zhuang Qingning, “I, Su Mu, pay my respects to Miss Zhuang.”

“Isn’t there another one of you? If I recall, there should be two.”

As soon as Zhuang Qingning finished speaking, Su Ye quietly appeared beside Su Mu and bowed in the same fashion, “I, Su Ye, pay my respects to Miss Zhuang.”

“Ready the horses. We must get to Xuanyuan City.” Zhuang Qingning spoke in a deep voice, “Jinnian is in danger. It’s a matter of utmost urgency. The faster you can move, the better.”

Chu Jinnian is in danger?

Su Mu and Su Ye looked at each other, both surprised. They quickly saluted, “Miss Zhuang, please follow us.”

Since Chu Jinnian had assigned them to secretly protect Zhuang Qingning, they had chosen a very concealed location near her. It was where they took refuge and kept a few horses on standby.

Their preparations were just coming in handy.

With three horses, one for each of them, they had enough supplies.

However…

Usually, the girls of the house were not accustomed to riding horses, even those who could ride, whipping the horse to ride fast for a long period might overwhelm them.

Especially after secretly observing Zhuang Qingning for such a long duration, she seemed not more than an ordinary farmer’s daughter who didn’t come across horses quite often in her daily life.

Su Mu was rather worried.