Did Miss become a nun today?

It is a hot summer day in Zhuming, and the cicadas are noisy in the tall willow trees.

It's too hot during the day, so people don't want to go out. But at night, the city is bustling with noise.

The young ladies and gentlemen of the Marquis's mansion made an appointment to go to the night market. After a simple dinner, they left the mansion and went for a night stroll together.

The three sisters from the Marquis's mansion walked in front, while Pei Changfeng's three friends followed behind.

Wei Lin looked around and asked, "Why haven't I seen your cousin today?"

Pei Changfeng naturally knew who he was referring to, and pointed to Ji Lanshu in front of him, "Isn't that her?"

Wei Lin choked, and wisely stopped talking, but Meng Qi'an asked with a smile, "Still angry?"

Pei Changfeng snorted lightly. He had been sick in bed for two or three days, and Xie Yun Chu hadn't visited him even once.

"Just because Miss Xie didn't come to see you?"

When he was told the truth, Pei Changfeng's face fell, and his mood worsened.

"My cousin is right up ahead. What kind of cousin is she?"

"Don't mention her again!"

Xie Yun Chu was unaware that people were talking about her even when she wasn't there. She did go out today, but she took Sui'er with her.

Chen Yan was worried, so he came along, but only from a distance, not daring to go closer.

Xie Yun Chu held Sui'er's hand as they walked through the crowd. Sui'er was curious about everything on the street and kept asking her questions.

Chen Yan couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward to remind her, "Sui'er, what did your elder brother tell you? You're asking too many questions at once; Miss Xie can't answer them all."

Sui'er looked at her, confused. "Sister, aren't I asking too many questions?"

She shook her head. "Not many, it's just that I answered a lot, so you can't remember them all."

Sui'er seemed to understand, but not quite, and truly stopped asking.

The child was lively and had no resistance to the excitement of the street. At first, she could hold back, but slowly she rushed forward. Xie Yun Chu couldn't hold her back, so Chen Yan came to help.

"Sui'er, there are too many people around, don't run around."

Sui'er looked at her two hands, her brother on the left and her sister on the right, and after thinking for a moment, said, "Brother, sister, we look like a family of three."

It was just innocent talk from a child, and Xie Yun Chu didn't take it seriously, but Chen Yan blushed and even stammered.

"Sui'er! What nonsense are you talking about?"

Xie Yun Chu chuckled and patted her head. "Sui'er is right. You're the older brother, I'm the older sister, and Sui'er is the younger sister. Aren't we a family of three?"

Her intention was to smooth things over and not let Chen Yan overthink things, but she never expected that as soon as she said those words, Chen Yan's face would turn even redder.

Chen Yan was too young when he was in school to have any experience with girls. Later, his family became very poor, and no girl was interested in him. That's why he's been a little nervous all day.

Upon hearing Sui'er's words, he instantly lost his composure, but Xie Yun Chu's words made him feel even more ashamed.

What is his identity? What is Miss Xie's identity? He had actually misunderstood.

That was really wrong.

"Miss Xie, please don't be offended, I..."

"It's alright. Speaking of which, there's something I need to thank you for."

"Thank me?"

"Your information was very useful in the last incident with the bandits."

Although it's unclear how well Wei Zhao's investigation went, it's still useful. If they find anything suspicious, it would be tantamount to saving Wei Zhao's life.

This favor belongs to the Chen family.

"If a distinguished person comes to express their gratitude in the future, do not refuse them; simply accept their thanks."

"I'll do whatever Miss says."

*

A thousand lights illuminate the night market, and red-sleeved beauties throng the tall buildings.

Chen Yan was pulled into the crowd by his sister, while Xie Yun Chu led Lan Yue to try to go to a less crowded place.

The place where they released river lanterns last time was now crowded with people. The lotus lanterns on the river adorned the night like stars in the sky, drifting downstream.

She found a secluded spot to sit down, gave Lan Yue some silver, and told her to buy whatever she wanted. She then gazed quietly at the lakeside.

Pedestrians passing by couldn't help but glance at the woman sitting by the roadside.

Xie Yunchu was staring intently at the lights on the river, a shadow falling over her head.

Looking up, she saw Pei Changfeng looking down at her with a smile on his lips.

"Xie Yun Chu, without me, you don't even have a lantern in your hand?"

He pointed to the lanterns that Pei Changning and the others were holding not far away, "See that? That's my cousin."

Xie Yun Chu looked in the direction he pointed, but didn't say anything.

Not far away, Wei Lin and Meng Qi'an on the bridge were also drawn to the girl under the tree.

In the distance, the river lanterns were like a tapestry, and laughter and chatter filled the air. Yet she sat alone by the riverbank, letting the lanterns illuminate half her face, but the emptiness in her eyes was deeper than the night itself.

When had Wei Lin and Meng Qi'an ever seen Xie Yun Chu like this?

Even Pei Changfeng had never seen it.

When Xie Yun first entered the Marquis's residence, his eyes were filled with fear, but gradually, the way he looked at him changed.

It becomes burning hot, it becomes expectant, even joyful and adoring.

But now, all those emotions are gone.

He gritted his teeth, "I'm sick, why don't you come to see me?"

Xie Yun Chu then looked up at him, but only glanced at him before looking away.

"I don't want to go."

Pei Changfeng laughed, "Xie Yun Chu, you always know how to make me angry."

Yes, that's why she only realizes now that they're not a good match.

Before he could say anything more, a clear and pleasant voice stopped him, "Second cousin."

Ji Lanshu ran over carrying a lantern, tugging at his sleeve, "Second cousin, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you."

Pei Changfeng didn't pull his sleeves out. "Why are you here? Where are Changying and Changning?"

"My two cousins ​​went to see the acrobatics, but I couldn't squeeze in," she said, sounding somewhat aggrieved.

His gaze finally fell on Xie Yun Chu, and after looking at her for a while, he said, "Second cousin, who is this...?"

Before Pei Changfeng could speak, Xie Yun Chu stood up and said, "I don't know her."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

The people behind her were about to give chase, but Ji Lanshu grabbed him. "Second cousin, where are you going? I can't find my cousin, don't leave me behind."

He pulled out his sleeve, took a few steps back as if to avoid suspicion, and asked, "Where are your maids and servants?"

Ji Lanshu lowered her head. "They rarely come to the capital, so I let them go have some fun."

Pei Changfeng clicked his tongue impatiently and turned around. The crowd was so dense that the figure from before was nowhere to be seen.

After browsing through a few stalls, Xie Yun Chu took Lan Yue away to meet Chen Yan and his sister at the agreed location.

When they arrived, the person had not yet returned, so they sat down at a nearby food stall and ordered some roasted meat and ice cream.

Just as the food was served, another person sat down opposite them and asked the owner for the same food.

That's really annoying.

She got up and moved to another table, and Wei Lin followed her there.

"Why be so formal? We've known each other for a while, can't we even share a table?"

"no."

He sat across from her, and she couldn't even eat.

Wei Lin crossed his arms over his chest. "Then I'll still insist on staying with you."

Unwilling to pay him any more attention, she lowered her head and took a bite of ice cream.

Wei Lin was about to say those harsh words when he remembered how she looked by the river, and in the end, he didn't say them.

He glanced at the item in the servant's hand, hesitated, and seemed somewhat uneasy.

At this moment, Meng Qi'an walked over, fanning himself. "So that's why you disappeared. You came here to find some peace and quiet."

Xie Yun Chu's face darkened. It wasn't enough that Wei Lin had come; now Meng Qi An had also joined in the fun. What exactly was he trying to do?