Chapter 32: Without your help
The carriage came to a gradual stop a few seconds later, the horses letting out a small neigh before finally coming to a halt. Anning had been staring outside absentmindedly, but the moment she felt the movement stop completely, she straightened slightly and glanced toward Wanqing.
At that moment, her mistress had already pushed the carriage door open.
Of course.
For someone that barely spoke, she truly had a habit of doing things without warning people first.
Han Luo appeared outside moments later and without hesitation, he stretched his hand toward Wanqing. Wanqing merely glanced at him before placing her hand into his palm and stepping down from the carriage gracefully. That one movement looked natural, almost practiced. As though she had done this so many times she no longer even thought about it.
Then Han Luo turned toward Anning.
Anning stared at the hand stretched toward her for a few seconds before placing hers in it. The moment she stepped down successfully, she looked up and muttered, "Thank you."
Han Luo paused briefly, letting go of her hand before muttering,
"...You’re welcome."
From the side, Wanqing glanced at them once with a frown on her face before looking away.
Anning dusted the side of her dress before finally raising her head to look around properly and immediately, her eyes widened slightly.
Just a few feet away stood a massive structure with green pillars and tall walls surrounding it. Lanterns had been hung outside with servants moving in and out, through the entrance and several guards, who stood nearby with straight backs.
Anning blinked.
So, this was the Yun family residence. Although she had no idea who exactly was under this family, she still found their house to be a bit mediocre?
Because compared to the Gu family’s residence, it somehow felt smaller. Wanqing’s home was the epitome of wealth.
Calling it a house felt almost insulting. That place looked like a freaking palace, meanwhile this place....
This place felt like a place wealthy people lived in but it felt different. Then again, Anning had absolutely no idea what rich people from the ancient times called houses.
She had been so deep in thoughts when Han Luo’s deep voice suddenly snapped her out of a daze.
"Take the carriage around back and return after a few hours." He ordered.
"Míngbáile" (Understood)
The guards behind them said in unison, then dropped into a low dip.
Anning didn’t have the time to think too much about it, because Wanqing had already begun walking and Han Luo quietly followed behind her. Seeing this, Anning hurried after them.
As they got closer to the entrance, Anning could see how crowded this place actually was.
Several other carriages were just arriving at that point, people continuously stepped out of their carriages one after another. Some dressed in expensive robes while the others had colorful hanfus on with enough accessories hanging on their necks. Just the sight of them made Anning’s neck ache slightly.
As they walked past, Anning slowly started noticing something weird. The way people kept looking at Wanqing, although they were not doing it openly.
She still saw them.
They glanced at her briefly, then whispered to whoever stood beside them and immediately looked away as though nothing happened when Wanqing’s eyes settled on a pair.
At first, Anning saw them as nothing but cowards. The way they’d just stand on the side gossiping and being scared of her.
But now...
Now she just looked away, before silently lowering her gaze. Because after what happened earlier, even she herself couldn’t completely pretend she wasn’t scared.
As they finally approached the entrance, an older woman dressed in fine robes turned her gaze and when they landed on them, her eyes immediately lit up.
"Wanqing!" She called out, her lips stretching into a smile.
Before Anning could even process what was happening, the woman stepped forward and wrapped both hands around Wanqing warmly.
"You heartless child." The woman clicked her tongue as she slowly reached up, lightly pinching Wanqing’s cheek. "You only remember this place only when there’s a gathering. If there wasn’t one today, would you have come to see me at all?"
Anning eyes widened at what she just saw. This old lady actually managed to pinch Wanqing’s cheek.
She slowly turned toward Wanqing and shockingly enough, her scared mistress didn’t look annoyed.
The corners of Wanqing’s lips lifted slightly, the smile she had on wasn’t the fake one she wore around people but a real one.
"Aunty," Wanqing said softly, before pulling away from the hug. "I’ve just been too busy ."
The moment Wanqing finished speaking, the older woman folded her arm over her chest instantly.
"Busy?" She repeated as Wanqing nodded calmly.
"I’ll make it up to you soon." Wanqing said, bowing slightly.
The woman raised a brow at her before she quietly added, "I’ll come visit later."
Only then did the woman seem satisfied.
"Hm, that’s better."
Her gaze slowly shifted away from Wanqing, landing on Han Luo first before Anning.
Her gaze lingered on them for a few seconds before she finally brought her gaze back to Wanqing.
Wanqing just gave her a small nod, which had the woman immediately turning around.
"Ya! Come here!" The woman said to a young maid standing several feet away who immediately hurried forward.
"Yes, Madam." She replied softly.
"Take them to the hall and hurry back immediately. We still have a lot to do ." The older woman ordered.
The maid nodded once before turning toward Wanqing and then lowering her head slightly. "Please follow me."
As the maid slowly led them down the hallway, Wanqing kept her eyes fixed at the back of her head. She knew how tricky the Yun family hallway’s were and that had her glancing back at Han Luo and Anning.
"Luo, don’t let her out of your sight once we step into the hall. Got it?" Wanqing said softly, but her words still echoed slightly through the hall.
"Why do you keep saying that, I can clearly take care of myself without your help."
